Best MBA Colleges Without CAT Exam in India – Top Picks with Exams & Fees

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Himanshu
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No CAT? No Problem! Best 10 MBA Colleges in India You Can Still Get Into

Looking to pursue an MBA in India but don’t want to appear for CAT? You’re not alone — many top-tier MBA colleges in India offer admissions through alternative entrance exams like XAT, NMAT, SNAP, GMAT, GRE, or even direct admission routes. Whether you’re a working professional, career switcher, or fresh graduate looking for flexibility, there are credible and reputed B-Schools that do not require CAT for admission.

In this detailed guide, we cover the Top 10 MBA Institutes in India that accept students without CAT scores — including their admission criteria, accepted exams, course fees, reputation, and placement track records.

From the globally reputed XLRI Jamshedpur and SP Jain Global, to popular private institutes like NMIMS Mumbai, Symbiosis (SIBM Pune), and Great Lakes, you’ll find plenty of excellent options to build your management career. These institutes are trusted by recruiters from Deloitte, Amazon, HDFC, EY, Infosys, KPMG, and more — offering you the exposure and return on investment you’re looking for.

✅ Whether you want to study full-time, pursue a one-year PGPM, or prefer an international MBA experience, this list will help you explore the best MBA colleges in India without CAT — along with helpful insights on their fee structure, campus location, cutoffs, and history.

💼 Don’t let the CAT limit your aspirations — start your management journey through other recognized paths and build a successful future.

Top 10 MBA institutes in India where you can get admission without a CAT score

1. XLRI – Xavier School of Management, Jamshedpur

One of India’s oldest and most prestigious business schools, XLRI offers flagship programs like PGDM in Business Management and Human Resource Management. Admission is through the XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) or GMAT. The average XAT cutoff is quite high, often above the 99 percentile. Fees for the two-year MBA program are around ₹23–25 lakhs. XLRI has a strong placement record with average packages crossing ₹30 LPA.

2. NMIMS – Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai

A top-ranked private university, NMIMS accepts NMAT scores instead of CAT. The NMAT allows multiple attempts, and a competitive score of 230+ is usually needed for the Mumbai campus. The full-time MBA costs approximately ₹23 lakhs, with total expenses (including living) nearing ₹30 lakhs. NMIMS offers excellent placements, with top recruiters from BFSI, consulting, and tech sectors.

3. SIBM – Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Pune

SIBM Pune is a flagship institute under Symbiosis International University. It admits students through the SNAP exam. A high SNAP percentile (typically 98 or more) is required for admission. Fees for the two-year MBA are about ₹20–22 lakhs. The institute has strong industry connections and consistently good placement outcomes with reputed companies like Amazon, KPMG, and Wipro.

4. SP Jain School of Global Management

This is a globally reputed B-school with campuses in Mumbai, Dubai, Singapore, and Sydney. SP Jain accepts GMAT, GRE, or its own SPJAT exam. The MBA program has international exposure and high-end corporate collaborations. The fee is on the higher side, ranging between ₹35–40 lakhs. Graduates often receive global placements with attractive salary packages.

5. Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai

Great Lakes offers a one-year PGPM and a two-year PGDM program. It accepts scores from GMAT, XAT, CMAT, and NMAT. The average fee is around ₹16–18 lakhs. The school is known for its focus on analytics, AI, and digital transformation. Great Lakes has a solid placement track record with mid-to-senior level corporate roles.

6. IMT Ghaziabad (Institute of Management Technology)

IMT is a well-established private B-school that accepts GMAT, XAT, and also considers direct admissions for certain seats. Fees are approximately ₹18–20 lakhs. It is known for its marketing and finance programs and has decent placements with companies in FMCG, BFSI, and consulting domains.

7. IMI New Delhi / IMI Kolkata

International Management Institute offers MBA programs with admissions through GMAT, XAT, or their own selection process. The fee structure ranges from ₹20–22 lakhs. IMI Delhi, in particular, has an excellent reputation for academic rigor and decent ROI. Both campuses have a growing placement ecosystem.

8. IBS Hyderabad (ICFAI Business School)

IBS Hyderabad is part of the ICFAI Foundation and is known for its large batch size and modern curriculum. It conducts its own entrance exam called IBSAT. Alternatively, it accepts GMAT, NMAT, or CAT. The fee is around ₹14–16 lakhs. Placements are decent, with a wide recruiter base including Deloitte, TCS, and HDFC.

9. TAPMI – T.A. Pai Management Institute, Manipal

TAPMI is a reputed institution in South India offering PGDM programs. It accepts GMAT, XAT, and NMAT scores. The cutoff is generally in the 90+ percentile range. Fees are in the range of ₹17–19 lakhs. TAPMI has a good placement record and is well-regarded in domains like finance, HR, and operations.

10. Amrita School of Business (Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham)

With campuses in Coimbatore, Kochi, and Bengaluru, Amrita School of Business offers MBA programs with admission through their own test, MAT, or direct routes. The fee is comparatively affordable, around ₹10–12 lakhs. Placement records are improving each year, and the school has international collaborations for academic exchange.

🎯 How to Target Top MBA Institutes in India Without CAT (Complete Guide)

📌 Step 1: Choose Your Target Colleges & Know Their Entrance Exam

Each institute accepts different entrance tests. Here’s a breakdown of the common ones:

ExamInstitutes That Accept
XATXLRI, IMT, Great Lakes, TAPMI
NMATNMIMS, KJ Somaiya, XIMB, TAPMI
SNAPSIBM Pune, SCMHRD, SIIB, other Symbiosis colleges
GMAT / GREISB, SP Jain Global, Great Lakes, IMI
IBSATIBS Hyderabad and other IBS campuses
Own Entrance TestsSPJAT (SP Jain), IBSAT, Amity, ISBF

📖 Tip: Target 2–3 exams based on the institutes you want to apply for.

📝 Step 2: Understand the Eligibility Criteria

  • Educational Qualification: Minimum 50% in graduation (some require 60%)
  • Final Year Students: Most colleges allow provisional admission
  • Work Experience: Some programs (like ISB, Great Lakes PGPM) prefer or require 2+ years

📅 Step 3: Track Important Dates & Deadlines (2025–2026 Admissions)

ExamRegistration OpensExam MonthResult
XAT 2025August 2024Jan 2025Late Jan 2025
NMAT 2024Aug 2024Oct–Dec 2024Rolling basis
SNAP 2024Aug–Sep 2024Dec 2024Jan 2025
GMAT/GREYear-roundFlexibleInstant (GMAT)
IBSAT 2024July 2024Dec 2024Jan 2025

🎯 Pro tip: Create a calendar and set alerts for each exam and institute application date.

📚 Step 4: Preparation Strategy for Entrance Exams

For XAT / SNAP / NMAT:

  • Quantitative Ability: Practice basic arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and DI
  • Logical Reasoning: Puzzles, seating arrangements, data sufficiency
  • Verbal Ability: RCs, grammar, vocab, critical reasoning
  • Decision Making (XAT only): Practice case-based ethical scenarios
  • Mock Tests: Start at least 3–4 months before the exam

For GMAT / GRE:

  • GMAT: Focus on Data Sufficiency, Sentence Correction, and Integrated Reasoning
  • GRE: More emphasis on vocabulary and reading comprehension

🧠 Recommended books:

  • Arun Sharma (Quant and LR)
  • Manhattan / Official Guides for GMAT/GRE
  • Word Power Made Easy (for vocab)

🧾 Step 5: Application Process

Once exams are cleared, follow these steps:

  1. Register on institute websites (individually) — even if you’ve already taken the entrance test
  2. Fill in academic, personal, and work experience details
  3. Upload documents (photo, ID proof, certificates, SOPs, etc.)
  4. Pay application fees
  5. Appear for WAT-GD-PI rounds (Writing Ability Test, Group Discussion, and Personal Interview)

💡 Tips to Strengthen Your Profile

  • Work Experience: Highlight leadership or impact-based roles
  • Certifications: Add industry-relevant courses (Excel, finance, analytics, digital marketing, etc.)
  • Extracurriculars: Show well-rounded personality
  • SOP & Essays: Be clear about career goals, “Why MBA?”, and “Why this institute?”

📍 City Preference & Institute Factors

Choose your institute based on:

  • City: Mumbai (NMIMS, SP Jain), Pune (SIBM), Delhi (IMI), Hyderabad (ISB, IBS), Chennai (Great Lakes)
  • Specialization: If you’re interested in Marketing → NMIMS, HR → XLRI, Analytics → Great Lakes

💬 Final Advice

If you want a top-tier MBA without CAT:

  • Plan early, as non-CAT exams usually begin from September to December
  • Be open to multiple exams
  • Focus equally on exam scores and personality rounds (PI/GD)
  • Build a strong, differentiated application that reflects your goals, strengths, and potential

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