CAT is the IIMs' entrance test for their main MBA/PGP programmes and is held once a year, on 29 November 2026 this cycle. The GMAT runs year-round and can be taken up to five times in 12 months; it's used by programmes such as ISB's PGP and IIM Ahmedabad's PGPX. Which one you need depends mainly on the programmes you're targeting.
GMAT vs CAT: quick comparison
GMAT vs CAT syllabus and exam pattern
Both exams have three sections covering verbal skills, data and quantitative ability, but they're organised differently.
GMAT. Quantitative Reasoning has 21 Problem Solving questions on arithmetic and elementary algebra, with no calculator. Verbal Reasoning has 23 Reading Comprehension and Critical Reasoning questions; there's no grammar or essay. Data Insights has 20 questions across five types and an on-screen calculator. You choose the section order, and the three sections count equally toward your total. Our GMAT syllabus guide and Data Insights guide go into detail.
CAT. The CAT 2026 press release lists three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Ability, with exactly 40 minutes each and no switching between them. It also says a mock exam to show the test format will be available on the CAT website. The official CAT 2026 documents we read don't publish a detailed topic list or question count, so use that mock on iimcat.ac.in to see the format once it's up.
In practice, the GMAT's Data Insights and CAT's DILR section both test working with data, and both exams test reading comprehension. GMAC doesn't publish a comparison with CAT, and neither do the IIMs, so we don't make one here.
GMAT vs CAT: which is tougher?
There's no official answer. Neither GMAC nor the IIMs publish a difficulty comparison between the two exams, and the scores aren't on the same scale, so any "which is harder" claim you read is opinion. What you can compare is structure, and that does affect how each exam feels:
- Timing pressure. The GMAT gives 45 minutes per section; CAT gives exactly 40 minutes per section with no switching.
- Control. On the GMAT you pick the section order and can change up to three answers per section using Review & Edit. On CAT you work through each section in its own time block.
- Second chances. A bad GMAT day can be retaken after 16 days. A bad CAT day usually means waiting for the next year's exam.
- Calculator. The GMAT gives you an on-screen calculator in Data Insights only. We haven't included CAT's calculator rules because the CAT documents we read don't cover them.
The most reliable way to judge which exam suits you is to try both formats under timed conditions: the official CAT mock once it's available on iimcat.ac.in, and our free GMAT practice test.
Which schools accept GMAT and which accept CAT?
CAT. The CAT 2026 Information Bulletin lists the programmes at all 22 IIMs for which CAT is a prerequisite, and says non-IIM institutions may also use CAT scores; their list is on the CAT website. Each IIM sets its own eligibility, cut-offs and selection process, and IIMs may also use your past academic record, work experience and similar inputs when shortlisting.
GMAT. Some Indian programmes that state GMAT acceptance on their official pages:
| Programme | What the school says |
|---|---|
| ISB PGP | GRE or GMAT required; no minimum score and no preference between them; a test-centre-based score is needed; 24 months' full-time work experience expected |
| IIM Ahmedabad PGPX (one-year MBA) | Valid GMAT/GRE score from the last 5 years; online (take-home) scores not valid; minimum age 25 and 4 years' work experience |
| IIM Ahmedabad PGP, Overseas Indian category | Apply with a test-center GMAT score instead of CAT; minimum 665 on the current GMAT, for Indian passport holders living abroad |
In these examples, the GMAT is used for a one-year programme aimed at experienced professionals, for ISB, and for IIMA applicants based outside India, while the IIMs' PGP/MBA programmes listed in the CAT bulletin use CAT. If you plan to apply abroad as well, GMAC notes that most business schools accept either the GMAT or the GRE; compare the two in GRE vs GMAT.
If you'd take the GMAT for one of these programmes, book a test center rather than the online exam; our GMAT online vs test center guide explains why.
Fees, eligibility and dates
- CAT fee: ₹2,700, or ₹1,350 for SC, ST and PwBD candidates. You pay once however many institutes you apply to, and the fee isn't refundable.
- GMAT fee: GMAC's India listing shows US$275 at a test center and US$300 online, and each attempt is a new fee. See our GMAT exam fees guide for reschedule costs.
- CAT eligibility: a bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA (45% for SC, ST and PwBD); final-year students can apply.
