Anisha has done MBA in Marketing from NMIMS And Executive Management(PMNO) from Harvard Business School. She has been instrumental in growing CATKing Digital with her experience with Marico and Henkel in the past.
CAT or Non-CAT - a quick read The first question a student starting his MBA entrance exam preparation in India should ask himself the question does he only want to take the CAT exam or other exams as well. The answer to this question should be decided right away!!! Ask yourself, are you confident enough if there is only one exam that you take and you will absolutely ACE it.
Check Out: 5 Non CAT Exams to Target, Syllabus | How to Balance Preparation with CAT
Well, go for it!
There are three types of people who prepare for MBA entrance:
Tier 1:
- People who did there under graduation from top colleges like SRCC, IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, other IITs/ NITs, etc. These are the people who only aim for top colleges like IIM A, B, and C and only give CAT.
- This category under tier 1 involves again people who are from top colleges but they are more MBA-focused rather than particularly CAT.
- They aim for top colleges and usually give CAT and XAT. They also keep an option of going abroad and studying MS or other courses via GMAT/ GRE.
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Tier 2:
- These are the people who usually take the CAT and Non-CAT exams. Some people in this category go for only CAT, NMAT, and SNAP.
Chose your exams and prepare accordingly
Tier 3:
- This is for the people who have made up their minds to do an MBA, They should take all possible exams if they are not confident enough to crack a good college.
Decide what you want to do and prepare accordingly. It is recommended not to get influenced by what others are doing but to stay aware of what’s happening around you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)s
1. Should I prepare only for CAT or include XAT and NMAT too?
If your target is top IIMs, CAT alone may suffice. If you want more options in Tier 1 and Tier 2 colleges, include XAT and NMAT.
2. How different are CAT, XAT, and NMAT patterns?
CAT emphasizes VARC, DILR, and QA. XAT adds decision-making and essay writing. NMAT focuses on QA, LR, and VARC with moderate difficulty and flexible timing.
3. Can I use the same preparation for all three exams?
Core concepts overlap for QA, LR, and VARC, but each exam has unique sections or question styles. Practice exam-specific mocks to adapt.
4. How should I schedule mocks for CAT, XAT, and NMAT?
Start with CAT mocks for core preparation. Add XAT and NMAT mocks after 2–3 months to adjust strategy for their patterns.
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