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MBA Entrance Exams 2024: CAT Application is Closed; Check Which Other Top Exams are Open for Admission 2025
Aspiring management students can take several prominent MBA exams to gain admission to MBA programs offered by various universities and business schools. These highly competitive exams are typically required for admission to MBA and related postgraduate management programs. Here are some of the most well-known MBA exams in India:
Let’s start with the big changes made by XLRI for the XAT Exam and by GMAC for the NMAT exam
- XAT Exam Drops Essay Writing: XAT 2025 has streamlined its examination process by taking out the descriptive essay writing test to align more closely with the competencies required for management education and leadership.
- XAT Exam Reduces Duration: XLRI has also reduced the duration of the XAT 2025 exam by 30 minutes. XAT 2025 duration will be 3 hours, while XAT 2024 duration was 3 hours 30 minutes.
- NMAT reduces Test Window: Conducted by GMAC, NMAT Exam has reduced the testing window drastically. While NMAT 2023 was held for 75 days, the testing window for NMAT 2024 has been reduced to only 45 days! GMAC believes that this will have a positive impact on both MBA aspirants as well as the growing number of B-schools who use the NMAT exam.
- NMAT 2024 in Single Testing Mode: NMAT 2024 will be held as a computer-based online test at Exam centers only. The NMAT Proctored testing mode which you could take from home will not be conducted this year
- IIM to continue with shorter Tests: IIMs had reduced the number of questions in the CAT exam from 100 to 66 and the duration from 3 to 2 hours. They are expected to continue with the same this year.
- MAT 2024 December Exam Drops IBT: For the December MAT exam, AIMA has dropped its favorite Internet Proctored test (IBT) which the candidates could take from home and will conduct only Computer Based Test (CBT) and Paper Based Tests (PBT) MAT exams at test centers
- Changes made to suit MBA aspirants’ needs: Exam authorities have made these changes to respond to the behavior pattern of today’s youth who take these exams. Studies have shown that the attention span of students has fallen significantly in the last decade. High exposure to digital distractions contributes to shorter attention spans. Multiple screens simultaneously have become prevalent among people in the 16-24 age group. Hence, leading Exams such as GMAT, GRE, and CAT have reduced their duration. XAT 2025 follows this trend.
| List of MBA Entrance Exams 2024-25 | Registration Dates | Exam Date | Exam Registration Fees | Top 5 MBA Colleges Accepting MBA Entrance Exam Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAT 2024 | From Aug 1 to Sept 20, 2024 (Last date extended from Sept 13) Closed | November 24, 2024 | Rs.2500 | 21 IIMs, FMS, SPJIMR, MDI, IITs, IIFT, TISS |
| XAT 2025 | July 15 to Nov 30, 2024 | January 5, 2025 | Rs.2200 | XLRI, IMT, IMI, XIMB, TAPMI |
| NMAT 2024 | Aug 1 to Oct 10, 2024 | Nov 5 to Dec 20, 2024 | Rs.3000 | NMIMS, XIMB, K J Somaiya, TAPMI, IFMR GSB, L M Thapar |
| SNAP 2024 | Aug 5 to Nov 22, 2024 | Dec 8, 15 & 21, 2024 | Rs.2250 | SIBM Pune, SCMHRD, SIOM, SIBM Bangalore, SIIB Pune |
| IBSAT 2024 | July 1 to Dec 16, 2024 | Dec 28 & 29, 2024 | Rs.1800 | ICFAI Hyderabad, Bangalore, Mumbai, Pune, Gurgaon |
| MAT 2024 December | Sept 6 to Dec 15, 2024 | CBT-1: Dec 7 CBT-2: Dec 22 PBT: Dec 14 | Rs.2100 for one exam; Rs.3600 for two exams | BIMTECH, JAGSoM, XIME, IBA, SDMIMD |
| CMAT 2025 | Feb 15 to March 31, 2025 | May 10, 2025 | Rs.2000 | BIMTECH, Welingkar, IMT Nagpur/Hyderabad |
| MAH MBA CET 2025 | Jan 10 to Feb 15, 2025 | March 8 & 9, 2025 | Rs.1200 | JBIMS, SIMSREE, PUMBA |
Important Note:
- Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) has stopped taking its M.A. entrance test TISSNET. Instead, it will accept score of CAT 2024 exam conducted by IIMs for admission 2025
- Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) has also stopped conducting its own entrance test – IIFT MBA Entrance exam. Instead, it accepts CAT exam score for MBA (IB) Admission at its Delhi and Kolkata campuses
