What is the Entrance Exam for MBA? All You Need to Know

Are you aspiring to join the corporate sector? If you are still contemplating which career path to choose, consider the MBA program. This trending program in the business market offers dynamic career options, paving the way for ambitious professionals like you to excel.

As you embark on your journey towards an MBA, it’s crucial to understand the key aspects: What is the entrance exam for MBA, eligibility criteria, and fee structure? In this article, we’ll delve into these topics, providing insights and tips to help you navigate this process.

Entrance Exam for MBA: A Brief Overview

The journey to any B-school leads through an MBA entrance exam, which evaluates your proficiency in problem-solving, reasoning, critical thinking, verbal, and qualitative skills. The exam prepares aspiring candidates for top-rated universities and helps them clarify their fundamental concepts about business function before seeking a successful career in an MBA field.

The MBA entrance exam has a unique format, syllabus structure, and eligibility requirements, which require hard work, dedication, and determination to pass. Once you qualify for the exam, numerous career opportunities will unlock, and candidates can begin their dynamic business management journey.

Listing the Top Entrance Exams for MBA

Are you wondering what is the entrance exam for MBA? The table below will help you understand the fundamental concepts of the exam process.

MBA Entrance Exam	Description and Syllabus
CAT	It is the most competitive exam that appeared by 2lakh Indian candidates every year. It’s a challenging exam IIMs conduct for admission to a renowned institute. The exam consists of 4 segments- Verbal, Data Interpretation, Reasoning and Quantitative aptitude
XAT	It is a popular entrance exam for MBA conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur, and more than 1 lakh students appear for this exam each year. The exam pattern consists of 4 sections: Decision-Making, Quantitative Ability, Reasoning and English Language Test.
MAT	It is a national-level entrance exam managed by the All India Management Association, which offers admission to another institute. The exam paper consists of four sections: Mathematical Ability, Critical and Intelligence Reasoning, Data Analysis, and Indian and Global Environment.
SNAP	Symbiosis International Aptitude Test conducts its national-level entrance exam for various MBA admissions under SIU. The exam pattern contains the following format: Logical and Analytical Reasoning, Quantitative Skills, General English, and Data Interpretation.
GMAT	The Graduate Management Admission Council conducts the GMAT exam annually for admission to undergraduate management programs. The exam pattern consists of Integrated Reasoning, Data Interpretation, Verbal Skills, Quantitative Aptitude, and Analytical Writing Tests.
NMAT	The Graduate Management Admission Council organises the national-level exam, which offers MBA admission in various institutes and colleges. The primary test formats are Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, and Language Assessment.
CMAT	The exam is supervised by the All India Council for Technical Education, and the admission procedure is done by AICTE-approved universities based on the marks acquired. The exam paper embodies the following structure- Logical Reasoning and Aptitude, Quantitative Skills, General Knowledge, Language Comprehension, etc
IIFT	The institute conducts the test for admission to the MBA program. The exam date falls in December and like others, it is the most competitive and requires complete hard work to get admission to IIFT. The test papers consist of four segments: Verbal and Reasoning Assessment, Language Test, General Awareness Test, and Logical Test.
MH-CET	It is a computer-based test exam for the MBA program. Once the candidates qualify, they get admission into Maharastra’s Government universities/colleges. The exam pattern consists of- Reading and verbal tests, Quantitative tests, Abstract reasoning, etc.
TISSNET	The Tata Insitute of Social Science directs the exam for the whole time MBA graduate program. The exam paper comes in the format of- Mathematical and logical skills, General awareness, and Language proficiency.

Tips for Cracking the Entrance Exam for MBA

In India, an MBA is a sought-after degree, and many professionals choose this domain to build their professional careers.

While there is no formula for passing without rigorous hard work, we can definitely help you with easy tips to conquer the exam. Here are the fundamental points about what is the entrance exam for MBA program entails.

