GRE vs CAT: The admission for graduation level courses is increasingly becoming high all over in India as well as abroad and those admissions are becoming competitive day by day.
The GRE syllabus is tougher than the CAT syllabus. The students who do the preparation of GRE exam will suitable for all master’s programmes in the world while the students who prepare for CAT exam will suitable for only MBA course in India. The score secured by candidates in these exams is accepted by the institutions.
CAT requires candidates to answer questions based on the comprehension provided while GRE may include selection of a text from passage to answer the questions. Vocabulary is intensively assessed through GRE. It is much tougher in this exam when compared with CAT.
But these exams such as Graduate Record Examination (GRE), Common Admission Test (CAT) and many more are the tests to see the ability of the aspirants while applying to the top best leading universities and B-schools. From which CAT is acceptable for the top ranking business schools in India, whereas GRE is used in many international colleges/ universities for the admissions in graduation programs. The syllabus of GRE and CAT are comparatively similar in many respects but it is different in the terms of difficulty level and the format of each individual sections. This tests are to access the skills received and gathered by the students especially in their higher school studies. Each of these tests are taken to know the skills and conceptual knowledge of candidates. These two exams are one of the most popular competitive exams in India. The aspirants those are aspiring for their higher studies, these two exams has become very crucial for the admission in master’s degree in India and abroad.

CAT – Common admission test
GRE – Graduate record examination
GRE vs CAT: Overview.
Firstly, GRE focuses on the suitability of candidates for wide-ranging master’s programmes by testing them all over the world even including some parts in India. Whereas, CAT focuses on Master of Business Administration (MBA) all over in India in the Indian institutions. The syllabus of GRE and CAT are almost similar with quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning and writing sections which are included in both the exams. Moreover, this should not be assumed that GRE tests are not applicable for MBA admissions. Some of the institutions accept the GRE scores in lieu of GMAT and it is also advised that the candidates pursue individual admission requirements carefully.
GRE vs CAT: Key Differences.
There are some key differences between GRE vs CAT which are mentioned below:
On the basis of conducting authority.
GRE – Educational Testing Service (ETS).
CAT – Indian Institutes of Management (IIMS).
On the basis of availability.
GRE – All Year Round ( first-come-first-serve basis )
CAT – Only once per year.
On the basis of Eligibility.
GRE – There is no eligibility criteria. But it is typically applicable for master’s program.
CAT – For bachelor’s degree candidates are required to score 50% for general candidates and 45% for SC/ ST/ PwD candidates.
On the basis of Type of Test.
GRE – The exams are taken as Computer Adaptive Test (sectional).
CAT – The exams are taken as Linear Computer Test.
On the basis of Sections.
GRE – The sections are based on different steps –
• Verbal Reasoning (2 sections)
• Quantitative Reasoning (2 sections)
• Analytical Writing.
CAT – The sections are based on different steps –
• Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension.
• Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning.
• Quantitative Section.
On the basis of Maximum Score.
GRE – The maximum score needed is 340.
CAT – The maximum score needed is 300.
On the basis of Score Balidity.
GRE – The validation is for 5 years.
CAT – The validation is for 1 years.
On the basis of Time.
GRE – The time is for 3 hours 45 minutes.
CAT – 3 hours.
Eligibility.
If you come to talk about the differentiation of GRE vs CAT, then eligibility criteria comes to the most important point to differentiate between them. Though, there is no eligibility criteria for GRE exam. Their application portal is open throughout the year and the candidates can apply anytime according to their preferences. However, program eligibility criteria may require which are adviced to the candidates to look the criterias while applying for that program. But for the CAT exam, there is eligibility criteria by which the candidates are allowed to seat for the exams. According to their graduation marks the criteria has been set, for the General candidates 50% marks is required and for SC/ ST/ PwD 45% marks is required. And candidates can apply once in a year at a given particular time.
Difficulty Level for Different Sections.
As we have already read about the different sections of GRE and CAT exam tests. For GRE exams the sections are : Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Analytical Writing. On the other hand for CAT exams the sections are : Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Section along with a strenuous quantitative ability section. Here, GRE Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning are both as a part of Quantitative Reasoning section. To know more about the the syllabi of GRE vs CAT in detail we are mentioning every point below in a detailed manner.
Quantitative Reasoning/ Data Interpretation/ Logical Reasoning.
The syllabus of GRE vs CAT are a lot similar on the basis of examining a candidate’s quantitative and mathematical aptitude through the questions. But their difficulty or the question pattern may differ where the difficulty level of CAT exam is much higher as it tests the candidate’s problem solving skills in some given environment.
Verbal Ability/Reasoning.
This is same as how the pattern of quantitative sections differ in syllabus and questions, the verbal portions are almost same. The GRE exams include the following three sub-sections – sentence equivalence, text completion and comprehension. On the other side, the CAT verbal reasoning section includes – questions on sentence correction, reading comprehension, fill in the blanks or identification, appropriate usage of words, the odd one out, amongst others. It is true that unlike CAT, the GRE tests extreme focuses on testing the candidate’s vocabulary.
GRE vs CAT: Top Universities & Business Schools.
The GRE exam is applicable for all master’s level courses all around the world which offered in the Universities such as USA, UK, Europe, Australia and many other countries. The number of Indian Institutes accepting GRE has been increasing with ISB being the frontrunner. Whereas CAT is applicable in the wide ranges of Central Indian Institutions such as IIMs, IITs, Delhi University as well as other several state level and private institutions.
FAQS.
Which is tougher GRE or CAT?
Compare between both of them, GRE and CAT, GRE is much more tougher exam than CAT by many test takers as their syllabus is more intensive. Whereas, the CAT syllabus is more easier to cover up.
What is the syllabus of CAT?
The syllabus of CAT exam are –
(1) Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension
(2) Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning
(3) Quantitative Aptitude.
What is the syllabus of GRE?
The syllabus of GRE exam are –
(1) Verbal Reasoning
(2) Quantitative Aptitude
(3) Analytical Writing.
Que. Is the syllabus of GRE along with CAT is same ?
Ans. The syllabus of both the exams are near about same. Along with mostly of the portion of these exams conduct maths.
Que. Is the preparation for CAT exam is enough for GRE Exam ?
Ans. The pattern of both the exam is quite same. So yes if you are well prepared for CAT exam then you can of course do good in GRE exam.
Here in the upper article we have posted all the mandatory details related to the GRE vs CAT course that can be helpful for the knowledge seekers along with we have given the answer of some questions which is asked by the candidates.








