Which B Schools in India accept GMAT scores?

GMAT Accepting Business Schools in India | Without Work Experience

Question : What are the top Business Schools in India which accept GMAT scores? What are the GMAT accepting colleges in India for freshers (without work experience)?

Quite a few top business schools in India accept the GMAT score to admit Indian students to their flagship MBA / PGP programs. While some of these are 2-year MBA/PGDM programs, others are 1-year programs.

The notable exceptions to the list of top business schools in India accepting GMAT scores for fresh Indian students are the Indian Institute of Management (IIMs), the Schools of Management (SoM) of Indian Institute of Technology (IITs), the Faculty of Management Studies (FMS Delhi), and Xavier Labour Research Institute (XLRI). The IIMs, the IITs, and the FMS accept CAT scores to admit Indian students to their 2-year program.

Is work experience necessary for MBA through GMAT?

No. Work experience in NOT necessary for MBA in top business schools in India through GMAT. There are more than a dozen top Indian MBA colleges which accept GMAT scores to admit freshers for their flagship MBA / PGP programs.

Notwithstanding the dozen odd good business schools, about one hundred business schools in India accept GMAT scores to admit fresh students to their MBA programs. Obviously, not all of them offer the same value. You can access the complete list of programs and business schools in India that accept the GMAT score on mba.com's website.

Can freshers join MBA in India through GMAT? Can Indian students without work experience join top MBA colleges in India by taking the GMAT?

Just rephrased the earlier question - just to ensure that the message is loud and clear. The answer is Yes, Yes, and Yes. Indian students who are freshers, with zero work experience, can join MBA programs in India in reputed colleges and top business schools by taking the GMAT exam.

Top Business Schools in India Accepting GMAT Score for Freshers

The list of top MBA colleges in India which accept GMAT scores to admit Indian students without work experience for their flagship MBA programs is given below.

  1. S P Jain Institute of Management & Research, Mumbai

    The SP Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR) admits students for their flagship two year Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) through the CAT, the GMAT, or the XAT. For admission through the GMAT, SPJIMR requires a minimum of 75%ile in the Quant and Verbal sections and a 85%ile score in the overall score. That translates to having minimum scores of Q49, V35 and 690. The programme offers four specializations - Finance, Information Management, Marketing, Operations - that the students have to choose from at the application stage itself.

    Visit SP Jain Site


  2. Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai

    The Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) offered at Great Lakes Institute of Management, in both the Chennai and the Gurgaon campuses, is a two year program that focuses on emerging economies. The course provides inputs on the economies of China, Far-East, Latin America, and Africa alongside the discussions of the Indian economy. The school also provides opportunities for getting a dual degree and for pursuing international immersion.

    Visit Great Lakes Site


  3. XIM, Bhubaneswar

    The Master's Program in Business Management (MBA - BM) is the two year flagship MBA program offered by Xavier Institute of Management (XIM), Bhuvaneshwar. The program follows a rigorous trimester system requiring an investment of 70 hours of work per week. There are student exchange opportunities as well - with schools in Europe, mostly in France. Admission to the program requires a GMAT score for a test taken within the last two years.

    Visit XIM Site


  4. IMT, Ghaziabad

    Institute of Management Technology (IMT), Ghaziabad offers a Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) in three Indian campuses - Ghaziabad, Nagpur, and Hyderabad. In the two year AICTE and AACSB accredited program, each academic year comprises four terms and students begin choosing electives in term 4. There is also an option to choose a minor specialization. Admission is based on the GMAT scores as well, with the requirement that the official score card is received by the school before the announcement of the results in Mid-March.

    Visit IMT Site


  5. IMI, Gurgaon

    The International Management Institute (IMI) has three campuses - New Delhi, Kolkata, and Bhubaneshwar. Established first in Delhi, in collaboration with IMD, Switzerland, IMI still maintains many international partnerships with schools in Europe. Applicants need at least 50% in their undergraduation and if applying with the GMAT, need to have written the test within 2 years of application deadline. IMI follows a trimester system, each of 11 to 13 weeks.

    Visit IMI Site


  6. BITS, Pilani

    The Department of Management at the Birla Institute of Technology & Sciences (BITS), PIlani offers a 2 year flagship MBA programme. The program follows a semester system and classes are held over 3 semesters, followed by a 6 month practical learning experience through a structured internship. The program requires a minimum undergraduate aggregate of 60% and applicants can submit either the CAT or the GMAT score. Candidates who get admitted will also get considered for partial tuition fee waivers and teaching assistantships.

    Visit BITS Site


  7. K J Somaiya, Mumbai

    The K J Somaiya Institute of Management Studies & Research (K J SIMSR) offers a flagship two year Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM). The program follows a trimester system, with core papers in the first three trimesters and the option of specializing in Marketing, Finance, Operations, and HR in the second year. The admission to the program is based on CAT, GMAT, XAT, or CMAT scores. The GMAT score has to be within the last three years. For example, for 2019 admissions, the GMAT should have been written between Jan 2016 and Dec 2018.

