What Should You Know About MBA Entrance Exams?

What Should You Know About MBA Entrance Exams?

The deadline for CAT 2024 registration will be the 2nd last week of September 2024. The number of IIMs in India has increased from 20 to 21 as of this year. NITIE, which was renamed IIM Mumbai by an Act of Parliament, is the newest participant. Making significant changes to how MBA entrance exam results are accepted for admission in 2024, IIFT has declared that it would only accept CAT 2024 scores for MBA admission 2024 and has cancelled its own IIFT entrance exam, which was formerly administered by NTA. Consequently, CAT has further gotten a boost with one of the premier B-schools, IIFT, joining B-schools that are competing in the Non-IIM Category for CAT 2024.

XAT 2024, NMAT 2024, and GMAT 2024 exam registration and application processes are open for more than a month for MBA Admission 2024, however, CAT 2024 registration expires on September 21. TISSNET and CMAT, two other top MBA Entrance Exams 2024–25 for MBA Admission 2024, will also launch soon. The registration costs for CAT 2024, and XAT 2024 have increased due to increases by XLRI, and IIMs. You've come to the right place if you're seeking the most recent information on the MBA Entrance Exams 2024-2025 and for admission in 2024. You can find out more about the Top MBA Colleges, CAT Colleges, Important MBA Entrance Exams, Registration Dates, Costs, and Procedures in this article. See the following Table of Contents.

A Quick Look at the Top MBA Entrance Exam Schedule for 2024–25

The list of all MBA entrance exams from 2024 to 2025 at a glance, together with their dates, costs, and participating colleges, is provided below along with the schedule of entrance exams for MBA admission 2024:

List of MBA Entrance Examinations 2024-25 

 Registration Start Dates 

Exam Date

 Exam Registration Fees 

CAT 2024

August, 2024

24, November,2024

Rs.2400/1200

XAT 2025

July 15 – Dec., 10, 2024

January 5, 2025

Rs.2100

IIFT 2025

October, 2024

December, 2024

Rs.2500/1000

NMAT 2024

Aug 1 – Oct. 10, 2024

Oct 10 to Dec 19, 2024

Rs.2800

IBSAT 2023

July 1 – 1 Dec, 2024

October, 2024

Rs.1800

TISSNET 2024

Second week of Dec 2023

Last week of Feb 2024

Rs.1030

CMAT 2024

 29th March - 23rd April, 2024 

15th May, 2024

Rs.2000, Rs.1000

MAT 2024

4th week of March 2024

3rd week of May 2024

Rs.2100

 

MBA Entrance Exam Syllabus:

The main areas that are often covered in the MBA entrance exam syllabus are Verbal, reasoning, numerical aptitude, and language skills. But it's crucial to figure out which one suits you the most and make the necessary preparations.

Preparing for an MBA entrance exam can help you later with MBA degree courses. The MBA course fees can range from INR 2 lakhs to 10 Lakhs.

 

MBA Entrance Exam Patterns:

Most MBA exams follow a similar format, with a few minor exceptions.

  • Time allotted: 120–140 minutes on average
  • Number of inquiries: 40–100
  • Ideally separated into three-time intervals, except one or two.
  • Parts: Data and logical reasoning (DILR), quantitative aptitude (QA), verbal and reading comprehension (VARC), and
  • 20–25 questions for each segment (some may have more than 45 questions).
  • Negative marking

 

MBA Entrance Exam Eligibility Criteria:

You can take an MBA entrance exam if you have a 50% graduation rate and/or two to three years of job experience. You can choose from a range of MBA entrance exams like CAT, MAT, XAT, NMAT, CMAT, etc. The same prerequisites apply for admission to most MBA degree courses

 

CAT 2024 Exam – Common Admission Test - Exam Scheduled on 24th Nov, 2024

Common Admission Test 2024, also known as CAT 2024, is the biggest and most popular MBA entrance exam in India. It will be held on November 24. 2.55 lakh people applied to take the CAT exam the previous year. IIM Lucknow will hold CAT 2024 on November, 2024, for MBA admission 2024 to 500+ top MBA Colleges in India and 21 IIMs, FMS Delhi, IIFT Delhi/Kolkata, IIT DoMs, SPJIMR, and MDI.

What is a CAT Exam?

 The Common Admission Test (CAT) is administered annually by one of the six older IIMs for MBA admission. 

