For any aspiring MBA candidate, the first step towards a successful management career is cracking the MBA entrance exam. In India, thousands of students prepare every year for competitive exams that act as gateways to IIMs, top private B-schools, and universities.
If you’re planning for MBA Admission 2025, you must know the top MBA entrance exams in India—their eligibility, exam pattern, registration process, and top colleges that accept them. This article covers the five most important exams: CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT, and NMAT.
Why MBA Entrance Exams Matter in 2025?
- Gateway to top B-Schools: Your score decides whether you land an IIM, Symbiosis, XLRI, or NMIMS.
- Standardized benchmark: Exams test your aptitude, logical reasoning, quantitative ability, and verbal skills.
- Scholarships & fee waivers: Many institutes offer scholarships based on entrance scores.
- Career opportunities: Higher the percentile, the better the placement opportunities in consulting, finance, analytics, and marketing.
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Top MBA Entrance Exams in India 2025
1. Common Admission Test (CAT 2025)
The CAT exam is the most prestigious MBA entrance test in India, conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs).
- Exam Conducting Body: IIMs (rotational basis).
- Mode: Online, Computer-Based Test (CBT).
- Exam Date (Tentative): Last Sunday of November 2025.
- Eligibility:
- Bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks (45% for reserved categories).
- Final year students can apply.
- Exam Pattern:
- Sections: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), Quantitative Ability (QA).
- Duration: 2 hours.
- Total Questions: ~66.
- Colleges Accepting CAT: All 20 IIMs, FMS Delhi, SPJIMR Mumbai, MDI Gurgaon, IIT Management Departments, IMT Ghaziabad, and more.
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2. Management Aptitude Test (MAT 2025)
Conducted by AIMA (All India Management Association), MAT is one of the most popular MBA entrance exams for Tier-2 and Tier-3 business schools.
- Exam Conducting Body: AIMA.
- Mode: CBT, PBT, and IBT (internet-based test).
- Exam Frequency: Held four times a year (Feb, May, Sept, Dec).
- Eligibility:
- Bachelor’s degree in any discipline.
- Final year students can also apply.
- Exam Pattern:
- Sections: Language Comprehension, Mathematical Skills, Data Analysis, Intelligence & Critical Reasoning, Indian & Global Environment.
- Duration: 2.5 hours.
- Total Questions: 200.
- Colleges Accepting MAT: Christ University Bangalore, Amity University, VIT Business School, AIMS Institutes, and 600+ other B-Schools in India.
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3. Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT 2025)
XAT is one of the oldest MBA entrance exams in India, conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur, and is accepted by 700+ B-Schools across the country.
- Exam Conducting Body: XLRI Jamshedpur.
- Mode: Online CBT.
- Exam Date (Tentative): First Sunday of January 2025.
- Eligibility:
- Bachelor’s degree in any stream.
- Final-year students eligible.
- Exam Pattern:
- Sections: Decision Making, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, Verbal & Logical Ability, GK & Essay Writing.
- Duration: 3 hours.
- Total Questions: ~100–105.
- Colleges Accepting XAT: XLRI Jamshedpur, SPJIMR Mumbai, XIM Bhubaneswar, IMT Ghaziabad, TAPMI Manipal, Great Lakes Institute of Management.
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4. Common Management Admission Test (CMAT 2025)
The CMAT is conducted by NTA (National Testing Agency) and is recognized by AICTE-approved colleges.
- Exam Conducting Body: NTA.
- Mode: Online CBT.
- Exam Date (Tentative): April 2025.
- Eligibility:
- Bachelor’s degree in any discipline.
- Final year students can apply.
- Exam Pattern:
- Sections: Quantitative Techniques, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness, Innovation & Entrepreneurship.
- Duration: 3 hours.
- Total Questions: 100.
- Colleges Accepting CMAT: JBIMS Mumbai, SIMSREE, KJ Somaiya, Welingkar Institute, Great Lakes, BIMTECH, IFMR, and 1,000+ AICTE-approved B-schools.
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5. NMAT by GMAC (NMAT 2025)
NMAT, conducted by GMAC, is widely popular because it allows students to choose their exam date and retake the test up to three times.
- Exam Conducting Body: GMAC.
- Mode: Online (test center & remote proctored).
- Exam Window: October – December 2025.
- Eligibility:
- Bachelor’s degree with minimum 50% marks.
- Final year students can apply.
- Exam Pattern:
- Sections: Language Skills, Quantitative Skills, Logical Reasoning.
- Duration: 2 hours.
- Total Questions: 108.
- Colleges Accepting NMAT: NMIMS Mumbai, ISB Hyderabad (Advanced Management Programs), SPJIMR (PGMP), Shiv Nadar University, Xavier University Bhubaneswar, and international B-Schools.
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MBA Entrance Exams 2025: Quick Comparison Table
| Exam | Conducted By | Exam Date (2025) | Mode | Colleges Accepting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAT | IIMs | Nov 2025 | CBT | IIMs, FMS, SPJIMR, MDI, IITs |
| MAT | AIMA | Feb, May, Sept, Dec | CBT/PBT/IBT | 600+ B-Schools including Amity, Christ, VIT |
| XAT | XLRI Jamshedpur | Jan 2025 | CBT | XLRI, XIMB, TAPMI, IMT |
| CMAT | NTA | April 2025 | CBT | JBIMS, SIMSREE, KJ Somaiya, Welingkar |
| NMAT | GMAC | Oct–Dec 2025 | CBT (Flexible scheduling) | NMIMS, ISB, Shiv Nadar, SPJIMR |
How to Choose the Right MBA Entrance Exam?
- For IIMs & Top Govt. B-Schools → Go for CAT.
- For XLRI & Decision-Making-Oriented Programs → Choose XAT.
- For Maximum Colleges & Flexible Attempts → MAT & NMAT.
- For AICTE-Approved Private B-Schools → CMAT is best.
Preparation Tips for MBA Entrance Exams 2025
- Start Early: At least 8–10 months before the exam.
- Focus on Sections: Build basics in QA, DILR, VARC, GK, and Decision Making.
- Mock Tests: Take weekly mocks to improve accuracy and speed.
- Analyze Results: Identify weak areas and improve with practice.
- Stay Updated: Read newspapers, GK books, and business magazines.
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Conclusion
The Top MBA Entrance Exams in India 2025—CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT, and NMAT—open doors to thousands of management institutes across the country. Your choice depends on:
- The B-school target list.
- Your exam preparation timeline.
- The flexibility and exam structure you prefer.
👉 Pro Tip: Attempt multiple exams like CAT + XAT + CMAT/NMAT to maximize your chances of securing admission in a top-ranked MBA college in India 2025.