Top MBA Colleges in India Without CAT Exam 2025 - Direct Admission Guide 2025

Top MBA Colleges in India Without CAT Exam 2025 - Direct Admission Guide 2025

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Alen Tom ShajiUpdated on 01 Sep 2025, 09:25 AM IST
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Best MBA colleges in India without CAT exam: Many MBA aspirants face this dilemma, if CAT exam the only way to gain admission to the top MBA colleges in India,? The CAT exam is not the ultimate way of getting into top MBA colleges in India. Some of the best MBA colleges in India without CAT scores include XLRI, SIBM, KIIT School of Management, JBIMS, ISB Hyderabad and many others. Many top B-schools in India have their own MBA entrance exams and a selection process that doesn't involve having a CAT score. Many top MBA colleges in India offer direct admission to MBA programmes without an entrance exam. MBA aspirants can check out the list of MBA colleges without CAT exam in India.

Top MBA Colleges in India Without CAT Exam 2025 - Direct Admission Guide 2025
Top MBA colleges in India without CAT Exam

Best MBA colleges in India without CAT exam

The best MBA colleges without CAT are XLRI Jamshedpur, Symbiosis International University (SIU), ISB Hyderabad, NMIMS, etc. Some top MBA colleges in India offer direct admission without CAT exam. Some of them conduct their management entrance exams.

XLRI, Jamshedpur

The first name on this list of top MBA colleges without CAT exams is XLRI. Every year, XLRI conducts the Xavier Aptitude Test or XAT, a national-level entrance exam to offer admissions to PGDM and MBA programmes. This top MBA college is known for its excellence and has several alumni working in significant positions in not only the Indian industries but also abroad. Students who are exclusively looking for the best MBA college without CAT 2025 can opt for this MBA college and shape their bright future.

Tata Institute of Social Sciences

Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) can be considered a good option to pursue a PG programme. TISS discontinued TISSNET MBA exam for admission to its PG programmes and has started accepting the score of CUET PG MBA for the academic year 2025-2027. TISS offers good placement packages in top companies in various public and private sectors. All interested and eligible candidates must first apply to CUET PG MBA for admission to the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, one of the Top MBA colleges in India without CAT exam.

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SIBM, Pune

The two-year full-time MBA is SIBM Pune's flagship programme, spread across four semesters and offering specialisations in marketing, human resource management, finance, operations and supply chain management and data analytics. Interested candidates must appear for SNAP exam to gain admission in this MBA college without CAT.

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KIIT School of Management (KSOM)

KIIT School of Management (KSOM) is one of the top B Schools in India without CAT with a ranking of 32 as per NIRF, MHRD, Government of India, 2020. It offers a two-year full-time MBA programme. For admission to KSOM MBA and super MBA programmes candidates must take KIITEE management exam which is a national-level entrance exam. Candidates who meet the minimum KIITEE cutoff are called for the GD/PI round for final selection.

Jamnalal Bajaj Institute Of Management Studies

JBIMS offers a two-year management programme in Master in Management Studies equivalent to an MBA programme offering specialisation in Finance, Marketing, Operations, System and Human resource. Candidates wishing for admission to JBIMS must appear for MAH MBA CET exam. JBIMS cutoff for MMS admission ranges from 98 to 99+ percentile. This top MBA college without CAT exam offers excellent placement packages up to Rs. 35.75 LPA in top companies like KPMG, Deloitte, McKinsey and Company, etc.

Indian School of Business, Hyderabad

ISB, Hyderabad offers a one-year postgraduate programme to all eligible candidates. The eligibility criteria for admission to ISB, Hyderabad includes minimum 24 months of full-time work experience, a valid GMAT/GRE score and a bachelor's degree. The final selection criteria for ISB admissions will include shortlisting candidates based on their academics, work experience, awards and activities, GMAT/GRE scores, essay and recommendations if any.

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Symbiosis International University

Symbiosis International University offers vibrant and dynamic learning opportunities to MBA aspirants across 4 states and 6 cities in India. Candidates shall appear for the Symbiosis National Aptitude Test (SNAP Test) for admission to MBA programmes offered in information technology, business analytics, banking and finance, and many more instead of the CAT exam. SNAP test takers also have to appear for the Personal Interaction (PI), Written Ability Test (WAT), and Group Exercise (GE) to be selected for admission.

IBS Hyderabad

Candidates who are looking for an MBA college without CAT exam in India can go with ICFAI Business School, Hyderabad. IBS Hyderabad enrolls candidates on the basis of the IBSAT exam. It is an online aptitude exam conducted by the ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education for admission to the MBA programmes of IBS Bengaluru and IBS Hyderabad. This MBA college also considers CAT scores. However, candidates who have not scored well or have not appeared in the CAT exam can go for this exam smoothly.

Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies

NMIMS can be your dream MBA school. This MBA college has a legacy of over 41 years where it has shown credibility in the corporate world, with several alumni establishing themselves as successful entrepreneurs. Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies has been offering MBA programmes in several disciplines, such as HR and healthcare management. NMAT is the required MBA entrance exam to get into NMIMS. With NMAT, candidates can attempt the entrance test three times to crack this MBA exam, too, with no negative marking scheme.

