Full Form of CAT, CMAT, MAT, XAT, GMAT, GRE, NMAT Exams


Share Overview of CAT, CMAT, MAT, XAT, GMAT, GRE, and NMAT exams


Full Form of CAT, CMAT, MAT, XAT, GMAT, GRE, NMAT Exams: A Complete Guide

With a variety of entrance exams available for aspiring management professionals, it’s easy to get confused about which exam to choose. Understanding the full forms, eligibility criteria, exam patterns, and application processes is essential to help you select the right one. Bookmycolleges.com offers detailed information about all major management entrance exams, helping you navigate your way through this process.

In this blog, we will walk you through the full forms, eligibility, application fees, and exam patterns for some of the most prominent management entrance exams: CAT, CMAT, MAT, XAT, GMAT, GRE, and NMAT.

1. Full Form of CAT (Common Admission Test)

Introduction: CAT is the most popular and competitive entrance exam for management courses in India. It is conducted annually by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) on a rotational basis. CAT scores are accepted by all IIMs and many other prestigious business schools across the country.

Eligibility:

  • Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% marks or equivalent CGPA.
  • Final-year students of bachelor's degree programs can also apply.

Application Fee:

  • General Category: ₹2000
  • SC/ST/PWD: ₹1000

Exam Pattern: The CAT exam consists of three sections:

  1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
  2. Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DI & LR)
  3. Quantitative Ability (QA)

The exam is computer-based with 100 objective-type questions. Each question carries 3 marks, and there is negative marking of -1 mark for each wrong answer. The duration for each section is 60 minutes, and candidates cannot switch between sections.

Key Insights:

  • CAT is known for its high difficulty level, especially in the Quantitative Ability section.
  • You will receive percentile scores based on your performance in each section as well as in the overall exam.

2. Full Form of XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test)

Introduction: XAT is conducted by Xavier Labour Relations Institute (XLRI) and is considered one of the most prestigious MBA entrance exams in India. The exam is accepted by over 800 business schools in India.

Eligibility:

  • A bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized university.
  • Final-year students can also apply.

Application Fee:

  • ₹1700 (Regular)
  • ₹2000 (Late Fee)

Exam Pattern: XAT consists of two parts:

  1. Part 1: Verbal and Logical Ability, Decision Making, Quantitative Aptitude, and Data Interpretation (75 questions, 170 minutes).
  2. Part 2: General Knowledge (25 questions, 40 minutes).

XAT is a computer-based exam with multiple-choice questions. It also has a negative marking of 0.25 for each incorrect answer in Part 1, but no negative marking for General Knowledge questions in Part 2.

Key Insights:

  • XAT is unique for its Decision Making section, which tests candidates on their ability to make quick and accurate business-related decisions.
  • The exam also includes a General Knowledge section, which is not present in many other MBA exams.

3. Full Form of CMAT (Common Management Admission Test)

Introduction: CMAT is a national-level exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission to AICTE-approved management programs in India. Over 1 lakh students take the exam each year.

Eligibility:

  • A bachelor's degree with a minimum of 50% marks (45% for reserved categories).
  • Final-year students can also apply.

Application Fee:

  • ₹1400 (General and OBC)
  • ₹700 (SC/ST/PD/Female)

Exam Pattern: CMAT consists of four sections:

  1. Logical Reasoning (25 questions)
  2. Language Comprehension (25 questions)
  3. Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation (25 questions)
  4. General Awareness (25 questions)

Each section carries 100 marks, and there is a negative marking of -1 mark for each incorrect answer. The total time duration for the exam is 3 hours.

Key Insights:

  • CMAT allows candidates to take the exam without age restrictions.
  • The General Awareness section tests candidates' knowledge on current affairs, which is important for aspirants to focus on.

4. Full Form of MAT (Management Aptitude Test)

Introduction: MAT is a national-level exam conducted by the All India Management Association (AIMA) for admission to over 600 business schools in India. The exam is held four times a year (February, May, September, December).

