Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, notifications for exam dates of XAT, IIFT, NMAT, SNAP have been delayed. However, there are no changes in the CAT 2020 schedule.
The schedule for XAT 2021 exam, IIFT 2021 MBA admission test, NMAT 2020 by GMAC and Symbiosis SNAP 2020 tests have not been released even when August is about to end.
Amid all the chaos of COVID-19 and postponement of several exams, surprisingly, IIM Indore released the exam details and schedule for CAT 2020 on July 29. There is no change in the exam pattern, testing mode, or the CAT 2020 exam date.
During the last 3-4 years, CAT is conducted on the last Sunday of November. Similar to the trend, CAT 2020 is scheduled on November 29, 2020 (Sunday). The CAT 2020 registration has already begun from August 5, 2020.
CAT 2020 is the largest MBA entrance exam in India for MBA Admissions 2021. About 2.40 lakh students are expected to apply this year. See the CAT 2020 schedule below:
| CAT 2020 Activity | Timeline |
|---|---|
| CAT 2020 Notification Release | July 29, 2020 |
| CAT 2020 Registration Start Date | August 5, 2020 |
| Last Date to Apply for CAT 2020 | September 16, 2020 |
| CAT 2020 Admit card Download Start date | October 28, 2020 |
| Last Date for CAT 2020 Admit Card Download | November 29, 2020 |
| CAT 2020 Exam Date | November 29, 2020 |
The notifications for other MBA entrances such as XLRI XAT, IIFT, NMAT by GMAC, Symbiosis SNAP used to be released early in the month of July/ August. The table below shows the tentative date of exam for these exams (except for CAT).
| MBA Entrance Exam | Expected Date of Exam |
|---|---|
| IIM CAT | November 29, 2020 |
| XLRI XAT | January 3, 2021 |
| IIFT | December 6, 2020 |
| NMAT by GMAC | October 6 to December 19, 2020 |
| Symbiosis-SNAP | December 13, 2020 |
Aspirants seeking MBA admissions 2021 at top B-schools usually appear for more than one entrance test. For example, 20 IIMs, FMS Delhi, MDI Gurgaon accepts only CAT 2020 score; XLRI will accept only XAT 2021 score; IIFT accepts its own entrance test; 16 Symbiosis institutes will accept only SNAP 2020 score and NMIMS Mumbai will accept only NMAT by GMAC 2020 score.
Because of the delay in these exams, there might be several implications. Late release in the result may lead to clash of exam dates. Students would remain in dark about the changes in test patterns or testing mode.
A late notification would also mean that the results would be delayed late resulting in a delay in MBA Admissions 2021. Although AICTE has made changes for the MBA/ PGDM admissions for 2021 stating that entry is also possible without giving the entrances. However, admission preferences would be given to students who have appeared for the exam. Read More.
