In order to be admitted to an MBA college, you must take at least one of the entrance tests. There are various tests and consequently, you might have many questions about the same. In continuation to the series of FAQs, here is a compilation of important questions that you may encounter during your test taking and preparation phase.
Part 2 - MBA Entrance Tests
Why are Entrance Exams required for MBA?
Undergraduate institutions have distinct grading practices, diverse curricula, and varying degrees of rigor in their testing and grading. MBA entrance exams are therefore conducted to provide all aspirants a level ground as all test takers receive the same set of questions. These entrance exams allow admission committees of various MBA colleges to assess every applicant based on a common exam score along with their profile.
An aspirant can choose to undertake one or more MBA entrance exams from the multiple entry examinations available. All MBA entrance examinations are designed to evaluate your analytical, quantitative, verbal, reading, and writing abilities. These entrance exams are essentially structured to determine whether you are prepared to handle the challenging coursework that you will encounter as an MBA student.
Which entrance exams should I appear for MBA?
Commonly accepted entrance exams in top Indian B-Schools include CAT, XAT, CMAT, GMAT, etc.
Common Admission Test (CAT)
The IIMs (Indian Institute of Management) conduct the Common Admission Test on a rotational basis. CAT is India’s most prestigious national-level entrance examination, which permits aspirants to get into IIMs and top management institutes in India. This national-level entrance exam covers various topics that are related to Verbal and Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation. As per previous trends, it is held on the last Sunday of November every year.
Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT)
Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) is one of the largest entrance exams for taking admission to top MBA institutes. The exam is conducted annually by XLRI, Jamshedpur. This national-level entrance exam covers various topics that are related to Verbal and Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation, Decision Making and General Knowledge. It is generally held on the first Sunday of January every year.
Common Management Admission Test (CMAT)
The Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) is conducted by the National Test Agency (NTA). The CMAT exam score is accepted by all AICTE-approved institutions, universities and colleges. CMAT has five sections which include Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness and Innovation & Entrepreneurship. The section on Innovation and Entrepreneurship was introduced in CMAT 2021 as an optional section. Generally, CMAT is held in the month of March/April.
Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)
The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a standardized entrance exam used by global business schools. With the GMAT, you have the option of scheduling your test at an onsite facility or taking the exam online from home, as long as you have the appropriate software. Deciding where to take your GMAT depends upon your preferences. In-person testing is available seven days a week and can be booked up to six months in advance, while at-home testing is available whenever you are. With either method, you are allowed to take the exam up to five times within a 12-month period. You have a total of three and a half hours to complete the computer-based test, which includes sections on Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Integrated Reasoning, and Analytical Writing.
These are just the most commonly accepted exams of the whole array of entrance tests. You can take tests as per the admissions criteria of colleges you are applying to.
MBA Entrance Exam Timeline for 2022-23
| MBA Entrance Exam | Last Date to Apply | Exam Date |
|---|---|---|
| CAT 2022 | 21-Sep-2022 | 27-Nov-2022 |
| XAT 2023 | 30-Nov-2022 | 08-Jan-2023 |
| CMAT 2023 | 15-Jan-2023 | 26-Feb-2023 |
| GMAT | As per candidates’ convenience | As per candidates’ convenience |
What is the Eligibility Criteria for MBA admissions?
The minimum eligibility criteria for admission to an MBA Program is to be a graduate from any stream, with a minimum of 50% marks (45% for SC/ST category) or an equivalent CGPA in any discipline from a recognized university. Students currently in their final year of graduation can also apply but the admission offer, if received, will be provisional and subject to qualifying the above-mentioned minimum criteria before course commencement. An essential qualification for admission into the top MBA institutes is the MBA entrance exams. Students must have appeared in one or more of the following commonly accepted entrance tests – CAT, XAT, GMAT, CMAT, IIFT, SNAP, NMAT, and other state entrance tests. However, the above mentioned is just the minimum criteria to apply for MBA admissions and the final admission depends upon the colleges’ evaluation of your test results, profile, written ability tests, other college specific tests and most importantly interviews.
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Published by -
BPR Committee
Great Lakes Institute of Management
