Every year, over 3.3 lakh students appear for the CAT exam to get into IIMs and top B-schools. But what if you’re not planning to take the CAT? Can you still do an MBA from a good college in India? The short answer is yes! CAT is not compulsory for MBA admission in many reputed institutes.
Several top private universities like XLRI (through XAT), NMIMS (through NMAT), and Symbiosis (through SNAP) offer MBA admissions through their own entrance exams. Even government and state universities accept CMAT, MAT, or their own entrance tests.
In this article, we’ll explain which MBA colleges accept admissions without CAT, what exams you can take instead, and how the selection process works in 2025.
Importance of the CAT Exam in MBA Admission
The CAT exam is one of the most popular ways to get into India’s top MBA colleges, specifically to the IIMs. It tests your quant, verbal, and logical skills, and helps you prove that you’re ready for the challenges of an MBA program.
But here’s the truth: CAT is important, not compulsory. If you missed the CAT or didn’t score well, there are still many other exams and colleges that can help you achieve your MBA dream.
- CAT is the only option to get into IIMs and top-tier B-schools like FMS Delhi, IIT Delhi, and MDI Gurgaon.
- It tests real MBA skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, and time management.
- A good CAT score improves your chances of better placements, higher packages, and strong networking opportunities.
- But CAT isn’t the only option! You can still pursue an MBA through exams like XAT, NMAT, SNAP, CMAT, or MAT.
- Many top universities, such as XLRI, NMIMS, Symbiosis, and TISS, accept these alternate exams.
So, even if you skip CAT, you can still get into a good MBA college. You just need to choose the right entrance test and apply smartly.
Check: IIM Fees for MBA through CAT
Top MBA Colleges Without CAT Exam 2025
In case you have skipped the CAT exam or didn't score well, but still want to get an MBA in the top Indian colleges, then no need to worry. Several premier B-Schools accept other tests or have different ways of admitting students.
Here's a list of institutions where you can get a place without taking the CAT.
| MBA College / Institute | Accepted Exam Scores |
|---|---|
| SIBM, Pune | SNAP |
| XLRI, Jamshedpur | XAT |
| Xavier University, Bhubaneshwar | XAT, X-GMT |
| Indian School of Business, Hyderabad | GMAT |
| Amity University | XAT / GMAT / MAT / CAT / NMAT |
| Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, Delhi | GMAT |
| JBIMS, Mumbai | MAH-CET / MAT / GMAT |
| SP Jain Institute of Management and Research | XAT, CAT |
| NMIMS School of Business Management, Mumbai | NMAT |
| Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai | XAT / GMAT / CAT |
| Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai | TISSNET |
| IMT, Ghaziabad | XAT / CAT / GMAT |
| BITS, Pilani | BITSAT / GMAT / CAT |
| IFIM Business School | KMAT |
| Indira Institute of Management, Pune | MAH-CET / ATMA / MAT |
| Jamia Millia Islamia | JMI Entrance Test |
| Institute of Rural Management, Anand | IRMASAT / XAT / CAT |
| PSG College of Technology | TANCET |
| Loyola Institute of Business Administration | XAT / CAT |
| KIIT School of Management | MAT / KIITEE MANAGEMENT |
| Goa Institute of Management | CMAT / CAT / XAT / GMAT |
CAT vs Other MBA Entrance Exams
| Parameter | CAT | XAT | NMAT | SNAP | CMAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conducted By | IIMs | XLRI | GMAC | SIU Pune | NTA |
| Frequency | Once a year | Once a year | Multiple windows | 3 sessions | Once a year |
| Mode | Online | Online | Online | Online | Online |
| Difficulty Level | High | High | Moderate | Moderate | Easy-Moderate |
| Sectional Time Limit | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Main Focus | QA, VARC, DILR | Decision Making, QA, VARC | Language, Reasoning, Quant | GK, Quant, Reasoning | GK, Quant, Reasoning |
Top MBA Colleges in India Without CAT
| College Name | Accepted Exam | Average Package (INR LPA) | Course Fee (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| XLRI Jamshedpur | XAT | 27 LPA | ₹25 lakh |
| NMIMS Mumbai | NMAT | 26 LPA | ₹23 lakh |
| Symbiosis Pune (SIBM) | SNAP | 25 LPA | ₹22 lakh |
| XIM University (XIMB) | XAT / NMAT | 18 LPA | ₹21 lakh |
| Great Lakes Chennai | CMAT / CAT / XAT | 17 LPA | ₹19 lakh |
| TISS Mumbai | TISSNET | 21 LPA | ₹2.5 lakh |
| Amity University | MAT / CMAT / Own Test | 7-8 LPA | ₹12 lakh |
Check: Top MBA Colleges Accepting Low Scores in CAT
Is CAT Compulsory for MBA: Eligibility Criteria for Admission
You can still get admission to a good MBA college even if you haven’t taken the CAT exam. However, you must meet the basic eligibility criteria set by the respective institutes.
Here’s what most colleges require:
- Undergraduate Qualification: Candidates must have completed a bachelor’s degree with at least 50%-65% marks (varies by college).
- Relaxation for Reserved Categories: Students from SC/ST or other reserved categories usually get a relaxation of up to 5% (minimum 45%).
- Alternate Entrance Exams: Many B-schools accept other exam scores, such as XAT, NMAT, SNAP, CMAT, MAT, ATMA, or GMAT, instead of CAT.
When to Choose an MBA Without CAT?
| Situation | Suggested Exam/Path | Why It Works |
| Missed CAT registration | NMAT / SNAP / IBSAT | Conducted later than CAT |
| Scored low in the CAT | CMAT / MAT | Easier difficulty, more colleges |
| Want a private university MBA | XAT / NMAT / SNAP | Accepted by top private B-schools |
| Looking for social work / HR specialisation | TISSNET / XAT | Ideal for HRM and social enterprise careers |
| Need flexibility in the test schedule | NMAT / MAT | Multiple attempts allowed |
Check: CAT Total MBA Seats in IIM and Other Colleges
Although the CAT exam is a major requirement for admission to premium MBA schools such as the IIMs, there are other ways to get management education of good quality.
In fact, many of the best business schools in India accept different entrance tests like XAT, GMAT, MAT, NMAT, and CMAT, and even some of them take into account academic performance and work experience.
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