Choosing the right MBA entrance exam can be your pathway to achieving your dream of studying at a top B-school. With over 5,000 MBA colleges in India accepting different entrance exams, knowing which tests to take is crucial. This comprehensive blog covers the list of top 10 MBA entrance exams, helping you make an informed decision about your MBA journey.
| Serial No. | Exam | Exam Month | Registration Period | Exam Mode | Official Website |
| 1. | CAT | November | August-September | Computer-based (CBT) | iimcat.ac.in |
| 2. | XAT | January | July-December | Computer-based (CBT) | xatonline.in |
| 3. | GMAT | Year-round | Year-round | Computer-adaptive (Online/Centre) | mba.com |
| 4. | SNAP | December (3 slots) | August-November | Computer-based (CBT) | snaptest.org |
| 5. | NMAT | November-December (Testing window) | August-October | Computer-based (CBT) | nmat.org |
| 6. | MAT | February, May, September, December | Year-round (4 sessions) | Paper-based & Computer-based | aima.in |
| 7. | CMAT | January | October-November | Computer-based (CBT) | cmat.nta.nic.in |
| 8. | MAH-CET | April (First exam)
May (Second exam) |
December-February | Computer-based (CBT) | cetcell.mahacet.org |
| 9. | MICAT | December (Phase 1)
February (Phase 2) |
September-November (Phase 1)
November-January (Phase 2) |
Computer-based (CBT)
Requires CAT/XAT/GMAT |
mica.ac.in |
| 10. | ATMA | February, May, July, August | Opens 6 weeks before each session | Computer-based (CBT) | atmaaims.com |
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the top MBA entrance exams that you can compete in-
Conducting Body: IIMs (Rotational)
Best For: IIM aspirants and top-tier B-schools
Key Highlights: CAT is India’s most competitive MBA exam with 3+ lakh test-takers annually. The exam has 66 questions across three sections: VARC, DILR and QA, with 40 minutes per section. A 99+ percentile opens doors to top IIMs.
Eligibility Criteria: Bachelor’s degree with 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD). Final year students are eligible.
Pro Tip: Start preparation 6-8 months before the exam. Focus on mock tests in the last two months.
Conducting Body: XLRI Jamshedpur
Best For: XLRI and premium private B-schools
Key Highlights: XAT is unique with its Decision Making and Essay Writing sections. The 3.5-hour exam tests General Knowledge separately without negative marking for that section.
Eligibility Criteria: Bachelor’s degree (3 years minimum) from a recognised university. No minimum percentage. Final year students are eligible.
Pro Tip: XAT’s GK section requires consistent current affairs reading for 3-4 months before the exam.
Conducting Body: GMAC (Graduate Management Admission Council)
Best For: International MBA programmes and Executive MBA
Key Highlights: GMAT scores are valid for 5 years and accepted by 2,400+ schools globally. The computer-adaptive format adjusts difficulty based on your performance.
Eligibility Criteria: Bachelor’s degree. No minimum marks required. Minimum age: 18 years. Valid passport mandatory.
Pro Tip: GMAT is ideal if you’re considering international MBA options or executive programmes.
Conducting Body: Symbiosis International University
Best For: Symbiosis Institute aspirants
Key Highlights: SNAP offers three attempts, with the best score considered. The 60-minute exam with 60 questions is comparatively easier than the CAT.
Eligibility Criteria: Bachelor’s degree with 50% marks (45% for reserved). Final year students are eligible.
Pro Tip: Take all three attempts; many students improve their scores significantly in later attempts.
Conducting Body: GMAC (for NMIMS)
Best For: NMIMS and multiple B-school options
Key Highlights: NMAT allows three attempts within the testing window. No negative marking makes it student-friendly. Results are declared within 48 hours.
Eligibility Criteria: Bachelor’s degree with 50% marks. Final year students are eligible.
Pro Tip: Book your first attempt early; it gives you time to improve in subsequent attempts.
Conducting Body: AIMA (All India Management Association)
Best For: Budget-conscious students seeking multiple options
Key Highlights: MAT is conducted four times annually, offering maximum flexibility. Accepted by numerous tier-2 and tier-3 B-schools.
Eligibility Criteria: Bachelor’s degree with 50% marks. Final year students are eligible.
Pro Tip: MAT is an excellent backup exam with low fees and wide acceptance.
Conducting Body: NTA (National Testing Agency)
Best For: AICTE-approved colleges and state universities
Key Highlights: Government-backed exam with 1,000+ accepting colleges. The Innovation & Entrepreneurship section makes it unique.
