Top MBA Entrance Exams 2024: Exam Dates, Registration, Fees, Difficulty Level
In today’s competitive world, an MBA can be the golden ticket to a thriving career. But before you can step into the Top MBA colleges in India, there's a significant difficulty to overcome: the MBA entrance exam. Take a look at the article given below which highlights the importance of various MBA entrance exams.
The MBA Entrance Exams offer the chance to enroll in a variety of management degrees at the best management institutes in India. In India, there are MBA entrance exams at both the state and national levels. Examples of these exams include SNAP, CAT, MBA CET, NMAT, CMAT, MAT, and others.
Let's explore the differences between the two and help you determine which option aligns best with your aspirations.
| Exam Type |
Exam Window |
Exam Name |
|---|---|---|
| National Level MBA Exams |
November 2024 to April 2025 |
CAT, XAT, MAT, CMAT, SNAP, NMAT, ATMA |
| State-Level MBA Exams |
February to May 2024 |
MAH-CET, AP ICET, TS ICET, OJEE, KMAT |
The MAT exam is offered multiple times throughout the year, but not continuously.
Management Entrance Exam 2024: Application Schedule and Fees
The table below lists the application deadline and the exam date of top 20 MBA exams in India. Read further below to know exam-wise registration process, fee and other exam related details.
| MBA Entrance Exam 2024 |
Exam Date |
Entrance Exam Schedule |
|---|---|---|
| Nov '24 |
||
| To be announced |
||
| May-Jun '24 |
||
| May '24 |
||
| Jan '25 (tentative) |
||
| May '24 |
||
| May '24 |
||
| To be announced |
||
| Admission through CUET PG |
||
| Mar '24 |
||
| June '24 |
||
| To be announced |
||
| Mar '24 |
||
| May '24 |
||
| To be announced |
Top Management Colleges Accepting CAT Score: Location-wise
Listed below are the top MBA colleges accepting CAT scores in different regions:
MBA Colleges Accepting CAT Scores in India
Listed below are the top MBA Colleges Accepting CAT Score in India along with their tuition fees:
| College Name |
Total Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| INR 25 lakh |
|
| INR 25 lakh |
|
| INR 13 lakh |
|
| INR 11 lakh |
MBA Colleges Accepting CAT Score in Delhi NCR
Listed below are the top MBA Colleges Accepting CAT Score in Delhi NCR along with their tuition fees:
| College Name |
Total Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| INR 11 lakh |
|
| INR 2 lakh – INR 26 lakh |
|
| INR 18 lakh |
|
| INR 6 lakh – INR 13 lakh |
MBA Colleges Accepting CAT Scores in Maharashtra
Listed below are the top MBA Colleges Accepting CAT Score in Maharashtra along with their tuition fees:
| College Name |
Total Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| INR 15 lakh – INR 24 lakh |
|
| INR 17 lakh |
|
| INR 19 lakh |
|
| INR 14 lakh |
MBA Colleges Accepting CAT Scores in Uttar Pradesh
Listed below are the top MBA Colleges Accepting CAT Score in Uttar Pradesh along with their tuition fees:
| College Name |
Total Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| INR 13 lakh |
|
| INR 6 lakh – INR 13 lakh |
|
| INR 21 lakh |
|
| INR 13 lakh – INR 14 lakh |
National vs State-Level MBA Entrance Exams
Let's delve into the contrast between the two to ascertain which option resonates most closely with your ambitions:
| Parameters |
National MBA Exams |
State MBA Exams |
|---|---|---|
| Exam Name |
||
| Acceptance |
Several management institutes across India accept national-level exams such as CAT, MAT, and XAT, providing a wider array of choices for prospective candidates. |
State-level exams cater to particular states or regions, granting access to institutes within those specific geographic areas. |
| Competition |
National-level exams typically have higher competition due to their popularity and wider acceptance. |
State-level exams may offer relatively less competition, increasing your chances of securing admission to top institutes within the state.
|
| Exam Pattern |
National-level exams often have a standardized format and are known for their competitive nature. |
The exam pattern and difficulty level may vary depending on the specific exam and the state conducting it. |
National Level MBA Entrance exams
Listed below are the top national-level entrance exams in India:
- CAT: IIM conducts CAT every year and it is the most popular MBA Entrance Exam, as IIM’s are always the first priority among the candidates. Common Admission Test or CAT is a national level management aptitude test which is conducted by the IIM for admission to the MBAcourses offered by its 21 campuses and over 1,200 B-schools in India. NITIE Mumbai has been added to the cluster as IIM Mumbai. Over two lakh candidates apply for the CAT exam every year. In CAT 2023, the registration set a new record with 3.30 lakh applications.
Read more about CAT entrance exam:
- XAT: Xavier Aptitude Test or XAT is a national-level management entrance examination conducted by XLRI, Jamshedpurfor admission to MBA/PGDM programmes. Apart from XLRI and 10 other XAMI member colleges, over 1,000 B-schools accept XAT scores for admission to their post-graduate management programmes such as MBA, PGDM and Executive MBA. The XAT question paper consists of 100 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) from Decision Making, Verbal & Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation and General Knowledge. XAT cut offs for XLRI's PGDM-BM programme are usually around 95 percentile for male candidates and 92 percentile for female candidates.
