MBA‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ Admissions 2026: Not Just CAT, Check Out the Deadlines for MAT, CMAT, SNAP, XAT

Certainly, with CAT 2025 scheduled for November 30, thousands of candidates are on the edge of their seats preparing for the largest management entrance test in the country. On the other hand, a one time exam might be a bit risky, especially when a couple of other reputable nationwide entrance tests are offering you almost equal opportunities for a decent MBA and PGDM colleges.

If you want to make use of every possible way to get into a college, here are the details of those exams that are still open for registration along with their last dates, formats and schedules.

MAT (Management Aptitude Test)

MAT, held by AIMA, is a prominent management entrance test after CAT, with more than 600 institutions accepting its results. For the December session, there is also a provision for the offline and online mode, hence the test can be given by the last-minute test-takers quite comfortably.

MAT December 2025 Schedule

Register: mat.aima.in

MAT can be a very good exam for students who wish for another chance after CAT but do not want to disturb their admission timeline.

CMAT (Common Management Admission Test)

CMAT run by NTA is an entry test for AICTE-approved colleges plus a good number of universities in India. It is held only once annually and assesses the same four groups of subjects such as general aptitude, logical reasoning, language skills and business awareness.

• CMAT 2026 application closes on: 17th November 2025
• Official site: cmat.nta.nic.in
• Test period: January (first week), 2026 (tentative)

In case you are firm on Tier-1/Tier-2 choices outside the IIM system, CMAT would still be something to register for.

Click here to know in detail about the CMAT Exam Pattern 2026 and its Paper Structure & Marking Scheme

SNAP (Symbiosis National Aptitude Test)

SNAP is a short, 60-minute examination held by Symbiosis International University and is a must for the admission of institutes such as SIBM Pune and SCMHRD.

Important Dates

• Registration Deadline: November 20, 2025

Test dates:

• November 28
• December 8
• December 15

Website: snaptest.org

The most distinguishing feature: It is possible to take the test three times and Symbiosis will use your highest score.

Click here to know in detail about the SNAP 2025 Registration and Important Dates, Exam Highlights, Process & Fees

XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test)

XAT, held by XLRI Jamshedpur, is famous for its Decision Making section and slightly elaborated analytic part. More than 150 business schools across the country accept XAT results, including a few top non-IIM institutes.

• Last date for application: December 5, 2025
• Exam date: January 4, 2026
• Website: xatonline.in

If a candidate is looking for a final opportunity at the top elite institutes immediately after the CAT/SNAP is over, then XAT would be just right for him.

XAT Exam Syllabus 2026, Section-Wise Topics & Pattern

Note: Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Basket

Certainly, CAT is the centre of attraction but those students who also appear for other management entrance tests — MAT, CMAT, SNAP, XAT — are the ones who have a better chance of admission to world-class management programmes.

Every test has its level of difficulty and network of acceptors, so the clever ones in the field of management usually register for at least two or three, thus enabling them to have multiple admission options at their ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌disposal.