Published – September 23, 2026
MBA aspirants in India can choose from national-level exams such as CAT, XAT, CMAT, MAT, NMAT, SNAP and ATMA, along with state-level MBA entrance exams.
The right exam depends mainly on the colleges you want to apply to. Before registering, check the exam date, application fee, eligibility rules and whether your preferred colleges accept that score.
Note: Exam authorities may revise schedules, so candidates should confirm the latest notification before applying.
Before selecting an entrance exam, check the admission requirements of the colleges you plan to apply to. Our best MBA colleges in India guide provides more information about leading management institutes and their accepted entrance exams.
MBA Entrance Exams in India 2026–27
| Exam | Current Status | Important Date | Application Fee | Main Admission Route |
| CAT 2026 | Registration closed | Exam: Nov 29, 2026 | ₹2,700; ₹1,350 for SC/ST/PwBD | IIMs and other leading B-schools |
| XAT 2027 | Registration open | Apply by Dec 6, 2026; Exam: Jan 3, 2027 | ₹2,300 | XLRI and XAT-accepting colleges |
| NMAT 2026 | Registration open | Apply by Oct 10, 2026; Test window: Nov 2–Dec 20 | ₹3,000 + taxes | NMIMS and participating B-schools |
| SNAP 2026 | Registration open | Apply by Nov 25, 2026 | ₹2,550 per test + taxes | Symbiosis MBA programmes |
| MAT 2026 | September session completed | Conducted in multiple sessions yearly | ₹2,300 for PBT/CBT | 600+ participating B-schools |
| CMAT | Next schedule awaited | Check NTA notification | As notified by NTA | AICTE-affiliated participating institutes |
| ATMA | 2026 sessions conducted | Check next AIMS notification | ₹2,000 | Participating MBA/PGDM institutes |
CAT Exam 2026
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is the main entrance exam for admission to the Indian Institutes of Management and is also accepted by several other leading business schools.
CAT is the primary entrance exam for admission to the flagship MBA/PGP programmes at the IIMs. It is also accepted by several leading business schools, including FMS Delhi, SPJIMR, MDI Gurgaon and selected IIT management departments.
CAT exam 2026 is being conducted by IIM Indore on November 29, 2026. Registration closed on September 22.
The fee is ₹2,700 for General, EWS and NC-OBC candidates and ₹1,350 for SC, ST and PwBD candidates.
CAT exam covers three main areas: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA).
Official website: iimcat.ac.in
For detailed information about CAT eligibility and the application process, read our guide on Common Admission Test (CAT) Eligibility and Application Process.
XAT Exam 2027
The Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) is conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur and is accepted by XLRI and many other management institutes.
Registration for XAT 2027 remains open until December 6, 2026, and the examination is scheduled for January 3, 2027.
The XAT registration fee is ₹2,300. Candidates applying to XLRI programmes pay an additional ₹200 per programme.
Official website: xatonline.in
NMAT by GMAC 2026
NMAT is useful for candidates who want greater flexibility in choosing their test date and taking another attempt.
For 2026, registration runs until October 10, while the examination window is from November 2 to December 20, 2026.
The application fee is ₹3,000, excluding applicable taxes. Candidates can take the NMAT up to three times during the testing year.
Participating institutes include NMIMS, K J Somaiya Institute of Management, XIM University, TAPMI, Great Lakes and other business schools.
Official website: mba.com/exams/nmat
SNAP Exam 2026
SNAP is the entrance test used for selected MBA programmes offered by Symbiosis International (Deemed University).
Registration closes on November 25, 2026.
SNAP 2026 will be conducted on three separate dates: December 13, December 19 and December 26, 2026. Candidates can appear for up to three tests, and the highest score among their attempts will be considered for admission.
Official website: snaptest.org
MAT, CMAT and ATMA Exams
MAT, conducted by AIMA, is held several times a year and is accepted by hundreds of management institutes. The current fee is ₹2,300 for either PBT or CBT and ₹4,000 for both modes.
CMAT, conducted by the National Testing Agency, is another national-level option for candidates applying to participating AICTE-affiliated management institutions. Candidates should follow the official NTA CMAT portal for the next notification rather than relying on previous-year dates.
ATMA, conducted by the Association of Indian Management Schools, is accepted by participating MBA, PGDM and other management programmes. The standard registration fee shown on the official portal is ₹2,000.
State-Level MBA Entrance Exams
Candidates planning to study within a particular state should also check the relevant state admission route.
| Exam | State |
| MAH MBA CET | Maharashtra |
| TANCET MBA | Tamil Nadu |
| Karnataka PGCET | Karnataka |
| TG ICET | Telangana |
| AP ICET | Andhra Pradesh |
| KMAT Kerala | Kerala |
Admission rules and participating colleges vary, so candidates should verify the official counselling process for their state.
Category and Fee Concessions: What Candidates Should Check?
Category benefits are not the same for every MBA entrance exam.
For CAT 2026, SC, ST and PwBD candidates pay the reduced ₹1,350 registration fee, while General, EWS and NC-OBC candidates pay ₹2,700.
ATMA currently provides a 25% fee concession for women candidates and a 50% concession for candidates from eligible North-Eastern states.
Candidates belonging to OBC-NCL, EWS, SC, ST or PwBD categories should check the exact certificate format, validity period and reservation rules on the official exam and college admission websites. An entrance-exam category rule does not automatically mean every participating college follows the same admission policy.
Which MBA Entrance Exam Fits Your College Plan?
| Target | Exam to Check First |
| IIM MBA programmes | CAT |
| XLRI | XAT |
| NMIMS and NMAT partner institutes | NMAT |
| Symbiosis MBA institutes | SNAP |
| Wider MAT-participating colleges | MAT |
| State-government admission route | Relevant state MBA exam |
The safest approach is to shortlist your preferred colleges first and then apply for the entrance exams those institutions officially accept.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do all MBA colleges in India require CAT for admission?
No. CAT is required for the IIM admission route, but many colleges accept XAT, NMAT, SNAP, CMAT, MAT, ATMA or state-level examination scores.
2. Which MBA entrance exam is best for IIMs?
For the flagship two-year MBA/PGP route, CAT is the main entrance examination used by the IIMs. Candidates must also meet the individual IIM’s eligibility and selection requirements.
3. Is it possible to appear for multiple MBA entrance exams?
Yes. Candidates commonly apply for multiple exams when their shortlisted colleges accept different entrance-test scores.
4. Which MBA entrance exams allow multiple attempts?
NMAT permits up to three attempts during its testing year. SNAP 2026 gives candidates the option to take the exam up to three times during the test cycle.
5. Can final-year undergraduate students apply?
Many major MBA entrance exams permit final-year students to apply, subject to their individual eligibility and admission requirements.
Need Guidance for MBA Admissions?
If you need assistance with MBA entrance exams, college admissions, scholarships, or higher education opportunities, contact the OBCRIGHTS People Center for reliable guidance and personalized support.
Contact: +91 75988 00123
