- IIM Mumbai's executive MBAs accept the home-proctored IMAT or a valid CAT, GMAT or GRE score, followed by a personal interview. IMAT is not compulsory for them.
- As of 6 November 2026, IMAT for the executive MBAs is on 8 November, interviews are 25 to 27 November and results are due 1 December. The MBA-BPGP has IMAT on 22 November and applications close 15 November.
- IIM Mumbai has published no IMAT pattern beyond 'based on the CAT pattern, 100 marks, 90 to 120 minutes'. Whether it is easier than CAT is unknown.
- CAT 2026 (29 November, results expected in January 2027) cannot be used for this cycle.
- IMAT score validity and retake rules are not stated. Ask IIM Mumbai in writing.
For an IIM Mumbai executive MBA the choice is IMAT or an existing CAT, GMAT or GRE score, and a valid score you already hold is the cheaper and safer route, because it needs no new test. IMAT vs CAT, GMAT or GRE is therefore mostly a question of what you hold and how many days are left. IIM Mumbai's executive MBAs need two or more years of work experience.
As of 6 November 2026, the IMAT for the executive MBAs is two days away, on 8 November. This post covers who accepts what, the dates, what IIM Mumbai has not published about IMAT, how to prepare from CAT or GMAT basics, costs and a decision table. Dates were checked on 2 and 6 November 2026. Confirm them on the official page.
What is IMAT and which programmes accept it?
IMAT is IIM Mumbai's own admission test. It is online and home-proctored, and IIM Mumbai describes it as based on the CAT exam pattern. It is used only for IIM Mumbai programmes: the Executive MBA in Wealth Management, the blended MBA-BPGP and the PGPEx in Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management (PGPEx-EIM). The programme pages for the weekend MBA-PGPM and the live virtual MBA-ePGPM list the same route. No other institute uses IMAT.
IMAT vs CAT, GMAT or GRE: which executive MBAs accept a score instead?
- Executive MBA in Wealth Management, MBA-PGPM and MBA-ePGPM: IMAT, or a valid CAT, GMAT or GRE score, then a personal interview. IMAT is not compulsory.
- MBA-BPGP: a CAT, GMAT or GRE taken since June 2021, or a cleared IMAT. It also asks for 3 years of relevant experience by 31 October 2026 and 50% in the bachelor's (45% for SC, ST and PwD).
- IIT Jodhpur's Executive MBA: it does not use IMAT. It has its own test on 15 November 2026.
IIM Mumbai decides what counts as valid for each programme. The MBA-BPGP states 'since June 2021'. For the executive MBAs, check the programme page. A CAT 2026 score cannot help in this cycle, since the exam is on 29 November and results are expected in the first week of January 2027.
Dates for the January 2027 batch
| Step | PGPM and Wealth Management | MBA-BPGP |
|---|---|---|
| IMAT | 8 Nov 2026 | 22 Nov 2026 |
| Applications | Shown as open; closing date not on the pages read | Close 15 Nov 2026 |
| Interviews | 25 to 27 Nov 2026 | Fourth week of Nov 2026 |
| Result | 1 Dec 2026 (tentative) | Not shown |
| Seat securing | 2 to 11 Dec 2026 | Not shown |
| Full fee payment | 20 Dec 2026 | Not shown |
| Classes begin | January 2027 | January 2027 |
As of 6 November, the 8 November IMAT is 2 days away, MBA-BPGP applications close in 9 days and its IMAT is 16 days away. The PGPEx-EIM had IMAT sittings on 11 October (passed) and has one on 29 November, the same day as CAT 2026. Check the MBA-ePGPM page for its own dates.
What is unknown about the IMAT pattern?
IIM Mumbai states that IMAT is online, based on the CAT exam pattern, and for 100 marks and 90 to 120 minutes. It has not published section names, the number of questions, the marking scheme, negative marking or the rules for non-MCQ questions.
So whether IMAT is easier than CAT cannot be said. CAT 2026 is 120 minutes in three sections of 40 minutes each. IMAT's length is given only as a range.
Preparing for IMAT using CAT or GMAT fundamentals
Because IMAT is CAT-based, the foundations are the same: arithmetic and algebra, reading comprehension and verbal reasoning, data interpretation and logical reasoning. Prepare in a way that works whatever the paper contains. Do timed full-length sets of 90 to 120 minutes, put accuracy first and keep an error log. The free CAT Compass mock gives a timed paper with a percentile band and topics to fix.
GMAT Focus is shaped differently: 64 questions in 135 minutes, adaptive, with Quantitative Reasoning (21 questions), Verbal Reasoning (23) and Data Insights (20). Its basics overlap with CAT, but the format does not.
Cost and logistics: home-proctored versus a test centre
| Route | Cost | Where | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| IMAT | Rs 3,000 non-refundable application fee for the executive MBAs | At home, proctored | Pattern unpublished; fees for MBA-BPGP and PGPEx-EIM not on the pages read |
| Existing CAT, GMAT or GRE score | No new test fee | Not applicable | The Rs 3,000 application fee is listed for the programme, so expect it on either route |
| New GMAT Focus | US$275 at a test centre, US$300 online at home | Test centre or home | 5 free score sends; you choose the appointment |
| New GRE | Not covered in the data | Check the official site | Check validity rules for the programme |
CAT 2026 registration closed on 22 September 2026, so a new CAT score is not an option for this cycle.
Score validity and retake: what is not stated
- IMAT: validity and the number of attempts are not stated.
- GMAT Focus: scores are valid for 5 years, with up to 5 attempts in a rolling 12-month period.
- CAT 2026: valid until 31 December 2027, one sitting per registered candidate.
- MBA-BPGP: a CAT, GMAT or GRE taken since June 2021.
Do not assume an IMAT score carries to a later cycle or that a retake exists. Ask IIM Mumbai in writing and keep the reply.
A decision table by time left and prior scores
| Your situation on 6 Nov 2026 | Route | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| You hold a valid CAT, GMAT or GRE score | Apply with the score for the executive MBAs | That IIM Mumbai counts it as valid, and the application closing date |
| No score, strong basics, 2 days to 8 Nov | IMAT on 8 Nov, if a slot is still open | Whether registration for that sitting is still open |
| No score, not ready, and you meet the MBA-BPGP rules | MBA-BPGP IMAT on 22 Nov | Applications close 15 Nov; 3 years by 31 Oct 2026; 50% in the bachelor's |
| No score, want an executive MBA, not ready | Wait for a later cycle, or take GMAT Focus on a date you choose | IIM Mumbai has not published a later IMAT date on the pages read, so confirm whether a later score is accepted |
| Sitting CAT on 29 Nov | Results arrive after this cycle's December seat dates | Plan for a later cycle and check IIM Mumbai's dates. See the IMAT page for updates |
GMAT Focus is explained in the exam page.