Top MBA Entrance Exams 2024-25 in India: Dates, Registration, Top Colleges
Some of the top MBA entrance exams 2024-25, apart from the Common Admission Test (CAT), include XAT, CMAT, SNAP, ATMA, MAT, MAH MBA CET and more. The MBA exams can be divided into national, state and institute-level.
The top MBA Entrance Exams in India are conducted throughout the year at national, state, or institute levels. Admission into top MBA colleges in the country is based on the candidate's score in MBA exams organized by different bodies. There are 8 main national-level MBA entrance exams in India, including CAT, CMAT, MAT, NMAT, XAT, SNAP, and ATMA. Many state-level exams are also conducted for MBA admissions, such as MAH MBA CET, KMAT, AP ICET, TS ICET, etc. In addition, many institutes conduct entrance exams like IBSAT, MICAT, and KIITEE Management.
Candidates seeking admission to top IIMs must qualify for the CAT exam, while those aiming for admission to Tier-2 private MBA colleges may appear for CMAT or MAT. Candidates having work experience of 2 to 3 years after graduation or recent graduates with a minimum aggregate of 50% are eligible to enrol for these MBA exams by the common qualifying requirements in India.
MBA Entrance Exams 2024-25 Application & Exam Dates
It is important to know all dates and events related to the MBA entrance exam 2024 an aspirant is targeting for MBA course admissions. Check out the table below for a detailed schedule of the list of MBA exams 2024-25:
Entrance Exam | Application Open | Application Close | Exam Date | Result |
August 1, 2024 | September 20, 2024 (Extended) | November 24, 2024 | Last Week of December 2024 | |
| June 22, 2024 | Phase 1: September 17, 2024 | Phase 1: September 22, 2024 | Phase 1: October 10, 2024 Phase 2: November 2024 | |
August 1, 2024 | October 10, 2024 | November 5 - December 20, 2024 | Within 48 Hours of the Exam | |
November 14, 2024 | December 15, 2024 | January 25, 2025 | February 2025 | |
| July 15, 2024 | December 10, 2024 | January 5, 2025 | January 31, 2025 | |
August 5, 2024 | November 22, 2024 |
| January 8, 2025 | |
ATMA 2024 (December Session) | October 24, 2024 | December 9, 2024 | December 22, 2024 | December 28, 2024 |
|
|
|
| |
July 1, 2024 | December 18, 2024 | December 28 & 29, 2024 | First week of January 2025 | |
January 2025 | February 2025 | March 17, 18 and 19, 2025 | May 2025 | |
| First week of March 2025 | First week of April 2025 | First week of May 2025 | Third week of June 2025 | |
| 1st week of March 2025 | 4th week of April 2025 | 1st week of June 2025 | 4th week of June 2025 | |
| Fourth week of January 2025 | Third week of March 2025 | Fourth week of March 2025 | Last week of June 2025 | |
| Last week of September 2024 | Second week of January 2025 |
|
| |
2nd week of January 2025 | 2nd week of February 2025 | 1st or 2nd week of March 2025 | Last week of March 2025 | |
MAT 2024 (December Session) | September 7, 2024 |
|
| December 2024 |
MBA Entrance Exams 2024-25 Application Fees
Here is a breakdown of the application fees for MBA entrance exams, which vary based on candidates' category: general or reserved.
MBA Entrance Exam | General Category Fees | Reserved Category Fees |
NMAT by GMAC | INR 3000 | INR 3000 |
CAT | INR 2400 | INR 1200 |
CMAT | INR 2000 | INR 1000 |
MICAT | INR 2100 | INR 2100 |
SNAP | INR 2250 | INR 2250 |
MAT | One Exam: INR 2100 | One Exam: INR 2100 Two Exams: INR 3300 |
IBSAT | INR 1800 | INR 800 |
XAT | INR 2200 | INR 2200 |
KIITEE Management | INR 1250 | INR 1250 |
MAH CET | INR 1000 | INR 800 |
Colleges Accepting Scores of Top MBA Entrance Exams
Check out the top 5 MBA exams that have the highest acceptance rate in India, given below:
MBA Entrance Exam | Top Participating Colleges |
CAT | 21 IIMs, MDI Gurgaon, IIFM Bhopal, TAPMI Manipal, IMI Delhi, etc. |
NMAT by GMAC | NMIMS Mumbai, Amity University, ICFAI Business School, etc. |
XAT | XBS, XIME, XIMR, Mumbai, Loyola IBA, GIM Goa, K J Somaiya, BIMTECH Noida, etc. |
CMAT | ISBS Pune, DBS Dehradun, GLIM Chennai, JIM Noida, IISWBM, Kolkata, etc. |
ISB, GLIM Gurgaon, XLRI Jamshedpur, FMS Delhi, NISM Mumbai, etc. | |
SNAP | SIBM, SIIB, SCMHRD, SIBM, SICSR, SIOM, SIMS, SIMC, SIDTM, and SCIT. |
MAT | Amity University Noida, Amrita School of Business, LPU-, New Delhi Institute of Management, Jaipuria Noida, Christ University, Birla Institute of Management, etc |
TANCET | Anna University, PSGIM, Coimbatore, TSM Madurai, Sona SOM Salem, SRM University Chennai, etc. |
Karnataka PGCET | PES University, PIMS Bangalore, SJES Bangalore, KJC Bangalore, etc. |
MAH MBA CET | JBIMS Mumbai, K J Somaiya, BIMM Pune, ITM Business School, etc. |
OJEE | KSOM, Astha School of Management, GITA Bhubaneswar, IPSAR Cuttack, etc. |
AP ICET | Andhra University, IFMR Chennai, Rayalaseema University, GITAM Insitute of Management, etc. |
