MBA Admissions 2021: Registration (Open), Top 100 B-Schools, Exams Accepted, Dates, Cutoff

CAT official notification is released which states CAT 2020 to be held on November 29, 2020. Students aspiring to pursue MBA or PGDM from the IIMs or the top MBA colleges in India need to keep a note of the minute details regarding application and exam dates, admission process and many more.

MBA admission 2021 is expected to arrive with a whole new set of updates and improvisations. This makes keeping an eye on MBA Admission 2021 details all the more important. Likewise, MBA Application form fee may range between INR 1500-2500.

Check: Top MBA Colleges in India

As per academicians, only choosing the right B-School can give that edge to a career path even after a candidate scores 99% in CAT.

MBA Admission 2021: Entrance Exams Schedule

Here’s a detailed timeline of the admission processes and guidelines regarding MBA programs in 2020:

MBA Admission 2021: Entry through National-level Entrance Exams 

1. CAT 2020

Common Admission Test (CAT) is a computer-based admission test for admissions to MBA colleges in India. Administered by the IIMs, CAT 2020 scores will e accepted by top 500 MBA colleges in India. 

Tabulated below are the details regarding cut-offs and applications for top MBA colleges in India: 

Top MBA Colleges accepting CAT Scores: Check Cut Off, Application Dates

The most interesting aspect of securing a good score in CAT is that aspirants need not fill the additional form for admission to IIMs. CAT registration form is itself an application to the top 20 IIMs. moreover, students do not have to pay an additional fee or charges for application to IIms.

The process for CAT 2020 application is open from August 5 and is scheduled to end by September 16, 2020.

Check all CAT 2020 details and admission policy before registering.

Details mentioned below are the specific cut-offs and application dates of top MBA colleges accepting CAT scores of 2020:

2. XLRI XAT 2021

XLRI is among top 5 B-Schools in India mostly placed just after IIM-A, IIM-B and IIM-C. In fact, recently NIRF Ranking 2020 has awarded 9th position to the institute. 

As of now, XLRI has scheduled XAT 2021 for January 2021. Through XAT 2021 applicants can seek admissions in 150 other MBA colleges in India accepting XAT scores. 

Check cutoffs and application dates for XLRI XAT 2021 tabulated below:

3. MAT 2020-2021

Management Aptitude Test (MAT) is the most popular MBA entrance exam in India. AIMA, the authoritative body will conduct MAT in December 2020 and in February and May of 2021. 

Stated below are the top management colleges in India accepting MAT scores:

Note for applicants: Popular and top MBA colleges like SPJIMR, IMT, INI and MDI do not accept MAT scores. 

Apart from MAT, CMAT is another popular entrance exam conducted by AICTE every year. CMAT scores are accepted by a host of colleges with the likes of XLRI, IIFT, TISS, NMIMS, and Symbiosis University B-schools.

4. SNAP 2020

Symbiosis International University (SIU), Pune conducts SNAP for MBA admissions to 16 of its institutes. Students have to submit separate applications along with SNAP 2020 application form with an additional charge. 

5. NMAT by GMAC

NMAT is an MBA entrance exam for admissions to NMIMS University. NMAT is conducted by global body GMAC, which also conducts worldwide MBA entrance exam, GMAT. 

Mentioned below are the colleges accepting NMAT scores, cut-offs and application dates:

In addition to these, NMAT scores are accepted for specialised programs at SPJIMR Mumbai, TAPMI Manipal, ISB, IFIM Bangalore and XUB. 

MBA Admission 2021: Entry through State-Level Entrance Exams 

Among the many state-level entrance exams for MBA admissions, MAH-CET is one of the noteworthy exams for admission to JBIMS, Mumbai. 

MAH-MBA-CET 2021: Application & Exam Dates and other Details 

MAH CET 2021 is scheduled for March 2021. The exam conducted by DTE Maharashtra will provide entry into MMS/MBA/PGDM programs in MBA Colleges of Maharashtra. 

• Colleges accepting MAH CET 2021 scores: JBMIMS Mumbai, SIMSREE Mumbai, PUMBA Pune, K J Somaiya Mumbai and 300+ other MBA colleges in Maharashtra

• Application dates: June - July 2021
• Admission dates: Mid-January 2021 to last week of February 2021

MBA Admission 2021: Top MBA College Entrance Exams 

1. TISS MBA 2021

Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai is a dream institute for students aspiring to pursue an MBA in Human Resource Management. 

• Exam Date: TISSNET 2021 will be held on January 9, 2021, by TISS in its Mumbai campus. 

• Application Dates: October 15 -November 30, 2020
• Cut Off: Varies with programs and campus. 

2. IIFT MBA Admission 2021

Considered one among the top 15 B-Schools in India, IIFT Delhi will conduct entrance exam for Indian Institute of Foreign Trade MBA (IB) Admission 2021 across two campuses Delhi and Kolkata. A single exam is common to both campuses. 

As a fact, students will not require applying separately for two campuses. By default, applicants will be considered for admission into any of the two campuses.

