Top Entrance Exams for Management Courses in India: CAT, MAT, XAT & Others *

Management education in India is dynamic and full of possibilities for ambitious individuals. Whether you want a rewarding career in business administration, marketing, or entrepreneurship, the journey begins with the right entrance exam for your preferred management course. In India, there is a wide range of national and state-level entrance exams for management courses, such as CAT, XAT, MAT, CMAT, IBSAT, and others. Each exam leads to admission to top B-schools and management institutes situated across the country. 

These exams test the analytical skills of individuals and prepare them for a competitive business world. Exploring the key details and eligibility criteria of these entrance exams in India will help you to take the right steps toward a successful management career. Please have a look below.

A Quick Overview of the List of Entrance Exams in India Conducted for Admission into Management Courses

National-level entrance exams for management courses	●        CAT (Common Admission Test) ●        XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) ●        CMAT (Common Management Admission Test) ●        MAT (Management Aptitude Test) ●        Symbiosis National Aptitude Test ●        NMAT (NMIMS Managament Aptitude Test) ●        IBSAT (ICFAI Business School Aptitude Test) ●        ATMA (AIMS Test for Management Admissions) ●        IIFT Exam ●        MICAT (MICA Admissions Test)
State-level entrance exams for management courses	●        TSICET (Telangana State Integrated Common Entrance Test) ●        APICET (Andhra Pradesh Integrated Common Entrance Test) ●        Karnataka PGCET (Karnataka Post Graduate Common Entrance Test) ●        MAH MBA CET (Maharashtra Common Entrance Test) ●        KMAT (Karnataka Management Aptitude Test) ●        OJEE (Odisha Joint Entrance Examinations) ●        JEMAT (Joint Entrance Management Aptitude Test) ●        HPU MAT (Himachal Pradesh University Management Aptitude Test) ●        RMAT (Rajasthan Management Aptitude Test)
Common eligibility criteria	Bachelor's degree with 50% marks (for reserved category candidates, 45% marks is required) from a recognised institute
Courses offered after exams	Master's in Business Administration (MBA) Post-graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM)

What are the Eligibility Criteria for Appearing in Entrance Exams for Management Courses in India?

To appear in entrance exams in India for management courses, you must satisfy the eligibility guidelines given by the exam authority. Here are the common criteria.

• Bachelor’s degree in any stream from a recognised institution.
• A minimum of 50% marks for general category candidates and 45% marks for SC, ST, etc., are required in the Bachelor’s degree.
• Some of the exams also accept applications from final-year graduation students.
• There is no age bar for management entrance exams.

Details for Top Entrance Exams for Management Courses Conducted in India

Here are some of the top entrance exams for management courses in India.

List of National-Level Entrance Exams for Management Courses

CAT (Common Admission Test)

The Common Admission Test is one of the most prestigious and highly competitive management entrance exams conducted at a national level. If you want to take admission in the Indian Institutes of Management, you have to crack this exam. CAT is also accepted in over 100+ top B-schools across India.

Exam authority: Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs)

Mode of exam: Computer-based test

Duration: 2 hours (120 minutes)

Exam pattern: Verbal ability, reading comprehension, data interpretation, logical reasoning, and quantitative ability.

Marking scheme: +3 marks for each correct answer, -1 mark for each incorrect answer

Exam frequency: Once a year

XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test)

The Xavier Aptitude Test is one of the oldest and toughest national-level entrance exams for management courses. This exam is accepted by several B-schools and a few IIMs. The syllabus for XAT covers a separate section for decision-making, which makes the exam a bit different from others.

Exam authority: XLRI Jamshedpur

Mode of exam: Computer-based test

Duration: 3 hours

Exam pattern: Part 1 covers verbal and logical ability, decision making, quantitative ability, and data interpretation. Part 2 covers general knowledge and essay writing.

Marking scheme: +1 marketing for correct answer, and -0.25 will be deducted for negative answers.

