Which MBA Entrance Exam Is Easiest to Crack in 2025–26?

Which MBA Entrance Exam Is Easiest to Crack in 2025–26?

Akhand Pratap Singh
Akhand Pratap Singh

Content Writer

Published On - Oct 28, 2025 04:44PM IST

Which MBA Entrance Exam Is Easiest to Crack in 2025–26?

Table of Content

For thousands of students and working professionals all over India, studying for an MBA is the ambition that first comes to their mind. Besides career development, an MBA program also acts as a bridge for accessing the top management positions in well-known companies. The first stage, however, to getting into a B-school is passing an MBA entrance exam. While exams like CAT and XAT are notoriously difficult, some exams are spoken of as easy to crack. It would be so beneficial to select the right exam as it would save time, lower the level of stress, and increase the likelihood of getting admission to a decent business school. In this blog, we are going to cover the easiest MBA entrance exams in 2025-26 along with their patterns, the tips to solve them, and the way to select the right one.

Understanding the MBA Entrance Test in India

In India, numerous entrance examinations are held for an MBA program, each with different levels of difficulty and eligibility criteria. The most popular tests, e.g., Common Admission Test and Xavier Aptitude Test, are very competitive and demand several months of hard preparation. Except for a few others like MAT, CMAT, NMAT, SNAP, and CUET-MBA, most students find their level to be significantly easier.

There are many entrance exams for MBA in India, and the difficulty level and eligibility criteria differ for each one of them. The most popular tests, like CAT and XAT, are extremely competitive and usually require months of rigorous preparation. While the rest of the exams, such as MAT, CMAT, NMAT, SNAP, and CUET-MBA, are mostly easier for the majority of the students. 

The difficulty of an exam usually depends on a few major aspects:

  • Syllabus difficulty

  • Exam pattern and duration

  • Negative marking

  • Competition

  • College acceptance

Knowing these factors will assist you in choosing the best exam suited to your level of preparation and career planning.

How to Decide the Easiest MBA Entrance Exam

Which MBA Entrance Exam Is Easiest to Crack in 2025–26.webp

Before looking at the easiest MBA entrance exams, it is essential to understand what makes an exam easier. These are the main things to consider:

  • Exam Pattern and Structure: While some tests consist solely of multiple-choice questions (MCQs), others may introduce case studies, data analysis, and reasoning. Exams with a fixed pattern and more straightforward questions are generally easier.

  • Syllabus Difficulty: Tests are easier that deal with these topics like arithmetic, grammar, and logical reasoning, than those that check skills in advanced math or complex reasoning.

  • Time Management and Duration: It would be very stressful if an exam had a lot of questions and a very short time slot. Exams that allocate time efficiently for each question are easier to manage.

  • Negative Marking: Tests without negative marking are easier, as you can attempt all questions without the fear of losing marks for incorrect ones.

  • College Acceptance: An easy exam should help to enter good colleges. Exams that are widely acknowledged by B-schools are more valuable.

List of Easiest Entrance Exams For MBA

1. MAT: It is a famous and commonly utilized Indian entrance examination for admission to the MBA course. More than 6 hundred management institutes in India select the MAT exam score for admission to the Master of Business Administration program. The test includes 5-6 sections, like Reading, Math, Logical Reasoning, Data Interpretation, and General Awareness.

Key Highlights 

Highlights

Details

Exam Name

Management Aptitude Test (MAT)

Conducting Authority

All India Management Association (AIMA)

Exam Level

National

Exam Modes

Paper-Based Test (PBT), Computer-Based Test (CBT)

Exam Frequency

4 times a year (February, May, September, December)

Exam Duration

120 minutes (2 hours)

Total Questions

150 Multiple Choice Questions

Sections

5 Sections: Language Comprehension, Intelligence & Critical Reasoning, Mathematical Skills, Data Analysis & Sufficiency, Economic & Business Environment

Total Marks

150

Marking Scheme

+1 for each correct answer

Negative Marking

-0.25 for each incorrect answer

Exam Language

English

Exam Dates

PBT - December 15, 2025 (tentative)

