When we talk about the MBA entrance exam then many exams come to our mind, like CAT, XAT, MAT and many other state-based exams. Choosing the right exam depends on many factors, like exam toughness, whether is university accepts the entrance exam or not.
If you are preparing for MBA entrance exams, then it can be challenging sometimes, but with the right guidance, you can achieve your goal of taking admission in India’s top business schools.
In this blog, we have discussed the Top MBA entrance exams in India, the syllabus for each of the exams, and we will also share some preparation tips with you.
Top 12 MBA Entrance Exams in India
1. CAT (Common Admission Test)
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a national level exam considered as top MBA entrance exam in India. It is a highly competitive entrance exam for admission to top management programs in India. Think of it as a mental marathon. It’s a computer-based test that assesses verbal ability, data interpretation, logical reasoning, and quantitative aptitude.
It may sound like a challenge, but it is a challenge worth taking. A brilliant CAT score can open doors to prestigious institutions like the IIMs, XLRI, FMS, and more.
Below are the more details about the CAT exam:
Eligibility: | ● You must have completed a graduate degree or equivalent. | |
Duration: | 3 hours | |
Mode: | Computer-based test (CBT) | |
Exam Frequency: | Once in a year | |
Exam pattern: | Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VA-RC) | 40 questions |
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 32 questions | |
Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | 34 questions
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2. XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test)
The Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) is a highly competitive entrance exam for MBA programs in India. It’s famous for its hard questions, especially in decision-making. If you’re looking to gain admission to a top business school, the XAT is a good choice, but it is also a challenging exam.
Below are the more details about the XAT exam:
Eligibility: | Graduate or equivalent degree with at least 50% aggregate (45% for SC/ST/PWD candidates) | |
Duration: | 3 hours | |
Mode: | Computer-based test (CBT) | |
Exam Frequency: | Once in a year | |
Exam pattern: | Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VA-LR) | 30 questions |
Quantitative Ability (QA) | 21 questions | |
Decision Making (DM) | 25 questions | |
General Awareness (GA) | 25 questions | |
Essay Writing (Essay) | 1 topic | |
3. MAT (Management Aptitude Test)
The Management Aptitude Test (MAT) is a national-level entrance exam for MBA programs in India. Conducted four times a year, it offers multiple attempts, giving you flexibility in your exam preparation. MAT scores are accepted by numerous B-schools, making it a popular choice for aspiring managers.
Below are the more details about the MAT exam:
Eligibility: | Graduate or equivalent degree with at least 50% aggregate (45% for SC/ST/PWD candidates) | |
Duration: | 150 minutes | |
Mode: | Computer-based test (CBT), internet-based test (IBT), or paper-based test (PBT) | |
Exam Frequency: | Four times a year | |
Exam pattern: | Language Comprehension (LC) | 40 questions |
Data Analysis and Sufficiency (DAS) | 40 questions | |
Mathematical Skills (MS) | 40 questions | |
Indian and Global Environment (IGE) | 40 questions | |
4. ATMA ( AIMS Test for Management Aptitude)
The AIMS Test for Management Aptitude (ATMA) is a more affordable MBA entrance exam compared to other national-level tests. It’s conducted by the All India Management Association (AIMA) and accepted by numerous B-schools across India. If you want to save money on your MBA, ATMA is a good choice.
Below are the more details about the ATMA exam:
Eligibility: | Graduate or equivalent degree with at least 50% aggregate (45% for SC/ST/PWD candidates) | |
Duration: | 3 hours | |
Mode: | Computer-based test (CBT) | |
Exam Frequency: | 4 to 5 times in a year | |
Exam pattern: | Quantitative Ability | 30 questions |
Verbal Ability | 30 questions | |
Logical Reasoning | 30 questions | |
General Knowledge | 30 questions | |
5. SNAP (Symbiosis National Aptitude Test)
The Symbiosis National Aptitude Test (SNAP) is a popular entrance exam for MBA programs in India. Conducted by Symbiosis International University, SNAP offers a relatively short exam duration and a wide range of test-taking options.
If you do well on the SNAP, you can get into great business schools like the Symbiosis institutes and others.
