Many students look for top MBA colleges in India without an entrance test to pursue management studies without exams like CAT or XAT. Some private universities and institutes offer direct admission based on academic performance or work experience. Similarly, those seeking global education can explore top global universities without an entrance exam, where selection is based on academic records, essays, and interviews. For students aiming for the top MBA colleges in India, institutions like IIMs, XLRI, and ISB rank among the best. This guide also lists the top 10 MBA colleges in India to help you choose the right institute.
Among all MBA entrance exams, CAT is the most popular, with over 2 lakh candidates appearing annually. More than 1,300 MBA colleges accept CAT scores for admission. CMAT, conducted by the NTA, is the second most preferred test, accepted by around 1,300 institutes. XAT, organized by XLRI Jamshedpur, ranks third in popularity and is accepted by over 800 MBA colleges across India.
There are over 50 entrance exams for admission to top MBA colleges in India. These exams are conducted at three levels:
Level | Popular Exams |
National Level | CAT, CMAT, MAT |
State Level | MAH-CET, TSICET, APICET, KMAT, TANCET |
University/College Level | XAT, SNAP, MICAT |
In 2022, the National Testing Agency (NTA) introduced the Common University Entrance Test for Postgraduate (CUET-PG), a national-level exam for multiple courses, including MBA. The CUET-PG score is accepted by all central universities. Candidates who wish to pursue an MBA from a central university must take CUET-PG, which is held every May.
The table below provides the application tentative deadlines and exam dates for the top 20 MBA entrance exams in India:
MICAT 2025 is conducted by MICA Ahmedabad to select the candidates for the batch of 2025 - 2027. This exam is conducted for admission to MICA's PGP courses, that include the PGDM and PGDM-C. You must have completed your bachelor's degree or equivalent to appear for this exam.
Events | Dates |
Commencement of Registration | September 2024 |
Registration Deadline | November 23, 2024 |
Exam Date 2025 | Phase 1: December 7, 2024, Phase 2: January 25, 2025 |
The Common Management Admission Test (CMAT 2025) is conducted by NTA. This is a national level examination conducted for the admission to MBA/PGDM courses offered by government recognized institutes. You should have completed your bachelor's degree to appear for this exam.
Events | Dates |
Commencement of Registration | November 14, 2024 |
Registration Deadline | December 25, 2024 (Concluded) |
Exam Date 2025 | January 25, 2025 (Concluded) |
KIITEE management is a national level entrance exam, conducted by KIIT School of Management. This exam is held for the admission to various MBA courses. To apply for the KIITEE Management exam, you must have completed your graduation with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks.
Events | Dates |
Commencement of Registration | September 20, 2024 |
Registration Deadline | January 2025 |
Exam Date 2025 | January 11, 12, and 13, 2025 (Concluded) |
KMAT Kerala is a state level entrance exam, conducted by Commissioner of Entrance Exams. This exam is conducted for admission to various management schools throughout the state of Kerala. You must have completed your graduation in any discipline to apply for the KMAT Kerala exam.
Events | Dates |
Commencement of Registration | February 2, 2025 (Phase 1) |
Registration Deadline | February 14, 2025 (Phase 1) |
Exam Date 2025 | Phase 1: February 23, 2025 |
Management Aptitude Test or MAT is a national level entrance exam, conducted by AIMA. This exam is conducted for the admission to MBA/PGDM courses at more than 800 B-schools across India. To appear for the MAT 2025, you must have completed your graduation in any stream from a UGC recognized university.
Events | Dates |
Commencement of Registration | December 26, 2024 |
Registration Deadline | PBT 2 March 2025, CBT 12 March 2025 |
Exam Date 2025 | PBT: March 9, 2025, CBT: March 17, 2025 |
CUET PG is a national level entrance exam, conducted by NTA. This exam is conducted for the postgraduate admissions, including MBA programs. To apply for the CUET PG 2025 exam, you must have completed your undergraduate degree with a minimum of 50% marks.
Events | Dates |
Registration Deadline | February 8, 2025 |
Exam Date 2025 | March 13 to 31, 2025 |
Tamil Nadu Common Entrance Test (TANCET 2025) is conducted by the Anna University. This exam is conducted for the admission into MBA and MCA courses in various colleges in Tamil Nadu state. To appear for the TANCET 2025, you should have completed your bachelor's degree with minimum of 50% aggregate marks.
Events | Dates |
Commencement of Registration | January 24, 2025 |
Registration Deadline | February 21, 2025 |
Exam Date 2025 | March 22, 2025 |
Maharashtra Common Entrance Test or MAH CET 2025 is a state level management test, conducted by State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra. This exam is conducted for the admission to management courses in various institutes across Maharashtra. You should have completed your bachelor's degree in any discipline with a minimum of 50% marks to apply for this exam.
