MBA Abroad after CAT: Top Colleges, Rankings & Intakes
Common Admission Test or CAT can be used to get admission into the top B-schools worldwide. MBA colleges like EMLyon Business School. HEC Paris, SKEMA Business School, etc., accept admission into various management programs like MBA and MiM/M.Sc in Management. The preparation for the CAT exam requires dedication and effort, much like the GMAT, but they both evaluate the candidates on similar skills.
In this blog, we have listed the international colleges and their rankings that accept CAT scores.Pursuing an MBA abroad after the CAT exam can be time-saving and worthwhile for students.
Overview of the CAT Exam
CAT, or the Common Admission Test, is the most prestigious national-level examination conducted by IIMs to impart admission to students into management courses at the post-graduate level. The CAT score is accepted by over 1,200 B-schools across India, and every year, over 2-2.5 lakh students apply for this examination. It is conducted online, at allocated test centers which evaluate verbal ability and reading comprehension, data interpretation, logical reasoning, and quantitative ability. In India, a CAT score is valid for admission to MBA, Executive MBA, PhD in Management, and FPM programs of various IIMs.
| Duration | 2 Hours |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body in 2024 | IIM Calcutta |
| Exam Fees | INR 1200 (reserved category) INR 2400 (others) |
| Exam Dates | 24th November 2024 |
| Medium of Exam | English language |
| Mode of Exam | Online mode |
| Sections | Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude |
| Type of Questions | MCQs Descriptive type |
MBA Abroad after the CAT Exam
Do you know that some foreign B-Schools also accept CAT scores to give entry to Indian students in their MBA and other related management courses? Apart from GMAT and GRE, which are the most important standardised tests to evaluate the competency of the candidates for MBA courses, top B-Schools worldwide also prefer CAT scores. Along with MBA programs, CAT scores are also acknowledged for other management courses such as Master’s in Management (MiM) and Master’s in Management. Unlike MBA courses abroad, MiM programs do not require 2-3 work experience after graduation.
Also read – Ways to Fund your Overseas Education
Top International MBA Colleges Accepting CAT Scores
Are you interested in pursuing an MBA abroad after the CAT exam? Below, we have enlisted the top MBA colleges accepting the CAT score in abroad countries, apart from GMAT and GRE scores.
| Business School | Courses Offered | QS World University Rankings 2025 | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| EMLyon Business School | M.Sc in Management | 63 | France |
| HEC Paris | Masters in Management, MIM | 5 | France |
| Audencia Business School | M.Sc in International Management | 18 | France |
| SKEMA Business School | Masters in Management, MIM | 12 | France |
| EDHEC Business School | Masters in Management, MIM | 101 | France |
| ESSEC Business School | M.Sc in Management | 50 | France |
| ESCP Europe Business School | Masters in Management, MIM | 50 | France |
| SP Jain School of Global Management | Masters of Global Business | - | Singapore |
| Singapore Management University | MSc in Management Masters in Management | 585 | Singapore |
| Stuart School of Business at Illinois Institute of Technology | Masters of Business Administration, MBA | 151 | USA |
| Norwegian School of Economics | Masters in International Management | 251 | Norway |
Study Intakes for MBA Abroad after CAT
Most top international MBA colleges accepting the CAT score offer exceptional admission to their various management programs in fall and spring intakes. The summer intake is either unavailable in some universities or not in demand for full-time programs. Still, it can be utilized for pursuing part-time courses, which are valuable for developing skill sets.
| Study Intakes | Application duration (for 2025 year) | Start of Class |
|---|---|---|
| Fall (Sept-Dec) | October-January/February 2024 | September 2025 |
| Spring (Jan - May) | July-November 2024 | January 2025 |
| Summer (May - Aug) | November-January/February | May 2025 |
MBA Abroad after the CAT Exam: Benefits for Students
The following are why an Indian student should consider using their CAT score for admission into MBA and other related management programs.
- Saves time: If a student has a CAT score already, it will save them time and energy to prepare separately for the GMAT or GRE.
- Tie-up with IIMs: Since top international MBA colleges accepting the CAT score have tie-ups with IIMs, students might prefer using the CAT score for taking admission into a management program to use their expertise locally.
- Saves Year: Sometimes, to save their year after failing the GMAT exam or college application process, students appear in the CAT exam to get admission into available colleges. Since the colleges that accept CAT scores are world-renowned, students get several advantages in their chosen field.
Conclusion
Indian students desiring to pursue an MBA program in top MBA colleges worldwide have several options for admission into their dream institute. GMAT and GRE are the prime entrance examinations that grant them admission; CAT is also preferred by some of the world-renowned B Schools abroad, particularly in France and Singapore. GMAT, GRE, and CAT are standardised exams that evaluate the competency of aspiring management students.
Most Indian students prefer to do an MBA abroad after the CAT exam for various reasons, such as failing to enter B schools through the GMAT or GRE, saving their preparation year, or returning to the country through exchange programs.
FAQs
For how many years CAT score is valid?
Unlike the GMAT exam, the CAT score is valid for one year from the result announcement date.
How much CAT percentile is required to get admission into a foreign B-School?
Most of the top MBA colleges abroad accept admissions in their management courses on the CAT percentile of a minimum of 80-90%, which might differ depending on the institute.
Should I try for the IIM or head for an MBA abroad?
It depends on factors such as student’s interest, availability of institutes and courses, location preferences, career ambitions, etc. Pursuing MBA or related management programs in IIM or foreign B-School imparts different kinds of experience and unmatched educational quality, which are unique to every institute.
What are the fees for an MBA abroad after the CAT exam?
In international top MBA colleges accepting CAT, the average tuition fees range from INR 20 Lakhs to 90 Lakhs, depending on the institute and the specialization.
What are the differences between GMAT and CAT?
While both CAT and GMAT exams have similar aims to check the students’ competency for the management courses, their approaches to checking skills, including duration, application fees, patterns, and syllabus, are different and must be understood before appearing for them.
If you are an aspirant looking to study at your dream university, book an appointment with AdmitX today and start your applications early to avail yourself of all the benefits.