Let us know all about each of these MBA Entrance Exams in India like MBA Entrance Exams 2024 Notification release dates, MBA Exams Important Dates and other details about MBA Entrance Exam in India
IIM- CAT 2024: Largest MBA Entrance Exam – Important Details
Common Admission Test, popularly known as CAT is the largest and most preferred among MBA entrance exam in India. Last year 3.30 lakh candidates applied for the CAT exam. CAT 2024 will be conducted on November 24, 2024, by IIM Calcutta for MBA admission 2025 in 21 IIMs, FMS Delhi, IIT DoMs, SPJIMR, MDI, and 500+ MBA Colleges in India. (Link to CAT Main Pages)
CAT 2024 Exam Highlights
Following are the key features of the IIM CAT 2024 exam like CAT MBA Entrance Exam 2024 Notification release details and dates, Eligibility, Exam Pattern, MBA Entrance Exam Date, and Top Colleges among others
CAT Exam Particulars | Key Details |
CAT Exam 2024 Full Form | Common Admission Test 2024 |
Who Conducts the CAT Exam? | One of 6 old IIMs conducts CAT every year |
CAT 2024 Conducting Institute | IIM Calcutta |
CAT 2024 Exam Date | Sunday, November 24, 2024 |
Total Questions in the Exam | 66 |
No. of sections & Questions | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension: 24 Qs Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning: 20 Qs Quantitative Ability: 22 Qs |
Number of Answer Options for MCQs | 4 |
Number of Answer Options for Non-MCQs | No Answer Option; Type In the Answer on a Computer screen |
Scoring Pattern in the CAT exam | +3 Marks for Each Correct Answer -1 Mark for Each Wrong Answer (Only for MCQs) 0 Mark for Each Wrong Answer or Unattempted Question for Non-MCQs |
Exam Slots | In 3 sessions – Morning, Afternoon & Evening on the same day |
Exam duration | 2 hours for each slot |
CAT Sectional Time Limit | 40 Minutes for Each of the 3 sections |
Facility to Choose Order of Sections | No, Must answer the sections in pre-defined order from section 1 to 3 |
Testing Mode | Computer-based exams at test centers but not an online exam |
CAT 2024 Notification Release | July 28, 2024 |
Details to Check in Notification | CAT Exam details, Application fee, Registration dates, MBA courses by IIMs through CAT 2024 |
Top MBA Colleges Accepting CAT 2024 for MBA Admission 2025 | 21 IIMs, FMS, IIFT, MDI, SPJIMR, IITs, TISS, IMI, IMT & 1000 other MBA colleges in India |
How to Apply for CAT 2024? | The application process is online only |
CAT 2024 Registration Fee | Rs.2500 |
CAT Official Website for Form Filling | |
Number of CAT 2024 Applicants | 3.30 lakhs (CAT Registration Data 2023) |
Number of Test Takers in Previous CAT Exam | 2.88 lakhs (CAT 2023 test takers) |
CAT MBA Exam Dates and Schedule 2024
Keeping yourself ready for the CAT exam as per its time schedule and well-planned preparation level is very important as it leads to your dream IIM. Below are the CAT 2024 important exam dates and other timelines:
CAT 2024 Important Dates & Timeline | Important dates |
CAT Notification Date 2024 | July 28, 2024 |
Registration Start Date 2024 | August 1, 2024 |
Registration Last Date | September 20, 2024 (Extended from September 13) |
Registration Fees | Rs.2500 |
Admit Card Release | November 5, 2024 |
Exam Dates | November 24, 2024 |
CAT answer key release date | November 28, 2024 |
Answer key challenge process last date | December 2, 2024 |
Result Date | January 4-5, 2025 |
Other Important Information about the CAT 2024 Exam
CAT is the Top MBA Entrance Exam. It is conducted on a yearly basis for MBA admission in top MBA colleges in India. For the last many years, the Common Admission Test (CAT) has been conducted on the last Sunday of November every year.
- CAT 2024 Eligibility Criteria: 50% Marks in Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university/institute
- Maximum Age Limit to appear in IIM CAT: No Age Limit
- Total Seats in IIMs for MBA Admission 2025 through CAT 2024: 10000+
CAT MBA Entrance Exam Pattern 2024
CAT 2024 Question Paper has 3 broad sections – Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA).
