MBA Entrance Exams 2024, Exam Dates, Last Date to Apply
MBA entrance exams in India can help aspirants reach their goals effectively. Choosing the right MBA exam is a crucial step in your journey toward an MBA. With numerous options available, it's essential to understand the key differences and select the exam that best aligns with your goals and strengths.
This blog post provides a comprehensive overview of the top MBA entrance exams in India, including their exam patterns and key features. By carefully considering these factors, you can make an informed decision and increase your chances of success in your MBA application process.
National-Level MBA Entrance Exams in India
India offers candidates lots of opportunities to get into top MBA colleges by providing numerous types of national-level MBA entrance exams. Every exam has a unique format, set of qualifying questions, and targeted institutions. Although, the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) mostly accept the CAT exam, other exams such as the XAT, GMAT, NMAT, SNAP, and CMAT are also widely accepted by top B-schools in the nation. The candidate's preparation strategy and targeted colleges will determine which exam to take.
Here’s a table summarising the top national-level MBA entrance exams in India:
| Exam | Conducted By | Accepted By |
|---|---|---|
| CAT (Common Admission Test) | Indian Institute of Management (IIMs) | IIMs and over 1,000 B-schools in India |
| XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) | XLRI Jamshedpur | XLRI and over 150 institutes in India |
| GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) | GMAC | International and some national B-schools |
| NMAT (Narsee Monjee Aptitude Test) | GMAC | NMIMS and other B-schools in India |
| SNAP (Symbiosis National Aptitude Test) | Symbiosis International University | Symbiosis institutes and other B-schools |
| CMAT (Common Management Admission Test) | National Testing Agency (NTA) | AICTE-approved institutions and top B-schools |
State-Level MBA Entrance Exams in India
MBA State-level exams in India offer an opportunity for candidates seek admission to MBA programs. in specific states. The exams are designed for state-specific colleges and universities, however they are widely accepted by both private and state-level business schools.
The following table summarises some of the important state-level MBA entry exams:
| Exam | Conducted By | Accepted By |
|---|---|---|
| MAT (Management Aptitude Test) | AIMA | Many B-schools across India |
| MAH-CET (Maharashtra Common Entrance Test) | DTE Maharashtra | MBA programs in Maharashtra |
| TANCET (Tamil Nadu Common Entrance Test) | TNBSE | MBA programs in Tamil Nadu |
| KMAT (Kerala Management Aptitude Test) | CMAT | MBA programs in Kerala |
| ATMA (AIMS Test for Management Admissions) | AIMS | Accepted by Welingkar, Christ University, and others |
Top MBA Entrance Exams in India
CAT Entrance Exam
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a national-level entrance exam in India, primarily for admission into prestigious management programmes like the MBA, PGDM at IIMs and other top B-schools. It evaluates candidates on quantitative aptitude, verbal ability, reading comprehension, and data interpretation, helping to secure seats in elite institutions. It is one of the highly competitive exams in India.
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Duration | 120 minutes (2 hours) |
| Number of Questions | 66 |
| Registration Start | 1st August 2024 |
| Registration End | 20th September 2024 (Extended) |
| Exam Date | 24th November 2024 |
XAT Entrance Exam
The Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) is a national-level entrance exam conducted by XLRI, Jamshedpur, for admission to its management programs and other top B-schools in India. It assesses candidates on verbal ability, decision-making, quantitative aptitude, general knowledge, offering a gateway to various prestigious MBA institutes. This exam is accepted by more than 1000 MBA colleges in India.
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Mode | Online |
| Duration | 180 minutes |
| Number of Questions | 95 |
| Registration Start | 15th July 2024 |
| Registration End | 30th November 2024 |
| Exam Date | 5th January 2025 |
| XAT Exam Related Articles | ||
|---|---|---|
| XAT Registration 2025 | XAT Mock Test 2025 | XAT Previous Year Papers |
| XAT Score Calculator 2025 | XAT Syllabus 2025 | XAT Exam Date 2025 |
| XAT Admit Card 2025 | XAT Result 2025 | XAT Cutoff 2025 |
NMAT Entrance Exam
The NMAT by GMAC is an entrance exam for MBA programs at various top B-schools in India and abroad. It is mainly given for admission in MBA programme of NMIMS. It consists of three sections: Language Skills, Quantitative Skills, and Logical Reasoning. The exam is adaptive, allowing candidates to choose the order of sections, with a total duration of 2 hours.
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Duration | 120 minutes (2 hours) |
| Number of Questions | 108 |
| Registration Start | 20th August 2024 |
| Registration End | 10th October 2024 |
| Exam Date | 10th October - 19th December 2024 |
SNAP Entrance Exam
The SNAP (Symbiosis National Aptitude Test) is an MBA entrance exam conducted by Symbiosis International (Deemed University) for admission to its various management programs. The exam includes sections on General English, Quantitative Aptitude, Data Interpretation, and Analytical & Logical Reasoning, with a duration of 1 hour and a 60-mark paper. This exam is mainly accepted by SIBM, Pune and SCMHRD Pune.
