MBA Colleges to Apply Before CAT Exam: Early Deadlines, Selection, Packages, Fees & Expert Tips

Overview: "Discover top MBA colleges in India you should apply to before the CAT exam. Learn about early deadlines, eligibility, fees, average packages, selection process and expert tips to boost your chances."

The CAT 2026 exam is scheduled on 29th November 2026, and the last date to apply for it is 13th Sep 2026.

Every year, thousands of CAT aspirants chase their MBA dreams, but many get blindsided by an early hurdle forms that close before the CAT exam itself. Knowing which forms to fill out before CAT exam dates is essential for keeping all your options open, especially with rising application fees and ever-changing selection rules. 

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A handful of India’s top MBA colleges, including some government-funded ones, have early deadlines. Planning your applications now means you can secure potential interview calls and avoid the sting of last-minute regrets. 

Pay special attention to deadlines around 15 September and 22 November, as many colleges wrap up applications days before the main CAT exam.

Continue reading to get the complete details of the “MBA Colleges to Apply Before CAT Exam”.

Why Do Some MBA Colleges Close Applications Before CAT?

Colleges closing forms before CAT often collect fees before any test results. This mix of private and government MBA colleges says it helps their admissions process. However, it raises concerns, especially for those trying to manage expenses or who are unsure of their performance in CAT.

Pros of Early Applications	Cons of Early Applications
Secures a seat for group discussion, WAT, or interview rounds.	Forces you to spend money before knowing your CAT performance.
Prevents missing out due to last-minute rush or technical glitches.	Increases stress for students managing tight budgets.
It can help those confident about cracking CAT and other exams.	Complicates decision-making across overlapping exams.

Many private colleges set their own fees and schedules, while government colleges sometimes follow procedures that don’t seem student-friendly, like collecting non-refundable fees early.

Top MBA Colleges Closing Forms Before CAT: At a Glance

Here’s a quick guide to major colleges where forms close before the CAT exam.

College Name	Exam Used	Form Fee (approx.)	Tentative Deadline
SPJIMR Mumbai	CAT, GMAT	₹2000	22 Nov 2026 (before CAT)
FMS Delhi	CAT	₹1000 (General)	22 Nov 2026 (before CAT)
IIFT Delhi	CAT	₹3000	~15 Nov 2026 (before CAT)
SIBM Pune	SNAP	SNAP + ₹1000/app	Early Dec (SNAP-2d)
SCMHRD Pune	SNAP	SNAP + ₹1000/app	Early Dec (SNAP-2d)
NMIMS (NMAT)	NMAT	₹3000	Oct 10

Always cross-verify these deadlines on each college’s admission portal for current year changes.

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SP Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJMR) Mumbai

SPJMR Mumbai is a top pick for many CAT aspirants. SPJMR is known for robust placements and a focus on well-rounded candidates. If your academic and non-academic stories stand out, this is a must-fill form before the CAT exam.

Here’s what to know:

Detail	Information
Form Fee	₹2000 (CAT applicants); add another ₹3000 for both PGDM and PGDM BA forms
Application Window	From around September 15 to before CAT, typically closing by 22 November
Selection Split	About 60–70% of seats go through profile-based shortlisting; the remaining 30–40% rely mainly on CAT or GMAT score cutoffs
Profile Shortlisting	SPJIMR values academic excellence (10th/12th/Graduation marks), leadership roles (school captain, head boy/girl), national-level achievements, patents, and special projects

Placement Fact	Details
Average Package	₹32 lakh
Highest Package	₹81 lakh
Major Recruiters	BCG, Bain, Accenture Strategy, KPMG, EY
Special Strengths	Consulting, Marketing, Operations, Finance

Faculty of Management Studies (FMS Delhi)

FMS Delhi (Faculty of Management Studies) is another elite option. Getting an interview call relies as much on the impact of your SOP as on your CAT percentile. Plan ahead to make your application stand out. Here’s what you need to know:

Detail	Information
Form Fee	About ₹1000 (General category), lower for reserved categories
Form Closes	Same week as CAT, usually 22 November
Selection	Application includes a Statement of Purpose (SOP), which carries 10% weight during interviews
ROI	FMS has among the lowest fees for an IIM-comparable brand, earning it the reputation of a "mass college" for value seekers

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SOP Writing Tips

• Keep it crisp, clear, and honest.
• Focus on unique achievements, goals, and fit with FMS culture.
• Use specific examples.

Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) Delhi

IIFT Delhi specialises in international business and marketing. IIFT grads find strong placements in marketing, trade, consulting, and finance, with a growing number of top multinational companies visiting every year.

IIFT Exam & Admission Details

Category	Details
Application Fee	₹3000
Application Deadline	Typically closes before CAT, around mid-November
Selection Process	No separate IIFT exam now; admission based on CAT scores

IIFT Placement Snapshot

Metric	Value
Average CTC	₹27.3 LPA
Highest International CTC	₹85.6 LPA
Avg. Summer Stipend	₹2.63 lakh (for 2 months)

If you want to focus on international business, IIFT stands alone among Indian colleges.

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SNAP-Accepting Colleges: SIBM, SCMHRD, Timelines & Fees

Selective colleges like SIBM Pune and SCMHRD Pune accept SNAP scores and often close application forms right before the first SNAP exam.

Category	Details
Attempts Allowed	Up to 3 times (first slot in early December)
Additional Attempt Fee	Each attempt requires a separate registration fee
SNAP Registration Fee	₹2250 (per attempt)
Program/College Fee	₹1000 per program (additional to registration fee)
Form Deadlines	Two days before the first SNAP exam (check official website for updates)

Institute Cutoffs and Placements

Institute	Expected Cutoff Percentile	Average Placement (Latest Report)	Key Strengths
SIBM	99	₹28.16 LPA	Strong in Marketing
SCMHRD	97	₹24.28 LPA	HR and Analytics specialisations

Aim for multiple SNAP attempts only if you’re confident about improving your score.

