MBA Entrance Exams In India MBA is a gateway to a new career turn, so students and working professionals take this test. Every year, over 2.5 lakh aspirants appear for various MBA entrance exams in India, hoping to secure admission into top business schools. However, every year there are some changes regarding exam patterns. Aspirants must keep an eye on the exams they are preparing for. The 2025 MBA Entrance Exams took a new turn. It is expected that more than 3 lakhs will appear for the management tests. To enter IIM colleges, XLRI, or top state universities like JBIMS or TISS, entrance exams are compulsory. This guide is a one-stop resource that explains all major MBA entrance exams, national, state-level, and institute-specific. Along with the top MBA colleges, they open doors to.
MBA Entrance Exams 2025
India conducts MBA entrance tests at three levels: national, state, and institutional. These tests serve as gateways to the top institutions in the country. Each test has its own pattern, varying levels of difficulty, and selection process. We expect massive registrations for exams like CAT, XAT, NMAT, SNAP, and GMAT Focus Edition in 2025. Most of these exams offer a range of MBA programs, from flagship PGDM to industry-specific MBAs and executive programs.
National-Level MBA Entrance Exams in India
To get admission in top B-schools across India must require a National-level MBA entrance exam qualification. These tests are recognized for their standardization, wide acceptance, and competitive rigor.
Here are the most popular national MBA exams:
| Exam Name | Accepting Institutes | Exam Month | Mode |
| CAT Exam (Common Admission Test) | IIMs, FMS, MDI, SPJIMR, and 1,000 B-schools in India | 30 November 2025 | Computer-Based |
| XAT Exam (Xavier Aptitude Test) | XLRI, IMT, TAPMI, XIMB, and over 150 institutes in India | 4 January 2026 | Computer-Based |
| NMAT Exam (Narsee Monjee Aptitude Test) | NMIMS, K J Somaiya, IFMR, and other B-schools in India | Oct–Dec 2025 | Computer-Based |
| SNAP Exam (Symbiosis National Aptitude Test) | Symbiosis Institutes | December 2025 | Computer-Based |
| CMAT Exam (Common Management Admission Test) | JBIMS, Great Lakes, BIMTECH, and many AICTE-approved institutions and top B-schools | March 2026 | Computer-Based |
| MAT Exam (Management Aptitude Test) | 600+ B-Schools in India | Feb, May, Sept, Dec | PBT, CBT, IBT |
| GMAT Exam (Graduate Management Admission Test) | ISB, IIMs (PGPEx), Global B-Schools | Year-round | Computer-Based |
Also Read, MBA Fees In India 2025, Top MBA Colleges With Course Fees
State-Level MBA Entrance Exams in India
These exams aim to provide admission to MBA colleges within a specific state. Many top government colleges prefer these exams for admissions.
Here are some key state-level MBA exams for 2025:
| Exam Name | Conducting Body | Major Colleges | Exam Month |
| MAH MBA CET Exam | DTE Maharashtra | JBIMS, SIMSREE, PUMBA | March or April |
| TANCET Exam | Anna University | B-Schools in Tamil Nadu | March or April |
| TSICET Exam | Kakatiya University | OU, JNTU, KU | May or June |
| AP ICET Exam | Andhra University | AU, SVU, JNTUA | May or June |
| KMAT Exam | KPPGCA (Karnataka) | B-Schools in Karnataka | July |
These exams are especially valuable for students targeting low-cost, high-ROI MBA options.
Also Read, MBA Entrance Exam Dates 2025, Exam-wise Important Dates
Top MBA Entrance Exams in India
This section breaks down the top MBA entrance tests individually. Therefore, MBA aspirants can choose their exam tactfully.
