GMAT Accepting Colleges in India 2024

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is extremely popular in India, not only because it is the gateway to management courses in foreign universities but also because it is a gateway to top MBA colleges in India. GMAT is accepted by over 2,300 B schools worldwide. In India, more than 100 B-schools accept GMAT scores for admission to their MBA, PGDM, EMBA and other Management courses. Some of the top 10 MBA colleges in India accepting GMAT scores are as follows. 

Top 10 GMAT-accepting public business schools in India

1. Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad

IIM Ahmedabad, located in the Gujarat region of north-west India, is a well-respected business school country and across the world. It is ranked first among management schools in India in the 2023 IIRF Ranking.

Of the MBA cohort, the students generally have between 1 and 2 years of work experience, from sectors including IT, industrial, finance, and consulting. Graduates often land jobs in a range of sectors, including consulting and investment banking at top companies such as Boston Consulting Group (BCG), KPMG, and Goldman Sachs.

GMAT scores from Indian candidates are accepted for its full-time Postgraduate Program in Management for Executives. It also accepts GMAT scores for its full-time two-year MBA program from non-resident Indians (NRIs) or persons of Indian Origin (PIO) and Indian candidates who are based out of India and not able to take the CAT exam.

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2. Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bangalore

IIM Bangalore is located in the south of India, with an MBA class of 480 students it is ranked 3rd in India and 52nd globally in the  Financial Times 2023 Global MBA rankings.

On average, students have 13-24 months of work experience before entry into IIM Bangalore, and they largely come from an engineering bachelor's degree. In the most recent placements, students largely entered the consulting sector, followed by sales and marketing. The top recruiters of the most recent graduating class were Amazon, Accenture, Bain & Company, and BCG.

IIM Bangalore accepts GMAT scores for its Executive Postgraduate Program in Management. This is an intensive, one-year, full-time residential program for experienced professionals, leading to an MBA. It is created specifically for professionals with remarkable track records and five to 12 years of work experience in a wide range of industries.

The institute also accepts GMAT scores for its full-time two-year MBA program from NRIs/PIOs and Indian candidates who are based out of India and unable to take the CAT exam.

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3. Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta

IIM Calcutta is located in West Bengal, right on the eastern border of India. IIMC is made up of 552 students with varying experience, mainly from 0-24 months.

IIM Calcutta’s Executive MBA Program accepts GMAT scores from Indian candidates. This executive program has a strong emphasis on decision-making and leadership skills, with international immersion modules in the US and Europe.

The Executive MBA’s most recent placements saw the highest number of offers for roles consulting (32%), followed by product marketing (18%), then sales and marketing (11%), and finance (10%). Recruiters included Accenture, Axis Bank, and HSBC.

4. Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Lucknow

IIM Lucknow is located in north-east India, close to the Nepal border, and among its offerings are the Postgraduate Diploma in Management for which students’ work experience ranges from 0-48 months or more, averaging 25-36 months. Of the 2022 graduating batch, students were offered positions at companies such as Accenture, Amazon, and BCG.

IIM Lucknow offers a two-year MBA for working executives, which accepts GMAT scores. It also accepts GMAT scores for its International Program in Management for Executives, a residential program designed for mid- to senior-level professionals.

5. Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Kozhikode

Located on the south-west coast of India, IIM Kozhikode is a well-respected school that accepts GMAT scores from candidates. Between 2020 to 2022, the batch profile had 546 students, 52% of whom were women with an average work experience of 24 months.

IIM Kozhikode has a 100% placement rate, with consulting the top industry, accounting for 41% of placements.

IIM Kozhikode’s MBA in Business Leadership and MBA in Finance accept GMAT scores for entry into the program. International applicants to the MBA program and Indian candidates who are based out of India and unable to take the CAT exam can also submit the GMAT to gain acceptance.

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6.Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Indore

Located in northern India, IIM Indore was the second IIM in the nation to receive triple crown accreditation.

GMAT scores are accepted for its Executive MBA program from Indian candidates. It also accepts GMAT scores for its Doctoral Programs in Management for all candidates. Additionally, IIM Indore accepts GMAT scores for its full-time, two-year MBA program from NRI, PIO and Indian candidates who are based out of India and not able to take the CAT exam.

The Executive MBA program’s 2023-2024 class profile has 38 students, with an average of 8.5 years of work experience. Past recruiters have included Deloitte, Microsoft, and KPMG.

7. Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Udaipur

Located in the western state of Rajasthan, IIM Udaipur has a range of courses to choose from. Those that accept the GMAT include the one-year MBA in Digital Enterprise Management and the one-year MBA in Global Supply Chain Management.

If submitting a GMAT score for application, it must be from a test taken in the past five years. IIM Udaipur also specifies a bachelor’s degree/equivalent qualification in any discipline, and full-time work experience (after graduation) of minimum 36 months.

8. Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Tiruchirappalli

IIM Tiruchirappalli accepts GMAT scores for its Executive MBA program. While most candidates for the Executive MBA are required to take a written test, those with a valid GMAT or CAT score are exempt. There are, however, other application requirements including filling in a form and submitting application fees. 

The Executive MBA program offers a variety of electives alongside its core courses, including Retail Management, Behavioral Finance, and Data Visualization for Managers.

9. Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Raipur

IIM Raipur accepts the GMAT score for its PhD program. The PhD program consists of numerous areas of specialization including Strategic Management, Finance and Accounting, Marketing Management, and Operations Management. GMAT scores from the past two years are valid for entry.

10. Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Rohtak

IIM Rohtak has a selection of business management courses, including the Doctoral Program in Management (DPM), which accepts GMAT scores for entry.

Admission to IIM’s Doctoral Program is based on the academic qualifications, performance in the qualifying examination/tests, including the GMAT, personal interviews and work experience. The program is a full-time residential program for four years.

The institute is located in the National Capital Region and is close to industrial clusters.

GMAT Score Validity for Indian MBA Applicants in India

GMAT scores are generally valid for MBA admission in India for 2-3 years from the date of taking the test. However, it’s essential to check the specific score validity requirements of the colleges you’re interested in.

How to Apply?

To apply to Indian colleges through the GMAT, follow these steps:

1. Research colleges that accept GMAT scores and make a list of potential colleges.
2. Register for the GMAT on mba.com and choose a suitable date and location.
3. Complete the online application for your chosen colleges and provide the required information.
4. Keep track of your application progress and prepare for interviews if required.
5. A good GMAT score can significantly enhance your chances of admission to top business schools in India.

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Conclusion 

The GMAT is a widely accepted test for admission to business schools around the world and is also accepted by many colleges in India. MBA programs, provide a pathway for both Indian and international students to pursue quality management education in India. The choice of colleges and programs depends on your profile, career goals, and GMAT score, making it essential to research and select the right institution to achieve your MBA aspirations.