Exam frequency: Once a year

CMAT (Common Management Admission Test)

The Common Management Admission Test is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the National Testing Agency. This exam is accepted for admission to any AICTE-approved management institute. CMAT is a highly preferred choice among management aspirants in India because it opens up broader college options across India.

Exam authority: National Testing Agency

Mode of exam: Computer-based test.

Duration: 3 hours (180 minutes)

Exam pattern: Quantitative techniques, data interpretation, language comprehension, general awareness, and entrepreneurship.

Marking scheme: +4 for each correct answer and -1 for an incorrect answer.

Exam frequency: Once a year

MAT (Management Aptitude Test)

The Management Aptitude Test is another national-level management entrance exam in India. This exam is comparatively less difficult than the CAT. As this exam is conducted several times a year, you get the chance to appear for the exam multiple times. Major B-schools accept this exam as their qualifying exam for shortlisting candidates.

Exam authority: All India Management Association (AIMA)

Mode of exam: Online and offline

Duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes (150 minutes)

Exam pattern: Language comprehension, mathematical skills, data analysis, intelligence and critical reasoning, and business market(a total of 200 questions from these topics)

Marking scheme: +1 for each correct answer and -0.25 for each incorrect answer

Exam frequency: Multiple times a year (usually February, May, September, December)

Symbiosis National Aptitude Test

The Symbiosis National Aptitude Test is an institution-specific exam for admission to Symbiosis International University institutes.

Exam authority: Symbiosis International University

Mode of exam: Computer-based exam.

Duration: 1 hour (60 minutes)

Exam pattern: General English, quantitative data interpretation, data sufficiency, analytical reasoning, and logical reasoning.

Marking scheme: +1 for correct answers and -0.25 for incorrect answers.

Exam frequency: Thrice in a year(Students can appear thrice, and the highest marks will be considered).

NMAT (NMIMS Management Aptitude Test)

The NMIMS Management Aptitude Test is conducted for admission in Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies. Some of the other B-schools also accept this exam score for offering admission in their management courses.

Exam authority: Graduate Management Admission Council

Mode of exam: Computer-based exam

Duration: 2 hours (120 minutes)

Exam pattern: Language skills, logical reasoning, quantitative skills.

Marking scheme: +1 for each correct answer. No negative marking is there.

Exam frequency: Once a year (however, the testing window opens multiple times; up to 3 attempts allowed and the best score is considered)

IBSAT (ICFAI Business School Aptitude Test)

IBSAT is a national-level management entrance exam. With this single exam, you can take admission in 9 ICFAI campuses across India. After appearing for the exam, you can start your academic journey in the MBA or PGPM programs.

Exam authority: ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education

Mode of exam: Computer-based exam

Duration: 2 hours (120 minutes)

Exam pattern: Verbal ability, reading comprehension, quantitative aptitude, data adequacy, and data interpretation.

Marking scheme: +1 for each correct answer. There is no negative marking.

Exam frequency: Once a year.

ATMA (AIMS Test for Management Admissions)

ATMA is a comprehensive national-level exam for postgraduate programs like MBA, MMS, PGDM, etc. There is no limit to the number of times candidates can appear for ATMA. The officials coduct the exam 4 to 5 times in a year.

Exam authority: Association of Indian Management Schools(AIMS)

Mode of exam: Computer-based exam

Duration: 3 hours (180 minutes)

Exam pattern: Analytical reasoning, verbal skills, and quantitative skills.

Marking scheme: +1 for each correct answer and -0.25 for each wrong answer.

Exam frequency: Conducted 4-5 times a year

MICAT (MICA Admissions Test)

MICAT is another popular entrance exam for management courses conducted by the Mundra Institute of Communication, Ahmedabad. This exam is unique because of sections like psychometric and descriptive aptitude sections.

