MBA vs PGDM: Understanding the Similarities and Differences

Are MBA and PGDM Programs similar to each other?

ABOUT PGDM-

Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) is a management course that provides a diploma of 2 years by the AICTE. Approximately 500 institutions are approved by AICTE which provide PGDM course in India. These approved institutions design their curriculum, upgrade it as and when it required and conduct their examination and evaluate their student performance. These institutions design their curriculum to keep to the demand of industry so that their students will be placed well.

ABOUT MBA-

MBA (Masters of administration) is a post-graduation degree program that is offered by UGC-approved universities. This course also contains 2 years duration. But this program is offered by the UGC-approved universities in Pan India. There are approximately 5500 universities that offer MBA courses. The curriculum of this course changes every 5 to 10 years. This makes the course irrelevant when we talk about the placement.

Similarities and dissimilarities b/w MBA and PGDM-

MBA v/s PGDM similarities & dissimilarities	MBA	PGDM
Eligibility	1. Full-time graduate degree minimum of three years of duration.
	2. Different colleges set different cut-off percentages secured for graduation. However, on a broad basis, 50% is the accepted % level.
	3. Candidate appearing in the final year of bachelor’s degree/ equivalent qualification is eligible for admission, provided he/she can produce a letter from their college head confirming their present status as claimed.
Entrance exam	CAT, MAT, GAT, XAT, CMAT, IIFT, SNAP, IRMASAT, NMAT etc.
Qualification	Degree course	Diploma course
Course structure & approach	Univer4sities approved curriculum, mostly theoretical based and uniform across institutes affiliated to a university.	The industry-oriented program focused more on building soft skills.
Examination pattern	The semester bases d examination system is followed	Tri-semester based examination system is followed.
Accreditation	Accredited by UGC.	Accredited by AICTE.
Perception	Both MBA and PGDM are viewed as equivalent during recruitment. The influencing factor is mostly the institute offering it. Also, PGDM courses are mainly industry-oriented because they offer courses on the behalf of industries' demand.

Types of Entrance exams for MBA & PGDM-

Here is list is given below which include the types of entrance exam for MBA & PGDM program:-

This article helps you to know about the similarities of both courses. Where there these have the same place and where are considered different from each other. Hence we can say that both courses are similar to each other at the time of recruitment.

Entrance exam

Conducting Body

Mode of exam

sections

frequency

CAT

IIMs (on a rational basis)

Online

Quantitative ability, data interpretation, logical reasoning, verbal ability, and reading comprehensive

Annually

IIFT

NTA

Online

Logical reasoning, English grammar, vocabulary and comprehension, general knowledge & current affairs, data interpretation, and quantitative analysis.

Annually

MAT

AIMA

Online & offline

Language comprehension, critical reasoning, data sufficiency, mathematical skill, Indian & global environment.

Four times in a year, February, May, September & December.

GMAT

GMAC

Online

Verbal, quant, analytical writing assessment, integrated reasoning.

Throughout the year.

SNAP