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CAT, XAT, MAT, SNAP: The MBA admission season is underway, with registration windows opening for several major management entrance exams. These exams pave the way for admission into India's top business schools. Thousands of graduates are preparing for MBA and other management courses, and there are now numerous options available for working professionals as well. In this context, selecting the right entrance exam is just as crucial as preparing for it.

Aspiring MBA candidates have a wide range of options—from the Common Admission Test (CAT) and Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) to SNAP, NMAT, MAT, CMAT, and various institute-level or state-level exams. The choice depends on the desired B-school, preferred specialization, and specific eligibility criteria. Here, we provide details regarding the right entrance exams, eligibility criteria, registration deadlines, and exam patterns for graduates planning to seek MBA admission for the 2027-28 academic session.

CAT 2026 Exam
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is the most competitive and popular MBA entrance exam, taken by candidates seeking admission to top business schools. This entrance exam is conducted on a rotational basis by the IIMs. CAT is the sole entrance exam for students aspiring to secure admission into the 22 prestigious IIMs across the country.

This year, IIM Indore will conduct the CAT exam. The application process began on August 3, and the deadline to submit the form is September 15. The exam will be held in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode on November 26, with admit cards scheduled for release on November 4. Results are expected to be declared in the first week of January 2027. The application fee is ₹2,700 for the General category and ₹1,350 for SC/ST/PwBD candidates. XAT 2027

Registration for XAT 2027, conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur, began on July 15. The application deadline is December 6, 2026, while the exam is scheduled for January 3, 2027, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. The exam will be conducted in CBT (Computer-Based Test) mode. Its scores are accepted by over 250 business schools.

CMAT 2027
The notification for the next cycle of CMAT has not yet been released. Registration is expected to begin in October 2026. The previous CMAT consisted of 100 questions carrying a total of 400 marks. CMAT is a national-level entrance exam for admission to management courses, including MBA and PGDM. Its scores are accepted by numerous AICTE-recognized institutes.

SNAP 2026
Candidates can make three attempts for SNAP, and the best score will be considered. The exam will be held on December 13, 19, and 26, 2026. The last date for registration is November 25. SNAP is conducted for admission to MBA and other postgraduate management programs across 17 institutes of Symbiosis International University.

NMAT 2026
The NMAT exam will be conducted in CBT mode between November 2 and December 20, 2026. It will comprise 108 questions, and the exam duration will be 120 minutes. NMAT is conducted for admission to MBA and other postgraduate management programs. Its scores are accepted by more than 58 institutes across India.

MAT 2026
For the MAT September session, the PBT (Paper-Based Test) will be held on September 13, and the CBT (Computer-Based Test) on September 20. Registration will close on September 7 for PBT and September 14 for CBT. MAT is conducted for admission to management courses such as MBA and PGDM.

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