MBA Entrance Exam 2027: List of Exams, Dates, Eligibility

The MBA entrance exam 2027 cycle covers the tests you need for MBA, PGDM and PGP admissions in 2027-28, along with the BBA and Integrated Programme in Management (IPM) entrances that students take after Class 12. This page brings them together: national tests such as CAT, XAT and CMAT, state CETs, and institute-level exams.

Use it to see which forms are open, compare exams, check eligibility and find question papers. The exam list and dates below update automatically as conducting bodies announce them, so you always see the current status.

MBA Entrance Exams 2027: Applications Open Now

These management entrance exams are accepting applications right now; open the exam page for the form link and last date.

List of MBA Entrance Exams 2027

The list includes national exams accepted across India and state or university exams that admit mainly within one state. Use the National or State filter to narrow it, and the UG or PG filter to separate BBA and IPM tests (after Class 12) from MBA and PGDM tests (after graduation).

Exam	Level	Next date	Quick links
CAT 2026IIMs	PGNational	Admit card download4 to 29 November 2026 Upcoming	Syllabus Papers Admit Card Result
XAT 2027XLRI	PGNational	XAT 2027 online registrationOpen till 6 December 2026 Open	Syllabus Papers Admit Card Result
Karnataka PGCET 2027KEA	PGKarnataka	PGCET 2027 notificationMarch 2027 Expected	Syllabus Papers Admit Card Result
KMAT Kerala 2027CEE Kerala	PGKerala	Session 1 notificationDecember 2026 Expected	Syllabus Papers Admit Card Result
AP ICET 2027APSCHE	PGAndhra Pradesh	NotificationFebruary 2027 Expected	Syllabus Papers Admit Card Result
PU MET 2027Panjab University	UGChandigarh	Prospectus & form releaseDecember 2026 Expected	Syllabus Papers Admit Card Result
CMAT 2027NTA	PGNational	Online applicationOctober 2026 Expected	Syllabus Papers Admit Card Result
PU-MBA (CDOE) 2027Panjab University	PGChandigarh	Prospectus and online formJune 2027 Expected	Syllabus Papers Admit Card Result
AIMA UGAT 2027AIMA	UGNational	Online registration closesJune 2027 Expected	Admit Card Result
ATMA 2027AIMS	PGNational	Online application (February 2027)December 2026 Expected	Syllabus Papers Admit Card Result
HPU MAT 2027HPU Shimla	PGHimachal Pradesh	Online applicationApril 2027 Expected	Syllabus Papers Admit Card Result
IBSAT 2026IFHE	PGNational	Last date to apply (Tests 1 & 2)By 1 December 2026 Upcoming	Admit Card Result
IIM Indore IPM 2027IIM Indore	UGNational	Online applicationFebruary 2027 Expected	Papers Admit Card Result
IIM Rohtak IPM 2027IIM Rohtak	UGNational	NotificationFebruary 2027 Expected	Syllabus Papers Admit Card Result
JEMAT 2027MAKAUT	PGWest Bengal	JEMAT 2027 online applicationMay 2027 Expected	Syllabus Papers Admit Card Result
JIPMAT 2027NTA	UGNational	Online applicationApril 2027 Expected	Syllabus Papers Admit Card Result
KMAT 2026KPPGCA	PGKarnataka	Online registration (Session 2)By 31 October 2026 Upcoming	Syllabus Admit Card Result
MAH BCA BBA BMS BBM CET 2027State CET Cell	UGMaharashtra	Tentative CET 2027 scheduleNovember 2026 Expected	Syllabus Admit Card Result
MAH MBA CET 2027State CET Cell	PGMaharashtra	Tentative CET scheduleNovember 2026 Expected	Syllabus Papers Admit Card Result
MAT 2026AIMA	PGNational	September 2026 resultOctober 2026 Expected	Syllabus Admit Card Result
MICAT 2027MICA	PGNational	MICAT I registrationBy 21 November 2026 Upcoming	Admit Card Result
NMAT 2026GMAC	PGNational	NMAT 2026 testing window2 November to 20 December 2026 Upcoming	Syllabus Admit Card Result
NMIMS NPAT 2027NMIMS	UGNational	Online registrationJanuary 2027 Expected	Syllabus Papers Admit Card Result
PGDBA 2027PGDBA (ISI-IITKGP-IIMC)	PGNational	PGDBA 2027 admission noticeJanuary 2027 Expected	Syllabus Admit Card Result
PIM-MAT 2027University of Rajasthan	PGRajasthan	Admission brochure 2027April 2027 Expected	Syllabus Papers Admit Card Result
SNAP 2026Symbiosis (SIU)	PGNational	Registration and fee paymentOpen till 25 November 2026 Open	Syllabus Admit Card Result
SRCC GBO 2027SRCC	PGNational	NotificationDecember 2026 Expected	Syllabus Admit Card Result
TANCET 2027Anna University	PGTamil Nadu	Online registrationMarch 2027 Expected	Syllabus Papers Admit Card Result
TG ICET 2027TGCHE	PGTelangana	TG ICET 2027 notificationFebruary 2027 Expected	Syllabus Papers Admit Card Result
TNSF Consortium CET 2027TNSF Consortium	PGTamil Nadu	Application formsJune 2027 Expected	Syllabus Admit Card Result
XGMT 2027XIM University	UGNational	Online applicationBy 15 December 2026 Upcoming	Admit Card Result
YCMOU MBA CET 2027YCMOU	PGMaharashtra	Online MBANovember 2026 Expected

