The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Kozhikode has concluded the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025 exam on November 30, 2025. The CAT 2025 exam saw over 2.5 lakh candidates competing for seats in IIMs and various top B-schools in India. While thousands await their CAT 2025 results, which are expected to be declared in the first week of January 2026, uncertainty looms for many aspirants unsure about their performance or worried about not meeting the CAT cut-offs.
For candidates who are unsure about their CAT 2025 performance or are worried about their scores, the good news is that the MBA admission journey does not end here. There are multiple alternate entrance exams and admission routes still open to explore. Aspiring management students who want to keep their options open can apply to a variety of MBA entrance exams whose deadlines are still active.
Also check: CAT 2025 Exam Analysis Live; Slot 1, 2, 3 Paper Analysis, Expected Cut-off, Difficulty Level
MBA Exam 2025 Registrations Still Open
It is important for aspirants to remember that the path to an MBA is not limited to CAT alone. Several competitive and reputed MBA entrance exams remain open for registration, giving candidates ample opportunities to pursue their management dreams.
The Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) 2026 registrations started on July 10, 2025, and will close on December 5, 2025, with the exam scheduled for January 4, 2026. The Management Aptitude Test (MAT) December session registrations are also ongoing, with the last date to apply around early December, and the exam scheduled mid-December onwards. Additionally, registrations for IBSAT (ICFAI Business School Aptitude Test) continue to be open.
MBA 2025: Key Dates and Deadlines for XAT, MAT, IBSAT
For MBA aspirants considering alternate options to CAT, here are the important key dates and deadlines to keep in mind for popular entrance exams:
These exams provide a valuable second chance to candidates wanting to diversify their applications or improve their admission prospects beyond CAT.
Candidates are advised to act promptly and check the specific eligibility criteria, registration deadlines, and exam patterns on the official portals of these exams. Proactive preparation and quick application submission can significantly enhance the chances of securing admission in reputed management institutes.
