Candidates often ponder over how to prepare for CAT and NMAT exams simultaneously. However, this can be achieved by being aware of the exam pattern of both the exams and covering the similar topics altogether.
Table of Contents
How to Prepare for NMAT and CAT Simultaneously? To prepare for NMAT and CAT simultaneously would be a wise decision for aspirants preparing to get into management and business schools for MBA/PGDM programs.
NMAT and CAT are two entrance examinations that offer admission to many revered management and business schools. CAT (Common Admission Test) is the exclusive gateway to IIMs, and NMAT (NMIMS Management Aptitude Test) is the exclusive gateway to NMIMS University. However, many other management and business schools offer admission through both CAT and NMAT.
How to Prepare for NMAT and CAT Simultaneously?
The CAT entrance examination is claimed to be the toughest exam among other entrance examinations for admission to management and business schools. Thus, candidates consistently preparing for CAT exam 2025 will be able to crack NMAT with a high score if they strategise their preparation time properly since the NMAT is comparatively easier than CAT.
To know how to prepare for NMAT and CAT simultaneously, the candidates will first have to look at the similarities and differences in the syllabus of the sections of the exams.
Read More:
Quantitative Aptitude in CAT and Quantitative Skills in NMAT
The QA section of CAT and the Quantitative Skills section in NMAT are both based on very similar topics. If the candidates prepare for the QA section of CAT, which requires knowledge of higher-level topics, they can easily solve the Quantitative Skills section of NMAT since the same foundation topics are covered thoroughly in CAT exam preparation.
DILR in CAT and Logical Reasoning in NMAT
The DILR section in the CAT exam is a combination of Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, whereas, in NMAT, the section is solely Logical Reasoning. These two sections of the respective exams are different from the other sections.
Hence, a person looking how to crack the NMAT should devote enough time to prepare for the Reasoning section of NMAT, as the syllabus covered in the CAT DILR section will not be sufficient to score in NMAT.
VARC in CAT and Language Skills in NMAT
The VARC section in CAT combines Verbal Ability and Reading Compression. Reading Comprehension in CAT usually comes with tricky passages, whereas the passages in NMAT are relatively straightforward. Vocabulary and grammar-based questions have more weightage in the Language Skills section of NMAT.
However, the CAT VA will include reasoning-based questions. The candidates who aim to prepare for NMAT and CAT simultaneously must prepare with enough attention to the Language Skills section of NMAT after the Logical Reasoning section.
Advantages of Preparing NMAT and CAT Together
The following reasons are the advantages of preparing and appearing for NMAT and CAT exam 2025 in one admission session.
- Increased admission opportunities as around 1500 institutions, including IIMs, offer admission through CAT. In contrast, around 64 institutions in India and abroad offer admission through NMAT. Thus, appearing for both CAT and NMAT in one session will increase the admission opportunities of the candidates along with their choices of institutions.
- The syllabus for NMAT and CAT are very similar, with only slight changes; hence, preparing for both exams together will require minimal effort and save preparation time.
Read More: How to Crack CAT Exam?
Similarities of NMAT and CAT Exams
The similarities between NMAT and CAT exam 2025 are mentioned in the following table.
| Particulars of NMAT exam 2025 and CAT exam 2025 | Details of Similarity |
| Programmes Offered Admission | MBA/PGDM |
| Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (Online) |
| Sectional Timing | Yes |
| Number of Sections | 3 |
| Duration of Exam | 120 Minutes (2 hours) |
| Exam Level | National Level |
| Medium of Exam | English |
Difference Between NMAT and CAT
The following is a tabulation of the differences between NMAT exam 2025 and CAT exam 2025.
| Particulars | NMAT exam 2025 | CAT exam 2025 |
| Full-Form | NMIMS Management Aptitude Test | Common Admission Test |
| Conducting Authority | GMAC | IIMs |
| Number of Attempts | 3 attempts are allowed in the same exam window | Once a year |
| Type of Questions | MCQs only | MCQs and Descriptive Questions |
| Sections | VARC | Language Skills |
| DILR | Logical Reasoning | |
| QA | Quantitative Skills | |
| Sectional Timing | 40 minutes | Language Skills: 28 Minutes |
| Logical Reasoning: 40 Minutes | ||
| Quantitative Skills: 52 Minutes | ||
| Number of Questions | 108 | 66 |
| Total Marks | 360 | 198 |
Read More:
Conclusion
Both NMAT and CAT are popular management entrance exams. Students taking CAT exam can also sit for NMAT as the syllabus is very simialr to each other.
POST YOUR COMMENT