MBA in Entrance Exam- CAT, XAT, MAT & More

MBA / PGDM - Human Resources, Duration - 2 Years

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Adya Taneja
Adya Taneja

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An MBA in HR Management (HRM) is one of the most popular specialisations for candidates wanting to build a career in talent acquisition, employee engagement, training and development and HR analytics.  To pursue this specialization, candidates must often qualify for specific MBA HR entrance exams accepted by top B-schools across India.

This article covers a complete MBA HR entrance exam list including CAT, XAT, MAT and other tests. 

Top Entrance Exams for MBA HR in India 

A list of all the entrance exams for MBA HR in India is as follows:

Exam 

Institutes Accepting the exam 

CAT

IIMs, FMS, MDI, IITs

XAT 

XLRI Jamshedpur, XIMB, IMT Ghaziabad

MAT

Amity, JIMS, BIMM Pune, Jaipuria

CMAT

KJ Somaiya, Great Lakes, GIM Goa

SNAP

SIBM Pune, SCMHRD

TISSNET

TISS Mumbai 

NMAT

NMIMS Mumbai, Hyderabad, Navi Mumbai

MBA HR Admission Through CAT

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is the most prestigious entrance exam for MBA aspirants in India. A high score in CAT can lead to admission in top HR programs.

MBA HR Colleges Accepting MAT

The Management Aptitude Test (MAT) is conducted by AIMA and is accepted by 600+ B-schools across India. It’s a good option for students aiming for mid-range or affordable colleges.

MBA HR Admission Without Entrance Exams

MBA HR admission without entrance exams is possible in some private universities and autonomous institutions. A list of the same has been given below:

MBA HR Direct Admission Vs Entrance Exam: Which is Better?

The comparison between direct admission and entrance exams is given below:

Factor

Entrance Exam 

Direct Admission

College Quality 

IIMs, XLRI, TISS, B-School

Private Tier 

Placement Opportunities

High 

Moderate

Peer Learning Environment 

Competitive 

Varies

Fees

Higher (Govt-low)

Often Higher

Admission Criteria 

Merit+Exam Score

Academic Merit/Interview

There are multiple paths to pursue an MBA in HR in India. While MBA in HR admission through CAT, XAT, or MAT offers access to top institutions, students with lower scores or specific preferences can opt for MBA HR direct admission without an entrance exam. Understanding the 

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top entrance exams for MBA in HR in India?

The top entrance exams for MBA HR include CAT, XAT, MAT, CMAT, SNAP, NMAT, and TISSNET. These are accepted by premier B-schools across the country.

Can I get MBA in HR admission through CAT?

Yes, MBA in HR admission through CAT is possible at top institutes like IIM Ranchi, IIM Trichy, FMS Delhi, MDI Gurgaon, and BHU.

Which are the best MBA HR colleges accepting MAT?

Some of the best MBA HR colleges accepting MAT scores include Amity University, Jaipuria Institute of Management, JIMS Delhi, and IPE Hyderabad.

What is the complete MBA HR entrance exam list?

The MBA HR entrance exam list includes: CAT XAT MAT CMAT SNAP TISSNET NMAT

Is XAT accepted for MBA in Human Resource Management?

Yes, MBA HR through XAT is offered by XLRI Jamshedpur, one of India’s most prestigious HR programs, as well as by XIMB and IMT Ghaziabad.

Are there government MBA HR entrance exams?

Yes, CAT is accepted by government-run IIMs and universities, while TISSNET is used for TISS Mumbai's HR program.

What is the CAT cutoff for MBA HR programs in IIMs?

The CAT cutoff for IIMs offering MBA HR like IIM Ranchi and IIM Trichy usually ranges from 90 to 94 percentile for general category students.

Can I apply for MBA HR through CMAT?

Yes, CMAT is accepted by many AICTE-approved B-schools for HR specializations, such as KJ Somaiya, GIM Goa, and IFMR GSB.

Are there any MBA HR colleges that don’t require entrance exams?

Yes, several universities offer MBA HR admission without entrance exam, such as Amity University, LPU, MIT-WPU, and Sharda University.

Which is better: MBA HR direct admission vs entrance exam route?

Admission through entrance exams offers better college options, placements, and ROI. Direct admission is easier but usually limited to lower-tier colleges.

Is there an entrance exam for TISS HR program?

Yes, TISSNET is the entrance exam for the MA HRM & LR program at TISS Mumbai, which is highly competitive and prestigious.

What percentile is needed in MAT for MBA HR admission?

A MAT score of 500 to 600 is typically enough for decent MBA HR colleges in the private and semi-government sector.

Can I appear for multiple MBA HR entrance exams in a year?

Yes, you can apply for multiple exams like CAT, XAT, MAT, SNAP, and NMAT in the same year to improve your chances.

What are the fees for MBA HR entrance exams?

Application fees range from ₹1,000 to ₹2,500 per exam. CAT is ₹2,400, XAT is ₹2,100, and MAT is ₹2,000 (approx.).

Do MBA HR entrance exams include GD and interview rounds?

Yes. Most institutes conduct GD, PI, or WAT rounds after shortlisting candidates based on exam scores.

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