The table shares the CAT exam sectional order from Section-1 to Section-3, the number, and type of questions in each section, questions with and without negative marking
Section | No of Questions | MCQ/ NMCQ | Sectional Time Limit (In Minutes) | Scoring Pattern (Negative Marking is only for MCQs) |
Section-1: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 19/5 | 40 | +3 for Correct; -1 for Incorrect; 0 for Not Attempted |
Section 2: Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 20 | 15/5 | 40 | +3 for Correct; -1 for Incorrect; 0 for Not Attempted |
Section-3: Quantitative Ability (QA) | 22 | 14/8 | 40 | +3 for Correct; -1 for Incorrect; 0 for Not Attempted |
Total | 66 | 66 | 120 | 198 |
CAT MBA Entrance Exam Syllabus 2024
The CAT syllabus is divided into 3 sections. However, the effective number of sections is five as VARC and DILR sections are further sub-divided into 2 sub-sections in the CAT exam syllabus
Sectional Division | Overview of Topics in the CAT Syllabus 2024 |
Quantitative Ability (QA) | Arithmetic, Modern Math, Number System Algebra, Mensuration, Trigonometry, Geometry |
Data Interpretation& Logical Reasoning (DILR) | Data Charts, Data Tables, Bar Graphs, Venn Diagrams, Seating arrangement, Team formation, Clocks & Calendars |
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | Long & Short Passages Jumbled Paragraphs; Para-summary Picking the Out of context sentence from a jumbled paragraph |
XLRI-XAT 2025: 150+ B-schools Accept Score- Important Details
Popularly known as XAT, the Xavier Aptitude Test is one of the important MBA Entrance Exams for Admission to XLRI, IMT, XIMB, TAPMI, and 150+ MBA Colleges in India. Every year about 1,00,000 candidates from all disciplines including Engineering, Commerce, Humanities, Science, Law apply and appear in the XAT exam to get into the various MBA programs offered by these top B-schools. XAT 2025 exam date is Sunday, January 5, 2025. XAT is conducted annually by XLRI Jamshedpur and is therefore known as XLRI-XAT. This year many changes in the XAT exam pattern have been announced by XLRI as below:
XAT 2025 Exam Pattern: Key Changes
- XAT 2025 Exam on January 5, 2025, in Single Slot
- Number of Total MCQs Reduced to 95 from 101
- GK Section Questions Reduced to 20 in XAT 2025 from Earlier 25
- GK Section Time Reduced to 10 Minutes
- Subjective Essay Writing Test Scrapped from XAT 2025 Exam
- XLRI to Conduct Essay Writing Test during GD-PI Round
- XAT 2025 Exam Time Duration reduced to 3 hours from 3 hours 30 minutes last year
XAT 2025 Highlights
Following are the key features of the XLRI XAT 2025 exam pattern and syllabus
XAT Exam Particulars | Details |
XAT Exam Full Form 2025 | Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) 2025 |
Who conducts the XAT Exam? | Xavier School of Management (XLRI) Jamshedpur |
XAT 2025 Notification Release | July 15, 2024 |
XAT 2025 Exam Date | Sunday, January 5, 2025 |
XAT Official Website | xatonline.in |
XAT Exam Fees | Rs.2200 |
Number of Candidates who registered for the last XAT exam | 1.35 lakhs |
Top MBA Colleges Accepting XAT Exam | XLRI, XIMB, IMI, IMT, FORE, Great Lakes, GIM, IMT Nagpur |
Total Questions in the Exam | 95 MCQs |
Number of Sections | 4; Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning; Decision Making; Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation; General Knowledge |
Number of Answer Options | 5 |
Scoring Pattern in the XAT exam | +1 Mark for Each Correct Answer -0.25 Mark for Each Wrong Answer 0 Mark for Un-attempted Question |
XAT Exam Duration | 3 hours |
XAT Sectional Time Limit | No Sectional Time Limit |
XAT Application Fee 2025 | Rs.2200/- |
Facility to Choose Order of Sections | Yes, Attempt any question from any section within the overall time limit |
XAT 2025 MBA Exam Dates and Schedule 2025
Keeping yourself ready for the XAT exam as per its time schedule and well-planned preparation level is very important as it leads to your dream XLRI campus. Below are shared the XAT 2025 important exam dates and other timelines:
XAT 2025 Important Dates & Timeline | Important dates |
XAT 2025 Notification Date | July 15, 2024 |
XAT Registration Start Date 2025 | July 15, 2024 |
XAT 2025 Registration Last Date | November 30, 2024 |
Admit Card Release | December 20, 2024 |
Exam Dates | January 5, 2025 |
XAT answer key release date | January 10, 2025 |
Answer key challenge process last date | January 14, 2025 |
Result Date | January 20, 2025 |
XAT 2025 Exam Pattern
