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How to Prepare for MBA Entrance Exams: You must give an admission test if you want to pursue an MBA. Students who use effective study techniques often do better on these tests rather than just trying to compete with other students. However, because of the extensive subject matter, difficult questions, and intense competition, studying for the MBA entrance exam might be difficult. Read this article to learn more about tips and strategies for good preparation and how to start preparing for the MBA entrance exam as a beginner.
Before initiating your MBA entrance test preparation, it is critical to develop a study strategy that addresses all aspects of the exam. The strategy does not need to be ideal, but it should help you get into your preferred MBA colleges in India. This article will provide useful study suggestions and strategies to help you prepare for MBA examinations. Check out the tips to discover how they may fit into your study schedule and help you build an appropriate plan for the MBA admission process in India.
Choosing the right MBA entrance exams for you is very important when preparing for MBA admission. It depends on personal decisions and many factors:
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Here is a list of the most popular MBA entrance exams conducted in India.
Name of the MBA Entrance Exam | About the Exam |
Common Admission Test (CAT exam) | National-Level Entrance Examination conducted by the Indian Institute of Management (IIM). It is the most widely accepted choice by MBA colleges, but it is mainly taken to join Tier-1 MBA colleges. |
Management Aptitude Test (MAT exam) | MAT is again a national-level examination conducted by the All India Management Association (AIMA). It is conducted 4 times every year and is mostly accepted by Tier-2 and Tier-3 MBA colleges. |
Common Management Aptitude Test (CMAT exam) | Another national-level entrance examination is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). CMAT is conducted to enroll for AICTE and UGC-recognized MBA colleges in India. |
Maharastra Common Entrance Test (MAH-CET exam) | Also known as MAH MBA CET or MAH MBA/ MMS CET, it is a state-level MBA entrance examination conducted by the State Common Entrance Cell of Maharashtra and accepted for admission to MBA colleges within the state. |
Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT exam) | XAT is an MBA entrance exam conducted by Xavier Labour Relations Institute (XLRI) in Jamshedpur. However, this exam is very popularly accepted by many MBA colleges across the country. |
Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT exam) | GMAT is another popular entrance exam for MBA colleges. It is administered by the Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC). This choice is often chosen by the candidates because it has a different overall approach to testing. However, it is accepted by a limited number of colleges compared to the many MBA entrance exams on this list. |
These are the popular exams for MBA admission. Many MBA entrance exams are conducted in India, in which specific institutes conduct their courses. Check out the schedule of MBA Entrance Examinations and go through our CAT vs other MBA Entrance Exam comparisons to choose the best MBA exam for your needs.
People also search for; Top Specialized MBA Entrance Exams
Exam Pattern of MBA Entrance Exam | |||||
Exam | Section | Duration | Question | Marks | Negative Mark |
CAT | 3 | 120 Min | 100 | +3 | -1 |
MAT | 5 | 150 Min | 200 | +1 | -1/4 |
CMAT | 5 | 180 Min | 100 | +4 | -1 |
MAH CET | 4 | 150 Min | 200 | +1 | No Negative |
XAT | 5 | 180 Min | 95 | +1 | -0.25 |
IBSAT | 4 | 120 Min | 140 | +1 | No Negative |
A thorough preparation for MBA entrance exams requires a strategic approach. Candidates must focus on three crucial sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA).
For VARC, candidates must focus on strengthening their English language skills, including grammar and comprehension. In DILR, they should practice interpreting data and sharpen their logical reasoning ability. QA assesses mathematical skills with a focus on fundamental concepts, so candidates should concentrate on basic mathematical functions, numbers, and their applications.
Below are the outlined key topics for each section to help candidates get started with the preparation for MBA entrance exam, but one must also refer to the official syllabus for a detailed study plan. To know what to study for MBA entrance exam and get a comprehensive understanding of the syllabus along with the best book for MBA entrance exam and preparation tips, read the detailed points mentioned below. They will provide candidates with a solid foundation for their MBA entrance preparation.
The exact exam pattern for each MBA entrance exam is different. However, there are some basic elements that are common to every MBA entrance exam in India.
Section | Short Description |
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | This section tests a candidate's English language use and comprehension skills. Students must develop good grammar and reading skills to ace this section. |
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | In the DI section, candidates will be provided with data that will be presented using a graph, chart, or other visual representation. Using this information, you will need to answer the given questions. For the LR section candidates should use their logical and analytical reasoning skills to solve questions. Questions test a candidate's ability to think out the box and solve complex problems quickly and accurately. |
Quantitative Ability (QA) | This section tests a candidate's mathematical ability. However, it is not a test to see if a candidate is familiar with complex theories in mathematics, but rather to check their simplicity and familiarity with numbers and number functions. |
Often, the syllabus for the MBA entrance preparation is very common. The table below mentions what to study for MBA entrance exam and gives details on the section-wise syllabi of the MBA Entrance Examinations in India.
Section | Topics |
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension |
|
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning |
|
Quantitative Ability |
Students should note that this is not a complete syllabus for MBA entrance exams. Take a look at the official syllabus provided by the MBA entrance exam you take to make sure you cover all the topics for the exam.
