A Comprehensive Overview of the Top MBA Entrance Exams in India
When it comes to getting into a good MBA college in India, knowing which entrance exams to focus on can make a difference. Tests like CAT, XAT, CMAT, SNAP, and even the GMAT each come with their own formats, rules, and levels of difficulty. It’s important to research and understand the MBA entrance exams so MBA aspirants can select the best fit.

Many people, such as recent graduates or working professionals, believe that earning a master of business administration (MBA) is a crucial first step towards a prosperous career. Every year, thousands of candidates in India sit for MBA entrance exams, and selecting and studying for an MBA entrance exam is the first step in pursuing an MBA. There are many entrance exams to take when you apply for an MBA. These several entrance tests with various requirements, grant admission to various institutions, colleges, and MBA programs. To make an informed decision, one must be aware of the important information regarding these competitive tests, such as the requirements for eligibility and the types of opportunities they present. Let’s take a look at the top MBA entrance exams in India.
CAT
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a prominent MBA entrance exam in India, administered by Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and accepted by national institutions. Every year, more than two lakh students choose CAT to get admission in best colleges for MBA, which can be taken at 400 exam centres across India. The exam lasts two hours and assesses logical thinking and data interpretation, numeric aptitude, and verbal and reasoning comprehension. The exam lasts 180 minutes. Candidates are penalised one mark for each incorrect answer. Only individuals having a bachelor's degree and at least 50% or equal CGPA are allowed to take this exam. However, SC, ST, and PWD candidates must have an overall score of 45%.
CMAT
The Common Management Admission Test, or CMAT, is the country's second-largest management admission examination, with over 1.5 lakh students taking part. CMAT, administered by the National Testing Agency, is a popular choice among MBA candidates following CAT. Over 1,300 MBA colleges, including best MBA college in Dehradun accept exam scores. It measures general awareness, logical reasoning, entrepreneurship, language comprehension, quantitative techniques, and innovation. To be eligible for this exam, you must hold a bachelor's degree in any discipline.
XAT
Another national-level computer-based test is XAT, or Xavier's Aptitude Test, which assesses a candidate's preparation for business and management courses. The XAT score, developed by the XLRI (Xavier Labour Relation Institute) in Jamshedpur, is used by over 250 institutes across India. The paper is broken into three sections: quantitative ability and data interpretation, verbal ability and logical thinking, and decision-making. The second section involves mock keyboard testing and the third section covers general awareness and essay writing.
SNAP
The Symbiosis National Aptitude Test, or SNAP, is a computer-based exam administered by Symbiosis International University. It is intended to examine applicants' fitness for admission to various MBA and PGDM programmes provided by around 17 universities under the Symbiosis administration. This is a one-hour test that may be taken three times each year. It includes general English, analytical and logical thinking, numeric aptitude, data interpretation, and data sufficiency.
GMAT
The Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT) is a globally recognised test that evaluates a person's talents and aptitude for business management programs by focusing on areas such as mathematical reasoning, verbal reasoning, integrated reasoning, and analytical writing. GMAC administers this and it lasts 3 hours and 7 minutes. Students who have passed the test are able to apply for over 7,000 courses at over 2,300 business schools worldwide. Furthermore, the results are valid for five years, allowing candidates to deliberately develop their career pathways.
Choosing the appropriate MBA entrance exam is an important step to secure admission in the best MBA colleges in India. Since each exam has some advantages and is accepted by different institutions both India and abroad. By understanding the formats, eligibility and the scope of the top entrance exams available, aspirants can make the right decision to start their management career successfully.