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Easiest MBA Entrance Exams: Compare CAT, XAT, CMAT, NMAT, MAT, MAHA-CET
MBA entrance exams vary significantly in terms of difficulty. It is essential for aspirants to assess their own strengths, preparation level, and career goals before choosing which MBA entrance exam to pursue. For those targeting admission into prestigious institutions such as the IIMs, XLRI, or any Tier-I management colleges, must appear for CAT or XAT. These exams are known for their high difficulty level and competitiveness. However, if you're looking for MBA programs with a relatively easier entry path, exams like NMAT, SNAP, CMAT, or MAHA-CET are viable alternatives. These exams generally have a more moderate level of difficulty and are accepted by several Tier-II and Tier-III B-schools across India.
By carefully evaluating these factors, MBA aspirants can make strategic decisions about which entrance exams to focus on and how best to prepare for them.
Candidates aiming to identify the easiest MBA entrance exam, it's important to evaluate each exam based on the difficulty level, competition, acceptance rate, syllabus, and available preparation time. In the section below, you can compare the exams like CAT, XAT, NMAT, CMAT, SNAP, and others that can help you to choose an exam that best matches your strengths and goals.
Common Admission Test (CAT) is a prestigious national-level MBA entrance exam conducted annually by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) on a rotational basis. It serves as the primary gateway to the over 1200 top B-schools including the IIMs across India.
CAT 2025 exam will be conducted in online Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode and is expected to follow the usual pattern of being held in three slots (morning, afternoon, and evening) on a single day in November 2025. Check the CAT details below:
| CAT Parameters | Details |
| Mode of Exam | Online (Computer-Based Test) |
| CAT Slots | 3 (Morning, Afternoon, Evening) |
| Exam Duration | 120 minutes (2 hours) |
| No. of Sections | 3 |
| Section Names | VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension) DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning) QA (Quantitative Ability) |
| Total Questions | 68 |
| Sectional Time Limit | 40 minutes per section (strictly timed) |
| Marking Scheme | +3 marks for every correct answer -1 mark for every wrong MCQ No negative marking for TITA (Type In The Answer) questions |
| Question Types | MCQs & TITA |
Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) is a national-level MBA entrance exam conducted annually by XLRI - Xavier School of Management, Jamshedpur. It serves as a gateway for admission into XLRI's PGDM programs as well as more than 1,000 B-schools across India that accept XAT scores.
XAT 2026 exam will be held in January 2026 in online Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode. Known for its unique components like the Decision-Making section and the GK, XAT stands out for testing candidates on real-world reasoning, ethics, and judgment in addition to traditional aptitude. Check the XAT details below:
| XAT Parameter | Details |
| Mode of XAT | Online |
| XAT Exam Frequency | Once a year |
| Exam Duration | 210 minutes (3 hours 30 minutes) |
| Total Questions | 100 |
| Exam Paper Sections | Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning Decision Making Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation General Knowledge |
| Sectional Time Limits | First 3 sections: 175 minutes GK section: 25 minutes Essay: 10 minutes |
| Marking Scheme | +1 mark for each correct answer -0.25 for each incorrect answer -0.10 penalty for more than 8 unattempted questions No negative marking in the GK section |
Common Management Admission Test or CMAT is conducted by NTA (National Testing Agency) once a year in the online mode. Check the CMAT details below:
| CMAT Parameter | Details |
| Mode of CMAT | Online (Computer-Based Test) |
| CMAT Exam Frequency | Once a year |
| Exam Duration | 3 hours (180 minutes) |
| Total Questions | 100 |
| Exam Paper Sections | Quantitative Technique Language Comprehension Logical Reasoning Innovation and Entrepreneurship - General Awareness |
| Section-wise Questions | 20 questions per section (5 sections total) |
| Marking Scheme | +4 marks for each correct answer -1 mark for each incorrect answer |
Symbiosis National Aptitude Test (SNAP) is a national-level MBA entrance exam conducted by Symbiosis International (Deemed University). It is a gateway to 16 Symbiosis institutes offering MBA and PGDM programs in various specializations.
SNAP 2025 exam is expected to be held over three separate dates in December 2025, in online Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode. Candidates can appear for up to three attempts, with the best score considered for the final selection process by participating institutes. Check SNAP exam details below:
| SNAP Parameter | Details |
| Mode of SNAP | Online (Computer-Based Test) |
| SNAP Exam Frequency | Conducted 2-3 times a year (candidate can attempt up to 3 times) |
| Best Score Considered | Best of the attempts is considered for final selection |
| Exam Duration | 60 minutes (1 hour) |
| Total Questions | 60 |
| Exam Paper Sections | General English Analytical & Logical Reasoning Quantitative, Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency |
| Section-wise Questions | Varies slightly each year; typically 15-25 per section |
| Marking Scheme | +1 mark for each correct answer -0.25 mark for each incorrect answer |
NMAT is a national-level MBA entrance exam conducted by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). It offers a flexible testing window, typically held between October and December, allowing candidates to attempt the exam up to three times within a given testing cycle. The best score out of all attempts is considered for admission purposes. NMAT scores are accepted by leading MBA institutes in India such as NMIMS, ISB (Advanced Management Programme), and several others. Additionally, NMAT is recognized by international B-schools in countries like South Africa, Philippines, Nigeria, and Morocco, offering candidates the opportunity for global MBA admissions.
