With post-MBA salary packages touching 7 digit figures, an MBA degree has emerged as a sure-shot way of making it big within a minimal timeframe. However, with such a flurry of MBA colleges and entrance exams, the aspirants can easily get confused about which exam to write and which ones to skip. But not anymore! Here we give you a gist of the top MBA entrance exams in India. Read it & decide for yourself "“
- Common Admission Test (CAT)
In the past few years, MBA in India has become synonymous to CAT. Other than the renowned IIMs, over 160 MBA institutes admit students based on their performance in CAT. This computer based exam tests the students in Quantitative aptitude, Data interpretation, Verbal ability and Logical reasoning. The 2 hours 20 minutes long test also carries negative marking for each incorrect answer. Most institutes set sectional cut offs, so you need to prepare accordingly.
- XAT (XLRI)
The XAT exam has slowly grown in acceptance and is currently accepted by close to 70 MBA institutes in India. Apart from XLRI, colleges such as S.P. Jain Institute of Management & Research, Loyola Institute of Business Administration and Welingkar Institute also accept the scores of XAT. The two hour test comprising of Verbal, Quantitative and Logical ability questions is followed by an Essay writing exercise of 20 minutes duration.
- Management Aptitude Test (MAT)
This is one of the few MBA entrance exams conducted more than once (four) in a year. The students can choose their format of exam from online or written versions. The exam has a total of 200 questions, divided equally among 5 different sections. The test is conducted every year in the months of February, May, September and December.
- Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT)
Every year, more than 50,000 students apply for just 220 seats offered by the IIFT. A negligible course fee of $200 and skyrocketing placement packages are the major reason behind its popularity. Apart from the usual sections, the written exam also contains questions from the field of General Awareness. The selection process also includes Group Discussions, Interview and Essay round after the written exam.
- SNAP (Symbiosis National Aptitude Test)
Conducted by the Symbiosis International University, the scores of this test are used by all the college under the Symbiosis group for admissions in their MBA program. This 2 hour long test carries a negative marking of 25% for every incorrect answer.
- ATMA - AIMS Test for Management Admissions
The scores of this exam are accepted by more than 140 colleges across the country. A number of institutes also intake students for other postgraduate programs including MCA, based on the score in ATMA. A total of 180 questions in this exam are divided equally among 6 different sections. Unlike other exams, this is a 3 hour long test.
Apart from these, there are a number of other state level exams, scores of which are used by various colleges to admit students. Some of them are ICET for Andhra Pradesh & Telangana, and MAH for Maharashtra.