Choosing the right MBA entrance exam is only half the battle. The other half is knowing when each exam happens, what it costs, and which B-schools actually accept the score. India has more than a dozen national and state-level MBA/PGDM entrance exams, and their dates are spread across almost the entire year.
This calendar brings everything together in one place: 14 MBA entrance exams for the 2026-27 cycle, with exam dates, registration fees and the top colleges that accept each score.
Quick alert: The next exams on the calendar are NMAT (from 2 November), CAT (29 November), IBSAT (from 5 December) and SNAP (13, 19 and 26 December). Check registration status early, because CAT registration has already closed and NMAT registration closes on 10 October 2026.
Upcoming Exams: Your Next 6 Months (Nov 2026 to Feb 2027)
| Exam |
Exam Date |
Fee |
| NMAT by GMAC 2026 |
2 Nov to 20 Dec 2026 (test window) |
Rs. 3,000 |
| CAT 2026 |
29 Nov 2026 |
Rs. 2,700 |
| IBSAT 2026 |
5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 and 27 Dec 2026 |
Rs. 1,800 |
| SNAP 2026 |
13, 19 and 26 Dec 2026 |
Rs. 2,550 per test |
| MAT (December session) |
20 Dec (PBT) and 27 Dec 2026 (CBT) |
Rs. 1,800 onwards* |
| XAT 2027 |
3 Jan 2027 |
Rs. 2,300 |
| CMAT 2027 |
7 Feb 2027 |
Rs. 2,500 (2026 fee)* |
| ATMA 2027 |
21 Feb 2027 |
Rs. 2,000 |
*MAT and CMAT fees are based on the earlier cycle's listing. The exact 2027 fee will be confirmed in the official notification.
The Complete MBA Entrance Exam Calendar 2026-27
| Exam |
Exam Date(s) |
Fee |
Top Colleges Accepting the Score |
| CAT 2026 |
29 Nov 2026 |
Rs. 2,700 |
21 IIMs, FMS, SPJIMR, MDI, IITs, IIFT |
| XAT 2027 |
3 Jan 2027 |
Rs. 2,300 |
XLRI, IMT, IMI, XIMB, TAPMI |
| NMAT 2026 |
2 Nov to 20 Dec 2026 |
Rs. 3,000 |
NMIMS, XIMB, K J Somaiya, TAPMI, SDA Bocconi, IFMR GSB Krea University |
| SNAP 2026 |
13, 19 and 26 Dec 2026 |
Rs. 2,550 |
SIBM Pune, SCMHRD, SIBM Bangalore |
| CMAT |
25 Jan 2026 (held); 7 Feb 2027 (next) |
Rs. 2,500 |
K J Somaiya Mumbai, BIMTECH, Welingkar, IFMR GSB, IMI Bhubaneswar, Woxsen Hyderabad |
| IBSAT 2026 |
5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27 Dec 2026 |
Rs. 1,800 |
IBS Hyderabad, IBS Mumbai, IBS Gurgaon and other IBS campuses |
| MAH MBA CET |
6, 7, 8 Apr and 9 May 2026 (held) |
Rs. 1,000 |
JBIMS, SIMSREE, Welingkar, PUMBA, SIES |
| KMAT Kerala |
22 Feb and 31 May 2026 (held) |
Rs. 750 |
Cochin University of Science and Technology, Rajagiri Cochin, SCMS Cochin School of Business |
| Karnataka PGCET |
14 Jun 2026 (held) |
Rs. 650 |
Christ University, Jain University, PES University, Indus Business Academy, NSB, Kristu Jayanti College |
| TANCET |
9 May 2026 (held) |
Rs. 1,000 |
Anna University, PSG Institute of Management, SSN School of Management, Thiagarajar School of Management |
| TG ICET |
13-14 May 2026 (held) |
Rs. 750 |
Osmania University, JNTU School of Management Studies, IPE Hyderabad, VJIM Hyderabad, Badruka College PG Centre |
| AP ICET |
2 May 2026 (held) |
Rs. 750 |
IFMR GSB, Krea University, Vignan's Foundation, RVR and JC College of Engineering |
| MAT |
13 Sep (PBT) and 20 Sep (CBT) 2026 (held); December session on 20 and 27 Dec 2026 |
Rs. 1,800 |
Jaipuria, FIIB New Delhi, DSB Delhi, IPE Hyderabad |
| ATMA 2027 |
21 Feb 2027 |
Rs. 2,000 |
Welingkar Mumbai, IBA Bangalore, SIES Mumbai, NDIM Delhi, IPE Hyderabad, IISWBM Kolkata |
How to read this table: Exams marked "held" have already taken place in the 2026 cycle. State-level exams such as MAH CET, KMAT, PGCET, TANCET, TG ICET and AP ICET usually follow a similar schedule each year (roughly February to June), so aspirants for the 2027 cycle should expect fresh notifications in early 2027. Those dates are tentative until the conducting bodies announce them.
