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Top Management Entrance Exams in India - Pattern, Syllabus, Colleges
Top MBA Entrance Exams
By Vaishnavi Tyagi
MBA Entrance Exam in India - For admission to MBA ( MBA full form is Master in Business Administration), candidates have to appear for the MBA entrance examination which is divided into three levels – National level, State level, and College level. The minimum eligibility for MBA is that a candidate must have passed graduation with a minimum of 50% marks from a recognized university. Check out this overview of the MBA Entrance Exams in India where we will cover the details like exam pattern, marking scheme, syllabus of MBA entrance exams, exam fee and schedule of MBA entrance exams.
Candidates need to apply for an MBA Entrance Exam when the registration for the entrance examination starts followed by downloading the admit card and appearing for the entrance examination on the aforesaid entrance exam date. After getting the result, candidates can further apply for counseling procedures according to the score obtained by them.
Check this Overview of Management Entrance Examination.
A student can either take admission in MBA after Graduation or after class 12. They can opt for MBA at any of the following levels -
MBA after graduation
- National level - Some of the National level MBA Exams in India are - CAT, MAT, ATMA, CMAT.
Check out the MBA Entrance Exams 2020 dates, here.
- State level- On State level, MAHCET, KMAT, ATMA, PGCET, TANCET, OJEE MBA, APICET, TSICET are some of the MBA Entrance Exams.
- College / institute level - IIFT, IRMA SAT, IBSAT, SNAP, MICAT, XAT are some of the MBA entrance examinations conducted by the respective college/institutes.
- International level - Candidates can also appear for the GMAT for which they can select the exam date according to their comfort zone. The exam fees for GMAT is around INR 17000. After getting a good score, candidates can apply to International Business School in the US, UK, and other countries.
MBA after Class 12
After class 12- Students who have passed class 12 can also opt for the 5 year Integrated MBA Course. Check out the list of colleges for the 5 year integrated course in MBA, here.
To know top MBA colleges in India, keep reading the article below.
Also see, IIMs Common Admission Test CAT - Most popular Entrance exam in India- CAT 2020 Exam Pattern
Overview of Top Management Entrance Exams in India
With more than 15 entrance examinations for MBA, the following is the overview of a few of the important entrance examinations conducted at the national, state and college level, respectively.
1. CAT
Common Admission Test or CAT is a national level entrance examination conducted for admission in the MBA program. This year, CAT will be conducted by IIM Kozhikode. CAT score is accepted in the top 20 IIMs and 100 other Business Schools. The marking scheme in CAT for every correct answer is 3 marks and for a wrong answer is -1 mark.
CAT Exam Pattern
Section | No. of Questions |
Marks |
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) |
34 |
102 |
Quantitative Ability |
34 |
102 |
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) |
32 |
96 |
Total |
100 |
300 |
2. MAT
Management Aptitude Test or MAT is a national level entrance examination in both Computer-Based and Pen-Paper Based mode. For every correct answer, the candidate will get 1 mark and for every wrong answer, 0.25 will be deducted.
MAT Exam Pattern
Section | No. of Questions |
Marks |
Language Comprehension |
40 |
40 |
Intelligence and Critical Reasoning |
40 |
40 |
Mathematical Skills |
40 |
40 |
Quantitative Ability |
40 |
40 |
Indian and Global Environment |
40 |
40 |
Data Analysis and Sufficiency |
40 |
40 |
Total |
200 |
200 |
3. IIFT
Indian Institute of Foreign Trade or IIFT is a national level entrance examination which is conducted in offline mode. For negative marking, 1/3 marks of total marks of every question will be deducted.
IIFT Exam Pattern
IIFT entrance exam is conducted in six sections-
1. Logical Reasoning
2. Data Interpretation
3. Verbal Ability
4. General Knowledge
5. Reading Comprehension
6. Quantitative Aptitude
4. SNAP
Symbiosis National Aptitude Test or SNAP is a national level entrance examination conducted by Symbiosis Business School, Pune. The questions are both MCQ and non-MCQ based format. The exam is conducted in online mode. For every correct answer, 1 mark will be awarded and 25% marks will be deducted of the allocated marks for each question, in case of negative marking.
