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There are a number of top ranked MBA colleges in India apart from the IIMs, which have good faculty, infrastructure and placement cell. Let's take a look at top 30 colleges accepting CAT score apart from IIMs having lower cut offs.
Top 30 colleges accepting CAT score apart from IIMs – CAT 2025 result is out and it is time now to plan MBA admission. IIMs are the first choice of every MBA aspirant in India, but if you plan to see options beyond IIMs, we have a list of best B-Schools for you. There are a lot of popular and high ranked MBA colleges to choose from apart from the IIMs.
These management institutions specialisations, industry exposure, or foreign exchange programmes at comparatively lower fees. Top ranked B-Schools such as FMS, SPJIMR, MDI, IITs, NMIMS, IIFT, GIM, GLIM, LIBA, GIM and many more accept CAT score for admission. Now, the CAT 2025 result is out know which are the top MBA colleges in India and how much CAT 2025 exam score is required for admission.
Alsio Read: CAT toppers 2025: Names, percentiles and scores
- Why MBA?
- Top 30 Colleges Accepting CAT Score for Admission: Cut offs and fees
- Selection Criteria for MBA Admission 2026
Why MBA?
Today, MBA is one of the most popular courses and a majority of students opt for it as it offers a varied range of career options, high salary and related perks. For the same, it is important to obtain an MBA degree from an institute of a good repute and a good placement record. However, IIMs are not within the reach of every student. For some, IIM cut offs are too high at (95-100 percentile) and for some IIM fees is too high (INR 13 to 27 lakh per annum). Apart from the fact that CAT cut offs for IIM admissions are too high, the selection criteria is also very tough. Thus, it is important to keep your options open viz. MBA admissions. For those whose CAT scores do not meet the IIM cut off, there are a lot of options available. There are many reputed MBA colleges in India that are on par with IIMs. Shiksha has shared below a list of the top 30 MBA colleges accepting CAT score, which ensure a good start to your career.
Commonly asked questions
Considering the last three years' MDI Gurgaon CAT cutoffs, candidates seeking admission must aim to score more than the 97 percentile in the CAT exam. Admission to the management programmes offered at MDI Gurgaon are done based on valid CAT scores. Shortlisted students are required to appear for GDPI rounds for MBA admission. Students must meet both the overall and MDI sectional cutoff to be eligible for admission. Hence, it might be difficult to get into the institute with 94 percentile. However, the institute doesn't release its cutoffs on public doman and is exclusively accessible only via account login to candidates who have appeared for the exam. Although the chances are slim, students may get into MDI management admission with a percentile of 94 in CAT. The basic eligibility required is to pass graduation with a minimum aggregate of 50% from a recognised university.
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Top 30 Colleges Accepting CAT Score for Admission: Cut offs and fees
The list below features some of the top 30 MBA colleges other than the IIMs for MBA/PGDM course. Also, mentioned is the total course fees and expected CAT cut offs 2025 for admission.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 23 hours ago
Yes, students can get admission in Sandip University, Nashik without CAT. The university also accepts other national/ state CETs. These are MAT/ XAT/ State CETs. Students can also appear for the Sandip University Management Aptitude Test - SUMAT.
P
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
CAT preparation takes about 6-9 months, depending on the aspirant's ability and hold over the sections. Those appearing for the first time, need to start early. You are not too late. If you start preparation now, you will be able crack it.
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 4 days ago
No, CAT is not a mandatory entrance exam for AMET University Powered by Emversity MBA admission. Candidates who are interested in MBA at AMET University Powered by Emversity are only required to clear any UG level course from a recognised board.
No entrance exams are mandatory for MBA at AMET Univers
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
Pre-CAT at MET Institute of Information Technology, Mumbai is a preparatory course for students preparing for CDAC's CCAT (Computerized Common Admission Test) for PGCP-AC. It is a 160 hour part-time course covering the syllabus of Sec A + B of the CCAT exams.
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered 6 days ago
Yes, you can join the PGPM+MBA programme at Amity Global Business School (AGBS) Ahmedabad without CAT score. Admission is based on graduation marks and performance in a personal interview. Scores of exams like MAT/XAT or an internal Amity test can be used, and high academic performers may be conside
J
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Yes, most of the top-ranking MBA colleges in Delhi NCR do not require the CAT exam, but require other national-level entrances.
You can explore the links below that show which exam is required if not CAT.
- MDI Gurgaon MBA - MAT, ATMA, and XAT are accepted.
- JMI MBA - JMI Entrance Test only.
- JIMS Rohin
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
MET Center for Insurance Training, Research & Development considers CAT scores for admission to PGPMBA programme. However, it is not compulsory. Aspirants with any other accepted entrance exam scores can also get admission provided they also meet the eligibility.
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered a week ago
Yes, CAT/MAT/XAT/CMAT/GMAT scores are valid for KIITEE MBA. Candidates applying online will be required to submit copies of their mark sheets and other supporting documents.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
CAT is a national-level exam that is conducted for MBA admission at PG level in colleges. CAT is a computer-based-test. The test duration is 120 minutes. It consists of 68 questions that are divided in the following 3 sections:
- VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension)
- DILR (Data Interpretation
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
To get admission in IIM Kashipur MBA, students have to clear the CAT cutoff. The cutoff for the general category AI quota was 95. For NC-OBC candidates, it is 81 percentile, for SC candidates it is 66 percentile whereas for SC and PwD candidates, it is 40 percentile. Students can check the official
A
Contributor-Level 10
Vipra Shrivastava is MA in English Literature from Delhi University with extensive experience in content writing of over 14 years. She has been handling content for Management, Accounting and Commerce streams for 8
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