Top MBA Colleges in Bangalore Accepting CAT and CMAT Scores

For the purpose of clarity, let’s also familiarize ourselves with a few other national/ institutional-level exams for MBA. These will serve you in understanding what are the array of options available to you in your journey: 

• Common Admission Test (CAT) 

• Common Management Admission Test (CMAT)

• Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT)

• Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT) 

• Management Aptitude Test (MAT)

There are several MBA colleges in Karnataka accepting CMAT scores as well as CAT scores. The most elite CAT colleges in India and CMAT colleges in India offer numerous challenging MBA courses for the students to pursue. 

Before we dive into which colleges in Bangalore are ideal for your MBA journey, let’s take a good look at the CAT and CMAT gateways.

What is the Common Admission Test (CAT)?

Common Admission Test (CAT) is India's most prestigious and primary MBA entrance exam. CAT Examination is conducted by Indian Institute of Management on a rotation basis. It is a computer-based exam that takes place in 156 places across India. 

The test is a computer-based online exam, and comprises 3 parts such as Verbal Ability, Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, and Qualitative ability. The examination duration is 2 hours. The candidates must answer 66 questions in total. The entire exam is evaluated for 198 marks. They should secure the prescribed minimum percentile to get into CAT colleges in India.

What is the Common Management Admission Test (CMAT)?

The Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) is a national entrance exam for admission to management programmes across India. This test assists AICTE-affiliated participating institutions to select MBA candidates for admissions to management programmes. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has been administering this exam since 2019. 

CMAT is also a computer-based online test. The duration of the exam is for 3 hours. It includes Quantitative Abilities, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness, and Innovation and Entrepreneurship. 

Top MBA Colleges in Bangalore accepting CAT and CMAT scores 2026

Now that we have an understanding of CAT and CMAT exams, let's discuss in detail the best MBA colleges in Bangalore that accept CAT and the best MBA colleges accepting CMAT score.

1) Indian institute of Management (IIM), Bangalore

The Indian institute of Management (IIM), Bangalore was founded in 1973 and is the third IIM to be established by the Indian government. It is one of the most prestigious colleges in the country, that is both AICTE-approved and accepts CAT scores for its MBA programme. However, note that IIMB as of 2026 does not accept CMAT scores. 

2) Department of Management Studies, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore

The Department of Management Studies is IISc’s dedicated academic department for management education and research. It was established around 1947, and has since evolved into an academically rigorous and technology/ analytics-focused centre for MBA. It is also recognized as India’s oldest management school.

3) School of Business and Management, Christ (Deemed-to-be-University)

Christ’s School of Business and Management is ranked among the Top B-schools in South India. It first offered MBA courses in 1994, and has since earned a NAAC grade "A" and a University Grants Commission (UGC) recognition. What makes Christ most noteworthy however, is its international collaborations with institutions like the Technical University of Applied Sciences Wurzburg-Schweinfurt (THWS), in the academic and teaching model for MBA.

4) Jagdish Sheth School of Management (JAGSoM)

JAGSoM was founded in 1995 as IFIM Business School, later rebranding in 2020 as a tribute to Professor Jagdish Sheth, an influential marketing scholar. The institution itself has garnered much praise and accolades; AACSB, NBA, and SAQS accreditation, an ISO 9001:2008 certification, with a prestigiously high ranking both nationally and internationally. JAGSoM’s notable academic credentials make it a uniquely attractive choice for MBA aspirants.

5) Xavier Institute of Management and Entrepreneurship (XIME)

Xavier Institute of Management and Entrepreneurship (XIME) was founded in 1991. The institute is accredited by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and the Accreditation Council of Business Schools and programmes (ACBSP). One of Bangalore’s oldest private B-schools, Xavier’s history and institutional credentials give it a legacy few private management institutes in the city can match.

6) Alliance University

Alliance University was founded in 1995 as Alliance Business Academy, and later renamed itself Alliance Business School in 2005, before being established as a full-fledged private university in 2010. This made it the first private university in both Karnataka and South India. It also has a NAAC A+ and an IACBE accreditation, with a NIRF Management ranking of 71 in 2025.

7) PES University

PES University traces its humble origin to 1972, when Prof. M. R. Doreswamy founded the People’s Education Society (PES) to open a school for underprivileged children in Thyagarajanagar, Bangalore. This institutional foundation matured into an engineering and management institution. With NAAC A+ accreditation, AICTE approval, and five decades of institutional continuity, PES University positions itself as a credible option for aspiring Business and Management professionals.

8) Center for Management Studies (CMS), Jain (Deemed-to-be-University)

Center for Management Studies (CMS), Jain (Deemed-to-be-University) was founded to build globally-minded business leaders through a dedicated management school within the university. Today, it is accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) with "A++" certification, alongside recognition from UGC, AICTE, AIU, NBA, CRISIL. It is this that gives Jain’s Centre for Management Studies its institutional weight and value.

9) St. Joseph's Institute of Management (SJIM)

The St. Joseph's Institute of Management (SJIM) stands out among Bangalore’s B-schools, not for scale, but for density of attention offered to each student. Founded in 1968, it also is NBA and AIU recognised, with a large list of accepted entrance exams to allow a diversity of student population, as well as a minimum 60% aggregate for admission. Another genuine advantage is its location, as it sits on MG road at the heart of Bangalore’s central business district; a strong point for those seeking MBA in Bangalore.

10) Acharya Bangalore Business School (ABBS)

Founded in 2008 under the Samagra Sikshana Samithi Trust, this institute is recognized as one of the top ranked B-schools in Karnataka. It holds a NAAC ‘A’ grade, and is recognised and accredited by SAQS and IACBE respectively. Alongside other business schools, ABBS offers multiple international collaborations and partnerships, with institutions like Rennes School of Business, Herzing University, Wenzhou University, and many more.

Conclusion

What should guide your decision now isn’t a single metric, but a combination of four factors mainly. 

Firstly, consider the fee range that you are comfortable with. Secondly, consider also the entrance exam flexibility. Some colleges in this list offer a wider range of access; this is worth taking a look at if you want a lower cap of entry. 

Thirdly, placement outcomes are an essential feature to check. Your employability will depend on what your college is able to offer you. Lastly, the location of your college of choice will either be of positive impact or detriment to you. Choose wisely. Bangalore has much to offer you: the trick is knowing where to find them.