MBA entrance tests beyond CAT 2014

With CAT 2014 test over, candidates are now focusing on the next stage of MBA admissions and entrance tests.

Immediately after CAT 2014 results are declared, candidates have to start appearing for Group Discussion (GD), Personal Interviews (PI) and Written Ability Test (WAT). How to prepare for GD, PI and WAT?

Here’s a round-up of all the top MBA entrance tests on the anvil. MBA aspirants have the option of appearing for eight more management entrances tests. The registration dates for some exams are still open. Scores of these MBA exams will be used for admission in the upcoming academic season 2015-16.

 1. MAT 2014

The paper-based MAT December 2014 exam will be held on December 7 while the computer-based exam will be held from December 13, 2014, onwards. Candidates can choose to take the exam in either of the two modes.

MAT is an objective-type test with multiple-choice questions. The exam is held for almost two-and-a-half hours. The test covers two hundred (200) questions in 150 minutes. The sections in the exam are: Indian and Global Environment, Language Comprehension, Data Analysis and Sufficiency, Mathematical Skills, Intelligence and Critical Reasoning. There are 40 questions in each section. Each question carries one mark, whereas, one/fourth mark is deducted for every wrong answer.

 2. SNAP 2014

SNAP 2014 will be held on December 21, 2014. SNAP exam 2014 is of two-hour duration (from 2 pm to 4 pm) and will be held in 30 cities across India. SNAP 2014 exam duration is 120 minutes (two-hours). The SNAP exam date is December 21, 2014. The test will be held from 2 pm to 4 pm. SNAP is a multiple-choice objective exam, with four options for each question. Each wrong answer attracts 25% negative marks.

SNAP exam consists of the following sections:

• General English: Reading Comprehension, Verbal Reasoning, Verbal Ability
• Quantitative, Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency
• General Awareness: General Knowledge, Current Affairs, Business Scenario
• Analytical & Logical Reasoning

 3. XAT 2015

XAT 2015 exam is all set to be conducted on Sunday, January 4, 2015. The last date to register for XAT 2015 is November 30, 2014. The results of the test will be declared on January 31, 2015.  XAT exam is a pen and paper-based examination. The exam has four important sections

• Quantitative Ability
• English Language & Logical Reasoning
• Decision Making
• GK & Essay

Candidates can log into the official website of XAT 2015 to consult various exam resources.

 4. CMAT 2015

CMAT 2015 will be held from February 19 to 22, 2014. The exam is conducted by All India Council For Technical Education (AICTE) for admissions to MBA and PGDM at various colleges Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) is a national-level computer-based entrance test. The test is conducted twice a year. The better of two scores are considered for admissions. Aspirants can register latest by January 5, 2015. The results of the test will be declared on March 25, 2015.

CMAT exam sections:

• Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation
• Logical Reasoning
• Language Comprehension
• General Awareness

5. IBSAT 2014

IBSAT is conducted by The ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education for admission to PGPM / MBA/ PhD programmes at IBS Hyderabad. The online test will be held over a 22-day window, from December 10 to 31, 2014. The results are expected to be declared on January 19, 2014. There is no negative marking in the exam. Aspirants are expected to answer 120 questions in two hours.

The test pattern of IBSAT consists of four sections:

• Verbal Ability
• Reading Comprehension
• Quantitative Aptitude
• Data Adequacy & Data Interpretation

  6. TISS-NET 2015

TISS-NET will be held on January 10, 2015. The computer-based exam will be held at 39 different cities/towns across the country. TISS-National Entrance Test (NET) is conducted by TISS (Tata Institute for Social Sciences) for admissions to post-graduate degree programmes offered in Mumbai, Tuljapur, Guwahati and Hyderabad campuses.

The exam covers following four sections:

• Social Sensitivity
• Knowledge on Contemporary Issues
• Analytical Ability
• Logical Reasoning

 7. MICAT 2015

Admissions to Post Graduate Diploma in Management - Communications (PGDM-C) of MICA, Ahmedabad, are on the basis of MICAT scores. The written exam will be held around February / March 2015. Candidates need to submit CAT, XAT, GMAT, ATMA, CMAT and MAT for first stage of shortlisting.

MICAT is designed to assess logical reasoning, verbal ability, divergent thinking, analytical ability, written communication skills and general awareness about the communications industry.

 8. IRMA 2014

Admissions to Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Management (PRM) at IRMA are based on CAT scores and a written admission test on “Issues of Social Concern”. The test will be held on January 25, 2015. Aspirants are expected to answer 40 questions in 25 minutes. The last date to apply for the test is December 15, 2014. Application form can be filled online at the official website.