Top MBA Entrance Examinations for Admissions in 2021

Once Alexander Graham Bell said, and I quote "Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.’’ When it comes to preparing for MBA entrance exams, then this statement holds the truest. 

For any candidate, aspiring to pursue MBA needs to appear for MBA entrance tests. And, MBA entrance exams require a lot of hard work along with smart study strategy. 

In this article, I have discussed some of the essential MBA entrance examinations and their details. Check out some of the popular entrance examinations conducted to sit through the process of MBA Admissions in India. 

 

Common Admission Test (CAT)

CAT is a national level entrance examination that is the most popular and widely accepted exam by MBA colleges in India. This exam is conducted online by Indian Institute of Management on a rotational basis and is usually, taken for admissions in Tier-1 MBA colleges. The CAT exam for this year is going to be held, on 29th November 2021. 

Eligibility: Candidates that have achieved a minimum of 50% or equivalent CGPA score can appear for CAT examination. 

Exam Pattern: CAT is a computer-based test of 120 minutes. It comprises of 3 sections - Quantitative Ability, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning. There are total of 100 questions in the test. For every write answer, +3 marks are granted, and for every wrong answer, there is a negative marking of -1.  

 

Management Aptitude Test (MAT)

MAT is also a national examination conducted by All India Management Association (AIMA). MAT exam is conducted four times in a year - February, May, September and December, and is accepted by Tier 2 and Tier 3 reputed MBA colleges in India. You can appear for MAT examination in Computer Based Test (CBT), Paper Based Test (PBT) and Internet-Based Test (IBT). 

Eligibility: Candidates who have completed their Bachelor's degree from a reputed university or are in the final year can appear for MAT examination. 

Exam Pattern: MAT exam is conducted on four fronts: Indian and Global Environment, Language Comprehension, Data Analysis and Sufficiency, Mathematical Ability, Intelligence and Critical Reasoning. MAT exam is preferable for aspirants because of the option available to appear either online or offline. 

 

Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT)

XAT exam is conducted by Xavier's Labour Relation Institute, Jamshedpur. Another noted national level exam accepted by many good MBA colleges of the country. Other than XLRI, there are many management institutes that accept XAT scores. Wellingkar, Loyola Institute of Business Administration, Marwadi University, S.P. Jain, etc., are some institutes to name a few. XAT is a computer-based test.  

Eligibility: Candidates who have completed their Bachelor's degree from a reputed university can appear for XAT examination. 

Exam Pattern: XAT examination is conducted on four aspects - Quantitative Ability, Decision Making, General Knowledge and English Language & Logical Reasoning. In XAT, +1 mark is allotted for every correct answer, and -0.25 is deducted for every incorrect answer. And 0.05 is deducted for every unattempt question. 

 

AIMS Test for Management Admissions (ATMA)

ATMA is conducted by the Association of Indian Management Schools for admissions in MBA, MBA- PGDM, MCA and PGDBA courses. This exam is held four times a year and is widely accepted by well-known management institutes in India. 

Eligibility: Candidates who have completed their Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 50% from a reputed university or are in the final year can appear for CMAT examination. 

Exam Pattern: ATMA is a 3-hour internet-based test comprising of 6 sections. Aspirants are rewarded with +1 mark for every correct answer, and -0.25 is deducted for every incorrect answer. The sections are:

• Analytical Reasoning Skills (Part 1 & 2)
• Verbal Skills (Part 1 & 2)
• Quantitative Skills (Part 1 & 2)

 

Common Management Aptitude Test (CMAT)

CMAT is another national-level examination conducted by National Testing Agency. CMAT exam is more relaxed compared to other entrance examinations. So the number of students appearing for CMAT is much higher. CMAT facilitates admission to AICTE and UGC approved MBA colleges in India. 

Eligibility: Candidates who have completed their Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 50% from a reputed university or are in the final year can appear for CMAT examination. 

Exam Pattern: CMAT is a computer-based test of 180 minutes. It comprises of 4 sections with 25 questions in each section. The sections are - Quantitative Ability, Language Comprehension, General Awareness and Logical Reasoning. For every correct answer, aspirants get +4 marks and for every incorrect answer, -1 mark is deducted. 

 

Based on my research, these were the top 5 MBA entrance examinations that you can opt for getting admission in recognized universities of India. Examination patterns of all these exams are more or less the same. With minor changes in your study plan, you can prepare for each of these exams accordingly. 

Through a lot of people, I have come to know that Marwadi University is currently one of the most reputed MBA colleges in India. At Marwadi University, they teach students using a 360-Degree Education model, which ensures practical learning. Do check out their website for more details. 

 

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Source: Medium