CAT 2024 Eligibility Criteria

50% in any discipline for a Bachelor's degree from a reputable university or institution

CAT 2024 Registration Dates

From Aug, 2024

CAT Exam Date 2024

24th November, 2024

CAT Entrance exam sessions

Will be Conducted in 3 sessions – Morning, Afternoon,and Evening on the same day

CAT 2024 Conducting IIM

IIM Lucknow

CAT Entrance Exam Mode

Computer-based Online

Number of Questions in CAT 2024

66 questions divided into 3 sections

CAT Exam Time Duration

2 hours for each Session

Expected CAT 2024 Difficulty level

Moderate to Difficult

 

CAT Exam pattern

CAT Exam Pattern

Sectional Division of CAT Syllabus

Overview of Topics in Syllabus

 Overall Weightage in the CAT exam 

Section-1: CAT VARC Syllabus Weightage & Topics

RC Based Questions, Para jumbles, Para summary, Out of Context Sentence

36%

Section-2: CAT DILR Syllabus Weightage & Topics  

Tables, Graphs, Data Analysis Charts, seating arrangements, Direction sense

32%

Section-3: CAT Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus Weightage & Key Topics

Individual Questions based on Modern Math, Geometry, Arithmetic, Algebra, Trigonometry, Mensuration, Number system

34%

 

CMAT 2024 Exam updates

CMAT 2024 Exam Analysis

The CMAT 2024 exam was administered by NTA in two shifts. This page will contain the CMAT exam analysis for both shifts in 2024. The first shift ran from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, and as per the reports, it was determined that the exam was moderate. From 3:00 to 6:00 pm, CMAT 2024's second shift was conducted, and the second shift's paper was likewise mild. The authorities will soon release the answer key.

Expert analysis of the CMAT 2024 paper will include a thorough evaluation of the exam's difficulty level, the questions asked on each topic, the number of correct answers, and the anticipated CMAT 2024 cut-off scores. Candidates can estimate their CMAT 2024 scores and evaluate their performance with its assistance.


Analysis of CMAT 2024: Exam Highlights

  • The CMAT exam in 2024 had a moderate to easy difficulty level.
  • The CMAT 2024 section on quantitative techniques and data interpretation was rather challenging.
  • There were no questions on algebra or geometry.
  • The CMAT 2024 logical reasoning section was simple.

The Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) is a national-level MBA entrance exam for admission to 1,000 AICTE-approved management programs (MBA/PGDM) across India that is organized and administered by the government. The CMAT is a computer-based test that will be conducted bythe National Testing Agency.  AICTE-Approved Institutions, University Departments, Constituent Colleges, and Affiliated Colleges, including JBIMS, SIMSREE, K J Somaiya Mumbai, Welingkar Mumbai, PUMBA Pune, Great Lakes Chennai, GIM, and BIMTECH Greater Noida, among others, accept CMAT scores. The CMAT test is scheduled for April-May 2024.

CMAT Conducting Authority

National Testing Agency (NTA)

CMAT Full Form

Common Management Admission Test

Number of CMAT accepting colleges

1000+

CMAT 2024 Registration Dates

Second week of February to March 2024 Tentative

Exam Date

April-May 2024 Tentative

Exam Slots

2 Shift Exam with 3 hrs. Duration in each slot

Mode of CMAT Entrance Exam 2024

Online Computer Based Test

CMAT 2024 Score Validity for MBA Admission

2024-2025 academic session

Total Questions in the CMAT Entrance Exam

100

CMAT 2024 Medium of Question Paper

English

Exam Difficulty Level

Easy to Moderate

Maximum Score

400 Marks for 100 questions

Exam Application Fee for Boys

Rs.2000/-

Application Fee for Girls

Rs.1000/-

Application Fee for EWS/OBC-NCL 

Rs.1000/-

Application Fee for SC/ST/PwD

Rs.1000/-

 

CMAT Exam Pattern

Sectional Analysis of CMAT 2024 Break-Up

There are five sections with twenty questions each on the CMAT 2024 question paper. Examine the CMAT 2024 parts' respective levels of difficulty.

