If you are planning an MBA admission for the 2027-29 batch, the MBA exam dates 2026-27 calendar is the single most important thing to bookmark right now. Between CAT, XAT, SNAP, NMAT, CMAT, MAT, ATMA, and a handful of state-level tests, there are more than a dozen exam windows, registration deadlines, and result dates to track — and missing even one can cost you an entire admission cycle.
This guide brings together the complete admission exam schedule in one place, along with registration timelines, fees, and a month-wise calendar so you never miss a deadline. Every date below is either officially confirmed or based on the pattern each conducting body has followed over the last few admission cycles, so treat unconfirmed dates as planning estimates until the official notification lands.
MBA Exam Dates 2026-27 at a Glance
The table below summarises the MBA entrance exam calendar for every major national-level test. Use it as your quick-reference calendar, then scroll down for exam-wise detail.
| Exam | Conducting Body | Registration Window | Exam Date(s) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAT 2026 | IIM Indore | Aug 3 – Sep 15, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | Late Dec 2026 |
| XAT 2027 | XLRI Jamshedpur | Jul 15 – Dec 6, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | Jan 16, 2027 |
| SNAP 2026 | Symbiosis International | Aug – Nov 2026 | Multiple dates in Dec 2026 | Jan 2027 |
| NMAT by GMAC 2026 | GMAC | Aug – Oct 2026 | Oct – Dec 2026 (window) | Within 48 hrs of each attempt |
| CMAT 2027 | National Testing Agency | Nov – Dec 2026 | Jan 2027 | Feb 2027 |
| MAT 2026 (CBT) | AIMA | Aug – Sep 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | Oct 2026 |
| ATMA 2026 | AIMS | Ongoing (multiple sessions) | Jul 12, 2026 (latest session) | Within 1 week |
| SRCC GBO 2026 | SRCC, Delhi University | Dec 2026 – Jan 2027 | Feb 2027 | Mar 2027 |
| MAH MBA CET 2027 | State CET Cell, Maharashtra | Feb – Mar 2027 | Apr – May 2027 | Jun 2027 |
Source: Compiled from official exam notifications and conducting-body announcements. Dates marked as expected are subject to change — always cross-verify on the respective official exam website.
National-Level MBA Entrance Exams: Exam-Wise Dates
National-level exams are accepted by IIMs and a wide network of AICTE-approved B-schools across India. Here is a detailed, exam-wise breakdown of the management entrance exam schedule.
CAT 2026 Exam Date
CAT is the gateway to all 21 IIMs and over a thousand affiliated B-schools. will be conducted as a Computer-Based Test on Sunday, November 29, 2026, in three sessions across approximately 170 test cities in India. Registration opened on August 3, 2026, and candidates can apply until September 15, 2026.
If CAT is your primary target, pair your preparation with structured practice — CatMock’s free CAT mock tests simulate the actual exam interface and give you a percentile-level performance breakdown after every attempt.
XAT 2027 Exam Date
XAT is conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur for admission to XAMI institutes and 160+ B-schools. will be held on Sunday, January 3, 2027, in computer-based mode from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at over 110 test cities. Registration began on July 15, 2026, with the last date falling on December 6, 2026.
XAT’s Decision Making section is unlike anything in CAT, so it deserves dedicated practice time rather than being treated as a CAT-prep afterthought.
SNAP 2026 Exam Date
SNAP opens admission to more than 16 Symbiosis institutes, including SIBM Pune and SCMHRD. The exam is usually conducted across three test dates in December, and candidates can attempt it more than once, with the best score being considered. If SNAP is on your list alongside CAT, read our detailed SNAP 2026 important topics guide to prioritise your section-wise prep.
NMAT 2026 by GMAC Exam Date
NMAT is unique because it gives candidates a testing window rather than a single date. The NMAT testing period typically starts in October and runs through December, allowing students to attempt the exam up to three times to achieve their maximum score. Registration usually opens in August, giving candidates a long runway to plan their attempts. NMAT scores are accepted by NMIMS and 30+ other institutes.
CMAT 2027 Exam Date
CMAT is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), a government body under the Ministry of Education, and is accepted by over a thousand AICTE-approved MBA and PGDM colleges nationwide. Registration for the CMAT 2027 exam typically opens in November, with the exam conducted in January. Because CMAT falls late in the overall exam calendar, it works well as a backup option even for candidates targeting CAT and XAT.
MAT 2026 Exam Date
MAT, conducted by AIMA, is held multiple times a year (in both paper-based and computer-based modes), making it one of the most flexible entrance exams. For the current admission cycle, MAT was conducted on September 13 in paper-based mode and September 20 in computer-based mode.
ATMA 2026 Exam Date
ATMA, conducted by the Association of Indian Management Schools (AIMS), also runs multiple sessions across the year rather than a single fixed date. The most recent ATMA 2026 session was held on July 12, 2026.Aspirants who miss one session can typically register for the next one within a few months.
