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One-Year MBA vs Two-Year MBA
One-Year vs Two-Year MBA: MBA aspirants, who have a couple of years of work experience are often in the dilemma of whether to pursue an Executive MBA or two years regular MBA. There are various factors based on which you should take the final decision. Over the past decade, 1 year MBA programs have become popular. For those candidates who have more than 2 years of experience and their career is already in a good place, then in such case, an MBA degree can add to or polish their skills to do much better in the corporate sector. Read this article by Careers360 to know the difference between 1 year MBA and 2 year MBA.
LiveCAT 2025 Result LIVE: IIM CAT result soon at iimcat.ac.in; cut off, seat matrix, MBA admission processDec 22, 2025 | 1:47 PM ISTRead More
The CAT 2025 results are expected to be announced in the first week of January 2026, based on trends from previous years. Candidates will be able to check their scores and download the scorecard from iimcat.ac.in.
One Year vs Two Year MBA
One year MBA is good for those who have a very clear mind on their career path. Apart from that, those candidates who are looking to join a family business and need a quick degree are also best suited for one year MBA. However, those candidates who have just completed their graduation and have doubts related to their career then they must go for two years MBA program.
The two-year MBA program offers extensive theoretical and practical knowledge to students. Despite this explanation, the MBA course duration is a question for many. In this article, we have tried to find out which one-year or two-year MBA, one should pursue.
Which is Better One Year MBA or Two Year MBA
One year MBA program is an intense experience, where all the learning activities are packed in a 10 to 12 months time frame. On the other hand, two year MBA program allows candidates to explore their MBA career paths through internships and other campus activities. Check out the following table to know the major difference between one year and two year MBA program.
Criteria | One-year MBA | Two-year MBA |
Academic Background | Since the one-year MBA program is intense and fast-paced, this is suited for those who have a strong quantitative background. | Candidates from diverse backgrounds can go for a two-year MBA program. |
Work experience | Two to five years of experience need to pursue one year MBA program. | The average work experience to pursue a two-year MBA program is four to two to three years. It also varies from college to college. |
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All about one year MBA vs two year MBA
1. Work Experience: The 2 year MBA programs in India do not require the applicants to have work experience and the selection process is primarily based on their academic and test scores. The one-year programmes, on the other hand, need applicants to have a minimum of two to three years of work experience and the MBA selection process takes into account the overall profile of the candidates, including the quality of work experience, demonstrated track record, and future potential.
2. Curriculum and Learning Experience: The shorter duration of the One year MBA means that it is more challenging with candidates having to handle a lot more in lesser time. This is where having prior work experience helps since having a basic understanding of organizations and professional work environments helps participants start at a higher base compared to freshers who have to start from scratch. The programmes are designed accordingly keeping this work experience in mind and fully leveraging it.
A two-year MBA, on the other hand, offers fresh graduates sufficient time to develop a thorough understanding of the business world along with a summer internship of two months to get the students acquainted with what comes next. So for students who are fresh out of college, a two-year MBA prepares them for the corporate world.
3. Peer Group: A class of the one year MBA in India typically comprises professionals coming with experience in diverse industries and roles. This significantly enhances the quality of learning experience within and beyond the classrooms since people can relate business concepts with their personal real-life experiences. Similarly, it provides a great opportunity for creating a network of friends, acquaintances, and allies across industries.
4. ROI & Opportunity Cost: For experienced professionals, the one-year PG programme offers a higher return on their investment as they have a significantly lower opportunity cost in terms of being away from work for just half the time of the two-year programs. For a lot of people, this is extremely important not just from a career perspective but also for personal reasons where a commitment of being away from school for two years is simply not feasible.
Read more :
- Online MBA vs Regular MBA: Which One to Choose?