CMAT 2024 Exam Sections

 Number of Questions 

 Maximum Marks Section-wise 

Language Comprehension  

20

80

Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation

20

80

Logical Reasoning

20

80

General Awareness

20

80

Innovation and Entrepreneurship

20

80

Total: Sections-5

100

400

 

XLRI-XAT 2025 - The exam date for XLRI-XAT 2025 is January 7, 2024

One of the crucial MBA entrance exams for admission to XLRI, IMT, XIMB, TAPMI, and 150+ MBA Colleges in India is the Xavier Aptitude Test, more commonly referred to as XAT. About 1,000,000 applicants from all academic fields—including engineering, business, humanities, science, and law—apply and take the XAT exam each year to get accepted into one of the many MBA programs provided by these prestigious B-schools. The XAT will take place on January 7, 2024, on a Sunday. Because XLRI Jamshedpur administers the XAT every year, it is sometimes referred to as XLRI-XAT.

XAT 2024 Conducting Authority

Xavier School of Management (XLRI) Jamshedpur

XAT 2024 Eligibility Criteria

Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline

XAT 2024 Registration Dates

July 15 to November 30, 2023

XAT 2024 Exam Fees

Rs.2100

XAT 2024 Exam Date

January 7, 2024

XAT 2024 Testing Session

2 PM to 5.10 PM (3 Hrs. 10 Minutes)

Total Universities accepting XAT score

150+

Mode of Examination

Online Computer-Based Test

Total Questions in XAT Question Paper

101

XAT Exam Difficulty Level

Moderate to Difficult

 

XAT 2024 Exam Pattern

Exam Sections

Number of questions

Overall Time Duration

Part-1

75 Total MCQs

165 Minutes

Verbal and Logical Ability

26

No Sectional Time Limit

Decision Making

21

No Sectional Time Limit

Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation

28

No Sectional Time Limit

Part-2

25 Total MCQs + Essay Writing Test

25 Minutes

General Knowledge

25

 

Essay

  1 Descriptive Topic

10 Minutes

Total questions (Part 1 + Part 2)

101

 

 

NMAT by GMAC 2023: Required Test for Admission to NMIMS in 2024

Among the best MBA colleges in India, NMIMS Mumbai, SPJIMR, ISB, VIT, and XIMB are among the 30 institutions and universities that accept the NMAT as a requirement for admission. The NMAT by GMAC exam is administered by GMAC. The NMAT exam has a lengthy examination period. The NMAT is administered in two ways: an online proctored test and a computer-based test at testing locations.

NMAT 2023 Exam Conducting Body

Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC)

NMAT Official Website

mba.com/nmat

NMAT 2023 Registration dates

Aug 1 to Oct 10, 2023

NMAT 2023 Exam Dates

75 days from October 10 to December 19, 2023

NMAT 2023 Testing Mode

1. Online Exam at Test Centre; Or

2. Online proctored exam from home  

Number of Times you can Take the NMAT exam 2023

Three

NMAT 2023 Exam Fee

Rs.2800/-

Total Questions in NMAT Exam 2023

108

Exam Difficulty Level

Moderate as compared to CAT, XAT, SNAP

 

NMAT Exam Pattern

Section Name

Total Questions

Time Allotted for Each Section in minutes

Language Skills

36

28

Quantitative Skills

36

52

Logical Reasoning

36

 40

Total

108

120

 

MAT

One of the most popular national-level MBA entrance exams in India is the Management Aptitude Test or MAT Exam. MAT Exam is administered at least 4 times a year, in the months of February, May, September, and December. The exam opens up the possibility of MBA admission 2024 to more than 400 top MBA colleges that recognize MAT exam scores. The September MAT CBT, PBT, and IBT schedule is now closed. Learn everything about the MAT here, including how to register, how to prepare, which colleges accept the MAT, and much more.

Questions related to the Exam

Answer related to the Exam

Exam Conducting Authority

All India Management Association

Total Exams in a Year

Held in February, May, September, December

Total MBA colleges accepting MAT Exam

400 to 600+

Testing Modes

3: IBT, PBT, CBT

Number of Attempts

2

Application Fee

Rs.1950/- for 1 exam;

Rs. 3100/- for 2 exams

MAT Full Form

Management Aptitude Test

Total Questions in Test Paper

200

Sectional Division of Exam 2023

5 Sections with 40 Questions in Each Section

Difficulty Level

Easy to Moderate

Minimum Percentile Required for Admission in Top MBA Colleges

90+

Importance of Taking the Dec 2023 MAT Exam

Offers MBA admission opportunities in 2024 and Offers the opportunity to improve rank and score

Application process

Online

 

MAT Exam Pattern

  • The test paper includes a 2-hour time limit.
  • The MAT question paper has 200 MCQs of the objective kind.
  • Easy-to-moderate difficulty level
  • Each section will include 40 questions.
  • There will be five sections in question paper.
  • Each right response receives a mark of one.
  • Each incorrect response receives a negative grade of -0.25 marks.

