Top Specialized MBA Entrance Exams - At present, MBA is one of the highly valued PG professional degrees. While pursuing a specialized MBA entrance exam one can develop the necessary skills for business and management. Apart from that, the MBA programme prepares one with practical and theoretical knowledge so that they can utilize them in further business operations.
IIM Kozhikode will retain its three-stage admission process for the MBA (PGP) 2026–28 batch, with CAT 2025 scores carrying a final weightage of 35 percent. The minimum overall CAT cut-off for general category candidates remains at 85 percentile, with sectional qualifying scores required in VARC, DILR, and QA. Shortlisting of candidates will be based on CAT performance, academic record, and personal interview rounds.
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The best part of the MBA is, anybody can pursue it, which means students from any educational background such as Commerce/ Science or Humanities can pursue an MBA course. The Masters of Business Administration is the most popular internationally - recognized professional degree in the world. It can be pursued in both ways either part-time or full-time. MBA course covers various areas of business such as Applied Statistics, Accounting, Business Ethics, Business Communication, Finance, Business Law, Management, Managerial Economics, Marketing, Supply Chain and Operations, etc. Read the full article to check the list of top specialized MBA entrance exams and top B-school accepting their scorecard.
To get into the premier B-school of India, candidates have to appear for the top specialized MBA entrance exam 2023. If you want to know more about top entrance exams for MBA then click on the appropriate link.
CAT is the national-level entrance exam for MBA. Candidates should have done their bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks or those who are pursuing their final year of graduation are also eligible to appear for the CAT 2022 entrance exam.
Xavier Aptitude Test which is popularly known as XAT conducted by Xavier Labour Relations Institute (XLRI) Jamshedpur in online mode. XAT scorecard is accepted by more than 100 colleges.
All India Management Association (AIMA) conducts Management Aptitude Test four times a year for admission to more than 600 B-Schools across India. MAT is held in the month of February, May, September, and December in both modes (Online and Offline).
Exam Name | Premier B-School Accepting MAT Score |
Management Aptitude Test (MAT) |
Graduate Management Admission Test, popularly known as GMAT is an international level entrance exam for MBA conducted by Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). For appearing in GMAT entrance test, candidates should have done their graduation and their age should be at least 18 years.
Common Management Admission Test is commonly known as CMAT which is an online-based exam conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA). The scorecard of CMAT is accepted by more than 400 B-schools.
Applicants should have completed their Bachelor’s degree of minimum 3 years of duration in any discipline with 50% marks to appear for the IIFT entrance test. Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) is a university-level entrance test conducted by IIFT itself.
Exam Name | Premier B-School Accepting IIFT Scorecard |
Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) |
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NMAT which is also known as Narsee Monjee Aptitude Test conducted by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). There are several B-schools who consider the scorecard of NMAT by GMAC. Every year the entrance exam is conducted in the period of October to December in online mode.
Exam Name | Top Colleges Accepting NMAT by GMAC Scorecard |
Narsee Monjee Aptitude Test (NMAT) |
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The Symbiosis National Aptitude Test, popularly known as SNAP is a national level entrance test conducted by SIU, Pune every year. At present, there are a total of 15 Symbiosis Institutes across the country. Candidates who have done their Bachelor’s are eligible to appear for the SNAP entrance test.
To appear for the TANCET entrance test, candidates should have a graduate degree - (10+2+3) or (10+2+4) in any discipline with 50% marks in aggregate from a recognized university.
Exam Name | Colleges Accepting TANCET Score |
Tamil Nadu Common Entrance Test |
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TISSNET stands for the Tata Institute of Social Science National Eligibility Test conducted by TISS for admission to its various colleges. Candidates should have done their Bachelor’s degree of minimum 3 years of duration in any discipline from a recognized university.
Exam Name | Top Colleges Accepting TISSNET Score |
Tata Institute of Social Science National Eligibility Test (TISSNET) |
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On Question asked by student community
With 84.91 percentile in CAT (General, male, no work experience), top colleges like IIMs, IITs, FMS, MDI, etc. are not possible. You may get calls from private institutes such as IMT Nagpur/Hyderabad, IMI Bhubaneswar, XIME, SDMIMD, Welingkar (some programs) and similar colleges. Universities like Amity or LPU are also options.
It’s better to choose carefully, as placements and ROI may be average. Reattempting CAT or trying XAT/CMAT could improve options.
Hello,
With a CAT percentile of 88.77 and a strong CGPA of 9.0, you are in a competitive range for newer IIMs (like IIM Amritsar, IIM Bodh Gaya, IIM Sirmaur, IIM Nagpur) and several top non-IIM B-schools such as TAPMI, BIM Trichy, Great Lakes, IMI Delhi, FORE School of Management, and KJ Somaiya. You may not reach the older IIMs (Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, etc.) since they usually require 98+ percentile, but you have excellent chances at mid-tier and emerging institutes.
For more details access mentioned link below:
Hope it helps.
Hello
The expected cutoff for the JAP (Joint Admission Process) is around 90 to 95th percentile, with a minimum sectional cutoff of around 75 percentile in Quantitative Ability. You have scored 82.2% which is very low; that's why you are unlikely to meet the minimum criteria for the JAP IIMs in the general Category.
I hope this information helps you.
Thank you.
Hello,
Here is your IIM Cutoff for Gen/OBC/SC/ST, CS Score Cut Off. I am providing you the link. Kindly open and check it out. From here you can get all the details.
I hope it will help you.
Thank you.
With a CAT score of around 80 percentile and about 2 years of work experience, getting a call from the top IIMs (IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow, Kozhikode, Indore) is extremely difficult, as their cutoff percentiles are usually much higher, even for reserved categories. These institutes typically shortlist candidates above 95–99 percentile depending on category, academic profile, and diversity factors.
However, you may still have some chances at a few of the newer or baby IIMs, especially if you belong to a reserved category (SC/ST/OBC/EWS) and have a decent academic background. IIMs such as IIM Jammu, IIM Bodh Gaya, IIM Sirmaur, IIM Sambalpur, IIM Nagaland, IIM Amritsar, and IIM Vizag have historically called candidates in the 75–85 percentile range for certain categories. Your 2 years of work experience can also work in your favour, as most IIMs give weightage to professional experience during shortlisting and final selection.
That said, selection does not depend on CAT percentile alone. Factors like your 10th and 12th marks, graduation score, academic consistency, gender and academic diversity, work experience quality, and performance in the personal interview play a very important role. Even with an 80 percentile, a strong interview and profile can improve your chances at newer IIMs.
You should also keep strong non-IIM options open. At this percentile, good colleges like newer IIT MBA programs, some NITs, and reputed private B-schools can offer better and more realistic opportunities. Applying broadly and preparing seriously for the interview stage is very important.
In summary, while top IIMs are unlikely at 80 percentile, you may still have a realistic chance at some of the newer IIMs depending on your category and overall profile.
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