Is CAT Mandatory for Online MBA? Check Other Entrance Exams Required

Is CAT Mandatory for Online MBA? Check Other Entrance Exams Required

#MBA
Arushi PanditaUpdated on 29 Aug 2025, 12:07 PM IST

The Common Admission Test, or CAT, is a major entrance exam for MBA or other postgraduate management programmes, with approximately 2.93 lakh candidates appearing for CAT 2024. But there is a question, Is CAT required for Online MBA? What are the factors universities consider when providing online MBA admission?

This Story also Contains

  1. Is CAT Compulsory for an Online MBA?
  2. Why is CAT Not Mandatory for an Online MBA?
  3. How to Get Direct Admission to Online MBA Without CAT?
  4. Top Colleges Offering Online MBA Without CAT

An online MBA is a management degree programme delivered completely in a virtual mode. Anyone, whether a graduate or a working professional, can enrol in an Online MBA degree and enhance their management career. Admission to online MBA programmes is offered based on the candidates' previous academic performance, meeting eligibility criteria, and document verification. While online MBA admission is merit-based, some universities take into consideration management exam scores such as CAT, MAT, or XAT.

IIMs, which are known for high-quality management education in India, ask candidates to have a valid CAT, GMAT, or GRE score. IIM Online MBA are generally designed for working professionals and executives, and their online MBA programmes are called Executive MBA that are offered in blended mode.

Is CAT Compulsory for an Online MBA?

There are more than 77 online MBA colleges in India. Most colleges allow students to pursue an online MBA without CAT. While CAT is not compulsory, having a valid CAT, MAT, or XAT score would be an added advantage for candidates at the time of admission. Candidates have to meet the eligibility criteria set by their colleges for online MBA admission.

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Online MBA Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for online MBA programmes may vary from one college to another. However, the basic requirements include:

  • A bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline from a recognised university or its equivalent
  • A minimum of 50% aggregate marks (45% for SC/ST candidates)
  • Work experience (at least 1–3 years if required)
  • Some colleges conduct separate aptitude tests and personal interviews
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Also Read: Online MBA Registration 2025 Open: Last Dates, Required Document, Eligibility, Fees

Why is CAT Not Mandatory for an Online MBA?

Online MBA programmes are specifically designed for students who want to work right after their graduation, working professionals, remote learners, and those who are unable to attend regular on-campus classes. Online MBA provide them an alternative option to gain management education without relocating and at their own pace.

Here are the key reasons why CAT is not mandatory for an Online MBA:

  • Focus on professionals and remote students: Online MBA programmes target working professionals or remote students.
  • Emphasis on experience: Online MBA colleges prefer work experience instead of an entrance exam.
  • Direct admission process: Online MBA colleges prefer interviews and academic qualifications and provide merit-based admission.
  • Global competition: With growing competition at the global level, everyone wants to upskill and stay ahead of the competition. This is where an online MBA gives them the opportunity to gain a degree in their preferred specialisation without leaving their jobs.
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How to Get Direct Admission to Online MBA Without CAT?

To get direct admission to an Online MBA without CAT, candidates are required to consider certain factors, which are as follows:

  • Select the right college that provides admission to an online MBA without CAT
  • Check the accredited online MBA college, programme and admission criteria, such as academic qualifications, entrance exam and work experience.
  • Check what type of assessment the online MBA college conducts for admission: a personal interview and aptitude test.
  • Fulfil all the admission criteria, apply online, submit the application with the required documents, and pay the online MBA application fee.

Also Read: Online MBA in Business Analytics vs Data Science: What Should You Choose?

Top Colleges Offering Online MBA Without CAT

Online MBA in India is offered by UGC-approved colleges, ensuring the degree meets the industry standards. The following table lists the top colleges offering online MBA without CAT along with their total fees:

Top Online MBA Colleges

Tuition Fees
Symbiosis School for Online and Digital Learning (SSODL)

Rs 3,15,000

NMIMS Online

Rs 2,10,000

Amrita University Online
Rs 1,90,000
Amity Online
Rs 1,99,000
Chandigarh University Online

Rs 2,10,668

LPU Online

Rs 2,00,000

ICFAI Online

Rs 2,00,000

Jain Online

Rs 1,96,000

DYPU Online

Rs 1,89,400

KL Online

Rs 65,500

Sathyabama Online

Rs 90,000


In essence, CAT is not mandatory for Online MBA, however, it is a major examination for management programmes at top B-schools in India. Online MBA without CAT opens various career opportunities in the management field. Candidates can apply for admission to an online MBA and pursue their education without any stress of entrance exams.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Do employers accept an online MBA without a CAT?
A:

Yes, employers give value and accept online MBA degree if recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC).