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Mode | Online |
| Duration | 60 minutes (1 hour) |
| Number of Questions | 60 |
| Registration Start | 14th August 2024 |
| Registration End | 23rd November 2024 |
| Exam Date | 8th, 15th, 22nd December 2024 (Expected) |
CMAT Entrance Exam
The CMAT (Common Management Admission Test) is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission to MBA and PGDM programs in India. The exam assesses candidates on Quantitative Techniques, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness, and Innovation & Entrepreneurship. It is a 3-hour, computer-based test. It is on little earier side than CAT exam. It is accepted by more than 200 B-schools in India including, JBIMS, SIMSREE etc.
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Mode | Online |
| Duration | 180 minutes (3 hours) |
| Number of Questions | 100 |
| Registration Start | 15th February 2025 (Expected) |
| Registration End | 20th April 2025 (Expected) |
| Exam Date | 10th May 2025 (Expected) |
MAT Entrance Exam
The MAT (Management Aptitude Test) is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the All India Management Association (AIMA) for admission to MBA and related programs. It is held four times a year and assesses candidates in Language Comprehension, Mathematical Skills, Data Analysis, Intelligence, and Critical Reasoning. It is accepted by more than 300 MBA colleges in India.
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Mode | Online (CBT) & Offline (PBT) |
| Duration | 150 minutes (2 hours 30 mins) |
| Number of Questions | 200 |
| Registration | Varies by session |
| Exam Date | Varies by session |
| MAT Exam Related Articles | ||
|---|---|---|
| MAT Exam Date 2024 | MAT Syllabus 2024 | MAT Cut off 2024 |
| MAT Study Material 2024 | MAT Eligibility Criteria 2024 | MAT exam Colleges |
GMAT Focus Edition Exam
The GMAT Focus Edition is a streamlined version of the traditional Graduate Management Admission Test, designed to assess critical reasoning, quantitative, and data Insights. GMAT Focus Edition is a popular computer-based test used by top business schools worldwide for admissions. The scores from GMAT Focus are accepted by over 7000 programs across 2300 colleges and universities.
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Mode | Online |
| Duration | 135 minutes (2 hours 15 mins) |
| Number of Questions | 64 |
| Registration | Ongoing |
| Exam Date | Available year-round |
| GMAT Exam Related Articles | ||
|---|---|---|
| GMAT Exam | GMAT Exam Dates | GMAT Practice Tests |
| GMAT Daily Target | GMAT Score Calculator | GMAT Syllabus |
MAH-CET Entrance Exam
The MAH-CET (Maharashtra Common Entrance Test) is a state-level entrance exam for admission to MBA/MMS programs in Maharashtra. Conducted by the State Common Entrance Test Cell, it evaluates candidates on Logical Reasoning, Abstract Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, and Verbal Ability/Reading Comprehension. It is a key exam for business schools in Maharashtra. It also gives special relaxation for the Maharashtra domicile candidates. It is accepted by 100+ B-schools in India including JBIMS, SIMSREE etc.
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Duration | 150 minutes (2 hours 30 mins) |
| Number of Questions | 200 |
| Registration Start | 10th January 2025 (Expected) |
| Registration End | 16th February 2025 (Expected) |
| Exam Date | 10th March 2025 (Expected) |
MBA Exams - Wise Top Colleges
Given below is the list of top Colleges according to the respective exams they accept. The list includes top exams which are most popular inn MBA category i.e CAT, XAT and NMAT.
MBA Entrance Exams: Conclusion
The choice of the Top MBA entrance exam depends on various factors, including your target B-schools, specific program preferences, and individual strengths. While each exam has its unique characteristics, the underlying syllabus for most MBA entrance exams in India revolves around similar patterns, testing your verbal ability, quantitative aptitude, logical reasoning, and general awareness.
To maximize your chances of success, consider the following steps:
- Research: Thoroughly investigate the specific requirements and preferences of your target B-schools.
- Practice: Dedicate ample time to practice with mock tests and previous year papers.
- Seek guidance: Consider enrolling in a comprehensive MBA preparation course like Cracku to receive expert guidance and personalized support.
By following these steps and choosing the right exam, you can increase your chances of securing admission to your dream MBA programme.
Cracku can be your ultimate companion for the preparation of MBA exams in India. Access comprehensive study materials, mock tests, and expert guidance to ace your MBA entrance exams. Sign up now and start your journey towards a successful MBA career.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The best MBA entrance exam depends on where you want to study. In India, the CAT is the most popular for top schools like the IIMs. If you're thinking globally, the GMAT is widely accepted at prestigious schools like Harvard and INSEAD. There are also regional exams like XAT, MAT, and NMAT, which are good options for other business schools.
No, CAT isn't required for every MBA program. It's mainly necessary if you're aiming for IIMs or top Indian B-schools. However, other exams like GMAT, XAT, CMAT, or MAT are accepted by different schools both in India and abroad.
To be eligible for most MBA entrance exams, you need to have a bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks (or 45% for reserved categories). Final-year students can also apply, and some exams or schools might have additional requirements.
MBA programs at Tier 2 and Tier 3 colleges, which accept exams like MAT, ATMA, or CMAT, are generally easier to get into since their entry requirements are less strict.
The CAT and GMAT are known to be tough because of their challenging questions, high competition, and focus on analytical and quantitative skills.
For students in India, CAT is usually considered the toughest due to the level of competition. Globally, the GMAT is difficult, especially for those aiming for top business schools.
Exams like MAT, CMAT, and NMAT typically have less competition compared to CAT and GMAT, which makes them a good option for a wider range of business schools.
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