Common Admission Test (CAT) is the first thing that comes to our mind when we think of MBA entrance exams. Most B-Schools in India accept CAT scores for admission.
XAT, MAT and CMAT are next on the list. Then comes SNAP, NMAT, GMAT and so on.
Overall, most candidates end up taking about two to three exams in an academic season.
CAT-XAT-CMAT rules the roost among all, because the best colleges of the country such as IIMs, MDI, FMS, IMT, XLRI, SP Jain accept these scores.
But the stunning fact is India has more than 50 MBA entrance tests. Some tests are held at a national level, some at the regional level and some at institute level. Most of these exams are attempted by a small fraction of MBA aspirants.
Yet, each candidate should be aware of the choices and options available to them, early on during MBA preparation season.
Keeping the above in mind, Shiksha.com has listed 20 MBA entrance examinations that you can choose to attempt this year. Here goes the list:
1. Common Admission Test (CAT)
The biggest and most popular entrance examination of India, CAT is conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIM). CAT scores are used for admission by 20 IIMs and various other management institutes across the country. More than two lakh students appear for the exam each year.
The exam started in 1950 and graduated to being an online-entrance test in 2009. Candidates need to attempt 100 questions in 180 minutes. Registration for CAT begins in August-September and the exam is held in November-December. In 2017, CAT was held on November 26.
CAT exam primarily consists of four segments: Verbal, Quantitative, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning. These segments are accordingly grouped into sections. CAT has three sections:
- Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
- Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- Verbal and Reading Comprehension (VRC)
2. Common Management Admission Test (CMAT)
The second largest management entrance examination of the country, CMAT is taken by roughly 1.5 lakh candidates. Conducted by All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE), CMAT is a relatively new addition to the list of MBA exams. The first CMAT exam took place in 2012. However, it has fast become one of the most popular exams of the country. The exam is accepted by more than 500 MBA institutes across the country.
The CMAT exam is held in January every year.
CMAT is a computer-based exam (held for 180 minutes) and tests the candidate’s aptitude in four main sections:
- Quantitative technique
- Logical reasoning
- Language comprehension
- General Awareness
3. Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT)
Another top management entrance, XAT is a computer based management aptitude test. Conducted by Xavier Labour Relations Institute (XLRI) Jamshedpur, XAT is taken by approximately one lakh candidates annually.
Traditionally, XAT is held on the first Sunday of the year (January). XAT scores are accepted by more than 100 management institutes.
XAT tests the candidate on four fronts:
- Quantitative Ability
- English Language & Logical Reasoning
- Decision Making
- GK & Essay
However, essay section is used only after candidates have been shortlisted for XLRI courses. Test duration is 170 minutes.
4. Symbiosis National Aptitude (SNAP)
Conducted by Symbiosis International University, SNAP is also a national-level management entrance examination. SNAP scores are primarily used for admission to 15 institutes under Symbiosis International University. However, many other MBA colleges use SNAP scores for admission.
SNAP is held in December and the registrations go on till November.
SNAP test is a computer-based exam and held for two hours. It tests a candidates:
- General English
- Quantitative, Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency
- General Awareness: General Knowledge, Current Affairs, Business Scenario
- Analytical & Logical Reasoning
5. NMAT by GMAC
NMIMS Management Aptitude Test (NMAT) is also one of the important MBA entrance exams. It has recently been acquired by GMAC and was rebranded as NMAT by GMAC. Scores for this exam will be used for admission to Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS), Alliance University, SRM University, BML Munjal University, VIT University, ICFAI Business School (IBS) and Ansal University.
The computer-based exam is held over a 75-day testing window, between October and December. Candidates need to attempt 120 MCQs in 120 minutes.
NMAT has various candidate-friendly options. For instance, candidates can appear for the exam a total of three times and the best of three scores will be used for admission.
The exam has three main sections:
- Language Skills
- Quantitative Skills
- Logical Reasoning
6. Management Aptitude Test (MAT)
MAT is also one of the most popular MBA entrance exam. More than 600 institutes accept MAT scores for admission to management programmes. Conducted by exam is conducted by All India Management Association (AIMA), MAT is held four times a year – February, May, September and December. The exam is held in both online (computer-based) and offline (written) mode.
Held for 150 minutes, the test has 200 questions. The aspirant is tested in the following five areas:
- Indian and Global Environment
- Language Comprehension
- Data Analysis and Sufficiency
- Mathematical Skills
- Intelligence and Critical Reasoning
7. Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) Exam
IIFT entrance test is an institute specific entrance test. The exam is held for admission to the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT). It is held in pen and paper mode.
IIFT test is conducted in November for two hours and consists of 200 multiple choice questions. It tests a candidate’s aptitude in the following areas:
- English Comprehension
- General Knowledge & Awareness
- Logical Reasoning
- Quantitative Analysis
8. AIMS Test for Management Admissions (ATMA)
ATMA is also a national-level management entrance test. It is conducted in online as well as offline mode and held four times a year-February, May, July and August.
ATMA scores are used for admission in by several management programmes. Held for three hours, ATMA tests a candidate on the following areas:
- Analytical Reasoning Skills Part 1
- Analytical Reasoning Skills Part 2
- Quantitative Skills Part 1
- Quantitative Skills Part 2
- Verbal Skills Part 1
- Verbal Skills Part 2
9. ICFAI Business School Aptitude Test (IBSAT)
IBSAT is an institute level entrance test. The exam is conducted by ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education. IBSAT test scores are used for admission to MBA and PhD programs at nine ICFAI Business School (IBS) campuses – Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Dehradun, Gurgaon, Jaipur, Kolkata, Mumbai and Pune.