Q: What factors should I consider while choosing the best online MBA without CAT?
A:

Candidates should check various factors before enrolling in an online MBA without CAT. These include college accreditation and recognition, faculty experience, curriculum design, course recognition, and placement.

Q: Is CAT compulsory for an online MBA?
A:

No, online MBA does not require CAT. Admission to an online MBA is offered based on merit, which includes academic qualification, document verification, and work experience (for some colleges).

Q: What are the top colleges that offer online MBA without CAT?
A:

Some of the top online MBA colleges offering online MBA without CAT are DYPU Online, NMIMS Online, Symbiosis Online, Amity Online, and Jain Online.

Q: Is there any entrance exam for online MBA?
A:

While several online MBA colleges do not consider entrance exams, online MBA from IIMs requires candidates to have a valdi CAT, GMAT or GRE score.

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Questions related to MBA

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to MBA ?

Hello aspirant,

Here below I am providing you with the name of some of the best MBA colleges in Hyderabad:

  • Institute of Management Technology, Hyderabad
  • The Indian School of Business
  • The ICFAI Business School Hyderabad
  • Woxsen University
  • The Institute of Public Enterprise
  • GITAM Hyderabad Business School

To know about more colleges, you can visit our site through following link:

https://bschool.careers360.com/colleges/list-of-mba-colleges-in-hyderabad

Thank you

Hello,

Here are some top MBA colleges in India with fees under Rs. 2 lakh and their exam/cutoff details:

  • SIMSREE, Mumbai – Fee around Rs. 1.3–1.4 lakh for 2 years. Accepts CAT, CMAT, MAH-CET, MAT, ATMA. Cutoff is very high, usually 99+ percentile in CAT/CMAT.

  • PUMBA (Dept. of Management Sciences, Savitribai Phule Pune University) – Fee around Rs. 1.2–1.3 lakh. Accepts CAT, CMAT, MAH-CET, ATMA. Cutoff approx. 75+ percentile in CAT, 90–95+ percentile in CMAT, high scores in MAH-CET.

  • TISS, Mumbai (MA HRM & other management-related programmes) – Fee around Rs. 1.7–1.9 lakh. Accepts CAT for some courses. Qualifying cutoff is around 60–70 percentile, but final selection cutoffs are higher.

These are the main government institutes where the full MBA/PG programme fee is within Rs. 2 lakh. Cutoffs vary slightly each year and by category, but SIMSREE and PUMBA generally need high scores, while TISS has its own process along with CAT shortlisting.

Hope it helps !

Yes, MBA in FinTech is a good option if you are interested in the combination of finance and technology. After this course you can work in roles like FinTech product manager, financial analyst, blockchain/crypto specialist, risk & compliance manager, or business development manager in banks, startups, and financial companies.

For the salary part, freshers usually start with around 5–10 LPA in normal companies and in bigger FinTech firms or banks it can even go up to 10–15 LPA, depending on your skills, college, and location.

If you do Data Science and then an MBA in Finance, you can get many high-paying jobs. Some of the best options are:

1. CFO (Chief Financial Officer) – You manage a company’s finances, budgeting, and reports. Big companies pay 40 lakh to 1 crore per year.

2. Investment Banker – You help clients raise money and do mergers or acquisitions. Salaries start around 10–12 lakh for freshers and can go up to 30 lakh or more with experience.

3. Chief Data Officer – You lead data strategies in companies. Pay can be 80 lakh to 1.3 crore per year.

4. Machine Learning Engineer / AI Scientist – You create AI and ML models. Salary is around 35–42 lakh per year.

5. Product Manager – You manage product strategy and market positioning. Can earn 89 lakh to 1.1 crore per year in big tech companies.

6. Financial Actuary – You analyze financial risks. Pay is around 25–30 lakh per year.

Hello,

If you have made a mistake while entering your education details in KEA PGCET MBA option entry, you cannot edit it directly once it is submitted. You need to contact KEA immediately.

You can:

  • Call the KEA helpline numbers.

  • Or visit the KEA office with your documents.

They will guide you on how to correct the mistake. Do it quickly, as corrections are allowed only within the given time.

Hope it helps !