Thousands of candidates appear for the entrance examinations to get a seat in the best of management colleges. Most B-schools in India accept CAT scores for admission. However, some of the colleges have their own entrance examinations for admissions in B-schools like IIMs. Most of the candidates end up taking two or three exams in one academic season.
CAT-XAT-CMAT exams are the most important among all, because the best B-schools in the country such as IIMs, MDI, FMS, IMT, XLRI accept the scores.
In India, more than 50 MBA entrance tests are being conducted. Some tests are held at a national level, some at the regional level and some at institute level. Most of these exams are attempted by a small fraction of MBA aspirants. According to a recent survey by Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), four out of every five companies are planning to hire MBA graduates in 2018. This is likely to give a hike in the number of students appearing for B-school exams.
As the MBA preparation season kicks in we bring to you the entire schedule of MBA Entrance Exams 2018:
1. CAT 2018
Last date to apply online: September 19, 2018
Online examinations: November 25
Download of admit card: October 24
Availability of test format: October 17
Common Admission Test (CAT) 2018: The online registration process was closed on September 19. However, the test format will be available on the official website from October 17. The admit cards will be released on October 24 on the official website iimcat.ac.in. Indian Institute of Management-Calcutta will conduct the examinations on Sunday, November 25 in 147 cities across the country in two sessions.
2. XAT 2019
XAT 2019: Important dates
Application process begins– August 20, 2018
Last date to apply– November 30, 2018
XAT 2019– January 6, 2019.
The online application process began on August 20 and the candidates can apply till November 30. Xavier School of Management will conduct the XAT 2019 on 6th January, 2019 at various centres across thje country from 10am to 1pm.
3. CMAT, GPAT 2019
Commencement of online registration: November 1
Last date to apply online: November 30
Online examinations: January 28, 2019
Availability of admit card: January 7, 2019
Results: February 10
The National Testing Agency (NTA) will conduct the CMAT, GPAT examinations on January 28, and the admit card will be available for download from January 7, 2019. The results for both the examinations will be declared on February 10. The registration process for both Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) and Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test (GPAT) will commence on November 1 and will continue till November 30, 2018.
4. NMAT 2018
Commencement of online application: July 7, 2018
Last date to apply online: October 16, 2018
Test window to open: October 4 to December 17
The registration process for NMAT 2018-20 has been closed now. It started from July 7 and will continue till October 3, 2018. The Graduate Management Admission Council will announce the exam dates soon, the 75-day test window will open in the first week of October. The NMAT by GMAC is conducted for admission into MBA or other graduate management degree courses. Also, from this year onwards, aspiring candidates from India can also select and send scores to schools in South Africa and Philippines. Interested ones can register at nmat.org.in. Aspirants will have the liberty to choose a test date as per their own convenience.
5. IIFT (MBA) 2018
Last date for request for test centre change: November 5
Downloading of admit card: November 16
Written test: December 2, 2018 (10am – 12 noon)
Last date to fill the online application form and to submit GMAT score for Foreign Nationals and NRIs: February 15, 2019
Indian Institute of Foreign Trade will conduct the MBA entrance examination on December 2, 2018. All the candidates who had registered for the examination can download the admit card from November 16. The online registration for the examination has been closed on September 14, 2018.
6. MICAT 2018
Commencement of online application: August 23, 2018
Last date to apply online: November 20, 2018
Examination: December 2
MICAT exam is scheduled to be conducted on December 2 for admission to the PGDM (C) programme. The registration process for MICAT has commenced from August 23 and will conclude on November 20, 2018. Candidates have to take at least one of the three exams— Common Admission Test (CAT), Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) and Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). Apart from taking one of these exams, all applicants are required to appear for MICAT.
7. MAH MBA CET
MAH MBA CET: Last year schedule for reference
Online registration ends: February 14
Admit card release date: February 26
Exam to be held on: March 11 and 12
Results to release on: March 19
DTE Maharashtra, every year, conducts examinations for admission in the first year of full-time Post Graduate Degree in MBA/MMS courses. Appearing this exam, candidates can apply in various around 400 MBA colleges in Maharashtra including JBIMS, SIMSREE, PUMBA, K J Somaiya, N L Dalmiya, DSIMS, Dy Patil and other 400. Those who wish to study in these colleges can register at the official website – dtemaharashtra.gov.in/mbacet2018.
8. Odisha OJEE
OJEE 2019: Last year schedule for reference
Commencement of online application: June 25
Last date to apply online: July 13
OJEE exams: July 22
Download of admit card: July 18
Government of Odisha conducted the OJEE examinations every year for admissions to engineering, management colleges in the state of Odisha. Last year, the examination was conducted on July 22, and the online application was conducted from June 25 till July 13.
9. KMAT
Karnataka Management Aptitude Test is conducted for admission to AICTE approved MBA, PGDM and MCA programs in Karnataka. Every year, the entrance examination is conducted in the month of May, and the result is declared by June.
10. AP ICET
AP ICET: Last year schedule for reference
AP ICET Entrance examinations: May 2, 2018
Declaration of results: First week of June
Conducted by the Sri Ventakeswara University, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh Integrated Common Entrance Test (AP ICET) is conducted for admissions into first year of Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Computer Applications (MCA) and lateral entry into second year of Master of Computer Applications (MCA) programmes in university colleges and their affiliated colleges.
11. TS ICET
TS ICET 2018: Last year schedule
Examinations: May 23, 2018
Telangana ICET result: June 10, 2018
TS ICET certificate verification: July 6 to July 10, 2018.
Rank card release: Second week of June 2018
Counselling starts: First week of July 2018
TSICET 2018 allotment result: July 2018
(Edvantage Point is India’s go-to platform for education-related products and services. We are into admissions management for schools, career advice and counselling services for students as well as recruitment services).