    Visit K J Somaiya Site


  8. T A Pai Management Institute (TAPMI), Manipal

    The T A Pai Management Institute (TAPMI) offers a two year Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM).The program has three terms in the first year, all offering core classes and three in the second year with some core courses but a majority of electives in each of the terms. The schools offers 50 merit-based scholarships to the students, and boasts a 100% placement record. The program requires a minimum GMAT 630 score and a 50% in undergraduation.

    Visit TAPMI Site


  9. Welingkar Institute of Management Development & Research, Mumbai

    The Welingkar Institute of Management Development & Research (WeSchool) has campuses in Mumbai and Bengaluru. The Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) programs follow a trimester system and include assessment and development centers that focus on the development of the students. Admission to the program requires a minimum score of 50% in undergraduation and a GMAT score written within 3 years of program commencement. For example, for 2019 programs, students should have written the GMAT in 2016 or later.

    Visit Welingkar Site


  10. Goa Institute of Management, Goa

    Goa Institute of Management (GIM) is SAQS accredited and offers a two year Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM).Apart from the regular curriculum, students are also involved in the Give Goa project, meant to create social awareness and in the Joint International Internship Seminar (JIIS), in which selected students from the University of Antwerp and first year students of GIM to work together on live projects. The admission to the program requires a minimum 50% marks in undergraduation and a GMAT score written in the last two years. FOr example, admission to the 2019 program will need a GMAT written after Jan 1, 2017.

    Visit GIM Site


  11. FORE School of Management, New Delhi, NCR

    The FORE School of Management offers a two Year Post Graduate Diploma in Management – Future Managers Group Programme (PGDM - FMG). The program includes an international immersion programme , that is a mix of preparatory classes and a one week immersion after the first year with one of their partner institutions abroad. The admission to the program requires a minimum 50% marks in undergraduation and a GMAT score written in the last two years. For example, admission to the 2019 program will need a GMAT written after Jan 1, 2017.

    Visit FSM Site


Top Business Schools in India Accepting GMAT Scores | With Work Experience

All the business schools that admit freshers through the GMAT route will also admit students with work experience. For those with work experience, especially Indian students who have more than 5 years of experience, the list of business schools in India accepting GMAT scores expands to include the following top B schools in India.

  1. ISB, Hyderabad & Mohali

    ISB, is one of the first GMAT accepting B schools in India. The program offered by ISB is ranked among the top business school programs not only in India but also globally. ISB, Hyderabad has featured in the Financial Times Business School ranking - FT Ranking. Having 2 or more years professional work experience is essential to have a fighting chance to get an admission from ISB, Hyderabad.


  2. IIM Ahmedabad | PGPX Program

    The post Graduate Program in management for executives (PGPX), offered by IIM Ahmedabad, is a one-year full-time residential MBA program designed for people with a minimum of 4 years of experience. The program has consistently ranked in the to top 3 for career progression, according to the Financial Times ranking. The program includes a two-week international immersion.


  3. IIM Calcutta | PGPEX Program

    The PGPEX (Post graduate program for executives) offered by IIM Calcutta is a one-year full time residential program that requires applicants to have a minimum of 5 years of work experience. This program was the first to be 'triple accredited' - accredited by the AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS.


  4. IIM Bangalore | ePGP Program

    Designed for professionals with between 5 and 12 years of work experience, the IIM Bangalore ePGP (Executive Post Graduate Program) includes features such as International Immersion opportunities and a mentoring experience with Alumni. The mentoring program, called Shikshu, allows the students to get the C-suite experience, by spending a day with CEOs of leading organisations and observing their job first hand.


  5. IIM Lucknow | IPMX Program

    The IIM Lucknow IPMX (International Programme in Management for Executives) is designed for professionals with a minimum of 5 years of work experience. The programme also allows students to pursue a course of independent study for a deeper exploration of an area of interest, beyong the subscribed curriculum. The programme is offered at the Noida campus, enabling greater interaction and relationship with industries.


  6. IIM Indore | EPGP Program

    The EPGP (Executive Post Graduate Programme in Management) offered by IIM Indore has received accredition from the Association of MBAs (AMBA) London (UK). Admission to the programme requires a minimum of 5 years of work experience. One of the highlights of the programme is a five week international immersion in a top 20 business school in the USA (McCombs School of Business, University of Texas, Austin)


  7. XLRI Jamshedpur | PGDM (General Management)

    The PGDM-GM (Post Graduate Diploma in Management - General Management) program offered by XLRI, Jamshedpur is a 15 month program. The course is divided into 7 terms, 3 of which are core terms and the remaining 4 are customizable, depending on the electives that the students wish to choose. Admission to the program requires applicants to have a minimum of 5 years of experience.


Watch this 15-minute video for 4 reasons to take the GMAT while still in college (During undergraduate study).

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