India hosts numerous MBA entrance exams across national, state, university, and international levels, with CAT being the most popular for top B-schools. The full list exceeds 50, but here are the prominent ones for 2026 admissions, categorized for clarity.
Table of Contents
National MBA Exams
| Exam | Conducting Body | Key Colleges | Typical Exam Timeline |
| CAT | IIMs (rotational) | IIMs, FMS, SPJIMR | Nov |
| XAT | XLRI | XLRI, XIMB | Jan |
| CMAT | NTA | 1,300+ AICTE-approved | May |
| MAT | AIMA | 600+ B-schools | Feb/May/Jun/Sep |
| NMAT | GMAC | NMIMS, VIT, XUB | Oct-Dec |
| SNAP | Symbiosis | Symbiosis institutes | Dec |
| ATMA | AIMS | 700+ colleges | Multiple/year |
| IIFT | CAT | IIFT campuses | Nov |
State-Level MBA Exams
| State | Exam Name | Conducting Body | Typical Timeline (2026 Tentative) |
| Maharashtra | MAH MBA/MMS CET | Maharashtra CET Cell | March-April |
| Karnataka | PGCET | Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) | June-July |
| Karnataka | KMAT Karnataka | Karnataka Private Post Graduate Colleges Association | Aug-Sep |
| Tamil Nadu | TANCET | Anna University | March |
| Andhra Pradesh | AP ICET | APSCHE (Sri Venkateswara Univ) | May |
| Telangana | TS ICET | TSCHE (Kakatiya Univ/Others) | May-June |
| Kerala | KMAT Kerala | Commissioner for Entrance Exams (CEE) | Feb |
| Odisha | OJEE MBA | Odisha Joint Entrance Exam Board | May |
| Uttar Pradesh | UP MBA MCQ | ABV-IIITM Gwalior (for some seats) | TBA (often CUET-PG used) |
| West Bengal | JEMAT | Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Univ | June |
| Rajasthan | REAP MBA | Rajasthan Technical Univ | June |
| Himachal Pradesh | HP CET MBA | Himachal Pradesh Technical Univ | June |
| Punjab | PU CET PG (MBA) | Panjab University | May-June |
States like Gujarat (via ACPC), Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Jharkhand, and others primarily use CMAT/CAT scores or university tests (e.g., BHU PET) instead of dedicated state MBA exams. Verify 2026 dates on official sites like mahacet.org or cets.apsche.ap.gov.in, as schedules vary
University/Other Exams
- NMAT: NMIMS-focused.
- BHU PET, DU JAT, IPU CET, CUET-PG: Specific universities like BHU, DU, IPU.
- MICAT: MICA for communication programs.
- IBSAT: ICFAI B-schools
FAQs
CAT is the most popular MBA entrance exam for admission to IIMs and top B-schools in India.
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There are 50+ MBA entrance exams including national, state, and university-level tests.
Top national-level exams include CAT, XAT, CMAT, MAT, NMAT, SNAP, and ATMA.
Yes, state exams like MAH CET, TANCET, TS ICET, and AP ICET are important for admission to state colleges.
Yes, candidates can apply to multiple exams to increase their chances of admission.
