Top MBA Entrance Exams | Check Dates, Registration, Syllabus, Pattern

By Kirti Yadav
4 April 2020

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MBA exams during COVID19 outbreak have been greatly impacted, either by being postponed or cancelled. MBA entrance exams are a big hurdle that all MBA aspirants need to surpass. However, the recent events around the corona pandemic has led to changes in schedules of most of the exams. All of you MBA aspirants out there must have heard of CAT, one of the most popular entrance exam sought by management students, however, the CAT admission process for the year 2020 is over. But do not be discouraged, we have compiled a list based on the latest updates of MBA exams during COVID19 for the year 2020 that you can still prepare and appear. Furthermore, these MBA entrance exams are conducted at various levels and the mode could vary between online and offline. So do not feel tied down to a particular exam as there is ample choice of the entrance exams for MBA courses you can still appear for in the year 2020 despite the coronavirus lockdown. MBA entrance exams are conducted to shortlist the candidates that are then eligible for admission into the 5000 B schools of our country. More than 50 MBA entrance exams are conducted every year, all having different testing bodies and participating institutes. In other words, out of these 50, we have compiled a list of the most popular MBA exams during covid19 with their important dates, sections and preparation tips. So without further adieu, let us begin.

Generally, in India MBA entrance exams in India are conducted at three levels:

National: CAT, MAT, CMAT State: MAH CET, TSICET, UPSEE, TANCET University/College: IIFT, SNAP, XAT, IGNOU OPENMAT Apart from the entrance exams stated above, there are many more exams like ATMA, NMAT IIFT etc. Some exams have already been conducted for the session 2020 but there are many that are still left to be conducted. It is advised for you to focus on the details of MBA exams during COVID19 so that you can still appear for the academic session beginning in 2020. Read on to know the MBA entrance exams you can take in the near future, their important dates etc. With this information, you can plan ahead and even start the preparation process for both the exam and the admission to the college of your choice.

MBA Entrance Exams to Take in 2021

CAT 2020

CAT - Common Entrance Test Level: National Occurring: Conducted only once a year Conducting body: IIM Mode: Online only Application Form: 15th September 2021 Date of Examination: 28th November 2021 CAT scores are used for admission by 20 IIMs and over 1000 other management institutes across the country. More than three lakh students appear for the exam each year. The CAT MBA entrance exam for the 2020 question paper consists of 100 questions (MCQs) to be solved in 180 minutes. The CAT exam primarily consists of four segments: Verbal, Quantitative, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning. These subject areas are grouped into 3 sections. These three sections are:

Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
Verbal and Reading Comprehension (VRC)

Even though the CAT exam may seem to be far away, enabling you to think you have ample time to prepare. However, our advice would be to start preparing as soon as possible as this is a highly competitive and fairly difficult exam to crack. Here are some preparation tips for CAT that you can immediately start on:-

Make a month-wise preparation strategy and timetable.
Join online study groups found on various social media platforms like YouTube, Facebook, Quora etc.
Download and timely solve online study material available on various online MBA forums to download for free.
Download various preparation mobile applications to prepare and solve questions on the go.

Also read: Common Aptitude Test 2020 (CAT)

MAT 2020

Important: May exam rescheduled to be held in June

MAT - Management Aptitude Test

Level: National Occurring: Conducted 4 times a year - February, May, September and December Conducting body: All India Management Association (AIMA) Mode: Both Online and Offline Application Form : 28-Nov-2021 (PBT) 14-Nov-2021 (CBT) 12-Dec-2021 (CBT) 24-Nov-2021 (IBT) 01-Dec-2021 (IBT) 02-Dec-2021 (IBT) 08-Dec-2021 (IBT) 09-Dec-2021 (IBT) 15-Dec-2021 (IBT) Date of Examination: 05-Dec-2021 (PBT) 21-Nov-2021 (CBT) 19-Dec-2021 (CBT) 27-Nov-2021 (IBT) 04-Dec-2021 (IBT) 05-Dec-2021 (IBT) 11-Dec-2021 (IBT) 12-Dec-2021 (IBT) 18-Dec-2021 (IBT) More than 600 institutes accept MAT MBA entrance exam for admission to management programmes. The exam is held in both online (computer-based) and offline (paper-based) modes. Held for 150 minutes, the MAT question paper has 200 questions. The aspirant is tested on the following five areas:

Indian and Global Environment
Language Comprehension
Data Analysis and Sufficiency
Mathematical Skills
Intelligence and Critical Reasoning

With the MAT 2020 (~~May~~ June) exam being just around the corner, the following preparation tips might help you ace the exam in the little time left.

