Some good MBA entrance exams

• AIMA-MAT (MANAGEMENT APTITUDE TEST) Management Aptitude Test or MAT as it is popularly known is conducted 4 times a year (in February, May, September & December) by the Centre for Management Services (CMS) division of All India Management Association (AIMA). It is as a credible, comprehensive and single window test for admissions to different postgraduate management programmes. The application form for MAT is available for Rs. 1050.

Eligibility: Graduate in any discipline from a recognized university. Final year degree course students can also apply.
Test Pattern & Selection: MAT has two formats: Offline test or Computer based test both of 2 ½ hours. Candidates can opt for either one of these based on their convenience. There are five papers in MAT: Paper 1: Language Comprehension, Paper 2: Mathematical Skills, Paper 3: Data Analysis, Paper 4: Intelligence & Critical Reasoning, Paper 5: Indian & Global Environment Section, each comprising of 40 questions for a total of 200 Questions.
The MAT score tells you the relative position of the candidate with respect to the other candidates (percentile), there is no final percentile in MAT, instead a final composite score is given. Candidates can use this score to apply to various management institutes which accept MAT scores.
Website: www.aima-ind.org

• ATMA - AIMS TEST FOR MANAGEMENT ADMISSIONS

ATMA has been approved by the Ministry of HRD of the Government of India for admission on All India basis to the MBA/PGDM and other postgraduate programmes like MCA. Around 140 MBA institutes accept ATMA scores for admission to various management programs. The application form for ATMA is available for Rs. 950
Eligibility: Candidate must have completed their graduation from a recognized and authorized university.
Test Pattern & Selection: ATMA 2011 test contains 170 Questions spread over six sections comprising Analytical, Verbal and Logical Reasoning. Each section is timed separately. Total time of the test is 3 hours. A candidate has to undergo the selection process of the institute to qualify for the admission to the PG programmes of the institute after declaration of the result of ATMA.
Website: www.atma-aims.org

• CAT (COMMON ADMISSION TEST)

Common Admission Test (CAT) is the most popular MBA entrance test and is held annually for admission to postgraduate management courses in all the Indian Institute of Management (IIMs) and various other management institutes. IIMs offer around 2700 seats in various management programmes & other than the IIMs, 165-odd institutes admit students based on CAT scores. Every year more than two lakh students appear for CAT. The application form and information bulletin is available for Rs. 1400.
Eligibility: A candidate should have atleast 50% or equivalent CGPA in Graduation.
Test Pattern & Selection: Since 2009 CAT is a computer based test of 2 ½ hours. CAT has multiple choice questions from the following sections: Data Interpretation and logical Reasoning, Quantitative Ability, Verbal Ability and Comprehension. Candidates are expected to perform well in all the three sections as there are separate cut-offs for individual sections as well. Each correct answer will be awarded 1 or 2 marks & for each wrong answer, 1/3rd mark will be deducted.
CAT website will list the names of the candidates shortlisted for interviews by IIMs for PGP. Each IIM will send interview letters to the candidates it has shortlisted. The criteria for shortlisting vary from IIM to IIM. Other management colleges have different cutoffs for various courses. Candidates can apply to the colleges individually with the CAT score and then convert the call by going through a rigorous round of group discussion and personal interview.
Website: www.catiim.in

• IBSAT (IBS APTITUDE TEST)

IBSAT is an aptitude test conducted by the Federation of Universities (FedUni), for students seeking admission into the management programmes. The application form is available for Rs. 1200 and the test is held all across India in about 100 centres in various cities.
Eligibility: Graduates (any discipline) in English medium with 50% and above aggregate marks.
Test Pattern & Selection: IBSAT is for 2 hours duration and is aimed to test the applicants’ ability in quantitative techniques, data interpretation, data adequacy, vocabulary, analytical reasoning and reading comprehension. The results of the IBSAT are hosted online on www.ibsat.org. The details of the score (in terms of percentiles) obtained in the test is intimated to all applicants.
Website: www.ibsat.org

• FMS (FACULTY OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES)

FMS is one of the premier management institutions in India which conducts its own Entrance Test. The application form is available for Rs. 750.
Eligibility: 3-year Bachelor’s programme with an aggregate of minimum 50%.
Test Pattern & Selection: There is no prescribed syllabus or format for this multiple-choice test which has 200 questions to be attempted in 120 minutes. So the most important factor in FMS entrance is speed & accuracy. The tests usually comprise the ollowing basic areas: Quantitative, Verbal, Analytical & Logical Reasoning. Students will receive both total percentile rank and sectional percentile rank scores in FMS. To be shortlisted students should have atleast 50th percentile rank score in each section of the test in FMS results.
Website: www.fms.edu