Study Smart– Preparation requires a smart way to deal with questions and solve problems quickly. You must find a unique approach to covering your syllabus and managing your time effectively.
Clear the Fundamentals– Practice is the key to reach any success ladder in the competitive world. Building a solid foundation on verbal tests, logical reasoning, data interpretation, language analysis and quantitative assessment is advised.
Make Wise Use of the Internet—While the digital world can be distracting, it can also be beneficial if used intentionally. Candidates can subscribe to news and educational websites, social media groups, etc., for daily updates regarding the MBA exam.
Give Mock Tests – A mock test tracks your performance level and motivates you to excel in the following sample paper. It is the same as an actual exam, which builds your confidence and helps you understand how the preparation is going.
Check Previous Year Question Papers– Understanding the question paper becomes easy while preparing for the exam. It gives them insight into solving the problem with their tricks and knowledge. It also helps you analyse the question pattern and marking strategies.
Stay Dedicated– There is no shortcut to success, but one can achieve anything by staying dedicated and patient, including the most challenging exams. Preparing for the exam becomes easy with proper guidance and a roadmap

What is the Entrance Exam For MBA? Understanding its Eligibility, Fees, and Syllabus

Here is the table below describing the eligibility criteria and exam fees for the MBA entrance exam:

Exam	Eligibility	*Exam Fees (General Category)**	Exam Fees* (Reserved Category)
CAT	Graduate from any recognised university with a minimum of 50% marks and 45% for the SC/ST category.	INR 2,400	INR 1,200
XAT	A recognised bachelor’s degree in any discipline is welcomed. Students studying outside of India are also eligible through GMAT scores.	INR 2,100	INR 2,100
MAT	The candidates applying for MAT must have a 3-year bachelor’s degree in any discipline. Final-year students from any domain are also eligible to apply.	INR 2,100	INR 2,100
SNAP	To apply for the SNAP exam, candidates must have a bachelor’s degree with at least 50% passing marks and 45% for reserved categories. To get MBA admission to a top university, candidates should get 25-30 out of 60 in the SNAP exam.	INR 2,250	INR 2,250
GMAT	The applicant needs to be 18 years old or older to be eligible for the GMAT exam.	INR 20,465	INR 20,465
NMAT	To be eligible for this exam, the candidate must have completed graduation level in any discipline with 50% passing marks.	INR 2,800	INR 2,800
CMAT	Candidates with 50% marks in their graduation phase are eligible for the CMAT exam. The passing mark for the reserved category is a minimum of 40%.	INR 2,000	INR 1,000
MH-CET	The applicant must have passed 10+2 from a recognised university in physics, mathematics, and chemistry subjects. Must have a bachelor’s degree with 50% passing marks	INR 800	INR 600
TISSNET	The applicant must have appeared in the CUET PG, 2024 exam to be eligible for TISSNET exam.	INR 1,030	INR 260
IIFT	To be eligible for the IIFT entrance exam, candidates must secure 60% of their marks during their bachelor’s degree.	INR 3,000	INR 1,500

Please note: The fees* mentioned above can vary from institute to institute and are subject to change.

Summary

Getting an MBA admission is challenging in the competitive world, but one can easily crack the code with dedication and perseverance. Numerous exams, such as CAT, XAT, MAT, SNAP, etc., require full attention and vigorous study. No hurdle is more challenging if one aims to get an MBA degree.

If you are still left with questions about, ‘what is the entrance exam for MBA’, check similar articles on the Hike Education website for more in-depth information.

What is the Entrance Exam for MBA : FAQs

Q1. Can I apply for numerous MBA entrance exams?

Indeed! You can apply for several exams to increase your chances of securing admission to your preferred B-school.

Q2. What are the eligibility criteria for MBA entrance exams?

To be eligible for the MBA entrance exam and get admission to the top B-schools, candidates must have at least 50% passing marks for the general category and 40% for the reserved category

Q3. How can I prepare for the entrance exams while working full-time?

Time management is critical to excel in the MBA entrance exam if you are a working professional. Try to make your timetable along with your other work commitments and stay dedicated to your routine.

Q4. What is the entrance exam for MBA?

In 2024, India’s most competitive MBA exams are CAT, MAT, XAT, SNAP, IIFT and more.

Q5.Is CAT mandatory for the MBA exam?

No, while the CAT is the most challenging and competitive exam, other entrance exams can help individuals apply for an MBA program.

More Information:

CAT Exam Syllabus for MBA: A Detailed Guide

Difference Between Diploma and Degree: Roadmap to Career Pathways