Overall MBA admission process
- Meet eligibility criteria: The standard requirement is a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% marks (45% for reserved categories). Final-year students are also eligible to apply.
- Take an entrance exam: This is a mandatory step for most reputable institutions. The most common national-level exams in India include:
- Common Admission Test (CAT): Required for admission to the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and numerous other top-tier colleges. For the 2026 intake, you will need to take the CAT 2025 exam, likely in November 2025.
- Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT): For XLRI and other XAT-accepting colleges. The XAT 2026 exam is set for January 4, 2026.
- NMAT by GMAC: Required for NMIMS and other affiliated institutions. NMAT 2025 registration is open until October 2025, with exams held from November to December 2025.
- SNAP: For Symbiosis institutes. SNAP 2025 application is open until November 20, 2025, with exams in December 2025.
- GMAT/GRE: Essential for international MBA programs and some top Indian institutes like ISB. The exams are offered year-round.
- Apply to specific business schools: After taking the entrance exam, apply to the individual colleges you have shortlisted based on your exam scores, location, and preferred specialization. Application windows vary by institution.
- Attend selection rounds: Shortlisted candidates will be invited to the final selection rounds, which typically consist of:
- Written Ability Test (WAT)
- Group Discussion (GD)
- Personal Interview (PI)
- Receive and accept the admission offer: Your final selection is based on a holistic evaluation of your profile, including your exam score, academic record, and performance in the GD/WAT/PI rounds.
Tentative timeline for the 2026 admission cycle
- July–August 2025: MBA entrance exam registrations begin, including CAT, NMAT, and SNAP.
- September–December 2025: Appear for entrance exams like CAT and NMAT.
- January 2026: Appear for exams like XAT and receive results for exams taken in the previous months.
- January–April 2026: Final selection rounds (GD/WAT/PI) are conducted by various business schools.
- May–June 2026: Final admission offers are made by the colleges.
- July–August 2026: The new academic session for the 2026–2028 batch begins.
Required documents
- Class 10 and 12 mark sheets and certificates
- Bachelor’s degree mark sheets and certificate
- Valid entrance exam scorecard
- Work experience certificate (if applicable)
- Category or domicile certificate (if applicable)
- Photo identity proof (e.g., Aadhaar, passport)
- Passport-size photograph
- Letters of Recommendation (LORs) and a Statement of Purpose (SOP) may be required for some institutions.
To help you get started, I can provide a comprehensive list of exams and top business schools based on your preferences, career goals, and academic profile.
If you’d like, I can put together a customized preparation plan based on the exams and universities you’re interested in, including key dates and study resources.
