Exam scores required to pursue Executive MBA programmes in India

Executive MBA has gained huge popularity across the globe in the past decade. Its influence is also being felt in India with more and more management aspirants opting for Executive MBA over two-year Full-Time MBA programme. Simple reasons being, flexibility and duration. Moreover, since it is designed essentially for professionals with experience, it focuses on practical knowledge and application more than theory as compared to full time MBA.

In India, most of the tier-1 and tier-2 B-Schools offer Executive MBA. Many private institutes have ventured into online/part time and distance MBA programmes as well, as they offer better options to the working population. However, the Executive MBA degree remains more desirable among employers.

Admission criteria of Executive MBA programme typically includes:

• Work experience at managerial level
• Entrance Exam score
• GD/PI performance
• Academic history
• LORs, SOPs etc

While some B-schools conduct their own entrance exams, most of them screen candidates on the basis of national level entrance exams like CAT, XAT, MAT, CMAT and GMAT.

GMAT: The Graduate Management Admission Test or GMAT is a computer-adaptive test, conducted by Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) which assesses a person’s analytical, writing, quantitative, verbal and reading skills in English. This exam can be taken any time in the year. The application fee for GMAT is $250 i.e. Rs 15,000-16,000 approximately. Read more

CAT: Common Admission Test or CAT is India’s biggest national level management entrance test conducted by Indian Institute of Management for admission to its 20 campuses and hundreds of other management institutes. The exam assesses a candidate on analytical ability, mathematical ability and verbal and communication skills. CAT is held once a year (November-December). The application fee for CAT is Rs 1700. Read more

XAT: Xavier Aptitude Test or XAT is national-level management aptitude test conducted by Xavier School of Management, Xavier Labour Relations Institute (XLRI), Jamshedpur. XAT assesses a candidate’s skills on quantitative ability, decision making, reasoning, GK and English language. The exam is conducted once a year (December-January). The application fee for XAT is Rs 1600. Read more

CMAT: The Common Management Admission Test or CMAT is conducted by All India Council of Technical Education. CMAT assesses a candidate’s skills on quantitative ability, reasoning, GK and English. It is held once a year (January). The application fee for CMAT is Rs 1400. Read more

MAT: Management Aptitude Test or MAT is conducted by All India Management Association for admission to management courses. MAT assesses a candidate on critical reasoning, data analysis, Mathematics, English language, GK and Indian and Global environment. MAT is held four times a year in February, May, September and December. The application fee for CMAT is Rs 1400. Read more

Some B-schools do not ask for entrance exam scores, and screen the students on the basis of essay writing, group discussion, personal interview, work experience, statement of purpose, academic performance etc.

Here’s a list of popular B schools and exam scores required for admission: