The students can formulate an exam strategy based on the MBA colleges they are targeting. The students may align their preparation with these exams and begin their journey. 

Common Admission Test (CAT)

All IIMs and top MBA colleges like MDI Gurgaon and SPJIMR accept the CAT scores. It is conducted for 2 hours, with 40 minutes for each section. 

This exam is a low-scoring exam and is suited for pressure-resilient students. It identifies sharp analytical thinkers who possess fast calculation skills. Students who can use logic and tricks to solve complex questions within time constraints are suited for this exam. The quantitative ability section tests candidates based on questions from geometry, arithmetic and algebra. They must have smart calculation skills, know all formulae and tricks to get the correct answer within less time. The verbal ability section tests the logic and critical reasoning of the candidates. If the students can think logically but do not have a high vocabulary, they can still perform well in this section. 

Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT)

The Xavier Aptitude Test is a unique exam accepted by many top MBA colleges in India, such as XIM Bhubaneshwar, IMT Ghaziabad, Goa Institute of Management, TAPMI and IMI Delhi. It is conducted in 109 cities for MBA aspirants by the Xavier Labour Relations Institute, Jamshedpur (XLRI).  It is a three-hour exam with three sections and no sectional time limit. The students can switch to any section during the exam. The first 170 minutes are allotted for the Verbal ability and Critical Reasoning, Decision making and Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation section. The last ten minutes are allotted for General Knowledge, however, the GK scores are considered only during the interviews. 

This exam aims to find ethical leaders who can balance ethics and profitability in the workplace. It has a unique section called decision-making, which acts as the make-or-break section for this exam. It will present ethical dilemmas to the candidates and those who can take a balanced approach and find a win-win situation for both the employee and employer are best suited for this institute. The quantitative ability section in this exam is considered to be easier than the CAT. To excel in the verbal ability section, the candidates need to have strong critical reasoning and vocabulary. For this exam, hard work plays a greater role than smart work, as there is less pressure. 

Management Aptitude Test (MAT)

The Management Aptitude Test is different from other exams because it can be attempted four times in a year to improve scores. It is conducted four times annually by the All India Management Association (AIMA). The months in which the students can appear for the exam are February, May, September and December. In this way, candidates can perform well anytime they wish without having a ‘one-shot’ pressure. This exam is administered in three modes, the paper-based mode (PBT), the computer-based mode (CBT) and the Internet-based mode. In the internet-based mode, the students can attempt this exam being at home. It is the only exam conducted on a national level that can be attempted while at home. It removes geographical barriers and students from smaller towns can also attempt this exam. 

The exam tests the ability of the students across five sections- the Data Analysis and Sufficiency, the Language comprehension, Intelligence and Critical Reasoning, mathematical ability and the Indian and Global environment that asks questions related to the general knowledge. There is no negative marking in the GK section that encourages risk-free attempts. Since there are five sections, it gives candidates the edge to score very high in the section that is the strongest for them to match college cut-offs. 

Common Management Admission Test (CMAT)

The Common Management Aptitude Test (CMAT) is conducted annually by the National Testing Agency in 107 cities across India. This exam is conducted over 180 minutes with 5 sections and no sectional time limit. The top institutes accepting the CMAT scores are the Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Science (JBIMS), KJ Somaiya Institute of Management and Welingkar Institute of Management. It is a moderately difficult exam as compared to the CAT and the XAT. The registration fee is lower than other exams and also provides a management opportunity to students who do not excel in academics. It opens doors for students from a smaller town or a non-engineering background. The syllabus is balanced over different sections and tests academic aptitude in an intense competition. The CMAT aligns with mid-tier B schools that are affiliated with the AICTE. 

Narsee Monjee Aptitude Test by GMAC (NMAT)

This exam rewards test-taking agility. This is a smart student’s exam conducted over two hours. The exam consists of 108 questions with no penalty for wrong answers.  This exam is accepted by all the campuses of Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, XIM Bhubaneshwar for its MBA in Human Resource Management, K J Somaiya Institute of Management, TAPMI and SDA Bocconi Asia Centre. 

This exam is based on the pattern of GMAT as it is conducted by GMAC. This is an adaptive exam where students can choose the sequence in which they want to attempt the three sections. This exam tests time management skills and has no negative marking. The rule of scoring high in this exam is to not waste time on questions one is not confident about, they must make a guess and move ahead to the next question as questions are displayed on the screen one at a time. This exam has three attempts however, the NMIMS accepts only the score of the first attempt.

The number of tricky questions is lesser as compared to the CAT and XAT. The speed plays a major role and is designed for students who can remain mentally recharged. The NMAT is ideal for students stronger in the Verbal and Logical Reasoning sections than in the quantitative ability sections. 

Common University Entrance Test- Post Graduate (CUET PG)

The CUET PG is a strategic option for MBA aspirants who are not academically strong enough for IIMs but aim to study in public universities. This eliminates the need for multiple university exams, thereby saving time and money. If the scores in CAT/XAT are low, CUET PG opens affordable alternatives for the students. The exam is conducted in May, which gives months to revise all concepts after they have appeared for the CAT and XAT. The top institutes accepting the CUET PG scores for MBA Admissions are colleges of the University of Delhi, TISS for its MBA in Human Resource Management and Labor Relations, Banaras Hindu University and Jamia Millia Islamia. The application fee for this exam is lower than other MBA entrance exams and is conducted in tier 2 and tier 3 cities, making it widely accessible.