Graduate Management Admission Test or the GMAT is a Computer Adaptive Test (CAT), a mandatory test to be taken by the applicants who are willing to study abroad. GMAT score is accepted/required for most of the countries where students prefer studying like USA, Canada, Newzealand and Australia. For most of the international MBA applicants, there is a huge confusion to decide between MBA/CAT. But the most common queries of applicants are which is easier of two? – MBA or CAT, Which one to go for? , can CAT materials be chosen for GMAT? , Does GMAT also have nine lives like CAT and many more?
Well, the basic fact is that GMAT score is accepted by many B-schools in India during the admission process whereas; CAT scores will not be accepted by the foreign universities for admission. The reason is GMAT exam structure. It has a typical 3 sections: GMAT Math, GMAT essay, GMAT verbal. These three sections evaluate a candidate’s aptitude, logical skills, analytical skills, writing skills and language which are very essential to get admitted into a foreign university. The problem solving skills would be enhanced in both the tests i.e., GMAT and CAT but then along with the aptitude the other skills are also subjected to test only in GMAT.
Next, most of the Indians prefer studying abroad than in their native land because of great after grad opportunities and their high pay scale. So students prefer taking GMAT and only after that CAT comes into the picture which gives them a chance of admission in all the prestigious IIM’s and other universities. Even the flexibility of taking the course as many times as you want seems to be higher with GMAT than CAT as the former can be taken up to five times in a year with a gap of thirty-one days where as the later can be taken only once in a year. For GMAT the dates can be chosen as per your convenience unlike CAT. The test results for GMAT (verbal and math) can be known immediately after the exam where as CAT results would be announced on a fixed date some time later after the exam.
GMAT plays a very vital role in the case of studying abroad because all the universities accept GMAT score. The most interesting fact is that the GMAT score is valid for five years unlike the CAT score which is valid for only one year. You can take the GMAT test and if you get an opportunity of work then go ahead take some work experience plan your funds for MBA abroad and then go for it as the score is valid for five years!
A serious preparation is needed for taking the GMAT test as this could fetch you a golden opportunity of landing in one of the top B-schools and awesome pay scale which could in fact change your life. So if you’re aiming for foreign education especially in the case of MBA, do not, I repeat, do not neglect GMAT. It is something which you got to take it seriously. Work on it, plan for it and then go ahead. Search for better institutes which offer good assistance for GMAT test preparation. Talk to your seniors, utilise the internet power and go for it as GMAT could be your only ticket to pursue MBA in a foreign university.
