- MBA admission cycle for 2027-29 batch has begun with top B-schools opening applications.
- Entry to full-time MBA needs a valid score in CAT, XAT, SNAP, NMAT, CMAT, MAT or other recognised test.
- Process generally includes entrance exam + institute application form + WAT / GD / PI round.
- There is no central counselling - you must apply to each institute separately before deadline.
- Check location, fees, curriculum, placements and ROI before applying.
Key MBA Entrance Exam Dates 2026-27
To be eligible for full-time MBA 2027-29, you must appear in at least one national-level test:
| Exam | Registration Window |
|---|---|
| CAT 2026 | Aug 3 to Sep 22, 2026 |
| XAT 2027 | Jul 15 to Dec 6, 2026 |
| SNAP 2026 | Aug 21 to Nov 25, 2026 |
| NMAT 2026 | Aug 20 to Oct 25, 2026 |
| MAT Dec 2026 | Sep 28 to Dec 20, 2026 |
CAT is conducted by IIMs, XAT by XLRI, SNAP for Symbiosis institutes, NMAT by GMAC and CMAT / MAT for many private B-schools.
MBA Colleges 2027: Application Status
Below is a simplified status of popular B-schools for the upcoming batch:
| Institute | Score Accepted | Application Status |
|---|---|---|
| MDI Gurgaon | CAT / GMAT | Open |
| SPJIMR Mumbai | CAT / GMAT | Open |
| XLRI Jamshedpur | XAT / GMAT | Open till Dec 6 |
| IMT Ghaziabad | CAT / XAT / GMAT / CMAT | Open |
| GIM Goa | CAT / XAT / GMAT | Open till Oct 22 |
| IBS Hyderabad | IBSAT / CAT / XAT / NMAT | Open till Dec 22 |
| Great Lakes | CAT / XAT / CMAT | Open |
| Symbiosis (SIU) | SNAP | Open till Nov 25 |
| KIIT SOM | CAT / XAT / MAT / CMAT / KIITEE | Open till Jan 4 |
| ISB Hyderabad | GMAT / GRE | Open |
| FMS Delhi | CAT | Opening Soon |
| IIFT Delhi | CAT | Opening Soon |
MBA Admission Process in India
The first preference for many aspirants is the IIM system with 22 campuses. Top among them are Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow and Kozhikode. Over 2 lakh candidates appear for CAT every year for MBA / PGDM / PGP programs.
- Step 1: Fill entrance exam form - CAT / XAT / SNAP / NMAT etc.
- Step 2: Fill individual college application form
- Step 3: Clear cut-off and get shortlisted
- Step 4: Appear in WAT / GD / PI
- Step 5: Final merit + offer + fee payment
IIM Admission & Selection Criteria
IIM selection is based on CAT score plus academic profile. Each IIM fixes category-wise cut-off percentiles for shortlisting.
Factors for WAT-PI Shortlist
- CAT score
- Class 10 marks
- Class 12 marks
- Graduation marks
- Work experience
Factors for Final Selection
- CAT score + WAT / GD-PI performance
- 10th, 12th, Graduation record
- Work experience
- Academic diversity & gender diversity
Weightage for each component differs from one IIM to another. Final composite score decides admission.
Admission Process of Other Top B-Schools
Non-IIM institutes follow a similar pattern but accept multiple exam scores. Since there is no common counselling, separate applications are mandatory.
| Institute | Exam Accepted | GD / PI |
|---|---|---|
| MDI Gurgaon | CAT / GMAT | Yes |
| FMS Delhi | CAT | Yes |
| XLRI Jamshedpur | XAT / GMAT | Yes |
| SPJIMR Mumbai | CAT / XAT / GMAT | Yes |
| JBIMS Mumbai | MAH-CET | Yes |
| NMIMS Mumbai | NMAT | Yes |
| IMT Ghaziabad | CAT / XAT / CMAT | Yes |
| SIBM Pune | SNAP | Yes |
| MICA Ahmedabad | CAT / XAT + MICAT | Yes |
| IRMA Anand | CAT / XAT + IRMASAT | Yes |
MBA Colleges by Entrance Exam
- CAT: All IIMs, FMS, MDI, SPJIMR, IMT, IITs
- XAT: XLRI, XIMB, IMT, TAPMI, Great Lakes
- SNAP: SIBM Pune, SCMHRD, SIIB, SCHMRD and other Symbiosis institutes
- NMAT: NMIMS, TAPMI, K J Somaiya, ISB (select programs)
- CMAT: JBIMS (via MAH-CET also), GIM, BIMTECH, Jaipuria
- MAT / ATMA: Amity, Christ, Alliance, JIMS and many private B-schools
- MAH-CET / TANCET / TSICET: State-level colleges in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana
How to Choose the Right MBA College?
- Compare total fees vs average placement package for ROI
- Check specializations offered - Finance, Marketing, HR, Operations, Analytics, IB
- Look at faculty, curriculum, internships and industry exposure
- Consider city, infrastructure, alumni network and hostel facilities
- Verify approvals - AICTE / UGC / NBA / AMBA / AACSB where applicable
FAQs
You must have a bachelor's degree with required marks and a valid score in CAT, XAT, SNAP, NMAT, CMAT, MAT or institute-specific test.
For flagship MBA/PGP, only CAT is valid. For Executive MBA, FPM and PhD, GMAT/GRE scores may also be considered.
Yes, almost all top B-schools conduct Group Discussion / Written Ability Test and Personal Interview after shortlisting.
Yes. There is no common counselling, so you need to fill separate forms and pay separate fees for each institute.
Final Tip: Start with entrance exam preparation, shortlist 6-8 colleges matching your score range, track last dates carefully and prepare well for WAT-GD-PI to convert your calls.
Last updated: October 16, 2026