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MBA Entrance Exam Eligibility: Understanding Requirements for India's Top 8 MBA Tests
An MBA degree can put you to the higher trajectory in your professional career. It can offer you leadership roles, better salaries, and high-growth careers. However, before aspiring managers can enter the hallowed halls of top business schools, they must clear highly competitive MBA entrance exams. Each of these exams has its own eligibility requirements and understanding them is crucial for choosing the right exams and preparing effectively.
This article breaks down the eligibility criteria for 8 major MBA entrance exams in India: CAT, XAT, GMAT, CMAT, SNAP, NMAT, MAT, and ATMA.
Conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), CAT exam eligibility criteria for the candidates to meet. To be eligible, candidates must have a bachelor's degree from a recognized university with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks (or 45% for candidates belonging to SC, ST, and PwD categories). Students who are in the final year of their graduation can also apply, provided they complete their degree within the specified timeline. There is no age limit to appear for the CAT exam. CAT scores are widely accepted not only by the IIMs but also by over 1,200 top B-schools across India, including FMS Delhi, SPJIMR, MDI, and many others.
XLRI Jamshedpur conducted XAT exam's eligibility criteria states, candidates must have a bachelor's degree of at least 3 years duration in any discipline. There is no minimum percentage requirement, and final-year students are also eligible to apply. Additionally, there is no age limit for applicants. XAT scores are accepted by XLRI and over 150 B-schools across India, making it one of the most prominent MBA entrance exams after CAT.
GMAT exam is conducted by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). GMAT eligibility criteria requires the candidates must have passed graduation. However, B-schools accepting GMAT scores have their own set of criteria for the candidates requiring a bachelor's degree. Also, candidates must be at least 18 years old, although those aged 13-17 can take the exam with parental consent. There is no upper age limit, and work experience is not mandatory, though it may be preferred for certain programs like executive MBAs. GMAT scores are accepted by global institutions as well as top Indian schools such as ISB, IIMs (for executive programs), XLRI, SPJIMR, and many others.
CMAT exam is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Candidates must have a graduation degree in any stream from a recognized institution, and final-year students are also eligible to apply. There is no minimum percentage requirement and no age restriction for appearing in the exam. CMAT scores are accepted by over 1,000 AICTE-approved institutions across India, including reputed B-schools like JBIMS, K J Somaiya, Great Lakes, and many others.
SNAP exam is conducted by Symbiosis International (Deemed University). As per the SNAP eligibility criteria, candidates must hold a bachelor's degree with a minimum of 50% marks (or 45% for SC/ST categories). Final-year students can also apply, though their admission will be provisional until they complete their graduation. There is no age limit for appearing in the exam. SNAP scores are used for admission into MBA programs offered by Symbiosis institutes, including SIBM Pune, SCMHRD, SIIB, and others.
NMAT exam is conducted by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). Candidates must have a bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized university with at least 50% marks in their qualifying degree. Final-year students are also eligible to apply, and there is no upper age limit specified. NMAT scores are accepted by NMIMS Mumbai and various other institutions in India and abroad. A unique feature of NMAT is its retake option, which allows candidates to appear up to three times within a single testing window.
MAT exam is conducted by the All-India Management Association (AIMA). To be eligible, candidates must have a recognised bachelor's degree in any discipline, and final-year students can also apply. There is no minimum marks requirement and no age restriction for appearing in the exam. MAT is conducted multiple times a year in different modes, including Computer-Based Test (CBT), Paper-Based Test (PBT), and Internet-Based Test (IBT). It is accepted by over 600 B-schools across India for admission into MBA and other management programs.
Association of Indian Management Schools (AIMS) conducted ATMA exam has certain eligibility criteria. Candidates must have a graduation degree in any stream from a recognized university, and final-year students are also eligible to apply. There is no minimum marks requirement and no age limit for appearing in the exam. ATMA is conducted multiple times a year and is accepted by over 500 management institutes across India for admission into MBA and other postgraduate management programs.
