Updated on 18 February 2025 | 12:05pm | #NationalLevelMBAExams
National Level MBA Entrance Exams: Getting an MBA degree also opens up a tremendous range of possibilities to students from diverse areas, including finance, marketing, human resources, and operations. National-level exams are held in India every year to admit the top candidates to institutes of MBA courses. On a typical basis, national-level exams are administered mostly between November and February, and the results are further employed by B-schools to shortlist candidates for enrollment.
National-level MBA Entrance exams like CAT, XAT, MAT, SNAP, and CMAT are a gateway to elite B-schools in India. These tests evaluate candidates in areas of quantitative aptitude, logical reasoning, verbal literacy, and general knowledge. Doing well in these exams improves the applicant's chances of getting into the most competitive MBA colleges, so intense preparation is paramount.
Explore more about National Level Exams, National Level Entrance Exams, National Level Entrance Exam for MBA, and National Level MBA exams in this article.
Getting into top B-Schools starts with knowing your National Level MBA Exams. These exams serve as keys that unlock exciting MBA programs. There are different types of exams, and each one provides you with 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:
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.
The most competitive national-level MBA entrance examination in India, the Common Admission Test (CAT Exam), is conducted on an annual basis across IIMs by a rotation system. This is the primary form of entrance into IIMs and other prestigious B-schools like FMS, SPJIMR, MDI, and IITs. CAT is conducted each year depending on the last Sunday of November.
The CAT is a computer-based test (CBT) comprised of 3 sections:
There are a total of 68 questions, as seen from the previous year's trends of CAT 2024 (24 VARC, 22 DILR, and 22 QA). The examination is held for a duration of 2 hours, with 40 minutes being allotted for each section, and it uses a +3 marking scheme for each correct response and a -1 for each incorrect response (for MCQs). The exam pattern for CAT 2024 has undergone several changes; there were 5 sets instead of 4 sets in the CAT DILR section, and there were no parajumbles seen in the CAT VARC section.
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The GMAT exam pattern 2025 consists of three sections:
The AWA - Analytical Writing Assessment was eliminated. In Quants, geometry questions have been removed. GMAT is an adaptive computer test with a total exam duration of 2 hours and 15 minutes, with an optional 10-minute break between the exam, which was previously two breaks with an 8-minute break between the exam.
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 2025 is expected to be released soon.
The GMAC offers the NMAT exam in two formats:
The NMAT test is conducted in 31 different locations across India. You will be able to view the complete address of the test center on the Admit Card.
Note: Finally, note that the online proctored exam and the number of test centers are available during different years. For the latest updates, they should check the official NMAT by GMAC website.
The NMAT by GMAC exam consists of 108 questions divided into three sections: Language Skills, Quantitative Skills, and Logical Reasoning. The duration of the test is 2 hours (120 minutes) in an online or computer-based format. Each correct response earns you +1 mark, while incorrect responses are not penalized with a negative marking.
NMAT exam is a little different from all other MBA entrance exams; it follows an adaptive test format. The difficulty of the questions is adjusted against the performance of the candidate. There is no time limitation for each section, thereby allowing test-takers to manage their time across the sections. All three sections are equally weighted, with candidates permitted multiple retest attempts, and only the highest score will be considered for admission.
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The Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) is a significant MBA Entrance Exam for admissions to XLRI, IMT, XIMB, TAPMI, and 150+ MBA colleges in India. XAT is conducted once a year; the exam date for 2026 will be released soon. XAT is managed by Xavier Labor Relations Institute (XLRI) Jamshedpur, often referred to as XLRI-XAT.
The examination consists of four sections: Verbal & Logical Ability (26), Decision Making (21), Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation (28), and General Knowledge (20), excluding Essay Writing. The exam spans 180 minutes, equivalent to 3 hours, and operates in an online, computer-based format. The marking scheme is +1 for each correct answer, -0.25 for incorrect answers to MCQs, and no deduction for unattempted questions. This frame assesses the test takers on various skills, wherein time management is a prerequisite for scoring high with accuracy. It was seen that in XAT 2025, the scientific calculator was introduced.
