The GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is widely accepted by premier Indian B-Schools for their MBA/PGP programs, especially for candidates with international aspirations or those applying via non-traditional routes.
Why GMAT?
- Accepted by top Indian B-Schools (ISB, IIMs, SPJIMR, etc.)
- Ideal for professionals with 2–10 years of work experience
- Valid for 5 years — flexibility for long-term planning
- Preferred for 1-year MBA programs
Top MBA Colleges in India Accepting GMAT
Premier MBA Colleges Accepting GMAT Scores
| College Name | Location | Program Name | Average GMAT Score | Fees (INR) | Avg. CTC (INR) |
| ISB Hyderabad/Mohali | Hyderabad / Mohali | PGP (1-Year MBA) | 710+ | ₹41.78 Lakh | ₹28.21 LPA |
| IIM Ahmedabad | Ahmedabad | PGPX (1-Year MBA) | 690+ | ₹31.50 Lakh | ₹35.68 LPA |
| IIM Bangalore | Bangalore | EPGP (1-Year MBA) | 690+ | ₹31.50 Lakh | ₹33.07 LPA |
| IIM Calcutta | Kolkata | MBAEx (1-Year MBA) | 700+ | ₹31.00 Lakh | ₹30.90 LPA |
| SPJIMR | Mumbai | PGDM (2-Year MBA) | 650+ | ₹20.42 Lakh | ₹33.02 LPA |
| IMT Ghaziabad | Ghaziabad | PGDM | 600+ | ₹19.53 Lakh | ₹17.35 LPA |
| XLRI Jamshedpur | Jamshedpur | GMP (1-Year MBA) | 680+ | ₹23.15 Lakh | ₹26.00 LPA |
| Great Lakes Institute | Chennai | PGPM (1-Year MBA) | 650+ | ₹17.15 Lakh | ₹14.50 LPA |
Colleges Accepting GMAT for Indian & Foreign Nationals
| Institute | GMAT Eligibility | Indian Applicants | Foreign/NRIs |
| ISB | GMAT for all applicants | Yes | Yes |
| IIMs (A, B, C) | GMAT accepted for international candidates | No | Yes |
| SPJIMR Mumbai | GMAT accepted for all applicants | Yes | Yes |
| XLRI Jamshedpur | GMAT accepted for GMP; XAT for PGDM | Yes (GMP) | Yes |
| IMT Ghaziabad | GMAT accepted in lieu of CAT/XAT | Yes | Yes |
| Great Lakes | GMAT accepted for PGPM/PGDM | Yes | Yes |
International Collaboration B-Schools in India
| School Name | Affiliation/Partner | Program Offered | GMAT Accepted | Duration |
| ISBF (Indian School of Business & Finance) | LSE (University of London) | PG Diploma & MSc | Yes | 1–2 Years |
| SDA Bocconi Asia Center | SDA Bocconi, Italy | International MBA | Yes | 2 Years |
| IFMR GSB – Krea University | Corporate tie-ups with JP Morgan, Citi | MBA | Yes | 2 Years |
GMAT Cut-Offs and Admission Tips
- ISB: Competitive profile, essays, and 700+ GMAT are key.
- IIMs (EPGP/PGPX): Prefer applicants with 5–10 years of work experience.
- SPJIMR/XLRI: Balanced profile — academics, work, and SOP matter.
- Great Lakes: Strong ROI for 1-year PGPM.
GMAT vs CAT Which One to Choose?
| Factor | GMAT | CAT |
| Score Validity | 5 Years | 1 Year |
| Exam Window | Multiple dates, throughout year | Once a year (Nov) |
| Acceptance | Global + Indian B-Schools | Indian B-Schools only |
| Difficulty | Moderate (adaptive) | High (percentile-based) |
Final Thoughts
GMAT is a great route for working professionals seeking 1-year MBA or India-standard MBAs abroad. ISB, IIMs (EPGP/PGPX), XLRI, SPJIMR, Great Lakes, and SDA Bocconi Asia Center are some of the schools that provide global-class learning, provided you possess a competitive score and strong profile.
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