Do All MBA Colleges Accept CAT?
- Knewspaper
- Jun 12
- 2 min read
Not all business schools in India use the CAT (Common Admission Test) for their admissions. Even though CAT is the main MBA entrance exam in India, top B-schools and IIMs also accept XAT, MAT, CMAT, NMAT, SNAP and GMAT.
Overview of Entrance Exams Accepted by MBA Colleges:
College Type | Accepts CAT? | Other Accepted Exams |
Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) | ✅ Yes | ❌ No (Only CAT) |
Top Government Colleges (FMS, IITs) | ✅ Yes | ✔ Some accept GMAT for foreign nationals |
Private B-Schools (SPJIMR, MDI, IMT) | ✅ Yes | ✔ Also accept XAT, GMAT, or NMAT |
Autonomous Universities | ✔ Some | ✔ CMAT, SNAP, MAT, GMAT |
Deemed-to-be Universities | ❌ Not all | ✔ Often prefer their own entrance exams |
Thus, although CAT can help you enter top MBA colleges, it isn’t always required. Each college has its own requirements, so candidates should check them before applying.
Why is the CAT exam favored by most leading MBA colleges?
Many consider the CAT exam to be an important test of management skills in India. The exam measures three main areas: Quantitative Ability (QA), Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR).
Many colleges choose CAT as their main admissions test.
• It screens out the best candidates
• It is set up in a way that makes it dependable and standard
IIMs organize the test each year which increases its trustworthiness.
Those who want to do well practice from CAT books, solve questions from previous years’ papers and take CAT mock tests often.
How do I learn which colleges consider CAT scores?
Check which MBA colleges are open to applicants with CAT scores by visiting:
• The official website for CAT is iimcat.ac.in
• Brochures about applying to college
• The websites of universities
• List of MBA colleges approved by AICTE
Remember, besides the IIMs, over 1000+ other colleges across India also use CAT scores.
Should I apply if CAT is not accepted by the college?
Don’t worry! A number of top MBA colleges have their own entrance exams or consider other widely recognized national tests.
Other Popular MBA Entrance Exams:
Exam | Known For |
XAT | XLRI and other top private institutes |
CMAT | AICTE-approved colleges |
SNAP | Symbiosis Institutes |
NMAT | NMIMS and other affiliated colleges |
MAT | Mid-tier and regional B-schools |
If you want to apply to IIMs or top B-schools, then CAT is the most important exam for you. You should regularly practice with CAT previous years question papers, try CAT mock tests and pay special attention to DILR mock tests for CAT preparation.
What are the best ways to get ready for CAT when I want to join top colleges?
To be successful against competitors:
• Get a clear idea of the concepts by using CAT books from the beginning
• Do time-bound DILR mock tests for CAT every day
• Identify the errors you make in CAT mock tests
• Analyze how questions were asked in previous years’ CAT question papers
Preparing in different ways helps you pass the CAT and get into your preferred MBA school.
Conclusion
While not all MBA colleges accept CAT, the exam remains a gold standard for admission into India’s top B-schools. With a structured strategy using CAT books, mock test papers, and previous years’ papers, you can target the best institutes and build a solid career foundation.
