An MBA education gives an insight into the overall workings, dynamics and functions of the modern day organization. It equips you with the skills so essential to step into the shoes of a manager.

The popularity of an MBA is at an all-time high. With it, admissions to B-schools have become highly competitive. There are a number of entrance exams which offer doorways to various B-schools. There is a written exam usually followed by a group discussion, personal interview and an extempore. The written exams aim at testing effective problem solving and communication skills. The managerial aptitude of the student is tested through concepts based on subjects like Math and English.

One of the most popular exams for gaining entry into India’s reputed B-schools is the Common Admission Test (CAT). This test enables you to apply for schools all over India.

Some of the schools accepting CAT scores are the six IIM’S (Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Kolkata, Lucknow, Kozhikode and Indore), MDI (Gurgoan), NITIE (Mumbai), SP Jain(Mumbai), TAPMI (Manipal), BIM (Trichy), MICA (Ahmedabad), UBS (Chandigarh), Welingkar (Mumbai), IMI (Delhi) among many others.

CET (Common Entrance Test) allows admission to B-schools in Maharashtra, the popular ones being Sydenham, Welingkar and Jamanalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS). Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) has its own entrance exam. National Management Aptitude Test (NMAT) is the exam for Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai.

XAT is the test to gain admission to colleges like XLRI, Jamshedpur, XIM, Bhubaneshwar, LIBA (Loyola Institute of Business Administration) Chennai and XIME, Bangalore. Institutes like FMS and IIFT (Indian Institute of Foreign Trade), New Delhi also conduct their own entrance tests. Some colleges conduct private entrance tests whereas some give admission based on the common entrance exams conducted all over.

Most of the MBA colleges in the United States, Canada and UK require the GMAT (Graduate Management Aptitude Test). There are various exams for different B-schools followed by group discussions and personal interviews. The criteria for each school would differ in terms of level and competency.