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TOP MBA EXAMS IN INDIA 2025: A COMPLETE GUIDE ON EXAM SCHEDULE, EXAM PATTERN & ELIGIBILTY
Check the dates for upcoming MBA exams to get into top Business Schools of the country. Read further to learn about exam dates, exam pattern, exam duration, top accepting colleges and exam eligibility to ace various MBA Exams in the 2025-26 session.
In today’s dynamic and competitive business landscape, an MBA (Master of Business Administration) has become more than just a degree—it's a powerful tool to accelerate your career, pivot to new industries, or even launch your own venture. Whether you're a fresh graduate aiming to boost your prospects or working professional seeking leadership roles, an MBA can open doors to limitless opportunities.
But before you step into a prestigious business school, you must clear one crucial hurdle: the MBA entrance exam. These competitive exams are designed to assess your analytical thinking, problem-solving ability, and communication skills—all essential traits for future business leaders.
With several national and international MBA entrance exams available, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. In this blog, we’ll break down the most popular MBA exams, explain what makes each one unique.
Doing MBA from a good B-school is a lucrative investment and it will not take more than 4 years to recoup your MBA costs after completion of the course, is the outcome of GMAC Alumni Survey report published on February 23, 2016
MBA Entrance Exams 2025 can be divided into three categories: a) CAT for IIMs, b) Other National Management Entrance Tests (OMET) like XAT and NMAT, and c) State MBA entrance exams like MAH CET. Across these types, there are more than 20 popular MBA entrance exams in India – check compete list of MBA entrance exams 2025 below. CAT and other top MBA entrance exams 2025 will be held from November 2025 till January 2026 for MBA Admission 2026.
| MBA EXAM | EXAM DATES | TOP COLLEGES |
| CAT (Common Admission Test) | November 30, 2025 (Once a year) | 21 IIMs, FMS, SPJIMR, MDI, IITs, IIFT |
| XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test)
| January 4, 2026 (Once a year) | XLRI, IMT, IMI, XIMB, TAPMI |
| NMAT by GMAC (Graduate Management Admission Council) | Nov 5 to Dec 19, 2025 (Testing Window of about 75 days) | NMIMS, XIMB, K J Somaiya, TAPMI, IFMR |
| SNAP (Symbiosis National Aptitude Test) | Dec 6, 14 & 20, 2025 (Conducted in multiple slots/attempts - typically 3) | SIBM Pune, SCMHRD, SIBM Bangalore |
| CMAT (Common Management Admission Test) | Jan 23/24, 2026 [Usually Late March or Early April (Once a year)] | K J Somaiya Mumbai, BIMTECH, Welingkar, IFMR GSB, IMI Bhubaneswar and WOXSEN Hyderabad |
| CAT EXAM PARTICULARS | CORE DETAILS
|
| What is the date of the CAT exam in 2025? | Sunday, November 30, 2025 |
| Who is conducting CAT 2025? | IIM Kozhikode |
| Which are top MBA Colleges accepting CAT 2025? | Top MBA colleges accepting CAT 2025 are 21 IIMs, FMS, IIFT, MDI, SPJIMR, IITs, IMI |
| What is CAT exam timing? | Slot 1: 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM; Slot 2: 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM; Slot 3: 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM |
| What is the duration of CAT 2025 Exam? | CAT 2025 exam duration is 2 hours |
| What is the Testing Mode of CAT 2025? | CAT 2025 will be held as Computer based exam at test centres across the country. |
| What is CAT 2025 Notification Release date? | CAT 2025 Notification was released on Sunday, July 27, 2025 |
| What is the age limit for CAT exam 2025? | There is no age limit for taking CAT exam 2025. |
| What is the Educational qualification to write CAT exam? | Graduation with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD). Final year students are also eligible |
| What will be CAT 2025 Fees? | CAT 2025 Exam Fees is Rs. 2600 for general candidates, and Rs. 1300 for reserved category candidates. |
| How to Apply for CAT 2025? | CAT Application process can be done online on CAT official website iimcat.ac.in |
| How many candidates are expected to register for CAT 2025 exam? | About 3.15 lakhs candidates are expected to register for CAT 2025 exam. |
| Section No. | Section Name | Duration | MCQs | TITA | Total |
| I | Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension | 40 mins | 20 | 4 | 24 |
| II | Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning | 40 mins | 12 | 10 | 22 |
| III | Quantative Ability | 40 mins | 14 | 8 | 22 |
| Total |
| 120 mins | 46 | 22 | 68 |
| SECTION | TOPICS COVERED |
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension(VARC) | Reading Passages, Para Jumbles, Para Summary, Sentence Correction, Grammar, Vocabulary |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning(DILR) | Bar Graphs, Pie Charts, Line Graphs, Tables, Caselets, Seating Arrangements, Logical Puzzles |
| Quantative Ability(QA) | Algebra, Arithmetic, Geometry, Trigonometry, Probability, Mensuration, Number Systems, Time & Work |
66-68 Questions
Three Sections; 1. Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, 2. Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning, and 3. Quantitative Ability
CAT marking scheme is +3 for every correct and -1 for incorrect. There was no negative marking for TITA Questions.