CAT Entrance Exam
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is the most prestigious MBA entrance exam in India. The top Indian Institute of Management colleges conduct this exam. IIMs evaluate candidates on Quantitative Aptitude, Verbal Ability, and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning. It’s known for tough competition and an adaptive difficulty level.
| Details | Information |
| Exam Date | 30th November 2025 |
| Accepted By | All 21 IIMs, FMS, SPJIMR, MDI, IITs, and more |
| Applicants | ~3.3 lakh (2024) expected more this year |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Duration | 2 hours |
Also Read:-
| CAT Exam Related Articles | ||
|---|---|---|
| CAT Registration | CAT Result | CAT Answer Key |
| CAT Exam Syllabus | CAT Eligibility Criteria | CAT Study Material |
| CAT Admit Card | CAT Cutoff | CAT Previous Year Papers |
XAT Entrance Exam
XLRI Jamshedpur conducts the Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT). It’s the only MBA entrance exam with a Decision Making section apart from the remaining common as CAT. Its overall difficulty level is higher, but it opens doors to some of the best B-schools.
| Details | Information |
| Exam Date | 4 January 2025 |
| Accepted By | XLRI, IMT Ghaziabad, TAPMI, Great Lakes, XIMB, and more |
| Applicants | ~1 lakh (2024) |
| Unique Factor | Decision-Making Section |
| Mode | Computer-Based |
Also Read:-
| XAT Exam Related Articles | ||
|---|---|---|
| XAT Registration | XAT Mock Test | XAT Previous Year Papers |
| XAT Score Calculator | XAT Syllabus | XAT Exam Date |
| XAT Admit Card | XAT Result | XAT Cutoff |
NMAT Entrance Exam
Graduate Management Admission Council conducts the NMAT exam. This is a student-friendly exam that allows multiple attempts and customized section order. NMAT is a global exam; it is accepted outside India, too. It’s moderately difficult and gives candidates flexibility to showcase their best performance.
| Details | Information |
| Exam Window | October to December 2025 |
| Accepted By | NMIMS, K J Somaiya, XUB, IFMR, and others in India |
| Key Features | Multiple attempts, sectional retakes, flexible section order |
| Mode | Computer-Based |
| Duration | 2 hours |
Also Read:-
| NMAT Exam Related Articles | ||
|---|---|---|
| NMAT Syllabus | NMAT Eligibility Criteria | NMAT Exam Date |
| NMAT Admit Card | NMAT Cut Off | NMAT Result |
| NMAT Registration | NMAT College List | NMAT Mock Tests |
SNAP Entrance Exam
The Symbiosis National Aptitude Test (SNAP) is used for admission to Symbiosis institutes like SIBM Pune and SCMHRD. With just 60 minutes to attempt the paper, the focus is on speed and accuracy.
| Details | Information |
| Exam Window | December 2025 |
| Accepted By | SIBM Pune, SCMHRD, SIIB, SIBM Bangalore |
| Number of Attempts | Up to 3 |
| Sections | English, Quant, Logical Reasoning |
| Duration | 1 hour |
Also Read:-
| SNAP Exam Related Articles | ||
|---|---|---|
| SNAP Syllabus | SNAP Registration | SNAP Exam Date |
| SNAP Eligibility Criteria | SNAP Admit Card | SNAP Study Material |
| SNAP Cutoff | SNAP Result | SNAP Previous Year Papers |
CMAT Entrance Exam
National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts the Common Management Admission Test (CMAT). This is accepted across 1,300 institutes in India. It includes a unique Innovation & Entrepreneurship section, making it a good pick for startup-minded candidates.
| Details | Information |
| Exam Date | March 2025 (Expected) |
| Accepted By | JBIMS, Welingkar, Great Lakes, BIMTECH, and more |
| Sections | Quantitative Aptitude, Logical Reasoning, English, GK, Innovation |
| Mode | Computer-Based |
| Total Institutes | 1300+ AICTE-approved institutes |
Also Read:-
| CMAT Exam Related Articles | ||
|---|---|---|
| CMAT Syllabus | CMAT Eligibility Criteria | CMAT Exam Date |
| CMAT Admit Card | CMAT Mock Test | CMAT Result |
| CMAT Paper Analysis | CMAT Score Calculator | CMAT Previous Year Papers |
MAT Entrance Exam
The Management Aptitude Test (MAT) is conducted by AIMA four times a year in multiple formats. Its flexibility and wide acceptance make it a practical choice for candidates looking at tier-2 and tier-3 B-Schools.