SRCC GBO 2026 Exam Date
SRCC’s Global Business Operations programme has its own dedicated entrance test, separate from CAT and XAT. It is typically conducted in February, with registration opening in December. For eligibility criteria, fee structure, and the full application process, see our complete SRCC GBO 2026 guide.
State-Level MBA Entrance Exams: Region-Wise Schedule
Beyond national exams, several state governments and universities conduct their own MBA entrance tests, mostly for admission to in-state colleges under a domicile quota. The table below lists the expected exam schedule for major state-level tests.
| Exam | State/Region | Conducting Authority | Expected Exam Window |
|---|---|---|---|
| MAH MBA CET 2027 | Maharashtra | State CET Cell | April – May 2027 |
| TANCET 2027 | Tamil Nadu | Anna University | March 2027 |
| Karnataka PGCET 2027 | Karnataka | KEA | June 2027 |
| TS ICET 2027 | Telangana | Osmania University | May 2027 |
| AP ICET 2027 | Andhra Pradesh | JNTU Kakinada | May 2027 |
| KMAT Kerala 2027 | Kerala | KMAT Kerala Board | March 2027 |
Source: Based on trends from the 2025-26 admission cycle. State CET cells typically confirm exact dates closer to the exam window — check the respective state’s official CET portal for confirmation.
Among these, MAH MBA CET carries particular weight because it is the entry point to top institutes such as JBIMS and SIMSREE. If you’re targeting Maharashtra colleges, our MAH CET 2027 exam pattern and syllabus guide breaks down the eligibility criteria, sectional weightage, and a preparation roadmap in detail.
MBA Exam Registration Fees 2026-27
Budgeting for multiple exams matters, since fees add up quickly if you’re applying to more than two or three tests. Here’s an indicative fee comparison for the major exams.
| Exam | General Category Fee (₹) | Reserved Category Fee (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| CAT 2026 | 2,400 | 1,200 |
| XAT 2027 | 2,300 | 2,300 |
| SNAP 2026 (per attempt) | 2,000 | 2,000 |
| NMAT 2026 | 2,800 | 2,800 |
| CMAT 2027 | 2,000 | 1,000 |
| MAT 2026 | 2,100 | 2,100 |
Source: Fees are based on the most recently notified structure for each exam and are subject to revision. Always confirm the current fee on the official exam website before making payment. For details on AICTE-approved MBA/PGDM programmes that accept these scores, refer to the AICTE official portal.
Month-Wise MBA Exam Calendar 2026-27
To make this MBA admission timeline easier to plan around, here’s a simplified month-by-month view of when registrations open and exams are conducted.
| Month | Key Activity |
|---|---|
| July – August 2026 | CAT, XAT, NMAT registrations open; ATMA session conducted |
| September 2026 | MAT (PBT & CBT) conducted; CAT registration closes |
| October – November 2026 | NMAT testing window; CAT exam day (Nov 29) |
| December 2026 | SNAP test dates; XAT registration closes |
| January 2027 | XAT exam day; CMAT exam; SNAP result |
| February 2027 | SRCC GBO exam; CMAT result |
| March – May 2027 | State-level exams (TANCET, KMAT Kerala, AP/TS ICET, MAH CET) |
| June 2027 | Karnataka PGCET; state counselling processes begin |
How to Prepare for MBA Entrance Exams 2026-27
Once you’ve mapped out your exam calendar, the next step is building a preparation plan that works backward from your target exam date. A few things that consistently move the needle:
- Start with previous year papers. Solving actual CAT and MBA exam PYQs tells you exactly what difficulty level and question pattern to expect — no guesswork involved. Our detailed breakdown on why PYQs matter for entrance exam prep explains how to use them effectively rather than just solving them once and moving on.
- Take full-length mocks regularly. A test-day simulation under time pressure exposes weak areas that untimed practice never will. CatMock’s structured test series and combo packages are designed around the exact sectional weightage of CAT, XAT, SNAP, and NMAT.
- Build a daily practice habit. Consistency beats last-minute cramming, especially for Quant and Verbal Ability. A short daily practice capsule keeps your fundamentals sharp without burning out.
- Know your exam inside out. Eligibility, pattern, marking scheme, and accepting colleges differ across exams. Our exam details page covers this information for every major MBA entrance test in one place.
