Top MBA Entrance Exams 2025-26 | Check The Latest Exam Dates Of MBA Entrance Exams

Top MBA Entrance Exams 2025: Exam Dates

There are numerous entrance exams for admissions to MBA programs across the country. However, the top MBA entrance exams ensure candidates an opportunity to get into a top B-school with a good reputation and high placements. Here is a list of the top MBA entrance exams in India:

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About The Top MBA Entrance Exams In India

Amongst the top MBA entrance exams in India, there are more than 50 entrance tests that will help you gain admission to some of the top MBA colleges in India. These MBA entrance exams 2025 will be conducted at three different levels.

• National Level: The most populated national-level MBA entrance exams include CAT, CMAT and MAT, which pave the way to top IIMs and other B-schools.
• State Level: The most asked state-level MBA entrance exams include MAH-CET, TSICET, APICET, KMAT and TANCET.
• University/College Level: Some of the prominent university-level MBA entrance exams include XAT, SNAP and MICAT.

Most of the MBA Entrance Exams have undergone severe changes in the academic year 2024. Let's learn about these entrance exams for MBA in India in detail, along with their exam patterns and the colleges that accept them.

CAT

The Common Admission Test or CAT Exam is the most popular entrance exam for MBA in India, with over 2 lakh applicants per year. Over 1,300 MBA colleges select candidates for admission based on marks obtained in this exam. It is a computer-based exam held across the country in the month of November every year. CAT is the only entrance test for admission to MBA programs in the IIMs, and over 150 B-schools accept the CAT score for admission to their programs.

The CAT is a computer-based test (CBT) comprised of 3 sections:

• Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC): Assessing English language skills and comprehension
• Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR): Testing analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Quantitative Ability (QA): Dealing with mathematical skills

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 CAT 2024 exam pattern 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.

XAT

The Xavier Aptitude Test, known as XAT, is another popular MBA entrance exam held for admissions to the Xavier member institutes, including XLRI Jamshedpur, XIMB, and XIME. The exam is given by over 75,000 candidates per year and is held annually in the month of January. Some other top B-schools that accept XAT are Great Lakes Chennai, SPJIMR, TAPMI, etc.

The paper pattern for XAT 2025 was revised, with essay writing being scrapped out completely and the number of GK questions reduced to 20 from 25. Not only this, the total duration of the exam was also reduced from 210 minutes to 180 minutes. The new XAT exam pattern is expected to be the same for the XAT 2026 exam as well.

NMAT

The NMIMS Management Aptitude Test, or NMAT, is a national-level examination held by GMAC for admission to top MBA institutes, including NMIMS and XIMB, among 30 B-schools in India. The exam is held annually for over 70 days, and candidates can attempt the exam three times. Unlike other MBA entrance exams, the exam can be attempted in two modes, i.e. online, proctored at home, or at the NMAT test center.

It is the most student-friendly exam as it follows an adaptive test format. The selection process for NMIMS and other B-schools accepting NMAT has been completely changed in 2024. The cutoff score has been set at 209 and above for candidates to be eligible for round 2 of the NMIMS selection process. The weightage of the NMAT score has been drastically reduced to 20%. Additionally, NMIMS has introduced a new concept of NMIMS Competency Test, along with an AI-based interview.

SNAP

The Symbiosis National Aptitude Test, popularly known as SNAP exam, is held by Symbiosis International (Deemed University) for admission to 15 member institutes, including SIBM, SCMHRD, and SICSR. The national-level exam is held annually over three days, with the exam duration of SNAP being 60 minutes. Candidates can attempt the exam three times, out of which the highest score will be considered the final score, and no normalization will take place.

Based on the previous year's trends, the SNAP exam pattern 2025 is most likely to consist 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.

MICAT

The MICAT exam is a computer-based test that is held twice annually and is conducted in 2 phases. Candidates appear for MICAT to aim for admission to the PGDM programs at MICA Ahmedabad. Ideally, the entrance exam is held in 2 phases most likely in the months of December and January.

The total number of questions is 234. The exam duration is 2 hours 15 minutes. MICAT has 3 sections:

• Psychometric Test
• Descriptive Test
• Aptitude Test
  • Verbal Ability
  • Quantitative Ability
  • Data Interpretation
  • General Awareness
  • Divergent-Convergent Reasoning

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.

CMAT

Convened by the National Testing Agency, the Common Management Admission Test i.e., CMAT exam, a three-hour online, online-held MBA entrance exam. Over 1000 AICTE-approved institutes across India accept CMAT scores for their MBA admissions. Some of the top management institutes that accept the exam include Great Lakes Chennai, BIMTECH, and VIT Vellore.

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)
• Innovation & Entrepreneurship (20 questions).

The duration of the CMAT exam is 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

MAH MBA CET

The Maharashtra Common Entrance Test or MAH MBA CET is an entrance exam that paves the way for MBA programs in Maharashtra. Held by the Directorate of Technical Education (DTE), the government body responsible for technical education in Maharashtra, the exam is 2.5 hours long. The exam has 200 multiple-choice questions divided into 4 sections.

TANCET

The Tamil Nadu Common Entrance Test, also known as TANCET, is an annual state-level MBA entrance examination conducted by Anna University every year. The exam is divided into 5 sections of 20 questions each. It measures a candidate's aptitude for management studies and their ability to handle the rigors of an MBA program.

CUET PG (For MBA)

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, with a total of 75 questions and the exam is divided into 3 sections:

• Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension
• Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude
• Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency

The marking scheme is +4 marks for each correct answer and -1 mark for each incorrect answer.

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MBA Entrance Exam Registration Process 2025

Understanding the registration process is an important step, as it ensures that you secure a spot for writing these entrance exams for MBA, considering you meet all necessary eligibility requirements. To help you navigate this process with ease, we’ve outlined the general steps you need to follow to register for these MBA entrance exams. By following these steps carefully, you can complete your registration smoothly and set yourself up for success.

To register yourself for these entrance exams for MBA for the academic year 2025-26, follow these simple steps:

• Visit The Official Website: Go to the official website for the exam.
• Create Account: Set up your account by providing your email address and mobile number.
• Fill Out The Application Form: Complete the form with your personal information, educational background, and contact details.
• Upload Documents: Provide the necessary documents, such as your photo and signature.
• Choose Preffered Exam Centers: Pick your preferred exam centers and dates, if available.
• Pay The Registration Fee: Pay the required fee online using net banking, a credit/debit card, or UPI.
• Submit Your Application: Double-check your information and submit your application form.

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MBA Admission Procedure Through Top MBA Entrance Exams 2025

The data/statistics formulated every year in the form of cut-offs, weightage, batch profile, gender diversity, academic diversity, summer placements, and final placements play a mandatory role in shaping the reputation of the institute. When talking about the topmost B-schools in our country, most of the institutes' admission procedures can be drawn along similar lines.

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Colleges Accepting MBA Entrance Exams 2025 in India

When candidates choose the MBA entrance exams they wish to appear for, they must identify the B-schools of their choice. Based on the institutes and the entrance exams they accept, candidates should finalize their decision for the MBA entrance exams. Here are the top MBA entrance exams and the list of major universities that accept them for admission.