MBA Entrance Exams 2026–27: CAT, MAT, NMAT & XAT Important Dates, Fees and Official Websites
Planning to pursue an MBA or PGDM in 2026–27? Choosing the right entrance exams can significantly expand your options for admission to IIMs, XLRI and other leading B-schools across India.
Among the major management entrance exams, CAT, MAT, NMAT and XAT are important exams that MBA aspirants should consider. Each exam has a different pattern, timeline, fee structure and set of participating institutes.
Here is a consolidated guide to the important dates, registration fees, exam dates and official websites for CAT 2026, MAT 2026, NMAT 2026 and XAT 2027.
Exam | Registration Deadline | Exam Date | Registration Fee* | Official Website |
CAT 2026 | 15 September 2026 | 29 November 2026 | ₹2,700 – General/EWS/OBC; ₹1,350 – SC/ST/PwD | |
MAT September 2026 | 7 Sep – PBT / 14 Sep – CBT | 13 Sep – PBT / 20 Sep – CBT | ₹2,300 PBT/CBT; ₹4,000 PBT+CBT | |
NMAT 2026 | 10 October 2026 | 2 November–20 December 2026 | ₹3,000 + applicable taxes | |
XAT 2027 | 6 December 2026 | 3 January 2027 | ₹2,300 + ₹200 per XLRI programme |
*Fees are subject to applicable taxes and programme-specific charges where applicable.
1. CAT 2026 – Common Admission Test
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is one of India's most important MBA entrance examinations. It is primarily used for admission to the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and is also accepted by numerous other management institutes.
CAT 2026 Important Details
Last date to apply: 15 September 2026
Exam date: 29 November 2026
Application fee:
General/EWS/OBC: ₹2,700
SC/ST/PwD: ₹1,350
Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Purpose: Admission to IIMs and other participating B-schools
Who should consider CAT?
CAT should be a priority for candidates targeting:
IIMs
Top MBA/PGDM institutes accepting CAT scores
Highly competitive management programmes
Candidates aiming for strong ROI and nationally reputed B-schools
Official CAT Website: IIM CAT – Official Website
Important: Candidates should verify the latest CAT 2026 notification and application details on the official CAT portal before submitting the application.
2. MAT 2026 – Management Aptitude Test
The Management Aptitude Test (MAT) is conducted by the All India Management Association (AIMA) and is accepted by hundreds of management institutes across India.
MAT offers flexibility because candidates can choose between Paper-Based Test (PBT) and Computer-Based Test (CBT).
MAT September 2026 Important Dates
According to AIMA's current official schedule:
PBT – Paper-Based Test
Registration closes: 7 September 2026
Admit card: 10 September 2026
Exam: 13 September 2026
CBT – Computer-Based Test
Registration closes: 14 September 2026
Admit card: 17 September 2026
Exam: 20 September 2026
MAT Fee
PBT: ₹2,300
CBT: ₹2,300
PBT + CBT: ₹4,000
MAT Exam Pattern
MAT has 150 questions across five sections:
Language Comprehension
Intelligence & Critical Reasoning
Mathematical Skills
Data Analysis & Sufficiency
Economic & Business Environment
The total test duration is 120 minutes, with negative marking of 0.25 marks for an incorrect answer.
Who should consider MAT?
MAT can be useful for candidates who want:
More flexibility in choosing an MBA entrance exam
PBT/CBT options
A wider range of participating B-schools
Additional opportunities beyond CAT/XAT/NMAT
Official MAT Website: AIMA MAT – Official Website
3. NMAT 2026 – NMAT by GMAC
The NMAT by GMAC is another important MBA entrance examination accepted by several leading management institutes.
One of its major advantages is its flexible testing window and candidate-friendly scheduling system.
NMAT 2026 Important Dates
Registration starts: 20 August 2026
Registration closes: 10 October 2026
Scheduling closes: 22 October 2026
Exam window: 2 November–20 December 2026
Rescheduling closes: 17 December 2026
Retake registration: 3 November–17 December 2026
NMAT Fee
Test registration: ₹3,000 + applicable taxes
Retake: ₹3,000 + applicable taxes
Rescheduling: ₹1,200 + applicable taxes
Additional score reports beyond the first five: ₹400 each + applicable taxes
Why consider NMAT?
NMAT offers several candidate-friendly features, including:
No negative marking
Choice of section order
Flexible scheduling
Retake opportunity
Scores accepted by participating B-schools
Important Point
NMAT registration and B-school applications are separate. Registering for the NMAT exam does not automatically apply you to every participating institute. Candidates should check the admission requirements and application deadlines of each target B-school separately.
Official NMAT Website: NMAT by GMAC – Official Website
4. XAT 2027 – Xavier Aptitude Test
The Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) is conducted by XLRI – Xavier School of Management on behalf of XAMI.
XAT is particularly important for candidates targeting XLRI and other B-schools accepting XAT scores.
The official XAT website states that the examination is accepted by 250+ B-schools and conducted across 100+ test cities.
XAT 2027 Important Dates
Registration opens: 15 July 2026
Registration closes: 6 December 2026
Admit card: 20 December 2026 — tentative
XAT exam: 3 January 2027
Exam time: 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
XAT Registration Fee
XAT registration: ₹2,300
Additional ₹200 for each XLRI programme selected
Who should consider XAT?
XAT is particularly relevant for candidates targeting:
XLRI Jamshedpur
XAT-accepting B-schools
MBA/PGDM programmes with a strong focus on analytical and decision-making abilities
Official XAT Website: XAT 2027 – Official Website
CAT vs MAT vs NMAT vs XAT: Which Exam Should You Take?
There is no single MBA entrance exam that is best for every candidate. Your choice should depend on your target B-schools, preparation level and preferred exam format.
If your target is… | Priority exam |
IIMs | CAT |
XLRI | XAT |
B-schools accepting NMAT | NMAT |
Wider range of MAT-accepting institutes | MAT |
Multiple MBA admission opportunities | Consider taking more than one exam |
A practical strategy
If your preparation allows, taking CAT + XAT + NMAT + MAT can give you more admission opportunities.
However, don't register for an exam simply because it is popular. First prepare a list of your target B-schools, check which entrance scores they accept, and then select the exams accordingly.
Important MBA Application Strategy for 2026–27
MBA aspirants should keep track of two different deadlines:
1. Entrance Exam Registration
This is the deadline to register for CAT, MAT, NMAT or XAT.
2. B-School Application
Many B-schools have separate application forms and deadlines, even when they accept a particular entrance exam score.
For example, registering for NMAT does not automatically complete your application to every NMAT-accepting institute.
Therefore, candidates should maintain a separate deadline tracker for:
Entrance exam registration
B-school applications
Admit cards
Exam dates
Results
GD/PI/WAT
Final admission deadlines
Official Websites – MBA Entrance Exams
Candidates should always use the official portals for registration and payment.
CAT 2026
MAT 2026
NMAT 2026
XAT 2027
Final Takeaway
For MBA aspirants preparing for the 2026–27 admission cycle, CAT, MAT, NMAT and XAT provide different routes to leading management institutes.
CAT should be a major priority for IIM aspirants; XAT is essential for candidates targeting XLRI and XAT-accepting institutes, while NMAT and MAT can provide additional opportunities across participating B-schools.
The most important step is to check the official website before applying, as dates, fees, eligibility requirements, and admission procedures can change.
Disclaimer: Exam dates, fees and admission requirements are subject to change. Candidates are advised to verify the latest information on the respective official examination websites before registration or payment.
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