If students are planning to pursue an MBA, they must know that there are several important entrance exams in India apart from CAT. Every year, around 2.5 to 3 lakh students take the CAT exam, but many aspirants also choose other well-known tests that offer great opportunities in top B-schools. XAT, CMAT, NMAT, SNAP, and MAT are some of the most popular MBA entrance exams in India. They are accepted by many prestigious management institutes across the country. It allows students more flexibility and more chances to secure a good MBA seat. Among these, CMAT and NMAT see the highest number of applicants after CAT, with CMAT attracting around 70,000 candidates annually, making it one of the most preferred non-CAT exams. Each test differs in style, difficulty level, and the types of colleges that accept them, so students choose a mix of exams depending on their goals. Overall, exploring MBA exams other than CAT helps aspirants keep more options open and reduces the pressure of relying on a single test.
List of Top MBA Exams Other Than CAT
Some of the top MBA entrance exams other than CAT include XAT, CMAT, GMAC, SNAP, and many more. Candidates can find complete details about these exams in the sections provided below:
XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test)
XAT is one of the most popular MBA entrance exams after CAT and is conducted for admission to XLRI and over 160+ B-schools across India. For 2026, this exam will be conducted on January 4, 2026, in the Computer-based Test (CBT) mode.
| Detail | Information |
| Exam Name | XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) |
| Conducting Body | XLRI Jamshedpur |
| Exam Time | January 4, 2026 |
| Exam Format | Computer-based test (MCQs + essay) |
| Application Fee | INR 2,200 (additional INR 200 for each XLRI program) |
| Sections | Verbal, DM, Quant, GK |
CMAT (Common Management Admission Test)
CMAT is a national-level MBA exam accepted by hundreds of AICTE-approved colleges. It is considered moderately difficult. For numerous College Admission to the MBA program, students can take the CMAT exam.
| Detail | Information |
| Exam Name | CMAT |
| Conducting Body | NTA (National Testing Agency) |
| Exam Time | January 25, 2026 |
| Exam Format | Computer-based test |
| Application Fee | INR 2,500 (General Male) and INR 1,250 (Female and Reserved) |
| Sections | Quant, LR, Language, GK, Innovation & Entrepreneurship |
NMAT by GMAC
NMAT is conducted by the GMAC (Graduate Management Admission Council). This exam will take place between November 5 to December 19, 2025. One of the special features of this exam is that there is no attempt limit.
| Detail | Information |
| Exam Name | NMAT |
| Conducting Body | GMAC |
| Exam Time | November 5 to December 19, 2025 |
| Exam Format | Computer-based, adaptive |
| Application Fee | INR 3,000 |
| Special Feature | Multiple attempts allowed |
SNAP (Symbiosis National Aptitude Test)
SNAP is the exclusive exam for admission to Symbiosis International University’s 15+ MBA institutes. This exam will be conducted on December 6, 14, and 20, 2025, in three sessions, in the CBT mode for a duration of 60 minutes.
| Detail | Information |
| Exam Name | SNAP |
| Conducting Body | Symbiosis International University (SIU) |
| Exam Time | December 6, 2025 (Session 1), December 14, 2025 (Session 2), and December 20, 2025 (Session 3) |
| Exam Format | Computer-based (60 minutes) |
| Application Fee | INR 2,250 |
| Sections | General English, Quant, Analytical & Logical Reasoning |
MAT (Management Aptitude Test)
MAT is accepted by over 600+ B-schools across India, making it a widely accessible option. The sections involved in this exam are Language, Mathematics, Reasoning, GK, and Data Analysis.
| Detail | Information |
| Exam Name | MAT |
| Conducting Body | AIMA |
| Conducting Time | February, May, September, December (13, 18 and 21, 2025) |
| Exam Format | PBT/CBT/IBT |
| Application Fee | INR 2,200 |
| Sections | Language, Math, Reasoning, GK, Data Analysis |
IBSAT (ICFAI Business School Aptitude Test)
IBSAT is conducted for ICFAI Business Schools across India. The authorities will conduct this exam on December 27 and 28, 2025, with sections included like Verbal Ability, RC, Quantitative, and Data Interpretation.
| Detail | Information |
| Exam Name | IBSAT |
| Conducting Body | ICFAI Foundation |
| Exam Time | December 27 and 28, 2025 |
| Exam Format | Computer-based |
| Application Fee | INR 1,800 |
| Sections | Verbal Ability, RC, Quant, DI |
ATMA (AIMS Test for Management Admissions)
ATMA is accepted by many mid-tier and private B-schools. The exam is conducted multiple times yearly in the Computer-based Test (CBT) mode. The upcoming exam is on February 22, 2026.
| Detail | Information |
| Exam Name | ATMA |
| Conducting Body | AIMS |
| Conducting Time | Multiple times a year, upcoming on February 22, 2026 |
| Exam Format | Computer-based |
| Application Fee | INR 2,000 |
| Sections | Analytical, Quantitative, Verbal |
KIITEE Management
This exam is conducted by KIIT University for admission to KSOM. It is moderately difficult and includes sections like Quantitative, Analytical Reasoning, and English. The application fee involved in KIITEE Management Exam is INR 1,500.
| Detail | Information |
| Exam Name | KIITEE Management |
| Conducting Body | KIIT University |
| Conducting Time | January 16 to 18, 2026 |
| Exam Format | Computer-based |
| Application Fee | INR 1,500 |
| Sections | Quant, Analytical Reasoning, English |
List of Colleges Accepting Non-CAT Entrance Exam Scores
Check out the list below to know about the colleges that accept the following MBA entrance exam scores: XAT, CMAT, NMAT, SNAP, MAT, IBSAT, ATMA, and KIITEE Management:
| Exam Name | Top Colleges Accepting the Exam |
| XAT | XLRI Jamshedpur, XIM Bhubaneswar, IMT Ghaziabad |
| CMAT | KJ Somaiya Institute of Management, JBIMS Mumbai, Welingkar Mumbai & Bangalore, Great Lakes Chennai |
| NMAT | NMIMS Mumbai, NMIMS Bangalore, NMIMS Hyderabad, ICFAI Business Schools |
| SNAP | SIBM Pune, SCMHRD Pune, SIIB Pune, SIBM Bangalore, SIMS Pune, SITM Pune, SCIT Pune, SIDTM |
| MAT | Christ University Bangalore, VIT Business School, JIMS Rohini, AIMS Bangalore |
| IBSAT | IBS Hyderabad, IBS Mumbai, IBS Bengaluru, IBS Pune, IBS Gurgaon, IBS Ahmedabad, IBS Jaipur |
| ATMA | PUMBA, IPE Hyderabad, JIMS Rohini, NDIM Delhi, ISME Bangalore |
| KIITEE Management | KIIT School of Management (KSOM), KIIT School of Rural Management (KSRM) |
Final Thoughts
Students have many good options for MBA entrance exams apart from CAT. Each exam allows admission to a different set of colleges, giving aspirants more chances to find a place that matches their goals. Whether it’s XAT for top institutes or SNAP for Symbiosis colleges, every exam has its own value. Students need to understand what each test offers and choose the one that fits their strengths and target institutions. With the right preparation and a clear plan, these non-CAT exams can help aspirants secure a strong start to their MBA journey.
