Can You Use CAT Preparation for GMAT Exam?

“Is CAT prep enough for GMAT?” If you are a CAT aspirant, you may have found yourself asking this question. CAT 2025 is scheduled to take place on November 30, 2025. Lakhs of CAT aspirants around the country are gearing up to take one of the toughest exams in the world for admissions to some of the premier B-schools of the country. However, some students want to optimise their CAT preparation to also try their hand at GMAT, which opens doors to some of the top global business schools in the world. But can you realistically use your CAT Preparation for the GMAT exam? The short answer is yes, you can. Your CAT preparation strengthens your foundation in quantitative, verbal and analytical abilities, which can be used to crack the GMAT. Here’s a step-by-step, foolproof way of doing it. 

How to Prepare for GMAT after CAT

If you have already prepared for CAT, GMAT should be comparatively more straightforward for you, yet there are certain strategic efforts that you have to follow to excel at GMAT. Your test strategy should focus on skills and concepts that are same for CAT and GMAT. If you are in the midst of CAT preparation and are wondering if you can pivot towards the GMAT, here are some key points to consider.

Also Read: How to Get MBA Scholarships through GMAT?

Quant Strategy for GMAT after CAT

• CAT quant is among the toughest, but GMAT requires a bit more precise approach and emphasis on problem-solving. 
• The CAT is based on fast thinking under time constraints, but the GMAT rewards accuracy and adaptability. Avoid early guesses. Wrong answers can lower your adaptive score.
• Strive to get 90% accuracy before building speed. 
• In the GMAT, quant is based on less advanced geometry and mensuration, and more on math, algebra, number properties, and data sufficiency.
• Practice mental math and shortcuts because on the GMAT, quant requires agile and quick thinking.
• Data sufficiency is specific to GMAT. Therefore, you will need to practice this separately. 
• Focus on interpreting graphs, charts and tables.
• Take GMAT mock tests to familiarise yourself with the computer adaptive format. 
• Do not skip questions as they can hurt your score.
• Do not depend too much on guess work. Guess only if its necessary.
• Always time yourself. Taking GMAT mocks in timed conditions builds stamina for quant and improves time management.
• Dedicate 1-2 hours daily for a period of 3 months with a focus on GMAT-style quant. 

Read Also: GMAT Practice Test 2025: Free Online Mock Exams

Verbal Reasoning Strategy for GMAT after CAT

While moving from CAT to GMAT verbal, you have to focus on critical reasoning and reading comprehension in the GMAT Focus Edition. Here’s how you should leverage your CAT practice for GMAT verbal. 

If you have already prepared for the CAT, you already have a good foundation to build upon. 

While the CAT focuses on para jumbles, sentence sequence, and vocabulary, the GMAT focuses on critical reasoning and reading comprehension.

In both cases, to prepare for the GMAT verbal section, you need impeccable reading comprehension skills: practice on GMAT-style reading comprehension passages.

Your focus should be on analysing arguments, identifying flaws in the argument and suggesting ways to improve it.  

A regular reading habit goes a long way. Read articles from reputable publications such as The Hindu, The New York Times, The Economist, The Guardian, and Scientific American, covering business, literature, and politics.

As always, manage your time effectively when preparing for the GMAT verbal section. Time your tests when you take the GMAT mocks. 

Data Insights Strategy for GMAT after CAT

To prepare for Data Insights on the GMAT after taking the CAT, you will need to adopt a different perspective. While the CAT Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation is more logic-driven and calculation-based, the GMAT is more business-like and analytical. Here’s how you should prepare for GMAT Data Insights after CAT:

Familiarise yourself with GMAT Data Insights question types: Data Sufficiency, Table Analysis, Graph Interpretation, Multi-Source Reasoning and Two-Part Analysis. 

This section focuses on analysing business data and making informed decisions by gathering information efficiently. 

Leverage your CAT skills in interpreting tables and charts, as well as quick numerical analysis. 

Train yourself to recognise patterns, extract visual information and sort essential data from the others.

Prepare with GMAT Focus Edition questions to build comfort with Data Insights.

Read Also: GMAT Time Management Tips 2025

To leverage your CAT preparation strengths for GMAT success, focus on how the skills and concepts from CAT overlap with GMAT and where GMAT requires additional focused preparation. Your CAT prep provides a strong foundation in quantitative, verbal, and analytical skills, but the GMAT has unique features and question types that need tailored practice.

CAT vs GMAT

If you want to leverage your CAT Preparation for the GMAT Exam, note that both exams test your verbal, quantitative, and logical skills. The quantitative section of both exams spans topics such as algebra, arithmetic, and number properties. You need strong problem-solving and numerical skills for both sections.

• Both CAT and GMAT include reading comprehension, critical reasoning and sentence correction. 
• Both have logical reasoning and data interpretation, but in GMAT it’s named “Data Insights” and in CAT it’s called “Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning.”
• Both test your accuracy, speed, and mental stamina.
• The number of questions in both exams and the time are approximately the same. The CAT has approximately 66 questions, whereas the GMAT has 64. CAT takes 2 hours, and GMAT takes 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Prepare for CAT and GMAT Together: Points to Consider

Yes. It is possible to take CAT and GMAT together. The CAT and GMAT share overlapping topics and structures. Preparation for one gives you a good foundation for the other. But there’s a certain level of strategy and preparation that is needed in both cases.  Here are some of the points to consider while preparing for both:

• GMAT is computer adaptive and CAT is computer-based with a fixed set of questions.
• CAT is more comprehensive and more advanced as far as quant and logical reasoning is concerned. 
• It’s recommended to start with CAT quant since it covers more topics.
• GMAT has more variety of questions and features, which need a strategic approach. 
• CAT quant questions are challenging, but GMAT require more precision and better problem solving.
• GMAT verbal has more sentence correction and critical reasoning.
• GMAT is a computer adaptive test and CAT is a computer based test. Both type of test taking requires different approaches. 

