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.

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