A degree in management has become crucial for those aspiring to take up leadership roles in reputed firms. Every year, thousands of students opt for MBA or a PGDM to pursue a high-flying corporate career. But as much as the degree is in demand, cracking its entrance is not an easy task. Only a certain number of students clear Common Admission Test (CAT). The number further shrinks when they appear for further rounds like Group Discussion and Personal Interviews. While most PGDM colleges require aspiring MBAs to crack the Common Admission Test (CAT), some have set MAT as the selection criteria. Likewise, there are some entrance exams that are specific to certain colleges for instance, XAT. Here is a list of various entrance exams considered for admission in the best PGDM colleges in Delhi as well as other parts of India. Read on to find out!
Common Admission Test (CAT)
Common Admission Test is a national-level entrance exam held to shortlist MBA aspirants for top management institutes in India. It is conducted across 156 Indian cities, and approximately 2.30 lakh candidates register for it every year. It is known to be the most prominent entrance examination for MBA in the country and is accepted by all the IIMs. The chain of esteemed management institutes conducts this test on a rotational basis. Extremely tough to crack, CAT tests its aspirants on their data interpretation skills, quantitative ability, and logical reasoning ability. Systematic planning, professional guidance and dedication are the keys to getting through it.
Management Aptitude Test (MAT)
MAT is conducted by the renowned All India Management Association (AIMA). This entrance examination has been assessing the ability of MBA aspirants since 1998. It is conducted four times a year. More than 600 business schools across India provide admission into MBA and allied programmes on the basis of this test. Graduates in any discipline and those appearing in their final year, can appear for this exam. They are tested on different parameters, including mathematical skills, critical reasoning, language skills and analytical ability, among others. Candidates have the option to choose between paper-based, computer-based, internet-based tests. The examination pattern and the syllabus of this national-level entrance exam remains the same for all these modes.
Common Management Admission Test (CMAT)
CMAT is yet another national-level entrance test held in India. Around 70,000 candidates appear for this computer-based online examination every year. The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) conducted it till 2018. Since 2019, it is being conducted by NTA. MBA aspirants who want admission to AICTE-affiliated institutions appear for CMAT. JBIMS, NDIM, Great Lakes Institute of Management and SIMSREE are some B-schools that accept CMAT scores. The candidates are tested on various parameters such aslogical reasoning, language comprehension, quantitative techniques, innovation, general awareness and entrepreneurship. The paper consists of 100 questions and is for 400 marks. The duration of the exam is three hours.
Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)
This management admission test is accepted globally for admission to various renowned management institutions. Most top management institutes worldwide consider the GMAT score in addition to the candidate’s academic record and work experience. But in comparison, the GMAT score holds higher weightage. This entrance exam tests your grammar, quantitative ability, critical thinking, verbal aptitude and analytical skills, among others. It is divided into four sections: verbal, quantitative, analytical writing assessment, and integrated reasoning.
NMIMS Management Aptitude Test (NMAT)
The national-level entrance exam was conducted by the Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies initially. It has now been taken over by Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). It tests the quantitative skills, language skills and logical reasoning ability of the MBA aspirants. Many top B schools in India and in other parts of the world consider NMAT scores. They provide admission to various MBA courses based on the marks scored on this test. There are a total of 108 questions in the paper. The duration of the exam is 120 minutes.
Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT)
XAT is conducted by Xavier School of Management, NDIM, IMT Ghaziabad and other top B-schools to select management aspirants for MBA/PGDM courses. The examination is held annually online and receives around 1 lakh registrations. The paper is split into five sections:decision making, data interpretation and quantitative ability, verbal and logical ability, essay writing and general knowledge. The duration of the exam is 3 hours.
AIMS Test for Management Admissions (ATMA)
The Association of Indian Management Schools carries out ATMA to select candidates for MBA, PGDM, PGDBA and MCA courses. ATMA score is considered by more than 750 management institutes in India. The computer-based entrance exam is held multiple times a year. It consists of a total of six sections. Among other things, the applicants are tested on quantitative ability, language, and communication skills. The duration of the exam is 3 hours. There are a total of 180 multiple-choice questions, each carrying 1 mark.
As a quick recap,
– CAT, MAT, CMAT, GMAT, NMAT, XAT and ATMA are some of the toughest PGDM/ MBA entrance exams held in India. They are a competent means to shortlist candidates for top PGDM Colleges in Delhi and institutions in other parts of the country. Thousands of MBA aspirants appear for these exams every year but only a few get through. It takes years of preparation,guidance, dedication and discipline to crack these exams.
NDIM has helped several aspiring business leaders nurture their dream and move up the corporate ladder. The management institute does not just focus on theoretical knowledge but also facilitates overall growth of the students to help them take on the challenges of the corporate world. Its Corporate (Industry) Interface has been rated the best in India by AICTE-CII for 3 years in a row. NDIM claims a 100% placement record which is verified by the Advertising Standards Council of India.
Key entrance exams include the Common Admission Test (CAT), Management Aptitude Test (MAT), Common Management Admission Test (CMAT), Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), NMIMS Management Aptitude Test (NMAT), Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT), and AIMS Test for Management Admissions (ATMA).
CAT is considered one of the toughest entrance exams due to its competitive nature and focus on data interpretation, quantitative skills, and logical reasoning. It is a national-level exam conducted in multiple Indian cities with a high applicant volume.
CAT is conducted once a year and is widely accepted by top-tier institutes, particularly the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). It tests data interpretation, quantitative ability, and logical reasoning. MAT, on the other hand, is held four times a year by AIMA and accepted by over 600 business schools. MAT tests mathematical, reasoning, and language skills and is conducted in various formats, including paper-based, computer-based, and internet-based exams.
No, while the GMAT is a global management entrance exam, it is also accepted by top management institutions in India for MBA admissions. It holds significant weight in evaluating candidates’ analytical and quantitative skills, alongside academic and professional backgrounds.
The NMAT consists of 108 questions and is timed at 120 minutes. It assesses MBA aspirants on quantitative, language, and logical reasoning skills. Conducted initially by NMIMS, NMAT is now administered by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) and is accepted by several leading B-schools in India and abroad.
NDIM focuses on a balance of theoretical and practical knowledge to prepare students for corporate challenges. It emphasizes a strong industry interface, which has been recognized as the best in India by AICTE-CII for multiple years. NDIM also claims a 100% placement rate, verified by the Advertising Standards Council of India.
ATMA tests a wide range of skills, including quantitative ability, language and communication skills, across six sections. Held multiple times a year, it is accepted by over 750 management institutes in India for MBA, PGDM, PGDBA, and MCA programs.