Events | Dates |
Commencement of Registration | December 25, 2024 |
Registration Deadline | February 10, 2025 |
Exam Date 2025 | April 1, 2, and 3, 2025 |
AP ICET 2025 is a state level entrance exam, conducted by Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Ananthapuramu. It is conducted for the admission to MBA and MCA courses at various colleges in the state of Andhra Pradesh. You should have passed a three-year bachelor's degree course with a minimum of 50% marks to apply for this exam.
Events | Dates |
Commencement of Registration | 6 Mar 2025 |
Registration Deadline | 7 Apr 2025 |
Exam Date 2025 | May 7, 2025 |
Odisha Joint Entrance Exam (OJEE) is a state level entrance exam, conducted by OJEE Cell. This exam is conducted for the admission to B.Pharm, MBA/PGDM, MCA, and M.Tech programs. OJEE eligibility criteria vary from undergraduate to postgraduate. For the undergraduate courses, you must complete Class 12 and postgraduate courses, you must complete graduation.
Events | Dates |
Commencement of Registration | 30 Jan 2025 |
Registration Deadline | 20 Mar 2025 |
Exam Date 2025 | May 2 to 6, 10 and 11, 2025 |
Telangana Integrated Common Entrance Test (TGICET) is a state level entrance exam, conducted by Kakatiya University, Warangal. This exam is conducted for the admission for MBA and MCA programs in various institutes in Telangana. To appear for this exam, you must have completed your bachelor's degree with a minimum of 50% marks.
Events | Dates |
Commencement of Registration | 10th March 2025 |
Registration Deadline | 3rd May 2025 |
Exam Date 2025 | June 8 and 9, 2025 |
Karnataka PGCET is a state level entrance exam, conducted by Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA). This exam is conducted for the admission to various PG courses such as MBA, MCA, MTech, and MArch courses. To appear for this exam, you must have completed your bachelor's degree with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks.
Events | Dates |
Commencement of Registration | 2nd week of August 2025 |
Registration Deadline | 3rd week of August 2025 |
Exam Date 2025 | September 2025 |
Symbiosis National Aptitude Test (SNAP 2025) is a common admission test, conducted by the Symbiosis International Univrsity. This exam is conducted for the admission to MBA and PGDM courses offered at 16 constituent institutes. If you have completed your graduation with a minimum of 50% marks, then you can appear for this examination.
Events | Dates |
Commencement of Registration | To be announced |
Registration Deadline | To be announced |
Exam Date 2025 | December 2025 |
NMAT by GMAC is a national level entrance exam, conducted for the admission to MBA courses at NMIMS University and other reputed top B-schools. You need a bachelor's degree with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks to apply for this exam.
Events | Dates |
Commencement of Registration | To be announced |
Registration Deadline | To be announced |
Exam Date 2025 | November to December 2025 |
IBSAT is a national level entrance exam, conducted by ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education. This exam is conducted for the admission to MBA/PGPM programs at various IBS institutes. You should have completed your bachelor's degree with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks to apply for this exam.
Events | Dates |
Commencement of Registration | To be announced |
Registration Deadline | To be announced |
Exam Date 2025 | Last week of December 2025 |
Common Admission Test (CAT) is a national level entrance exam, conducted by IIM . This exam is conducted for the admission to MBA and other postgraduate courses offered by its 21 IIM campuses. To apply for this exam, you must have completed your graduation with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks.
Events | Dates |
Commencement of Registration | To be announced |
Registration Deadline | To be announced |
Exam Date 2025 | November 30, 2025 |
XAT 2025 (Xavier Aptitude Test) is a national level entrance exam, conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur. This exam is conducted for the admission to MBA/PGDM courses and accepted by more than 250 b-schools. You must have a bachelor's degree to apply for the XAT exam.
Events | Dates |
Commencement of Registration | To be announced |
Registration Deadline | To be announced |
Exam Date 2025 | January 3, 2026 |
Karnataka Management Aptitude Test (KMAT) is a management entrance exam, conducted by Karnataka Private Post Graduate Colleges Association (KPPGCA). This exam is conducted for the admission to MBA, PGDM, and MCA programs in Karnataka. If you have completed your graduation, then you are eligible to apply for the KMAT exam.
Events | Dates |
Commencement of Registration | To be announced |
Registration Deadline | To be announced |
Exam Date 2025 | To be announced |
Ans: If you are targeting a specific state-level MBA college, you should take the corresponding state-level entrance exam:
Ans:
Ans: Yes, candidates can appear for multiple entrance exams in a year. Many students take CAT, XAT, CMAT, MAT, and ATMA together to maximize their chances of getting into a good MBA college. Some exams, like MAT and ATMA, are conducted multiple times a year, so candidates can take them more than once to improve their scores.
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