With the MBA entrance exams, the source of admission to the top MBA colleges of India, round the corner, there is a sense of urgency otherwise rare! The three types of management exams are the CAT, which is the common test for the IIMs and top business schools, Other National Management Entrance Tests (OMET) which include XAT; and State-level MBA entrance tests such as MAH CET. Of these, CAT is the biggest and most competitive exam.
For the 2026 intake, its ‘entrance’ test CAT 2025 will be conducted on November 30, 2025 and XAT 2026 is going to happen on January 4, 2026 for which registrations are already open. The dates for other significant tests such as NMAT 2025 and SNAP 2025 will be declared shortly. Besides exams like IBSAT 2025 (December 27-28), MAT 2025 (July) and KMAT Karnataka 2025 (August 24), are important dates that aspirants need to remember.
Aspirants planning to appear in these tests need to stay updated with registration process, exam pattern, syllabus and preparation strategies to ace the exam. Knowing the examination calendar is useful for candidates to plan their studies and admission process in an efficient manner.
Top Entrance Exams for MBA Finance Admission in 2026
Top Entrance Exams for MBA Finance Admission in 2026
- The CAT (Common Admission Test) is the most popular entrance exam for management studies in India, and it is held each year by one of the 20 IIMs. It is the first hurdle for any student when they aspire for IIMs, and more than 250,000students appear for this exam every year. Test Pattern The exam is a difficult exam and is said to be the MOST DIFFICULT exam for any MBA entry test conducted in India.
- XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) is considered as second-largest management entrance exam. Conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur, XAT is a mandatory exam to apply for XLRI and other member institutions of XAMI. XAT takes place generally in the month of January, and it has some different sections than CAT, like Decision Making and Essay Writing. XAT results are considered by institutes such as SP Jain, DMS IIT Delhi, and GIM, among others.
- Management Aptitude Test (MAT) conducted by AIMA is the exam held four times in one year, i.e., February, May, September, and December. The test is recognised by several business schools across India, including local universities like Christ University and Alliance Business Academy. As compared to CAT and XAT, MAT is considered relatively easier and includes sections such as Language Comprehension, Mathematical skills, Data Analysis, and Reasoning, etc.
- The Symbiosis National Aptitude Test (SNAP) test for admission to the postgraduate programs of Symbiosis International University. The exam pattern comprises only the General Awareness section and does not have any sectional timing, so you are free to manage time on your own. SNAP is held in December, which is not as challenging as CAT but needs dedicated preparation.
- GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is accepted at more than 2,300 business schools around the world, including hundreds in India. The exam assesses analytical writing, integrated reasoning, quantitative, and verbal skills. GMAT scores are widely accepted by the top management programs in India and overseas.
- NMAT (Narsee Monjee Aptitude Test) is conducted on an annual basis in the 75 days of October-December. Candidates will be allowed to appear in the examination up to 3 times within the test window after completing the cooling period of 15 days following the date of the exam of the previous attempt. NMAT by GMAC scores are accepted by NMIMS and other B-schools in India.
- CMAT (Common Management Admission Test) is a national-level entrance examination conducted by AICTE every year in the month of April. It allows candidates to use one of their best scores for admissions. CMAT, with General Awareness as a subject, is accepted by institutes such as Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management and Great Lakes Institute of Management.
- IIFT (Indian Institute of Foreign Trade Test) is used to admit for the IIFT campuses in Delhi, Kolkata, and Kakinada for international business programs. But from 2023, IIFT came to accept CAT scores for admissions, and its entrance exam, which was conducted apart from CAT, was also put to an end.
- MH-CET (Maharashtra Common Entrance Test) is a computer-based test for the administration of MBA and MMS programs in Maharashtra. The exam is held in March and is accepted by top B-schools of the state, including Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies and K J Somaiya Institute of Management.
- (TISS-NET) The TISS-NET is used for admission to the MA (HRM) and MA (ODCL) programmes at TISS. The test is based on English Proficiency, Mathematical & Logical Reasoning, and General Awareness. Candidates also need to qualify for TISSMAT and a personal interview.
- Conducted by Anna University, Tamil Nadu, TANCET (Tamil Nadu Common Entrance Test) for MBA admissions. A bachelor’s Degree with at least 50% marks as eligibility is a must.
- IBSAT (ICFAI Business School Aptitude Test) is an online aptitude test conducted by The ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education (a deemed-to-be University). It assesses vocabulary, reading comprehension, analytical reasoning, quantitative skills, and interpretation of data. ICFAI also takes into consideration CAT, GMAT, and NMAT scores.
- KMAT (Karnataka Management Aptitude Test) is a common entrance test for AICTE-approved University business schools in Karnataka, and is conducted across the B-schools in the state of Karnataka, for candidates from across India and abroad. The exam is conducted in pen and paper-based mode, where candidates have to solve 120 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) on quantitative aptitude, logical reasoning, and verbal ability.
- The PGCET (Post Graduate Common Entrance Test) is the entrance test for MBA and other postgraduate programs led by the Karnataka Examination Authority. The paper-based, two-hour test measures general knowledge, reasoning, English, and quantitative skills.
- The ATMA (AIMS Test for Management Admissions) is conducted four to five times a year, and scores are accepted by 200-plus colleges across India. This is a computerised exam in which analytical ability, language ability, and aptitude are tested. There is no prior experience required in management, and the exam is recognized by the Ministry of Human Resource Development and AICTE.
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