CBT - December 21, 2025 (tentative)

Why It’s Easier:

  • Balanced difficulty across all sections

  • The question is quite simple and not very long

  • You can open multiple doors of attempts in the same year

Preparation Tips:

  • Strengthen your basic maths and grammar skills

  • Practice logical reasoning puzzles regularly

  • Read and learn current national and international affairs

3. NMAT: NMIMS Management Aptitude Test is a test that is managed by the same organization that runs GMAT, Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). The scores of NMAT are taken by NMIMS University as well as some other B-schools in India and abroad. Thwe exam is based on a candidate’s language, quantitative, and logical reasoning skills.

Key Highlights 

Highlights

Details

Full Name

Common Management Admission Test (CMAT)

Conducting Authority

National Testing Agency (NTA)

Exam Level

National

Exam Mode

Computer-Based Test (CBT)

Exam Frequency

Once a year (January)

Exam Duration

180 minutes (3 hours)

Total Questions

100 Multiple Choice Questions

Sections

5 Sections: Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness, Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Total Marks

400

Marking Scheme

+4 marks for each correct answer

Negative Marking

-1 mark for each incorrect answer

Exam Language

English

Exam Date

January 28, 2025 

Why It’s Easier:

  • Balanced difficulty across all sections

  • The question is quite simple and not very long

  • You can open multiple doors of attempts in the same year

Preparation Tips:

  • Strengthen your basic maths and grammar skills

  • Practice logical reasoning puzzles regularly

  • Read and learn current national and international affairs

3. NMAT: NMIMS Management Aptitude Test is a test that is managed by the same organization that runs GMAT, Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). The scores of NMAT are taken by NMIMS University as well as some other B-schools in India and abroad. The exam is based on a candidate’s language, quantitative, and logical reasoning skills.

Key Highlights 

Highlights

Details

Full Name

NMAT by GMAC (Narsee Monjee Management Aptitude Test)

Conducting Authority

Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC)

Exam Level

National

Exam Mode

Computer-Based Test (CBT)

Exam Frequency

Once a year, with a flexible test window (Nov-Dec)

Exam Duration

120 minutes (2 hours)

Total Questions

108 Multiple Choice Questions

Sections

3 Sections: Language Skills, Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Skills

Marking Scheme

+3 marks for each correct answer

Negative Marking

No negative marking

Total Marks

360 marks

Exam Dates

November 5 to December 19, 2025 (candidates choose date)

Attempts Allowed

Up to 3 attempts in the test window

Exam Language

English

Why It’s Easier:

  • You get to select your exam date within a given time frame

  • Apart from all other exams, here, no marks are deducted for a question answered incorrectly

  • The sectional timing feature keeps you focused on just one area at a time

Preparation Tips:

  • Practice mock tests to get familiar with the computer-based format

  • Boost your score by starting from your strong areas

  • Practice the time limit for every section

4. SNAP: The SNAP test is held by the Symbiosis International University. The main purpose of the examination is to take students to different campuses of the university for the MBA courses. The test includes questions from general English, analytical and logical reasoning, quantitative ability, and data interpretation. Most of the characteristics of SNAP (e.g., fewer questions, less time, and being choice-based) lead to the fact that it is a simpler exam compared to other exams.

Key Highlights 

Highlights

Details

Full Name

Symbiosis National Aptitude Test (SNAP) 

Conducting Authority

Symbiosis International (Deemed University)

Exam Level

National

Exam Mode

Computer-Based Test (CBT)

Exam Duration

60 minutes (1 hour)

Total Questions

60 Multiple Choice Questions

Sections

3 Sections: General English, Quantitative Aptitude, Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency, Analytical & Logical Reasoning

Marking Scheme

+1 mark for each correct answer

Negative Marking

-0.25 for each incorrect answer

Total Marks

60 marks

Exam Dates

December 6, 14, and 20, 2025 (three sessions)