Exam authority: Mundra Institute of Communication, Ahmedabad

Mode of exam: Computer-based exam

Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes (135 minutes)

Exam pattern: Psychometric test, descriptive test, and aptitude test(verbal ability, quantitative ability, and general awareness)

Marking scheme: +1 for each correct answer and -0.25 for each wrong answer

Exam frequency: Twice a year.

All State-Level Entrance Exams for Management Courses

TSICET (Telangana State Integrated Common Entrance Test)

This is a state-level management entrance exam conducted by the Telangana State Council of Higher Education. Through this exam, you can take admission to an MBA or other management degrees in multiple government and private institutions.

Exam authority: Telangana State Council of Higher Education

Mode of exam: Computer-based exam

Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes (150 minutes)

Exam pattern: Analytical ability, communication ability, and mathematical ability.

Marking scheme: +1 for each correct answer, and there is no negative marking for wrong answers.

Exam frequency: Once a year

APICET (Andhra Pradesh Integrated Common Entrance Test)

The Andhra Pradesh Integrated Common Entrance Test is a state-level management entrance exam conducted for admission into recognised management courses offered in universities and affiliated colleges in Andhra Pradesh.

Exam authority: Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education

Mode of exam: Computer-based exam.

Duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes (150 minutes)

Exam pattern: Mathematical ability, communication ability, and analytical ability.

Marking scheme: +1 mark for each correct answer, and there is no negative marking for wrong answers.

Exam frequency: Once a year

Karnataka PGCET (Karnataka Post Graduate Common Entrance Test)

The Karnataka Post Graduate Common Entrance Test is a state-level exam conducted for admission into the state's government and private management institutes.

Exam authority: Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA)

Mode of exam: Pen and paper test.

Duration: 2 hours (120 minutes)

Exam pattern: English language, general knowledge, reasoning, general intelligence, and quantitative aptitude.

Marking scheme: +1 for each correct answer. There is no negative marking.

Exam frequency: Once a year

MAH MBA CET (Maharashtra Common Entrance Test)

MAH MBA CET is a state-level management entrance exam conducted in Maharashtra for admission into the MBA or MMS programs. You can take admission in both government and private institutions in Maharashtra through this entrance exam.

Exam authority: Maharashtra State CET Cell

Mode of exam: Computer-based exam

Duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes (150 minutes)

Exam pattern: Logical reasoning, quantitative aptitude, reading comprehension, verbal ability, and abstract reasoning.

Marking scheme: +1 for each correct answer. There is no negative marking.

Exam frequency: Once a year

KMAT (Karnataka Management Aptitude Test)

KMAT is a state-level entrance test conducted for those seeking admission into postgraduate professional courses (MBA/PGDM/MCA) offered by colleges approved by AICTE. This exam is open to all Indian candidates who will satisfy its eligibility requirements.

Exam authority: Karnataka Private Post Graduate Colleges Association (KPPGCA)

Mode of exam: Computer-based exam

Duration: 2 hours (120 minutes)

Exam pattern: English language, basic aptitude, and mathematical skills.

Marking scheme: +1 for each correct answer. There is no negative marking.

Exam frequency: Twice a year

OJEE (Odisha Joint Entrance Examinations)

OJEE is a state-level exam for admission in MBA courses across government and private institutions in Odisha. Students from any state can take part in this exam.

Exam authority: Odisha Joint Entrance Examination Board (OJEEB)

Mode of exam: Computer-based exam

Duration: 2 hours (120 minutes)

Exam pattern: Verbal reasoning, logical reasoning, business fundamentals, quantitative techniques, and general knowledge.

Marking scheme: 4 marks for each correct answer and -1 for an incorrect answer

Exam frequency: Once a year

JEMAT (Joint Entrance Management Aptitude Test)

JEMAT is a management entrance test conducted by MAKAUT in the state of West Bengal. After successfully passing the exam, you can take admission to management courses in both government and private institutions in the state.

