Top 8 MBA Entrance Exams in India 2020 | Fee | Prep Tips

An MBA is one of the most lucrative and popular programmes in India, with a large chunk of the talent pool of the nation opting to pursue an MBA degree. In India, quite a few freshers also opt for an MBA in order to expedite their career growth and work with big corporate brands, while experienced professionals with 1-4 years of work experience also look at Indian B-schools to enhance their management skills and grow in their careers. In today’s fast-paced corporate environment, management is one of the most important skills that companies look for in their potential employees. In fact, the requirement of managers is such that many companies sponsor an MBA for their most promising and ambitious employees. Though such an in-demand skill is acquired through years of work experience, this skillset can be acquired faster by pursuing an MBA. An MBA equips an individual with tools and skills for effective management of the various functions of a business. Often, an MBA can also serve as a gateway to working with market leaders, as well as an opportunity to switch careers and jump the hurdle of career stagnancy. Admissions to the top B-schools in India, such as the IIMs, requires aspirants to take MBA entrance tests, the most popular exam being the Common Admission Test (CAT). In 2019, the exam was taken by approx 2 lakh people pan-India, and only 1% of those test-takers made it to the top-10 B-schools in India. Other popular management entrance exams include IIFT, NMAT, SNAP, and XAT, etc. that are gateways to other top non-IIM management institutes. Let’s look at them in a little detail one by one below.

Important Dates: MBA Entrance Exams 2021

 

Top MBA Entrance Exams In India 2020

1. Common Admission Test (CAT):

   
   It is a 2-hour long exam conducted by IIMs on a rotational basis. Last year i.e. CAT 2019 was conducted by IIM K. The conducting body for this year, i.e. CAT 2020, is IIM Indore.

   CAT 2020 Exam Date: 29th November 2020 (tentative)
   CAT Registration Start Date: August 5, 2020

   
   CAT Exam Pattern 2019: (CAT 2020 Pattern is yet to be disclosed)

   CAT Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
   Section	Total Questions	No. of MCQ Questions	No. of TITA Questions	Marks (MCQ)	Marks (TITA)	Total Marks
   Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension	34	26 – 28	6 – 8	+3, -1	+3, no negative	102
   Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning	32	26 – 28	4 – 6	+3, -1	+3, no negative	96
   Quantitative Ability	34	26 – 28	6 – 8	+3, -1	+3, no negative	102

   
   CAT Eligibility & Exam Fee

   Category	Min. Graduation Marks Required	Caste/Class Certificate Required	CAT Exam Fee
   General	50%	No	1900
   NC-OBC	50%	Yes	1900
   SC	45%	Yes	950
   ST	45%	Yes	950
   PWD	45%	Yes	950

   
   Check: CAT 2020 Syllabus (in detail )

   Bonus: 
   • CAT Preparation Tips & Strategy by CAT Toppers & MBA Alumni
   • Best Books To Start Preparing for CAT 2020

2. Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT)

   
   XAT is a 3 hour-exam and one of the most sought-after MBA exams after CAT. It is conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur every year and is the only way to get admission to XLRI & other institutes which accept XAT scores.

   
   XAT 2021 Exam Date: January 3, 2021

   XAT Registration Start Date: September 12, 2020

   
   XAT Exam Pattern:

   • The exam consists of 4 sections: English Language and Logical Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, and General Knowledge.
   • 1 mark will be allotted for every correct answer and 0.25 (1/4) marks will be deducted for every wrong answer.
   • Also, 0.05 marks will be deducted for every unattempted question, if you more than certain no. of questions.

   
   XAT Exam Eligibility & Fee

   • Any candidate with a degree of min. 3 years of duration.
   • The registration fee for the XAT exam is INR 1700/-.
   • Also, people applying for GMP through GMAT have to pay INR 2500/- & INR 5000/- for Indian students & foreign students respectively.

   Check: XAT 2021 syllabus (in detail)
   Bonus: Preparation Tips & Strategy by XAT Toppers & MBA Alumni

3. IIFT

   
   Indian Institute of Foreign Trade exam, which is popularly known as IIFT exam, is not as widely accepted as CAT or XAT but is a must if you seek to work in the field of international business.

   IIFT Exam Date: Yet to be disclosed.

   IIFT Exam Duration: 2 hours
   IIFT Registration Start Date: July 2020
   Mode of Examinations: Online

   
   IIFT Exam Pattern:

   Section	Marks per question	Negative Marks/question
   Data Interpretation	0.75	0.33
   Logical Reasoning	1	0.25
   General Awareness	0.5	0.17
   Verbal Ability	1	0.33
   Reading Comprehension	1	0.33
   Quantitative Aptitude	1	0.33

   
   IIFT Exam Eligibility & Fee:

   • Bachelor’s degree with minimum of 3 years of duration.
   • Exam fee for IIFT: INR 1650/- (General/OBC), INR 825/- (SC, ST, PWD) and INR 5,500/- (Foreign Candidates/NRI).

