Dreaming of joining a top MBA college in India? Then you’ll need to crack some entrance exams first! These tests check your skills in English, Maths, and Logic. Think of them like a game—solve puzzles, answer smart questions, and score high to unlock your place in a great business school.
List of Popular Entrance Exams for Top MBA Colleges in India.
You can start learning and preparing early, even if you’re still in school. That way, by the time you're in college, you’ll be fully ready. In this blog, we’ll explain the most popular MBA entrance exams in India for 2025-26 in the simplest way possible. You’ll learn about the subjects, the marking system, and what makes each exam special. Let’s dive into the world of MBA exams—step by step.
Details of Popular MBA Entrance Exams For Top Colleges
CAT - Exam Date, Fees & More
The CAT (Common Admission Test) exam is the most famous MBA test in India. It is accepted by IIMs and over 1,200 top business schools. It has three main parts—English, Logical Reasoning, and Maths. The exam has 66 questions in total and lasts 2 hours. For every correct answer, you get 3 marks. If you answer wrong, you lose 1 mark. Students usually take this exam in November. It’s tough, but with practice, many students do well. You can apply for it if you have finished college or are in your final year.
NMAT - Exam Date, Fees & More
NMAT (Narsee Monjee Management Aptitude Test) is a friendly MBA entrance exam that lets you choose your exam date and even take it more than once. It is accepted by many good colleges like NMIMS and others. The exam has three sections—Language Skills, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Skills. Each section has 36 questions. The best part? There’s no negative marking. So you don’t lose marks for trying. You can take this test between October and December. It’s perfect if you want a flexible and student-friendly exam.
| Exam Sections | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Language Skills | 36 questions |
| Logical Reasoning | 36 questions |
| Quantitative Skills | 36 questions |
| Marking Scheme | 1 mark for every correct question, No negative marking |
CMAT - Exam Dates, Fees & More
CMAT (Common Management Admission Test) is another test at the national level which is a very good option for students who are looking for MBA programmes in India. Many government and private institutions in the country accept this test and the registration process can be done through their official websites. The exam has five sections-Quantitative Techniques, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness, and Innovation & Entrepreneurship. There will be 20 questions from each section, making a total of 400 marks. For each right answer, 4 marks will be awarded, and 1 mark will be deducted for each wrong answer. If your score is more than 350 marks, then you will obtain a very high rank. Usually, it is held in May.
| Exam Sections | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation | 20 questions |
| Logical Reasoning | 20 questions |
| Language Comprehension | 20 questions |
| General Awareness | 20 questions |
| Innovation & Entrepreneurship | 20 questions |
XAT - Exam Date, Fees & More
XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) is conducted by one of the leading B-schools in India, XLRI, and is dissimilar among other tests because it has an added section for Decision Making. This will check if you are able to make decisions properly. Other sections are Verbal and Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability, Data Interpretation, and General Knowledge. There are 95 marks in total. For every correct response, you obtain 1 mark. If it's incorrect, 0.25 marks are deducted. Also, if you omit more than 8 questions in succession, you lose 0.10 marks on each of them. The GK section doesn't have any negative marking.
| Exam Sections | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Decision Making | 21 questions |
| Verbal and Logical Ability | 26 questions |
| Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation | 28 questions |
| General Knowledge | 20 questions |
ATMA - Exam Date, Fees & More
ATMA (AIMS Test for Management Admissions) is generally preferred by the second-tier MBA schools of India. This exam evaluates the skills of the candidate in three broad areas—Analytical Reasoning, Verbal Skills, and Quantitative Skills—each with two sections, with 30 questions in each section. In total, 180 questions are provided. One mark is awarded for a correct answer, while an incorrect one costs you 0.25 marks. Exams are conducted throughout the year, allowing students to choose one that best fits them, which makes ATMA a good choice considering economic concerns for students.