Below are the more details about the SNAP exam:
Eligibility: | Graduate degree with at least 50% (45% for SC/ST/PWD candidates) | |
Duration: | 120 minutes | |
Mode: | Computer-based test | |
Exam Frequency: | Once in a year | |
Exam pattern: | General English | 40 questions |
Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation | 40 questions | |
Logical Reasoning | 40 questions | |
Analytical & Logical Reasoning | 60 questions | |
6. GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)
The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a standardized entrance exam widely accepted by top business schools worldwide. It assesses your analytical writing, quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, and integrated reasoning skills.
A high GMAT score can open doors to valuable MBA programs in countries like the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia.
Below are the more details about the GMAT exam:
Eligibility: | A graduate or equivalent degree from a recognized institution. | |
Duration: | 2 hours and 15 minutes | |
Mode: | Computer-based test (CBT) | |
Exam Frequency: | You can attempt this exam throughout the year at a gap of 16 days. | |
Exam pattern: | Verbal Reasoning | 31 questions |
Quantitative Reasoning | 31 questions | |
Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) | 1 essay (30 minutes) | |
7. CMAT (Common Management Admission Test )
The Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) is a national-level entrance exam for admission to MBA programs in various management institutes across India. It’s a computer-based test that assesses verbal ability, quantitative aptitude, logical reasoning, and data interpretation. A good score can give your application a major boost.
Below are the more details about the CMAT exam:
Eligibility: | ● You must have completed a graduate degree or equivalent. | |
Duration: | 3 hours | |
Mode: | Computer-based test (CBT) | |
Exam Frequency: | Once in a year | |
Exam pattern: | Quantitative Aptitude | 25 questions |
Logical Reasoning | 25 questions | |
Language Comprehension | 50 questions | |
Innovation and Entrepreneurship | 25 questions | |
8. NMAT (National Management Aptitude Test)
The National Management Aptitude Test (NMAT) is a computer-based entrance exam conducted by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAT). It’s a popular choice for management professionals seeking admission to top business schools in India and abroad.
Unlike other MBA entrance exams, NMAT offers multiple attempts and allows you to choose your preferred exam date and time. With a strong NMAT score, you can open doors to exciting career opportunities in the global business world.
Below are the more details about the NMAT exam:
Eligibility: | ● You must have completed a graduate degree or equivalent. | |
Duration: | 120 minutes (2 hours) | |
Mode: | Computer-based test (CBT) | |
Exam Frequency: | Once in a year | |
Exam pattern: | Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VA-RC) | 40 questions |
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 32 questions | |
Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | 34 questions | |
9. MAH-CET (Maharashtra Common Entrance Test)
The Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (MAH-CET) is a state-level entrance exam specifically for MBA programs in Maharashtra, India. Conducted by the State Common Entrance Test Cell (CET Cell), MAH-CET is a competitive exam that assesses verbal ability, quantitative aptitude, logical reasoning, and data interpretation.
If you do well on the MAH-CET, you can get into great business schools in Maharashtra and have a bright future in business there.
Below are the more details about the MAH-CET exam:
Eligibility: | Graduate degree with at least 50% (45% for SC/ST/PWD candidates) | |
Duration: | 150 Minutes | |
Mode: | Computer-based test | |
Exam Frequency: | Once in a year | |
Exam pattern: | Quantitative Ability | 100 questions |
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 100 questions | |
Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation (LRDI) | 100 questions | |
10. KMAT (Karnataka Management Aptitude Test)
KMAT is a short form of Karnataka Management Aptitude Test, which is conducted by the Karnataka Post-Graduate Private Colleges Association to fill the seats of MBA, PGDM and MCA-like courses.
This exam was first introduced in the year 2003 after observing the need of having a single entrance exam for the entire Karnataka State. More than 170 AICTE-approved MBA colleges and over 50 MCA colleges accept KMAT scores for their admissions. The process is followed by Group Discussions and Personal Interviews.
