MBA Entrance Exam
The MBA (Master of Business Administration) is one of the most sought-after postgraduate programs, attracting students from various academic backgrounds. To secure admission to top B-schools, aspirants must clear MBA entrance exams.
Other prominent MBA entrance examinations that lead to admission to reputable MBA programs include IBSAT 2024 and CMAT 2025, in addition to the CAT, XAT, NMAT, and SNAP. In 2025, the results of these elite MBA exams will be accepted for admission to prestigious MBA schools such as SIBM, XLRI, NMIMS, and IIMs.
The most favored top entrance exam, the CAT, will take place on November 24 and is a prerequisite for admission to all 1000+ highly regarded MBA schools, including IIMs. The first step in organizing your preparation and getting admitted to prestigious B-schools for an MBA is to register and apply for these top MBA entrance tests in India.
These MBA entrance exams evaluate a candidate’s aptitude in areas such as quantitative ability, verbal ability, logical reasoning, and data interpretation.
Major MBA Entrance Exams in India
Common Admission Test (CAT)
CAT is one of the most popular and competitive MBA entrance exams in India, conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). It is a computer-based test focusing on quantitative ability, verbal ability, reading comprehension, data interpretation, and logical reasoning.
Exam Pattern
- Duration: 180 minutes
- Sections: 3 (60 minutes each)
- Total Questions: 100 (MCQs and Non-MCQs)
Eligibility
A bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD)
Management Aptitude Test (MAT)
MAT, conducted by the All India Management Association (AIMA), is held four times a year. It evaluates candidates’ skills in language comprehension, mathematical skills, data analysis and sufficiency, intelligence and critical reasoning, and Indian and global environments.
Exam Pattern
- Duration: 150 minutes
- Sections: 5
- Total Questions: 200 (MCQs)
Exam Pattern
A bachelor’s degree in any discipline
Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT)
XAT is conducted by XLRI, Jamshedpur, on behalf of XAMI. It assesses candidates on verbal and logical ability, decision-making, quantitative ability, data interpretation, and general knowledge.
Exam Pattern
- Duration: 210 minutes
- Section 4
- Total Questions: 100 (MCQs) + 1 essay
Eligibility
A bachelor’s degree of a minimum of three years
Common Management Admission Test (CMAT)
CMAT, administered by the National Testing Agency (NTA), is a national-level exam assessing quantitative technique, logical reasoning, language comprehension, general awareness, and innovation and entrepreneurship.
Exam Pattern
- Duration: 180 minutes
- Sections: 5
- Total Questions: 100 (MCQs)
Eligibility
A bachelor’s degree in any discipline.
NMIMS Management Aptitude Test (NMAT)
NMAT, conducted by GMAC, is a flexible exam allowing candidates to choose their test dates and locations. It tests language skills, quantitative skills, and logical reasoning.
Exam Pattern
- Duration: 120 minutes
- Sections: 3
- Total Questions: 108 (MCQs)
Eligibility
A bachelor’s degree in any discipline
Symbiosis National Aptitude Test (SNAP)
SNAP is conducted by Symbiosis International University (SIU) for admission to its MBA programs. It evaluates general English, quantitative, data interpretation and sufficiency, analytical and logical reasoning, and current affairs.
Exam Pattern
- Duration: 60 minutes
- Sections: 3
- Total Questions: 60 (MCQs)
Eligibility
A bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD)
Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)
The GMAT, administered by GMAC, is a globally recognized test used for MBA admissions. It assesses analytical writing assessment, integrated reasoning, and quantitative and verbal skills.
Exam Pattern
- Duration: 187 minutes
- Section 4
- Total Questions: 80 (MCQs and Analytical Writing)
Eligibility
A bachelor’s degree in any discipline
ICFAI Business School Aptitude Test (IBSAT)
IBSAT is conducted by the ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education for admission to its MBA programs. It tests verbal ability, reading comprehension, quantitative ability, data adequacy, and data interpretation.
Exam Pattern
- Duration: 120 minutes
- Section 4
- Total Questions: 140 (MCQs)
Eligibility
A bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks
Highlights of MBA Entrance Exams
| Details | MBA Entrance Exam |
|---|---|
|
Course Name |
MBA |
|
MBA full form |
Master of Business Administration |
|
Course Level |
Post Graduation |
|
Types of MBA |
Full-Time MBA, Part-Time MBA, Distance MBA, Online MBA, Executive MBA, and Integrated MBA |
|
MBA Course Fee |
INR 2 lakh to 27 lakh and above
|
|
MBA Admission Process |
Entrance Exam Group Discussion & Personal Interview
|
|
Major MBA Entrance Exams |
CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT, NMAT, SNAP, GMAT, IBSAT
|
|
Top MBA College |
There are 5000+ colleges in India offering full-time
MBA. Most popular colleges include IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, IIM Lucknow, FMS Delhi, SPJIMR Mumbai, XLRI, IIM Indore, and IIM Kozhikode, among others.
|
|
MBA Specialisations |
Marketing, Operations, Finance, Human Resources, Digital, Marketing and Business Analytics, Sales
|
|
Average Salary for MBA |
INR 5 lakh to 25 lakh per annum
|
|
Top recruiters post MBA |
Boston Consulting Group, McKinsey, Bain & Co., Morgan, Stanley, Citibank, JP Morgan Chase, Amazon, Facebook, Google, Adobe, etc.
|
Latest Updates on MBA Entrance Exams
- CAT 2024: The registration for CAT 2024 begins in August 2024, with the exam scheduled for November 2024. The results are expected in January 2025.
- MAT 2024: MAT will be conducted in four phases: February, May, September, and December 2024. Candidates can choose between a paper-based or computer-based format.
- XAT 2024: Registrations for XAT 2024 open in August 2024, with the exam scheduled for January 2025. XLRI has introduced a few changes in the exam pattern this year.
- CMAT 2024: CMAT 2024 registrations will commence in November 2024, with the exam scheduled for February 2025.
- NMAT 2024: The NMAT exam window is open from October to December 2024. Candidates can retake the test up to three times within the testing window.
- SNAP 2024: The SNAP exam will be conducted in December 2024, with registrations opening in August 2024.
- GMAT 2024: GMAT remains available throughout the year, with the introduction of enhanced online testing options.
- IBSAT 2024: Registrations for IBSAT 2024 start in July 2024, with the exam slated for December 2024.
Conclusion
Preparing for MBA entrance exams requires dedication, strategic planning, and an understanding of the specific requirements of each test. By comprehensively understanding the details and staying updated on the latest developments, candidates can significantly enhance their chances of securing admission to their desired MBA programs. You can visit our education portal for more details collegedunias.
Fill The Form to Get More Details
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
CAT is often considered the most challenging MBA entrance exam in Ind
Yes, candidates can apply for multiple MBA entrance exams in a year. Many students take exams like CAT, XAT, and CMAT to increase their chances of securing admission to a top B-school.
Effective preparation includes understanding the exam pattern, practicing previous years’ papers, taking mock tests, and focusing on time management. Joining coaching classes or online courses can also be beneficial.
Yes, many top B-schools consider work experience, extracurricular activities, and leadership roles as part of their holistic admission process, in addition to entrance exam scores.
GMAT scores are valid for five years, while CAT scores are valid for one year.