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Top 10 GMAT Accepting Business Schools for MBA in 2025
Aditi Bhardwaj Jun 5, 2025 1K Reads
India has many top B-schools that are considered among the best in the world for MBA programs, and which use scores from any of the standardized examinations. The GMAT is a worldwide exam for access to some of the top management institutions in India's top tier and is widely accepted. First, this section will identify the top 10 best colleges in India that accept GMAT scores for MBA or equivalent programs.
These institutions also provide a good balance between global exposure, industry-oriented curriculum, academic quality, and return on investment. If you are looking for admission for management studies through an Indian college, knowing which schools accept GMAT scores will help you to focus your application style where it needs to align the most for you.
What is the required GMAT Score for MBA Colleges?
The GMAT score will determine the primary eligibility and respective competitiveness for admission in premier MBA programs in India. The score expectations vary college by college, depending on the college's prestige, individual college MBA program specifications, and the overall applicant pool. Generally, if you have a score of approximately. 650 and above, that should be generally good enough. However, top B-schools have score expectations of 700 or more.
This section of the report outlined the accepted average and minimum GMAT scores of the MBA colleges studied. Moreover, it can be helpful to understand the score expectations in context to give you the best understanding of realistic aims and improve your chances of admission.
Top 10 colleges accepting GMAT scores in India
The list of the Top 10 Colleges Accepting GMAT Scores in India is suitable for Indian and foreign candidates looking for MBA or other management-related programs:
|
Rank |
College/Institute Name |
Location |
Program(s) Offered via GMAT |
Average GMAT Score (Approx.) |
Notable Features |
|
1 |
Indian School of Business (ISB) |
Hyderabad & Mohali |
PGP, PGPpro, PGPMAX |
700+ |
World-ranked, strong alumni network |
|
2 |
Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) |
Ahmedabad |
PGPX (One-Year MBA for Executives) |
690–710 |
Premier B-school with global recognition |
|
3 |
Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) |
Bangalore |
EPGP (Executive MBA) |
680–710 |
AMBA, EQUIS accredited |
|
4 |
Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIMC) |
Kolkata |
MBAEx (One-Year MBA) |
690–700 |
Ivy League of Indian B-schools |
|
5 |
SP Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR) |
Mumbai |
PGPM, GMP |
650–700 |
Strong international tie-ups |
|
6 |
XLRI – Xavier School of Management |
Jamshedpur |
GMP (Global MBA), Fellow Programs |
650–700 |
Jesuit institute with global exposure |
|
7 |
IMT Ghaziabad |
Ghaziabad |
PGDM (Executive), PGDM DCP |
600+ |
Strong corporate linkage |
|
8 |
XLRI Institute of Management |
Chennai & Gurgaon |
PGPM, PGXPM |
600–680 |
AACSB-accredited, corporate-focused |
|
9 |
Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) |
Delhi & Kolkata |
MBA (International Business) – Executive |
650–700 |
Focus on international trade |
|
10 |
T.A. Pai Management Institute (TAPMI) |
Manipal |
MBA (General, BKFS, HR, Marketing) |
600–680 |
AACSB-accredited, rising reputation |
Key Notes
- Work Experience: At most, programs need preferably 3–5+ years of work experience, with emphasis on one-year MBAs.
- Application Window: This tends to vary between August and March, depending on the institute, hence the recommendation that the GMAT score should be submitted early.
- International Recognition: Institutes such as ISB, IIMs (A, B, C), and XLRI are ranked worldwide and boast of strong ROI.
Why Choose GMAT for Indian B-Schools?
- Global acceptability: Ideally, for candidates planning to attend Indian and international business schools.
- Profile-based admissions: GMAT allows for a holistic profile evaluation—work ex., academics, essays, and more
- Rolling admissions: Most colleges accept rolling admissions, particularly for the executive and global MBA programs.
How to Apply?
Here is the list of the steps students are required to follow for the admission process are mentioned below:
- Register to take the GMAT Exam
- Shortlist GMAT-accepting B-Schools in India
- Check for eligibility and admissions requirements
- Prepare application documents (resume, essays, LORs, transcripts, etc.)
- Fill in the online application form on each college's official website
- Pay the application fees and apply before the deadline
- Interview rounds (PI, WAT, GD) follow if applicable
- Receive the admission offer and confirm the seat
- Pay the admission fees and enroll
Alternative options for the GMAT Exam
If you want an alternative option besides taking the GMAT Exam, to applying to an online MBA program. Students could also apply to online colleges that offer a recognized MBA program, as well as a traditional MBA degree, with various specializations. Here is the list of the online colleges offering the online MBA program:
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Top Online MBA Universities |
Online MBA (Specialization) |
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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Many top colleges, such as ISB, IIMs (for executive programs), SPJIMR, and XLRI, do accept GMAT scores.
A few colleges like SPJIMR and XLRI accept the GMAT for their full-time MBA/PGDM programs, but most IIMs accept it primarily for executive MBA or international applicants.
A score of around 650-750 is deemed competitive for MBA colleges in India, depending on the college and the program.
Yes, GMAT is accepted for IIM executive programmes, and it is also accepted by international applicants for some IIM full-time MBA programmes.
Work experience is usually required for many of the programmes, especially executive MBAs. Full-time MBAs vary from college to college.
At the test center, you may select up to five programs and have your scores sent at no charge to those programs.
Yes, international students can apply using GMAT scores and often have a separate application process or deadline.
5 Years of Experience / Storyteller / Research-driven Writer
As an MBA graduate, my journey took a surprising turn from the corporate world to the creative field of writing. After years of working in strategic planning and marketing, I discovered my passion for expressing ideas through words. This shift to writing wasn't easy, but I began by writing articles and blogs, using my business knowledge to create engaging content. My background in business allows
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