• Application dates: September 9 -October 25, 2020
• Cut off: 95 Percentile for Delhi campus; 92 percentile for Kolkata campus

3. IBSAT 2020: ICFAI B-School Admission 2021

IBSAT is a computer-based entrance exam for MBA admissions in 9 ICFAI Business Schools in India. Conducted by ICFAI Foundation, IBSAT offers admission to IBS Hyderabad one of the top 30 B-Schools in India. 

• Exam date: December 26 & 27, 2020

• Application date: July 1, 2020 - December 16, 2020
• Cutoff: Ranges from 65-80 percentile across 9 ICFAI B-schools

New Admissions Updates 2020: Top B-Schools of India

Many of the top B-Schools like XLRI, IIMs, SPJIMR, MDI etc. have closed their Application processes. Latest Updates on application status, fees, and start dates of batches are tabulated below:

List of Top MBA Colleges: Applications Ongoing, Apply Now, Last Dates

Tabulated below are the list of top B-Schools in India where application to MBA programs in 2020 are still ongoing:

Admissions for MBA: How to Apply

Application process for MBA colleges is not complicated in case all the guidelines are clearly understood and followed. The steps for application are stated below:

1. Submit application for admissions
2. Score well in recognised entrance exams for MBA: CAT, XAT, or MAT
3. After being shortlisted appear in WAT (Written Aptitude Tests), Group Discussions (GD), PI( Personal Interview)
4. Accept admission offer after final selection.

Admissions for MBA: A Step-wise Guide

Below is a step-by-step guide to follow for MBA applications:

Check the Eligibility Criteria for MBA

• Minimum score of 50% (aggregate) in graduation from a recognised college in India 
• There is no age limit as of now, so final year students can also apply.

Check all the Prerequisites for MBA Entrance Examinations

• Appear in entrance examinations, applicable for admission in an MBA college
• Entrance exams for MBA Admission: CAT, XAT, MAT, NMAT, SNAP
• MBA entrance exams accepted by institutes: 
  • CAT: 20 IIMs
  • XAT: XLRI
  • SNAP: 16 Symbiosis Institutes
  • NMAT: NMIMS
  • MAT
  • CMAT

Shortlisting and WAT-PI/GD

Specific criteria for shortlisting is subject to change with varying colleges on the basis of academic records, diversity in previous work experience and scores of entrance exams

• For IIMs, meeting the sectional cut-offs is mandatory for being shortlisted
• Top MBA colleges actually require scores to surpass the cutoffs for ensured shortlisting

Final Selection 

Shortlisted candidates are invited to take part in the final selection procedure that includes WAT, PI and GD in certain cases.

• IIMs conduct WAT(Written Ability Test) and PI (Personal Interview) for final selections
• In certain IIMs GD( Group Discussions) are also conducted

Accept Admission Offers and Pay Fee

• Receive and accept admission offer
• Make payments admission acceptance fee within the scheduled date 

Admission Criteria: Top Business Colleges

Top MBA colleges follow a pattern for the entire selection process. The shortlisting process is based on scores obtained by students in MBA entrance exams accepted by an institute. Followed by Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD) and PI (Personal Interview). 

Tabulated below are the details regarding admission process followed by Top B-Schools in India:

Top 10 Cues: Make or Break MBA Admissions

Listed below are 10 most vital aspects of MBA colleges that you need to explore before applying for admission:

Check eligibility criteria

Different MBA colleges have different eligibility criteria for admission, regarding entrance exams accepted and scores required. For instance, IIMs accept CAT scores whereas Symbiosis requires SNAP scores. Thus, the exams students take decide their eligibility for admission in a particular B-school. 

Select the type of Program: MBA vs PGDM

There are many top B-Schools in India offering either MBA or PGDM courses. FMS Delhi, XLRI and Symbiosis Pune offer PGDM courses whereas recent IIM Act suggests IIMs will provide MBA courses. Hence, before applying students need to check the type of degrees offered by the institute of their choice.

Calculate tuition fee

Tuition fee for MBA in India may range between 2 lakhs and 25 lakhs. The tuition fees are relatively low, however additional charges make up to the quantum of program fees. In such cases, students have to check the entire program fee, followed by the fee breakdown before applying for admission.

Check rankings and accreditations of universities

Some of the credible ranking systems are NIRF Rankings by Government of India and Business Today Rankings. Students can look for MBA colleges based on their rankings through these systems to decide upon. 

Check faculty based on the chosen specialisation

Faculty is the core of an MBA program. The pedagogical effectiveness of a university is carried forward by the faculty itself. So, before applying brush through the faculty profile to ensure they have impactful experience in the chosen specialisation. 

Choose from a preferred set of cities or top universities

The fact that MBA is a professional course, its credibility lies in upscaling employability. This means, the chosen MBA college needs to be in a bustling pro-business city or industrial hub. This collaterally affects employability and increases job opportunities by four-folds.

Check for Alumni History

Older the management institute, wider is its alumni base. Developing a network with alumni of a B-school helps in gaining insights, ultimately adding to career growth.

Evaluate infrastructure and facilities 

Good ambience is one of the chief factors that helps create a milieu for students and adds to a great learning experience. For that the infrastructure pertaining to classrooms, auditoriums, libraries, healthcare facilities need to be prim and proper.