Is Online MBA Worth It While Preparing for CAT 2025?
  • Articles
  • Is Online MBA Worth It While Preparing for CAT 2025?

Is Online MBA Worth It While Preparing for CAT 2025?

#MBA
Vivek KumarUpdated on 14 Nov 2025, 02:22 PM IST

CAT is a national-level entrance examination for admission to management programmes at IIMs and other MBA colleges in India. CAT 2025 is around the corner and will be conducted by IIM Kozhikode. But the question is: is it worth it doing an online MBA while preparing for CAT 2025?

Is Online MBA Worth It While Preparing for CAT 2025?
Is Online MBA Worth It While Preparing for CAT 2025?

Let us understand the scenario. Every year, lakhs of students appear for the CAT exam but a few thousand get seats in IIMs. Some students get admission to B-schools and tier-2 and tier-3 colleges and many left empty-handed. This year, 2.95 lakh students registered for the CAT 2025 exam. When we look at seats, 7,426 (2024-2026) seats are available across IIMs.

Aspirants have to prepare dedicatedly for the CAT 2025 exam to secure the top spot and fulfill their dreams of getting into IIMs. They require to invest a lot of time with focus and cover the whole syllabus. As this is a risky bet for many students to crack the CAT 2025 exam, students also have to think of a backup plan. This is where an online MBA came in.

Is an Online MBA Worth It While CAT 2025 Preparation?

Online MBA can be a strategic backup plan for CAT aspirants that rescues them in case of failure. As many IIMs offer management programmes like online MBA, executive MBA, and PGDM programmes in online mode, students can still get into these premier institutes without CAT.

However, if you are dedicated to cracking the CAT 2025 exam and then getting into IIMs, it is advisable to focus on the CAT preparation 2025. If not qualified this year, prepare and attempt for the next year. If you do not have time or do not want to risk your time, an online MBA is for you.

Here are some of the top universities offering Online MBA in India:

University NameOnline MBA Fees

Amity Online

Rs 1,99,000

Online Manipal

Rs 1,75,000

ICFAI Online

Rs 2,00,000

Jain Online

Rs 1,96,000

NMIMS Online

Rs 4,00,000

Amrita Online

Rs 1,90,000

Dr DY Patil University Online

Rs 1,70,000

Dr DY Patil Vidyapeeth Online

Rs 1,89,400

SRM Online

Rs 1,89,000

Symbiosis Online

Rs 3,00,000

UPES Online

Rs 2,20,000

Shiv Nadar University

Rs 5,00,000


Admissions to online MBA universities in India are merit-based and aspiring students are required to meet all the eligibility requirements. The final admission is offered based on the profile evaluation, document verification, and fee payment.

Resource Links for Online MBA:

Online MBA From IIMs

Several IIMs, from IIM Ahmedabad to IIM Mumbai and IIM Indore, offer management programmes in online mode. Admissions to IIM Online MBA are done based on CAT score or institute-level entrance test and work experience.

List of IIMs Offering Online MBA

IIMsFeesSelection Process

IIM Sirmaur EMBA

Rs 8 lakhs

Bachelor’s degree with professional experience, CAT/ GMAT/ XAT/ GATE/ GRE score or IIM Sirmaur’s own Ex-MBA test

IIM Bodh Gaya Executive MBA

Rs 10 lakhs

Bachelor’s degree with work experience, Online Entrance test or CAT/GMAT/GRE score

IIM Amritsar Executive MBA

Rs 12 lakhs

Bachelor’s degree with 3 years of work experience, CAT/GMAT/GRE/GATE score or IIM Amritsar Admission Test (IAAT)

IIM Jammu Executive MBA

Rs 10.91 lakhs

Bachelorís Degree with at least 3 years of work experience, CAT/GMAT/GRE score or IIM Jammu Admission Test (IIMJAT) Score.

IIM Visakhapatnam Executive MBA For Working Professionals

Rs 11.90 lakhs

Bachelor's degree with minimum 3 years of post-qualification full-time work experience, CAT/GRE/GMAT or Executive Management Aptitude Test (EMAT) and Personal Interview

IIM Sambalpur Executive MBA

Rs 12 lakhs

Bachelor’s degree with minimum 3 years of post-qualification managerial/ entrepreneurial/ professional experience and personal interview

IIM Kashipur Executive MBA Analytics

Rs 12.15 lakhs

Bachelor’s degree with minimum of 3 years of full-time work experience, EMBA admission test and personal interview.

IIM Shillong Online PGPWE

Rs 12.35 lakhs

Bachelor’s degree with minimum 3 years of full-time work experience, CAT/GMAT score or Working Executive Management Aptitude Test (WE-MAT)

IIM Ranchi Executive MBA

Rs 12.60 lakhs

Graduation with 3 years of full time work experience

IIM Indore EPM MMS

Rs 14 lakhs

Bachelor’s degree with minimum 2 years full-time work experience, aptitude test and interview

IIM Udaipur EMBA

Rs 14.20 lakhs

Bachelor’s degree with full-time work experience, GMAT/GRE score or IIMU Test

IIM Raipur Executive MBA

Rs 14.95 lakhs

Bachelor’s degree with minimum 3 years of work experience and personal interview

IIM Mumbai Executive MBA

Rs 15 lakhs

Bachelor’s degree with minimum 3 years of relevant work experience, CAT/GMAT/GRE or IMAT (IIM Mumbai Admission Test)

IIM Ahmedabad Blended Post Graduate Programme in Management

Rs 20 lakhs

Bachelor’s degree with at least 3 years of work experience, CAT/GMAT/GRE score or IIMA Admission Test (IAT)


IIM Online MBA programmes are designed to accommodate the busy schedules of working professionals, ensuring flexible learning without disrupting their careers. The classes for IIM Online MBA are delivered online using an interactive learning management system.

