Every year in November, thousands of MBA aspirants give the CAT (Common Admission Test) exam in November. Despite being a highly sought-after entrance exam, CAT has a high difficulty level.
Today, aspirants can easily get into a reputed business school without giving CAT. Uncover the top 7 management exams in India for students, besides CAT, in our curated guide, featuring XAT, NMAT, CMAT, and more.
India’s Landscape of Management Entrance Exams
India has a broad range of management admission tests that accommodate candidates with varying strengths and preferences. Exams like XAT (XLRI Jamshedpur), SNAP (Symbiosis International University), NMAT (NMIMS), MAT (AIMA), and CMAT (AICTE) provide admission to reputable colleges with excellent placement histories and industry connections.
This diversity provides individuals with many opportunities to demonstrate their abilities.
Why Look Beyond CAT?
For many applicants, concentrating entirely on the CAT can be restrictive. While CAT is a very prestigious exam, it also has exceptionally high cut-offs, making it difficult to crack even for strong candidates.
Looking beyond CAT opens doors to similarly reputable management colleges that may better align with your professional aspirations and selected specialisations.
Top 7 Management Exams in India Besides CAT
GMAT
Conducted by the Graduate Management Admission Council, GMAT is one of the most prestigious entrance exams for MBA, as it is accepted in India as well as abroad. Candidates are allowed 4 attempts per year.
Held in: All year round
Negative marking: None
Unique Benefits for Students: Wide acceptance
XAT
Conducted every year in January, the Xavier Aptitude Test, or XAT, is held by XLRI Jamshedpur for admission to their MBA and PGDM courses. However, the syllabus is bigger than that of CAT, as this exam has 5 sections.
Held in: January
Negative marking: Yes, 0.25 marks are deducted for every incorrect answer.
Unique Benefits for Students: Tests practical skills
NMAT
One of the most popular management entrance exams today, NMAT is held by the Narsee Monjee Institute of Management [NMIMS]. Each candidate is allowed 3 attempts per year.
Held in: November & December. Dates for 2025: 5th November 2025 - 19th December 2025.
Negative marking: None
Unique Benefits for Students:Extremely candidate-friendly
SNAP
The SNAP exam is relatively easy when compared to other MBA exams. It allows admissions to the Symbiosis Group of Institutions, and candidates are allowed 3 attempts per year.
Held in: December. Dates for 2025: 6th December, 14th December and 20th December.
Negative marking: Yes. 0.25 marks are deducted for every incorrect answer.
Unique Benefits for Students: Short duration
ATMA
Conducted by the Association of Indian Management Schools, the ATMA exam allows admission to various MBA colleges. Candidates can give 4-5 attempts in a year.
Held in: August
Negative marking: Yes. 0.25 marks are deducted for every incorrect answer.
Unique Benefits for Students: Recognized by AICTE and MHRD
CMAT
Conducted by the National Testing Agency [NTA], CMAT is one of the scoring MBA entrance exams. By cracking it, candidates can get admission to AICTE-approved colleges.
Held in: January
Negative marking: Yes. -1 marks are deducted for every incorrect answer.
Unique Benefits for Students: Straightforward pattern
MAT
Conducted by the All India Management Association, the MAT exam allows candidates 4 attempts every year. The exam scores are accepted by over 200 business schools in India.
Held in: February, May, August, December
Negative marking: Yes. 0.25 marks are deducted for every incorrect answer.
Unique Benefits for Students: Flexible
Final Thoughts: Tips to Choose the Best MBA Exam
Accreditation: Ensure the college is accredited and has a good reputation.
Alumni Network: A strong network can provide valuable connections and opportunities.
Placement Record: Review placement rates and average salary packages offered.
Facilities: Assess the campus infrastructure and support services.