MBA Admission 2027: Entrance Exams, Dates, Eligibility

Quick answer: To join an MBA or PGDM starting in 2027, you need a bachelor's degree (usually at least 50%, 45% for SC/ST/PwD) and a score in an entrance exam such as CAT, XAT, CMAT, MAT, SNAP or a state exam. Colleges shortlist on the score, then hold a written test, group discussion or interview before making offers.

MBA entrance exams for 2027 admission

• CAT 2026 (run by the IIMs): exam on 29 November 2026. Accepted by all IIMs and hundreds of other B-schools.
• XAT 2027 (run by XLRI): exam on 3 January 2027, 2 PM to 5 PM. Registration closes 6 December 2026. Fee Rs 2,300 (plus Rs 200 for each XLRI programme).
• SNAP 2026 (Symbiosis): registration closes 25 November 2026. See our SNAP 2026 guide.
• CMAT 2027 (run by NTA): 7 February 2027 (tentative, as per the NTA exam calendar).
• MAT (run by AIMA): held several times a year. The December 2026 cycle application is open on the AIMA website.
• NMAT (run by GMAC): exams run from 2 November to 20 December 2026. Registration closed on 31 October.
• State exams: Karnataka PGCET and KMAT, TANCET (Tamil Nadu), KMAT Kerala, TS ICET and AP ICET, MAH MBA CET, and others. These fill most seats in state-run and private colleges in that state.

Eligibility

• A bachelor's degree of at least 3 years in any subject.
• Most colleges ask for at least 50% marks (45% for SC, ST and PwD). Some IIMs ask for more. For example, IIM Kozhikode asked for 60% in graduation for its 2026-28 batch.
• Final-year students can usually apply if they finish their degree before the course starts.
• There is no age limit for CAT.

How selection works

• Step 1: Take the exam and apply to each college separately (most IIMs share one CAT form).
• Step 2: Colleges make a shortlist using your exam score, and often your 10th, 12th and degree marks and work experience.
• Step 3: Shortlisted candidates take a written ability test (WAT) or group discussion (GD), plus a personal interview (PI).
• Step 4: Final offers combine the interview, the written test, the exam score and your profile. For example, IIM Bangalore's 2027-29 final score gives 40 marks to the interview, 25 to CAT and 10 to the written test.

Which exam should you take?

• Want an IIM? CAT is a must.
• Aiming for XLRI or other Jesuit B-schools? Add XAT.
• Want more choices in private colleges? CMAT and MAT are widely accepted.
• Want to study in your home state at low fees? Take your state exam (PGCET, TANCET, ICET, MAH CET).

MBA fees: what to expect

• Government and NIT programmes cost less. For example, NIT Karnataka's MBA tuition is Rs 1,00,000 per semester (2026-27, tentative).
• Private B-schools can cost Rs 10 lakh or more for two years. For example, IFIM Bengaluru lists Rs 10,21,099 total tuition and one-time charges.
• Always check the latest fee on the college's official website before applying.

Key dates at a glance

• 14 Nov 2026: KMAT (Karnataka)
• 25 Nov 2026: SNAP registration closes
• 29 Nov 2026: CAT 2026
• 6 Dec 2026: XAT registration closes
• 3 Jan 2027: XAT 2027
• Early Jan 2027: CAT result (expected). See CAT result guide
• 7 Feb 2027: CMAT 2027 (tentative)

FAQs

Can I do an MBA without CAT? Yes. XAT, CMAT, MAT, SNAP, NMAT and state exams such as PGCET or TANCET are accepted by many good colleges. IIMs need CAT for their main MBA.

What is the minimum percentage for MBA? Usually 50% in graduation (45% for SC/ST/PwD). Some top institutes ask for more.

Can final-year students apply for MBA 2027? Yes, if you will finish your degree before the course starts.

Is work experience needed? No, freshers can apply. Some IIMs give extra marks for work experience.

When should I apply? Most applications open after CAT and XAT results (January to March 2027). Note each college's own last date.

Also read: CAT 2026 exam day guide · XAT 2027 dates and pattern