Top MBA Entrance Exams You Can Take to Get Into Business Schools

Top MBA Entrance Exams You Can Take to Get Into Business Schools

A lot of individuals, whether graduates or working professionals, consider getting a master of business administration (MBA) an important stepping stone for a successful career path. In India, thousands of aspirants take MBA entrance exams every year. These exams are organised at institute-level, national-level and international level. Not only MBA, these exams also help individuals get into various post graduate diploma management (PGDM) programmes.

To clarify, MBA is a degree in management recognised by the University Grants Commission, whereas PGDM is a diploma in management offered by autonomous institutions and business schools. Having said that, over the last few years, especially after the IIM Act of 2017, many of the IIMs (Indian Institutes of Management) that historically offered PGDM now confer MBA degrees to blur the distinctions between the two and generate a sense of uniformity in terms of accreditation and recognition. Pursuing an MBA from a top-tier business school requires not only the right academic background but also performing well in the entrance exams that assess your skills in a variety of areas. Here's a comprehensive look at the most popular MBA entrance exams, including their formats, sections, and what you need to know to succeed:

 

1. CAT (Common Admission Test)

Conducted By: Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs)
Frequency: Annually
Exam Duration: 2 hours
Sections:

  • Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
  • Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
  • Quantitative Ability (QA)

Overview:
CAT is considered the most competitive MBA entrance exam in India, with lakhs of aspirants each year. It is primarily used by IIMs and other top business schools for admission to their MBA and PGDM programs. The exam focuses on assessing your ability to think critically, solve quantitative problems, and interpret data. CAT is a computer-based test with multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and non-MCQs.

Preparation Tips:

  • Focus on building a strong foundation in mathematics for the Quantitative Ability section.
  • Improve reading speed and comprehension for the VARC section.
  • Practice time management to handle the diverse range of topics efficiently.

2. XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test)

Conducted By: XLRI Jamshedpur
Frequency: Annually
Exam Duration: 3 hours
Sections:

  • Verbal and Logical Ability
  • Decision Making
  • Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation
  • General Knowledge

Overview:
XAT is one of the most prestigious exams, especially for admission to XLRI and other Xavier schools. In addition to testing traditional MBA skills such as quantitative aptitude and logical reasoning, XAT is known for its Decision Making section, which assesses your ability to make the right choices in ambiguous business situations. The General Knowledge section is also unique to XAT and covers current affairs, economics, and business awareness.

Preparation Tips:

  • Work on improving your decision-making skills by practicing case studies.
  • Stay updated with current affairs for the General Knowledge section.
  • Take timed mock tests to improve accuracy and speed.

3. MAT (Management Aptitude Test)

Conducted By: AIMA (All India Management Association)
Frequency: Four times a year
Exam Duration: 2.5 hours
Sections:

  • Language Comprehension
  • Mathematical Skills
  • Data Analysis and Sufficiency
  • Intelligence and Critical Reasoning
  • Indian and Global Environment (General Knowledge)

Overview:
MAT is accepted by a large number of business schools across India, making it a flexible option for MBA aspirants. The exam includes five sections, with a special focus on logical and analytical reasoning. Unlike other exams, MAT includes a general knowledge section, which tests your awareness of national and global issues.

Preparation Tips:

  • Brush up on basic mathematics and practice reasoning questions regularly.
  • Strengthen your vocabulary and reading comprehension skills for the Language Comprehension section.
  • Practice general knowledge updates through newspapers and current affairs apps.

4. CMAT (Common Management Admission Test)

Conducted By: National Testing Agency (NTA)
Frequency: Annually
Exam Duration: 3 hours
Sections:

  • Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation
  • Logical Reasoning
  • Language Comprehension
  • General Awareness
  • Innovation and Entrepreneurship (optional)

Overview:
CMAT is a popular MBA entrance exam for students aspiring to study in colleges that are affiliated with AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education). The exam includes a unique section on Innovation and Entrepreneurship, making it a good fit for students with an interest in the startup ecosystem. The General Awareness section covers current affairs, business news, and static GK.

Preparation Tips:

  • Review business news and updates for the General Awareness section.
  • Focus on building speed in the quantitative section by practicing data interpretation and math problems.
  • Enhance your logical reasoning abilities with regular practice.

5. GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)

Conducted By: Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC)
Frequency: Year-round (computer-based)
Exam Duration: 3.5 hours
Sections:

  • Analytical Writing Assessment
  • Integrated Reasoning
  • Quantitative Reasoning
  • Verbal Reasoning

Overview:
GMAT is the most widely recognized MBA entrance exam globally. It is a requirement for admission to many top international business schools, including Harvard, Wharton, and INSEAD. GMAT assesses your ability to think critically and solve complex problems, with a heavy emphasis on analytical and reasoning skills. The Integrated Reasoning section is unique to GMAT and tests your ability to process data from multiple sources.

Preparation Tips:

  • Work on honing your writing skills for the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) section.
  • Practice critical reasoning and data interpretation questions for the Integrated Reasoning section.
  • Build a strong foundation in quantitative and verbal skills to improve your overall score.

6. ATMA (AIMS Test for Management Admissions)

Conducted By: AIMS (Association of Indian Management Schools)
Frequency: Annually
Exam Duration: 3 hours
Sections:

  • Analytical Reasoning
  • Quantitative Aptitude
  • Verbal and Reading Comprehension

Overview:
ATMA is another widely accepted MBA entrance exam in India. It’s designed to assess your reasoning and problem-solving abilities, along with your command of the English language and mathematics. The exam has three sections, and it is considered slightly less difficult than CAT, making it a popular choice for students targeting medium-level business schools.

Preparation Tips:

  • Focus on practicing logical reasoning puzzles and quantitative problems.
  • Strengthen your reading comprehension skills by reading varied materials.
  • Try taking regular mock tests to gauge your preparation.

7. NMAT (NMIMS Management Aptitude Test)

Conducted By: GMAC (Graduate Management Admission Council)
Frequency: Annually
Exam Duration: 2 hours
Sections:

  • Language Skills
  • Quantitative Skills
  • Logical Reasoning

Overview:
NMAT is the entrance exam for admissions to MBA programs offered by NMIMS (Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies) and several other business schools. The exam is known for its flexibility in terms of the number of attempts you can take and the ability to schedule your exam at your convenience. NMAT assesses verbal, quantitative, and reasoning skills.

Preparation Tips:

  • Focus on increasing speed and accuracy in the Quantitative and Logical Reasoning sections.
  • Enhance your verbal skills by practicing vocabulary, reading comprehension, and grammar.
  • Take multiple mock tests to get comfortable with the exam format.

8. SNAP (Symbiosis National Aptitude Test)

Conducted By: Symbiosis International University
Frequency: Annually
Exam Duration: 2 hours
Sections:

  • General English
  • Analytical and Logical Reasoning
  • Quantitative, Data Interpretation, and General Awareness

Overview:
SNAP is the entrance exam for admission to MBA programs at Symbiosis University. It includes sections on General English, Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Ability, and General Awareness. The exam is known for its diverse section coverage and the importance it places on general awareness, especially current affairs and business knowledge.

Preparation Tips:

  • Stay updated on current affairs, especially related to business and economics.
  • Work on your time management to tackle all sections within the allotted time.
  • Practice verbal reasoning and quantitative aptitude problems regularly.

Conclusion

Each MBA entrance exam has its own unique format and test structure, so it's crucial to choose the one that aligns with your strengths and aspirations. Whether you’re planning to study in India or abroad, preparing for these exams is an essential step in advancing your business career. Plan early, practice consistently, and stay focused on your goal of getting into your dream business school.