Top MBA Entrance Exams 2025: Exam Notification, Dates, Application Fee

Dreaming of an MBA from a top B-school? You’re not alone; it’s a goal shared by thousands of management aspirants across India. The first step on this journey is cracking the right MBA entrance exam. Every year, lakhs of students take exams like CAT, XAT, NMAT, SNAP, and more to secure a spot in the country’s leading management institutes.

With the 2025 exam season just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to get all your ducks in a row. In this blog, we’ll walk you through the key dates, eligibility criteria, syllabus, and selection process for the major MBA entrance exams. Plus, we’ll share some practical tips to help you choose the right college that aligns with your career goals.

Popular MBA Entrance Exams 2025

Every year, more than 2.5 lakh students take admission in the MBA course in India. Most C-suite individuals and even founders hold an MBA degree. Therefore, an MBA is a strategic step in taking your career further. The top Indian B-Schools, such as IIMs, take admission through the CAT exam, making it the most popular and top MBA entrance exam. Moreover, more than 1300 MBA colleges take the CAT score for admissions. 

Top MBA Entrance Exams 2025-26: An Overview

Following the CAT exam are other popular MBA entrance exams like CMAT, XAT, MAT, and the list goes on. Here’s the list of the most popular MBA entrance exams 2025:

CAT (Common Admission Test)

The CAT is the most popular MBA entrance exam. It’s conducted by the prestigious IIMs every year on a rotational basis. The exam is held for admission in IIMs and more than 1300 MBA colleges in India. Moreover, every year, more than 2 lakh students take the exam. This year, CAT is scheduled to be held on 30th November. 

The CAT has 3 defined sections: VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension), DILR (Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning) and QA (Quantitative Aptitude).

CAT Exam Highlights: 

XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test)

The XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) is another popular MBA entrance exam. This exam is conducted by Xavier Labour Relations Institute (XLRI), Jamshedpur. More than a lakh students appear for XAT every year. XAT happens on the first Sunday of January every year. Therefore, XAT 2026 will happen on 4 January 2026. More than 100 MBA colleges accept XAT scores, making it popular among students.

XAT exams have four sections: Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation and General Knowledge. Also, the essay test is conducted only after initial shortlisting for XLRI.

XAT Exam Highlights:

MAT (Management Aptitude Test)

The MAT (Management Aptitude Test) is another popular MBA entrance exam. More than 600 MBA institutes in India accept MAT scores, making it an important MBA exam. This exam is conducted by the All India Management Association (AIMA). Moreover, the MAT exam is held four times a year in February, May, September, and December. This is a Computer-Based Test (CBT), a Paper-Based Test (PBT), and a combined CBT and PBT.

The pattern of the MAT exam has changed over the years. The MAT exam is currently of 120 minutes duration and has 150 questions. It has five sections: Language Comprehension, Intelligence & Critical Reasoning, Data Analysis & Sufficiency, Economic & Business Environment and Mathematical Skills.

MAT Exam Highlights:

NMAT (Narsee Monjee Management Admission Test) 

NMAT is an MBA entrance exam meant for Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies and other B-schools in India. It allows three attempts and considers the best score among them. However, NMIMS Mumbai only accepts scores of the first attempt. 

The NMAT exam includes sections like Language Skills, Quantitative Skills and Logical Reasoning. 

NMAT Exam Highlights:

CMAT (Common Management Admission Test)

The CMAT is another popular MBA entrance exam. The exam is conducted by NTA (National Testing Agency). All AICTE-approved institutions in India accept the CMAT score. The CMAT exam pattern includes five sections: Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation, General Awareness, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, and Innovation and Entrepreneurship. 

CMAT Exam Highlights:

SNAP (Symbiosis National Aptitude)

The Symbiosis National Aptitude Test is a national-level management test. It is conducted by Symbiosis International University. Since 2017, SNAP has shifted to a Computer-Based Test (CBT) from an offline mode. The test has 3 sections: General English, Analytical & Logical Reasoning and Quantitative, Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency.

SNAP Exam Highlights:

Conclusion

Cracking the right MBA entrance exam is the first step toward securing a seat in a top B-school. With multiple options like CAT, XAT, NMAT, SNAP, CMAT, MAT, and more, aspirants must choose wisely based on their career goals, preferred institutes, and preparation strategy. As the 2025 MBA exam season approaches, please visit our website regularly for the latest official notifications and updates. Whether you aim for the IIMs, Symbiosis, or other B-schools, consistent preparation and smart exam selection are the keys to success.