Why It’s Easier:

  • Moderate difficulty level

  • Fewer questions to attempt

  • Mostly multiple-choice questions

Preparation Tips:

  • Practice reasoning and analytical puzzles regularly

  • Improve vocabulary and grammar by reading

  • Focus on basic arithmetic and data interpretation

5. CUET: CUET is an entrance exam that is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). It is generally a gateway to undergraduate courses at different central universities, but there are a few universities where the CUET score for MBA is also considered. The test is like a general knowledge quiz that includes aptitude, logical reasoning, and current affairs. CUET-MBA is an easier test compared to CAT or XAT, and this is because the topics are simple and foreseeable, the question difficulty level is not very high, and fewer candidates appear for it.

Key Highlights

Exam Highlights

Details

Full Name

Common University Entrance Test for Postgraduate (CUET PG) 

Conducting Authority

National Testing Agency (NTA)

Exam Level

National

Exam Mode

Computer-Based Test (CBT)

Exam Duration

90 minutes

Total Questions

75 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Total Marks

300 (4 marks per correct answer)

Negative Marking

Yes, -1 mark for each incorrect answer

Medium of Question Paper

English and Hindi (except language papers)

Exam Dates 2025

March to April, 2026

Application End Date

February, 2026

Why It’s Easier:

  • Simple and predictable syllabus

  • General aptitude is easier than advanced maths

  • Less competition compared to CAT or XAT

Preparation Tips:

  • Focus on quantitative aptitude and logical reasoning

  • Read current affairs and general knowledge regularly

  • Practice by solving previous year's question papers

MBA Entrance Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme

Exam

Total Questions

Duration

Negative Marking

Difficulty

Colleges Accepting Scores

MAT

200

150 min

Yes

Moderate

600+ B-schools

CMAT

100

180 min

Yes

Moderate

1000+ B-schools

NMAT

108

120 min

No

Moderate

NMIMS + 30+ institutes

SNAP

60

60 min

Yes

Moderate

Symbiosis institutes

CUET

100

120 min

Yes

Easy

Central Universities

Preparation Tips to Crack Easier MBA Exams in 2025–26

  • Understand the Exam Pattern: Just at the beginning, in addition to our preparation, it is very wise to know the different sections, the way marks are allocated and the time for the exam.

  • Working Strengths: The first step before doing anything is to find out which areas you are strong in and score the highest marks in them.

  • Practice Tests and Previous Year Papers: Besides that, regularly practicing previous year papers not only makes you quicker but also gives you confidence.

  • Time Management: In practice, be sure that you assign time to every section, and then during the exam, stick to it.

  • Current Affairs & GK: A daily newspaper or magazine is a must for sections like Indian and Global Environment.

Benefits of Selecting an Easier MBA Entrance Test

Selecting a simpler MBA admission test is a good idea as it can have a positive impact on various aspects. Usually, these tests are less stressful for the candidates as compared to CAT or XAT. Few of them even permit multiple attempts in a year, so students can get some extra time to prepare and then improve their scores. Besides, they provide good opportunities for admission to the top and reputed colleges. Moreover, with less pressure from the exam, candidates can indulge in self-development and acquire skills during their preparation. Nevertheless, even if it is an easier test, a good score can only be accomplished through persistence, practice, and smart preparation. 

Conclusion

Students as well as working professionals desiring to pursue an MBA course in 2025-26 must be aware of the fact that it is more feasible to take MAT, CMAT, NMAT, SNAP, and CUET-MBA type exams than CAT and XAT. All of these tests have their pros and cons, so assessing your strong points, the time you intend to dedicate to the preparation, and checking out the colleges that accept which test will help you decide the most suitable exam for you. Being early in your preparations, focusing on the concepts, and practicing regularly to become more efficient is the only way to get a decent MBA college admission. It should be noted that the "easiest" exam does not mean "no effort." The key to success is to prepare smartly and consistently.

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About the Author

Akhand Pratap Singh
Akhand Pratap Singh

Content Writer