If we take a look at the management programmes in some of the best MBA colleges in India, from the entrance exam pattern to the curriculum, they are consistently witnessing a huge transformation. The transition in business education among the MBA colleges in India can be justified through a statement reported by ET Education by The Economic Times. According to the statement, despite the growing number of MBA graduates, the majority of employers are of the opinion that fresh graduates lack application-based learning skills. In the words of Narayana Murthy, the founder of Infosys, most of the MBA programmes in India encompass an outdated curriculum, which leads to a lack of problem-solving abilities.
Additionally, the CEO of Tech Mahindra also opined that 94% of graduates, including MBA graduates, are not fit for employment due to the lack of industry-relevant skills. Contrary to the industry gap, the global emergence of Industry 5.0 is focusing on human-robot collaboration,
where practical training among professionals plays a huge role. As a result, the best MBA colleges in India are focusing more on skill-based entrance exams and curricula. For instance, in 2025, conventional CAT entrance registrations witnessed a significant fall of 10%.
Symbiosis University of Applied Sciences (SUAS), Indore, one of the top management colleges in India, has come up with its own entrance test, Skill-CAT, where they have prioritised experiential learning and industry integration. Additionally, MBA admission at SUAS comprises group discussions and personal interviews as assessments for the soft skill competency of the candidates.
In this article, we will explore why the best MBA colleges in India, like SUAS, are switching to exams like Skill-CAT from CAT.
Why MBA Graduates Are Still Struggling with Employment
A renowned newspaper like The Times of India has cited a report from Bloomberg, where top MBA colleges like Harvard Business School have witnessed a significant jump in joblessness from 4% in 2021 to 15% in 2024. Kristen Fitzpatrick, who is the current head of career development at Harvard Business School, has stated that contemporary MBA graduates are not immune to difficulty in the job market. This statement signals the ongoing skill gap among MBA graduates, which is leading to unemployment. Hence, The Times of India has opined that MBA degrees need to be reassessed by the best MBA colleges in India to meet technologically driven industry standards.
What Companies Want vs CAT Tests
Quoting Narayana Murthy, the founder of Infosys, contemporary MBA graduates lack applied skills like problem-solving, which is making it difficult for companies to work with fresh MBA graduates. In this context, it is evident that the MBA admission process in India plays a primary role in determining if a candidate is suited to survive real-world job complexities. Additionally, according to the Bloomberg job skills report, applied skills like strategic thinking and leadership abilities are some of the rarest skills among aspiring business graduates that companies want the most. Contrary to industry standards, traditional CAT exams are more focused on testing quantitative ability, verbal reasoning and logical thinking. It can be said that the exam curriculum of CAT is more focused on solving abstract problems under time pressure. However, the current job market is more focused on skills like strategic thinking and communication. Hence, in traditional MBA admissions, applied skills like strategic thinking, problem-solving and leadership competencies are rarely assessed.
How Skill-CAT Matches the Industry Standards
SUAS, as one of the best MBA colleges in India, understands the skill gap among MBA graduates and the gaps in traditional CAT exams. Hence, the Skill-CAT exam is an innovative approach to the conventional MBA admission process in making business aspirants skill-ready. Skill-CAT at SUAS focuses on general topics like quantitative ability, data interpretation, logical reasoning, verbal ability and reading comprehension (VARC). The question structure of Skill-CAT is very similar to CAT; however, the VARC section of Skill-CAT has a major focus on applied skills. In this context, it can be mentioned that the Skill-CAT questionnaire follows the “National Skill Qualification Framework” model.
The eligibility criteria at SUAS demand a CAT exam score for the primary admission process; however, students must apply for the Skill-CAT exam for skill assessment.
Factors Driving Skill-Based Assessments among the Best Management Colleges in India
The transition towards skill-based assessment among the best MBA colleges in India is not an oversight phenomenon; it is driven by a chain of factors.
Industry Alignment
In order to explain the industry alignment of MBA admission at SUAS, we can take the reference of its MBA programme in Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI). The BFSI MBA programme at SUAS has industry partners like HDFC Bank, TCS, Bajaj Finserv, etc. Additionally, the theory-to-practice ratio is 30:70, which implies that contemporary colleges like SUAS are more focused on practical learning than theoretical understanding, which is the current demand of the Indian business landscape.
Curriculum Relevance
If we look into the teaching methods at SUAS, they are more research-oriented than focused on conventional teaching methods. Contemporary research-based teaching methods are more focused on instilling key employability skills among students. Hence, the emergence of Skill-CAT is just the beginning of it.
The Demand for Quality Graduates
Entrance exam scores alone cannot decide the fate of MBA students; hence, the best MBA colleges in India need to maintain quality standards in both their entrance process and curriculum.
Skill-Based MBA Assessment Programme Landscape in India
The best MBA colleges in India, like SUAS Indore and Symbiosis Skills and Professional University (SSPU) Pune, have also introduced skill-based assessments as part of their MBA admission process. For example, the final round of the NMIMS Mumbai MBA admission includes an NMIMS competency assessment with a weightage of 50%. Additionally, top management colleges in India, like IIT Madras, have launched the NIPTA programme, which focuses on creating a pipeline from training certification to connecting students directly with recruiters.
How SUAS Is Leading the Way in Revolutionising MBA Admissions
Symbiosis University is the first skill university that prioritised practical skills, innovation and employability training among students to empower them with industry exposure. SUAS Indore added glory to the legacy of Symbiosis by earning second place as the Best Skill University in India in the NIRF 2025 rankings. Additionally, students with Skill-CAT scores can apply for the SUAS MBA programmes with the required CAT cut-off, which opens vast opportunities for students with the right skills.
Final Thoughts
Industry 5.0 was introduced in 2021 by the European Commission, focusing on human-centric and sustainable production. Gradually, the trend is becoming visible across major sectors like marketing and retail management; hence, the MBA curriculum and admission process are also witnessing a major shift. SUAS has begun its Skill-CAT enrolments, and if you want to build a career based on employability, enrol now for its MBA programmes.