On this page
Quick Answer: MBA entrance exams have varying photo requirements. CAT: 20-200KB, XAT: 10-200KB, SNAP: 10-50KB, NMAT: 10-200KB. Use passport-size photos (JPG/JPEG) with white background for all.
đ Multiple Exams, Different Specs
Unlike engineering (JEE/NEET) where all NTA exams share specs, MBA entrance exams are conducted by different organizations (IIMs, XLRI, GMAC) with slightly different requirements. Check each exam's specific notification!
MBA Entrance Exams Photo Requirements (Comparison)
| Exam | Conducting Body | Photo Size | Signature Size | Background |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAT | IIMs | 20-200 KB | 10-100 KB | White |
| XAT | XLRI | 10-200 KB | 5-50 KB | Light colored |
| SNAP | SIU | 10-50 KB | 5-20 KB | White |
| NMAT | GMAC | 10-200 KB | 10-100 KB | White |
| MAT | AIMA | 20-100 KB | 10-50 KB | White |
| CMAT | NTA | 10-200 KB | 4-30 KB | White |
| ATMA | AIMS | 10-100 KB | 5-50 KB | Light colored |
All formats: JPG/JPEG only
CAT (Common Admission Test) 2026
Conducted by: IIMs (rotates yearly - IIM Calcutta for CAT 2026)
Photo Specifications
- File Size: 20 KB to 200 KB
- Format: JPG or JPEG
- Dimensions: Not strictly defined
- Recommended: 3.5cm à 4.5cm (passport size)
- Background: White or very light colored
- Quality: Clear, professional-looking
Signature Specifications
- File Size: 10 KB to 100 KB
- Format: JPG or JPEG
- Ink: Dark blue or black pen
- Style: Must be in running handwriting
â ī¸ CAT Interview Stage
Your CAT photo will be used during the IIM interview (PI) stage for verification. If your appearance changes significantly between CAT (November) and interviews (February-April), you may face issues. Keep your look consistent!
How to Resize for CAT/MBA Exams
For CAT (20-200KB):
-
Take a professional photo:
- Business casual attire (shirt/formal wear)
- White/light background
- Clean, groomed appearance
- Neutral expression
-
Resize using DocSet:
- Go to Custom Resizer
- Upload photo
- Set Max Size: 150 KB (safe range for CAT)
- Download
-
For Signature:
- Sign on white paper with black pen
- Scan or photograph
- Resize to 50 KB (under 100KB requirement)
For SNAP (10-50KB - Strictest):
SNAP has the smallest file size limit among MBA exams.
- Upload to DocSet Custom Resizer
- Set Max Size: 40 KB
- Check if image is still clear (may need to reduce dimensions)
- Download
XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) 2026
Conducted by: XLRI Jamshedpur
Specifications
- Photo: 10-200 KB
- Signature: 5-50 KB
- Format: JPG/JPEG
- Background: Light colored (white, cream, light grey acceptable)
Special Note: XAT allows slightly more flexibility with background color compared to CAT. But white is always safest.
NMAT by GMAC 2026
Conducted by: GMAC (Graduate Management Admission Council)
Specifications
- Photo: 10-200 KB
- Signature: 10-100 KB
- Format: JPG/JPEG
- Validity: Photo should be recent (within 6 months)
Exam Window: NMAT has a 75-day testing window (usually October-December). Your photo remains valid throughout this period.
â Pro Tip: One Photo for All
Take one high-quality professional photo and resize it to different sizes for different exams. Create multiple versions:
- CAT version: 150 KB
- SNAP version: 40 KB
- GENERAL version: 100 KB (works for most)
Photo Guidelines for MBA Interviews
Once you clear the exam, you'll face Personal Interviews (PI). Your photo from the application will be used for verification.
Interview Photo Tips:
- Wear similar formal attire in the interview as in the photo
- Maintain same hairstyle (avoid drastic cuts before interviews)
- If you wear glasses in the photo, wear them in the interview too
- No facial hair changes (clean-shaven â beard or vice versa)
Common Upload Errors
Error: "Photo size exceeds limit"
Exam Affected: Mostly SNAP
Solution: SNAP has strict 50KB limit. Use DocSet to compress to 40KB.
Error: "File format not supported"
Cause: Uploaded PNG, WEBP, or HEIC
Solution: Use only JPG/JPEG. DocSet auto-converts.
Error: "Image resolution too low"
Cause: Over-compressed photo (below 10KB)
Solution: Aim for 100-150KB for good quality.
Which MBA Exams Should You Take?
For IIMs:
- CAT (mandatory for all 20 IIMs)
For Other Top B-Schools:
- XAT: XLRI, SPJIMR, IMT, XIMB
- SNAP: SIBM Pune, SCMHRD, SIIB
- NMAT: NMIMS, SBM NMIMS, NICMAR
- IIFT: IIFT Delhi/Kolkata (separate exam)
Strategy: Most aspirants take CAT + 2-3 other exams as backups.
Final Checklist (Universal for All MBA Exams)
- Photo is in JPG/JPEG format
- Photo is recent (within 6 months)
- Photo has white or light background
- Face is clearly visible, professional look
- File size matches exam requirement:
- CAT: 20-200 KB
- SNAP: 10-50 KB
- XAT/NMAT: 10-200 KB
- Signature is in JPG/JPEG format
- Signature file size is within limit
- Signature is dark and clear (black/blue ink)
Summary: MBA entrance exams (CAT, XAT, SNAP, NMAT) have varying photo/signature requirements. CAT and XAT allow up to 200KB, while SNAP is strictest at 50KB. Always use professional-looking passport-size photos with white background. Keep appearance consistent for interview stage.
Quick Guide: How to Resize
DocSet Team
Experts in Document Processing & Government Exam Specifications. We research official notifications from SSC, UPSC, IBPS, and other bodies to provide accurate, up-to-date image resizing and document preparation guidelines.