| Parameter | Details |
| Mode of NMAT | Online (Computer-Based Test) |
| NMAT Exam Frequency | Conducted in a testing window (up to 3 attempts per year) |
| Exam Duration | 120 minutes (2 hours) |
| Total Questions | 108 |
| Exam Paper Sections | Language Skills Quantitative Skills Logical Reasoning |
| Section-wise Timing | Language Skills: 28 minutes Quantitative Skills: 52 minutes Logical Reasoning: 40 minutes |
| Marking Scheme | +3 marks for each correct answer No negative marking for wrong answers |
The MAH CET (Maharashtra Common Entrance Test) is a state-level entrance exam conducted by the State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra. It serves as the gateway for admission to MBA and MMS programs offered by various government, university-affiliated, and private institutes across the state of Maharashtra.
| Parameter | Details |
| Mode of MAH CET | Online (Computer-Based Test) |
| MAH MBA CET Frequency | Once a year |
| Exam Duration | 150 minutes (2 hours 30 minutes) |
| Total Questions | 200 |
| Exam Paper Sections | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) Logical Reasoning Abstract Reasoning Quantitative Aptitude |
| Section-wise Questions | Logical Reasoning carries the highest weight; exact split varies slightly year to year |
| Marking Scheme | +1 mark for each correct answer No negative marking for incorrect answers |
Management Aptitude Test (MAT) is a national-level MBA entrance exam conducted by the All India Management Association (AIMA). It is held four times a year, February, May, September, and December. Candidates who clear MAT 2025 exam can apply for admission to over 600 B-schools across India that accept MAT scores for their MBA/PGDM programs. MAT exams are conducted in three modes, such as CBT, PBT, and IBT. This makes MAT convenient option for aspirants aiming for management education.
| Parameter | Details |
| Mode of MAT | Computer-Based Test (CBT) Paper-Based Test (PBT) Internet-Based Test (IBT) |
| MAT Exam Frequency | Four times a year (Feb, May, Sept, Dec) |
| Exam Duration | 150 minutes (2 hours 30 minutes) |
| Total Questions | 200 |
| Exam Paper Sections | Language Comprehension Data Analysis & Sufficiency Intelligence & Critical Reasoning Mathematical Skills Indian & Global Environment |
| Section-wise Questions | 40 questions per section (5 sections total) |
| Marking Scheme | +1 mark for each correct answer -0.25 mark for each incorrect answer |
IBSAT (ICFAI Business School Aptitude Test) is a national-level MBA entrance exam conducted by the ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education, primarily for admission into MBA and PGPM programs at various ICFAI Business Schools (IBS) across India. The exam assesses candidates on their aptitude in English, quantitative ability, data interpretation, and reading comprehension.
| Parameter | Details |
| Mode of IBSAT | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| IBSAT Exam Frequency | Once a year (Typically in December) |
| Exam Duration | 120 minutes (2 hours) |
| Total Questions | 140 |
| Exam Paper Sections | Verbal Ability Reading Comprehension Quantitative Aptitude Data Adequacy & Data Interpretation |
| Section-wise Questions | Verbal Ability - 50 Reading Comprehension - 30 Quantitative Aptitude - 30 Data Adequacy & DI - 30 |
| Marking Scheme | +1 mark for each correct answer No negative marking |
Selecting the "easiest" MBA entrance exam depends on individual strengths, preparation time, and career goals rather than a one-size-fits-all answer. As we have discussed above, exams like CAT and XAT are known for their high difficulty and are best suited for aspirants targeting premier institutes like IIMs and XLRI. Other entrance exams such as NMAT, SNAP, CMAT, MAT, and MAH CET offer relatively moderate to low difficulty levels with more flexible patterns, multiple attempts, or no negative marking.
As per MBA entrance exam trends and analysis, MAT, CMAT, and IBSAT are considered among the easiest MBA entrance exams when compared to competitive exams like CAT or XAT. Check some of the important points of these three entrance exams in the below section:
IBSAT, conducted by ICFAI Business School, is used exclusively for admission to its 9 campuses and sees around 25,000-30,000 registrations annually.
Ans: Many IBSAT-accepting colleges consider sectional score cut-offs in addition to the overall IBSAT 2024 cut-offs. Candidates should check the cutoff requirements of the colleges they are applying for MBA and must meet the minimum required score in each section to qualify for admission.
Ans: IBSAT scores are accepted by the IBS campuses for MBA admission process. There are 9 IBS institutes that shortlist candidates through IBSAT:
Ans: Delhi offers a range of MBA/PGDM colleges with affordable fee structures and moderate MAT cut-offs, making them accessible for many aspirants. Below is a list of some of the least expensive options, along with their approximate fees and expected MAT cut-offs based on previous years.
| College Name | Approx. Fee | MAT Cut-Off (Score) |
| Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University | ₹75,000 per year | Around 500 |
| Banarsidas Chandiwala Institute of Professional Studies | ₹1,50,000 per year | Around 500 |
| Delhi School of Professional Studies and Research | ₹2,00,000 per year | Around 500 |
| Delhi School of Business | ₹6,00,000 (entire course) | Around 500 |
| Jagan Institute of Management Studies (JIMS), Rohini | ₹6,00,000 (entire course) | Around 500 |
Ans: The MAT score is valid only for the academic year in which the exam is taken. For instance, a MAT 2024 score is applicable only for admission to the 2024–2026 MBA/PGDM batch. If a candidate decides to take a gap year after appearing for MAT, they will need to reappear for the exam in the following cycle to be eligible for future admissions.
It’s important for aspirants to verify the admission timelines of the institutes they are applying to. For example:
Ans: MAT participating colleges shortlist candidates based on their overall and sectional MAT percentiles along with their academic background. Final selection depends on performance in institute-level processes such as Group Discussion (GD), Personal Interview (PI), and Written Ability Test (WAT).
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