| Details | Information |
| Exam Frequency | 4 times a year (Feb, May, Sept, Dec) |
| Accepted By | 600+ B-Schools across India |
| Modes Available | PBT (Paper-Based), CBT (Computer-Based), IBT (Internet-Based) |
| Sections | Language, Maths, Reasoning, Data Analysis, GK |
| Duration | 2.5 hours |
Also Read:-
| MAT Exam Related Articles | ||
|---|---|---|
| MAT Exam Date | MAT Syllabus | MAT Cut off |
| MAT Study Material | MAT Eligibility Criteria | MAT exam Colleges |
GMAT Focus Edition Exam
The newly revised GMAT Focus Edition is shorter, more data-driven, and accepted by top global and Indian B-schools. It’s ideal for aspirants looking to apply to both the ISB, IIM executive programs, or even Harvard and INSEAD.
| Details | Information |
| Exam Length | 2 hours 15 minutes |
| Accepted By | ISB, IIMs (Ex-PGP), SPJIMR, XLRI-GMP, Global B-schools |
| Sections | Verbal, Quant, Data Insights |
| Exam Mode | Online at Test Centers or Home |
| Availability | Year-round scheduling |
Also Read:-
| GMAT Exam Related Articles | ||
|---|---|---|
| GMAT Exam | GMAT Exam Dates | GMAT Practice Tests |
| GMAT Daily Target | GMAT Score Calculator | GMAT Syllabus |
MAH MBA CET Entrance Exam
The MAH MBA CET is the official entrance test for government and aided MBA colleges in Maharashtra. It’s highly competitive, with top scorers getting into elite institutes like JBIMS and SIMSREE.
| Details | Information |
| Exam Month | March 2025 |
| Conducted By | DTE Maharashtra |
| Accepted By | JBIMS, SIMSREE, PUMBA, COEP, and 300+ MAH-approved institutes |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based (Online) |
| Admission Process | Through Centralized Admission Process (CAP) |
Top MBA Colleges in India Based on Entrance Exams
Here’s a quick snapshot of top colleges and the entrance exams they accept:
| College Name | Accepted Exams | Approx Cut-off (Percentile) |
| IIM Ahmedabad | CAT | 99+ |
| IIM Bangalore | CAT | 99+ |
| XLRI Jamshedpur | XAT | 95+ |
| NMIMS Mumbai | NMAT | 210+ (score) |
| SIBM Pune | SNAP | 98+ |
| JBIMS Mumbai | MAH-CET, CMAT | 99.9+ |
| ISB Hyderabad | GMAT, GRE | 710+ (GMAT) |
| MDI Gurgaon | CAT | 96+ |
| SPJIMR Mumbai | CAT, XAT, GMAT | 85–98 (profile-based) |
| TISS Mumbai (HRM) | TISSNET (Discontinued), Now CAT | 98+ |
These institutes are known for high-quality education, industry connections, and top placements.
MBA Entrance Exams 2025: Conclusion
MBA aspirants must select the exam based on the institutions they wish to enter and theIf you have limited time and decide to take the CAT exam, success is unlikely unless you are well prepared.ou are well prepared. NMAT, MAH-CET, and other MBA exams serve different purposes. Hence, students must choose an exam based on their preferences and profile. Additionally, consider the role it plays in your preparation. If you're starting your MBA, list your dream schools and work backward to find the tests you need to take. With the right planning, 2025 could be your breakthrough year into the world of business leadership.
