PGDM
Post Graduate Diploma in Management
Top Entrance Exams for PGDM Admission (2026)
Admission to Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) programmes in India is primarily through entrance examinations. There are 10 major entrance exams for PGDM admission - including 7 national-level exams . Candidates should check the eligibility criteria, exam pattern, and important dates for each exam before applying. These exams are accepted by 3+ colleges offering PGDM across India.
| Exam | Conducting Body | Level | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
CAT
Common Admission Test |
Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) | national | Details |
|
XAT
Xavier Aptitude Test |
XLRI Jamshedpur | national | Details |
|
MAT
Management Aptitude Test |
All India Management Association (AIMA) | national | Details |
|
CMAT
Common Management Admission Test |
National Testing Agency (NTA) | national | Details |
|
CUET PG
Common University Entrance Test (Postgraduate) |
National Testing Agency (NTA) | national | Details |
|
NMAT
NMIMS Management Aptitude Test |
NMIMS (Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies) | university | Details |
|
SNAP
Symbiosis National Aptitude Test |
Symbiosis International University (SIU) | university | Details |
|
ATMA
AIMS Test for Management Admissions |
Association of Indian Management Schools (AIMS) | national | Details |
|
IIFT
Indian Institute of Foreign Trade MBA Entrance Exam |
National Testing Agency (NTA) | national | Details |
|
TISSNET
Tata Institute of Social Sciences National Entrance Test |
Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) | university | Details |
PGDM Entrance Exams - Quick Overview
Explore each exam's details, eligibility, syllabus, and colleges accepting the score
AIMS Test for Management Admissions
ATMA (AIMS Test for Management Admissions) is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the Association of Indian Management Schools for admission t...
Common Admission Test
CAT (Common Admission Test) is India's premier management entrance examination conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) on a rotational...
Common Management Admission Test
CMAT (Common Management Admission Test) is a national-level computer-based entrance exam conducted by the National Testing Agency for admission to man...
Indian Institute of Foreign Trade MBA Entrance Exam
The IIFT entrance exam is conducted by NTA for admission to the MBA in International Business programme at the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade campu...
Management Aptitude Test
MAT (Management Aptitude Test) is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the All India Management Association (AIMA) four times a year (February,...
NMIMS Management Aptitude Test
NMAT is the entrance examination for admission to MBA programmes at NMIMS University campuses in Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Indore, and Navi Mumbai...
Symbiosis National Aptitude Test
SNAP (Symbiosis National Aptitude Test) is the entrance examination for admission to MBA and other postgraduate management programmes at Symbiosis Int...
Tata Institute of Social Sciences National Entrance Test
TISSNET is the national entrance test conducted by TISS for admission to its Masters programmes across campuses in Mumbai, Tuljapur, Hyderabad, and Gu...
Xavier Aptitude Test
XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) is a national-level management entrance examination conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur. It is accepted by over 160 B-schools acro...
PGDM Entrance Exam Schedule 2026
Key dates for upcoming PGDM entrance exams. Dates marked as tentative are based on previous year patterns and may change.
| Exam | Registration | Exam Date |
|---|---|---|
| CAT | 05 Aug 2027 * | 28 Nov 2027 * |
| XAT | 01 Aug 2025 * | 04 Jan 2026 * |
| MAT (February Session) | 02 Mar 2026 * | 08 Feb 2026 - 15 Feb 2026 * |
| CMAT | 05 Jan 2026 * | 10 Mar 2026 - 11 Mar 2026 * |
| CUET PG | 10 Feb 2026 * | 06 Apr 2026 - 20 Apr 2026 * |
| NMAT (Attempt 1) | 03 Aug 2026 * | 10 Oct 2026 - 10 Nov 2026 * |
| SNAP (Session 1) | 01 Aug 2026 * | 13 Dec 2026 * |
| ATMA | 05 Jan 2026 * | 08 Feb 2026 * |
| IIFT | 01 Aug 2026 * | 22 Dec 2026 * |
| TISSNET | 14 Oct 2025 * | 25 Jan 2026 * |
* Tentative - dates based on previous year trends and subject to official confirmation.
Tips for PGDM Entrance Exam Preparation
- Start early - begin preparation at least 6-12 months before the exam date, focusing on fundamentals first.
- Practice previous years' papers - solve past exam papers to understand the pattern, difficulty level, and frequently tested topics.
- Apply for multiple exams - register for several relevant exams to maximize your chances of admission to a preferred college.
- Track deadlines - keep a calendar of registration dates, admit card releases, and exam dates so you never miss a window.
Frequently Asked Questions - PGDM Entrance Exams
CAT, XAT, GMAT, CMAT, MAT, and NMAT are commonly accepted by PGDM institutions. Top autonomous B-schools primarily use CAT or XAT scores. Each institution specifies which exam scores they accept.
The process is similar - entrance exam followed by GD/PI rounds. However, autonomous PGDM institutions set their own admission criteria independently, unlike university MBA programmes that may follow centralised counselling.
AICTE approval is essential for a PGDM to be recognised as equivalent to MBA. Always verify AICTE approval before enrolling. Unapproved PGDM programmes may face recognition issues for employment and further education.