XAT vs NMAT vs SNAP Exam: Preparing for Admission Tests in ? While CAT remains to dominate the scene there are other exams now which have come up big time and are gaining popularity among the MBA aspirants trying for the Top B Schools of the country.
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XLRI – Xavier School of Management PGDM Admission 2026, Application Open
It is always a good idea to have options when you sit for exams. More the chances, better it is. Since most of the top B Schools accept multiple test scores, (exceptions – MDI Gurgaon, NIRMA which consider just CAT scores for intake) for admissions it is surely an advantage for students specially for those whose CAT Day may not have gone the way he or she wanted it to go. Options are there hence not to worry.
Compare Business School : IIFT vs MDI vs SPJIMR vs XLRI
XAT vs NMAT vs SNAP scores can get some relief. The B School’s team admission generally considers the best scores when it comes to choosing from multiple test scores submitted by any student. There may be some amount of normalisation done by the admission committee which may again differ from institute to institute.
NMAT: NMIMS Management Aptitude Test (NMAT) is conducted by GMAC to be held in between Oct to Dec every year. The NMAT by GMAC™ is a computer administered test owned by the Graduate Management Global Connection (India) Private Limited (GMAC), a subsidiary of Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC).
This online test is held over a 75-day testing window, between October to December. TAPMI Manipal, XIM University, IFMR GSB, Krea University, K J Somaiya University and others also accepting SNAP Score.
As per source approx. 80,000 students seat in NMAT by GMAC exam every year. 1200 seat available for all campuses.
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SNAP scores are primarily used for admission to 16 institutes under Symbiosis International University. Top Business School are SIBM Pune, SCHMRD Pune. This computed-based exam is held for two hours and includes 4 sections. Around 3000 seat are available in all the colleges under SIU ( Symbiosis International university). Check fact SNAP vs NMAT Exam. XAT vs SNAP Test.
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SNAP: SNAP is a national-level management entrance examination conducted by Symbiosis International University.
The test pattern has been changed this year. The total number of questions and marking scheme has been revised. While the no. of questions is reduced, time & total marks remains same.
Section ‘Special Questions’ from the sections – “General English – Reading Comprehension, Verbal Reasoning, Verbal Ability” and “Analytical & Logical Reasoning” has been removed.
Current affairs section has been removed completely.
XAT: XAT conducted by XLRI is the most popular test after CAT Exam (CAT 2024: 2.4 Lacs approx, XAT 2025: 1.4 Lacs Approx.) XLRI conducts XAT on behalf of the XAMI.
The XAT score is being used by more than 150 institutes for the admissions. This year XLRI has 2 campuses and total seat is around 480. MDI Gurgaon also accept XAT Score for PGDM BM Programme.
XLRI tops 8 years in a row NIRF Rankings – Private Management Institute Category
Many students write to us asking generally whether they should appear for XAT or NMAT or SNAP. Now, it is important for students to realise what each of the tests has to offer. One who has appeared for XAT gets more number of options to apply for, compared to NMAT.
XAT is a single day exam, SNAP 3 Day whereas NMAT has a 75 day test window
XAT vs NMAT by GMAC vs SNAP
| Facts | XAT | NMAT | SNAP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conducted by | XLRI | GMAC | SIU |
| Exam Date | First week of Jan | Oct Mid to Nov End | Dec 1st to 3rd week |
| Exam Syllabus | English Language & LR | Language Skills | General English, VA,VR |
| QA & DI | Logical Reasoning | Quantitative, DI & DS | |
| Decision Making | Quantitative Skills | analytical & Logical Reasoning | |
| GK 25 Q | |||
| Exam Mode | Online | Online | Online |
| No. of Questions | 100 | 100 | 60 |
| Duration | 3 Hours | 2 Hours | 1 Hours |
| Options for MCQs | 4 | 5 | 4 |
| Marks Awarded for Correct Ans | 1 | 1 | 1 or 2 Marks |
| Negative Marking | 25% of the assigned marks | No | 25% of the assigned marks |
| Colleges accepting scores | More than 250 colleges including XLRI, IMT, XIM Uni, FORE School and Others | NMIMS, ISB, SPJIMR, XIMB, IFMR, TAPMI and others | Symbiosis International University (SIU) affiliated MBA colleges |