Below are the more details about the KMAT exam:
Eligibility: |
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Duration: | 2 hours | |
Mode: | Home-based Online Remote Proctored Test | |
Exam Frequency: | Once in a year | |
Exam pattern: | Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension | 40 Questions |
Quantitative Ability | 40 Questions | |
Logical Reasoning | 40 Questions | |
11. TANCET (Tamil Nadu Common Entrance Test)
The Tamil Nadu Common Entrance Test, also known as its short form TANCET, is an exam conducted by Anna University. The primary objective of this exam is to fill post-graduate seats in various programs like M.Tech, M.Arch, M.Plan, ME, MBA, and MCA.
Around 200 Tamil Nadu-based colleges that are linked to this exam accept the scorecard to fill their vacant seats in multiple programs.
Below are the more details about the TANCET exam:
Eligibility: |
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Duration: | 2 Hours | |
Mode: | Offline | |
Exam Frequency: | Once in a year | |
Exam pattern: | Business Situations | 20 Questions |
Quantitative Ability | 20 Questions | |
Reading Comprehension | 20 Questions | |
English Usage | 20 Questions | |
Data Sufficiency | 20 Questions | |
12. IIFT (Indian Institute of Foreign Trade) Entrance exam
The IIFT exam is a special test for people who want to study MBA programs in international trade at the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT). It’s all about knowing about international trade, the economy, and what’s happening in the world. If you do well on the IIFT exam, you can get a great job in international business.
Below are the more details about the IIFT exam:
| Eligibility: | Need a graduate degree with at least 50% (45% for SC/ST/PWD candidates) | |
| Duration: | 2 hours | |
| Mode: | Computer-based test | |
| Exam Frequency: | Once in a year | |
Exam pattern: |
General Awareness (GA) | Total 110 questions |
| English Comprehension (EC) | ||
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | ||
| Logical Reasoning (LR) | ||
Common Syllabus Of MBA Entrance Exam
Section | Topics |
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VA-RC) |
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Quantitative Aptitude (QA) |
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Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) |
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General Awareness (GA) |
|
Essay Writing | (Optional for some exams) |
Decision-Making | (Optional for some exams) |
Preparation Tips for MBA Entrance Exams
- Go through the whole syllabus to build a road map for the examination, and know your weaknesses and strengths so that you can work accordingly.
- Read only the best study resources for your preparation.
- Dedicate 5 to 6 hours for your daily preparation
- Start your preparations by analysing your weak points, so that you can work on them throughout your preparation.
- You can solve mock tests to check your progress, and we advise you to solve the papers in time.
- Now, plan your exam-taking strategies by solving previous year question papers, which help you better understand the trend of questions.
- Don’t take too much stress during the preparation period, get enough sleep of 7 to 8 hours to increase your learning skills.
To increase your focus, you can use the Pomodoro technique means taking a 5-minute break after 25 minutes of continuous studies.
Final Thoughts
MBA entrance exams in India are the perfect way if you want to pursue an MBA degree. These exams usually check your logical ability, quantitative ability, mathematical skills, problem-solving abilities and many other abilities to check your suitability for the course.
Exams like CAT, XAT, ATMA and SNAP exams are usually of have hard level, while other exams like MAT, NMAT and GMAT are comparatively easy. We advise you to choose the exam by assessing the toughness level.
FAQs
Q.1 Which is the easiest exam for MBA?
Ans:Generally, MBA entrance exams like MAT, CMAT, and IBSAT are considered easier compared to others like CAT and XAT, due to their syllabus and difficulty levels.
Q.2 Is XAT tougher than CAT?
Ans:While both XAT and CAT are challenging MBA entrance exams, many find XAT to be slightly tougher due to sections like Decision-Making and the lengthier passages in the Verbal section, compared to CAT.
Q.3 How do I apply for MBA entrance exams?
Ans:Application processes vary by exam, but typically include online registration, payment of fees, and submission of documents.
Q.4 How do I prepare for MBA entrance exam interviews?
Ans:Preparation methods include researching the institute, practicing common interview questions, and preparing your resume and other documents.
Q5 What are the popular MBA entrance exams in India?
Ans:Popular exams include CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT, GMAT, and SNAP.