CAT 2025 Sectional Limit is 40 Minutes for each Section
No, candidates must answer the sections in pre-defined order from section 1 to 3.
A bachelor's degree with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks (45% for candidates from SC, ST, and PwD categories).
Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) is a national-level entrance exam for MBA and PGDM programs conducted by Xavier School of Management (XLRI) Jamshedpur and accepted by over 2500 Business-schools in India. XAT 2026 exam date is January 4, 2026
XAT EXAM DETAILS | CORE DETAILS |
What is the date of the XAT exam in 2025? | Sunday, January 4, 2026 |
Who is conducting XAT 2025? | Xavier School of Management (XLRI) Jamshedpur |
Which are top MBA Colleges accepting XAT 2025? | XLRI, XIMB, IMI, IMT, FORE, Great Lakes, GIM Goa |
What is the duration of XAT 2025 Exam? | 3 Hours |
What is the Testing Mode of XAT 2025? | A computer-based test conducted at more than 70 test cities |
What is XAT 2025 Notification Release date? | July 10, 2025 |
What will be XAT 2025 Fees? | Rs. 2200 |
How to Apply for XAT 2025? | XAT Application process can be done online on official website xatonline.in |
| XAT EXAM SECTIONS | NUMBER OF QUESTIONS | MARKS |
| Decision Making | 21 | 21 |
| Verbal and Logical Ability | 26 | 26 |
| Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation | 28 | 28 |
| General Knowledge | 20 | 20 |
| Total | 95 | 95 |
| SECTION | TOPICS COVERED
|
| Decision Making | Case Studies, Ethical Dilemmas, Business Situations |
| Verbal and Logical Ability | Reading Comprehension, Logical Deduction, Sentence Rearrangement, Vocabulary |
| Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation | Percentages, Geometry, Algebra, Probability, Graphs, Data Sufficiency |
| General Knowledge | Economics, Current Affairs, Politics, Geography, Business, International Events
|
The exam is divided into two parts & four sections of Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning; Decision Making; Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation; General Knowledge
Part two which had General Knowledge and Analytical Essay Writing (AEW) sections will have only GK section in XAT 2025 and AEW will not figure in the exam.
No Individual time limit to attempt the sections
+1 Mark for Correct Answer; -0.25 for Wrong Answer; 0 for Un-attempted Question
A bachelor's degree of at least three years from a recognized university.
Part two does not count for percentile score calculation
| NMAT EXAM DETAILS | CORE DETAILS |
| What is the date of the NMAT exam in 2025? | November 5 to December 19, 2025 |
| Who is conducting NMAT 2025? | Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) |
| Which are top MBA Colleges accepting NMAT 2025? | NMIMS, XIMB, TAPMI |
| What is the duration of NMAT 2025 Exam? | 2 hours |
| What is the Testing Mode of NMAT 2025? | A computer-based test conducted |
| What will be NMAT 2025 Fees? | Rs. 3000 |
| How to Apply for NMAT 2025? | NMAT Application process can be done online on official website mba.com/nmat |
| Exam Section | Number of Questions | Allotted Time in minutes |
| Language Skills | 36 | 28 |
| Quantitative Skills | 36 | 52 |
| Logical Reasoning | 36 | 40 |
| Total | 108 | 120 minutes |
| SECTION | TOPICS COVERED
|
| Language Skills | Grammar, Vocabulary, Reading Comprehension, Para Jumbles, Sentence Correction |
| Quantitative Skills | Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Number Systems, Modern Math |
| Logical Reasoning | Critical Reasoning, Analytical Puzzles, Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations
|
108 Questions
+1 Mark for each Correct answer, No negative marking for wrong answer
Yes, and is different for each section
Yes, available only once
Based on NMAT Scaled Score, Percentile Not Awarded
a bachelor's degree with at least 50% aggregate marks is required.
SNAP exam, conducted by Symbiosis International University, is the mandatory MBA entrance test for 17 MBA Symbiosis colleges. SNAP exam 2025 will be held on December 6, 14, and 20, 2025.
| SNAP EXAM DETAILS | CORE DETAILS |
| What is the date of the SNAP exam in 2025? | December 6, 14, and 20, 2025. |
| Who is conducting SNAP 2025? | Symbiosis International University, Pune |
| Which are top MBA Colleges accepting NMAT 2025? | 17 Symbiosis Institutes offering MBA programs including SIBM Pune, SCMHRD Pune, SIBM Bengaluru, SIOM Nashik among others |
| What is the duration of SNAP 2025 Exam? | 1 Hour |
| What is the Testing Mode of SNAP 2025? | A computer-based test conducted across centers in 80 cities |
| What will be SNAP 2025 Fees? | Rs. 2250 |
| How to Apply for SNAP 2025? | SNAP Application process can be done online on official website snaptest.org |
| SNAP Exam Section | Total Questions | Maximum Marks |
| General English: Reading Comprehension, Verbal Reasoning, Verbal Ability | 15 | 15 |
| Analytical & Logical Reasoning | 25 | 25 |
| Quantitative, Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency | 20 | 20 |
| Total | 60 | 60 |
| SECTION | TOPICS COVERED |
| General English: Reading Comprehension, Verbal Reasoning, Verbal Ability
| Reading Comprehension, Verbal Reasoning, Grammar, Vocabulary |
| Analytical & Logical Reasoning
| Coding-Decoding, Sequences, Puzzles, Blood Relations, Clocks & Calendars
|
| Quantitative, Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency
| Percentages, Profit & Loss, Number System, Time-Speed-Distance, Graphs |
+1 Mark for each Correct answer, 0.25 Mark negative marking for wrong answer
60 questions
3 attempts, highest score is considered
No
SNAP requires a bachelor's degree with a minimum of 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD).
