How Many Entrance Exams for MBA?
For aspiring
management students, the first step for admission in prestigious MBA college is
choosing the right MBA entrance exam.
In India, there are multiple entrance examination for MBA admission process.
These are conducted nationally and by private universities.
Each exam has
its own MBA entrance exam syllabus,
eligibility criteria, selection and MBA
entrance exam date. In this blog we will explore all major MBA entrance exams 2026 and highlight
their syllabus, eligibility, and important dates.
Overview of MBA Entrance Exams in India
Depending on
the institute, candidates for admissions in MBA program generally appears in
one or more MBA entrance exams
depending on their target institutions. Each of these MBA entrance exams has their own syllabus and test pattern. Mentioned
below are the top MBA entrance exams 2026:
·
CAT-Common Admission Test
·
XAT -Xavier Aptitude Test
·
CMAT -Common Management Admission Test
·
MAT-Management Aptitude Test
·
SNAP-Symbiosis National Aptitude Test
·
NMAT -Narsee Monjee Management Aptitude Test
·
MAH MBA CET -Maharashtra MBA Common Entrance Test
·
MICAT -MICA Admission Test
·
XGMT-XIM University MBA Entrance Test
·
ACAT -Amrita Common Admission Test
Details of major MBA entrance exams 2026
1. CAT - Common Admission Test
In India, CAT
(Common admission test) is the most widely accepted MBA entrance exam. CAT is
conducted by IIMs Indian Institutes of Management. Following are the CAT
entrance exam details:
|
Events |
CAT details |
|
Sections
of entrance exam |
CAT
tests candidates in following section: ·
Quantitative Ability (QA) ·
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) ·
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) |
|
Exam
duration |
2hours |
|
Total
questions |
66
questions |
|
MBA entrance exam date |
30th
November 2025 |
|
MBA entrance exam eligibility |
Candidates
require a graduate degree with minimum 50% qualifying marks and 45% for
SC/ST/PwD. |
2. XAT - Xavier Aptitude Test
XAT is the
gateway to admission in XLRI Xavier School of Management, conducted by XLRI
Jamshedpur. Following are the XAT entrance exam details:
|
Events |
CAT details |
|
Sections
of entrance exam |
XAT
tests candidates in following section: ·
Verbal and Logical Ability ·
Decision Making ·
Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation ·
General Knowledge |
|
Exam
duration |
3hours |
|
Total
questions |
95
questions |
|
MBA entrance exam date |
4th
January 2026 |
|
MBA entrance exam eligibility |
Candidates
require a graduate degree with no fixed minimum percentage criteria
mentioned. |
3. CMAT - Common Management Admission Test
The CMAT is
accepted by various government and private MBA colleges in India. The entrance
exam is conducted by NTA- National Testing Agency. Following are the CMAT
entrance exam details:
|
Events |
CAT details |
|
Sections
of entrance exam |
CMAT
tests candidates in following section: ·
Language Comprehension ·
Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation ·
Logical Reasoning ·
General Awareness ·
Innovation and Entrepreneurship |
|
Exam
duration |
3hours |
|
Total
questions |
100
questions |
|
MBA entrance exam date |
25th
January 2026 |
|
MBA entrance exam eligibility |
Candidates
require a graduate degree with 50% minimum percentage criteria as mentioned
by AICTE norms. |
4. MAT - Management Aptitude Test
MAT is accepted
by over 600 management schools. The entrance exam is conducted four times a
year. The organizing body is AIMA-All India Management Association. Following
are the MAT entrance exam details:
|
Events |
CAT details |
|
Sections
of entrance exam |
MAT
tests candidates in following section: ·
Language Comprehension ·
Mathematical Skills ·
Data Analysis and Sufficiency ·
Intelligence and Critical Reasoning ·
Indian and Global Environment |
|
Exam
duration |
2.5
hours |
|
Total
questions |
200
questions |
|
MBA entrance exam date |
7th
December 2025 |
|
MBA entrance exam eligibility |
Candidates
require a graduate degree with 50% minimum percentage required. |
5. SNAP - Symbiosis National Aptitude Test