Exam authority: Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology, West Bengal

Mode of exam: Computer-based exam

Duration: 1 hour (60 minutes)

Exam pattern: Mathematical skills, English language, and logical reasoning.

Marking scheme: +2 for each correct answer and -0.25 mark for each wrong answer.

Exam frequency: Twice a year

HPU MAT (Himachal Pradesh University Management Aptitude Test)

HPU MAT exam enables you to take admission in Himachal Pradesh University for the MBA program. You need to satisfy the eligibility criteria mentioned by the university to appear in this exam.

Exam authority: Himachal Pradesh University (HPU)

Mode of exam: Offline exam(pen and paper)

Duration: 2 hours (120 minutes)

Exam pattern: English comprehension, business environment, reasoning, arithmetic, and data interpretation.

Marking scheme: +1 for each correct answer, and there is no negative marking.

Exam frequency: Once a year

RMAT (Rajasthan Management Aptitude Test)

RMAT is a state-level exam conducted for admission to MBA and PGDM courses in institutions situated in Rajasthan. Graduates from any discipline can appear for the exam.

Exam authority: Rajasthan Technical University

Mode of exam: Pen-and-paper-based exam.

Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes (150 minutes)

Exam pattern: Quantitative aptitude, reasoning, and verbal ability.

Marking scheme: +1 for each correct answer, and there is no negative marking for wrong answers.

• Exam frequency: Once a year

How to Prepare for Entrance Exams for Management Courses?

Cracking vital entrance exams for management courses requires strategic preparation and planning. Follow the tips given here to start your preparation accordingly.

• Understand the exam details: Start your preparation with a deep understanding of the syllabus, exam patterns, and overall marking scheme of your target exam/s. You should align your preparation strategy with specific requirements for exams like CAT, MAT, XAT, and others.
• Build clarity for concepts: Always start studying with the fundamentals of the syllabus topics. In the first few months, you must have a good grasp on the core concepts of aptitude, grammar, and logical reasoning. Don't rush to complex topics or questions without building a strong foundation. You can pick mock tests and previous year's questions as well to practice. Develop a daily habit of reading and researching past question papers and study material to improve your understanding.
• Consistent practice: Regular practice is the key to success in entrance exams. The more you practice, the higher the chance you get good scores.
• Time management: Time management is another important factor you should consider while preparing for management entrance exams. Prioritise questions and estimate time per question. You can maintain exam-like duration while practising previous year's question papers. It will build strong time management skills and help you during the real exam.

Conclusion

Management education in India opens up a pool of opportunities for aspirants. From national-level exams like CAT or XAT to state-level exams like NMAT and MAH MBA CET, each exam has its own unique pathway to some of the top B-schools. Choosing the right entrance exam for management courses starts with your preferred college location and the availability of the course you want to pursue. 

To be successful in such exams, you must start your preparation well in advance and build a strong understanding of the basics. Make sure to practice mock tests or previous year's question papers regularly and dedicate at least 2-3 hours per day to the topics. With the right strategy and focus, you can secure admission to top management institutes in India and step toward a rewarding career in the business world.

FAQs

What are the eligibility prerequisites for the CAT exam?

If you want to take the CAT exam, you must have completed your Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 50% marks(for the reserved category, the minimum score is 45%). You can also apply if you are a final-year undergraduate student.

Do I need to apply separately for each IIM after the CAT exam?

No, the CAT exam score is accepted in all IIMs. The IIMs will separately shortlist candidates based on the score and academic profile.

Should I have prior work experience to pursue an MBA Degree?

No, work experience is usually not required for a full-time MBA. But for working professionals, some B-schools offer Executive MBA programs.

Is there any age limit for MBA entrance exams?

No, there is no such age limit for MBA entrance exams.

How much time is required to prepare for entrance exams for management courses?

It is a good practice to start preparing at least 10 to 12 months before the exam. It will help to understand core topics properly.