About GMAT Exam
The Graduate Management Aptitude Test or popularly known as GMAT is a computer-based exam conducted as an admission process to around 1900 B-schools globally. Students appearing for the exam are tested for their Quantitative Aptitude, Integrated Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning and Analytical writing. Check out the GMAT syllabus, exam pattern and eligibility criteria click here. This article discusses the various advantages of the GMAT Exam.
Benefits of the GMAT Exam
- Better career opportunities: The most important advantage of the GMAT exam permits you to pursue MBA from abroad. You get better networking opportunities and better exposure where you can get acquainted with various business organizations and employers. Better networking will help you stay updated with the latest business trends and will allow you to grab opportunities more actively.
- Better earning potential: Most of the MBA graduates from top international B-schools get placed in the top management positions. According to statistics, the average salary of an MBA from the USA was around $157,620 in 2023. The reason is great skill sets, a business mind, and effective communication skills.
- Score validity: Once you appear for the GMAT, your scores will be valid for 5 years in more than 150 countries. So if you decide to change your mind and postpone taking admissions you can do it later as well.
- Date flexibility: GMAT doesn’t have a decided exam date. You can take the exam whenever you feel that you are ready. It entirely depends on your convenience.
- Self Analysis: The GMAT preparation helps a great deal for you to understand where you are and where you have to go. It helps you to analyze and practice your skills. With rigorous practice, you can improve your time management skills, verbal and writing skills, and computer skills as well.
- Exposure to different cultures: Once you settle abroad, you’ll get to meet and understand people from different cultures. Interacting with different cultures helps you understand things from a different point of view and to rethink any assumptions you might have. This advantage of the GMAT exam is very lucrative if you have the inclination to interact with different cultures.
GMAT vs CAT: Comparision and Advantages
CAT and GMAT are two of the most popular MBA exams. Both have their own perks. We have compared these two exams in the following table:
| Features | CAT Exam | GMAT Focus Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Exam Duration | 3 hours | 2 hours 15 minutes |
| Sections | Verbal Ability & Reading comprehension; Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation; Quantitative Aptitude. | Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights |
| Question Type | Multiple Choice Questions | Multiple Choice Questions |
| No. of Questions | VARC – 24 LRDI – 20 QA – 22 | Quant – 21 Verbal – 23 Data Insights – 20 |
| Exam Cost | General – Rs. 2200 General, EWS and OBC – Rs. 1200 | $275 |
| Individual section duration | 3 Sections of 40 Min Each | 3 Sections of 45 Min Each |
| Section Order | VARC > DILR > QA | Any Possible Order |
| Flexibility | One can mark questions for review. | Bookmark and Review as many questions as possible; Change up to 3 answers per section. |
| Score Sending | One can apply to all IIMs while filling out the CAT application. W | Send Scores to 5 schools for free after knowing your score in both the online and the test centre exam. |
| Performance Insights | Applicants get a Response sheet for reviewing their responses and getting an approximate idea of their score. | Improved Official Score Report with detailed insights into your performance. |
| Attempts | There is no limit on the number of Attempts. | Five (5) GMAT exam attempts during a rolling 12-month period and eight (8) total lifetime attempts |
Get the GMAT online course by iQuanta Besides the differences between these two exams, here we have listed the following advantages of the GMAT exam.
- Multiple attempts: CAT is conducted once a year in the month of November. That gives GMAT an upper hand since students can sit for it 5 times in a year and 8 times in a lifetime.
- Worldwide acceptance: GMAT scores are accepted worldwide in 150+ countries and almost 1900 B-schools. CAT is a national-level exam where you can get into IIMs and other B-schools in India.
- Scholarships: Most of the colleges accepting GMAT scores provide scholarships to students who come from countries with lower currency values. The scholarship ranges from 30% to 100% on the tuition fee. On the other hand, IIMs provide no such schemes to the CAT toppers.
- Less preparation time: CAT preparation requires 3-12 months depending on the level of your conceptual clarity. GMAT has a lesser preparation time i.e., 3-5 months.
- Less competition & Greater conversion ratio: Most of the MBA aspirants prefer taking CAT which means there is less competition in the GMAT sector. 88 percentile (~700 marks) are considered good in GMAT but you need to be in the 99th percentile to get into a top IIM. 20% of people who appear for the GMAT convert a top B-school while the conversion rate for those who appear for CAT is only 2%.
- Focus: CAT is all about theoretical knowledge while GMAT also tests your non-theoretical approach.
- Score Validity: Where CAT scores are valid only for a year, GMAT courses are valid for up to 5 years depending on the colleges you’re applying for.
For comprehensive counselling and to enrol for the iQuanta GMAT Course, visit the link below.
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