What is the Entrance Exam for MBA?
A Complete Guide by CampusWalkin to Kickstart Your MBA Journey
Why Entrance Exams Matter in Your MBA Journey
An MBA is more than just a postgraduate degree—it’s a launchpad for your professional transformation.
But before you step into the world of leadership, strategy, and innovation, there's a key gateway to
cross: the MBA entrance exam. Whether you're targeting IIMs, top global B-schools, or specialized
management institutes in India, entrance exams are a mandatory step in your admission process.
This is where CampusWalkin comes into the picture. We don’t just list colleges. We handhold you from
understanding which entrance exams are right for you, preparing strategically, selecting target
programs, and maximizing your chances of getting into your dream B-school.
What Is an MBA Entrance Exam?
An MBA entrance exam is a standardized test used by universities and business schools to evaluate
applicants for their programs. These tests assess a combination of verbal reasoning, quantitative
aptitude, logical thinking, and analytical writing ability—skills vital for business and management
success.
Top MBA entrance exams vary based on:
- Country of study
- Type of program (Full-time, Executive, Online)
- Institute-specific preferences
At CampusWalkin, we ensure students are matched with MBA programs based on their performance in exams
like CAT, GMAT, XAT, MAT, NMAT, SNAP, CMAT, GRE, and more.
List of Top MBA Entrance Exams in India
Let’s look at the most widely accepted and prestigious MBA entrance exams in India. CampusWalkin helps
you prepare for and apply to programs that accept these scores.
CAT (Common Admission Test)
- Conducted by: Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs)
- Accepted by: All 20 IIMs and 1,000+ top B-schools in India
- Format: Verbal Ability, Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning,
Quantitative Aptitude
- Frequency: Once a year (November)
CampusWalkin Tip: CAT is highly competitive. We guide you through personalized prep
resources, mock
exams, and expert tips to boost your scores.
XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test)
- Conducted by: XLRI, Jamshedpur
- Accepted by: XLRI and over 800 B-schools
- Unique Section: Decision-Making
- Frequency: Annually in January
CampusWalkin Insight: Many students find XAT tougher than CAT due to the
decision-making section. Our
mentors provide exclusive strategies to tackle this segment.
MAT (Management Aptitude Test)
- Conducted by: AIMA (All India Management Association)
- Accepted by: 600+ institutes
- Modes: CBT, PBT, and Internet-Based Test (IBT)
- Frequency: 4 times a year
CampusWalkin Advantage: Ideal for students who want flexibility. We help you shortlist
MAT-accepting
colleges that align with your academic background and budget.
CMAT (Common Management Admission Test)
- Conducted by: National Testing Agency (NTA)
- Accepted by: 1,000+ AICTE-approved institutions
- Sections: Quant, Logic, Language, General Awareness, Innovation &
Entrepreneurship
Why CampusWalkin? Our data-driven insights show which CMAT-accepting institutes offer
the best ROI,
placement records, and global tie-ups.
SNAP (Symbiosis National Aptitude Test)
- Conducted by: Symbiosis International University
- Required for: MBA programs offered by Symbiosis colleges across India
- Duration: 60 minutes (3 sections)
CampusWalkin Support: We help you not only crack SNAP but also guide your application
process across
Symbiosis institutes.
NMAT by GMAC
- Conducted by: Graduate Management Admission Council
- Accepted by: NMIMS and select international institutes
- Flexibility: 3 attempts per year, choose your best score
CampusWalkin Pro Tip: NMAT offers a unique chance to improve. We assist in mock tests,
performance
review, and institute selection based on your best attempt.
ATMA (AIMS Test for Management Admissions)
- Conducted by: Association of Indian Management Schools
- Frequency: Multiple times a year
- Format: Analytical Reasoning, Quant, Verbal
CampusWalkin Evaluation: We’ll guide whether ATMA suits your profile and help identify
colleges that
match your career goals.