• IIFT (INDIAN INSTITUTE OF FOREIGN TRADE)

The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) was set up in 1963 by the Government of India as an autonomous organisation to help professionalize the country’s foreign trade management. Today it is one of India’s most prestigious business schools. Last year approximately 63,000 candidates applied for just 180 seats. The cost of the application form is Rs. 1500.
Eligibility: Recognized Bachelor’s degree of minimum 3 years duration in any discipline.
Test Pattern & Selection: The entrance examination is of 2 hours having objective questions from the following sections: 1. English Comprehension, 2. Logical Reasoning, 3. Quantitative Analysis, 4. General Knowledge & Awareness. The candidates will be shortlisted on the basis of their scores in the entrance examination. The shortlisted candidates will be called for Group Discussion, Interview and Essay Writing for final selection.
Website: www.iift.edu

• JOINT MANAGEMENT ENTRANCE TEST [JMET]

Joint Management Entrance Test (JMET) is the first step in the process of admission to the 2 year full-time PG degree programmes in Management offered by the IITs. Currently IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Kanpur, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Madras, and IIT Roorkee offer programmes in Management. The application form is available for Rs. 750.
Eligibility: Candidates with Bachelor’s degree in any discipline of Engineering/Technology or a Master’s degree with first class or equivalent in any discipline from a recognized Institute/University with at least 60% marks
Test Pattern & Selection: The test is of 3 hours duration and consists of 120 questions (objective/multiple choice type) in the following sections: Verbal Communication, Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Ability, Data Interpretation. The results of JMET provide a basis to each participating institute to shortlist potential candidates for conducting its own selection processes like, Group Discussion/Interview etc for the final admission.
Website: www.web.iitd.ac.in/~gate/jmet

• NMAT (NARSEE MONJEE MAT)

NMIMS was established in 1981 by Narsee Monjee Educational Trust. It was awarded ‘deemed to be university’ status by the UGC in 2003. NMAT is conducted by Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai for admission to various specialised courses in MBA. The application form is available for Rs. 1650.
Eligibility: Bachelor’s Degree (10+2+3) in any discipline from a recognized University with a minimum 50% marks.
Test Pattern & Selection: The NMAT is a computer based test of 2 hours duration consisting of multiple-choice questions where the candidate needs to select one of the correct answers. The sections in the NMAT-2011 are Language Skills; Quantitative Skills, Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency; and Logical Reasoning. The final merit list will be prepared on the basis of the NMAT Score, Written Test marks (as applicable), Group Discussion, Personal Interview, Presentation (as applicable) and work experience. The selection will be based on merit.
Website: www.nmims.edu

• SNAP (SYMBIOSIS NATIONAL APTITUDE TEST)

Symbiosis National Aptitude (SNAP) Test is a common written test for the admission to all the Post-Graduate Institutes of Symbiosis International University. Written test is mandatory for admission into any Postgraduate programme offered by the constituent institute of Symbiosis International University. The application form is available for Rs. 1550. Candidates will need to apply to the individual one or more Symbiosis colleges separately.
Eligibility: To apply for SNAP a candidate should be a gradudate with atleast 50% marks in graduation.
Test Pattern & Selection: SNAP Test is of 2 hours duration and is an objective test with each question having 4 responses. Candidate should choose an appropriate response. Each wrong answer attracts 25% negative marks. The four sections are: General English, Quantative Aptitude, General Awareness, Logical & Analytical Reasoning. Candidates from the first stage will be shortlisted on the basis of SNAP score for Group Discussions and thereafter they will appear if shortlisted for Personal Interviews.
Website: www.snaptest.org

• XAT (XLRI)

For more than 60 years XLRI has been conducting admission test on all India level to select the most appropriate students for management education. There are more than 70 plus Management Institutes which use XAT scores for selecting students. There are 33 cities in which XAT exam is conducted. The information bulletion and application form is available for Rs. 900. Other prominent institutes which accept XAT are : S P Jain Institute of Management and Research, Mumbai, Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research, Mumbai, Xavier Institute of Management Bhubaneswar and Loyola Institute of Business Administration, Chennai
Eligibility: Bachelor’s Degree (10+2+3)in any discipline from a recognized University
Test Pattern & Selection: XAT has three sections – 'Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VA)’, 'Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation (QA)’ and 'Analytical Reasoning and Decision Making Ability (AR)’. The time given to attempt these three sections is 120 minutes. In addition, one is evaluated on an essay which one is supposed to write in the next 20 minutes after finishing these three sections. A common merit list is declared and a candidate may apply for a maximum of three programmes. Those who apply for multiple programmes may be called for multiple interviews and/or group discussions. And selection criterion and cut offs vary across different programmes.
Website: www.xlri.net.in