XAT 2025 Question Paper will have 4 sections and out of them, 3 are core sections that are counted for percentile calculation– Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning; Decision Making; Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation. A score of the General Knowledge section is taken into account during the PI round
XAT 2025 Exam Pattern
Exam Sections | Number of questions | Overall Time Duration |
Part-1 | 75 Total MCQs | 170 Minutes |
Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning | 26 | No Sectional Time Limit |
Decision Making | 21 | No Sectional Time Limit |
Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation | 28 | No Sectional Time Limit |
20 Total MCQs | 10 Minutes | |
General Knowledge | 20 | Ideal Time 10 Minutes |
Analytical Essay Writing (AEW) | Scrapped for XAT 2025 | Dropped |
Total questions (Part 1 + Part 2) | 95 MCQs |
XAT Exam Syllabus 2025
The XAT exam 2025 syllabus is divided into two parts and four sections. Part 1, tests the candidate on Verbal Ability, Reading Comprehension & Logical Reasoning; Decision Making; Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation. In part-2 it tests General Knowledge. Key topics covered in the XAT exam syllabus are shared below:
XAT Part-1 Syllabus
Section | Syllabus |
Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning (VALR) | The VA&LR section will encompass critical & analytical reasoning, reading comprehension (including poems & passages), vocabulary, English grammar, and other related exercises such as para jumbles, and cloze tests. Key Topics in the syllabus include: Verbal Ability Syllabus: English Vocabulary based questions – fill in the blanks with correct words; synonyms/antonyms; contextual usage on vocabulary words; Jumbled Paragraphs; Correction of errors in sentences, correct use of words; Completion of sentences; Completion of paragraph Reading Comprehension Syllabus: Abstract topics, Literature, Social and Economic issues; Science & Culture; history & fiction. Questions based on information in RC passage; explanation of the words & phrases as used in the passage; In the context of the passage –True/false statements; Author’s view on various issues raised in the RC passage; Inference from the passage; the main idea of RC passage; Purpose of the RC passage Logical Reasoning Syllabus: Critical Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, Analogy, Clocks, calendars, Fact, Inference, Judgement, binary logic, seating arrangement, blood relations, logical sequence, assumption, premise, conclusion |
Decision Making (DM) | The DM section will present scenarios drawn from both personal and professional lives. Candidates will be required to apply critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and prioritization to make informed decisions. XAT measures skills broadly on Conditions and Grouping Test; Data Arrangement Test; Complex Arrangement; Decision Making in a situation; Case lets |
Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation (QADI)
| The questions are designed to assess the quantitative aptitude of candidates who possess a foundational understanding of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, mensuration, modern maths, etc. The questions on DI are about clear interpretation, summarization, and insightful analysis of the data. QA: Major topics covered in the XAT syllabus for Quant are LCM and HCF, Log, Percentage, Profit, and Loss. Linear Equation, Interest (Simple and Compound), Speed Time and Distance, Time and Work, Averages, Ratio and Proportion, Number System, Algebra equations, Polynomials, Geometry, Mensuration, Complex Numbers, Progressions, Binomial Theorem, Permutation and Combination, Probability Functions, Set Theory, Mixtures and Alligations, Trigonometry DI: Major Topics Covered in the DI Syllabus are Data Tables, Data charts, Bar diagrams, Pie charts, Graphs, Data analysis, and comparison |
XAT Syllabus
XAT 2025 has only the General Knowledge section as AEW has been scrapped.
Section | Syllabus |
General Knowledge | In the GK section, questions focus on static GK and current affairs. Major Topics Covered: Economics, finance, national and international current affairs, Constitution of India, Company profiles, logos, Business & Economy, Who’s who, Books & Authors, Capitals & Currencies |
Analytical Essay Writing (AEW) Test Scrapped for XAT 2025 | XAT 2025 will not have an AEW section. This component will be conducted in the XLRI GD-PI round. AEW Essays should be approximately 250 words in length and must demonstrate coherence, logical consistency, and strong argumentation , serving as an assessment of the student’s analytical abilities. |
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