Start by creating a topic wise list of the AIMA MAT syllabus and the topics you are comfortable in and the topics you are not.
Start with the topics you are not confident about.
Giving mocks timely and analyzing them regularly is key to a good score.
Time your mock tests as it will help you understand the time you take on each question.
Revise the concepts and formulas regularly.

Also Read: Management Aptitude Test (MAT) 2020

CMAT 2020

CMAT 2022 is yet to be announced. CMAT - Common Management Aptitude Test Level: National Occurring: Conducted only once a year Conducting body: National Testing Agency (NTA) Mode: Online only Application Form: 24th December - 1st November 2019 Date of Examination: 28th January 2020 The exam is accepted by more than 500 MBA institutes across the country. The CMAT exam is held in January every year. CMAT is a computer-based exam (held for 180 minutes) and tests the candidate’s aptitude in four main sections:

Quantitative technique
Logical reasoning
Language comprehension
General Awareness

Here is a list of some useful insights for the last few days of the D-Day:

Concentrate on Accuracy and Time-management
Rely on your set defined strategy
Brush up on topics from self-made notes
Revise shortcut methods for complex calculations
Attempt Practice Papers and other Mock Tests

ATMA 2020

ATMA 2021- over. ATMA: AIMS Test for Management Admissions Level: National Occurring: Conducted 4 times a year - February, May, July and August. Conducting body: (AIMA) Mode: Online only Application Form: 13th February - 18th May 2020 Date of Examination: 24th May 2020 Over 600 MBA institutes use ATMA scores for admission in several management programmes. It is an exam for three hours where the question paper consists of 180 questions in the following sections:

Analytical Reasoning Skills Part 1
Analytical Reasoning Skills Part 2
Quantitative Skills Part 1
Quantitative Skills Part 2
Verbal Skills Part 1
Verbal Skills Part 2

To crack the exam with a high score, a few yet effective ATMA 2020 preparation tips for May month have been listed below:

Prepare a weekly timetable and strictly follow it.
Give ATMA mock tests to identify your weak and strong areas.
Jot down your weak areas and spend more time on improving them.
Keep making handy notes of certain formulas and tricks.
Try making oral calculations and solving the questions by putting a timer. Cracking ATMA is all about speed. Answering more questions correctly and quickly.
Also, go back to your class's 9th, 10th and 11th school books. A lot many times the questions asked in ATMA belong to the concepts of these classes.

Also read: ATMA 2020 - Everything you Need to Know

XAT 2020

XAT: Xavier Aptitude Test (Done) Level: National Occurring: Conducted only once a year Conducting body: XLRI(Xavier Labour Relations Institute), Jamshedpur Mode: Online only Application Form: 30th November 2021 Date of Examination: 2nd January 2022 XAT scores are accepted by XLRI, Jamshedpur and more than 100 management institutes. XAT exam tests the candidate in four areas:

Quantitative Ability
English Language & Logical Reasoning
Decision Making
GK & Essay

Here is a list of some useful insights for the last few days to the D-Day:

Quant Section: Revise your basic concepts and shortcuts to quickly solve the questions of a particular type.
Decision making: The questions can be related to ethical dilemmas, issues involving sales and other financial conditions, the revenue of a company, scenarios of various management issues and of general management.
G.K: Concentrate on recent events and read the newspaper regularly
Verbal ability: Read regularly and do speaking & writing practice to increase your vocabulary

Also read: XAT 2020 -Xavier Aptitude Test

SNAP 2020

SNAP: Symbiosis National Aptitude Test Level: National Occurring: Conducted only once a year Conducting body: Symbiosis International University (SIU) Mode: Online only Application Form: 27th November 2021 Date of Examination: 19-Dec-2021 08-Jan-2022 16-Jan-2022 SNAP scores are primarily used for admission in the 15 institutes that are under Symbiosis International University. However, many other MBA colleges use SNAP scores for admission. SNAP Test is a computer-based exam held for two hours. It tests the candidates on:

General English
Quantitative, Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency
General Awareness: General Knowledge, Current Affairs, Business Scenario
Analytical & Logical Reasoning

As we prepare for any competitive test and once you do the revision properly, success will follow. The basic things we can do in the remaining last few days are:

Do not be disturbed or overwhelmed by the past experiences of mock tests you have been through
You should keep your eyes and ears open and collect data about the previous year's tests, competitions, important dates, etc. in other words, be well informed about the latest updates
Know your Strengths & Weaknesses: Understand what you are good at, which section, which particular area, etc. and where improvement is required?
Once you have developed your strengths and they are identified, you need to build upon those strengths and ensure that they are concrete.
Ensure that you turn your Weaknesses into your Strengths through Hard work & Application. However, you can ignore certain areas you are not sure of or makes you confused.