Eligibility Criteria for Major MBA Entrance Exams
Eligibility rules differ slightly across exams, and missing a criterion can lead to rejection at the counselling stage even after a good score. Here’s a quick comparison.
| Exam | Minimum Qualification | Minimum Marks | Final-Year Students Eligible? |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAT 2026 | Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university | 50% (45% for reserved categories) | Yes |
| XAT 2027 | Bachelor’s degree in any discipline | No minimum percentage specified | Yes |
| SNAP 2026 | Bachelor’s degree, 3 years minimum | 50% (45% for reserved categories) | Yes |
| CMAT 2027 | Bachelor’s degree in any discipline | No minimum percentage specified | Yes |
| MAH MBA CET 2027 | Bachelor’s degree | 50% (45% for reserved categories) | Yes |
Source: Based on eligibility norms published in each exam’s most recent official notification. Confirm category-wise relaxations on the respective official website, since these are revised periodically.
Note that there is no upper age limit for any of the major national-level MBA entrance exams, and work experience, while not mandatory for eligibility, does carry additional weightage in the selection process at several IIMs and top B-schools.
Common Mistakes Aspirants Make with the MBA Admission Timeline
A surprising number of good candidates lose out not because of preparation gaps, but because of avoidable timeline errors. Watch out for these:
- Tracking only one exam’s calendar. NMAT registration, for instance, opens as early as August and closes well before CAT results are even declared — missing that window means losing an entire exam option for the season.
- Assuming exam dates repeat exactly. While the broad admission exam schedule follows a similar pattern each year, exact dates for XAT, SNAP, and CMAT can shift by a few days, so relying on last year’s dates instead of the current notification is risky.
- Leaving document verification for the last day. Category certificates and mark sheets sometimes need re-issuance or correction, which can take days — start gathering these as soon as registration opens.
- Underestimating state-level exam deadlines. Because MAH CET, TANCET, and similar exams fall later in the cycle (April–June 2027), candidates often deprioritise them and then scramble when the actual registration window opens.
- Not attempting enough mock tests before the real exam. Candidates who rely purely on concept revision without simulated test-day pressure tend to underperform relative to their preparation level. Regular practice through a full-length mock test series closes this gap.
Documents Required for MBA Exam Registration 2026-27
Regardless of which exam you’re registering for, keep the following ready before you start the application:
- Class 10, 12, and graduation mark sheets
- A valid government-issued photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN, or passport)
- Recent passport-size photograph and signature scan (as per each exam’s specifications)
- Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD), if applicable
- Work experience certificate, if you plan to claim work-ex points
- A valid mobile number and email ID for OTP verification and result communication
Summary: MBA Exam Dates 2026-27
- CAT 2026 is on November 29, 2026, with registration open till September 15, 2026.
- XAT 2027 falls on January 3, 2027, with registration closing December 6, 2026.
- SNAP, NMAT, and CMAT run across December 2026 to January 2027, each with multiple attempt windows.
- State-level exams like MAH CET, TANCET, and KMAT Kerala are spread between March and June 2027.
- Notifications for most 2026-27 MBA exams begin rolling out from July 2026 onward, so early tracking prevents last-minute deadline surprises.
FAQs on MBA Exam Dates 2026-27
Q1. What is the full MBA exam dates 2026-27 schedule?
The MBA admission exam calendar for 2026-27 includes CAT on November 29, 2026; XAT on January 3, 2027; NMAT across an October–December 2026 window; SNAP across multiple dates in December 2026; CMAT in January 2027; and state-level exams like MAH CET between April and May 2027.
Q2. Which MBA entrance exam should I prepare for first?
Most aspirants prioritise CAT since it opens doors to IIMs and has the earliest exam date in the cycle. XAT and SNAP follow closely after, so overlapping your CAT and XAT prep from the start is usually more efficient than sequencing them.
Q3. Can I apply for more than one MBA entrance exam in 2026-27?
Yes. Most candidates register for at least two or three exams — commonly CAT plus XAT and/or SNAP — since eligibility criteria and application windows rarely clash.
Q4. When does CAT 2026 registration close?
CAT 2026 registration closes on September 15, 2026, and the exam is scheduled for November 29, 2026.
Q5. Do these MBA exam dates change every year?
No. While the broad pattern (CAT in November, XAT in January, state exams in April–June) repeats each year, exact dates shift slightly. Always confirm through each exam’s official notification rather than relying solely on previous-year dates.
Q6. Where can I find free previous year papers for MBA exams?
You can practise with free CAT and MBA entrance exam PYQs, complete with detailed, step-by-step solutions.
Conclusion
Tracking your MBA entrance exam timeline well in advance is one of the simplest ways to avoid missing a registration deadline or a test date that overlaps with your prep schedule. With CAT anchoring the season in late November, followed closely by XAT, SNAP, NMAT, and CMAT through January, and state-level exams stretching into mid-2027, this is a long admission cycle — plan your months, not just your exam days.
Start early: solve previous year papers, get into a rhythm with daily practice, and take full-length mocks through our test series so exam day feels like just another attempt. Bookmark this page and check back regularly — we’ll keep this exam schedule updated as official notifications are released.
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