BBA Entrance Exams: NPAT, SET, IPU & MAH CET Compared

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 […]

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Updated on : July 11, 2025

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.

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!

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