All MBA Entrance Exam Dates 2025: Your Complete Guide

As the MBA admission season is fast approaching, students intending to seek admission need to be well-informed regarding the different entrance exams lined up for 2025. The guide below consolidates all the key dates for some of the major MBA entrance exams so that candidates can plan their preparations accordingly. You could be targeting the CAT, XAT or other entrance exams having these dates is important to your success.

Also Read: Top 10 MBA Colleges in South India for 2025

MBA Entrance Exam Dates 2025

Key MBA Entrance Exams

CAT (Common Admission Test)

Common Admission Test is one of the most competitive MBA entrance exams in India taken primarily for admission to the IIMs and other top class business schools. The tests will test a candidate’s skills based on these areas namely: Verbal Ability ,Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation ,Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Ability.

• Format: CAT has 66 questions in three sections with a total duration of 120 minutes. The time limit for each section is 40 minutes.
• Scoring: For every correct answer the candidate gets three marks. However for every wrong answer one mark is lost. There is no deduction for unattempted questions.
• Preparation: One needs to be sound with quantitative skills, logical reasoning and comprehension skills in order to crack this test.

XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test)

Xavier Aptitude Test is an entrance test conducted by the Xavier Labour Relations Institute or XLRI and is the door to various management programs offered in India’s top colleges.

• Format: The XAT will consist of multiple-choice questions as well as essay writing. This will test quantitative and verbal skills as well as decision-making abilities.
• Key Areas: The exam contains subjects like Decision Making, Verbal, Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability and General Knowledge.
• The Importance: Over 150 B-schools in India accept XAT scores thus making this a critical examination for admission to top tier management programs.

Also Read: Top 10 MBA colleges in North India for 2025

NMAT (NMIMS Management Aptitude Test)

The NMIMS Management Aptitude Test or NMAT is conducted by the Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies for admission to its MBA programs.

• Format: NMAT offers the candidate the option to choose his or her preferred date for taking the test within a window. It has three sections: Language Skills, Quantitative Skills and Logical Reasoning.
• Scoring: The candidates receive their scores within 48 hours of the test which allows them to apply again quickly.
• Preparation Strategy: It emphasizes time management because it is adaptive hence practice with mock tests is essential.

CMAT (Common Management Admission Test)

Common Management Admission Test is an examination managed by National Testing Agency designed to provide admission in different management programmes across India.

• Format: CMAT consists of multiple-choice questions in areas such as Quantitative Techniques, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness and Innovation & Entrepreneurship.
• Duration: The examination takes 180 minutes with 100 questions in total.
• Significance: CMAT scores are accepted by more than 1000 B-schools in India thus making it an important option for MBA aspirants.

SNAP (Symbiosis National Aptitude Test)

Symbiosis National Aptitude Test commonly referred to as SNAP is conducted by Symbiosis International University for admission into its MBA programs.

• Format: SNAP consists of questions of General English, Quantitative Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency and Analytical & Logical Reasoning.
• Duration: The exam duration is 60 minutes with a total of 60 multiple-choice questions.
• Unique Feature: SNAP also features a general awareness section where current affairs knowledge is evaluated the very essence for business leaders.

Also Read: The Future of MBA in Information Technology: Trends to Watch

MAH CET (Maharashtra Common Entrance Test)

Maharashtra Common Entrance Test or MAH CET is an entrance test organized at state level by State Common Entrance Test Cell to obtain entry into MBA/MMS colleges in Maharashtra.

• Format: The test has three sections – Verbal Ability, Reading Comprehension, Quantitative Aptitude and Logical/Abstract Reasoning.
• MAH CET Duration :  Lasts for 150 minutes and includes a total of 200 questions.
• Importance: It forms the main entry point to MBA admissions in several colleges in Maharashtra including well-known institutions like JBIMS and SIMSREE.

Note: These exams are critically important in defining the potential future of any aspiring student seeking an MBA in India. Each test has special features and focuses which suit the diverse strengths and preferences of the students.

Exam Schedule Table

Also Read: CAT Score Weightage in All IIM

Important Registration Dates

• CAT: Begins on August 2, ends on September 21.
• XAT: Opens on July 15 and closes on December 10.
• NMAT: Registration from August to October.

Final Word

Knowing the dates of the MBA entrance exams for 2025 is crucial to preparing effectively. Mark these dates in your calendar and prepare early to get a seat in one of the top business schools. 

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