The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a postgraduate degree focusing on management and business. To gain admission into such a programme, you must take entrance exams that gauge your ability for the coursework.

MBA entrance exams

Before taking these exams, you must have one of the two following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from a recognized or deemed university in the 10+2+3 system with minimum 50% aggregate marks (for reserved categories, 45%).
• Candidate for bachelor’s degree, doing final-year exams.

Check eligibility for individual tests, as requirements may vary.

MBA entrance exams and typical fees include the following (fees for reserved categories may change):

• Common Admission Test (CAT) Rs. 1,550/-
• Management Aptitude Test (MAT) Rs. 1,200/-
• Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) Rs. 950/-
• Symbiosis National Aptitude Test (SNAP) Rs. 1,550/-
• ICFAI Business Studies Aptitude Test (IBSAT) Rs. 1,200/-
• AIMS Test for Management Admissions (ATMA) Rs. 1,050/-
• Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) Rs. 1,200/-

The CAT is held in October and November, and is conducted by the Indian Institute of Management (IIM). The test has two sections, one on quantitative ability and data interpretation and the second on verbal ability and logical reasoning. Results are available in January. Apart from the IIMs, 130 Business Schools (B-schools) require the test this year. The MAT is a B-school entrance test offered four times a year by All India Management Association (AIMA). Management Institutes and universities often accept this score. Registration closes on November 14. The sections of the MAT are language comprehension, mathematical skills, data analysis, intelligence and critical reasoning and Indian and global environment. The XAT is a common test for admission to programmes of XLRI (Xavier Labour Relations Institute) and other institutes. Offered across India and in three international cities; a test is also available in January. Registration ends in late November. Results for the exam are available January each year.

The SNAP is held in December. It is an All India Entrance Test for Symbiosis postgraduate programmes. Registration for the test closes in November, and results are announced in January. IBSAT is a test of the ICFAI (Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of India) for IBS (ICFAI Business School). The sections of IBSAT are quantitative techniques, data interpretation and data adequacy, English and reading comprehension. ATMA is conducted by AIMS (Association of Indian Management Schools) and offered four times a year. Test questions cover analytical reasoning, quantitative skills and verbal skills.

The CMAT is a new test that may cut down on taking multiple entrance exams. For admission to both the postgraduate diploma in management and the MBA, the test is intended to be a single entrance exam accepted by all AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education) colleges and institutes starting with 2013 scores.CMAT registration opens in January and ends February. The test takes place in late February. Test sections are on quantitative techniques and data interpretation, logical reasoning, language comprehension and general awareness.

Trial tests are sometimes offered online, see if this service is offered to prepare for your exams. Additionally, you may have to take regional entrance exams, depending on where you apply.

Entrance exam sections

MBA exams generally test your abilities in reading comprehension, data interpretation and quantitative skills. If you are shortlisted, the two following stages are usually group discussion and a personal interview.