- One year MBA in India: Admissions, Eligibility, Colleges, Courses, Fees
- Top 1-Year Online MBA Programs to Pursue
5. Career Objectives: The choice of your decision also depends upon your career goals. For example, if you are looking for a significant change in your line of work or want to switch your industry, a two-year MBA with a summer internship may offer a better chance. Also, some industries and companies still prefer to recruit young graduates through their management trainee programmes and after evaluating candidates in their summer internship programs. On the other hand, if you love the field that you are in and want to fast-track your career in the shortest possible time, then a one-year MBA makes more sense.
In terms of job opportunities and employment outcomes, the two types of MBA programmes don’t have any difference whatsoever. The major criterion for choosing one over another is just the relevant experience possessed by the aspirant. The two-year traditional MBA is more popular with students who have lesser work experience due to the internship offered at the end of its first year and with people who are planning to significantly change their industry and functional area.
The one-year PG programme, however, is more suitable for professionals who possess significant work experience and are looking for accelerated growth in their careers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Why is MBA better than masters?
A:
MBA given better career flexibility, business ownership, management roles, practical and theoretical knowledge, and on the other masters gives degree and theoretical knowledge.
Q: What can I do instead of MBA?
A:
Instead of MBA, candidates can pursue MSc in various specializations such as.
- Entrepreneurship
- Finance
- Marketing
Q: Is CAT score card is valid for 2 years?
A:
No, CAT score card is valid for one year only.
Q: Is GMAT accepted in IIM?
A:
A total of 7 IIMs including Ahmedabad, Calcutta, and Bangalore accepts GMAT scorecard.
Q: Which is the easiest stream in MBA?
A:
As per MBA graduates, MBA in Finance and Banking is quiet easier than other MBA specializations.
Q: How fast one can complete MBA?
A:
Minimum duration of one year is needed to complete MBA.
Q: Can I do MBA in one year?
A:
Yes, there is one year MBA course. Many universities and institutes have designed this extensive course and offering to eligible candidates.
Q: What are the top five highest paying MBA jobs?
A:
The top five highest-paying MBA jobs are.
- Financial Manager
- Investment Banker
- Information Technology (IT) Director
- Chief Technology Officer
- Investment Bank Manager
Q: Why is MBA so expensive?
A:
It depends on where a candidate is pursuing MBA. If a candidate is pursuing MBA from IIMs then they have to pay hefty fees and there are B-schools that offer MBAs at low costs.
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For a raw score of 56 in CAT 2025 Slot 3, your expected overall percentile is likely to be in the range of the 90th-95th percentile. The exact percentile can vary slightly on the final normalization process and the process and performance of all test-takers. In this article you'll find more about the CAT result.
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With a projected CAT percentile of 87% but not clearing sectional cutoffs, your chances at top IIMs are limited because they require both overall percentile and sectional minimums. However, you still have a good shot at other reputed management institutes and non-IIM B-schools. Consider colleges like NMIMS, SPJIMR, IMT, TAPMI, Great Lakes, and other well-ranked private or state-level B-schools that accept CAT scores and weigh your profile holistically. Your academic record, BSc in Animation with 80%, and 5 years of work experience at Ubisoft India are strong points and may help in institutes that value work experience in their selection process. Also, explore institutes that accept XAT, MAT, or CMAT, where your profile can be competitive.
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NIT Rourkela CAT cutoff range is between 70-85 percentiles for the general category. 70 is the minimum percentile needed to apply, and 85 is the highest percentile. However, the maximum percentile depends on the particular year competition. It can be changed.
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If you filled the UGC NET form under EWS but you don’t have a valid EWS certificate, then forget using the EWS category. They won’t accept it. You’ll automatically be treated as General category during document verification.
And no, this won’t make your form “invalid” or “illegal.” It just means you won’t get the EWS benefit.
So yes — you can still go for General category posts and Professor recruitment. Just don’t try to submit a fake/invalid certificate; that will get you disqualified.
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If your CAT admit card shows your surname first followed by your first name as entered in the form, it is correct. You do not need to worry about this format as long as it matches the details you provided. Ensure all other information on the admit card is accurate and carry it to the exam along with the required identification documents.
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