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MBA entrance exams are an essential step for many students aspiring to pursue management studies in India. In the 2023 Common Admission Test (CAT), a whopping 2.88 lakh students appeared for the exam, showcasing the significance of this national-level management aptitude test. During the year, CAT witnessed an 88% attendance rate, marking a 1% increase from the previous year. 

With over 1,000 colleges in India accepting CAT scores, it serves as a gateway for admission to MBA programs. This widely recognized exam is not only crucial nationally but also holds international acclaim, being acknowledged globally for assessing business aptitude and facilitating admission to top-tier business schools. This year, with the application count anticipated to surpass the 3.5 Lakh mark, it’s essential to note down important points about MBA entrance exams. 

Choose your institute

Entering the prestigious Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) through MBA entrance exams like CAT (Common Admission Test) is an important step for aspiring students. In the CAT form for 2024, candidates will have the opportunity to select the specific IIMs they want to apply to for MBA admission. Candidates can prepare for the CAT exam either by opting for coaching from institutes or by self-preparation at home, depending on their preference. 

It's worth noting that, even though candidates can apply to any of the 21 IIMs after the CAT result declaration, they should be aware that some institutes are very particular about registration, and you may or may not be eligible for admission to that specific institute. Additionally, for those considering institutions beyond the IIMs, it's essential to verify whether the chosen institute accepts CAT scores or prefers a different entrance exam to avoid investing time and effort in the wrong direction.

MBA Entrance Exams

Name of the institute

CAT

  • All IIMs

  • TAPMI 

  • GIM Goa

  • GITAM

  • IRMA Anand

  • KJ Somaiya Mumbai

  • Christ University

  • BIMTECH, Greater Noida

  • XLRI Jamshedpur

  • FMS Delhi

XAT

  • Great Lakes Institute of Management

  • FORE School of Management

  • Goa Institute of Management

  • IMT Ghaziabad

  • Jaipuria Institute of Management

  • IMI New Delhi

  • IILM University

SNAP

  • MIT COM Pune

  • NIA Business School Noida

  • Lotus Business School Pune

  • IIMT Pune

  • BIFT Hyderabad

  • Balaji Institutes of Telecom and Management Pune

  • GNIT College of Management, Greater Noida Noida

  • Lakshmi Narain College of Technology Bhopal

IBSAT

  • IBS Hyderabad

  • IBS Ahmedabad

  • IBS Bengaluru

  • IBS Mumbai

  • IBS Gurgaon

  • IBS Kolkata

  • IBS Pune

  • IBS Jaipur

  • IBS Dehradun

NMAT by GMAC

  • NMIMS Mumbai

  • VIT Business School Vellore

  • ICFAI Business School

  • GITAM Hyderabad Business School

  • Amity Business School

  • XIM University

  • SRM Institute of Science and Technology

CMAT

  • Amity University Noida

  • LPU

  • Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai

  • Christ University

  • Goa Institute of Management

  • KJ Somaiya Institute of Management

  • BIMTECH

  • Jaipuria Noida

  • Institute of Rural Management Anand

MAT

  • Birla Institute of Technology

  • XIME

  • National Institute of Technology

  • Balaji Institute of Modern Management

  • IPE

MAH CET

  • ICT Mumbai

  • College of Engineering Pune

  • MIT WPU

  • VJTI Mumbai

  • Army Institute of Technology

  • Sardar Patel Institute of Technology

  • KJ Somaiya Institute of Technology

Important Information about MBA Entrance Exams

If you're planning to pursue an MBA, it's crucial to familiarize yourself with the important details of these exams. Understanding the ins and outs will help you navigate the process more confidently,

Exam

Conducting Institute

Eligibility

Registration Months

Exam

Month

Result

Time

Syllabus

CAT

IIMs

- Graduate in any discipline with 50% for General and 45% for Reserved

-Final Year students may apply too

Aug- Sep

Nov

Jan

3 Hours

Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)

Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)

Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

XAT

Xavier School of Management

- Graduate in any discipline

-Final Year students may apply too

Aug- Dec

Jan

Jan

3:30 Hours

Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VA & LR)

 

Decision Making (DM)

 

Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation (QA & DI)

 

General Knowledge (GK)

 

Analytical Essay Writing (AEW)

SNAP

Symbiosis International University

- Graduate with 50%

-Final Year students may apply too

Aug- Nov

Dec

Jan

2 Hours

- General English

- Quantitative Aptitude

- General Awareness

- Logical and Analytical Reasoning

IBSAT

ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education

- Graduation with 50% with the medium of instruction as English.

- Applicants in their Final Year may also apply.

July - December

December

January

2 Hours

- Verbal Ability

- Reading Comprehension

- Quantitative Aptitude

- Data Adequacy & Data Interpretation

NMAT

Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC)

- Graduate in any discipline with 50%

-Final Year students may apply too

Jul- Oct

Oct-Dec

Jan

2 Hours

- Language Skills

- Quantitative Skills

- Data Interpretation and Data Sufficiency

- Logical Reasoning

CMAT

AICTE

- Graduate in any discipline with 50%

- Final Year students may apply too

Nov

Jan

Feb

3 Hours

- Logical Reasoning

- Language Comprehension

- Quantitative Skills

- Data Interpretation

- General Awareness

MAT

AIMA

- Graduate in any discipline

Dec- Feb

Feb

Feb

2.5 Hours

- Verbal Ability

- Quantitative Skills

- Data Interpretation

- Intelligence and Critical Reasoning

- Indian and Global Environment

MAH CET

DTE Maharashtra

- Graduate in any discipline with 50%

- Final Year students may apply too

Feb

Mar

Mar

2.5 Hours

- Logical Reasoning

- Abstract Reasoning

- Quantitative Ability

- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension

MBA Entrance Exam Admit Card

Once you've chosen your desired institutes and identified the entrance exams you need to take, make sure to register within the specified timeframe and promptly download your Admit Card on the due date. This essential document is your key to entering the exam hall. Remember, without it, you won't be permitted to take the exam. 

Packed with vital information such as your details, exam venue address, commencement time, and test system number, the Admit Card further assists in you filling up the answer sheet and staying compliant with the guidelines of the examination center. 

Number of Candidates

In India, there are more than 12,000 MBA colleges, and they use a test called the Common Admission Test (CAT) for admissions. However, not all of these colleges accept CAT scores. Among these colleges, there are 7395 management colleges, which include 5974 private colleges and 1230 government colleges. It's essential to note that not every management college considers CAT scores for admissions. Therefore, if you are concerned about the competitiveness of the entrance exams, the numbers below reveal a fascinating insight into the popularity and significance of entrance tests individually.

In the competitive world of management entrance exams, the Common Admission Test (CAT) stands out as the most sought-after test, with an expected attendance of 3 lakh candidates in 2024. Following closely are the Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) and Symbiosis National Aptitude Test (SNAP), where applications range from 2 lakh to 1 lakh. The reason behind this widespread preference lies in the aspirations of MBAs targeting the prestigious Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). 

While numerous B-schools consider CAT scores as a primary criterion, other institutes have the flexibility to choose from various entrance exams. 

Stay informed, Stay ahead and Stay inspired with MBA Rendezvous.