SNAP Exam Pattern
Section | No. of MCQs |
No. of Special Questions |
Total No. of Questions |
Marks |
Quantitative, Data Interpretation and Sufficiency |
30 |
5 |
35 |
40 |
Analytical & Logical Reasoning |
30 |
5 |
35 |
40 |
General English: Reading Comprehension, Verbal Reasoning & Verbal Ability |
30 |
5 |
35 |
40 |
Current Affairs |
20 |
5 |
25 |
30 |
Total |
110 |
20 |
130 |
150 |
5. NMAT by GMAC
NMAT is conducted by The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) on the National level. The exam is in online mode. There is no negative marking for wrong answers and one mark is awarded for every correct answer.
NMAT Exam Pattern
Section | No. of Questions |
Marks |
Quantitative Skills |
48 |
48 |
Language Skills |
32 |
32 |
Logical Reasoning |
40 |
40 |
Total |
120 |
120 |
6. XAT
Xavier Aptitude Test or XAT is a national level entrance examination conducted by XLRI, Jamshedpur. For every correct answer, 1 mark will be awarded. For every wrong answer, 0.25 marks will be deducted and if there are more than 8 unattempted questions, 0.05 mark will be deducted.
XAT Exam Pattern
Section | No. of Questions |
Marks |
Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation |
22 |
75 |
Decision Making |
28 |
|
Verbal & Logical Ability |
25 |
|
General Knowledge |
25 |
25 |
Total |
100 |
120 |
7. CMAT
Common Management Aptitude Test or CMAT is a national level entrance exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The mode of the exam is Online. For every correct answer, 4 marks will be awarded and for every negative answer, 1 mark will be deducted.
Also see - tips for CMAT preparation, here
CMAT Exam Pattern
Section | No. of Questions |
Marks |
Language Comprehension |
25 |
100 |
Logical Reasoning |
25 |
100 |
General Awareness |
25 |
100 |
Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation |
25 |
100 |
Total |
100 |
400 |
Also see - CMAT 2020 - Exam dates, eligibility, application process
8. TANCET
Tamil Nadu Common Entrance Test (TANCET) is conducted by Anna University on the state-level. The mode of the exam is offline.
Eligibility for TANCET is B.E./B.Tech/B.Arch/B.Pharm or 10+3 Diploma and 3 years pattern or 10+2+3/4 years pattern or 10+3 years Diploma + AMIE. For negative marking, 1/3 marks of total marks of every question will be deducted. For every correct answer, 1 mark will be awarded.
Section | No. of Questions |
Marks |
Reading Comprehension |
20 |
20 |
Data Sufficiency |
20 |
20 |
Analysis of Business Situation |
20 |
20 |
Quantitative Ability |
20 |
20 |
English Grammar and Usage |
20 |
20 |
Total |
100 |
100 |
9. KMAT
Karnataka Management Aptitude Test is a state-level entrance examination conducted by Karnataka Private Post Graduate Colleges Association (KPPGCA) in offline mode. The format of examination is MCQs based. However, there is no negative marking for the wrong answer and for every correct answer, the candidate will be awarded 1 mark.
KMAT Exam Pattern
Section | No. of Questions |
Marks |
Quantitative Ability |
40 |
40 |
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension |
40 |
40 |
Logical Reasoning |
40 |
40 |
Total |
120 |
120 |
10. TSICET
Telangana State Integrated Common Entrance Test or TSICET is a state-level entrance examination conducted by Kakatiya University on behalf of Telangana State Council for Higher Education. The exam is conducted in online mode in MCQs based format. There is no negative marking for the wrong answer and for every correct answer, the candidate will be awarded 1 mark.
TSICET Exam Pattern
Section | No. of Questions |
Marks |
Mathematical Ability |
75 |
75 |
Communication Ability |
50 |
50 |
Analytical Ability |
75 |
75 |
Total |
200 |
200 |
Also see - top 10 Management colleges in Delhi
11. HPU MAT
Himachal Pradesh University Management Aptitude Test or HPU MAT is a state-level entrance examination conducted by the Business School of Himachal Pradesh University. The exam is conducted in offline mode in MCQs based format. There is no negative marking for the wrong answer and for every correct answer, the candidate will be awarded 1 mark.
