Is There Any Difference in The Top Rated 8 MBA Entrance Exams

Difference Between MBA Entrance Exams

An MBA certification is one of the most lucrative and sought-after certification courses. Whether it is fresh college pass-outs or experienced working professionals, all want to pursue an MBA program to enhance their management skills and prospects of working with the top corporate brands.

Management is one of the essential skills that companies look for in employees. So much so that organizations can go to the extent of sponsoring bright and promising employees for an MBA program. While it may take a person several years to gain a skill like management, an MBA degree can help speed up the learning and acquisition process. An MBA degree arms an individual with the tools required for effectively managing the various aspects of a business and serves as a gateway to working with the top corporate brands.

For gaining admission into the top Business Schools in India, aspirants need to sit for various MBA entrance examinations, namely CAT, IIFT, NMAT, XAT, SNAP, etc. This post highlights the different aspects of each of the top 8 MBA entrance tests that will automatically help us answer the question, is there any difference in the top-rated 8 MBA entrance exams? Let us begin.

Is There Any Difference?

The answer is yes. The top-rated 8 MBA examinations differ from each other in terms of the examination pattern/structure, including the number of sections and questions, time to complete the test, marking system, eligibility criteria, and examination fees. Let us look at each of these examinations separately to highlight the significant points of differences further.

Common Admission Test (CAT)

The Indian Institute of Management (All 20 IIMs) conducts the Common Admission Test (CAT) on a rotational basis. It is a 2-hour-long examination conducted for admission into the IIMs, FMS, IIT MBA programs, SPJIMR, IMT, MDI, and more than 3,000 other MBA colleges across India.

Examination Pattern

The CAT examination pattern hardly remains the same for two consecutive years. The pattern shown in the table below is from the CAT 2021 examination.

Eligibility and Exam Fee

For General and NC-OBC category candidates, the minimum marks required for graduation are 50%, and the examination fee is Rs. 2,300. For SC, ST, and PWD category candidates, the minimum marks required for graduation are 45%, and the examination fee is Rs. 1,150.

Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT)

XLRI Jamshedpur is responsible for conducting the Xavier Aptitude Test, or XAT. The entrance exam is a gateway for candidates seeking admission in XLRI, IMT, XIMB, SPJIMR, and almost 150 other MBA colleges across India. It is a 3-hour examination and is the most sought-after entrance exam after CAT.

Examination Pattern

1. The XAT exam tests candidates in four sections, namely, Verbal and Logical Ability, Decision making and Quantitative Ability, English Language and Logical Reasoning, General Knowledge, and Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation.

2. A total of one mark is allotted for each correct answer, and 0.25 marks are deducted for each incorrect answer.

3. Additionally, 0.10 marks are deducted for more than 8 questions not attempted.

Eligibility and Exam Fee

1. Any candidate with a 3-year degree or a final year student can apply.

2. The fee to register for the XAT entrance examination is Rs. 2,000.

Indian Institution of Foreign Trade (IIFT)

The IIFT entrance examination is mandatory for candidates seeking admission into the International Business MBA course on IIFT campuses in Delhi, Kolkata, and Kakinada. Unlike CAT, IIFT is a paper-based test of a 2-hour duration.

Examination Pattern

Eligibility and Exam Fee

1. A 3-year Bachelor’s degree or a final year student can also apply.

2. For General and NC-OBC category candidates, the examination fee is Rs. 2,500.

Graduate Management Aptitude Test(GMAT)

The GMAC is responsible for conducting the GMAT. Unlike any other MBA entrance test, the GMAT score is valid for five years and can be taken multiple times in a year. The online test is of 3 hours and 7 minutes duration.

Examination Pattern

Eligibility and Exam Fee

1. The applying candidate must be 18 years of age and older.

2. Candidates between the age of 13-17 years can also appear for the GMAT exam, provided their guardians furnish written consent.

3. The GMAT Exam Fee is approximately Rs. 21,000/- per the current exchange rate.

Symbiosis National Aptitude Test (SNAP)

Symbiosis University conducts the SNAP or the Symbiosis National Aptitude Test yearly. The test enables a candidate to apply for admission to the 15 institutes under Symbiosis University's governance.

Examination Pattern

Eligibility and Exam Fee

1. For General candidates, the minimum marks required for graduation are 50%. For SC/ST candidates, the minimum marks required are 45%.

2. The SNAP exam Fee is Rs. 1,950.

Common Management Admission Test (CMAT)

The National Testing Agency conducts the 3-hour Common Management Admission Test annually for admission to various management degree programs.

Examination Pattern

Eligibility and Exam Fee

1. Graduates or final year students in any discipline.

2. For General/OBC candidates, the exam fee is Rs. 2,000. For SC/ST/PWD candidates, it is Rs. 1,000.

NMIMS Management Aptitude Test (NMAT)

The GMAC conducts NMAT or the NMIMS Management Test annually for admission into colleges like NMIMS, SPJIMR, IBS, TAPMI, etc.

Examination Pattern

Eligibility and Exam Fee

1. A 3-year Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% marks.

2. The registration fee for NMAT is Rs. 2,800. The fee for retaking the exam is Rs. 2,800. For rescheduling the exam, the fee is Rs. 1,200. For each additional score report (beyond the first five), the fee is Rs. 300. All these charges are exclusive of applicable taxes.

MICA Admission Test (MICAT)

MICA conducts the MICAT examination. After appearing for CAT, GMAT, or XAT, candidates looking to gain admission into MICA have to also appear for either MICAT-1 or MICAT-2.

Examination Pattern

The MICAT consists of 3 sections, namely:

Section A - This section contains the Psychometric test. It consists of 150 questions with an allotted time duration of 30 minutes.

Section B - This section consists of the descriptive test. This section consists of 4 questions with a time duration of 25 minutes.

Section C - This section consists of four sub-sections, Verbal Ability, Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation, Divergent and Convergent Thinking, and General Awareness. All of these sections consist of 20 questions for each section and they have a combined time limit of 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Eligibility and Exam Fee

1. Graduates or final year students in any discipline.

2. The MICAT examination fee is Rs. 2,100/-

Conclusion

As is clear from the information given above, the top-rated 8 MBA entrance exams differ primarily in the examination structure, including various sections and number of questions, time allocated to complete the test, marking system, eligibility criteria, and the examination fees required. You as an individual aspirant must be clear about what you want to do in the future as your career and then decide and focus on your preparation.