Candidates preparing for CAT exam might wish to keep other windows of opportunities open, given the tough competition and unpredicatability that this prestigious exam entails. Following blog gives an overview of other popular management exams apart from CAT that offer admissions to top B-schools of India:
1) CMAT: It is a national level entrance exam for admission to management courses in top B-schools across the country.
A general overview:
CMAT admit card 2025: 20th January 2026
CMAT registration 2025 last date: 18th November 2025
CMAT exam 2025: 25th January 2026
CMAT result 2026: April 2026
CMAT Exam Pattern:
|
Section |
Number of Questions |
Total Marks |
|
Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation |
20 |
80 |
|
Logical Reasoning |
20 |
80 |
|
Language Comprehension |
20 |
80 |
|
General Awareness |
20 |
80 |
|
Innovation and Entrepreneurship |
20 |
80 |
|
Total |
100 |
400 |
Mode of examination: Computer Based Test (CBT)
Duration: 180 minutes
Total marks: 400 marks
Total questions: 100 questions
Negative marking: 1 mark
CMAT EXAM SYLLABUS:
|
Subject |
Topics |
|
Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation |
Probability, Tabulation, Pie Chart, Bar Chart, Line Graph, Quadratic and Linear Equations, Simple and Compound Interest, Graph, percentages, Averages, Geometry, Profit and Loss, Mensuration, Ratio and Proportion, Fraction and Decimals, Work and Time, Speed and Distance, Number Systems, In-equations, Allegation and Mixtures, Algebra, Partnership, Permutation and Combinations, Pipes and Cisterns |
|
Logical Reasoning |
Cause and Effects, Analytical Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, Linear Arrangements, Analogy test, Statement Arguments, Symbol Based problems, Direction and Distance test, Blood Relationship Test, Statement and Conclusion, Statement Assumptions, Inferences, Ranking Tests, Coding and Decoding, Sequencing |
|
Language Comprehension |
Paragraph Completion, Sentence Improvement, English Grammar, English Usage Errors, Reading Comprehension, Synonyms and Antonyms, One-Word Substitution, Jumbled Para, Idioms and Phrases, Sentence Correction |
|
General Awareness |
Current Affairs of National and International Affairs, Literature, Sports, History, Science, Politics, geography, Culture, Economics, Trade awareness, Personalities in News, Indian Constitution |
CMAT TOP COLLEGES:
|
Colleges |
Location |
|
Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS) |
Mumbai |
|
Sydenham Institute of Management Studies and Research (SIMSREE) |
Mumbai |
|
KJ Somaiya Institute of Management Studies and Research |
Mumbai |
|
PUMBA |
Pune |
|
NIBM |
Pune |
|
NIA |
Pune |
|
BIMTECH |
Noida |
|
IMT |
Nagpur |
|
NL Dalmia Institute of Management Studies |
Mumbai |
2) MH-CTET- It is a state level examination for admissions to engineering and pharmacy courses like BTech, BPharm, BPlan, integrated BTech-MTech degrees offered by several Government and private professional management institutes of the country. General Overview:
MH CTET 2025 registration last date: First week of March 2026
MH CTET 2025 admit card: End of March 2026
MH CTET 2025 exam:
Session 1: MH CET (PCM)- April 11-19 2026
MH CET (PCB)- April 21-26 2026
Session 2: MH CET (PCM)- May 10 and May 11 2026
MH CET (PCB)- May 14 to May 17 2026
MH CET 2026 result: June 2026 (tentative)
MH CET 2026 Exam Pattern:
|
Topics |
No. of questions |
Total Marks |
|
Logical Reasoning |
75 |
75 |
|
Abstract Reasoning |
25 |
25 |
|
Quantitative Aptitude |
50 |
50 |
|
Verbal Ability/Reading Comprehension |
50 |
50 |
|
Total |
200 |
200 |
Mode of examination: Computer Based Test (CBT)
Duration: 150 minutes
Negative Marking: No
MH CET 2025 Exam Syllabus:
|
S.No |
Subjects |
Topics Covered |
|
1. |
Logical Reasoning |
Arrangements, puzzles,Syllogisms, Blood Relations, Coding-Decoding, Data Sufficiency |
|
2. |
Abstract Reasoning |
Series, Analogies, Odd one out |
|
3. |
Quantitative Aptitude |
Arithmetic (percentages, ratios, time & work, profit & loss, speed & distance), Number systems, algebra, geometry, mensuration, data interpretation, probability |
|
4. |
Verbal Ability/Reading Comprehension |
Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, Synonyms/Antonyms, Sentence Correction, Sentence Improvement, para jumbles, Logical connectives |
|
5. |
General Knowledge |
Current Affairs (National and International importance), Business and economies, Sports and awards, General Science and Technology |
TOP B-SCHOOLS ACCEPTING MH-CET SCORES:
|
SCHOOLS |
LOCATION |
|
Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS) |
Mumbai |
|
SIMSREE (Sydenham Institute of Management Studies, Research & Entrepreneurship Education) |
Mumbai |
|
PUMBA |
Pune |
|
KJ Somaiya Institute of Management |
Mumbai |
|
Welingkar Institute of Management |
Mumbai |
|
MET Institute of Management |
Mumbai |
|
NL Dalmia Institute of Management Studies and Research |
Mumbai |
|
Xavier Institute of Management and Research |
Mumbai |
|
Chetana Institute of Management and Research |
Mumbai |
|
SIES College of Management Studies |
Navi Mumbai |
3) XAT- Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) is a national level entrance exam conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur for admissions to MBA/PGDM programs at XLRI Jamshedpur and other leading management B-schools of the country.
