Top 10 Online MBA Entrance Exams for Banking Aspirants

The Banking Industry is one of the vast and dynamic industries that continues to offer game-changing opportunities in the corporate world, as well as the Investment Banking sector or the Financial Consulting Domain. The need for a good Financial understanding is a must everywhere. Getting admission in an online MBA in Banking and Finance is the first step in building your dreams as a successful Investment Banker or a Risk Analyst or a Financial Anlyst opr any of the jobs in financial niche.

But getting into one of these Online MBA programs of reputed institutes like IIMs, XLRI is not a cakewalk. Cracking the entrance exams is the key. Although, if you are comfortable with getting into any of the 2-tier MBA colleges, then you can simply apply to any of the online universities and colleges like Amity Online University, Chandigarh Online University, Jain Online University, Shoolini Online University,Symbiosis, and NMIMS etc. 

Top Online MBA Colleges without Entrance Exams
NMIMS Online MBA	Amity Online MBA
Manipal Online MBA	Amrita University Online
DY Patil University Online	Sikkim Manipal University Online
LPU Online	UPES Online
Jain University Online	Parul University Online
Chandigarh University Online	SRM University Online - Sikkim

An Online MBA in Banking and Finance, Banking Financial Services and Insurance, Finance and Accounting, and several other related banking specializations are an add on to your career growth. These online programs give you a benefit to prepare for any government banking exam while still upgrading your studies without any break. If a learner has an acumen for how the transfers are done, accounts managed and other financial decisions are taken within any industry, then the online MBA in Banking and Finance is the key to your goals.

Numerous popular online MBA entrance tests can be attempted by any Banking Aspirant. Here, providing a small glimpse into each of these entrance exams:

1) Common Admission Test (CAT) - India

The Common Admission Test is one of the most general and most prestigious MBA entrance exams, for admission within various universities across India. The conducting body is the Indian Institute of Management (IIMs) and admission is taken in the IIMs as well as several other recognised universities and business schools over India. It is the toughest entrance exam for MBA, but also offers a gateway to several business schools offering MBA in Banking and Finance Technologies.

Exam Pattern

CAT examines a student on the various aspects such as:

• Data Interpretation (DI) and Logical Reasoning (LR) 
• Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
• Verbal Aptitude (VA) and Reading Comprehension (RC) 

Exam Section	Duration	Number of Questions	Credit
DILR	1 hour	32	33.30%
QA	1 hour	34	33.30%
VARC	1 hour	34	33.30%

How to Prepare?

• Prioritise Time Management, CAT is a game of managing time and scoring well.
• Regular practice of mock tests, to improve speed and accuracy.
• Focus more on Reading Comprehension, as long comprehension is common, so practice would elevate the speed.
• Improve your Verbal Ability, QA, and LR through the test papers and previous year mocks.

2) Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) - Global

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is considered the gold standard MBA entrance exam for getting admission into global business schools. Many of the top institutes in the U.S., Asia, and Europe, offering MBA programs accept the GMAT score. It is best for the students aiming for the globally-ranked online MBA in the Banking and Finance Specialization.

Exam Pattern

A GMAT exam consists of a total of 64 questions in three sections, each having equal weightage. There’s also an optional 10-minute break during the exam:

• Quantitative Reasoning (QR)
• Data Insights (DI)
• Verbal Reasoning (VR)

Exam Section	Duration	Number of Questions
QR	45 mins	21
DI	45 mins	20
VR	45 mins	23

How to Prepare?

• Always set a target score to achieve.
• Allocate each section equal time giving a realistic mock environment preparation.
• Practice Regularly with timed question sets and lengthy practice papers.

3) Management Aptitude Test (MAT) - India

Management Aptitude Test (MAT) is a widely known entrance exam for various B-schools of India. Even Universities/college offering Online MBA programs in Banking and Finance also take up this test. It is conducted by the All India Management Association (AIMA) and is less complicated than CAT. 

