Upcoming MBA Entrance Exam Schedule (2025–2026)

MBA entrance season doesn’t start when the exam is announced it starts months before that. By the time registration opens, serious aspirants have already been preparing for weeks. If you’re planning for the 2025–2026 MBA entrance exam cycle, timing and clarity matter more than panic preparation. Let’s break down the major exams and look at their updated schedules.  

National-level MBA Entrance Exams  

These exams are accepted across India by top B-schools. 

• CAT (Common Admission Test): The most widely accepted MBA entrance exam for IIMs and 1000+ B-schools. 
• MAT (Management Aptitude Test): Accepted by many private and Tier-2 MBA colleges across India. 

• CMAT (Common Management Admission Test): Conducted by NTA. Accepted by several government and private institutions.
• GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test): Globally recognized test accepted by Indian and international MBA programs. 
• ATMA (AIMS Test for Management Admissions) : Accepted by various management institutes across India. 

State-level MBA Entrance Exams  

• MAH MBA CET – Conducted by Maharashtra State CET Cell. Accepted by colleges such as JBIMS and PUMBA. 
• TS ICET – For MBA colleges in Telangana. 
• AP ICET – For MBA colleges in Andhra Pradesh. 
• Karnataka PGCET – Conducted by Karnataka Examinations Authority. 
• KMAT – For private MBA colleges in Karnataka.

Navigating the state-level admission cycles can be complex, especially with varied eligibility criteria and credit (exam score) requirements. It is natural to feel overwhelmed by these choices, our MBA admission counsellors will give you personalized counseling to help you shortlist the best fit online MBA colleges based on your exam scores and career goals, ensuring you don’t miss out on high-ROI local institutions.

MBA Entrance Exams for Top IIMS and B-schools

• XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) – Conducted by XLRI – Xavier School of Management 
• SNAP (Symbiosis National Aptitude Test) – Conducted by Symbiosis International (Deemed University) 
• NMAT – Conducted by Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies

MBA from International Colleges

1. GRE (Graduate Record Examination) – Accepted by many international universities. 

 Updated MBA Entrance Exam Schedule (2025–2026) 

Below are the latest available dates based on official announcements and expected cycles: 

Exam	Registration	Exam Date	Result
CAT 2025	Aug 1 – Sep 13, 2025	Nov 30, 2025	Jan 2026
XAT 2026	Jul – Dec 2025	Jan 4, 2026	Mid Jan 2026
SNAP 2025	Aug – Nov 2025	Dec 6, 14 & 20, 2025	Jan 2026
NMAT 2025	Aug – Oct 2025	Nov 5 – Dec 19, 2025	Within 48 hours
MAT 2026	Ongoing	Mar 1 & Mar 8, 2026	Mar/Apr 2026
CMAT 2026	Oct 2025 – Jan 2026	Jan 25, 2026	Feb 2026
MAH MBA CET 2026	Dec 2025 – Feb 2026	Apr 6–8, 2026	Apr/May 2026

Note: Candidates must verify final dates from official websites before applying. 

 

Significance of Major Exams 

CAT : Conducted by IIMs. It is the most important national MBA entrance exam for admission into IIMs and many top institutes. 

XAT : Conducted by XLRI. Known for its analytical decision-making section. 

SNAP : Conducted by Symbiosis International. Computer-based and conducted in multiple slots. 

MAT : Conducted by AIMA. Held multiple times a year, offering flexibility. 

 Which MBA Entrance Exam Should You Choose? 

Choosing depends on your target institute and preparation strength. 

• If target is IIM → CAT is compulsory 

• Targeting XLRI → XAT 

• Strong in Quant → CAT/XAT 

• Want multiple attempts → NMAT 

• Moderate difficulty preference → CMAT 

 

Registration Process (General Steps) 

1. Visit the official website 
2. Create login ID 
3. Fill academic details 
4. Upload required documents 
5. Pay application fee 
6. Submit and download confirmation 

 Common Mistakes to Avoid 

1. Incorrect photo format 
2. Wrong category selection 
3. Missing deadlines 
4. Payment errors 

 Application Fees (Approximate) 

• CAT – ₹2400 

• XAT – ₹2100 

• SNAP – ₹2250 

• NMAT – ₹2800 

• MAT – ₹2100 

 

Common Syllabus Areas 

Although patterns vary, most MBA exams include: 

• Quantitative Aptitude 

• Logical Reasoning 

• Data Interpretation 

• Verbal Ability 

• Decision Making (XAT specific) 

 

FAQs 

1) Can final-year students apply? 

Yes. Final-year students can apply for most MBA entrance exams, provided graduation is completed before admission deadlines. 

2) What is the minimum eligibility? 

A bachelor’s degree with minimum 50% marks (45% for reserved categories in some exams). Most exams do not have an age limit. 

3) How many attempts are allowed? 

CAT allows one attempt per year. Exams like NMAT and MAT allow multiple attempts. 

4) Is work experience mandatory? 

No. Work experience is not mandatory for appearing in MBA entrance exams. 

5) Do these exams have negative marking? 

Yes, CAT, XAT, SNAP, and CMAT have negative marking. NMAT does not have negative marking.