To reiterate, yes, your CAT preparation will be helpful in GMAT preparation. 

Advantages of preparing for GMAT

If you have already taken the CAT but are contemplating the GMAT, here are some of the reasons why the latter is a good choice: 

• While CAT only opens doors to top Indian B-schools, such as IIMs, XLRI, and SPJIMR, GMAT provides entry into the world’s top B-schools, including Harvard, Wharton, ISEAD, and LBS. 
• The GMAT is accepted by over 7,000 business programs in more than 110 countries.
• It can be taken all throughout the year, unlike CAT, which is held once a year.
• Its scores are valid for 5 years, unlike CAT, which is only valid for one year.
• The GMAT allows you to retake it every 16 days, up to five times in a year. (8 times in a lifetime).
• It can be used for full-time, online and executive MBA
• The GMAT Focus Edition is designed for real-world business problems. 
• It offers you a higher chance of securing scholarships.
• It offers global career exposure, unlike the CAT.

Preparing for CAT before GMAT

CAT can provide a solid foundation for your GMAT preparation if you plan to take the latter. Here are some reasons why CAT preparation will come in handy:

• Preparing for the CAT makes GMAT prep much easier, as it mentally prepares you for the tricky, high-pressure situations that can arise during tests.
• CAT quant, verbal, logical reasoning and data interpretation are highly rigorous, which makes GMAT easier by comparison.
• CAT is a test of time management. If you have trained for the CAT, the GMAT becomes comparatively more straightforward.
• CAT RC builds speed and endurance because they are centred on abstract concepts. Training on CAT RCs makes GMAT RCs, which are centred on more straightforward topics like business, science and economics relatively easier.

GMAT vs CAT — Which Suits You Better?
If you have to choose between the GMAT and CAT, consider a few key points. These include your academic strengths, career goals, preferred study destination, and your own strengths as a test taker.

Broadly, GMAT is for students who aspire to pursue a career in management abroad. CAT is for candidates who want to do the same in premier Indian institutions.

Consider the following points if you want to choose between GMAT and CAT:

• Take the GMAT if you plan to study abroad at top B-schools like the M7.
• Take the CAT if you want to target top B-schools in India, such as IIMs, XLRI, SP Jain, or MDI.
• If you’re going to take the test at a time convenient to you, consider the GMAT, as it is held throughout the year. 
• If you are comfortable taking the test during a set period, consider the CAT, as it is held only in the last week of November. 
• If you don’t want to take the test every year, consider the GMAT because the scores are applicable for 5 years.
• If you prefer a more business-like approach, consider taking the GMAT Focus Edition.
• If you have a knack for logic, puzzle solving, geometry and a more challenging approach to quant, take the CAT. 
• If you want to gain work experience before pursuing an MBA, consider taking the GMAT.
• If you want to pursue an MBA immediately after graduation and before entering the workforce, consider the CAT. 
• If you are comfortable with the computer-adaptive format, consider the GMAT.
• If you are comfortable with negative marking, consider CAT.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is GMAT Preparation Enough for CAT?

Partly, yes. But only GMAT preparation is not enough for CAT, because the latter includes unique topics such as advanced geometry, puzzles, and para jumbles, which are not found in the GMAT. CAT quant is also slightly more comprehensive than GMAT. When it comes to verbal, CAT tests inference abilities, vocabulary and verbal logic. GMAT, on the other hand, tests critical reasoning and reading comprehension skills. CAT will require extra skills for speed, accuracy and Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR). While GMAT preparation can provide a solid foundation, you will need to tailor your CAT preparation to excel. 

2. GMAT vs. CAT: Which Is Better?

Neither GMAT nor CAT is better. It all depends on what your career goals are, where you want to study, what programs you are aiming for and what your preferred exam format is. If you want a global exposure or executive courses with flexible exam dates and longer validity of scores, GMAT is the exam for you. But instead, if you want to go to the IIMs and are fine with a fixed exam date in a highly competitive environment, CAT will be better for you.

3. GMAT vs CAT: Which is Tougher?

The GMAT vs CAT difficulty level depends entirely on your strengths as a test taker. However, some parts of the CAT are more difficult than those of the GMAT, and vice versa. For example, CAT quant is more difficult due to its comprehensive syllabus and unpredictable nature. The GMAT verbal section is more challenging due to the complex nature of sentence correction questions and the algorithm. CAT’s DILR is tougher, and the GMAT’s computer-adaptive format makes the exam format challenging. 

4. Is CAT Score Valid for 2 Years?

CAT score is valid only for 1 year after the results have been declared. The score is valid within that year. Your CAT 2025 score will be valid in the academic year of 2026-2027. If you want your score validity to last longer, take the GMAT instead. GMAT scores are valid for 5 years. 

5. Can I Prepare for CAT and GMAT Together?

Yes, you can prepare for CAT and GMAT together, but it requires a lot of planning and strategy. CAT has a wider syllabus with more complicated quant questions. If you want a plan that targets both exams, it’s better to start with CAT. Using CAT Preparation for GMAT will give you a better foundation.