MBA entrance exams: what each one opens
CAT opens every IIM, FMS Delhi and the IIT management schools. XAT adds XLRI and XIM Bhubaneswar, SNAP covers Symbiosis, NMAT covers NMIMS, and CMAT and MAT work as backups. GMAT suits candidates with 2 or more years of work experience who target ISB. IMAT is IIM Mumbai’s own home-proctored test for its working-professional MBAs where CAT, GMAT or GRE scores are accepted instead.
Updated 2 Nov 2026 · Data from official college pages and 2026 IIM disclosures
Which exam opens which college
| Exam | Opens | When |
|---|---|---|
| CAT | All IIMs, FMS Delhi, IIT schools | Last Sunday of November |
| XAT | XLRI, XIMB, TAPMI | First Sunday of January |
| GMAT | ISB; valid 5 years | Year-round |
| CMAT | Many private and state colleges | January |
| NMAT | NMIMS; up to 3 attempts | October to December |
| SNAP | Symbiosis (SIBM, SCMHRD) | December |
| IIFT | IIFT Delhi and Kolkata | Early December |
| MAT | Mid-tier colleges | Several windows a year |
| MAH-CET | Maharashtra colleges, JBIMS | March |
| IMAT | IIM Mumbai executive MBAs; CAT, GMAT or GRE accepted instead. Application fee ₹3,000 | 8 Nov 2026, home-proctored |
Common questions
Which exam should I take: CAT, XAT, GMAT, CMAT, NMAT, SNAP or IMAT?
CAT opens every IIM, FMS Delhi and the IIT schools. Add XAT for XLRI and XIMB, SNAP for Symbiosis, NMAT for NMIMS, and CMAT or MAT as backups. GMAT suits ISB. IMAT is for IIM Mumbai’s executive MBAs where CAT, GMAT or GRE is accepted instead.
Is my CAT, XAT or NMAT score valid next year?
No. These scores are valid for one admission cycle. GMAT is valid for five years.
What are CAT sectional cutoffs?
Most IIMs need a minimum percentile in each of VARC, DILR and QA as well as overall. Aim for 85+ in every section.