Business Management Studies

No, NMAT is not compulsory for admission to the MBA/PGPM programme at Athena School of Management (Mumbai).

Athena follows a profile-based admission process, which means your overall profile — academics, communication skills, achievements, and interview performance — carries more weight than just test scores.

You can apply with scores from NMAT, CAT, XAT, GMAT, or GRE, but if you haven't taken any of these, you can appear for ASAT (Athena Scholastic Aptitude Test), which is the institute's own entrance exam.

This gives flexibility to students who don't have NMAT or CAT scores but still want to pursue a management degree.

In short, NMAT helps strengthen your application, but it's not mandatory — Athena's selection is holistic and focuses more on potential and personality fit than just numbers.

If you want to build your career in finance or analytics, Chandigarh University offers some excellent specializations that align perfectly with your goals. You can choose options like MBA in Finance, MBA in Business Intelligence & Data Analytics or MBA in Applied Finance & Analytics (with PwC). These programs are designed to give you strong analytical, numerical and problem-solving skills. The curriculum focuses on modern financial tools, data interpretation, and real-time business decision-making. You'll also learn how analytics and financial strategies work together to support business growth. Since the courses are industry collaborated and NBA accredited, you'll be learning through practical exposure, case studies and simulations that prepare you for real-world financial challenges. All the MBA programs at Chandigarh University are ranked among the best and the management department holds the 32nd position in NIRF 2025 which reflects its academic quality and focus on skill based education.

To be honest, I think it comes down to the person who is attending. If you are going to be able to participate and take advantage of what this university does for its students, then yes, I think the MBA is worth it. The university often does case study competitions, industrial tours, and business conclaves, where all students have the opportunity to meet and hear from real-world professionals. For example, some students presented as part of the university's management festival while others interned with startups through Chandigarh University's Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurs. The placement departments offers mock interviews that can really help prepare students for final placements. After my course, I have friends who were placed as management trainees with a company. 

For an MBA at Chandigarh University there is no cutoff system; the eligibility criteria are just simple: you have to possess a bachelor degree in any discipline with at least 50% marks from recognized University/ Institution. Those graduates of recognized professional programmes like CA/ ICWA etc. are also eligible to apply and CUCET is the entrance test - this is a must for MBA. Exposure and better performance at CUCET can bag a student even 100% scholarships. The value of the scholarships offered by the university is over Rs 210 Crores, which is really helpful to students. To keep the scholarship, the student has to maintain a CGPA of 7.5, which is good motivation for the students to perform well.