10 MBA entrance exams you can take!

CAT Exam, CMAT Exam, MBA MAH CET
Common Admission Test (CAT) is the first thing that comes to our mind when we think of MBA entrance exams. Most B-Schools in India accept CAT scores for admission. XAT, MAT and CMAT are next on the list. Then comes SNAP, NMAT, GMAT and so on. Overall, most candidates end up taking about two to three exams in an academic season. CAT-XAT-CMAT rules the roost among all, because the best colleges of the country such as IIMs, MDI, FMS, IMT, XLRI, SP Jain accept these scores. But the stunning fact is India has more than 50 MBA entrance tests. Some tests are held at a national level, some at the regional level and some at institute level. Most of these exams are attempted by a small fraction of MBA aspirants. Yet, each candidate should be aware of the choices and options available to them, early on during MBA preparation season. Keeping the above in mind, we have listed top 10 MBA entrance examinations that you can choose to attempt this year. Here goes the list: 1. Common Admission Test (CAT) The biggest and most popular entrance examination of India, CAT is conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIM). CAT scores are accepted by 19 IIMs and various other management institutes across the country. More than two lakh students appear for the exam each year. CAT is an online-entrance test. Candidates need to attempt 100 questions in 180 minutes. Registration for CAT begins in August-September and the exam is held in November-December. In 2017, CAT will be on November 26. CAT exam primarily consists of four segments: Verbal, Quantitative, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning. These segments are accordingly grouped into sections. CAT has three sections:
  • Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
  • Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
  • Verbal and Reading Comprehension (VRC)
2.Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) The second largest management entrance examination of the country, CMAT is taken by roughly 1.5 lakh candidates. Conducted by All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE). The exam is accepted by more than 500 MBA institutes across the country. The CMAT exam is held in January every year. CMAT is a computer-based exam. The duration of exam is 180 minutes. CMAT exam is divided in four main sections:
  • Quantitative technique
  • Logical reasoning
  • Language comprehension
  • General Awareness
3. Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) Another top management entrance, XAT is pen and paper based management aptitude test. Conducted by Xavier Labour Relations Institute (XLRI) Jamshedpur, XAT is taken by approximately one lakh candidates annually. Traditionally, XAT is held on the first Sunday of the year (January). XAT scores are accepted by more than 100 management institutes. XAT tests the candidate on four fronts:
  • Quantitative Ability
  • English Language & Logical Reasoning
  • Decision Making
  • GK & Essay
However, essay section is used only after candidates have been shortlisted for XLRI courses. Test duration is 170 minutes. 4. Symbiosis National Aptitude (SNAP) Conducted by Symbiosis International University, SNAP is also a national-level management entrance examination. SNAP scores are primarily used for admission to 15 institutes under Symbiosis International University. However, many other MBA colleges use SNAP scores for admission. SNAP is held in December and the registrations go on till November. SNAP test is a computer-based exam and held for two hours. It tests a candidates:
  • General English
  • Quantitative, Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency
  • General Awareness: General Knowledge, Current Affairs, Business Scenario
  • Analytical & Logical Reasoning
5. NMAT by GMAC NMIMS Management Aptitude Test (NMAT) is also one of the important MBA entrance exams. It has recently been acquired by GMAC and was rebranded as NMAT by GMAC. Scores for this exam will be used for admission to Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS), Alliance University, SRM University, BML Munjal University, VIT University, ICFAI Business School (IBS) and Ansal University. The computer-based exam is held over a 75-day testing window, between October and December. Candidates need to attempt 120 MCQs in 120 minutes. NMAT has various candidate-friendly options. For instance, candidates can appear for the exam a total of three times and the best of three scores will be used for admission. The exam has three main sections:
  • Language Skills
  • Quantitative Skills
  • Logical Reasoning
6. Management Aptitude Test (MAT) MAT is also one of the most popular MBA entrance exam. More than 600 institutes accept MAT scores for admission to management programmes. Conducted by exam is conducted by All India Management Association (AIMA), MAT is held four times a year – February, May, September and December.  The exam is held in both online (computer-based) and offline (written) mode. Held for 150 minutes, the test has 200 questions. The aspirant is tested in the following five areas:
  • Indian and Global Environment
  • Language Comprehension
  • Data Analysis and Sufficiency
  • Mathematical Skills
  • Intelligence and Critical Reasoning
7. Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) Exam IIFT entrance test is an institute specific entrance test. The exam is held for admission to the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT). It is held in pen and paper mode. IIFT test is conducted in November for two hours and consists of 200 multiple choice questions. It tests a candidate’s aptitude in the following areas:
  • English Comprehension
  • General Knowledge & Awareness
  • Logical Reasoning
  • Quantitative Analysis
8. AIMS Test for Management Admissions (ATMA) ATMA is also a national-level management entrance test. It is conducted in online as well as offline mode and held four times a year-February, May, July and August. ATMA scores are used for admission in by several management programmes. Held for three hours, ATMA tests a candidate on the following areas:
  • Analytical Reasoning Skills Part 1
  • Analytical Reasoning Skills Part 2
  • Quantitative Skills Part 1
  • Quantitative Skills Part 2
  • Verbal Skills Part 1
  • Verbal Skills Part 2
9. MICAT  MICAT is the online entrance test for MICA’s flagship two-year Post Graduate Diploma in Management – Communications (PGDM-C). Candidates first need to apply with CAT, XAT and GMAT (2012 onwards). All applicants will be called for MICAT entrance test which is held in December. Held over 125 minutes, MICAT has two sections:
  • Section 1 assesses the candidates’ analytical skills, logical skills, verbal skills, divergent thinking, written communication skills and general awareness.
  • Section 2 consists of a Psychometric Test.
10. Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (MAH-CET) MAH-CET is a state-level management entrance exam. The exam is conducted by the Directorate of Technical Education, Maharashtra, for admission to various management courses such as MMS, PGDBM and PGDM in various institutes in the state of Maharashtra. MAH CET is generally held in the month of March. Candidates need to attempt 200 questions in 150 minutes. The exam two sections:
  • Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
  • Quantitative Aptitude and Logical / Abstract Reasoning.
     

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