HPU MAT Exam Pattern
Section | No. of Questions |
Marks |
Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation |
50 |
50 |
English Comprehension & Language |
50 |
50 |
Business Awareness |
50 |
50 |
Numerical Ability |
50 |
50 |
Total |
200 |
200 |
12. UPES MET
UPES Management Entrance Test or UPES MET is conducted by the University of Petroleum & Energy Studies (UPES) in online mode. For every correct answer, the candidate will be awarded 1 mark and there is no negative marking.
UPES MET Exam Pattern
Section | No. of Questions |
Marks |
Analytical & Logical Reasoning |
35 |
35 |
General Awareness |
35 |
35 |
Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency |
35 |
35 |
General English |
35 |
35 |
Total |
140 |
140 |
Also see IGNOU OPENMAT 2020 Dates, Application, Eligibility - here
13. TISSNET
TISS National Entrance Test or TISSNET is conducted by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences in Computer-based mode. For every correct answer, the candidate will be awarded 1 mark and there is no negative marking.
TISSNET Exam Pattern
Section | No. of Questions |
Marks |
English Proficiency |
30 |
30 |
General Awareness |
40 |
40 |
Mathematics & Logical Reasoning |
30 |
30 |
Total |
100 |
100 |
14. OJEE MBA
Odisha Joint Entrance Examination MBA is a state-level entrance examination is conducted by Odisha Joint Entrance Examination Board in offline mode.
OJEE MBA Exam Pattern
Section | No. of Questions |
Computer-Based and Business Fundamental |
10 |
Comprehension |
20 |
General Knowledge |
10 |
Analytical Reasoning |
40 |
Verbal Reasoning |
40 |
Total |
100 |
15. PGCET
Karnataka Post Graduate Common Entrance Test is a state-level entrance examination conducted by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA). It is an offline mode exam conducted in MCQs based format.
PGCET Exam Pattern
Section | No. of Questions |
Marks |
English Language Proficiency |
25 |
25 |
Reasoning & General Intelligence |
25 |
25 |
General Knowledge |
25 |
25 |
Quantitative Analysis |
25 |
25 |
Total |
100 |
25 |
16. MAH CET
Maharashtra Common Entrance Test or MAH CET is conducted by DTE and is a state-level entrance examination. The mode of exam is online and format is MCQs. For every correct answer, the candidate will be awarded 1 mark and there is no negative marking.
MAH CET Exam Pattern
Section | No. of Questions |
Marks |
Logical Reasoning |
75 |
75 |
Quantitative Aptitude |
50 |
50 |
Abstract Reasoning |
25 |
25 |
Verbal Ability |
50 |
50 |
Total |
200 |
200 |
17. APICET
Andhra Pradesh Integrated Common Entrance Test or APICET is a state-level entrance examination conducted by Venkateshwara University on behalf of Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education. The mode of exam is in online mode and questions are in MCQs format.
APICET Exam Pattern
Section | No. of Questions |
Mathematical Ability |
75 |
Communication Ability |
50 |
Analytical Ability |
75 |
Total |
200 |
18. ATMA
AIMS Test for Management Admission or ATMA is a national level entrance examination conducted by the Association of Indian Management School (AIMS). It is the online and offline mode of examination which is conducted in MCQs format.
ATMA Exam Pattern
Section | No. of Questions |
Quantitative Skills I & II |
30+30 |
Verbal Skills I & II |
30+30 |
Analytical Reasoning Skills I & II |
30+30 |
Total |
180 |
Read further to know the Registration Date, Application End Date, Entrance Exam fees and entrance exam dates for all the major MBA entrance examinations in India.