Also Read: Does IIM BLACKI Offer Online MBA?

So, it is important to understand your career aspirations before making any decision. The CAT 2025 exam is the gateway to top tier institutes and it is advised to prepare for the CAT exam without compromising your focus. An online MBA is a good option for those who want to upskill while working full-time and learners who are unable to attend regular, in-person classes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How to manage time for the CAT 2025 Exam?
A:

To effectively manage time for the CAT 2025 examination, aspirants should make a target, divide 40 minutes into each section accordingly to achieve their target, and practice mock tests.

Q: Is an online MBA a good backup option in case of any failure in CAT 2025?
A:

Online MBA can be a strong backup option as it allows learners to continue management education without losing an academic year. It also enables them to pursue from an IIM with CAT.

Q: Can students join an IIM without CAT?
A:

Yes, students can join IIMs without CAT through online MBA, executive MBA, and PGDM programmes. IIMs accept entrance exams like GMAT, GRE, GATE, or their own institute-level tests such as IAT, or EMAT.

Q: Is an online MBA from IIMs valid and valuable?
A:

As IIMs are recognised as Institutions of National Importance and are top premier institutes in India, IIM Online MBA programmes are valid. These programmes offer the same academic rigor as on-campus programmes, with flexible schedules and live online classes.

Q: Can I pursue an online MBA while preparing for CAT 2025?
A:

Generally, it is not advisable. However, it depends on your career goals. For a productive result, you should focus your time on CAT 2025 preparation.

Upcoming Bschool Exams
Ongoing Dates
ACAT Application Date

7 Oct'25 - 26 Jan'26 (Online)

Ongoing Dates
VITBEE Application Date

31 Oct'25 - 12 Apr'26 (Online)

Certifications By Top Providers
Online MBA
Via Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, Noida
Corporate Law
Via National Law University, New Delhi
Strategic Management
Via Indian Institute of Management Bangalore
Online BBA
Via Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, Noida
Direct Tax Laws and Practice
Via Tezpur University, Tezpur
Management of Commercial Banking
Via Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
Udemy
 703 courses
Edx
 467 courses
Swayam
 236 courses
Emeritus
 231 courses
Explore Top Universities Across Globe
University of Essex, Colchester
Wivenhoe Park Colchester CO4 3SQ
Oxford Brookes University, Oxford
Headington Campus Oxford OX3 0BP UK
Northumbria University, Newcastle City Campus
Sutherland Building, Northumberland Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 8ST
Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff
Llandaff Campus, Western Avenue, Cardiff, CF5 2YB
University of Reading, Reading
Whiteknights PO Box 217 Reading Berkshire RG6 6AH
Bristol Baptist College, Bristol
The Promenade, Clifton Down, Bristol BS8 3NJ

Questions related to MBA

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to MBA ?

Hello,

Both Bengal Institute of Business Studies (BIBS) and United World School of Business (UWSB) have strong placement records in Kolkata. with specific data suggesting BIBS has a slightly higher potential higher salary package. While the UWSB provides a higher placement rate.

I hope it will clear your query!!

Hello

With an NMAT score of 205, you have decent chances in good mid-tier MBA colleges.
You may get calls from NMIMS Hyderabad or Indore, but the Mumbai core is usually slightly higher.
Colleges like SDA Bocconi Asia Centre, BML Munjal, and IBS Hyderabad are realistic options.
Some reputed private B-schools may also consider you if sectional cutoffs are clear. Overall, 205 is a fair score that can lead to a solid MBA college with good planning.

You can refer to the link I am attaching for more details: CLICK HERE

CAT does not restrict eligibility based on stream. Candidates from commerce, arts, science, engineering or any other background can appear for CAT and apply to MBA programmes offered by IIMs and other top B-schools.

The basic eligibility criteria for CAT are:
You must hold a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university with at least 50 percent marks (45 percent for SC, ST and PwD categories). Final-year graduation students are also eligible to apply.

Being a commerce graduate can actually be an advantage in areas such as accounting, finance, economics and business studies, especially during MBA coursework in finance, marketing and operations.

After qualifying CAT, admission depends on multiple factors including CAT percentile, academic background, work experience (if any), performance in GD, WAT and personal interview rounds. Many IIMs and B-schools follow a diverse academic background policy, which means non-engineering candidates, including commerce graduates, often receive additional weightage.

Apart from IIMs, several reputed institutes such as FMS Delhi, SPJIMR Mumbai, MDI Gurgaon, IMT Ghaziabad, and many state and private universities also accept CAT scores for MBA admissions.

So, as a commerce graduate, you are fully eligible to appear for CAT and pursue an MBA, provided you meet the minimum academic requirements and perform well in the selection process.

If you want, I can also help you with realistic CAT percentile targets based on your academic profile or suggest suitable MBA colleges.


Hello aspirant,

First-year MBA fees in India vary greatly, ranging from less than rupees one lakh for government/distance programs to rupees ten to twenty-five lakhs or more for elite private B-schools (such as ISB, IIMs, and XLRI). The majority of elite private institutions charge between rupees eight and twenty-five lakh for the entire two-year program, indicating that first-year expenses are substantial.

For more information, you can visit our site through following link:

https://bschool.careers360.com/articles/mba-fee-know-how-much-your-mba-will-cost-in-top-b-schools

Thank you

Hello,

Transferring mid-stream from an online MBA to an offline MBA is generally very difficult and rare, requiring a fresh application and usually withdrawal from your current program. You can apply for a new offline MBA after completing your online MBA or even while pursuing it (with caution), provided your current university is recognized.

I hope it will clear your query!!