For the 2026 MBA application cycle, you should apply in the fall of 2025, since application windows for major entrance exams and business schools typically run from approximately July to December 2025. Applying in the early rounds is often recommended, as acceptance rates can be higher.
Timeline for MBA applications 2026
Mid-2025: Prepare for entrance exams
- July–August 2025: Registration begins for major national-level entrance exams like the Common Admission Test (CAT), Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT), Symbiosis National Aptitude Test (SNAP), and NMAT by GMAC.
- September 2025: Round 1 application deadlines are in September and October for many top international and Indian business schools, including Harvard, Stanford, and ISB.
Late 2025: Submit applications
- October–November 2025: Many top-tier colleges have their first application deadlines. For example, NMIMS Mumbai’s final deadline is October 18, 2025, and SPJIMR Mumbai’s is November 28, 2025.
- November 2025: The CAT 2025 exam is scheduled for November 30, 2025. The SNAP 2025 exam is also held in December 2025.
Early 2026: Take exams and interview
- December 2025–January 2026: Exams like the XAT 2026 and NMAT 2025 are conducted. Results for CAT 2025 are also announced in December. Many schools have their second application round deadlines in early January.
- January–April 2026: Selection rounds, including Written Ability Tests (WAT), Group Discussions (GD), and Personal Interviews (PI), are conducted by colleges.
- May 2026: Final admission offers are extended to selected candidates.
Application strategy for MBA 2026
- Apply early (Round 1): Early application rounds typically have higher acceptance rates and larger scholarship pools. It is highly recommended to apply in Round 1 if your application is strong and ready.
- Don’t wait for a higher score: Waiting for a higher exam score to apply in a later round is not always the best strategy. Your application profile, including your work experience and essays, is just as important as your test score.
- Plan and organize: Manage the deadlines for both entrance exams and individual business school applications. Some exams, like the CAT, cover multiple colleges, while others require separate applications.
- Consider a rolling admissions program: Some schools, like SDA Bocconi Asia Centre, operate on a rolling admissions basis, where applications are reviewed as they are received. This can be beneficial if you need more flexibility.