National-Level Exams: What to Know
CAT 2026: For IIMs and Top Institutes
CAT is the biggest MBA entrance exam in India and the key to 21 IIMs, FMS, SPJIMR, MDI, IITs and IIFT. It is held on 29 November 2026 and the fee is Rs. 2,700. Registration has already closed, so this attempt is only for those who applied.
XAT 2027: For XLRI and Beyond
XAT on 3 January 2027 opens the doors to XLRI, IMT, IMI, XIMB and TAPMI. It is a popular second exam after CAT because it adds a Decision Making section. Registration closes on 6 December 2026.
NMAT by GMAC: Flexible and Retake-Friendly
NMAT runs inside a test window from 2 November to 20 December 2026, so you choose your slot. Accepted by NMIMS, XIMB, K J Somaiya, TAPMI, SDA Bocconi and IFMR GSB Krea University. Fee: Rs. 3,000 plus taxes.
SNAP 2026: The Symbiosis Gateway
With three test dates (13, 19 and 26 December 2026), SNAP lets you improve your score. It leads to SIBM Pune, SCMHRD and SIBM Bangalore. Registration closes on 25 November 2026.
CMAT: NTA's Management Test
CMAT was held on 25 January 2026 for the current cycle. The next exam is announced for 7 February 2027. It is accepted by K J Somaiya, BIMTECH, Welingkar, IFMR GSB, IMI Bhubaneswar and Woxsen.
IBSAT 2026: For IBS Business Schools
IBSAT is spread over eight dates from 5 to 27 December 2026, which makes scheduling easy. At Rs. 1,800, it is one of the cheaper options for IBS Hyderabad, Mumbai, Gurgaon and other IBS campuses.
MAT and ATMA: Flexible Backup Options
MAT is held several times a year (the next session is on 20 and 27 December 2026) and is accepted by Jaipuria, FIIB, DSB Delhi and IPE Hyderabad. ATMA on 21 February 2027 is accepted by Welingkar, IBA Bangalore, SIES, NDIM Delhi, IPE Hyderabad and IISWBM Kolkata.
State-Level Exams: Region by Region
| Region |
Exam |
2026 Dates |
Fee |
| Maharashtra |
MAH MBA CET |
6, 7, 8 Apr; 9 May |
Rs. 1,000 |
| Kerala |
KMAT Kerala |
22 Feb; 31 May |
Rs. 750 |
| Karnataka |
Karnataka PGCET |
14 Jun |
Rs. 650 |
| Tamil Nadu |
TANCET |
9 May |
Rs. 1,000 |
| Telangana |
TG ICET |
13-14 May |
Rs. 750 |
| Andhra Pradesh |
AP ICET |
2 May |
Rs. 750 |
If you want to study in your home state, these exams often give you a domicile advantage and a lower fee. Many students take one national exam and one state exam to widen their options.
Which Exam Is Right for You?
| Your Goal |
Exams to Take |
| IIMs, FMS, MDI, IITs, IIFT |
CAT |
| XLRI, XIMB, TAPMI, IMT |
XAT (and CAT) |
| Symbiosis (SIBM, SCMHRD) |
SNAP |
| NMIMS, K J Somaiya, SDA Bocconi |
NMAT |
| IBS campuses |
IBSAT |
| Welingkar, SIES, IPE, NDIM |
ATMA, CMAT, MAT |
| Home-state colleges |
MAH CET / KMAT / PGCET / TANCET / TG ICET / AP ICET |
Estimated Cost of a Smart Multi-Exam Plan
A typical aspirant applying to CAT, XAT and SNAP (one attempt) would pay about Rs. 7,550 in exam fees (2,700 + 2,300 + 2,550). Adding NMAT brings it to roughly Rs. 10,550 before taxes. Compared with the cost of an MBA programme, this is a small investment that significantly improves your chances.
Tips to Use This Calendar
- Mark registration deadlines, not just exam dates. Missing a deadline is the most common avoidable mistake.
- Cluster your exams. November to January is the busiest stretch (CAT, NMAT, SNAP, IBSAT, XAT), so plan mock tests accordingly.
- Take at least three exams across different tiers: one aspirational, one realistic and one safe.
- Use multi-attempt exams smartly. NMAT, SNAP and IBSAT allow more than one date or attempt, so you can improve your score.
- Apply separately to colleges. An exam registration is not a college application.
Dates and fees are compiled from published exam listings and may change. Some entries refer to exams already held in 2026, and next-cycle dates for several state exams are yet to be announced. Always confirm the latest dates, fees and eligibility on each exam's official website before registering.