| Exam Sections | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Analytical Reasoning Part 1 & Part 2 | 30 + 30 Questions |
| Verbal Skills Part 1 & Part 2 | 30 + 30 Questions |
| Quantitative Skills Part 1 & Part 2 | 30 + 30 Questions |
MAH-CET - Exam Date, Fees & More
If you are a Maharashtra resident and wish to study MBA there, then MAH-CET (Maharashtra Common Entrance Test) is the first step. If you have a graduate mark above 50% of the total (45% in case of a reserved category student), you will be eligible to attend the test. The paper is made up of four parts, namely verbal ability and reading comprehension, quantitative aptitude, logical reasoning, and abstract reasoning. There are 200 questions in total, where each correct answer is awarded 1 mark, and there is no credit for unattempted questions.
| Exam Sections | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension | 50 Questions |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 Questions |
| Logical Reasoning | 75 Questions |
| Abstract Reasoning | 25 Questions |
SNAP - Exam Date, Fees & More
SNAP (Symbiosis National Aptitude Test) is organised by Symbiosis International University. It is a very short test lasting only 1 hour. There are three parts to the test: General English, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative & Data Interpretation. The total marks for the exam are 60. Each correct answer earns 1 mark; if you answer wrong, then there will be a deduction of 0.25 marks.
| Exam Sections | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| General English | 15 |
| Analytical and Logical Reasoning | 25 |
| Quantitative Data Interpretation and Data Sufficiency | 20 |
MAT - Exam Date, Fees & More
MAT (Management Aptitude Test) is the oldest and most versatile MBA entrance exam. It can be conducted on paper or computer-based. More than 600 MBA colleges take the test. Five sections comprise the test: Language Comprehension, Mathematical Skills, Data Analysis & Sufficiency, Intelligence & Critical Reasoning, and Economics & Business Awareness. There are 30 questions in each section, and the total marks are 200. You have 1 mark for every correct answer and lose 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer. The MAT exam is conducted several times a year.
| Exam Sections | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Language Comprehension | 30 questions |
| Mathematical Skills | 30 questions |
| Data Analysis and Sufficiency | 30 questions |
| Intelligence and Critical Reasoning | 30 questions |
| Economics & Business Environment | 30 questions |
GMAT - Exam Date, Fees & More
GMAT (Graduate Management Aptitude Test) is a globally accepted test for top Indian and international MBA schools. It is ideal if you wish to pursue an education abroad or in premier institutes like ISB. The test consists of three sections—Verbal, Quantitative, and Data Insights. Each segment contains 20–23 questions and will take approximately 45 minutes to solve. You can appear for the GMAT at any point during the year, and your mark will be valid for 5 years.
| Exam Sections | Questions |
|---|---|
| Verbal | 21 questions (45 mins time) |
| Quantitative | 23 questions (45 mins time) |
| Data Insights | 20 questions (45 mins time) |
Conclusion
MBA entrance exams can look huge and intimidating now, but they are just steps towards your dream job. You don't have to hurry. Even if you are 15, you can begin by reading more, doing puzzles, and learning simple maths. These small steps today will make a difference tomorrow. When you join a good college, you'll thank yourself for having started early. Every exam is unique—some are simple, some are challenging, and some don't carry negative marks. So choose the appropriate one according to your needs. With the right attitude, adequate practice, and a bit of patience, you can crack any exam. Keep in mind that every master was once a novice. Learn now, remain confident, and your MBA aspirations will be fulfilled.
FAQ's of MBA Entrance Exams 2025-26 in India
What are the eligibility norms for the CAT exam in 2025?
You should be a graduate or a graduating student in the final year to apply for CAT 2025. There is no upper age restriction, and students of any background can apply.
How can I register for the NMAT entrance examination?
To register for NMAT, visit the official NMAT by GMAC site. Register, fill in your details, pay up the fee, and select the test date and test centre online.
What are the major differences between CMAT and CAT exams?
CMAT is less tough with sections on General Knowledge and Innovation. CAT is tougher and is comparable to IIMs. CMAT opens a vast door for Tier-2 and Tier 3 colleges, while CAT opens the way straight to the Tier-1 colleges.
When will MAT 2025 exams be held?
MAT examinations for the year 2025 can take place in 2 modes- paper, pen-based in May and computer-based in June. Specific dates are declared on AIMA's official website every year.
How do I prepare for multiple MBA entrance exams at the same time?
Start with general topics- English, Logic, Maths. Then practice daily and give mock tests, inculcate and bear in mind the general knowledge for the exams like CMAT and XAT. Key: Time management.