Check out: Best MBA Colleges in Delhi Without CAT Exam

Best MBA colleges in India Without CAT exam- Eligibility criteria

Check out the basic eligibility criteria of the best MBA colleges without CAT in India.

  • Candidates should have completed their graduation in any discipline with at least 50% marks in total aggregate. There is a relaxation of 5% for those who belong to the reserved category.
  • Some of the institutes accept other competitive exam scores such as MAT, XAT, NMAT, GMAT, SNAP, ATMA, etc.
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Best MBA colleges in India Without CAT exam- Documents required

At the time of MBA admission to the colleges, candidates need to produce the following documents.

  • Class 10th certificate (Original and Photocopy)
  • Class 12th certificate (Original and Photocopy)
  • Graduation certification (Original and Photocopy)
  • Photo ID proof
  • Transfer certificate (If required)
  • Two passport-size photographs

Best MBA colleges in India without CAT exam- Placements

MBA aspirants who wish to apply for MBA admission without the CAT exam may have doubts regarding the MBA placements and salary packages offered on these campuses. Check out the table below to get insights on the top MBA colleges in India without CAT scores that offer MBA placements.

MBA colleges without CAT in India

Average Salary Package
XLRI JamshedpurRs. 29.89 LPA
Tata Institute of Social SciencesRs. 27 LPA
SIBM PuneRs. 28 LPA
KIIT School of Management (KSOM)Rs. 9 LPA
JBIMS MumbaiRs. 26.4 LPA
ISB HyderabadRs. 34 LPA
SIU-
NMIMSRs. 25.13 LPA
IBS HyderabadRs. 14.75 LPA

Also Read: MBA Salary in India: Specialization-wise Salary, Freshers Salary, Average & Highest Package

Why Consider MBA Without CAT?

CAT exam is one of the most demanding and competitive entrance exams in India, taken by lakhs of MBA aspirants every year. Through this exam, it opens doors to the elite institutions like IIMs. However, not all students prefer CAT as the scope of admission to top B-schools. Many prefer admission without CAT, following are the factors:

  • Excessive stress and extensive preparation time
  • Availability of other exams
  • Preference for different specialisations or locations
  • Interest in direct admission or flexible learning opportunities

Interestingly, with the competition rising, an increasingly large number of MBA courses in India either accept alternative test scores or offer direct admission based on one's academic performance and interviews.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Which college is best MBA without CAT?
A:

SIBM, XLRI, Taxila Business School, ISB, MICA, TAPMI, and IMT are some of the renowned colleges offering MBA admission without a CAT exam.

Q: Is MBA good without a CAT?
A:

Yes, you can get an MBA degree without taking the CAT exam. There are several top business schools which accept admission based on other entrance exams, such as XAT, MAT or even direct admission based on one's academic record and work experience. 

Q: Is 70% good in MBA?
A:

Yes, 70% is acceptable for pursuing an MBA degree for admission to top private institutions. It shows that you are academically competent and ready to pursue management training. 

Q: Can we get direct admission in MBA without CAT?
A:

Yes, there are many more MBA entrance exams apart from CAT such as XAT, SNAP, MAT, and so on. 

Q: Can I join IIM without CAT?
A:

No, candidates need to appear in the CAT exam in order to join IIM. 

Q: Is MBA possible without entrance exam?
A:

Yes, there are some institutions that take students directly into MBA programmes without any entrance exams. 

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Questions related to CAT

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to CAT ?

Hello Aspirant,

Since your payment status shows "S" , it means your payment is successful. The "payment unsuccessful" message on the form is likely a temporary system error or a delay in updating.

Do not make another payment.

Making a second payment could cause a double debit, which is difficult to get a refund for. You should:

  1. Wait 24-48 hours for the status to update automatically.

  2. Download and save a copy of your form and a screenshot of the "S" payment status as proof.

  3. Check your bank statement to confirm the money has been debited.

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Hello

The CAT 2025 exam is a national-level MBA entrance test for IIMs and top B-schools in India. It will be held on 30th November 2025 in computer-based mode across ~170 cities.
The registration is open from 1st August to 13th September 2025 on iimcat.ac.in .
Admit cards will be available from 5th November 2025 onward.
Graduates with at least 50 marks (45 for SC/ST/PwD) are eligible to apply.
The exam tests English, Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude in three timed sections.

Yes, you can pursue an MBA at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU), Lucknow, through the CAT exam.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Educational Qualification: A bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates) from a recognized university.

  • Entrance Exam: A valid CAT score is required for admission.

Admission Process:

  1. Application: Register online through the BBAU admission portal.

  2. Entrance Exam: Appear for the CAT exam and obtain a valid score.

  3. Counseling: Shortlisted candidates will be called for counseling based on their CAT scores.

  4. Document Verification: Submit necessary documents for verification.

  5. Fee Payment: Complete the fee payment to confirm admission.

Course Details:

  • Duration: 2 years (full-time).

  • Specializations: Finance, Marketing, Human Resource Management, among others.

Placement Opportunities:
BBAU has a strong placement record, with top companies recruiting MBA graduates.

For more details and to apply, visit the  official BBAU MBA admission page

Hello Amgothu

With 305 marks in ICAR PG and being from ST category, your chances of getting an AIEEA (CAT) seat is good, especially in plant sciences and less competitive subjects