CMAT or Common Aptitude Management Test is a computer-based test conducted by NTA (previously by AICTE). This exam is of objective nature. The internal mentor of mine from TIME Institute informed us that the CMAT question paper contains 100 MCQs with four options each to choose the right answer from. You are allowed to submit your responses in 3 hours, following which the test window will be closed automatically. Similar to other management entrance tests, the exam has four sections:

Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation:

• You need to focus on Arithmetic and Modern Maths and have strong basics and good familiarity with all possible questions that could be framed from these two topics. 
• Data Interpretation demands to focus on bar graphs and pie charts. 
• Along with this, you need to be comfortable and confident in topics such as Algebra, Mensuration, Geometry, Number Systems, Trigonometry, etc.

Logical Reasoning

• It is an analytical way of thinking about a given problem statement, analyzing and evaluating information gathered from observation and experience, to reach certain conclusions. 
• Critical/Logical Reasoning clarifies goals considering certain assumptions, apprehends hidden values, and evaluates evidence to assess rational conclusions. 
• You should work on skills like observation, interpretation, analysis, inference, evaluation, estimation, and explanation.

General Awareness

• General awareness includes topics on history, geography, current affairs – economic, business, sports, corporate events, etc. 
• Questions related to entertainment, politics, and the environment are also asked. 
• You are advised to stay updated with the recent important events happening in India and across the globe.
• You can follow good English dailies and good magazines such as The Hindu, Competition success review, etc.

Language Comprehension

• Traditional reading comprehension is basically a paragraph with 5 questions revolving around the author’s viewpoint, idea, etc. 
• CMAT’s language comprehension would be easier as compared to that of other competitive exams, as direct questions would be asked. 
• Develop a habit of reading, as it will eventually build your Comprehension skills. Vocabulary includes Para-jumbles, Antonyms & Synonyms, and grammar (idioms & phrases, Sentence correction, Sentence completion, fill in the blanks, Interference & Judgement, Facts, analogy, etc). Here is an overview of the marking scheme:

Each section comprises 25 questions, where each question carries four marks. This makes each section weigh 100 marks equally and hence the entire exam is graded out of 400 marks. However, unanswered questions do not cause mark deductions. You are advised to take more and more mock tests for CMAT, to get more familiar with the exam pattern, and to develop the required temperament for the exam.

IIFT Entrance Examination and CAT, both share a similar kind of syllabus for some sections while it differs for the others. Both IIFT and CAT have the verbal ability test, data interpretation, quantitative aptitude and logical reasoning sections.

The major differences are IIFT syllabus includes a general knowledge section whereas the CAT does not.

Similar syllabus for the following sections -

• Quantitative Ability - The difficulty level of IIFT is lower when compared to CAT.
• Verbal Ability - The overall difficulty level of RC's in IIFT is easier as compared to CAT. IIFT has a Grammar and Vocabulary section as well which is not seen in CAT that often.
• Logical Reasoning - The difficulty level of this section is equal for both the exams and the topics that are covered are also the same.
• Data Interpretation - The new Format of CAT with online calculator facility makes it easier for the students while the long DI Questions in IIFT without any calculator become a difficult problem for the students. If the student is not that good with numbers, they should try clearing this section just for the sake of sectional cut off.
• General Knowledge - IIFT has one of the toughest GK Sections as compared to other Management Entrance Examinations and this is why the cutoffs are extremely low too. However, CAT, on the other hand, does not have this section.

The difference is the Platform as CAT is conducted on an online platform over different sessions. For IIFT, you have to make use of Pen and Paper and it is conducted in a single exam window.

CAT has 2.2 lakh aspirants on an average who sit for a number of seats that are provided in a number of B Schools except IIMs. IIFT is taken by around only 60,000 students who fight for around 300 seats that are spread across 3 campuses