   
   Check: IIFT 2021 syllabus (in detail)
   Bonus: Preparation Tips & Strategy by IIFT Toppers & MBA Alumni

   
   How Is IIFT Different From CAT?

   Section	CAT	IIFT
   English Language	Inferential Based	Fact Based
   Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning	Logical & Tricky	Calculation Intensive
   Quantitative Ability	Direct & Indirect Questions	More of Direct Questions
   General Knowledge	–	Indirect Passage-Based Questions

4. GMAT

   
   Graduate Management Aptitude Test, popularly known as GMAT, is conducted by GMAC. Unlike CAT, XAT or any other exam, it has a score validity of 5 years and it can be taken multiple times a year.

   GMAT Exam Duration: 3 hours 7 mins
   Mode of Examinations: Online

   
   GMAT Exam Pattern

   Section	Duration in Minutes	Number of Questions	Scoring
   Analytical writing assessment	30	1 essay	0.0 – 6.0
   Integrated reasoning	30	12	1 – 8
   Quantitative	62	31	6 – 51
   Verbal	65	36
   Total	187 minutes (3 hours 7 mins)	–	200 – 800

   
   GMAT Exam Eligibility & Fee

   • The candidate must be of 18 years of age.
   • The candidate can also appear for GMAT exam if his/her age varies between 13-17 with a written consent provided by guardian.
   • GMAT Exam Fee: $250 (approx. INR 17,000/-).

5. SNAP

   
   Symbiosis National Aptitude Test is conducted by Symbiosis University on a yearly basis, which entitles the candidate to apply to 15 institutes which come under Symbiosis University. Some of the popular names are SIBM (Pune), SCMHRD, SICSR, etc.

   
   SNAP Registration Start Date: September 24, 2020

   
   SNAP Exam Pattern

   Section	Normal Questions	Special Questions	Total Questions	Total Marks
   Reading Comprehension, Verbal Reasoning, Verbal Ability	30	5	35	40
   Quantitative, Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency	30	5	35	40
   Analytical & Logical Reasoning	30	5	35	40
   Current Affairs	20	5	25	30
   Total	110	20	130	150

   
   SNAP Eligibility & Exam Fee

   • 50% marks in any discipline for General (45% for SC/ST).
   • SNAP Exam Fee: INR 1750/-.

   
   Check: SNAP 2020 Marking Scheme & Syllabus (in detail)
   Bonus: Preparation Tips & Strategy by SNAP Toppers & MBA Alumni

6. CMAT

   
   Common Management Admission Test is a computer-based exam conducted annually by the National Testing Agency. It is accepted by approximately 60% of colleges that accept CAT.

   CMAT Registration Start Date: October 2020 (tentative)

   CMAT Exam Date: 2nd & 3rd week of January 2020
   Exam Duration of CMAT: 3 hours

   
   CMAT Exam Pattern

   Section	No. of Questions	Marks Per Questions	Negative Marks Questions	Total Marks
   Language Comprehension	25	4	-1	100
   Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation	25	4	-1	100
   Logical Reasoning	25	4	-1	100
   General Awareness	25	4	-1	100

   
   CMAT Eligibility Criteria & Exam Fee

   • Graduate or final year student in any discipline of a duration of 3 or more years.
   • CMAT Exam Fee: INR 1400 (General/OBC) & INR 700 (SC/ST/PWD).

7. NMAT

   
   NMAT or NMIMS Management Aptitude Test is conducted annually by GMAC which is accepted for admission by NMIMS, SPJIMR, TAPMI, IBS, etc.

   
   NMAT Test Window: November 4, 2020 To January 30, 2021 (can be taken 3 times) 

   NMAT Exam Pattern

   Section	Number of Questions	Time (in Minutes)	Marks Per Question	Total Marks
   Quantitative Skills	48	60	3	144
   Language Skills	32	22	3	96
   Logical Reasoning skills	40	38	3	120
   Total	120	120	3	360

   
   NMAT Eligibility Criteria & Exam Fee

   • Bachelor’s degree with atleast 50% marks.
   • NMAT Fee:

     Service	Fee
     Test Registration (Early)	INR 2000 + applicable taxes
     Test Registration (Late)	INR 2500 + applicable taxes
     Retake	INR 2000 + applicable taxes
     Reschedule	INR 1100 + applicable taxes
     Additional Score Reports (beyond first five)	INR 200 per Score Report + applicable taxes

8. MICAT

   
   MICA Admission Test is an exam conducted by MICA. A person seeking admission into MICA has to appear either for MICAT – 1 or MICAT – 2, after appearing in CAT, XAT or GMAT.

   
   MICAT Registrations Start Date: October 6, 2020

   MICAT Exam Pattern: It consists of 3 sections:
   • Section A: Psychometric Test
   • Section B: (has 4 sub-sections) – Verbal ability, Quantitative ability and Data Interpretation, General awareness; Divergent and Convergent Thinking
   • Section C: Descriptive Test

   
   MICAT Eligibility Criteria & Exam Fee

   • Graduate or final year student in any discipline of a duration of 3 or more years.
   • MICAT Exam Fee: INR 1,985/-