TS ICET | Dr B R Ambedkar Institute of Management & Technology, Malla Reddy Engineering College, Kakatiya Institute of Technology and Science, Vivekvardhini College School of Business Management, Guru Nanak Institute of Technology, St Xaviers PG College, etc |
UPESMET | School of Business, UPES Dehradun |
HPU MAT | HPU Business School, Himachal Pradesh University |
Overview of CAT
CAT (Common Admission Test) is the most popular entrance exam for MBA Admissions in India conducted by IIMs once every year in November. More than 2 lakh students appear for this exam every year. The purpose of CAT is to screen candidates for admission into the flagship PGP in Management courses offered by the 21 IIMs in India. Apart from IIMs, more than 1,000 MBA colleges accept CAT scores. Check out the links below to know complete information about the CAT exam.
Overview of XAT
XAT or the Xavier Aptitude Test is a national-level entrance examination conducted for candidates who wish to pursue management courses from Xavier Labour Relation Institute (XLRI), Jamshedpur, and other institutes that consider XAT scores for admission to their PG management programs. XLRI has been conducting the XAT exam for 70+ years on behalf of the Xavier Association of Management Institutes (XAMI). The XAT exam is conducted as a computer-based examination that is typically held on the first Sunday of January every year. More than 75000 candidates appear for this exam each year. Know more about XAT by clicking on the links given below.
Overview of CMAT
CMAT is a popular MBA entrance exam conducted for admission to AICTE-approved MBA colleges in India. It is considered the second-most popular MBA entrance exam in India conducted by the National Testing Agency every year. Approximately 70,000 candidates appear for the exam every year. CMAT is a computer-based exam that tests the candidate’s aptitude in four main sections, namely- Quantitative Technique, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness, and Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Go through the links below for more details about the CMAT exam.
Overview of NMAT by GMAC
NMAT by GMAC is a popular management entrance examination organized and conducted by the GMAC. The main aim of the NMAT by GMAC is to provide aspiring candidates with the scope of admissions to the courses offered by leading MBA colleges in India, such as VIT Vellore, SPJIMR Mumbai, XIM Bhubaneswar, and many more. NMAT by GMAC is conducted once a year, over a test window of 70-100 days. Candidates get to choose a suitable date, time, and venue to appear in the computer-based test. NMAT by GMAC 2024 score is also accepted by top B-Schools across 11 countries. Check out the links below to learn more about the NMAT by GMAC exam.
Overview of SNAP
Symbiosis National Aptitude Test (SNAP) is a national-level entrance test conducted by Symbiosis International (Deemed University) for admission to the 26 MBA programs offered at its 16 constituent institutes. The question paper comprises 60 MCQs from General English, Quantitative, Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency, and Analytical & Logical Reasoning. Candidates can appear for the SNAP exam three times and the best of the three attempts is considered their final score. Click on the links below to learn more about the SNAP test.
Overview of MAT
MAT (Management Aptitude Test) is a standardized national-level MBA entrance exam conducted by the All India Management Association (AIMA) once a year. More than 800 MBA colleges in India accept MAT scores to offer admission into MBA, PGDM, and allied management programmes. It is the only MBA entrance exam in India that offers candidates the option to appear in Paper Based Test (PBT), Computer Based Test (CBT), and Internet Based Test (IBT) modes. MAT is conducted 4 times a year in February, May, September, and December. The MAT question paper has 200 MCQs from five subjects - Language Comprehension, Data Analysis & Sufficiency and Mathematical Skills, Intelligence and Critical Reasoning, and Indian & Global Environment. Know more about the MAT exam by clicking on the links below.
Overview of MAH MBA CET
MAH MBA CET is a state-level entrance exam conducted by the Directorate of Technical Education in Maharashtra for admission to management courses like MBA, MMS, PGDBM, and PGDM in several institutes across the state. MAH MBA CET comprises four sections namely, Logical Reasoning, Abstract Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, and Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension. The question paper contains 200 multiple-choice questions that students have to attempt in 150 minutes (2.5 hours). For every correct answer, candidates will be awarded 1 mark, and the best part is that there is no negative marking in the exam. Click on the links below for complete details about the MAH MBA CET.
