Every MBA aspirant aims to secure a top college in India. But they are often confused about which entrance exam can be helpful. Most students think of the Common Admission Test (CAT) first. It is a popular management entrance test. But CAT is not only the gateway to leading B-schools. Other Management Entrance Tests (OMETs) also open doors to top MBA colleges. It covers exams like XAT, NMAT, SNAP, CMAT, and many more. The competition in OMETs is lower than in CAT. The eligibility required to appear in both types of exams is the same. The candidate must be a graduate with the minimum required marks to be eligible. Continue reading to learn how is Common Admission Test different from OMETs.
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What is the Common Admission Test?
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is organised by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). It is a national-level entrance test conducted annually. It is held for MBA admissions in IIMs and other colleges like MDI Gurgaon, FMS Delhi, etc. The questions asked in this test are unpredictable. It is known for high-level competition and toughness. Look at the overview of CAT discussed below:
- Organised once a year, usually in November.
- Conducted by IIM on a rotational basis.
- Computer-based test.
- More than 2 lakh aspirants appear in this exam.
- Sections: VARC, DILR and Quantitative Ability (QA)
- Accepted by 1000+ MBA colleges in India.
What is OMET?
The full form of OMETs is Other Management Entrance Tests. It implies all the management entrance tests except the CAT exam. These exams are conducted at the state and national levels by different institutes and bodies. The syllabus, pattern, and admission are different for every OMET. Look at the list of popular OMETs:
- Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT)
- NMAT by GMAC
- Common Management Admission Test (CMAT)
- Management Aptitude Test (MAT)
- Symbiosis National Aptitude (SNAP)
- MAH-CET (Maharashtra MBA CET), etc
CAT vs OMETs: The Key Differences
Knowing the difference between CAT and OMET is crucial. It will help you understand all the aspects of every exam. This includes eligibility, pattern, syllabus, difficulty level, and much more. You can understand the competition level and plan your prep accordingly. Check differences between the Common Admission Test and OMETs:
Common Admission Test vs OMETs: Conducting Body
The Common Admission Test differs from OMETs in terms of the exam conducting body. Check the conducting body for every entrance test below.
- Common Admission Test: It is organised by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). One IIM conduct the exam each year.
- OMETs: It is conducted by different institutions or bodies. For example,
- XAT: Organised by XLRI Jamshedpur
- CMAT: Organised by National Testing Agency
- MAT: Organised by AIMA
- SNAP: Organised by the SIU institute
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CAT vs OMETs: Purpose and Acceptance
The Common Admission Test is different from OMETs in its purpose. Both indeed aim to provide MBA admission in top colleges. But still varies in multiple aspects.
- CAT: It is a gateway to the IIMs and top-tier B-schools. More than 1000 colleges accept CAT scores. The competition level is extremely high.
- OMETs: It is often conducted by the institution offering MBA admissions.
- XAT for XLRI and Xavier-affiliated institutes
- SNAP for Symbiosis institutes.
- NMAT for NMIMS and participating institutes.
Common Admission Test vs OMETs: Exam Pattern
The Common Admission Test is different from OMETs in its exam pattern. Look at the key differences in terms of the number of questions, marks, sections, and more.
| Parameters | CAT | SNAP | MAT | NMAT | XAT |
| Section | VARC, DILR and Quantitative Ability (QA) | General English, Analytical & Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative, Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency. | Language Comprehension, Intelligence & Critical Reasoning, Mathematical Skills, Data Analysis & Sufficiency, and Economic & Business Environment | Language Skills, Quantitative Skills, and Logical Reasoning | Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VALR), Decision Making (DM), Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation (QA & DI), and General Knowledge (GK). |
| Number of Questions | 68 | 60 | 150 | 108 | 95 |
| Exam Duration | 120 minutes | 60 minutes | 120 minutes | 120 minutes | 180 minutes |
CAT vs OMETs: Difficulty Level
Students often ask which is tougher, CAT or OMETs. Both exams have their own difficulty level. It is not a cakewalk to crack any of the entrance tests. You must have smart strategies to excel.
- Common Admission Test: It is the toughest entrance test. The key reason is the unpredictable patterns and logic-based questions. You must improve your problem-solving and time-management skills. Learning theory is not enough to solve complex questions.
- OMETs: It is usually easier than CAT. It evaluates a candidate’s question-solving speed and accuracy. It is suitable for applicants who find the CAT exam prep difficult.
CAT vs OMETs: Marking Scheme
Wondering how the Common Admission Test is different from OMETs in the marking scheme. CAT deducts marks for wrong answers, but some OMETs don’t.
- Common Admission Test: The CAT marking scheme is simple. 3 marks are given for every correct answer. 1 mark is deducted for every wrong answer in MCQs.
- OMETs: Marking pattern varies:
- NMAT: No negative marking.
- SNAP: 25% negative marks.
- MAT: 0.25 marks Negative Marking
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Common Admission Test vs OMETs: Exam Frequency and Attempts
The Common Admission Test is different from OMETs in its frequency. Below are the key differences for both exams:
- CAT: It is conducted once a year. It is usually organised in November every year.
- OMETs: You can attempt a few OMETs multiple times. NMAT is among them. But SNAP and CMAT are held once a year.
Common Myths About Common Admission Test and OMETs
Many myths about CAT and OMETs often confuse the aspirants. Some of the common misconceptions are shared below.
Myth 1: Only CAT is the gateway to the best MBA college
False. Leading B-schools like MDI, Symbiosis, XLRI, NMIMS, etc accept OMET scores.
Myth 2: OMETs are quite easy.
Not True. OMETs are not as tough as CAT. But it does not mean you can crack it without any preparation. XAT is one of the toughest OMET.
Myth 3: You can’t prepare for all together.
False. CAT preparation covers the majority of the OMETs syllabus. Only a few adjustments are required in the strategy.
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