Read more about XAT entrance exam:
- MAT: Management Aptitude Test or MATis a national-level entrance exam conducted by the All India Management Association (AIMA) for admissions to MBA/PGDM courses at 800+ B-schools in India. The exam is conducted in multiple sessions in four phases – February, May, September and December. It is accepted by over 800 private MBA colleges across India. MAT is considered one of the most student-friendly entrance exams there is an option to take multiple attempts and whenever one is ready for it.
Read more about MAT entrance exam:
- CMAT: Common Management Admission Test (CMAT)is a business aptitude test conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission to MBA/PGDM Earlier, it used to be conducted by AICTE. CMAT is the third most popular MBA entrance exam in India after CAT and XAT. About 70,000 candidates appear for the CMAT every year. CMAT score is accepted by about 1,300 B-schools (government and private) in India including Great Lakes Institute of Management, JBIMS, SIMSREE, K J Somaiya Mumbai, Welingkar Mumbai and PUMBA. The CMAT question paper consists of 100 questions from Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness and Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The CMAT question paper is of easy to moderate difficulty level.
Read more about CMAT entrance exam:
State-Level MBA Entrance Exams
State-level MBA entrance exams are standardized tests conducted at the state level. These exams serve as a gateway for candidates aspiring to pursue MBA programs offered by institutes within the respective states. Candidates who perform well in state exams have the opportunity to secure admission to prestigious management institutions. Listed below are some of the top state-level MBA entrance exams:
- MAH CET: Maharashtra Common Entrance Test or MAH CET is a management entrance test. Officially known as MAH MBA/MMS-CET, the exam is conducted by the State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra, for admission to management courses in various institutes in the state of Maharashtra.
Read more about MAH CET entrance exam:
- TANCET MBA: Tamil Nadu Common Entrance Test, abbreviated as TANCET, is an admission test conducted to fill PG seats across courses in Tamil Nadu colleges. Anna University conducts the state-level entrance exam for various PG courses, including MTech/ MArch/ MPlan/ ME, MBA and MCA More than 200 colleges situated in Tamil Nadu accept TANCET scores for admission. Every year, more than 40,000 MBA aspirants appear for the TANCET to compete for more than 15,000 seats offered by several institutes of Tamil Nadu. TANCET, conducted offline, comprises 100 objective-type questions to be answered within two hours. DTE, Chennai, administers the TANCET counselling for MBA admission of qualified candidates.
Read more about TANCET entrance exam:
- Karnataka PGCET: Karnataka PGCET or Karnataka Post Graduate Common Entrance Test is administered annually by the Karnataka Examination Authority. Karnataka PGCET acts as the gateway exam for admission into PG courses, including MBA, MCA, M.E., Tech. and M.Arch in the state of Karnataka. Candidates taking the PGCET exam have to answer as many as 100 MCQs within 150 minutes. Read on to learn about Karnataka PGCET, its application process, eligibility criteria, pattern, syllabus and more.
Read more about Karnataka PGCET entrance exam:
Read more about state-level MBA entrance exams:
Which MBA entrance exam is considered the easiest?
MBA entrance exams have different level of difficulty and it is important to evaluate their preparation and effectively create a study plan to excel in the exam. According to MBA exam analysis, MAT, CMAT, and IBSAT are often regarded as the most approachable MBA entrance exams compared to others. MAT, with acceptance by over 600 B-schools, and CMAT, accepted by 300+ MBA colleges for admission to PGDM/MBA programs, are particularly noteworthy in this regard. Their formats and content contribute to their reputation for being more accessible options among aspiring management students.
Is CMAT easier than MAT?
MAT and CMAT are both considered speed-based exams, covering similar syllabi. However, CMAT is often perceived as more challenging than MAT due to its additional section. Despite this, MAT offers a unique advantage over CMAT: candidates can attempt MAT multiple times within the same academic session to enhance their exam scores. This flexibility provides candidates with more opportunities to improve their performance and secure admission to their desired MBA programs.
Also Read: Is MAT tougher than CMAT?
Can I pursue MBA after Class 12?
Pursuing an MBA immediately after completing Class 12 is a typical, but the trend is on the rise. The concept of pursuing an MBA straight after 12th grade is gaining popularity, and for good reason. When contemplating this path, the primary question that arises is how to proceed with an MBA after 12? The ideal solution is opting for an integrated MBA program. An Integrated MBA program seamlessly combines a bachelor's degree with an MBA, offering a comprehensive educational experience that sets a solid foundation for a successful career in management. This approach not only saves time but also ensures a structured progression towards professional growth, making it an appealing choice for ambitious individuals aiming to enter the business world early on.
Listed below are the popular Integrated MBA entrance exams:
- IPMAT
- IPM Aptitude Test (IPMAT Rohtak)
- UGAT
- NPAT
Read more about the Online MBA course:
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