MBA Entrance Exam Calendar 2021-22: CAT, IIFT, NMAT, XAT, SNAP, MAT, CMAT Exam Dates, Primary Exams, Best B-schools
This article gives necessary updates on management entrance exams for MBA admissions 2022.
Applications for NMAT, XAT, SNAP, and MAT are open. Applications closed for CAT and IIFT. Applications for CMAT are opening soon.
Kindly note that CAT 2021 registration was closed on September 22, 2021, at 05:00 PM, and IIFT entrance exam registration was closed on October 25, 2021, at 05:00 PM. However, the application process for all other important MBA entrance exams 2021 for admission 2022 including NMAT 2021; XAT 2022; SNAP 2021; IBSAT 2021 is still open. The registration process for CMAT 2022 is opening soon with admission opportunities in 1000+ AICTE approved B-schools.
Hence, it is advised to be up to date as hundreds of thousands of MBA aspirants will try to get to the best B-schools through these entrance exams.
Schedule of MBA Entrance Exams for Admission 2022
| MBA Exam | Last Date to Apply | Exam Date |
| CAT 2021 | September 22, 2021 | November 28, 2021 |
| NMAT 2021 | November 10, 2021 | October 14 to December 27, 2021 |
| SNAP 2021 | November 27, 2021 | December 19, 2021; January 8 & 16, 2022 |
| XAT 2022 | November 30, 2021 | January 2, 2022 |
| IIFT 2022 | October 25, 2021 | December 5, 2021 |
| CMAT 2022 | January 15, 2022 | February 22, 2022 |
| IBSAT 2021 | December 16, 2021 | December 25 & 26, 2021 |
| MAT 2021 (December) | PBT: November 28, 2021 IBT: Nov 24 to Dec 15, 2021, as per the exam date CBT: Nov 14 & Dec 12, 2021 |
PBT- December 5, 2021 IBT- Nov 27 to Dec 18, 2021 CBT- Nov 21 & Dec 19, 2021 |
Popular MBA Entrance Exams
You can divide the management entrance exams into three categories which are:
- National-level MBA exams,
- State-level MBA exams, and
- Institute-level MBA test
Some of the most popular national-level management entrance exams are
CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT, NMAT, SNAP, ATMA, and GMAT. There are State Level Exams like MAH CET, TANCET, PGCET, KMAT, UPES MET, etc.
- National MBA Entrance Exams
MBA Exam dates and schedule with top MBA colleges accepting exam and MBA Entrance Exam Calendar is shared below. Their Notifications for entrance exams for admission 2022 are getting released soon.
| Name of the National MBA Exam | MBA Entrance Exam Date | Top MBA colleges accepting Exam |
| Common Admission Test (CAT) 2021 | November 28, 2021 | IIMs, FMS Delhi, SPJIMR, MDI, IITs, IMI, IMT, BIMTECH, Jaipuria Institute of Management, etc. |
| Xavier Aptitude Test – XAT 2022 | January 2, 2022 | XLRI, XIMB, IMT, TAPMI , Jaipuria Institute of Management, etc |
| NMAT by GMAC 2021-22 | October 14 to December 27, 2021 | NMIMS, ISB-APPBA, SPJIMR-PGMPW, TAPMI-Mu Sigma, XUB, VIT Vellor, SD Bacconi Asia Centre |
| SNAP 2021 | December 19, 2021; January 8 & 16, 2022 | SIBM Pune, SCMHRD, SIOM & 12 Other Symbiosis colleges |
| CMAT 2022 | February 22, 2022 | Jaipuria Institute of Management, GIM Goa, K J Somaiya, IFMR, Welingkar, N L Dalmia |
| MAT 2021 (December) | PBT- December 5, 2021
IBT- Nov 27 to Dec 18, 2021 CBT- Nov 21 & Dec 19, 2021 |
Jaipuria Institute of Management, BIMTECH (Specialized PGDM), JIMS, NDIM |
| ATMA 2022 (February) | — | Welingkar, CIMR, SOIL, IMS |
| GMAT 2021 | Available Round the year | SPJIMR, IMI, IMT, XIMB, TAPMI, FORE, LBSIM, GIM Goa |
- Institute Level MBA Entrance Exam
The institute level MBA entrance exams are conducted by the specific management institutes that do not accept scores of other entrance exams. Most of these exams will be conducted in 2021 and some in 2022. Notifications for the top institute level MBA Entrance exams – IIFT, TISSNET, IRMASAT, MICAT are released from August to October. IIFT and IBSAT dates are released now while dates and schedule for other MBA entrance exams for admission 2022 are yet to be released.
