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MBA Entrance Exam Latest News 2026: CAT, XAT, SNAP, NMAT and CMAT Updates
As of September 2, 2026, CAT, XAT, SNAP and NMAT registrations are open. Track verified deadlines, exam dates, Maharashtra MBA/MMS admission notices and pending CMAT announcements.
Latest MBA entrance exam news — September 2, 2026
CAT, XAT, SNAP and NMAT application windows are currently open. The table below is ordered by the most recent actionable update and uses official exam portals as the primary verification layer.
Candidates should complete forms early, save payment confirmation and remember that registering for an entrance test may not automatically complete a separate B-school or programme application.
| Updated | Exam update | Candidate deadline or action | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 2, 2026 | CAT 2026 registration is open. IIM Indore will conduct CAT on November 29, 2026. | Apply by September 15, 2026 at 5:00 PM. Keep academic details, photograph, signature and category documents ready. | CAT portal |
| September 2, 2026 | Maharashtra CET Cell has issued a notice covering institute-level and vacant-seat admissions after CAP rounds for technical education courses. | MBA/MMS candidates participating in the 2026–27 admission cycle should check the course admission portal and institute-level vacancy instructions. | CET Cell notices |
| August 21, 2026 | SNAP 2026 applications are open for Symbiosis MBA programmes. | Register and pay by November 25. Tests are on December 13, 19 and 26; the official result date is January 12, 2027. | SNAP dates |
| August 20, 2026 | NMAT by GMAC registration and scheduling are open for the 2026 India testing cycle. | Registration closes October 10, scheduling closes October 22 and exam delivery runs from November 2 to December 20. | NMAT portal |
| July 15, 2026 | XAT 2027 registration is open. XLRI states that 250+ B-schools accept XAT scores. | Apply by December 6. Admit card download is tentatively from December 20; XAT is scheduled for January 3, 2027 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. | XAT portal |
| As of September 2, 2026 | A fresh CMAT cycle notification is not listed on the official NTA CMAT portal. | Do not rely on predicted dates or unofficial application links. Monitor the official NTA CMAT website. | NTA CMAT |
Open MBA entrance exam application windows
| Exam | Registration status | Closing date | Exam window/date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAT 2026 | Open | September 15, 2026, 5:00 PM | November 29, 2026 |
| NMAT 2026 | Open | October 10, 2026 | November 2–December 20, 2026 |
| SNAP 2026 | Open | November 25, 2026 | December 13, 19 and 26, 2026 |
| XAT 2027 | Open | December 6, 2026 | January 3, 2027, 2:00–5:00 PM |
| CMAT | New cycle not officially announced | Not announced | Not announced |
What MBA aspirants should do this week
- Complete CAT 2026 registration well before September 15 and save the submitted form and payment receipt.
- Register for NMAT only after checking whether your target programmes accept the score and whether they require a separate application.
- Shortlist Symbiosis institutes before paying SNAP programme-registration fees.
- Add XAT decision-making practice without weakening your CAT mock and revision plan.
- If you are in the Maharashtra MBA/MMS admission cycle, check current CAP and institute-level vacancy instructions directly on the CET Cell portal.
- Ignore speculative CMAT dates until NTA publishes a notice on its official portal.
How these updates affect CAT 2026 preparation
CAT should remain the primary preparation track for most IIM-focused candidates, but application work cannot be postponed indefinitely. A practical approach is to finish forms in one controlled session and return to preparation instead of repeatedly revisiting portals.
NMAT and SNAP require more speed-focused practice than CAT, while XAT needs dedicated decision-making preparation. Build these adjustments around the CAT plan instead of starting four separate syllabi.
| Exam | Main preparation adjustment |
|---|---|
| CAT | Prioritise full mocks, sectionals, revision and question selection. |
| NMAT | Practise speed, section-order decisions and a no-negative-marking attempt strategy. |
| SNAP | Use short timed drills for reasoning, verbal precision and arithmetic speed. |
| XAT | Add decision-making cases and prepare for the exam's distinct verbal and GK components. |
| MAH MBA CET/CAP | Follow admission notices and vacancy rules; this is an admissions-process update, not a new preparation cycle. |
How this news tracker is verified
This tracker was reviewed on September 2, 2026. Official exam and government admission portals are treated as the final authority for dates, payments, test rules and admission actions. Where an official portal has not announced a new cycle, this page says so instead of publishing an expected date.
Schedules can still change. Open the linked official source once more immediately before registration, payment, scheduling, admit-card download or institute reporting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which MBA entrance exam registrations are open in September 2026?
As of September 2, 2026, CAT 2026, NMAT 2026, SNAP 2026 and XAT 2027 registrations are open.
What is the CAT 2026 registration deadline?
CAT 2026 registration closes on September 15, 2026 at 5:00 PM on the official CAT portal.
When does NMAT 2026 registration close?
The official NMAT by GMAC timeline lists October 10, 2026 as the registration closing date and October 22 as the scheduling closing date.
What are the SNAP 2026 exam dates?
The official SNAP dates are December 13, December 19 and December 26, 2026. The official result date is January 12, 2027.
When is XAT 2027?
XAT 2027 is scheduled for January 3, 2027 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Registration closes on December 6, 2026.
Has the next CMAT cycle been announced?
As of September 2, 2026, a fresh CMAT cycle notification is not listed on the official NTA CMAT portal.