The first hurdle in getting into an MBA Program is the Entrance Exam, which is known by names such as CAT, MAT, XAT, SNAP, and so on. Commom Admission Test (CAT) is the mother of all entrance exams. It is an online multiple-choice based examination carrying one-fourth negative mark as penalty for wrong answers. CAT usually comprises three sections: General Awareness, Mathematical Aptitude, and Data Interpretation. High ranking students in CAT get to choose premier B-Schools such as IIMs.
Next, we have Management Aptitude Test (MAT), a national level objective type aptitude test consisting of 5 sections, each of which contains 40 questions. Total duration of the test is 150 minutes. Like in CAT, there is a deduction of one-fourth of a mark for every incorrect. Applicants desirous of appearing for MAT should either have a bachelor’s degree or be in the final year of their graduation.
Final, we have institute-specific entrance exams like:
- SNAP, which is exclusively conducted for admission into MBA Programs at Symbiosis Institute of Management.
- Xavier Aptitude Ordeal Test (XAT), which is conduct by Xavier Labor Relations Institute (XLRI), Jamshedpur for admission to postgraduate management programs in various
institutes all over the country. XATis a national level test conducted simultaneously at more than 30 cities in India and also at four international test centers. The test is designed to assess students for General Aptitude, English Knowledge, and Essay Writing. More than 60 MBA institutes make use of XAT scores while selecting aspirants into their multiple Management Programs.
- MBA Entrance Exams such ABSAT, NMAT, IIFT, etc. complete a multitude of Aptitude Tests conducted for screening MBA aspirants.