 

Which MBA entrance exam should I take?

Choosing which examinations to take and why might be challenging when applying for an MBA entrance exam. It should be mentioned that if you choose to take all of the MBA admission examinations, you could burn a significant hole in your wallet by paying more than Rs. 20,000 in entrance exam fees alone. As a result, it is advised that you carefully consider the following factors before deciding which MBA admission examinations you should apply for and take:

Types of MBA entrance exams

There are more than 50 entrance exams for MBA admission. Hence, finding the MBA entrance exam for Government colleges is not that easy. There are three tiers of MBA entrance exams held in India.

  • National level: CAT, CMAT, and MAT are the most well-liked exams.
  • State level: MAH-CET, TSICET, APICET, KMAT, and TANCET are the most well-liked tests among them. University/college level: A few well-known entrance exams are the IRMASAT, XAT, SNAP, and IIFT Exam.

MBA entrance exam date for CAT, XAT, MAT, SNAP, CMAT, and others, are administered from November to May.

The MBA entrance exam questions may differ in format and difficulty according to different sections in the exam. MBA entrance exam questions are chosen from various sections such as logical reasoning, critical reasoning, data interpretation, verbal and reading comprehension, Jumbled para, quantitive aptitude, etc.

 

Level of Difficulty of MBA Entrance Exam

Exams for MBA entry have varied degrees of difficulty. You must evaluate your readiness, preparation level, and remaining time to finish the exam with a high score. If you want to enroll in one of the IIMs or other top MBA colleges, you must take a test of a greater level of difficulty, such as the CAT, XAT, or IIFT. If you want to enroll in one of the other top MBA programs, however, you can choose a test of a moderate level of difficulty, such as the NMAT, or CMAT. The MBA entrance exams and their level of difficulty are shared here.

 Exam Difficulty Level 

 MBA Entrance Exams 

 Preparation Time Required 

High

XAT, CAT, IIFT

6-12 Months

Moderate

NMAT, SNAP, TISSNET

4-6 Months

Easy

CMAT, MAT, IBSAT

2-3 Months

 

Registration Fees of MBA Entrance Exams for Various Categories

The registration fee for each test for the MBA Entrance Exams ranges from Rs. 1000 to Rs. 3000. The price of each exam's application form for the MBA entrance exam is listed in the table below:

 MBA Entrance Exams 

 MBA Entrance Exams Registration Fee (General category) 

 MBA Entrance Exams Registration Fees  (Reserved category) 

CAT

Rs.2400/-

Rs.1200/-

XAT

Rs.2100/-

Rs.2100/-

IIFT

Exam Cancelled

Exam Cancelled

NMAT by GMAC

Rs.2800/-

Rs.2800/-

SNAP

Rs.2250/-

Rs.2250/-

CMAT

Rs.2000/-

Rs. 1000/-

MAH CET

Rs.1000/-

Rs. 800/-

MAT

Rs.1950/-

Rs.1950/-

IBSAT

Rs.1800/-

Rs.1800/-

TISSNET

Rs.1030/-, Rs. 2060/-, Rs. 3090/-

Rs. 260/-, Rs. 520/-, Rs. 780/-

 

Choosing the right college without MBA entrance exams

MBA entrance exams may be a bit tricky to crack but they are worth it on. If scored well in MBA entrance exams, you might get a chance to be admitted at your desired MBA programs. Make sure that you score higher than the cut-off marks required by certain colleges as there will be intense competition for seats. Most reputed colleges charge you a hefty amount as MBA course fees for admission in MBA programs but there are a few in Greater Noida that demands only a fraction of what top MBA colleges would charge.

KCC ITM is one of the best offers admission in MBA programs without taking into account any MBA entrance exams which makes it one of the best destination for aspirants who don’t want to waste a year for preparing for exams like CAT, MAT, XAT, NMAT, CMAT, etc. The MBA course fees at KCC ITM is INR 60000 per semester.