Upcoming MBA Exam Dates

Registration windows, admit cards, exam days and results for every tracked exam appear here as soon as they are announced.

See all 31 dates in the exam calendar ›

Top MBA Entrance Exams Explained

Most MBA aspirants build their plan around two or three of the exams below, then add a state CET for a back-up option at home.

CAT

The Common Admission Test is conducted by the IIMs, with one IIM running it each year by rotation. It is the main route to the PGP and MBA programmes at the IIMs, and many other B-Schools also accept CAT scores. It is a computer-based test with three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Ability. Every serious MBA aspirant should consider it. See the CAT exam page.

XAT

XAT is conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur and is used for admission to XLRI and a large number of other B-Schools. Along with verbal ability, quantitative ability and data interpretation, it has a Decision Making section that sets it apart from CAT. Take XAT if XLRI or XAT-accepting schools are on your list. See the XAT exam page.

CMAT

The Common Management Admission Test is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission to MBA and PGDM programmes at AICTE-approved institutions and other participating colleges. It is a national computer-based test and a common second exam for CAT takers. See the CMAT exam page.

MAT

The Management Aptitude Test is conducted by the All India Management Association (AIMA) several times a year. Because it runs in multiple sessions, it suits candidates who missed other exams or want an extra attempt. It is accepted by a wide range of participating B-Schools across India. See the MAT exam page.

NMAT

NMAT is conducted by GMAC and is the admission test for the MBA programmes at NMIMS, along with other participating schools. Candidates book their own test slot within a testing window and can take more than one attempt. See the NMAT exam page.

SNAP

SNAP is conducted by Symbiosis International (Deemed University) for admission to the MBA programmes at its institutes, such as SIBM Pune and SCMHRD. Take it if Symbiosis institutes are among your targets; the selection process after the test is run separately by each institute. See the SNAP exam page.

MAH MBA CET

MAH MBA CET is conducted by the State CET Cell, Maharashtra, for admission to MBA and MMS programmes in the state, including well-known Mumbai colleges such as JBIMS. It is the key exam for candidates who want to study in Maharashtra, and candidates from other states can also apply for the All India seats. See the MAH MBA CET exam page.

ATMA

ATMA is conducted by the Association of Indian Management Schools (AIMS) and is accepted by a number of participating MBA and PGDM institutes. It is a useful additional option if your target colleges list it. See the ATMA exam page.

Which Entrance Exam for MBA After Graduation?

Start from the colleges you want, then pick the exam they accept. CAT is the single most useful exam for an MBA, so most candidates take it and add others based on this table.

