BBA Entrance Exams: BBA is a 3-year UG course that offers students a basic understanding of the business world and how it works. Various top universities & Institutes offer a BBA degree. However, all the universities conduct separate entrance exams to shortlist students for BBA admission. Hence, choosing the right BBA entrance exam is the first big decision in the management journey. With multiple exams like NPAT, IPU CET, MAH CET, & SET offering entry into prestigious colleges, students often ask: Which exam should they focus on?
But, before proceeding to answer this, let’s learn some details about the course. It covers diverse topics from subjects like marketing, finance, management, and communication. These enable students to gain multiple perspectives, shine in their choice of business-related roles, or pursue higher management studies (MBA). Under the flagship of the BBA course, many colleges offer projects, internships, and real-world learning to help students gain practical experience.
In this blog, we’ll break down the differences, similarities, and strengths of each exam to help students make the smartest choice.
Table of Contents
Overview of Each BBA Exam
Let’s first understand what each BBA entrance exam offers and which university or institute conducts them:
Exam | Conducting Body | Top Colleges Covered |
NPAT | NMIMS University | NMIMS Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Indore |
IPU CET | Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University | VIPS, Maharaja Agrasen, IITM, and other IPU-affiliated colleges |
MAH CET (BBA) | Maharashtra State CET Cell | State universities & private colleges in Maharashtra |
SET | Symbiosis International (Deemed University) | Symbiosis Pune (SCMS), Noida, Nagpur |
Exam Pattern Comparison
All the BBA entrance exams have unique structures and patterns. Students must gain a brief insight into each exam’s pattern and structure to make their choice.
Here’s a quick look at how the exam structure varies:
Feature | NPAT | IPU CET | MAH CET (BBA) | SET |
Duration | 100 mins | 150 mins | 120 mins | 60 mins |
Mode | Online (Remote Proctored) | Online | Online | Online |
Sections | Quant, Verbal, Reasoning | English, Math, Reasoning, GK | English, Reasoning, Math | General English, Quant, Logical Reasoning, GK |
No. of Questions | 120 | 100 | 100 | 60 |
Marking | No negative marking | No negative marking | No negative marking | No negative marking |
Also Read: NPAT 2025 Results Released
Key Highlights & Unique Features
Check the brief exam-wise key/unique features and their highlights below.
NPAT BBA
- Gateway to NMIMS, one of India’s top private B-schools.
- Strong focus on Quant and Logical Reasoning.
- Ideal for students aiming for a national brand name and campus placements.
IPU CET BBA
- Delhi-based entrance, attracting top students from the NCR region.
- Includes General Awareness, making current affairs important.
- Cost-effective education in reputed colleges with great ROI.
MAH CET (BBA)
- State-level exam, primarily for Maharashtra domicile students.
- Easy availability of colleges in Tier 2/3 cities and urban hubs like Mumbai and Pune.
- Moderate level difficulty – ideal for students seeking multiple options in Maharashtra.
SET BBA
- For admission to Symbiosis institutes like SCMS Pune & Noida.
- The exam is only the first stage, followed by PI-WAT (Personal Interview & Writing Ability Test).
- Strong emphasis on overall profile.
Which BBA Entrance Exam is Right for You?
Here’s a quick guide to choosing the best fit:
You Should Choose | If You… |
NPAT | Want a reputed brand (NMIMS), love Quant & Reasoning, and can manage a remote proctored exam. |
IPU CET | Are based in Delhi-NCR, looking for affordable private colleges with solid placements. |
MAH CET | Belong to Maharashtra or wish to explore regional colleges with a variety of fee structures. |
SET | Want to get into Symbiosis (SCMS), and have a strong communication & overall profile for PI-WAT. |
How to Prepare for BBA Entrance Exams: Prep Strategy
Regardless of the BBA entrance exams a student chooses to appear, here’s how they should approach their preparation:
- Start early (ideally in Class 11 or the beginning of Class 12).
- Focus on Quant, Logical Reasoning, English, and Current Affairs.
- Attempt full-length mock tests weekly (once closer to the exams).
- Consider enrolling in coaching programs or expert mentoring to stay ahead of the competition.
- Identify the top two target colleges and prioritize their entrance exams accordingly.
Every exam has its flavor and distinguishing features. Whether it’s the brand power of NMIMS, the affordable fees of IPU, the course diversity of MAH CET, or the profile-based admissions of Symbiosis, each student’s career goals should drive their choice.
At Career Launcher, we help BBA aspirants prepare smartly and strategically for NPAT, IPU CET, SET, MAH CET, and more. Our expert mentors can help students choose the right BBA entrance exams and build a personalized prep plan.
Request a Callback or walk into your nearest Career Launcher center today!
Start early, prepare smart, and let the management journey begin on the right track!