Essential MBA Entrance Exams for Aspiring Students in 2025
Overview of MBA Entrance Exams
MBA Entrance Exams: The significance of MBA programs has surged in recent decades. Individuals from various academic backgrounds, including B.Tech, B.Sc., B.Com., or BBA, can pursue an MBA. The demand for management professionals spans nearly all sectors. In response to this trend, numerous MBA institutions and graduates have emerged both in India and globally. To gain entry into the premier management schools, particularly the IIMs, candidates must clear the CAT exam.
Most prominent management institutions select candidates based on their scores from MBA entrance examinations. Besides CAT, there are several other entrance tests in India that facilitate admission to various management colleges. It is crucial to identify the specific entrance exam required for your chosen colleges to avoid wasting your efforts. Below is a summary of the six key MBA entrance exams in India.
List of Major MBA Entrance Exams for 2025
1. CAT (Common Admission Test)
The CAT is organized by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) on a rotational basis, typically held once a year on the last Sunday of November. Success in the CAT exam opens doors to the IIMs (21 in total), FMS Delhi, MDI Gurugram, the management faculties of the IITs, and over 1,300 top B-schools nationwide. It is regarded as the most prestigious and challenging MBA entrance exam in India, emphasizing analytical skills and reading comprehension.
2. CMAT (Common Management Admission Test)
CMAT is administered by the National Testing Agency (NTA) and is also conducted annually, usually in April or May. This exam grants access to all AICTE-approved management institutes and universities, totaling over 1,300. It is perceived as less challenging than CAT and XAT, featuring an additional section on innovation and entrepreneurship.
3. MAT (Management Aptitude Test)
The MAT is organized by the All India Management Association (AIMA) and takes place four times a year (February, May, September, and December). Achieving a passing score allows candidates to enroll in MBA programs at more than 600 B-schools in India and abroad. It is known for its flexibility, offering three formats: paper-based test (PBT), computer-based test (CBT), and internet-based test (IBT).
4. XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test)
Conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur and the Xavier Association of Management Institutes (XAMI), the XAT is held annually on the first Sunday of January. Admission to XLRI Jamshedpur, XLRI Delhi-NCR, XIMB, IMT Ghaziabad, and over 800 other B-schools is based on XAT scores. It is considered the second most challenging exam after CAT.
5. NMAT by GMAC
This exam is organized by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) and takes place between October and December. Candidates have the opportunity to take the exam up to three times. Success in this exam allows admission to prestigious institutions such as NMIMS Mumbai, XIMB, IBS Hyderabad, and K J Somaiya. The NMAT is an adaptive test, meaning the difficulty of questions adjusts based on previous answers.
6. SNAP (Symbiosis National Aptitude Test)
Conducted by Symbiosis International (Deemed University), the SNAP exam occurs three times in December on different dates. Candidates can submit their best score for admission to over 16 Symbiosis-affiliated institutions, including SIBM Pune and SCMHRD Pune. This exam is known for its speed and is exclusive to Symbiosis institutions.