The Five Most Popular MBA Entrance Exams In India

MBA is one of the most sought after degree by students all over India. Lakhs of students apply for entrance exams to pursue an MBA from one of the top business schools in India. But, how do you decide which ones to prepare for? Here is a list of the five most popular MBA entrance tests in India.

1. Common Admission Test (CAT):

CAT, one of the top MBA entrance exam in India, is compulsory for anyone seeking to enrol into one of the 20 Indian Institute Of Management campuses. Apart from the IIMs, most business schools also accept CAT scores during their admission process. Since 2015, CAT has been held online and each section is alloted an hour. There are a total of 3 sections on CAT:

· Quantitative Ability
· Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension
· Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning

2. Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT):

XAT has approximately 1 lakh applications per year, making it the second most prefered entrance test in India. For the last 60 years, it has been conducted by Xavier Labour Relation Institute (XLRI), Jamshedpur. Like CAT, this is also an online test but, has a time limit of 3 and a half hours. The test is divided into two different sections. Section 1 is alloted 2 hours and 20 minutes. Sections 2 is alloted a total of 40 minutes. The exam is divided as follows:

· Part I:
· Quantitative Ability
· English Language & Logical Reasoning
· Decision Making
· Part II:
· GK
· Essay Writing

3. Symbiosis National Aptitude Test (SNAP):

SNAP is conducted by Symbiosis International (Deemed) University every year. The SNAP test makes you eligible to apply for the 15 B-Schools under the umbrella of Symbiosis University. The test will be held online and you will have 2 hours to complete it. The SNAP test consists of four sections:

· General English
· Analytical and Logical Reasoning
· Quantitative, Data Interpretation and Data Sufficiency
· General Awareness

4. Common Management Aptitude Test (CMAT):

CMAT is conducted by the All India Council For Technical Education(AICTE). Since 2015, the exam is held once a year in the month of January. CMAT scores are accepted by over 1500 business schools. Institutes like Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS), Sydenham Institute of Management Studies, Research and Entrepreneurship Education (SIMSREE), Goa Institute of Management (GIM), etc accept CMAT scores. The test is 3 hours long and has a total of four sections:

· Language Comprehension
· Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation
· Logical Reasoning
· General Awareness

5. Management Aptitude Test (MAT)

MAT is conducted four times a year by the All India Management Association (AIMA). The test takes place in February, May, September, and December by the Centre For Management Services division of AIMA. The total duration of the test is of two and a half hours. There are a total of 5 papers in MAT:

· Paper 1 – Language Comprehension,
· Paper 2- Mathematical Skills,
· Paper 3 – Data Analysis,
· Paper 4 – Intelligence & Critical Reasoning,
· Paper 5 – Indian & Global Environment Section

There you go, that’s all the information you need for the top 5 MBA entrance exams in India. Best of luck!