A general overview:
XAT 2025 registration date: 10th July 2025
XAT 2025 admit card: 20th December 2025
XAT exam 2025: 4th January 2026
XAT result date: Third week of January 2026 (expected)
XAT Exam Pattern:
|
S.No. |
Sections |
Total Questions |
Total Marks |
|
1. |
Verbal and Logical Ability |
26 |
26 marks |
|
2. |
Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation |
28 |
28 marks |
|
3. |
Decision Making |
21 |
21 marks |
|
4. |
General knowledge |
20 |
20 marks |
|
Total |
95 |
95 |
XAT Exam Syllabus:
|
Subjects |
Topics Covered |
|
Verbal and Logical Ability |
Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, analogy, Parajumble, Grammar, Critical Reasoning, Fill in the blanks |
|
Decision Making |
Data Arrangement, Conditioning, Grouping, Complex Arrangement, Caselets, Assumptions, Premises, Conclusions etc. |
|
Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation |
Arithmetic, Geometry, Mensuration, Percentage, Surds and Indices, Algebra, Pie Charts, Bar Diagram, Data Interpretation |
|
General Knowledge |
Science, Economy, Business, Politics, Static GK, Sports Prize and Awards, World, Government, Constitution of India etc. |
Top XAT-score accepting universities:
|
Colleges/Universities |
Location |
|
Xavier School of Management |
Jamshedpur |
|
Xavier Institute od Management |
Bhubaneswar |
|
T.A. Pai Management Institute |
Manipal |
|
Goa institute of Management |
Goa |
|
IMT Ghaziabad |
Uttar Pradesh |
|
MICA Ahemdabad |
Gujarat |
|
Great lakes Institute of Management |
Chennai (Tamil Nadu), Gurgaon (Haryana) |
4) SNAP: Symbiosis National Aptitude Test is conducted by Symbiosis International University (Deemed To be) for admissions to MBA programs offered by Symbiosis institutes across India.
A general overview:
SNAP 2025 registration date: August 1, 2025-November 20, 2025
SNAP 2025 admit card:
Test 1: November 20, 2025
Test 2: December 8, 2025
Test 3: December 15, 2025
SNAP 2025 exam date:
Test 1: December 6, 2025
Test 2: December 14, 2025
Test 3: December 20, 2025
SNAP 2025 Exam Result: January 9, 2026
SNAP Exam Pattern
|
S.No |
Subjects |
Total Questions |
Total Marks |
|
1. |
General English: Reading Comprehension, Verbal reasoning, Verbal Ability |
15 |
15 |
|
2. |
Analytical and Logical Reasoning |
25 |
25 |
|
3. |
Quantitative, Data Interpretation and Data Sufficiency |
20 |
20 |
|
TOTAL |
60 |
60 |
SNAP Exam Syllabus
|
Subjects |
Topics Covered |
|
General English |
Reading Comprehension, Grammar, Verbal Reasoning, Analogies, Parajumbles, Fill in the Blanks, Antonyms and Synonyms, Similar Sounding Words |
|
Analytical and Logical Reasoning |
Coding and Decoding, Blood Relations, Syllogisms, Puzzles, Direction Sense, Missing Number/Sequence |
|
Quantitative, Data Interpretation and Data Sufficiency |
Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Pie Charts, Column Graphs |
Top SNAP scores-accepting B- institutes
|
Institutes |
Location |
|
SIBM |
Pune |
|
SCMHRD |
Pune |
|
SIOM |
Nasik |
|
SIIB |
Pune |
|
SIBM |
Bangalore |
|
SIMS |
Pune |
|
SSBF |
Pune |
5) MAT- Management Aptitude Test is a national level entrance exam conducted by AIMA for admissions to MBA/PGDM courses in leading B-schools across the country.