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NMAT Exam Colleges

NMAT by GMAC is welcomed by NMIMS Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and a handful of other colleges.

Feature	Details
Application Window	August 1 to October 10
Application Fee	₹3000
Exam Timeline	November 5 to December 19
Test Attempts	Up to three per season (extra fee for each retake)
Key Accepting Colleges	NMIMS Mumbai (flagship campus, cutoff ~232)
Other NMIMS Campuses	NMIMS Bangalore, NMIMS Hyderabad, NMIMS Indore
Additional Institutes	ISME, IBS, Woxsen, and other emerging B-schools

Check the latest cutoffs and college-specific NMAT requirements each year.

The Problem With High Early Application Fees

A recurring pain point for aspirants is paying unfair fees well before CAT scores are released. You might face:

• Non-refundable application fees, sometimes ₹2000-₹3000 per college.
• Forms are closing before you even know if your CAT prep is on track.
• Colleges are asking for upfront payment for exams not even been attempted.

This practice feels unfair to many students, especially when public institutions do it. While private colleges can justify higher fees or stage-wise payments, government-supported colleges charging extra for early forms puzzles many.

Why You Should Not Miss Early Deadlines (Despite the Cost)

Missing the application for a dream college only to regret it later is a common story. Many students wish they’d filled forms before the CAT exam, as some colleges accept no late applications.

Dos and Don’ts When Deciding to Apply Early

• Do make a list of target colleges, check their deadlines, and calendarize them.
• Do apply early if your profile fits the college’s requirements or the average cutoff is within your range.
• Don’t ignore lesser-known forms just because you’re confident about only one top college.
• Don’t skip a form just to save money if it’s your backup—think of it as insurance.

Organize your dates, save receipts, and track which forms are done so you don’t get caught out by a surprise deadline.

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Why Do Colleges Ask for Fees Before Exams?

Many colleges collect fees early for application management and sometimes to boost their ranking through higher applicant-to-seat ratios. Simply put, if a college counts 9,000 applications for 500 seats instead of 4,000, its selectivity appears higher.

Bold facts:

• Early application numbers inflate perceived demand and improve NIRF and similar rankings.
• Managing admissions over a longer cycle helps colleges plan interview and GD rounds efficiently.

Why is it Important to Apply to Colleges Before CAT exam? 

Applying to certain colleges before your CAT result is out can:

1. Build a safety net; keep multiple options open.
2. Guarantee interview eligibility even if the CAT performance is below peak.
3. Help chase high-RoI colleges with aggressive placement stats.
4. Reduce last-minute stress and missed deadlines.
5. Increase your odds at conversion via profile-based shortlists.

Many aspirants secure a seat at a premier institute simply because they applied early, not just because of their CAT percentile.

Profile-Based vs Score-Based Admission: Comparison

Understanding the difference between profile and score-based shortlisting helps in making smarter application choices.

Feature	Profile-Based	Score-Based
What matters most	Academics, leadership, extra-curriculars	Exam score (CAT/SNAP/NMAT)
Example colleges	SPJMR, MICA	FMS, NITIE, SIBM
When to choose	Outstanding profile, diverse background	High CAT/SNAP/NMAT scores

Choose profile-heavy colleges if you shine outside academics or have unique achievements. Score-heavy colleges reward top test takers.

Placement Highlights: By The Numbers

Here’s a consolidated view of average and highest packages reported by top business schools:

College	Average CTC	Highest CTC	Key Recruiters
SPJMR Mumbai	₹32 lakh	₹81 lakh	BCG, Bain, ENY, KPMG, Accenture, HUL
IIFT Delhi	₹27.3 lakh	₹85.6 lakh	Asian Paints, P&G, Flipkart, Axis Bank
SIBM Pune	₹28.16 lakh	₹49 lakh	PwC, Deloitte, HUL, ITC, Google
SCMHRD	₹24.28 lakh	Unreported	J.P. Morgan, IBM, Tata Steel, ABB

Strong placement numbers and a diverse recruiter base are key reasons students invest in early applications.

How to Manage Multiple Form Fees?

With so many forms to fill out before the CAT exam deadlines, the costs add up fast.

• Research before paying: Check placement reports, cutoffs, and alumni feedback.
• Match profiles: Prioritise places where your profile stands out.
• Ask for help: Comment below or join dedicated workshops for help with forms and SOP writing decisions.

If money’s tight, focus on a selected set of colleges instead of a scattergun approach.

Tips for Filling Early MBA Application Forms

A few tips for smooth form filling:

• Read all instructions twice; note IDs, file formats, and deadlines.
• Prepare your SOP and resume before starting the form (for FMS, MICA, etc).
• Double-check category and program selections—wrongly filled forms mean lost chances.
• Keep digital copies of all documents handily organised.
• Review, then submit—no rushing.

• 

  

Are Multiple Applications Worth It? Cost-Benefit

If you’re budgeting, prioritise schools where your chances (via profile or predicted percentile) are highest. It’s better to pay for a few right-fit colleges than a scattergun approach that drains your resources.

Drop your budget and shortlisting dilemmas in the comments. The CATKing team offers advice and workshops to help you decide wisely.

Conclusion

Stay “glued till the end.” The real game is in the next four months. Focus, put distractions aside, and give yourself the best shot. Remember, even if only 8% of aspirants get into the top ranks, planning ahead, filling your forms timely, and believing in your journey gives you an edge.

“Stay good till the end—there’s always something rewarding waiting for those who persist.”