Team8 · July 8, 2026 
Introduction
Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) is one of India’s most internationally recognised private universities. It hosts more than 35,000 students from 60+ countries across campuses in Manipal, Mangaluru, Bengaluru, Jamshedpur, and Dubai.
MAHE holds a NAAC A++ grade. It ranks 5th in the NIRF 2025 Overall category and 14th in the NIRF University rankings — one of the most credentialed private universities in the country.
The Manipal Entrance Test (MET) is MAHE’s primary gateway for undergraduate and postgraduate management admissions, including BBA and select MBA pathways. If you’re targeting the Manipal ecosystem, understanding MET is your first and most critical step.
This guide covers everything: what MET is, who it’s for, how it works, what programs it unlocks, and how to prepare effectively.
What Is MET and Who Conducts It?
MET is a national-level entrance exam conducted by MAHE for admission to undergraduate, postgraduate, and diploma programs across its constituent institutions.
The exam runs in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode, in English, across roughly 25 Indian states and the Dubai campus. It’s held in three phases through the year:
- Phase 1: April
- Phase 2: May
- Phase 3: June
This gives aspirants multiple chances to appear and improve their scores.
Important distinction: MET is the admission route for BBA programs at MAHE Manipal. MBA programs instead accept national-level scores — CAT, MAT, GMAT, CMAT, or NMAT — followed by a Group Discussion and Personal Interview round. BBA aspirants need MET. MBA aspirants don’t.
MET 2026: Important Dates
Phase 3 dates are tentative and subject to confirmation on the official MAHE website.
| Event | Date (2026) |
|---|---|
| MET 2026 Registration Opens | January 2026 |
| Phase 1 Registration Deadline | March 23, 2026 (extended from March 15) |
| Phase 1 Slot Booking | March 31 – April 2, 2026 |
| Phase 1 Admit Card | April 10–13, 2026 |
| Phase 1 Exam | April 13–14, 2026 |
| Phase 2 Registration Deadline | April 25, 2026 |
| Phase 2 Slot Booking | April 21–25, 2026 |
| Phase 2 Admit Card | May 20–22, 2026 |
| Phase 2 Exam | May 23–24, 2026 |
| Phase 3 Exam (Tentative) | Third week of June 2026 |
| Result Declaration | Shortly after each phase |
MET 2026 Exam Pattern for BBA Aspirants
The MET 2026 management/BBA exam follows a structured CBT format:
- Mode: Computer-Based Test, fully online
- Duration: 2 hours (120 minutes)
- Medium: English only
- Question types: MCQs and Numerical Answer Type (NAT)
- Total questions: 60, across four sections
- Total marks: 120
Section-Wise Breakdown
| Section | MCQs | NAT Questions | Total Questions |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| General Aptitude | 10 | 5 | 15 |
| Quantitative Ability | 15 | 5 | 20 |
| Reasoning | 15 | 10 | 25 |
| Total | 50 | 20 | 60 |
Marking Scheme
- Correct answer (MCQ): +2 marks
- Correct answer (NAT): +2 marks
- Wrong answer (MCQ): −0.5 marks
- Wrong answer (NAT): 0 marks — no negative marking
- Unattempted: 0 marks
Strategic tip: Since NAT questions carry no penalty for wrong answers, always attempt them — even when you’re unsure.
MET Eligibility for BBA and MBA
BBA Programs (via MET)
- Must have passed Class 10+2 (or equivalent) from a recognised board
- Minimum 50% aggregate in 10+2 for most BBA programs
- Class 12 board candidates can apply provisionally
- Merit list formula: 50% weightage to MET score + 50% weightage to Class 12 marks
Your board exam performance matters just as much as your MET score.
MBA Programs (national exam route)
- MET is not used for MBA admission
- Requires a bachelor’s degree with minimum 50% marks
- Valid score in CAT, MAT, GMAT, CMAT, or NMAT
- Shortlisted candidates attend a Group Discussion and Personal Interview (GD-PI) at MAHE
- Total MBA fees: approximately ₹6.86 lakh for the two-year program
Have Any Doubts?
BBA Programs at MAHE: What MET Unlocks
MAHE offers one of India’s widest portfolios of BBA specialisations — a real advantage for Class 12 students seeking domain clarity early.
BBA (General Management) Covers marketing, finance, HR, operations, and entrepreneurship. Builds leadership and decision-making skills useful across industries. Best for students who want flexibility before choosing an MBA specialisation.
BBA (Business Analytics) Focuses on data-driven decision-making and business intelligence, using tools like Excel, SQL, and visualization software. Total fee: approximately ₹6,55,000. Demand for analytics professionals is driving strong interest in this program.
BBA (Financial Markets) Covers capital markets, securities, portfolio management, mutual funds, and financial analysis. Prepares students for banking, investment firms, and financial services careers.
BBA (e-Banking & Finance) Covers digital banking, fintech, blockchain, and online financial services. Suited to students interested in fintech startups and banking technology careers.
BBA (Marketing) Covers branding, advertising, sales, digital marketing, and consumer behavior. Ideal for creative business roles and brand management careers.
BBA (Logistics & Supply Chain) Covers inventory management, procurement, transportation, and warehousing. Highly valuable for careers in e-commerce, manufacturing, retail, and global trade.
BBA (Family Business Management) Combines business education with entrepreneurship and succession planning. Designed for students who plan to manage or expand family-owned businesses.
Worth noting: BBA (Business Analytics) is one of the few undergraduate analytics-focused management programs in India from a NAAC A++ institution. Its curriculum bridges data science and business strategy at the undergraduate level.