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The Symbiosis National Aptitude Test (SNAP) is an MBA Entrance Exam for admission to 17 Symbiosis Institutes in India. Conducted annually by Symbiosis International University (SIU) Pune, SNAP exam has transitioned from a paper-based to a computer-based test. SNAP 2025 is anticipated to be held as a computer-based test in December 2025.
The SNAP exam pattern 2024 consists of three sections: General English (GE): 15 questions, Quantitative Aptitude, Data Interpretation and Data Sufficiency (QA, DI-DS): 20 questions and Analytical & Logical Reasoning (A-LR): 25 questions. The exam duration of SNAP is 60 minutes.
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MAT is a National-level entrance exam for MBA/PGDM courses. It is conducted by the All India Management Association (AIMA). Over 800 B-schools accept MAT exam scores, and it is that standardized test that assesses a candidate's aptitude for management education.
In MAT, there are five sections: Language Comprehension, Quantitative Ability, Data Analysis and Sufficiency, Intelligence and Critical Reasoning, and Indian & Global Environment, with 40 questions per section, and these questions are in the form of multiple-choice questions (four answer options). Each correct answer earns one mark, and there is no negative marking. The exam duration is 2 hours and 30 minutes.
The CMAT (Common Management Admission Test) is a national-level MBA entrance examination organized by the government. CMAT exam 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. The conducting body is the National Testing Agency
CMAT comprises a total of 100 questions with 5 sections: Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation (20 questions), Logical Reasoning (20 questions), Language Comprehension (20 questions), General Awareness (20 questions), and Innovation & Entrepreneurship (20 questions). The exam lasts for 180 minutes. The marking scheme of CMAT is +4 marks for each correct answer, -1 mark for each incorrect answer (MCQs only), and no marks for unattempted questions
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The MICAT (Mudra Institute of Communications Admissions Test) is a national-level MBA entrance examination organized by the government. MICAT exam 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.
The total number of questions is 234. The exam duration is 2 hours 15 minutes. MICAT has 3 sections: (1) Psychometric Test, (2) Descriptive Test, and (3) Verbal Ability, Quantitative Ability, and Data Interpretation, General Awareness, and Divergent-Convergent Reasoning, and the marking scheme is +1 mark for each correct answer, -0.25 marks for each incorrect answer (MCQs only), and no marks for unattempted questions.
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IBSAT is a national-level MBA entrance exam conducted in India. It is conducted by the ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education (deemed to be a university). It is used for admission to the MBA/PGPM programs of nine ICFAI Business School (IBS) campuses across India.
The Exam mode is a computer-based test (CBT). The exam duration is 2 hours. The exam is divided into four sections: Verbal Ability, Reading Comprehension, Quantitative Aptitude, and Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency. The total number of questions is 140, and the marking scheme is +1 mark for each correct answer, with no negative marking.
The Common University Entrance Test, or 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.
NTA conducts the exam in the CBT (Computer-Based Test) mode. The exam duration is 105 minutes, and the exam is divided into 3 sections: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude, and Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency, with a total of 75 questions. The marking scheme is +4 marks for each correct answer and -1 mark for each incorrect answer.
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he 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). Graduates in their final year are eligible if certified by the college head.
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: Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) require candidates to have at least 2 years of work experience after graduation.
No, CAT is not compulsory for MBA. There are many other MBA entrance exams, such as XAT, MAT, NMAT, and CMAT, that are accepted by many prestigious MBA colleges in India. Additionally, some colleges offer direct admission to MBA programs without requiring an entrance exam.
Yes, you can do an MBA without a BBA degree. Most business schools in India accept students from any background as long as they have a bachelor's degree from a recognized university. However, some colleges may give preference to students with a business background.
Yes, you can join an MBA program directly after completing your undergraduate degree. However, most top B-schools in India prefer students with at least 2-3 years of work experience.
CMAT and MAT are both gateways to entering the dream B-School. Both the exams are speed-based, but CMAT has an extra section, which makes it a little tough.