MBA Entrance Exam preparation Tips

An MBA entrance exam is a tough nut to crack without proper guidance and study plan. The MBA entrance exam syllabus could differ depending on the type of MBA entrance exam you wish to take. It might also affect your eligibility for admission to various MBA programs and the overall MBA course fees at top MBA colleges. If you perform well in the MBA entrance exam, you might get a scholarship or fee waiver as many scholarships are performance-based to give a student encouragement to study hard.

Despite the difficulty of the MBA entrance exam, careful study of the MBA entrance exam syllabus can give you a more strategic approach to pass with flying colours and enroll in the best MBA programs of your choice at your ideal college. It's vital to be aware of the MBA entrance exam syllabus of CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT, NMAT, etc., so that you can ace the exam.

Seeking admission into MBA programs is a costly affair especially if you plan to take an MBA entrance exam. The MBA course fees along with the cost of preparation in top coaching institutes may drain your wallet or worse, drown you in debt.

The best way to avoid such back-breaking costs of pursuing MBA programs in India is to prepare for an MBA entrance exam on your own. This can be achieved in 5 simple steps given below:

  • Go through the MBA entrance exam syllabus
  • Solve as many sample papers as possible
  • Make a study plan according to the chapter-wise weightage
  • Find out your weaknesses and work on them.
  • Eat well and stay healthy to boost immunity and memory 

 

Why Is It Important to Take an MBA Entrance Exam?

MBA admission 2024 in India will be based on the MBA entrance exam to admit students. MBA admission 2024 at top institutes in Delhi Noida based on their own MBA entrance exam and set the selection criteria appropriately. To obtain a postgraduate degree in management, a large number of applicants take several MBA entrance exams each year and spend months studying through the MBA entrance exam 2024 syllabus. Therefore, it is advised that those aspiring for MBA admission 2024 in India be ready to sit for a variety of MBA entrance exams to increase their chances of being accepted into different B-Schools. For instance, the XAT and MH-CET require candidates to write essays and use their decision-making skills, whereas the MAT, SNAP, and MH-CET feature sections titled "General Knowledge." As such, applicants should prepare for the CAT Exam in addition to being updated on current events.

 

Conclusion

The MBA admissions offered by the top MBA colleges in Greater Noida are generally based on MBA entrance exams. However, there are plenty of private colleges in Greater Noida that offer MBA without entrance exam but students still need to satisfy the basic eligibility criteria for admission to MBA colleges in Greater Noida.

Student can take MBA entrance exams that can be national-level, state-sponsored, or university organized depending on their preferences for admission to MBA colleges. To prepare well for MBA entrance exams, students must start preparing months before the exam date. Hope, this article have helped you to understand what it takes to be admitted in top MBA colleges in India.

 

FAQs for MBA Entrance Exam

 

Q1. Is admission open for an MBA?

MBA Admission 2024 is open with many B-schools. However, different colleges release their MBA application forms at their own convenience.

Q2. Which MBA exam is the best?

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is the desired outcome for every MBA aspirant. But, in addition to the CAT, candidates should also take the XAT, MAT, CMAT, MAH CET, TS ICET, AP ICET, and other management entrance exams.

Q3. Is the XAT more difficult than the CAT?

Both the XAT and CAT exams are challenging, however, many students regard the XAT exam to be more challenging than the CAT exam since the XAT question paper has two sections: the Decision-Making part and the Verbal section. The passages in the XAT verbal segment are longer than those on the CAT exam.

Q4. How life could be after earning an MBA from KCC ITM?

After earning an MBA from KCC ITM Greater Noida, your professional life can be fulfilling and exciting. One of the top MBA Colleges in Greater Noida, many former students have received good positions in top companies after their MBA.

Q5. What is the eligibility for the CAT exam?

A student must be a graduate in any stream from a recognized college with a minimum percentage of 50% and 45% for reserved categories.

Q6. Can a 12th-grade graduate apply for CAT?

An applicant must have graduated from high school or be enrolled in their final year of college study in order to be eligible to take the CAT exam. Therefore, a 12th pass is not qualified to take the CAT.

Q7. Can I get an MBA without entrance?     

Direct admission without MBA entrance exam does not involve passing an entrance exam with many B-schools. Admission is awarded to deserving students based on their extracurricular activities, profile, experience, and academic standing, among other things.

 

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