SNAP entrance
exam is for admission in Symbiosis international university. Following are the MAT entrance exam details:
|
Events |
CAT details |
|
Sections
of entrance exam |
SNAP
tests candidates in following section: ·
General English ·
Quantitative, Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency ·
Analytical and Logical Reasoning |
|
Exam
duration |
1
hours |
|
Total
questions |
60
questions |
|
MBA entrance exam date |
6th
December to 20th December 2025 |
|
MBA entrance exam eligibility |
Candidates
require a graduate degree with 50% (45% SC/ST) is required minimum
percentage. |
6. NMAT - Narsee Monjee Management Aptitude Test
NMAT is the
MBA entrance exam, conducted by GMAC. The NMAT is for admission in NMIMS and
other leading business schools. Following are the MAT entrance exam details:
|
Events |
CAT details |
|
Sections
of entrance exam |
NMAT
tests candidates in following section: ·
Language Skills ·
Quantitative Skills ·
Logical Reasoning |
|
Exam
duration |
2
hours |
|
Total
questions |
108
questions |
|
MBA entrance exam date |
5th
November to 19th December 2025 |
|
MBA entrance exam eligibility |
Candidates
require a graduate degree with preference given to candidates with work
experience. |
MBA entrance exam syllabus
MBA entrance
exam syllabus differs for each MBA
entrance exam. The difference is slight, there :
|
Quantitative
Aptitude: |
·
Arithmetic, ·
Algebra, ·
Geometry, ·
Number System, ·
Data Interpretation.
|
|
Logical
Reasoning: |
·
Puzzles, ·
Seating Arrangements, ·
Blood Relations, ·
Critical Reasoning.
|
|
Verbal
Ability: |
·
Reading Comprehension, ·
Grammar, ·
Vocabulary, ·
Para Jumbles.
|
|
General
Knowledge/Current Affairs |
Only
in XAT, CMAT, MICAT |
|
Decision
Making and Situational Analysis |
specific
to XAT |
MBA entrance exam eligibility
MBA
entrance exam eligibility criteria for most of the top MBA colleges
are:
·
A Bachelor's degree from any recognized university. The required
percentage is minimum 50% to 60% aggregate marks.
·
Appearing in final-year university examination students can also
apply provisionally.
·
There is no strict age limits. But some exams might have upper age
limits for certain categories.
·
Relaxation in graduation percentage in specific reservations criteria
for reserved category as per government norms.
Final Takeaway
In
conclusion, MBA admission has become more accessible with several options of MBA entrance exams
2026 offered to candidates. For aspiring MBA aspirants, it is essential
to explore all types of institutes, their fee structure, eligibility and
accepting entrance exam as per university norms.
This blog
will provides a complete guide on several MBA entrance exams 2026, their
eligibility and syllabus. Candidates should have the understanding of all these
practical details to start your MBA admission preparation. Aspirants should be aware
of the syllabus, exam dates, and eligibility that will help aspirants plan
their preparation and effectively apply for successful journey in MBA entrance exam.
FAQs
Q1: How many
MBA entrance exams 2026 are there in India?
Ans1: There
are over 10 major MBA entrance exams
in India, including CAT, XAT, CMAT, MAT, SNAP and NMAT.
Q2: What is
the MBA entrance exam syllabus?
Ans2:
Generally, all MBA entrance exam
syllabus covers Quantitative Aptitude, Logical Reasoning, Verbal Ability,
and some include General Knowledge and Decision Making.
Q3: When are
MBA entrance exams conducted for 2026 admissions?
Ans3. The MBA entrance exam dates are conducted
throughout the year, with CAT in November, XAT and CMAT in January, MAH MBA CET
in April, and others scattered from August to March.
Q4 : What is
the MBA Entrance Exam eligibility?
Ans4: Typically,
a candidate must have a graduate degree from a recognized university with
minimum qualifying marks. Final-year students are also eligible to appear.
Q5: Can I
appear for multiple MBA entrance exams?
Ans5: Yes,
candidates often appear for multiple MBA
entrance exams to increase candidate’s chances for MBA admission in their
preferred MBA colleges.

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