MBA Entrance Exams for Studying Abroad
If you are targeting international MBAs, the entrance exams differ. CampusWalkin also offers global MBA
counseling, including support for these tests:
GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)
- Conducted by: GMAC
- Accepted globally by 2,300+ B-schools
- Structure: Analytical Writing, Integrated Reasoning, Quant, Verbal
CampusWalkin Insight: We connect you to partner institutions abroad and provide a GMAT
roadmap with
study timelines, prep resources, and essay support.
GRE (Graduate Record Examination)
- Conducted by: ETS
- Accepted by: Several top US, UK, Canadian, and European universities
for MBA
- Preferred by: Dual degree seekers (MS + MBA)
CampusWalkin Service: We help you understand GRE-MBA equivalence and which colleges
accept GRE instead
of GMAT.
Do All MBA Programs Require an Entrance Exam?
Not always. CampusWalkin also lists programs that offer direct admissions or consider:
- Past academic performance
- Work experience
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Personal Interview
- Internal entrance tests (for some private universities)
We help you identify such programs if your profile is stronger in experience or academics rather than
test scores.
CampusWalkin’s End-to-End Support for MBA Entrance Exams
Choosing the right exam and preparing for it can be overwhelming. CampusWalkin offers a step-by-step
approach to ensure you are fully supported.
- Profile Evaluation -
We assess your academic background, work experience, goals, and timeline to shortlist the most
suitable exams.
- Customized Test Prep Guidance -
We suggest the best coaching options (online or offline), study plans, books, mock test platforms,
and expert tutors.
- Application Planning -
Know when to register, how to fill forms, and how to select programs that fit your target percentile
or score range.
- Score Improvement Support -
If you're attempting a second round, our specialists help identify weak areas and recommend
corrective strategies.
- Beyond the Test -
We don’t stop at the score. We help you craft compelling SOPs, prepare for interviews, and choose
the right-fit programs.
Common Questions About MBA Entrance Exams
- How many months should I prepare for CAT or GMAT?
Most aspirants prepare for 4–6 months, but CampusWalkin offers flexible plans based on your time
availability and baseline skills.
- Can I prepare for MBA exams while working?
Absolutely. CampusWalkin has tied up with part-time and online prep resources tailored for working
professionals.
- What if I don’t score well?
CampusWalkin helps identify alternate programs with lower cutoff requirements or profile-based
admissions.
- Which exam is easiest?
There is no universal answer. MAT and ATMA are relatively less competitive, but the best exam
depends on your strengths and target colleges.
- Can I apply for multiple exams in a year?
Yes. Many candidates appear for 2–3 exams. CampusWalkin helps plan and schedule your attempts
wisely.
How CampusWalkin Helps You Choose the Right MBA Entrance Exam
Rather than taking a generic path, CampusWalkin builds a personalized roadmap for every student.
- If you are a fresh graduate:
We’ll guide you toward exams with higher academic weightage (like CAT and XAT).
- If you are a working professional:
You may prefer NMAT, GMAT, or MAT-based programs. We’ll show you which schools value your work
experience.
- If you are targeting global MBAs:
We’ll help you pick between GMAT and GRE based on your long-term career goals and destinations.
- If you’re unsure where to begin:
Book a free counseling call and we’ll help you map out your exam, prep, application, and admission
journey in one go.
Entrance Exam to Admission: Your Journey with CampusWalkin
- Register for Free on our platform
- Take a profile assessment
- Choose your target exams and programs
- Access our free and premium coaching partners
- Prepare and appear for exams
- Apply with expert support (SOP, interview prep)
- Secure admission and begin your MBA journey
Make Your First Step Count with CampusWalkin
The right entrance exam is your gateway to the right business school. But navigating it alone can be
time-consuming, stressful, and confusing. With CampusWalkin, you're not just choosing a course—you’re
investing in a career strategy that’s personalized, transparent, and backed by data.
We bring clarity to your confusion, strategy to your ambition, and results to your effort. Whether it’s
CAT or GMAT, whether you want to study in Delhi or London, CampusWalkin is your trusted partner from Day
1.
Let your MBA journey begin the smart way. Let it begin with CampusWalkin.