Know more about;
Now that we have gone through the exam system and syllabus, here are some tips on how to start preparing for MBA entrance exam. These will help candidates in a thorough preparation for MBA Entrance Exam in India by covering every topic section-wise.
The Reasoning Ability section is considered very difficult by the majority of MBA candidates. This is an area where tricks fail and students have to trust their skills to solve questions.
Here are some preparation tips for reasoning ability in MBA entrance exams.
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Questions in the Verbal Ability section can ask a student to find an error in a particular part of the sentence, fill in a paragraph with the correct parts of grammar, answer questions based on a paragraph, and other tasks.
Here are the best tips for the verbal ability section in MBA entrance exams.
Quantitative Ability questions in MBA entrance exams are based on the basics up to class 10. However, questions are made more difficult by the use of a number of tactics, including adding unnecessary information to the questions and presenting questions with long or difficult numbers.
Below are some tips to help you in MBA entrance preparation for the quantitative ability section.
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The table below contains the best book for MBA entrance exam for each and every topic that will help you in MBA entrance preparation.
Section | Book | Author |
Verbal Ability | Wiley's ExamXpert Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension | Captain AK Kalia |
How to Prepare for Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension | Arun Sharma, Meenakshi Upadhayay | |
Word Power Made Easy | Norman Lewis | |
Reasoning Ability | A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning | R S Aggarwal |
Complete Guide for MAT and Other MBA Entrance Exams | Disha Experts | |
Concepts of LR - Logical Reasoning for CAT & Other MBA Exams | Gajendra Kumar | |
Quantitative Ability | How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT | Arun Sharma |
Quantitative Aptitude Quantum Cat | Sarvesh K Sharma | |
Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations | S Chand PublishingR S Aggarwal |
Check out the below points on how to crack MBA entrance exam at home.
Candidates can begin preparing for MBA entrance exams at least 6-12 months in advance. They should establish a structured study plan and gradually cover all sections to ensure thorough preparation.
Prioritize three key areas:
Quantitative ability (QA),
Data interpretation and logical reasoning (DILR),
Verbal ability and reading comprehension (VARC
Use mental math exercises, streamline computations using shortcuts, and go over every subject to guarantee a comprehensive grasp.
Frequent practice of mock exams and sample papers helps you become more proficient and more confident.
Certainly! Maintaining organization and attention when studying for a test is much easier with the aid of a study plan.
Frequent practice of practice exams and sample papers helps you become more proficient and more confident.
Hello
If you are aiming for the CAT exam this year and considering joining the fourth year, it might be a good idea if you are confident in managing both your academic workload and CAT preparation .
However, the CAT exam is competitive and balancing your BCom studies and preparation might be challenging.
If you think you can handle the extra year and need more time for focused preparation , joining the fourth year could provide that but you should also evaluate your current academic commitments and your ability to stay consistent with CAT preparation .
Hope this gives you the clarity you need.
Hello,
Securing a seat in a National Institute of Technology (NIT) with a JEE Main score of 67 as an SC category candidate is challenging. Consider the following points:
Qualifying Cutoff : The expected qualifying cutoff for SC candidates in JEE Main 2025 is around 65 marks.
Admission Prospects : While you may qualify for JEE Advanced, admission to NITs typically requires higher scores. For instance, in previous years, SC candidates needed higher marks to secure seats in NITs.
Improvement Opportunity : Consider preparing for the next JEE Main attempt to achieve a higher score, thereby enhancing admission prospects in subsequent counseling rounds.
You can also use the JEE Mains College Predictor Tool to predict which college you can get based on your score.
Hope you find it useful!
Hello,
With an 88 percentile in the JEE Main exam and belonging to the SC category from Karnataka, your chances of securing a Computer Science Engineering (CSE) seat in NITs, IIITs, or GFTIs are as follows:
NITs :
IIITs :
GFTIs :
Hope you find it useful !
Hello,
According to the NIFT 2025 exam schedule , the General Ability Test (GAT) is from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, and the Creative Ability Test (CAT) is from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM. This indicates a gap of 3.5 hours between the two tests.
The official guidelines do not specify whether candidates are allowed to leave the exam center during this interval. Therefore, it's advisable to:
Check the Admit Card : Specific instructions regarding breaks may be mentioned.
Contact the Exam Center : Reach out directly to confirm their policy on leaving during the interval.
By taking these steps, you can ensure compliance with the exam center's policies and plan your day effectively.
Hope you find it useful !
The CDAC C-CAT exam dates for the August 2025 batch haven't been announced yet. However, I can provide you with some information on the exam schedule for the February 2025 batch, which might give us an idea of what to expect for the August batch.
The CDAC C-CAT exam for the February 2025 batch was held on January 11 and 12, 2025.The application form for the February batch was available from November 2024 to December 30, 2024.
Typically, the CDAC C-CAT exam is conducted twice a year, in June and December, for admissions to the August and February batches, respectively. However, the exact dates for the August 2025 batch will be announced separately.
To stay updated on the CDAC C-CAT exam dates and other important events, I recommend checking the official CDAC website regularly.
BEST OF LUCK!!
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