| Name of the Institute level MBA Entrance Exam | Exam Dates | Top MBA Institute Accepting Exam score |
| IIFT MBA (IB) 2022 Entrance Exam | December 5, 2021 | Indian Institute of Foreign Trade-Delhi, Kolkata, Kakinada |
| TISSNET 2022 | February 20, 2022 | Tata Institute of Social Science (TISS) all campuses |
| IBSAT 2021 | December 25 & 26, 2021 | 9 ICFAI B-Schools |
| MICAT 2021 & 2022 | December 5 2021 & January 23, 2022 | MICA Ahmedabad |
| KIITEE Management 2022 | January 2022, 3rd week | KIIT School of Management (KSOM) Bhubaneswar |
| IRMASAT 2022 | February 2022 | IRMA Anand |
- State MBA Entrance Exams
The state level MBA entrance exams are conducted by the specific state CET cell like CET Cell of DTE Maharashtra; Karnataka KEA as well as private MBA entrance exam conducting bodies like KMAT Karnataka. The MBA colleges accepting these entrance exam scores include University B-schools and private PGDM colleges. The MBA Entrance exams for admission 2021 notification for some of these state level exams have been released while for others it will be released soon.
| State Level MBA Entrance Exam | Likely Dates of MBA Entrance Exam | Top MBA College Accepting Exam Score |
| MAH CET 2021 | September 16, 17, 18 2021 | JBIMS, SIMSREE, PUMBA, N L Dalmiya, SIES, CIMR |
| Karnataka PGCET 2021 | November 21, 2021 | IBA, AIMS, Alliance, ABBS, Kristu Jayanti |
| TANCET 2021 | March 20, 2021 | Anna University, Tamilnadu, Madras University, SRM University, SSN School of Management Chennai, Hallmark Business School Trichy, St Josephs School of Management, Trichy, PSGIM Coimbatore |
| TS ICET 2021 | August 19/20, 2021 | Kakatiya University (KU); Osmania University (OU); Telangana University (TU);
Satavahana University (SU) |
| KMAT 2021 | November 7, 2021 | IBA, AIMS, Alliance, ABBS, Kristu Jayanti |
Last date to apply for MBA Entrance Exams for admission 2022
Following are the last dates for each MBA entrance exam 2021 leading to MBA admission Exams 2022.
| Name of the National MBA Exam | MBA Entrance Exam Dates | MBA Entrance Exam Last Date to Apply |
| Common Admission Test (CAT) 2021 | November 28, 2021 | September 22, 2021 |
| Xavier Aptitude Test – XAT 2022 | January 2, 2022 | November 30, 2021 |
| NMAT by GMAC 2021-22 | October 14 to December 27, 2021 | November 10, 2021 (Without Late Fee); Nov 15 with late fee |
| IIFT 2022 | December 5, 2021 | October 25, 2021 |
| SNAP 2021 | December 19, 2021; January 8 &16, 2022 | November 27, 2021 |
| CMAT 2022 | February 22, 2022 | January 15, 2022 |
| MAT 2021
(December) |
PBT- December 5, 2021
IBT- Nov 27 to Dec 18, 2021 CBT- Nov 21 & Dec 19, 2021 |
PBT: November 28, 2021
IBT: Nov 24 to Dec 15, 2021 as per the exam date CBT: Nov 14 & Dec 12, 2021 |
| ATMA 2022 (February) | — | — |
| GMAT 2021 | Available Round the year | Available all the time |
MBA Colleges Accepting various Entrance Exams
Following are the top MBA colleges accepting different MBA Entrance Exams scores.
