MBA entrance exams
MBA Entrance Exams 2027: CAT, XAT, SNAP, NMAT and More
Eight entrance exams cover almost every MBA seat in India. CAT is the one the IIMs and most top B-schools use; XAT, SNAP and NMAT lead to XLRI, Symbiosis and NMIMS; CMAT and MAT are accepted by many AICTE-approved and private colleges; MAH-CET fills Maharashtra’s MBA/MMS seats; GMAT covers international and some Indian programmes. Choose by the colleges you want.
By ProCounsel Editorial TeamReviewed by ProCounsel counselling teamLast updated 12 Nov 2026
Official sources only · last verified 12 Nov 2026
How do the MBA entrance exams compare?
| Exam | Conducted by | Next test | Used for |
|---|---|---|---|
| CATCommon Admission Test | The Indian Institutes of Management, with a different IIM convening it each year | Sunday, 29 Nov 2026 | Admission to the IIMs' two-year MBA programmes and to many other B-schools, including FMS Delhi, MDI Gurgaon and SPJIMR |
| XATXavier Aptitude Test | XLRI Jamshedpur, on behalf of the Xavier Association of Management Institutions (XAMI) | 3 Jan 2027 | XLRI's programmes and the other institutes that accept XAT scores |
| SNAPSymbiosis National Aptitude Test | Symbiosis International (Deemed University) | See the official site | MBA admission to the Symbiosis institutes, such as SIBM Pune and SCMHRD |
| NMATNMAT by GMAC | The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) | 2 Nov 2026 | NMIMS and the other schools that take part in NMAT |
| CMATCommon Management Admission Test | The National Testing Agency (NTA) | 25 Jan 2026 | AICTE-approved MBA and PGDM programmes that accept it |
| MAH-MBA/MMS CETMaharashtra MBA/MMS Common Entrance Test | The State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra | 06 Apr 2026 to 08 Apr 2026 | MBA/MMS seats in Maharashtra filled through the state's Centralised Admission Process (CAP) |
| MATManagement Aptitude Test | The All India Management Association (AIMA) | 20 Dec 2026 | Admission to many private B-schools that accept it |
| GMATGraduate Management Admission Test | The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) | Year-round, on-demand (test center and online appointments) | Business schools worldwide, and some Indian programmes, including SPJIMR's PGDM and several one-year programmes |
Test dates are from each exam body’s official notice, linked on the exam’s page.
Which MBA entrance exam should you take?
- CAT: Almost always: it is the one score most top Indian B-schools read.
- XAT: If XLRI or another XAT-accepting school is on your list; its decision-making section rewards a different kind of preparation from CAT.
- SNAP: If you want a Symbiosis institute, particularly in Pune; SNAP is the only route into most of their MBA seats.
- NMAT: If NMIMS is a target, or you want a test you can retake within its testing window.
- CMAT: As a back-up score for AICTE-approved institutes, many of which accept CMAT alongside CAT.
- MAH-MBA/MMS CET: If you want an MBA or MMS seat in Maharashtra, for example in Mumbai or Pune, through state counselling.
- MAT: If you are applying mainly to private institutes that list MAT, or need a test held at several points in the year.
- GMAT: If you are also applying abroad, or to an Indian programme that lists GMAT, often with work experience.
What should you read next?
Frequently asked questions
Which is the most important MBA entrance exam in India?
CAT. All the IIMs and most top B-schools use it. The other exams matter for the specific institutes that rely on them — XAT for XLRI, SNAP for Symbiosis, NMAT for NMIMS and MAH-CET for MBA/MMS seats in Maharashtra.
How many MBA entrance exams should I take?
Usually two or three: CAT plus the exams your shortlisted colleges use. Taking every exam spreads your preparation thin, and the scores only help if you would join the colleges that read them.
Can I use one exam score for many colleges?
Yes. A CAT score is accepted by the IIMs and by many other institutes, and CMAT and MAT scores are accepted widely by AICTE-approved and private colleges. Each college still runs its own application and selection.
Sources
Official documents used on this page, last checked on 12 Nov 2026.
- PRESS RELEASE for Common Admission Test 2026 (CAT 2026), IIM Indore, 26 July 2026 (2026)
- CAT 2026 Information Bulletin (26-07-26)
- XAT 2027 Bulletin
- SNAP 2026 Bulletin
- NMAT by GMAC Exam | mba.com (official NMAT home; nmat.org redirects here)
- CMAT 2026 Information Bulletin (NTA)
- Information Brochure MAH-MBA/MMS-CET 2026
- MAT official website (AIMA) - home
- GMAT Exam Scores (GMAC)
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