If you want	Take
An IIM and other top B-Schools that use CAT	CAT
XLRI and XAT-accepting schools	XAT
AICTE-approved colleges across India with one national test	CMAT
NMIMS and other NMAT-accepting schools	NMAT
Symbiosis institutes	SNAP
A flexible exam held several times a year	MAT or ATMA
MBA or MMS in Maharashtra	MAH MBA CET
MBA in Andhra Pradesh or Telangana	AP ICET or TG ICET
MBA in Karnataka	Karnataka PGCET or KMAT
MBA in Kerala or Tamil Nadu	KMAT Kerala, TANCET or TNSF Consortium CET
MBA in West Bengal	JEMAT
Business analytics (ISI, IIT Kharagpur, IIM Calcutta)	PGDBA
Communications management at MICA	MICAT

BBA and IPM Entrance Exams After 12th

If you are in Class 12 and want a management degree, you do not take an MBA entrance exam yet. You take a BBA, BMS or IPM entrance, and many of these test quantitative aptitude, verbal ability and reasoning at a Class 10 to 12 level.

IPM at the IIMs

The Integrated Programme in Management is a five-year programme that combines undergraduate study with the IIM management programme, so students join an IIM straight after Class 12. IIM Indore and IIM Rohtak run their own aptitude tests: see IIM Indore IPM and IIM Rohtak IPM. JIPMAT, conducted by NTA, is the admission test for the integrated programmes at IIM Jammu and IIM Bodh Gaya.

BBA and BMS Entrance Exams

NMIMS NPAT: for BBA and other undergraduate programmes at NMIMS.
SET: the Symbiosis entrance test for undergraduate programmes, including BBA, at Symbiosis institutes.
CUET UG: used by Delhi University and other central universities for BBA, BMS and similar courses.
MAH BCA BBA BMS BBM CET: for BBA, BMS and BBM admissions in Maharashtra.
IPU CET: the GGSIPU, Delhi, entrance; check the page for the current BBA route, as the university has also used CUET UG scores.
AIMA UGAT: an undergraduate aptitude test conducted by AIMA and accepted by participating institutes for BBA, BCA and similar courses.

Many government and state university colleges admit BBA students through CUET UG or on Class 12 marks, so check the admission rules of the specific college before you decide which test to take.

MBA Entrance Exams Other Than CAT

CAT is not the only way into a good MBA. If you are looking for MBA colleges without CAT, these routes are worth knowing:

Other national exams: XAT, NMAT, SNAP, CMAT, MAT and ATMA each have their own set of accepting colleges, and several reputed schools use them as their main or only route.
State CETs: MAH MBA CET, AP ICET, TG ICET, Karnataka PGCET, KMAT, KMAT Kerala, TANCET, JEMAT and PIM-MAT fill MBA seats in their states, including at government and university departments.
University and institute tests: some universities run their own entrance, such as HPU MAT, PU-MBA (CDOE) and YCMOU MBA CET for distance and open-learning MBA programmes.
CUET PG: some central and state universities use CUET PG for their MBA admissions.

For IIFT’s MBA (International Business), check the IIFT MBA page for the current admission route, as it has changed in recent cycles.

MBA Admission Without Entrance Exam

Some colleges offer MBA admission without an entrance exam, but be careful with the details. Here is how it usually works:

Merit-based admission: some private colleges and universities admit on graduation marks plus a group discussion or interview, especially for leftover seats after the main counselling.
Management or institutional quota: private colleges may fill a share of seats directly, usually at a higher fee. Check that the college and programme are approved by AICTE or UGC before paying anything.
Online and distance MBA: many open and online programmes admit on graduation alone, though some universities still hold their own test.
Executive MBA: programmes for working professionals often weigh work experience and an interview more than an entrance score.

Admission without an exam does not guarantee a seat, and the top B-Schools almost always require a test score. A national exam score keeps far more doors open, so take at least one even if you also apply to merit-based colleges.

Eligibility for MBA Entrance Exams

Eligibility is broadly similar across exams, but the exact rules are set in each notification, so always confirm on the exam’s page.