Management Exam | Application Start Date |
Application End Date |
Entrance Exam Date |
Entrance Fees |
CAT |
August 7, 2019 |
September 25, 2019 |
November 24, 2019 |
INR 1800 |
MAT |
October 7, 2019 |
Pen-Paper Based: December 1, 2019 |
Pen-Paper Based: December 8, 2019 |
Pen-Paper Based: INR 1100 |
CMAT |
November 1, 2019 |
November 30, 2019 |
January 24, 2020 |
INR 1400 |
XAT |
August 23, 2019 |
November 30, 2019 |
January 5, 2020 |
INR 1650 |
ATMA |
June, 2020 |
July, 2020 |
July, 2020 |
INR 1298 |
IIFT |
September 9, 2019 |
October 26, 2019 |
December 1, 2019 |
INR 1550 |
IBSAT |
July, 2019 |
December 12, 2019 |
December 21 & 22, 2019 |
INR 1800 |
SNAP |
August 16, 2019 |
November 23, 2019 |
December 15, 2019 |
INR 2065 |
NMAT by GMAC |
July 2, 2019 |
October 3, 2019 |
October 4, 2019 – December 17, 2019 |
INR 1800 |
TANCET |
First week of April |
Fourth week of April |
June, 2020 |
INR 500 |
TSICET |
First week of March |
Fourth week of April |
Fourth week of May |
INR 650 |
MICAT |
October 9, 2019 |
November 25, 2019 |
December 7, 2019 |
INR 1875 |
KMAT |
Fourth week of May |
Fourth week of July |
First week of August |
INR 826 |
HPUMAT |
First week of April |
Third week of May |
Fourth week of May |
INR 1000 |
TISSNET |
October 18, 2019 |
November 25, 2019 |
January 4, 2019 |
INR 250 |
UPES MET |
- |
July, 2020 |
July, 2020 |
INR 1850 |
OJEE MBA |
February, 2020 |
March, 2020 |
May, 2020 |
INR 1000 |
PGCET |
May, 2020 |
June, 2020 |
July, 2020 |
INR 650 |
MAH – CET |
January, 2020 |
February, 2020 |
March, 2020 |
INR 1000 |
APICET |
February, 2020 |
March, 2020 |
May, 2020 |
INR 550 |
IRMA SAT |
September 30, 2019 |
January 10, 2020 |
February, 2020 |
INR 1400 |
Top colleges for MBA in India
Out of thousands of MBA institutes in India, these are the top 20 colleges for MBA that offer the best education and placement opportunities to the students. The top 20 colleges for MBA in India are as follows-
1. IIM Ahmedabad
2. IIM Bangalore
3. IIM Calcutta
4. FMS Delhi
5. IIM Kozhikode
6. XLRI Jamshedpur
7. IIM Lucknow
8. IIM Shillong
9. IIFT Delhi
10. SPJIMR Mumbai
11. TISS Mumbai
12. IIM Trichy
13. IIM Udaipur
14. NITIE Mumbai
15. IIM Ranchi
16. IIFT Kolkata
17. MDI Gurgaon
18. DOMS –IIT Delhi
19. SIBM Pune
20. ISB Hyderabad
Check top Government MBA colleges in india
Syllabus for MBA Entrance Exams (Overview)
There is no specific syllabus or format for most of the management entrance tests, but tackling them requires strong quantitative, verbal, logical reasoning and data interpretation skills. Some of them also have general knowledge and current awareness questions in the syllabus.
English Language: This section has passages with questions based on the content to test your comprehension, use of words, phrases, etc. Also. the knowledge of the rules of grammar, vocabulary, sentence completion, synonyms, antonyms, analogies, etc is tested.
Quantitative ability: This section has questions that assess how fast and accurate one can be while working with numbers, understanding quantitative problems involving use knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, set theory, etc of the secondary school syllabus as also some topics usually covered in class 12 including permutation and combination, progression, probability, etc.
Data Interpretation: This section helps to measure one’s ability to interpret data given in the form of tables, graphs and charts.
Logical ability: Questions in this section measure how quickly and accurately one can think, analyse and reason from figures, facts and situations given.
Earning a degree in MBA is a dream of many young people. You can make it happen with determination, perseverance and smart work.
Check out tips to crack the GMAT, here
See Tips on how to plan and prepare for MBA admission, here.
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