It takes planning and timely updates to handle the MBA entrance exam landscape for the 2025 admission season. A Master of Business Administration (MBA) is one of the most popular postgraduate degrees in India, designed to build leadership and management skills.
With over 3 lakh students expected to appear for various management entrance exams in 2024, the competition is getting tougher every year. This guide provides the anticipated exam dates, registration windows, and other key details for the major MBA entrance exams in 2025, helping you plan your preparation better.
MBA Entrance Exam Timeline
All major MBA admission tests are usually held between November and May every year. Notifications are generally released 2–4 months in advance, with details on eligibility, syllabus, and exam schedule.
👉 Staying updated on official announcements for registration windows, test dates, and results is essential to avoid missing deadlines.
Major MBA Entrance Exams and Expected Schedules for 2025
📌 CAT 2025 (Common Admission Test)
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Organizer: Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs)
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Sections: Verbal Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning
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Format: 66 questions, 120 minutes
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Expected Dates:
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Notification: July 25, 2025
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Registration: Aug 3 – Sep 21, 2025
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Admit Card: Oct 24, 2025
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Exam Date: Nov 24, 2025
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Result: Jan 2026 (first week)
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Accepted By: All 21 IIMs + top institutes like FMS, MDI, IITs, SPJIMR
📌 XAT 2026 (Xavier Aptitude Test)
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Organizer: XLRI Jamshedpur
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Sections: Decision Making, Verbal Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, General Knowledge, Essay Writing
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Format: ~100 questions, 210 minutes
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Expected Dates:
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Notification: July 2026
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Registration: Jul – Dec 2026
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Admit Card: Dec 2026
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Exam Date: Jan 4, 2026
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Result: Third week of Jan 2026
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Accepted By: 160+ institutes like XLRI, XIMB, IMT, TAPMI, GIM
📌 MAT 2025 (Management Aptitude Test)
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Organizer: AIMA
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Mode: PBT, CBT, IBT
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Sections: Language, Reasoning, Math, Data Analysis, GK
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Format: 200 questions, 150 minutes
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Exam Cycles 2025:
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Feb: Registration Dec 2024 – Jan 2025
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May: Registration Mar – Apr 2025
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Sep: Registration Jul – Aug 2025
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Dec: Registration Oct – Nov 2025
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Accepted By: 600+ B-schools across India
📌 NMAT 2025 (NMIMS Management Aptitude Test)
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Organizer: GMAC
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Sections: Language Skills, Quantitative Skills, Logical Reasoning
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Format: 108 questions, 120 minutes, computer-adaptive
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Unique Feature: 75-day test window, 3 attempts allowed
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Expected Dates:
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Notification: Aug 2025
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Registration: Aug – Oct 2025
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Exam Window: Oct – Dec 2025
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Admit Card & Result: Available 48 hours after scheduling/test
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Accepted By: NMIMS, K J Somaiya, IFMR, TAPMI
📌 SNAP 2025 (Symbiosis National Aptitude Test)
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Organizer: Symbiosis International University
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Sections: English, Reasoning, Quantitative & Data Interpretation
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Format: 60 questions, 60 minutes, 3 slots
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Expected Dates:
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Notification: Aug 2025
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Registration: Aug – Nov 2025
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Exam: Dec 2, 9, 16, 2025
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Admit Card: Dec 1, 2025
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Result: Jan 2026 (first week)
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Accepted By: SIBM Pune, SCMHRD, SIIB
📌 MAH MBA CET 2025
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Organizer: Maharashtra CET Cell
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Sections: LR, Abstract Reasoning, QA, Verbal Ability
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Format: 200 questions, 150 minutes, online
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Expected Dates:
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Notification: Jan 2025
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Registration: Jan – Feb 2025
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Admit Card: Mar 2025
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Exam Date: Mar 15–16, 2025 (tentative)
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Result: End of Mar 2025
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Accepted By: JBIMS, SIMSREE, PUMBA
📌 CUET PG 2025
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Organizer: NTA
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For: Admission to PG programs in central universities
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Expected Dates:
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Notification: Jan 2025
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Registration: Jan – Feb 2025
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Exam Date: Mar 2025
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Result: Apr 2025
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Accepted By: DU, JNU, BHU, BBAU
📌 CMAT 2025 (Common Management Admission Test)
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Organizer: NTA
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Sections: QA, Reasoning, Language, GK, Innovation & Entrepreneurship
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Format: 100 questions, 180 minutes
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Expected Dates:
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Notification: Nov 2025
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Registration: Dec 2025
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Exam Date: Jan 2025
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Result: Feb 2025
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Accepted By: K J Somaiya, Welingkar, IFMR, Great Lakes
📌 SRCC GBO 2025
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Organizer: SRCC, Delhi University
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Sections: Quant, Logic, English, Business Awareness
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Format: 160 questions, 120 minutes
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Expected Dates:
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Notification: Dec 2024
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Registration: Dec 2024 – Jan 2025
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Admit Card: Feb 2025
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Exam: Feb 2025
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Result: Mar 2025
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Specialization: International Business & Trade
Important Considerations for Your MBA Journey
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All dates are tentative and subject to change.
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Always check official websites for latest notifications.
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Prepare a custom study calendar to manage multiple exams.
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Register early to avoid technical issues.
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Participate in mock tests and online forums for practice and reminders.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What are the best MBA entrance exams for 2025?
A: CAT, XAT, MAT, NMAT, SNAP, CMAT, MAH CET, and CUET PG.
Q: When will CAT 2025 be conducted?
A: Likely on Nov 24, 2025.
Q: Which MBA exams allow multiple attempts?
A: NMAT, MAT, and SNAP.
Q: When is CMAT 2025 expected?
A: Likely in Jan 2025.
Q: Do candidates usually appear for multiple exams?
A: Yes, most students attempt several exams like CAT, XAT, and CMAT.
Q: When is XAT 2026 scheduled?
A: Jan 4, 2026 (tentative).
Q: How do I get a full MBA exam calendar?
A: This guide covers all MBA Entrance Exams 2025 with key dates.