Programme	Usual requirement
MBA / PGDM (two-year)	A bachelor’s degree in any discipline, typically with around 50% aggregate and relaxation for reserved categories. Final-year students can usually apply.
IPM (five-year)	Class 12 pass or appearing, with minimum marks in Class 10 and 12 and an age limit set by each IIM.
BBA / BMS	Class 12 pass or appearing in any stream; minimum marks vary by college.
Executive MBA	A bachelor’s degree plus several years of work experience, as fixed by each institute.

Work experience is not required for a regular MBA at most institutes, including the IIMs, though some schools give it weight in final selection.

MBA Exam Pattern at a Glance

Most MBA entrance exams are computer-based multiple-choice tests of two to three hours. The common areas are:

Quantitative Ability: arithmetic, algebra, geometry, number system and modern maths at roughly Class 10 level.
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning: tables, charts, caselets, arrangements and puzzles.
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension: passages, para-jumbles, summaries and grammar.
General Awareness or Decision Making: included in some exams, such as XAT and CMAT, but not in CAT.

Negative marking, sectional time limits and question types differ by exam. Check the syllabus page of each exam before you start practising.

How to Prepare for MBA Entrance Exams

Pick your target exams early and read each official syllabus and pattern.
Read every day, such as editorials and long-form articles, to build reading speed for comprehension passages.
Revise school maths fundamentals before moving to harder quantitative problems.
Practise data interpretation and reasoning sets daily; these reward regular practice more than theory.
Solve previous years’ question papers to understand the level and style of each exam.
Take full-length timed mock tests on AglaSem Mock Test and analyse every attempt.
Prepare for the group discussion, written ability test and interview in parallel, since B-Schools use them for final selection.

MBA Entrance Exam Question Papers

Download previous years’ question papers and sample papers for MBA, BBA and IPM entrance exams below to practise with the real format.

All 19 question paper sets ›

MBA Entrance Exams 2027 FAQs

Which is the main MBA entrance exam in India?

CAT, conducted by the IIMs, is the most widely used MBA entrance exam and is accepted by the IIMs and many other B-Schools. XAT, CMAT, NMAT, SNAP and MAT are other national exams, and most states have their own MBA CET.

Which entrance exam should I take for MBA?

Choose based on the colleges you want. Take CAT for the IIMs, XAT for XLRI, NMAT for NMIMS and SNAP for Symbiosis, and add your state CET as a back-up. Most candidates take two to four exams in the same cycle.

Can I get MBA admission without CAT?

Yes. Many good colleges admit through XAT, NMAT, SNAP, CMAT, MAT or a state CET instead of CAT. Each exam has its own list of accepting institutes, so check the exam page for details.

Can I do an MBA without an entrance exam?

Some private colleges, online programmes and executive MBAs admit on graduation marks, work experience or an interview. Top B-Schools almost always require a test score, and admission without an exam is never guaranteed, so taking at least one entrance exam is the safer plan.

Which entrance exam is for BBA after 12th?

Common BBA entrances include NMIMS NPAT, Symbiosis SET, CUET UG for central universities, MAH BCA BBA BMS BBM CET in Maharashtra, GGSIPU in Delhi and AIMA UGAT. Many colleges also admit on Class 12 marks.

What is IPM and how do I get into an IIM after Class 12?

IPM is a five-year integrated management programme that lets you join an IIM straight after Class 12. IIM Indore and IIM Rohtak hold their own aptitude tests, while JIPMAT is used for IIM Jammu and IIM Bodh Gaya.

Is work experience needed to take an MBA entrance exam?

No. Fresh graduates and final-year students can take CAT, XAT, CMAT and most other MBA entrance exams. Work experience is required mainly for executive MBA programmes, though some schools give it weight in final selection.

What is the eligibility for MBA entrance exams?

Most MBA exams need a bachelor’s degree in any discipline, typically with around 50% aggregate and relaxation for reserved categories, and final-year students can usually apply. Exact rules differ, so check the notification on each exam’s page.

MBA Entrance Exams 2027: List, Dates, Eligibility