Manipal’s Rankings and Reputation
Understanding what the Manipal credential is worth matters before you invest in it.
- NIRF 2025 Overall: 5th
- NIRF University category: 14th
- NIRF University rankings 2024: 4th
- QS World University rank: 601–650 band
- QS Asia rank: 197th out of 757 Asian institutions — top 200 in Asia
TAPMI (T.A. Pai Management Institute), MAHE’s constituent B-school, ranks 39th in NIRF Management 2025. For MBA aspirants, TAPMI’s 2025 placement record — average ₹13.99 LPA, highest ₹32.77 LPA — is a useful benchmark.
Placements: What the Manipal Ecosystem Delivers
MAHE achieved a 90% placement rate for its 2024–25 batch, with 287+ companies recruiting from the Manipal Udupi campus alone.
- Average package (MIT Manipal, 2025 batch): ₹12.31 LPA
- Top packages: over ₹50 LPA (including Microsoft)
- Top recruiters: Amazon, EY, Deloitte, Goldman Sachs (TAPMI), GSK, Moss Adams, Accenture, Infosys
BBA graduates typically enter roles in business development, marketing, analytics, banking, and consulting. Placements run through MAHE’s central placement office and department career cells.
MBA graduates from TAPMI see a stronger placement profile, with dedicated recruiter relationships across BFSI, consulting, FMCG, and technology.
MET 2026 Preparation Tips for BBA Aspirants
English: Prioritise Reading and Grammar
Tests vocabulary, reading comprehension, sentence correction, and fill-in-the-blanks. Read editorials from The Hindu or The Economic Times for 20–25 minutes daily. Focus on subject-verb agreement, tense consistency, and pronoun usage — the most frequently tested areas.
Quantitative Ability: Master Class 10–12 Fundamentals
Draws from Class 11 and 12 topics: percentages, profit and loss, time-speed-distance, interest, ratios, and basic algebra. This isn’t JEE-level math. Prioritise accuracy over speed on NAT questions, since there’s no negative marking.
General Aptitude and Reasoning: The Differentiator
With 40 combined questions, this is the highest-weight section. For reasoning, focus on arrangement puzzles, blood relations, syllogisms, coding-decoding, and direction sense. For general aptitude, practise data interpretation — tables, graphs, and pie charts appear frequently.
Take Official Mock Tests and Previous Papers
MAHE releases mock tests ahead of each phase. Attempt them under timed conditions to identify weak areas early. Supplement with previous year MET papers from MAHE’s official resources.
Use the Phase Structure Strategically
If Phase 1 doesn’t go well, Phase 2 gives you another shot after targeted preparation. Focus on your weakest sections between attempts. Your best score across all phases counts toward the merit list.
How Career Plan B Helps
Whether you’re a Class 12 student targeting a BBA via MET, or a graduate targeting MAHE’s MBA ecosystem, Career Plan B helps you decide with clarity:
- Personalised Career Counselling — understand which MAHE program actually matches your goals
- PsycheIntel Career Assessment Tests — identify your natural aptitudes to choose between specialisations like Business Analytics, Financial Markets, or Marketing
- Admission and Academic Profile Guidance — support for both MET applicants and MBA candidates preparing GD-PI rounds
- Career Roadmapping — a structured plan from entrance exam to your first career role
Get In Touch With Us
Frequently Asked Questions
Is MET compulsory for BBA admission at MAHE? Yes. MET is mandatory for BBA and most undergraduate management programs at MAHE Manipal. Direct admission without MET isn’t permitted for most programs. The final merit list uses 50% MET score and 50% Class 12 marks.
Does MAHE use MET for MBA admission? No. MBA admission uses national-level scores (CAT, MAT, GMAT, CMAT, NMAT) followed by GD-PI rounds. MET is only for undergraduate programs. MBA aspirants targeting MAHE or TAPMI should focus on CAT/NMAT preparation instead.
What is the MET registration fee for 2026? The application fee is ₹600, plus a separate entrance test fee of ₹1,400 — a total of ₹2,000 for General category candidates. NRI/OCI/PIO candidates pay ₹2,500. Fees are non-refundable.
How many times can I appear for MET in one year? You can appear in all three phases — April, May, and June — in the same academic year. Your best score across attempts counts toward the merit list, making multiple attempts a strongly recommended strategy.
What is the NIRF ranking of MAHE Manipal? MAHE ranks 5th in NIRF 2025 Overall and 14th in NIRF University category — among the highest-ranked private universities in India. For management programs, TAPMI ranks 39th in NIRF Management 2025.
Have Any Doubts?
Conclusion
MET is more than an entrance exam. It is the key to one of India’s most internationally credentialed university ecosystems, a NAAC A++ institution ranked 5th overall in NIRF 2025, with campuses across India and Dubai and an alumni network spread across global corporations and institutions.
For BBA aspirants, MET offers access to one of the widest portfolios of undergraduate management specialisations in the country from Business Analytics to Financial Markets to Logistics and Supply Chain. For MBA aspirants, MAHE’s national-exam-based route through TAPMI and the Manipal management department offers a strong Tier-2 option with a growing placement record and genuine international credibility.
Start your preparation early. Understand how the 50–50 merit formula works because your board exam marks matter as much as your MET score. Appear in multiple phases if needed. And verify all dates and fees on the official MAHE portal before submitting any application.
Want help building your MAHE application profile and choosing the right BBA or MBA program for your career goals?
Connect with Career Plan B for personalised guidance from MET preparation strategy to GD-PI readiness.
