Many MBA institutions across India offer admissions for the 2025 academic year without requiring scores from the Common Admission Test (CAT). National-level examinations such as XAT, GMAT, NMAT, and SNAP provide established alternative entry pathways. These options allow candidates to pursue management education through varied selection processes, expanding access beyond CAT-centric admissions.
The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Kozhikode conducted the CAT 2025 exam on November 30 . The examination occurred across three shifts. CAT scores are a primary criterion for admissions to MBA and other postgraduate management programs at IIMs and many other B-schools.
For CAT 2025, 2.58 lakh candidates appeared. This represents 86% of the 2.95 lakh registered eligible candidates. The test was conducted at 339 centers across 170 cities in India, indicating its broad reach and competitive nature.
Alternative MBA Admission Pathways for 2025
Students have multiple routes to secure an MBA admission for the 2025 intake. Many institutions accept scores from management entrance tests other than CAT. Additionally, some colleges utilize their own specific selection criteria or a combination of various exam scores. These pathways cater to candidates who may not have performed optimally in CAT 2025 or who prefer other assessment formats.
The availability of diverse entrance exams broadens the scope for prospective management students. It allows them to apply to institutions aligned with their strengths and preferred examination patterns. Candidates must verify the specific admission requirements for each target institution, as selection processes vary significantly.
Top Institutions and Entrance Exams Beyond CAT
Several prominent business schools across India accept scores from various national and international entrance exams other than CAT 2025. These institutions include both established universities and independent management institutes. The table below lists top colleges and their accepted alternative exams.
| College | Accepted Entrance Exam(s) |
|---|---|
| XLRI Jamshedpur | Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) and sometimes Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) |
| Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM, Pune) | Symbiosis National Aptitude Test (SNAP) |
| NMIMS School of Business Management Mumbai | NMAT by GMAC |
| SP Jain Institute of Management & Research (SPJIMR, Mumbai) | Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) / Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) / Institute’s Own Criteria |
| Indian School of Business (ISB, Hyderabad) | Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) / Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) for its PGP/MBA-equivalent programmes |
| Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS, Mumbai) | Central University Entrance Test – Postgraduate (CUET-PG) |
| Jamnalal Bajaj Institute Of Management Studies (JBIMS) | Maharashtra MBA Common Entrance Test (MAH MBA CET) |
| KIIT School of Management (KSOM) | KIIT Entrance Examination (KIITEE) Management exam |
| Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai | Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT), Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), and other tests |
CAT 2025 Results and Future Admissions
IIM Kozhikode will publish the CAT 2025 answer key on the official website, iimcat.ac.in . This release is expected soon. Candidates can use the answer key to estimate their scores. The official CAT exam results are scheduled for release in the first week of January .
Prospective MBA candidates should research individual college application deadlines and specific entrance exam dates. Each alternative exam has its own schedule and registration process. Timely preparation and application are crucial for securing admission to preferred management programs for 2025.