A general overview:
MAT 2025 registration closing date:
-
7th December, 2025 (Paper-Based Test)
-
15th December 2025 (Computer-Based Test)
MAT 2025 admit card:
-
10th December 2025 (Paper- Based Test)
-
18th December 2025 (Computer Based-Test)
MAT 2025 exam date:
-
13th December 2025 (Paper-Based Test)
-
21st December 2025 (Computer-Based Test)
MAT 2025 Result Date: 2-3 weeks after the exam
MAT exam pattern:
|
S.No. |
Subjects |
Total Questions |
Total Marks |
|
1. |
Language Comprehension |
30 |
120 |
|
2. |
Intelligence and Critical Reasoning |
30 |
120 |
|
3. |
Mathematical Skills |
30 |
120 |
|
4. |
Data Analysis and Sufficiency |
30 |
120 |
|
5. |
Economic and Business Environment |
30 |
120 |
|
TOTAL |
150 |
600 |
MAT EXAM SYLLABUS:
|
SUBJECTS |
TOPICS COVERED |
|
Laguage Comprehension |
Reading Comprehension, Fill in the Blanks, Synonyms, grammar usage, Antonyms, Sentence Correction, Parajumbles, Idioms and Phrases |
|
Data Analysis and Sufficiency |
Tables, Charts, Pie Charts, Bar Diagrams, Caselet-Based Data, Venn Diagram, Graphs, Data Sufficiency, Data Comparison |
|
Mathematical Skills |
Algebra, Geometry, trigonometry, Mensuration, Number System, Percentages, LCM & HCF, Inequalities, Set theory |
|
Intelligence and Critical Reasoning |
Blood Relation, Coding-Decoding, Family Tree, Numeric Grid, Syllogism, Clocks, Calendars, Visual reasoning |
|
Economic and Business Environment |
Science and technology, Static GK, World News, Business, Politics, Events, Awards and Recognition |
Top B-Schools Accepting MAT:
|
Institutes |
Location |
|
Adamas University |
Kolkata |
|
ASMB University |
Bhubaneswar |
|
DTU |
Rohini, Haryana |
|
JIMS |
Rohini, Haryana |
|
Pune Institute of Business Management |
Pune, Maharashtra |
|
IILM for Higher Education |
Noida, Uttar Pradesh |
Reference Books:
Disha Publication offers the best study material for XAT, MAT, CMAT, SNAP and MH-CET, covering subjects like English reading comprehension and grammar skills, verbal and logical reasoning, quantitative reasoning etc. equipped with solution-based PYQs and mock tests, guiding students to achieve top-notch scores in exams.
FAQs
Q1. Can I prepare for XAT, MAT, CMAT, MAH-CET simultaneously with one study plan?
Ans. Yes. A single plan covering Quantitative Aptitude, Logical Reasoning, Verbal reasoning for all four exams. You only need exam-specific add-ons like XAT decision-making, CMAT GK, MAH-CET Abstract Reasoning.
Q2. Do these exams require separate GK preparation?
Ans. Only CMAT and XAT gives weightage to GK. MAH-CET doesn’t include GK and MAT’s GK section is not counted by most colleges.
Q3. Which exam is best for students who rely more on speed than high-level concepts?
Ans. MAT and MAH-CET favour speed-heavy performance. XAT and CMAT test deeper concepts and logical reasoning.
Q4. Can I get into a top B-school with a high score in any of these exams without work experience?
Ans. Yes. XLRI (XAT), JBIMS (MAH-CET) and many CMAT/MAT colleges admit freshers based on exam score and profile and not work experience.
Q5. Does the mode of exam (CBT, PBT, IBT) impact MBA admissions for MAT?
Ans. No. All MAT modes carry equal weight. Colleges treat CBT, PBT and IBT identically during the admission process.
