List of National Level MBA Exams
Getting into top B-Schools starts with knowing your National Level MBA Exams. These exams are like keys that
open doors to exciting MBA programs. There are different types of exams, and each one is a unique opportunity.
National-level MBA entrance exams are conducted to assess the aptitude of candidates for admission to MBA
programs. These exams are accepted by various business schools across the country.
Here are the most common national-level MBA exams:
- Common Admission Test (CAT)
- Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)
- NMIMS Management Aptitude Test (NMAT)
- Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT)
- Symbiosis National Aptitude Test (SNAP)
- Management Aptitude Test (MAT)
- Common Management Admission Test (CMAT)
- Mudra Institute of Communications Admissions Test (MICAT)
- ICFAI Business School Aptitude Test (IBSAT)
The exams are extremely competitive and draw a significant number of applicants annually. The scores from these
exams are crucial for AICTE-approved MBA colleges when it comes to selecting candidates for admission. Below,
you'll find a comprehensive overview of each exam.
1. Common Admission Test (CAT)
- Conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIM).
- Scores used by 20 IIMs and over 1000 other management institutes for admission.
- Registration and exams are conducted online at 400+ centers.
CAT Exam Pattern
- Sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR),
and Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
- Number of questions: 66 (24 VARC, 22 DILR, and 20 QA)
- Question types: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Type-in-The-Answer (TITA)
- Exam duration: 120 minutes (40 minutes per section)
- Marking scheme: +3 marks for each correct answer, -1 mark for each incorrect answer (MCQs only), no marks
for unattempted questions
To learn more, click here
2. Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT)
- The GMAT (Graduate Management Aptitude Test) is a standardized entrance exam widely accepted by top business
schools for graduate programs.
- Administered by GMAC (Graduate Management Admission Council), GMAT is a computer adaptive test specifically
designed for graduate business and management programs.
- GMAT serves as a gateway to various graduate management programs, including MBA and Master’s in
Finance-related courses.
- Over 1,00,00,000 students take the GMAT exam annually.
GMAT Exam Pattern
The GMAT exam pattern 2023 consists of four sections:
- Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) (1 essay in 30 minutes)
- Integrated Reasoning (IR) (12 questions in 30 minutes)
- Quantitative Reasoning (QR) (31 questions in 62 minutes)
- Verbal Reasoning (VR) (36 questions in 65 minutes)
- The total exam duration is 3 hours and 7 minutes, including two optional breaks of 8 minutes each.
3. NMIMS Management Aptitude Test (NMAT)
- NMAT is a national-level MBA entrance exam facilitating admission to prominent MBA colleges like NMIMS
Mumbai, SPJIMR, ISB, VIT, and XIMB, along with 30 other institutes and universities in India.
- GMAC (Graduate Management Admission Council) conducts the NMAT.
- The exam date for 2024 is expected to be released soon.
- NMAT is available in two formats: an online proctored test and an online exam, with 76 exam centers across
73 cities.
NMAT Exam Pattern
- 108 questions
- 3 sections: Language Skills, Quantitative Skills, Logical Reasoning
- 2-hour duration (120 minutes)
- Online (Computer Based Test)
- +1 mark for each correct answer, no negative marking for incorrect answers
- All three sections have equal weightage
- No sectional time limit
- Adaptive test
- Multiple attempts allowed, best score considered
To learn more, click here
4. Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT)
- Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) is a significant MBA Entrance Exam for admissions to XLRI, IMT, XIMB, TAPMI, and
150+ MBA colleges in India.
- Conducted once a year, the exam date for 2024 will be released soon.
- XAT is managed by Xavier Labor Relations Institute (XLRI) Jamshedpur, often referred to as XLRI-XAT.
XAT Exam Pattern
- 102-105 questions
- 5 sections: Verbal & Logical Ability (26-27 questions), Decision Making (22-23 questions), Quantitative
Ability & Data Interpretation (28-29 questions), General Knowledge (25 questions), Essay Writing (1
question)
- 210-minute duration (3 hours and 30 minutes)
- Online (Computer Based Test)
- +1 mark for each correct answer, -0.25 marks for each incorrect answer (MCQs only), no marks for unattempted
questions
To learn more, click here
5. Symbiosis National Aptitude Test (SNAP)
- Symbiosis National Aptitude Test (SNAP) is an MBA Entrance Exam for admission to 16 Symbiosis Institutes in
India.
- Conducted annually by Symbiosis International University (SIU) Pune, SNAP has transitioned from a
paper-based to a computer-based test.