Eligibility Criteria: Bachelor’s degree (any discipline). No minimum percentage (colleges may require 50%). Final year students are eligible. Indian citizens only.
Pro Tip: CMAT is mandatory for admission to top Maharashtra colleges like JBIMS.
Conducting Body: Maharashtra CET Cell
Best For: Maharashtra state college aspirants
Key Highlights: Two exam opportunities (April and May). Extremely budget-friendly with massive 1.5 lakh+ applicants annually.
Eligibility Criteria: Indian nationality and a bachelor’s degree in any discipline with at least 50% aggregate (45% for reserved categories)
Pro Tip: Even non-Maharashtra residents can apply and compete for All-India quota seats.
Conducting Body: MICA (Mudra Institute of Communications, Ahmedabad)
Best For: Marketing and communication specialisation
Key Highlights: Requires a valid CAT/XAT/GMAT score. Unique psychometric and creative thinking sections test non-traditional skills.
Eligibility Criteria: Requires a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline and a valid score in CAT, XAT, or GMAT.
Pro Tip: MICAT emphasises creativity, practice divergent thinking questions specifically.
Conducting Body: Association of Indian Management Schools (AIMS)
Best For: Multiple attempts throughout the year
Key Highlights: Four sessions annually provide maximum flexibility. Relatively easier than CAT/XAT.
Eligibility Criteria: Requires a Bachelor’s degree (typically 50% marks, 45% for SC/ST) from a recognised university.
Pro Tip: Ideal for students who want multiple attempts to achieve their target score.
If you’re targeting MBA admission in 2026, it’s essential to keep track of important dates. Each MBA entrance exam has its own schedule, so ensure to check the official websites frequently to stay informed about deadlines.
Don’t forget to note the application deadlines for top business schools as well. Timely submission of your applications is critical, so plan ahead!
Most MBA entrance exams in 2026 cover similar areas, focusing on aptitude, logical thinking and language skills. Although exam patterns may vary slightly, the core syllabus remains largely the same across major tests.
The general MBA entrance exam syllabus includes:
Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Number System and Data Interpretation.
Reading comprehension, sentence correction, grammar and vocabulary.
Puzzles, seating arrangements, blood relations and coding–decoding.
Current affairs, business and economy and government policies.
Being thoroughly familiar with the syllabus is key to cracking MBA entrance exams. Build a section-wise preparation strategy and practise regularly to maximise your chances of success in 2026.
Also Read: MBA Courses List 2026
Most successful candidates take 3-5 exams to maximise admission chances. A smart combination would be-
Have a look at these common mistakes that aspirants tend to make while preparing for MBA entrance exams-
The MBA entrance exams are very competitive and the syllabus you need to cover is vast; therefore, you must know the preparation timeline of when to start-
Success in MBA admissions is all about smart and strategic planning. Choose 3-5 exams that align with your target colleges, preparation time and budget. Start early, practice consistently and give yourself multiple opportunities to succeed.
Remember, most top B-school admits take at least 2-3 entrance exams. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Register for your chosen exams well before deadlines and begin your preparation journey today.
MAT and ATMA are considered the easiest MBA entrance exams, with moderate difficulty levels and straightforward question patterns. However, “easiest” is relative to your preparation level.
Yes! In fact, 90% of serious MBA aspirants take 3-5 different exams to maximise their chances of getting into top B-schools. Exam dates are usually spread out to allow this.
CAT is the only mandatory exam for admission to all 20 IIMs. Some IIMs also accept GMAT scores for their executive MBA programmes.
Taking all 10 exams would cost approximately ₹20,000-25,000. However, most students take 3-5 exams, costing around ₹8,000-12,000.
Not necessarily. Many candidates clear CAT and other exams through self-study. Coaching helps with structured preparation, but discipline and consistent practice are more important.
MAT is accepted by 600+ B-schools, followed by CMAT (1,000+ AICTE-approved colleges) and CAT (1,000+, including IIMs).
Yes, GMAT offers an online proctored exam option that you can take from home. The fee is slightly higher (₹26,000) compared to the test centre option (₹24,000).
It really depends on where you want to study. CAT is ideal for IIMs, XAT for XLRI, GMAT if you’re targeting global or executive MBAs and SNAP/NMAT for specific private universities.
Most students consider CAT the toughest because of its difficulty level, time pressure and intense competition. That said, “hardest” can vary based on your strengths like quant, verbal or decision-making.
