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
Which is the most popular MBA entrance exam in India?
CAT is the most popular MBA entrance exam for admission to IIMs and top B-schools in India.
How many MBA entrance exams are there in India?
There are 50+ MBA entrance exams including national, state, and university-level tests.
Which MBA exams are conducted at the national level?
Top national-level exams include CAT, XAT, CMAT, MAT, NMAT, SNAP, and ATMA.
Are state-level MBA exams important?
Yes, state exams like MAH CET, TANCET, TS ICET, and AP ICET are important for admission to state colleges.
Can I apply to multiple MBA exams?
Yes, candidates can apply to multiple exams to increase their chances of admission.