Top MBA entrance exams in India: Check exam dates & last date to apply!

In India, MBA entrance exams are how many of the best-known business schools get their students. The desire to take an MBA should make you take tests in order to test your knowledge of quantitative abilities, logical reasoning, data interpretation, linguistics and so on. If you want admission into top management institutions, then make sure that you are well prepared. More importantly, you need to know when these exams will take place so that you can hand over your application before it is too late.

Knowing when these MBA exams in India are scheduled will enable you to come up with better plans for your preparation while avoiding the last-minute rush that could sometimes happen. When it comes to MBA exams there are a lot of options in India. Hence, understanding their timelines is very important.

List of top MBA entrance exams

India offers a variety of MBA entrance exams, each with its unique approach, difficulty level, and eligibility criteria. Below is a list of the top MBA exams in India:

1. CAT (Common Admission Test)
2. XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test)
3. MAT (Management Aptitude Test)
4. CMAT (Common Management Admission Test)
5. SNAP (Symbiosis National Aptitude Online Test)
6. NMAT (NMIMS Management Aptitude Test)
7. IIFT (Indian Institute of Foreign Trade Exam)
8. MICAT (Mudra Institute of Communications Admission Test)
9. TISSNET (Tata Institute of Social Sciences National Entrance Test)

Let’s dive into the detailed information for each of these top MBA entrance exams and figure out their admission schedule and entrance exam dates.

1. CAT (Common Admission Test)

• Conducting body: Indian Institutes of Management (IIM)
• Eligibility criteria: Bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks
• Exam pattern: Quantitative ability, verbal ability & reading comprehension, data interpretation and logical reasoning
• Application start date: 1st August 2024
• Last date to apply: 13th September 2024
• Exam date: 24th November 2024
• Application process: Online registration, payment of application fee and submission.

2. XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test)

• Conducting body: Xavier School of Management (XLRI)
• Eligibility criteria: Bachelor’s degree in any discipline
• Exam pattern: Decision-making, verbal & logical ability, quantitative ability & data interpretation and general knowledge
• Application Start date: 15th July 2024
• Last date to Apply: 30th November 2024
• Exam date: 5th January 2025
• Application process: Register on the official website, fill the form and submit the fee.

3. MAT (Management Aptitude Test)

• Conducting body: All India Management Association (AIMA)
• Eligibility criteria: Graduates in any discipline
• Exam pattern: Language comprehension, mathematical skills, data analysis & sufficiency, intelligence & critical reasoning and Indian & global environment
• Application start date: Ongoing (four exams held annually)
• Last date to apply:
  • 9th August 2024 (IBT 1)
  • 18th August 2024 (IBT 2)
  • 11th August 2024 (CBT)
  • 18th August 2024 (PBT)
• Exam date:
  • 14th August 2024 (IBT 1)
  • 23rd August 2024 (IBT 2)
  • 18th August 2024 (CBT)
  • 25th August 2024 (PBT)
• Application process: Online registration and fee payment.

4. CMAT (Common Management Admission Test)

• Conducting body: National Testing Agency (NTA)
• Eligibility criteria: Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% marks
• Exam pattern: Quantitative techniques & data Interpretation, logical reasoning, language comprehension, general awareness and innovation & entrepreneurship
• Application start date: 29th March 2024
• Last date to apply: 23rd April 2024
• Exam date: 15th May 2024
• Application process: Fill out the form online, upload the necessary documents and pay the fee.

5. SNAP (Symbiosis National Aptitude Online Test)

• Conducting body: Symbiosis International University (SIU)
• Eligibility criteria: Graduate with 50% marks (45% for SC/ST candidates)
• Exam pattern: General English, quantitative aptitude, analytical & logical reasoning
• Application start date: 5th August 2024
• Last date to apply: 22nd November 2024
• Exam date: 8th, 15th and 21st December 2024
• Application process: Complete the registration on the SNAP portal and pay the fee.

6. NMAT (NMIMS Management Aptitude Test)

• Conducting body: Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC)
• Eligibility criteria: Bachelor’s degree in any field
• Exam pattern: Language skills, quantitative Skills and logical reasoning
• Application start date: 1st August 2024
• Last date to apply: 10th October 2024
• Exam date: 5th November to 20th December 2024 (multiple slots)
• Application process: Online registration followed by fee payment. Then you can wait for exam scheduling.

7. IIFT (Indian Institute of Foreign Trade Exam)

• Conducting body: National Testing Agency (NTA)
• Eligibility criteria: Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% marks
• Exam pattern: Quantitative analysis, reading comprehension & verbal ability, logical reasoning & data Interpretation and general knowledge
• Admission process to be carried out through CAT 
• Application process: Simply fill up the application form online and pay the fees.

8. MICAT (Mudra Institute of Communications Admission Test)

• Conducting body: MICA, Ahmedabad
• Eligibility criteria: Graduate in any discipline
• Exam pattern: Psychometric test, descriptive test, verbal ability, quantitative ability, general awareness, divergent-convergent reasoning
• Application start date: 15th September 2024
• Last date to apply:
  • 20th November 2023 (MICAT I)
  • 16th November 2024 (MICAT II)
• Exam date:
  • 02nd December 2023 (MICAT I)
  • 27th January 2024 (MICAT II)
• Application process: Complete the online form and pay the registration fee.

9. TISSNET (Tata Institute of Social Sciences National Entrance Test)

• Conducting body: Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS)
• Eligibility criteria: Bachelor’s degree in any discipline
• Exam pattern: English proficiency, mathematics & logical reasoning, general awareness
• Admission process to be carried out through CUET PG
• Application process: Register on the official TISS website and pay the application fee.

Preparation tips

When preparing for the top MBA entrance exams in India, one must have a well-structured method backed up by constant effort towards achieving this goal. In the article below are some helpful tips:

1. Commence early: Start preparing at least 6 to 12 months before the time for examination.

2. Know the exam pattern: Be familiar with the format, sections and marking system in MBA entrance exams’ schedules.

3. Keep practicing regularly: Work on past years’ papers and sit for mock tests so as to enhance your speed and accuracy.

4. Pay attention to weak areas: Find out areas where you have weaknesses then allocate more time to become better in them.

5. Enroll for coaching or use online resources: Register for reputed coaching classes or use online resources for better preparation.

Online Manipal: Your gateway to an MBA

For individuals who want to take their MBA without necessarily going through the rigorous MBA competitive entrance exams and the time-intensive burden of physical classes, there is a great substitute in Online Manipal – online MBA program from Manipal University Jaipur (MUJ) and Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE). These universities provide students with courses that are UGC-approved. With MUJ and MAHE’s MBA programs, there is something for everyone — be it students or working professionals.

Online Manipal is for all who want to achieve higher education regardless of cost or accessibility – we allow for learning schedules that can be tailored to your busy life. Moreover, students don’t have to go through the pressure that most candidates experience when pursuing regular MBAs.

The bottom line

Handling MBA entrance examinations will mark the start of your success in management careers. Be it CAT, XAT or any other top MBA entrance exams — preparation remains key for all candidates who aspire for success in life. Remember that knowing the MBA exam dates and last date for application is the most important thing because it helps you keep ahead of others and reduces unnecessary pressure.

If you are looking for an alternative to regular MBA programs that are flexible and will suit your needs, rest assured because Online Manipal has got you covered with its UGC-approved MBA courses that target various kinds of students. Never let the complexity of regular MBAs hold you back from achieving success someday. Take control of your destiny with freedom, first-class tutors, a dynamic curriculum and rocket-launch your career to new heights. All the best!

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