| MBA Entrance Exams | Top Institutes Accepting Exam Score |
| CAT | 20 IIMs + 500 Others |
| XAT | XLRI, IMT, XIMB, XIME, GIM, Great Lakes, BIMTECH, Jaipuria Institute of Management, + 140 Others |
| SNAP | SIBM Pune, SCMHRD, + 13 Other top Symbiosis Institutes |
| NMAT by GMAC | NMIMS Mumbai + 20 other MBA colleges & Universities |
| IIFT | 3 Campuses of IIFT at Delhi, Kolkata and Kakinada |
| CMAT | K J Somaiya, Great Lakes, Jaipuria Institute of Management, BIMTECH, GIM, VIT, and all the Institutes and Universities offering AICTE approved MBA/PGDM programmes |
| IBSAT | IBS Hyderabad & all the other 8 campuses of ICFAI B-Schools |
| MAT | 300 MBA/PGDM colleges across India |
| ATMA | More than 200 MBA/PGDM colleges in India |
| TISSNET | Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai and all its campuses |
| IRMASAT | IRMA Anand |
| MICAT | MICA Ahmedabad |
| KIITEE Management | KIIT School of Management; KIIT School of Rural Management |
Cost of MBA Entrance Exams Application Form
The MBA entrance exam fee for the upcoming MBA entrance tests has gone up for some exams while for many other MBA entrance exams, the MBA entrance exam cost has been kept at last year level. The table below shares the cost of MBA entrance exam application form for each exam:
| MBA Entrance Exams | MBA Entrance Exam Fee (General category) | MBA Entrance Exam Fee (Reserved category) |
| CAT | Rs.2200/- | Rs.1100/- |
| XAT | Rs.1800/- | Rs.1800/- |
| IIFT | Rs.2500/- | Rs.1000/- |
| NMAT by GMAC | Rs.2300/- | Rs.2300/- |
| SNAP | Rs.1950/- | Rs.1950/- |
| CMAT | Rs.2000/- | Rs. 1000/- |
| MAH CET | Rs.1000/- | Rs. 800/- |
| MAT | Rs.1650/- | Rs.1650/- |
| IBSAT | Rs.1800/- | Rs.1800/- |
| TISSNET | Rs.1030/- | Rs. 500/- |
| MICAT | Rs.1985/- | Rs.1985/- |
| KIITEE Management | Rs.1250/- | Rs.1250/- |
MBA Admission 2022
All the top national level MBA entrance exams for admission 2022 are open now.
CAT 2021: On November 28, 2021
Common Admission Test, popularly known as CAT, will be conducted on November 28, 2021 by IIM Ahmedabad. CAT is the largest MBA Entrance Exam for Admission to 20 IIMs, FMS Delhi, IIT DoMs, SPJIMR, MDI and 500+ MBA Colleges in India.
XAT 2022: On January 2, 2022
Popularly known as XAT, Xavier Aptitude Test is one of the important MBA Entrance Exams for admission to XLRI, IMT, XIMB, TAPMI and 150+ MBA Colleges in India. Every year more than 1,00,000 candidates from all disciplines including Engineering, Commerce, Humanities, Science, Law apply and appear in the XAT exam to get into of the various MBA programs offered by these top B-schools. XAT 2022 will be held on Sunday, January 2, 2022. XAT is conducted annually by XLRI Jamshedpur and is therefore known as XLRI-XAT.
IIFT 2022: On December 5, 2022
IIFT entrance test for admission to MBA (IB) is conducted by National Testing Agency as a computer-based test. Indian Institute of Foreign Trade Admission Test-2022 popularly known as IIFT Exam 2022, is the MBA Entrance Exam for Admission to all the three campuses of IIFT located at Delhi, Kolkata and Kakinada. Every year around 60,000 students from all disciplines including Engineering, Commerce, Humanities and even Law take IIFT admission test to get admission in MBA (IB) programme at one of three campuses of the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade.
NMAT 2021 from October 2021 onwards
NMAT is an important national-level MBA entrance test leading to admission in top MBA colleges including NMIMS Mumbai, SPJIMR, ISB, VIT, XIMB among other 30 institutes and universities in India. GMAC is the exam conducting body for NMAT by GMAC. NMAT exam dates are from October 14 to December 27, 2021. NMAT is conducted in two modes-Online proctored test and Online exam at 73 exam centres in 68 cities.
SNAP 2021 in December 2021 & January 2022
SNAP is the mandatory MBA Entrance Exam for Admission to 16 Symbiosis Institutes in India. Symbiosis International University (SIU) Pune conducts Symbiosis National Aptitude Test, popularly known as SNAP every year as a computer-based test. There are more than 2,500 MBA seats in Symbiosis colleges. Over the years, SNAP has changed its question paper pattern from paper based to computer-based. SNAP 2021 will be held as computer-based test on three dates – December 19, 2021; January 8 and January 16, 2022
CMAT 2022 in February
Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) is a government organized computer based national level MBA entrance examination for entry into 1000 AICTE approved management programmes (MBA/PGDM) all over India. CMAT is conducted by National Testing Agency as a computer-based test. CMAT score is accepted by all AICTE-Approved Institutions/University Departments/ Constituent Colleges/Affiliated Colleges like JBIMS, SIMSREE, K J Somaiya Mumbai, Welingkar Mumbai, PUMBA Pune, Great Lakes Chennai, BIMTECH Greater Noida among others. CMAT exam is expected on February 22, 2022.