Eligibility:

  • A bachelor’s degree in any discipline (or equivalent professional qualification).
  • Final-year students are eligible to apply.

Application Fee:

  • ₹1550 for Paper-Based Test (PBT), Computer-Based Test (CBT), or both.

Exam Pattern: MAT consists of six sections:

  1. Language and Comprehension (40 questions)
  2. Mathematical Skills (40 questions)
  3. Data Analysis and Sufficiency (40 questions)
  4. Intelligence and Critical Reasoning (40 questions)
  5. Indian and Global Environment (40 questions)

The total number of questions is 200, and the total time is 150 minutes. Negative marking is -0.25 for each wrong answer.

Key Insights:

  • MAT is unique in that it offers both online and offline modes of exam, providing flexibility for candidates.
  • It is held four times a year, giving candidates multiple opportunities to appear for the exam.

5. Full Form of GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)

Introduction: GMAT is an internationally recognized computer-based exam for admission to MBA and other graduate management programs at universities around the world. It is accepted by over 2300 business schools globally.

Eligibility:

  • There are no specific age or educational requirements, but candidates must have a valid passport.
  • Candidates are allowed to take the exam a maximum of 5 times per year.

Application Fee:

  • ₹17826.25 ($250 for registration)
  • Rescheduling fee: ₹4262.7 ($60)

Exam Pattern: GMAT consists of four sections:

  1. Analytical Writing Assessment (1 essay)
  2. Integrated Reasoning (12 questions)
  3. Quantitative Reasoning (31 questions)
  4. Verbal Reasoning (36 questions)

The total time duration is 3.5 hours, and the exam is adaptive, meaning the difficulty of questions changes based on the candidate's performance.

Key Insights:

  • GMAT is accepted by top business schools across the world, making it ideal for students looking to pursue management studies abroad.
  • It includes a unique Integrated Reasoning section, which is designed to test your ability to evaluate and analyze complex data.

6. Full Form of NMAT (Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies)

Introduction: NMAT is conducted by GMAC for admissions to MBA programs at Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS) and other leading business schools.

Eligibility:

  • A bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% marks.
  • Final-year students can apply.

Application Fee:

  • ₹1900 (Registration)
  • ₹2000 (Late Fee)

Exam Pattern: NMAT consists of three sections:

  1. Language Skills (32 questions, 22 minutes)
  2. Quantitative Skills (48 questions, 60 minutes)
  3. Logical Reasoning (40 questions, 38 minutes)

The total time duration is 120 minutes, and there is no negative marking for incorrect answers.

Key Insights:

  • NMAT is unique for its flexibility; candidates can choose their own test date, time, and location.
  • It is a computer-based exam, and you can attempt the test up to three times per admission cycle.

7. Full Form of GRE (Graduate Record Examination)

Introduction: GRE is a globally recognized exam for admissions to graduate programs, including MBA programs. GRE scores are accepted by thousands of universities worldwide.

Eligibility:

  • There are no specific eligibility criteria for GRE. Candidates must have a bachelor's degree.
  • A passport is required for identification during the exam.

Application Fee:

  • ₹13500-14500 ($205)
  • Additional fees may apply for rescheduling and other services.

Exam Pattern: GRE consists of three sections:

  1. Analytical Writing (2 tasks)
  2. Verbal Reasoning (40 questions)
  3. Quantitative Reasoning (40 questions)

The total time duration for the computer-based test is 3 hours and 45 minutes.

Key Insights:

  • GRE is an internationally recognized exam, widely accepted by graduate programs in many countries.
  • It is a good option for candidates interested in pursuing both MBA and other graduate-level programs.

Conclusion

Now that you are familiar with the full forms, eligibility, application fees, and exam patterns of some of the major management entrance exams, you can better assess which one aligns with your career goals. Remember, the right exam choice can set the stage for your dream career in management.

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