- GMAT eligibility: you must be at least 18, or 13 to 17 with written parental consent at a test center. Programmes set their own degree and work experience rules.
- CAT 2026 dates: registration closed on 22 September 2026; the exam is on 29 November 2026, admit cards are available from 4 November, and results are expected in the first week of January 2027.
- GMAT dates: you can book year-round, with online slots available around the clock. Leave time before deadlines: GMAC suggests booking at least 20 days before your application deadline to allow for score processing.
GMAT or CAT: a neutral decision guide
| Your situation | Exam to look at first |
|---|---|
| Applying to IIM two-year PGP/MBA programmes from India | CAT |
| Applying to ISB's PGP | GMAT or GRE (ISB has no preference) |
| Experienced professional applying to a one-year IIM executive MBA such as IIMA's PGPX | GMAT or GRE, per the programme's page |
| Indian passport holder living abroad, applying to IIMA's PGP | GMAT (Overseas Indian category) |
| Applying to business schools outside India as well | GMAT (or GRE) |
| You missed the CAT 2026 window or want more than one attempt this year | GMAT, if your target programmes accept it |
If you decide to take both, the GMAT's flexible dates let you sit it before or after CAT in November. Start with a timed diagnostic on our free GMAT Quant practice test or Verbal practice test to see where you stand.
Frequently asked questions
Is GMAT harder than CAT?
Neither GMAC nor the IIMs publish a comparison, so there's no official answer. The structures differ: the GMAT gives 45 minutes per section and lets you choose the order, while CAT gives exactly 40 minutes per section with no switching. Try both under timed conditions.
Can I get into an IIM with a GMAT score?
For some programmes. IIM Ahmedabad's PGPX accepts GMAT or GRE, and its PGP accepts a test-center GMAT score instead of CAT for Overseas Indian candidates. The programmes listed in the CAT bulletin use CAT as a prerequisite.
How many times a year can you take CAT and the GMAT?
CAT is held once a year. The GMAT can be taken up to five times in a rolling 12-month period, at least 16 days apart.
How long are CAT and GMAT scores valid?
A CAT 2026 score is valid until 31 December 2027. GMAT scores are valid for five years from your test date.
Next steps
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<a href="https://www.keiko.study/blog/gmat-vs-cat">GMAT vs CAT: Format, Fees, Attempts and Which to Take</a>
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Sources
Every source below was accessed on the listed date. Pages — especially department admissions pages — change without notice; the links go to the live versions.
- GMAT Exam Structure — GMAC (mba.com). Accessed 2026-10-01.
- GMAT Exam Content — GMAC (mba.com). Accessed 2026-10-01.
- Understanding Your Score — GMAC (mba.com). Accessed 2026-10-01.
- GMAT Scores — GMAC (mba.com). Accessed 2026-10-01.
- GMAT Exam FAQs — GMAC (mba.com). Accessed 2026-10-01.
- GMAT Exam Payment (India listing) — GMAC (mba.com). Accessed 2026-10-01.
- GMAT Exam Policies and Procedures (last updated 12 August 2026) — GMAC (mba.com). Accessed 2026-10-01.
- GMAT Exam Online — GMAC. Accessed 2026-10-01.
- CAT 2026 official website (About Us) — Indian Institutes of Management. Accessed 2026-10-01.
- CAT 2026 Information Bulletin (26 July 2026, PDF linked from iimcat.ac.in) — Indian Institutes of Management. Accessed 2026-10-01.
- CAT 2026 Press Release (26 July 2026, PDF linked from iimcat.ac.in) — IIM Indore for the IIMs. Accessed 2026-10-01.
- CAT 2026 Media Release (22 September 2026, PDF linked from iimcat.ac.in) — Indian Institutes of Management. Accessed 2026-10-01.
- PGP in Management: Eligibility and Requirements — Indian School of Business. Accessed 2026-10-01.
- MBA-PGPX Admissions — IIM Ahmedabad. Accessed 2026-10-01.
- Admission Policy for PGP 2027-29 Batch: Overseas Indian Category (PDF) — IIM Ahmedabad. Accessed 2026-10-01.
Related guides
Sources and corrections
Sources last checked 2026-10-01Every source cited on this page was checked on the date shown, and we update the page when a source changes. If something looks wrong, tell us and we'll recheck it.