Top 5 MBA Entrance Exams 2025 List
MBA aspirants are well aware of the state-level and national-level MBA entrance exams and their key details to plan and execute an effective preparation strategy. The Top 5 MBA entrance exams for 2025 are CAT, XAT, SNAP, NMAT, and GMAT.
Among these, the CAT (Common Admission Test) is the national-level exam conducted on the last Sunday of November, serving as the primary gateway to IIMs and several other top B-schools. XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) is conducted by XLRI and is typically held in the first week of January. Most management institute courses for MBA also accept CAT scores when deciding who gets in, though admission at IIMs is purely based on CAT scores.
Below, explore the complete list of the Top 5 MBA Entrance Exams 2025, along with key exam dates and important events, to strategize your preparations.
1. CAT (Common Admission Test)
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is conducted by IIM. The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta conducted CAT 2024. Through CAT, aspirants can get admission to MBA and other postgraduate management programs at IIMs and other top participating B-schools like SP Jain Mumbai, MDI Gurgaon, FMS Delhi, etc. The exam is expected to be conducted on . There will be 68 questions in the exam, and the duration of the exam will be 120 minutes.
CAT 2025 Sections:
- Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
- Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
CAT 2025 Important Dates
| CAT Exam Events | Expected Date |
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| Registration Starts on | |
| Last Date to Register | |
| Exam Date | |
| Results |
2. XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test)
The XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) is a national-level entrance exam conducted by XLRI, Jamshedpur, for admission to MBA/PGDM programs and is accepted by over 250 B-schools in India. XAT is a computer-based entrance test. The total number of questions in the XAT exam is 95, and the total duration is 180 minutes.
XAT 2026 Sections:
- Verbal & Logical Ability
- Decision Making
- Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation
- General Knowledge
XAT 2026 Important Dates
| XAT Exam Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration Starts on | |
| Last Date to Register | |
| Exam Date | |
| Results |
3. SNAP (Symbiosis National Aptitude Test)
Symbiosis International University (SIU) administers the Symbiosis National Aptitude Test (SNAP), a national-level MBA entrance exam, for admission to management programs provided by its associated institutions like SIBM Pune, SIBM Bangalore, etc. SNAP is held in . Over 75,000 applicants apply for SNAP each year. The duration of the SNAP exam is 60 minutes, and the total number of questions is 60.
SNAP Exam Sections:
- General English
- Quantitative Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency
- Analytical & Logical Reasoning
SNAP 2025 Important Dates
| SNAP Exam Event | Date |
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| Registration Starts | |
| Last Date to Register | |
| Exam Date | |
| Results |
4. NMAT (Narsee Monjee Management Aptitude Test)
The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) conducts the national-level MBA entrance exam known as NMAT, or NMAT by GMAC. NMAT is accepted by many top institutes like NMIMS Mumbai, K J Somaiya Institute of Management, Indian School of Business (ISB), etc. In the NMAT exam, each section has a total of 36 questions. The NMAT exam duration is 120 minutes. In NMAT, there is no negative marking.
NMAT 2025 Sections:
- Language Skills
- Quantitative Skills
- Logical Reasoning
NMAT 2025 Important Dates
| NMAT Exam Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration Starts | |
| Last Date to Register | |
| Exam Date | |
| Results | Score Just After Exam |
5. GMAT (Graduate Management Aptitude Test)
For admission to graduate business programs, such as MBA programs, the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is an examination that evaluates students' abilities in verbal reasoning, integrated thinking, and quantitative reasoning. The duration of the GMAT exam is 2 hours and 15 minutes long (with one optional 10-minute break) and consists of 64 questions in total.
GMAT Exam Sections:
- Quantitative Reasoning
- Verbal Reasoning
- Data Insights
Features of the GMAT Exam:
- Stand Out From the Crowd: The GMAT exam helps business school candidates stand out during the admissions process.
- Gain a Competitive Advantage: GMAT exam measures problem-solving, communication, and strategic thinking skills.
Also read more about the List of Important 2025 MBA Entrance Exams.