IBSAT 2021 in December 2021
IBSAT is an important online computer-based MBA entrance test for MBA admission in 9 ICFAI Business Schools (IBS) located across India. IBSAT Entrance Exam 2021 is scheduled on December 25 & 26, 2021. The exam is conducted by ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education.
IBSAT score is accepted for admission by ICFAI Business Schools (IBS) located at Hyderabad, Dehradun, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Gurgaon, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Pune
MAT 2021
Management Aptitude Test popularly known as MAT Exam is one of the most popular national level MBA entrance exams in India after CAT. MAT exam is held four times a year in the months of February, May, September and December. The exam leads to admission opportunities in more than 400 MBA/PGDM Colleges that are accepting MAT exam Scores. September MAT exam is scheduled in Paper-based, computer-based, and proctored internet-based test from August 17 to September 12, 2021. Read here all about MAT – its Registration Process, How to Prepare, College Accepting MAT, and a lot more
ATMA 2022 Exam
AIMS Test for Management Admissions (ATMA) is one of the popular National level MBA entrance exams in India. ATMA exam score is accepted by 200+ MBA/PGDM colleges in India. ATMA is a credible, comprehensive, and single-window test for admissions to Post-Graduate Management Programs like MBA, PGDM, MCA, MMS, and other management post-graduate courses. It is an online objective type nationally accepted entrance test. The February ATMA exam schedule is yet to be announced.
TISSNET 2022 Expected on January 9, 2022
TISS-NET is a computer based National Entrance Test for admission to all the Masters (M.A.) programs offered by Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) Mumbai. M.A. programs of Tata Institute of Social Sciences are highly sought after Masters Degree courses for the candidates seeking career in management and other branches. TISS is likely to conduct TISSNET 2022 exam in January 2022 as a computer based test of 100 minute duration.
MAH CET 2021: Exam on September 16, 17, 18, 2021
MAH CET 2021 is an important MBA entrance exam for admission to MBA colleges of Maharashtra. It’s scores are accepted by more than 330 MBA colleges including some of the best MBA colleges like JBIMS, SIMSREE, PUMBA, K J Somaiya, among others. The exam is conducted by CET Cell Govt. of Maharashtra and is scheduled on Sep 16, 17, 18, 2021 in multiple slots.
PGCET 2021: Exam Expected on November 21, 2021
Karnataka PGCET is the popular MBA entrance exam for admission to MBA colleges in Karnataka. The Karnataka state and All India candidates can appear in PGCET. Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) conducts the MBA PGCET exam for MBA/MCA and other post graduate courses in Karnataka Government colleges as well as private institutes. Karnataka MBA entrance exam is a moderate difficulty level test.
APICET 2021: Exam Over on Sep 17/18, 2021; Result Out
Andhra Pradesh Integrated Common Entrance Test (APICET) is conducted by the S.V. University on behalf of A.P. State Council of Higher Education. AP-ICET is the Integrated Common Entrance Test for MBA and MCA regular Courses offered by State Universities and Professional Colleges under the Jurisdiction of A.P State Council of Higher Education.
TSICET 2021: Exam over on Aug 19/20; Result Out
TS ICET-2021 (Telangana State Integrated Common Entrance Test – TSICET) is for M.B.A. and M.C.A. courses of all the Universities in Telangana State and their affiliated colleges. TS ICET exam is conducted by Kakatiya University, Warangal on behalf of Telangana State Council of Higher Education, Hyderabad.
KMAT 2021: Exam on November 7, 2021
Karnataka KMAT 2021 Exam is an important MBA/MCA entrance test for the All India category as well as Karnataka State candidates. KPPGCA, the KMAT exam conducting body conducts KMAT exams for MBA/MCA admission in 180+ institutes located in Bangalore and the rest of Karnataka. KMAT has remained a paper-based test of moderate difficulty level.
TANCET 2021
TANCET was conducted by Anna University for MBA/MCA admission 2021 in the State of Tamil Nadu on March 20, 2021. A good score in TANCET 2021 offers admission to MBA and MCA and other PG courses in the prominent colleges affiliated to Anna University, Tamil Nadu, and other MBA colleges also. One of the key features of the TANCET entrance exam is that it leads to admission in B-schools with low fee structures.
UPES MET 2021
UPESMET 2021 is the answer to your MBA needs leading to specialized management programs in core sectors. The exam is conducted by UPES School of Business Dehradun. MBA programs at UPES School of Business are specifically designed for core sectors with high growth. UPES University conducts its own entrance exam UPESMET for its MBA programs. UPES conducts four UPESMET exams beginning from the month of January every year for admission in the same academic session.
