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.
IIMs are the first choice of every MBA aspirant in India, but it requires high CAT score to even get selected for the WAT-PI round. If you don’t have 95+ percentile in CAT, it will be tough for you to get an IIM. But IIMs are not the only option. There are so many more top ranked B-Schools in India that provide same level of training as 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 about 1300 B-School accept CAT score for admission. We have listed in this blog, top 30 colleges accepting CAT score apart from IIMs.
Admission to 2026 MBA batch through CAT 2025 score is open at many of these institutions. Check below CAT cut offs and course fee of top 30 MBA colleges in India apart from IIMs.
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 estimated CAT cut offs 2025 for admission.

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Student Forum
Answered Yesterday
To get a seat at Bennett University for the MBA/PGDM programme, students have to first attempt the CAT entrance examination, attain the qualifying percentile, and then proceed to the 2nd round of admissions, which may involve GD (Group Discussion) and PI (Personal Interview).
Based on old data, Gene
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
Yes, students can get admission in Netaji Subhas University MBA without CAT. The university also accepts scores of other national-level management exams, such as MAT/ XAT, etc. Hence, CAT is not mandatory for NSU MBA admission.
P
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham accepts the CAT, MAT or the XAT exam for admission to the MBA course. Students can attempt any one of the aforementioned exams. After taking part in the exam, students have to attain a valid percentile.
Based on previous year trends, a percentile of at least 40 would be nee
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham CAT Cutoff 2026 was only available to students who had attempted the exam and could log in with their registered login ID and password. But, based on the previous years' trends, a CAT percentile of at least 40 would be required to proceed to the next round of admission.
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 days ago
Empire College of Science MBA admissions are merit-based and generally do not require any entrance exams. Hence, having CAT score will not make much of a difference on admission chances. However, students may check with the college to know more.
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 days ago
Aspirants does accept CAT score for admission in MBA programme of United Group of Institutions, Greater Noida. Candidates have to participate in UPTAC Counselling for admission based on CAT scores. Direct admission is also granted by the institute.
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Guide-Level 15
Answered 2 days ago
Dronacharya Group of Institutions considers CAT score for admission in MBA. However, CAT is not compulsory for taking admission in MBA. The college accepts entrance exam score of CAT/MAT/CMAT for admission in MBA at Dronacharya Group of Institutions.
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 days ago
No, CAT is not compulsory for Shri Ram Murti Smarak International Business School admissions. For its MBA programme, the institute also accepts other exams. These are CMAT/ MAT/ XAT/ ATMA. Direct admissions are also offered.
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 days ago
The CAT applications are open from the month of August. Application deadline is usually around October/November. Students are advised to submit their applications before the deadline. The exam is conducted in November. It should be noted that dates mentioned are in general and tentative, they may va
B
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 days ago
No, CAT is not a mandatory entrance exam for IEM Kolkata MBA admission. Candidates who wish to apply for MBA courses have the option to appear for MAT or XAT in order to qualify for admissions as well. Candidates must note that appearing for one of these exams is mandatory in order to qualify for IE
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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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