MAH CET 2020

MAH CET 2021-over. MAH CET: Maharashtra Common Entrance Test Level: State Occurring: Conducted only once a year Conducting body: State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra Mode: Online only Application Form: 10th January - 23rd February 2020 Date of Examination: 14th & 15th March 2020 MAH CET qualifying candidates are eligible for admission to various management courses such as MMS, PGDBM and PGDM in various institutes in the state of Maharashtra. Important: The MAH CET 2020 result was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is now expected after May 3rd. Candidates need to attempt 200 questions in 150 minutes. The MAH-CET question paper has three sections:

Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
Quantitative Aptitude
Logical / Abstract Reasoning

For the students who are all set to take MAT 2020 exam, here are a few things they need to keep in mind:

Get an overview of the MAT syllabus
It's time for revision, not cramming
Time management - start with the section you are most confident about.
Speed & accuracy - if you get stuck on a question, leave it & move on
Don't do a lot of guesswork

Also read: MAH CET 2020 - All details here

IGNOU OPENMAT 2020

IGNOU OPENMAT - Indira Gandhi National Open University OPEN Management Aptitude Test Level: National Occurring: Conducted twice each year Conducting body: National Testing Agency (NTA) Mode: Online only Application Form: 28th February - 3rd May (Ongoing) To apply to the IGNOU OPENMAT 2020 Exam click here Date of Examination: To be announced For all latest updates read: IGNOU OPENMAT 2020 NTA conducts OPENMAT exam twice a year i.e. in July and January. OPENMAT scores of one session are valid for one year. In addition, candidates can opt for admission in any of the cycles as per the score validity. One appears for this particular entrance exam for admissions to MBA/PGDM courses offered at the School of Management Studies, IGNOU. The division of the total 200 questions is in the following manner across all the sections:

General Awareness
Quantitative Aptitude
Reasoning
English or Verbal Ability

As IGNOU OPENMAT covers different subjects such as Logical Reasoning, English Language, Quantitative Aptitude and General Awareness, it is necessary to frame a strategy based on topic wise segregation for effective preparation.

Understand the exam pattern and syllabus: Must know about the IGNOU OPENMAT 2020 Exam Pattern, syllabus, and other details to know about it more and for ease of preparation.
Create a timetable and follow it: It is very important to adhere to the timetable until the IGNOU OPENMAT 2020 Exam. Make sure to give equal preparation time to all sections.
Take a look at previous papers: Prepare previous year's sample papers.
Get your basics right to have a clear understanding of concepts: It is advised to clear your basic concepts first before preparing for new topics when it comes to the IGNOU MBA entrance exam.
Do Mock tests: Solve as many mock tests as possible in a timed fashion. This will help you check you’re how accurate and fast you are answering the mock tests.

TSICET 2020

TSICET - Telangana State Integrated Common Entrance Test Level: State Occurring: Conducted once each year Conducting body: Telangana State Council for Higher Education Mode: Online only Application Form: 6th March - 30th April 2020 Date of Examination: 20th May & 21st May 2020 This computer-based exam for MBA & MCA aspirants is held across 16 regional exam centers in Telangana state. This exam awards + 1 for each correct answer with no negative marking. The candidate needs to answer the objective type 200 questions in 2 hours 30 minutes pertaining to the following sections:

Analytical ability
Mathematical ability
Communication ability

The points mentioned below will ensure you are right on track and the preparation is qualitative in nature, which is the essential part of last-minute preparation for any exam, be it TSICET 2020 or say CAT exam.

Revise the topics you are confident in thoroughly.
Concentrate on the topics and formulas that are shortcuts that will help you ace the exam
Focus on Graphs & Diagrams
Do not start a new topic during the last days of preparation

APICET 2020

APICET - Andhra Pradesh - Integrated Common Entrance Test Level: State Occurring: Conducted once each year Conducting body: Andhra Pradesh State Council for Higher Education Mode: Written-test or Offline mode only Application Form: 27th February - 17th April 2020 Date of Examination: ~~27th April 2020~~ (To be Announced) APICET is a paper-based entrance test. Candidates need to attempt 200 questions in 150 minutes. APICET consist of three sections:

Mathematical Ability
Analytical Ability
Communication

For the students who are all set to take APICET 2020 exam, here are a few things they need to keep in mind:

It is advised to solve two-three sample papers beforehand to clear the air of doubts, instead of diving into the books at the last minute, Solving the sample papers will not only help in clearing the doubts but will also be good practice prior to the exam.
Before leaving for the exam center, candidates should make sure that they are carrying all the necessary things with them, such as an AP ICET 2020 hall ticket, and ID proof, amongst other things. In other words, the officials will not entertain the candidates who have forgotten to carry the admit card or ID proof.
Go through the exam pattern of the AP ICET MBA entrance exam for 2020 to ensure that no section or topic is left. candidates should also not be nervous before appearing for the exam and have to boost their confidence.