MBA 2026 Test Held; Candidates Highlight Time Management as Key Challenge

Thousands of candidates appeared for the GAT MBA 2026 entrance test on February 22, noting that the Data Analysis section was particularly time-consuming. Official results for this phase are expected to be announced tonight, February 24, on the university portal for students seeking admission to management courses.

The Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management (GITAM) successfully conducted the GAT MBA 2026 entrance test on Sunday, February 22. As the university prepares to announce the phase-one results tonight, early feedback from students suggests that the paper was fair but very long. Most students mentioned that while they knew the answers, completing 100 questions within the 90-minute limit was the biggest hurdle. This university-level Entrance Exam is a popular choice for students who want to study business at the Visakhapatnam, Hyderabad, or Bengaluru campuses.

Candidates who appeared for the test are now focusing on the next steps, which include a personal interview round. The GAT MBA 2026 is unique because the university often releases results and conducts interviews on a very fast schedule. Today, the university portal has seen high traffic as students wait for their scorecards. According to the official website, students can log in using their application number to check their status and see if they have qualified for the merit scholarships offered to top performers.

1. Paper Structure and Sectional Analysis

The Entrance Exam was divided into five main parts, each designed to test different skills needed for a career in management.

• Language Comprehension: This section had 20 questions. Students felt the reading passages were simple and easy to understand.
• Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning: Many students found this part tricky. It included questions on algebra, percentages, and basic arithmetic that required quick calculations.
• Intelligence and Critical Reasoning: This section tested logical thinking. Most candidates described it as "moderate" in difficulty but very interesting.
• Data Analysis and Sufficiency: This was the most talked-about section. Candidates highlighted that interpreting the charts and tables took a lot of time, making it the hardest part of the paper.
• Indian and Global Environment: This section focused on general knowledge and current events. Students who read the news daily found this to be the fastest section to finish.

2. Result Updates and Selection Process

Now that the written test is over, the university is moving quickly to finalize the Management Admission list for the 2026 batch.

• Scorecard Download: Students can access their results by visiting the Official GITAM GAT Portal and entering their login details.
• Personal Interview (PI): For many candidates, the interview happened shortly after the test or is scheduled for today. This round checks a student's communication skills and confidence.
• Marking Scheme: The test awarded 1 mark for every correct answer. One major relief for students was that there was no negative marking for this session.
• Merit List: The university will prepare a list based on both the exam score and the interview performance to decide who gets a seat in the MBA program.
• Direct Admission: Students with very high scores in national tests like CAT or MAT may be excused from this test, but they still need to apply through the GITAM MBA Application Page.

3. Preparation Tips for Future Phases

Since this exam happens in multiple phases, students planning to take the test in March or April can learn from today’s feedback.

• Focus on Speed: Because time was the main challenge, experts suggest practicing with a timer to improve how fast you can read and solve math problems.
• Review Basic Math: Working on tables, square roots, and simple formulas will help you save time during the Management Admission test.
• Mock Tests: The university provides practice links. You should visit the GAT Mock Test Link to see how the online system works before your actual exam day.
• Current Affairs: Keep an eye on business news from the last six months to score well in the Indian and Global Environment section.
• Stay Updated: Always check the Official GITAM News Section for changes in exam dates or new guidelines for the upcoming phases.

Conclusion

The GAT MBA 2026 has once again shown that being smart is not enough; you also need to be fast. While the questions were not extremely difficult, the pressure of the ticking clock made many students nervous. As the results come out today, the competition for seats in the 2026-2028 batch looks very strong. For those who did not do well this time, remember that there are more phases coming up later this year. The key to success in the next Entrance Exam will be better time management and more practice with data interpretation. If you have already cleared the test, start preparing for your fee payments to secure your scholarship benefits.

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