Exam Pattern

It consists of 200 questions from the following sections:

• Mathematical Skills (MS)
• Language comprehension (LC)
• Intelligence and Critical Reasoning (ICR)
• Data Analysis and Sufficiency (DAS)
• Indian and Global Environment (IGE)

Each of the sections has equal weightage towards the total score.

Exam Section	Duration	No.of Questions
MS	40 mins	40
LC	40 mins	40
ICR	40	40
DAS	40	40
IGE	30 mins	40

How to Prepare?

• Take the mock tests regularly to build a familiarity with the exam format.
• Revise the basic concepts of Mathematics, Language, and Logical Reasoning.
• Read the Current affairs, listen, and read news for the preparation of IGE.

4) Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) - India

The Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) is one of the eminent entrance exams, for aspirants of Banking and Finance. XAT is taken by the Xavier School of Management (XLRI) and is readily accepted by the top 250+ B schools in India. Analytical and Problem-solving skills are the main aspects of this test. 

Exam Pattern

It is a computer-based examination consisting of 99 questions distributed across four sections:

• Quantitative Aptitude (QA) and Data Interpretation (DI)
• Decision Making (DM)
• Verbal and Logical Ability (VLA)
• General Knowledge (GK)

Section	Duration	No. of Questions	Credit
QA DI	75 mins	27	25%
DM	35 mins	21	25%
VLA	90 mins	26	25%
GK	15 mins	25	25%

How to Prepare?

• Decision Making and Logical Ability are the scoring sections, so focus more on these.
• Practice previous year exam questions and give more and more mock tests to familiarize with the exam pattern and questions.
• Improve your GK through reading and listening the online resources, newspapers and magazines.

5) Common Management Aptitude Test (CMAT) - India

Common Management Aptitude Test (CMAT) is a popular entrance exam for MBA aspirants in India. The National Testing Agency (NTA) is the conducting body for this exam. It is one of the largest MBA entrance exams as a gateway to the huge number of MBA programs in Banking and Finance.

Exam Pattern 

CMAT exam consists of 100 questions distributed over 4 sections:

• Quantitative Aptitude (QA) and Data Interpretation (DI)
• Language Comprehension (LC)
• Logical Reasoning (LR)
• General Awareness (GA)

Section	Duration	No. of Questions	Credit
QA DI	1 hour	25	25%
LC	30 mins	25	25%
LR	30 mins	25	25%
GA	30 mins	25	25%

How to Prepare?

• The Quantitative and Logical Ability sections are the scoring sections, so one must focus on the speed and accuracy in them.
• Practice previous year's exam papers and give mock tests regularly to get familiarized with the exam pattern and question type.
• Read newspaper articles and magazines daily to improve your general awareness section.

6) Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) was traditionally seen as an entry to the MS programs but is now accepted by the top Business schools of India. It is sometimes also considered as a good alternative to the GMAT exam. It is administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). It is generally taken up to 5 times in a one-year period. It is ideal for a dual degree program in an online MBA program, with the flexibility of the program. 

The exam can be taken in the online mode or the offline mode. 

Exam Pattern

The new GRE General Test Pattern consists of 27 questions distributed across the three sections:

• Verbal Reasoning  (2 sections)
• Quantitative Reasoning (2 sections)
• Analytical Writing 

The Analytical Writing section has one essay writing. The total duration of the exam is 1 hour 58 minutes.

Section	No. of Questions	Duration
Verbal Reasoning	Section 1: 12 questions Section 2: 15 questions	Section 1: 18 mins Section 2: 23 mins
Quantitative Reasoning	Section 1: 12 questions Section 2: 15 questions	Section 1: 21 mins Section 2: 26 mins
Analytical Writing	1 essay	30 mins

How to Prepare?