You may check the top 8 MBA entrance exams- eligibility criteria, summarized in the table below:
| Exam | Bachelor's Degree Required | Minimum Marks | Final-Year Students Eligible | Age Limit |
| CAT | Yes | 50% (45% for SC/ST/PwD) | Yes | No |
| XAT | Yes | No minimum | Yes | No |
| GMAT | Yes (as per institute) | No GMAC restriction | Yes | 18+ |
| CMAT | Yes | No minimum | Yes | No |
| SNAP | Yes | 50% (45% for SC/ST) | Yes | No |
| NMAT | Yes | 50% | Yes | No |
| MAT | Yes | No minimum | Yes | No |
| ATMA | Yes | No minimum | Yes | No |
If you are aspiring for the top business schools to get admitted in an MBA course, you first need to be eligible to appear in an MBA entrance exam. As per the AICTE guidelines candidates must have a bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks (45% for reserved categories). Final-year students can also apply, provided they complete their degree before final admission process of the MBA course. Check few key takeaways of MBA entrance exam eligibility in the following section:
All the mentioned exams allow final-year graduation students to apply, offering flexibility to those in the last leg of their undergraduate studies.
None of these entrance exams impose an upper age limit. GMAT requires candidates to be 18+, while others are open to all age groups.
Exams like CAT, SNAP, and NMAT mandate minimum percentage requirements, whereas others like XAT, MAT, CMAT, and ATMA do not.
Exams like GMAT, NMAT, MAT, and ATMA are conducted multiple times in a year, offering greater flexibility. This allows candidates to better time their preparation and retake if needed.
Choosing the right MBA entrance exam depends not only on your academic background and career goals but also on understanding the eligibility criteria thoroughly. Fortunately, the top Indian MBA entrance exams are inclusive, allowing a wide range of applicants from various educational streams and age groups.
Whether you're a fresh graduate, a working professional, or someone considering a career shift, there's an exam tailored to your needs. By understanding the eligibility guidelines of CAT, XAT, GMAT, CMAT, SNAP, NMAT, MAT, and ATMA, you can better plan your preparation and target institutions that align with your profile.
As competition continues to grow in the MBA landscape, early planning and smart exam selection can give you a head start in your management journey.
Ans. To be eligible for an MBA entrance exam, candidates must have a bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized university, typically with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA. For students belonging to reserved categories, a relaxation in the minimum required marks is often provided. Final-year undergraduate students can also apply provided they complete their degree before the MBA program begins. While work experience is not mandatory for most regular MBA programs, it may be required for executive or global MBA courses. Additionally, candidates applying to international programs may need to take language proficiency tests like TOEFL or IELTS.
Ans. Yes, the MBA and CAT eligibility criteria are related but slightly different.
The CAT (Common Admission Test) is an entrance exam primarily for admission to IIMs and other top B-schools in India. To be eligible for CAT, a candidate must have a bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD), and final-year students are also allowed to apply.
On the other hand, MBA eligibility depends on the specific institution. Most B-schools accept CAT scores, but they may also have additional criteria, such as work experience, group discussion, personal interviews, or academic background. So, while CAT eligibility is a gateway, getting into an MBA program requires meeting both CAT and institute-specific requirements.
Ans. Class 12 (HSC) marks are not part of the eligibility criteria for appearing in the CAT 2024 exam. However, HSC marks play a significant role in the admission process of many IIMs, including IIM Calcutta. For instance, during its shortlisting process, IIM Calcutta allocates up to 15 points for Class 12 marks. Higher HSC scores can enhance a candidate's composite score, improving their chances of being shortlisted for further selection stages like the Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI).
Ans. No, you cannot get admitted to MBA program directly after completing 12th grade. MBA is a postgraduate degree, and a bachelor's degree is a prerequisite. However, you can pursue an Integrated MBA program, which combines a bachelor's and an MBA degree into a single, usually five-year program.
Ans. Yes, you can do an MBA without taking the CAT exam. There are several alternatives depending on the country, type of institution, and specialization you're targeting.
MBA Without CAT in India:
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