Key takeaways
- Start 12 to 18 months before you want to begin the programme.
- Finish the entrance test and the English test before you write essays.
- Scholarship and loan deadlines can be earlier than admission deadlines, so list them all.
- Check every school's own deadlines, because rounds differ.
An MBA application takes more time than most people expect, mainly because several pieces depend on each other. This plan works backward from the day you want to start.
12 to 18 months before
- Decide why you want an MBA and what you want afterwards. Write it down in two sentences.
- List schools by fees, length and location using the fee tables.
- Choose between the GMAT and GRE with the help of our comparison.
- Start test preparation.
9 to 12 months before
- Take the GMAT or GRE. Keep time for a retake.
- Book IELTS if your schools need it and use our free practice tests.
- Start a resume that shows results, not duties.
6 to 9 months before
- Ask recommenders now and tell them what you plan to say about your goals.
- Draft essays. The first draft is rarely good, so leave time to revise.
- Write down every deadline in a single sheet, including scholarship and financial aid dates.
3 to 6 months before
- Submit applications in the round that fits your preparation.
- Prepare for interviews with a friend. Practise explaining your goals in two minutes.
- Apply for scholarships. See scholarships for Indian students.
- Talk to lenders if you plan to take a loan.
After an offer
- Compare offers on total cost and fit, not only the name.
- Pay the deposit by the deadline.
- Apply for the student visa as soon as the school issues the documents the country requires.
- Plan housing, insurance and flights.
If you are also taking CAT
CAT is on 29 November 2026. Our free CAT test series keeps you on a schedule, and the decision guide helps you compare routes after the result.
Documents to collect early
- Degree certificates and transcripts, with certified translations if a school asks.
- A passport that stays valid for the whole programme and the visa period.
- Test score reports for the GMAT or GRE and for IELTS if needed.
- Your resume, kept to results.
- Contact details for two or three recommenders, and a short note on what each should cover.
- Proof of funds, since schools and visa offices ask for it later.
How rounds work
Many schools run several application rounds. Early rounds can offer more scholarship money and a clearer view of your options, while later rounds leave you more time to prepare. Each school publishes its own dates, so list them in one sheet and plan from the earliest.
Common timing mistakes
- Booking the test too late to retake it.
- Asking recommenders in the last two weeks.
- Missing a scholarship deadline that is earlier than the admission deadline.
- Waiting for the offer before looking at the visa requirements.
- Applying to too many schools with weak essays instead of fewer with strong ones.
Fees change every year and each school sets its own. The figures here come from the schools' own pages and were checked in October 2026, so confirm them on the school site before you decide. This guide is for planning and is not an offer from any school.