- SNAP 2023 is anticipated to be held as a computer-based test in December 2023.
SNAP Exam Pattern
The SNAP exam pattern 2023 consists of three sections
- General English (GE): 15 questions
- Quantitative Aptitude, Data Interpretation and Data Sufficiency (QA, DI-DS): 20 questions
- Analytical & Logical Reasoning (A-LR): 25 questions
- Exam duration: 60 minutes
To learn more, click here
6. Management Aptitude Test (MAT)
- National-level entrance exam for MBA/PGDM courses
- Conducted by the All India Management Association (AIMA)
- Over 800 B-schools accept MAT scores
- A standardized test that assesses a candidate's aptitude for management education
MAT Exam Pattern
- Five sections: Language Comprehension, Quantitative Ability, Data Analysis and Sufficiency, Intelligence and
Critical Reasoning, Indian and Global Environment
- 40 questions per section
- Multiple-choice questions (four answer options)
- No negative marking
- One mark for each correct answer
- Exam Duration: Two hours and 30 mins
To learn more, click here
7. Common Management Admission Test (CMAT)
- The CMAT (Common Management Admission Test) is a national-level MBA entrance examination organized by the
government.
- CMAT is a computer-based test accepted by 1000 AICTE-approved management programs (MBA/PGDM) across India,
including prestigious institutions like JBIMS, SIMSREE, K J Somaiya Mumbai, Welingkar Mumbai, PUMBA Pune,
Great Lakes Chennai, BIMTECH Greater Noida, among others.
- Conducted by the National Testing Agency
CMAT Exam Pattern
- No. of Questions100 questions
- Sections: Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation (20 questions), Logical Reasoning (20
questions), Language Comprehension (20 questions), General Awareness (20 questions), Innovation &
Entrepreneurship (20 questions)
- 180-minute duration
- +4 marks for each correct answer, -1 mark for each incorrect answer (MCQs only), no marks for unattempted
questions
To learn more, click here
8. Mudra Institute of Communications Admissions Test (MICAT)
- The MICAT (Mudra Institute of Communications Admissions Test) is a national-level MBA entrance examination
organized by the government.
- MICAT is a computer-based test accepted by management programs (MBA/PGDM) across India, including the
prestigious Mudra Institute of Communications, Ahmedabad (MICA). It is conducted by MICA, Ahmedabad, and is
known for its rigorous evaluation process that helps identify candidates with the potential to excel in
marketing and communications.
MICAT Exam Pattern
- No. of Questions: 234
- Duration: 2 hours 15 Mins
- Sections: 3 (1-Psychometric Test, 2-Descriptive Test, and 3-Verbal Ability, Quantitative Ability and Data
Interpretation, General Awareness and Divergent-Convergent Reasoning
- Marking scheme: +4 marks for each correct answer, -1 mark for each incorrect answer (MCQs only), no marks
for unattempted questions
To learn more, click here
9. ICFAI Business School Aptitude Test (IBSAT)
- It is a national-level MBA entrance exam conducted in India.
- It is conducted by the ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education (a deemed to be University).
- It is used for admission to the MBA/PGPM programs of nine ICFAI Business School (IBS) campuses across India.
IBSAT Exam Pattern
- Exam Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
- Duration: 120 minutes (2 hours)
- The exam is divided into four sections: Verbal Ability, Reading Comprehension, Quantitative Aptitude, and
Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency.
- Total Questions: 140 questions
- Marking Scheme: 1 mark for each correct answer, no negative marking
To learn more, click here
CUET PG (Common University Entrance Test for Post-Graduation)
The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) PG is a national-level entrance examination conducted by the
National Testing Agency (NTA) in India for admission to postgraduate programs offered by central universities,
participating state universities, and deemed universities.
CUET PG Exam Pattern
- Exam Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
- Duration: 105 minutes
- The exam is divided into 3 sections: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, Logical Reasoning and
Quantitative Aptitude, and Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency.
- Total Questions: 75 questions
- Marking Scheme: 4 marks for each correct answer, -1 mark for each incorrect answer
To learn more, click here
What is the eligibility for the MBA exam?
The basic eligibility for the MBA exam is a bachelor's degree in any discipline with a minimum aggregate score
of 50% (45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates). Candidates in the final year of graduation are also eligible, provided
they have a certificate from the head of the college.
In addition to academic eligibility, some MBA exams also have additional requirements, such as a minimum work
experience or a specific undergraduate degree. For example, the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) require
candidates to have at least 2 years of work experience after graduation.