• Visit the ETS website to get the resources to help you prepare for GRE exam.  
• Take the full length practice tests to help you familiarize with the exam format of GRE.
• Create a realistic study plan to build a sense of doing all the questions in a real environment.
• Take the essay practice seriously. Practice writing one essay daily.

7) NMAT by GMAC - India

NMAT/NMIMS Management Aptitude Test is conducted by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). The scores of this test are accepted by the premier institutes of India. It is one of the most learner-friendly exams and lets you select the dates and give at least 3 attempts to improve your score. This exam has no negative marking scheme, with 3 marks for each correct response and every section has equal credit. Even the scorecards are available within 48 hours.

Exam Pattern

The NMAT exam has 108 questions to be answered in 120 minutes, they are distributed across the three sections:

• Quantitative Skills
• Language Skills
• Logical Reasoning

Section	Duration	No. of Questions
Quantitative Skills	52 mins	36
Language Skills	28 mins	36
Logical Reasoning	40 mins	36

How to Prepare?

• Understand the NMAT format and familiarize yourself with the exam structure and syllabus.
• Improve your fundamentals in Mathematics, English Grammar, and Reasoning.
• Stay motivated and take breaks while you practice for the mock tests. Focus on time management.

8) CUET PG (Central Universities, India)

Common University Entrance Test (CUET) is the newly started entrance exam started by the Ministry of Education (MoE) to enroll candidates in various state and central universities across India. Now, several central universities offer the affordable online MBA courses in Banking and Finance. The courses are cost effective and UGC-approved. Each correct response contains 4 marks and 1 marks deducted for each incorrect response. The exam is conducted online in a computer based environment.

Exam Pattern

Exam consists of two sections:

• General Aptitude
• Domain-Specific Knowledge

There would be total 100 questions, 75 in Domain-Specific Knowledge and 25 in General Aptitude. Total time limit of the exam is 90 mins.

How to Prepare?

• Revise the basic concepts regularly and take short breaks to make notes.
• Develop monthly, quarterly and daily timetable to give sufficient time for the practice.
• Practice more of the General Aptitude, and go through the subject-knowledge section thoroughly.

9) Symbiosis National Aptitude Test (SNAP)

Symbiosis National Aptitude Test is the gateway to the Symbiosis Institute to pursue an online MBA in Banking and Finance. The exam mode is completely online. Each correct response earns you 1 mark and 0.25 marks are deducted for the incorrect one. 

Exam Pattern

The exam will feature 60 MCQs (multiple choice questions) to be completed within 60 minutes. There will be three sections:

• General English: 15 questions
• Analytical & Logical Reasoning: 25 questions
• Quantative, Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency: 20 questions

How to Prepare?

• Find the genuine full length mock test, to understand the quantitative, General English, and Analytical & Logical Reasoning questions.
• Establish a good study agenda for preparing for the test.
• Focus on the sections that you find difficult to attempt.

10) State-Level Exams

    Various states of India organize their separate entrance exams for getting an MBA in Banking and Finance in their respective colleges of the state. Each of these exams has a distinct pattern and tests the candidate on the skills of quantitative aptitude, verbal reasoning, logical reasoning, and general awareness. Some of the famous state-level exams for MBA entrance are:

• TS ICET (Telangana)
• KMAT (Karnataka)
• TANCET (Tamil Nadu)
• APICET (Andhra Pradesh)
• MAH CET (Maharashtra)

Upcoming MBA Entrance Exams

The exam season is here so there will be N number of entrance exams scheduled for the coming months, for the students interested in taking them. Some of the upcoming MBA exams are mentioned below, with their tentative dates. Interested candidates must visit the official sites to get :

Name of Exam	Date
CMAT 2025	April 23, 2025 (tentative)
GMAT 2025	Available whole year (candidate can select preferred date)
NMAT 2025	Nov 5 to Dec 20, 2025 (tentative)
SNAP 2025	Dec 7, 13, and 21, 2025
XAT 2025	Registrations start in November 2025 Jan 5, 2026 (tentative test date)