IBSAT is held over a period of 15 days wherein the candidate can book a slot as per convenience.
The computer-based test (CBT) tests the applicant’s ability in the following:
- Verbal Ability
- Reading Comprehension
- Quantitative Aptitude
- Data Adequacy & Data Interpretation
10. MICAT
MICAT is the online entrance test for MICA’s flagship two-year Post Graduate Diploma in Management – Communications (PGDM-C).
Candidates first need to apply with CAT, XAT and GMAT (2012 onwards). All applicants will be called for MICAT entrance test which is held in December.
Held over 125 minutes, MICAT has two sections:
- Section 1 assesses the candidates’ analytical skills, logical skills, verbal skills, divergent thinking, written communication skills and general awareness.
- Section 2 consists of a Psychometric Test.
11. Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (MAH-CET)
MAH-CET is a state-level management entrance exam. The exam is conducted by the Directorate of Technical Education, Maharashtra, for admission to various management courses such as MMS, PGDBM and PGDM in various institutes in the state of Maharashtra.
MAH CET is generally held in the month of March. Candidates need to attempt 200 questions in 150 minutes.
The exam two sections:
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
- Quantitative Aptitude and Logical / Abstract Reasoning.
12. Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) Admission test
IRMA Admission test is an institute-level entrance examination. It is conducted for admission to Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Management (PRM) and Fellow Programme in Rural Management (FPRM) at Institute of Rural Management, Anand. The exam is held in the month of January.
IRMA uses CAT scores for shortlisting candidates in the first round. Shortlisted candidates are then called for IRMA written test on the subject of “Issues of Social Concern”.
Candidates need to answer 40 questions in 80 minutes.
13. KIITEE Management Test (KIITEE MBA)
KIITEE is also a national-level computer-based MBA entrance test. The exam is conducted by KIIT University in January every year. The exam scores are primarily used for admission for two programmes:
- MBA at KIIT School of Management (offered at KIIT University)
- MBA (Rural Management) (KIIT School of Rural Management)
Candidates need to answer 150 questions in 150 minutes. There are four sections in the exam:
- Quantitative Aptitude
- Analytical Reasoning
- English
- General Knowledge
- Issue of Social concern
14. Odisha Joint Entrance Examination (OJEE) MBA
OJEE is a state-level MBA entrance test conducted by the Government of Orissa. The test scores are used for admission to various MBA courses in Odisha. The exam is conducted in the month of April-May.
OJEE is a written test where candidates need to attempt 120 questions in 120 minutes. The exam has four sections to be attempted in two hours:
- Verbal reasoning
- Analytical reasoning
- General Knowledge
- Comprehension
- Computer and Business fundamentals
15. Karnataka Management Aptitude Test (KMAT)
KMAT is also a state-level entrance examination for admission to post graduate level programmes offered by MBA colleges and B-schools in the state of Karnataka. The exam is held thrice in the months of May, July and September. Registration schedule is announed in April.
Conducted by Karnataka Private Post Graduate Colleges Association (KPPGCA), KMAT scores are used for admission by more than 169 colleges across the state.
Candidates need to attempt 120 questions in 120 minutes. The test consists of the following sections:
- Language Comprehension
- Mathematical Skills
- Basic Aptitude
16. Andhra Pradesh – Integrated Common Entrance Test (APICET)
APICET is a state-level MBA entrance examination conducted for admission to various B-schools and MBA colleges in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The exam is generally held in the month of May. In 2016, the exam was conducted by Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, on behalf of Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE).
APICET is a paper-based entrance test. Candidates need to attempt 200 questions in 150 minutes.
The exam consist of three sections:
- Mathematical Ability
- Analytical Ability
- Communication
17. Telangana State Integrated Common Entrance Test (TSICET)
TSICET is a state-level written MBA entrance test. It was held for the first time in May 2015. The test scores are used for admission to various MBA courses in the state of Telangana. In 2016, the test was conducted by Kakatiya University, Warangal, on behalf of Telangana State Council of Higher Education, Hyderabad.
No of sections in the exam:
- Analytical Ability
- Mathematical Ability
- Communication Ability
18. Tamil Nadu Common Entrance Test (TANCET)
TANCET is a state-level written entrance examination conducted for admission to MBA courses in the state of Tamil Nadu. The exam was conducted by Anna University, Chennai, on behalf of the Government of Tamil Nadu.
The exam, held in May, is for two hours (100 questions) and tests the candidates ability in:
- Analysis of Business Situations
- Reading Comprehension
- Quantitative Ability
- Data Sufficiency
- English Usage
19. Tata Institute of Social Sciences National Entrance Test (TISSNET)
TISSNET is an institute-level exam conducted by Tata Institute of Social Sciences for all Masters programmes offered in TISS-Mumbai, Tuljapur, Hyderabad, Guwahati, IMHST Chennai, MHAT Calicut and G-SET Ranchi.
A computer-based exam, TISSNET asks questions related to Social Sensitivity, Logical Reasoning, Analytical Ability and Knowledge on Contemporary issues. The exam is held for 100 minutes (1 hour & 40 minutes)
20. HP University Management Aptitude Test (HPU-MAT)
HPU MAT is an institute-level entrance examination conducted for admission to Himachal Pradesh University Business School and and HPU Regional Center, Dharamshala. The last exam was held in May 2015. The entrance test has four sections:
- English Comprehension
- Reasoning
- Business Environment
- Arithmetic Comprehension & Data Interpretation
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