CMAT exam is an important MBA entrance exam for MBA admission in 1000 AICTE Approved PGDM colleges. CMAT 2026 exam date is January 24, 2026.
| CMAT EXAM DETAILS | CORE DETAILS |
| What is the date of the CMAT exam in 2025? | January 24, 2026. |
| Who is conducting CMAT 2025? | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Which are top MBA Colleges accepting NMAT 2025? | The CMAT score is accepted by all All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)-approved institutions, university departments, and affiliated colleges. |
| What is the duration of CMAT 2025 Exam? | Two Slot Exam of 3 Hrs Duration for each slot |
| What is the Testing Mode of CMAT 2025? | A computer-based test conducted across centres |
| What will be CMAT 2025 Fees? | Rs. 2500 |
| How to Apply for CMAT 2025? | CMAT Application process can be done online on official website exams.nta.ac.in/CMAT/ |
| CMAT Exam Section | Total Questions | Maximum Marks |
| Language Comprehension | 20 | 80 |
| Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation | 20 | 80 |
| Logical Reasoning | 20 | 80 |
| General Awareness | 20 | 80 |
| Innovation and Entrepreneurship | 20 | 80 |
| Total | 100 | 400 |
| SECTION | TOPICS COVERED |
| Language Comprehension
| Reading Comprehension, Grammar, Vocabulary, Sentence Correction, Synonyms & Antonyms |
| Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation
| Arithmetic, Geometry, Algebra, Graphs, Caselets, Data Sufficiency |
| Logical Reasoning
| Series, Syllogisms, Puzzles, Blood Relations, Statements & Conclusions |
| General Awareness
| Current Affairs, Indian Constitution, Sports, Politics, Business |
| Innovation and Entrepreneurship
| Concepts of Innovation, Business Models, Entrepreneurial Ventures, Startups |
Each correct answer receives +4 marks, while each incorrect answer results in a -1 mark deduction
The exam is a three-hour, computer-based online test (CBT).
Must hold a bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized university.
| MBA Exam | Educational Qualification (Basic) | Minimum Percentage Required | Final Year Students | Age Limit |
| CAT | Bachelor's Degree (Min. 3 years) | 50% (General/EWS/OBC-NCL) 45% (SC/ST/PwD) | Yes, provisionally eligible. | None |
| XAT | Bachelor's Degree (Min. 3 years) | Passing Marks in graduation. (XLRI may have an internal academic cutoff of 50-60%). | Yes, provisionally eligible. | None |
| NMAT | Bachelor's Degree (Min. 3 years) | 50% in aggregate (for institutes like NMIMS) | Yes, provisionally eligible. | None |
| SNAP | Bachelor's Degree (Min. 3 years) | 50% (General Category) 45% (SC/ST Category) | Yes, provisionally eligible. | None |
| CMAT | Bachelor's Degree (Min. 3 years) | None (Only a passing grade is required by the NTA) | Yes, provisionally eligible. | None |
| MBA Exam | CAT | XAT | NMAT | SNAP | CMAT |
| Primary Colleges | IIMs, FMS, MDI, SPJIMR | XLRI, XIMB, IMT, GIM | NMIMS, K J Somaiya, TAPMI | Symbiosis Institutes (SIBM, SCMHRD) | 1300+ AICTE colleges, GIM Goa |
| Difficulty Level | Highest | High | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate to Easy |
| Exam Duration | 2 Hours (120 Mins) | 3.5 Hours (210 Mins) | 2 Hours (120 Mins) | 1 Hour (60 Mins) | 3 Hours (180 Mins) |
| Total Questions (Avg.) | 66 | 100 | 108 | 60 | 100 |
| Unique Section(s) | Non-MCQ (TITA) questions | Decision Making (DM), General Knowledge (GK) | Sectional Adaptive Test | None (Speed-focused test) | General Awareness (GA), Innovation & Entrepreneurship (I&E) |
| Negative Marking | Yes (-1/wrong MCQ) | Yes (-0.25/wrong) | No | Yes (-0.25/wrong) | Yes (-1/wrong) |
| Retake Attempts | None | None | Yes (Up to 3 attempts) | Yes (Up to 3 attempts) | None |
| Timeline (Avg.) | Late November | First Sunday of January | Oct. to Dec. | December (3 Fixed Slots) | Late March/April |
Roopa M N
PhD Scholar, Genetics and Plant Breeding
ICAR-IARI, New Delhi