Overview of AP ICET
AP ICET is a state-level entrance examination conducted for admission to various B-schools and MBA colleges in Andhra Pradesh. The exam is generally held in May and is conducted by Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, on behalf of Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE). Its purpose is to provide admission opportunities to aspiring MBA students in Andhra Pradesh. Find more information about the AP ICET exam in the links below.
Overview of TS ICET
Telangana State Integrated Common Entrance Test, commonly known as TS ICET, is a state-level MBA and MCA entrance exam. The exam is conducted annually by Kakatiya University, Warangal on behalf of the Telangana State Council for Higher Education. The TS ICET 2024 exam comprises 200 MCQs from three sections that have to be solved in 2 hours and 30 minutes. TS ICET 2024 is conducted for the candidates who wish to enrol in MBA course and MCA course courses in TS ICET 2024 participating colleges. Check out the links below for more details about the TS ICET exam.
Once you have decided which MBA college you wish to join, you can check the MBA exams it accepts for admission in India. Most colleges accept scorecards of multiple examinations. If you are confused about which exam you should take, you may find it helpful to go through this detailed comparison of top MBA entrance exams in India.
Related Articles:
You can fill out our Common Application Form or call our toll-free number for free student counselling. For any queries, call us on our toll-free number- 1800-572-9877 or send us an email at hello@collegedekho.com.
Get Help From Our Expert Counsellors
FAQs
Which is the best MBA entrance exam in India?
The best entrance exam in India is the Common Admissions Test or CAT. It is designed to assess the aptitude of students interested in pursuing higher studies in management courses with the Indian Institute of Management. All 20 IIMs require the students to provide CAT scores while applying for admission. While the cut-off percentile of different IIMs differs, it is primarily expected that the candidates have a 97 or above percentile for successful admission.
Is XAT more difficult than CAT?
No, the XAT is not more difficult than CAT. CAT is the toughest entrance test for management courses in India. The IIMs, which are government-run management institutes, use CAT to assess the aptitude of candidates. Three of these IIMs are among the world's top 100 business schools. Although XLRI institutes are well-respected and rank closely behind IIMs, the XAT exam is considered easier than CAT.
Which is better CAT or GMAT?
To understand which is better, CAT or GMAT depends on your goals and the institutes you want to enrol in. Choosing between CAT and GMAT depends on where you want to apply. While both are accepted by Indian MBA institutes, CAT won't help if you're applying abroad, and GMAT won't be useful for IIMs. Make your decision based on the specific institutes you plan to apply to.
In case of the presence of an institutional entrance exam is it all right to apply with the CAT exam score?
In case the institute you are applying to has its institutional entrance exam then it is preferable to apply with the said exam rather than with CAT exam scores. While CAT is accepted by all the institutes in India offering MBA courses, it is better to apply with indigenous entrance exams if one exists. That said, even if you apply with CAT scores, your application will be reviewed by the institute in a manner equivalent to its separate entrance exam scores.
Are there different MBA entrance exams in India for different MBA specialisations?
No, there are no different MBA entrance exams in India for different MBA specializations. To apply for any MBA program, no matter the specialization, you have to use scores of accepted entranceexams. In India, there are various entrance exams, but they vary based on who organizes them and which institute(s) accept them. The way the exams are set up and how they're scored depends on the conducting body.
How to decide which MBA entrance exam in India is best to apply for MBA courses?
Deciding which MBA entrance exam in India is best to apply for MBA courses requires strategic planning. It is best to explore and finalize the registration deadlines and exam dates of all the main examinations. You need to match them with your shortlisted institutes and explore their exam pattern and sections. The exams which match the most in pattern and subjects must be attempted to maximise the scope of application.
What are the main national-level MBA entrance exams in India?
The main national-level MBA entrance exams in India include CAT, GMAT, ATMA, MAT, CMAT, XAT, NMAT, SNAP, and IBSAT.
Can I apply at IIMs with MBA entrance exams other than CAT?
No, you cannot apply at IIMs with MBA entrance exams other than CAT. CAT has been specifically designed for admissions to IIM-offered courses. Moreover, IIMs are the top institutes in India and have a proper reason to rely on their system of selection rather than others. That said, you may inquire at the applied IIM about the acceptability of GMAT scores, however, no other scores shall be acceptable.
Are all MBA entrance exams in India 2023-24 designed in the same manner?
No, all MBA entrance exams in India 2023-24 are not designed in the same manner. The exam pattern, subjects, and scoring pattern differ for varying entrance exams. Yet they are all aimed at assessing the aptitude level of candidates for management courses, hence, you will find them quite similar to each other. The similarity makes it easier to prepare for multiple exams simultaneously.
How many times are these national-level MBA exams conducted?
The number of times national-level MBA exams are conducted varies. CAT is conducted once a year, GMAT is available throughout the year, ATMA is held 4-5 times annually, MAT is conducted multiple times a year, CMAT is an annual exam, XAT is conducted once a year, NMAT has a 74-day test window, and SNAP, IBSAT are held once a year.