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MAT Exam: Eligibility, Syllabus, Pattern & Cut-Offs
The MAT exam is conducted in February, May, September, and December every year. Applicants may submit their applications at any time. It is possible to take the MAT more than once, and the top score from each attempt can be applied to admission to an MBA program.
Both CBT and PBT formats are used for the exam. Both exam types have separate examination locations and dates. The date of the MAT December 2026 exam will be announced soon by AIMA, and online registration will be available.
The 2025 MAT December Exam will consist of both a PBT and a CBT. On the application form, candidates will have the option to select the test city and mode.
Table of Content
- MAT Exam 2026: Important Highlights
- About MAT Exam
- MAT 2026 Exam: Important Events
- MAT 2026 Exam: Application Form
- MAT 2026 Exam: Eligibility Criteria
- MAT 2026 Reservation Criteria
- MAT 2026 Exam Pattern
- MAT 2026 Exam Syllabus
- MAT 2026 Selection Process Overview
- MAT 2026 Exam: Top Colleges Accepting MAT
- MAT 2026 Exam: Courses Offered
- MAT 2026 Cutoff
- How to Prepare for MAT 2026 Exam
- MAT vs CAT 2025: Comparison for Students & Aspirants
MAT Exam 2026: Important Highlights
Students and aspirants can refer to the table below for a quick overview details of MAT 2026.
About the MAT Exam
The All India Management Association (AIMA) administers the MAT exam (Management Aptitude Test), a common aptitude examination, to applicants to more than 600 business schools in India. It is one of the biggest MBA entrance tests in India and has been held annually since 1988.
Compared to CAT exams, it has a greater approval rate. When applying to MBA programs and other relevant courses, the MAT score is taken into account. In 2003, the MAT was authorized as a national test by the Indian government’s Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD).
Three modes are available for the MAT exam: Computer-based (CBT), Paper-based (PBT), and Remotely proctored (IBT). Depending on students’ preferences, they can take the exam in any pattern. The costs, exam format, and syllabus are the same for all three exam forms; however, the dates for exams and admission card releases differ.
The MAT exam can be taken as:
- Computer-Based Test and Internet-Based Test (PBT+IBT)
- Computer-Based Test and Internet-Based Test (CBT+IBT)
- Double Internet-Based Test (IBT)
- Paper-Based Test (PBT)
- Computer-Based Test and Internet-Based Test (CBT+IBT)
- Paper-Based Test and Computer-Based Test (PBT+CBT)
MAT 2026 Exam: Important Events
Outlined below are tentative dates for key milestones relevant to students and aspirants.
MAT 2026 Exam: Application Form
For all modes, the MAT application form 2025 is entirely available online. To register for the MAT exam in 2025, eligible candidates have to complete the steps listed below:
- Step 1: Students need to go to mat.aima.in, the official website.
- Step 2: Complete the registration form page by entering the necessary information.
- Step 3: To access the online MAT application form 2025, candidates must first register and then log in with their login information.
- Step 4: Students have to decide the exam mode—IBT, PBT, or CBT that you’ll want to use.
- Step 5: A scanned copy of the original passport-sized photo and the signature must be uploaded.
- Step 6: Next, students must choose the Management Institute of their choice.
- Step 7: Students will be directed to the payment site, where they will need to pay the specified amount by the Institute and select the test mode.
- Step 8: Next, complete the remaining information on the application.
- Step 9: Before submitting the form, recheck and review it carefully to ensure accuracy.
- Step 10: After submitting the MAT application, save and download it.
MAT 2026 Exam: Eligibility Criteria
Students and aspirants must meet the criteria below to appear for MAT 2026.
- Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree from an institution approved by the UGC.
- Any stream or discipline could serve as the subject of graduation.
- For MAT, there are no minimum qualifying scores needed.
- MAT Exam is also open to students who are in their last year of graduation.
- Professionals with degrees in ICWA, CS, or CA are also qualified to apply.
- The MAT exam has no upper age limit.
MAT 2026 Exam Pattern
Although AIMA has set separate time limits for each subject, there are no restrictions on moving freely from one section to another within the allotted time in the MAT 2025 exam format.
The MAT exam design consists of five sections, each with an equal number of questions. Each section will have 40 questions. The MAT’s total marks consist of 200 marks in the paper, all of which were composed of the MCQ question pattern.
This section provides the structure of the examination that students and aspirants will face.
A candidate’s performance on the MAT exam is used to determine their score. Each right response will get you one mark, while incorrect answers will give you 0.25.
Questions that are not attempted are not evaluated. On a scale of 199 to 801, the total score is determined by adding the scores from the first four sections.
MAT 2026 Exam Syllabus
The Management Aptitude Test (MAT) syllabus is structured into five key sections that assess the analytical, verbal, and reasoning abilities of students and aspirants. The sections include Language Comprehension, Data Analysis and Sufficiency, Mathematical Skills, Intelligence and Critical Reasoning, and the Indian & Global Environment.
Students and aspirants should also review the latest MAT exam pattern to understand the marking scheme and weightage of each section.
The table below provides the detailed subject-wise topics based on the MAT syllabus for MBA admissions. Students and aspirants should prepare across these five core sections.
| MAT Subjects | Key Topics Covered |
| Language Comprehension | Reading Comprehension, Fill in the Blanks, English Proficiency, Para Jumbles |
| Data Analysis and Sufficiency | Tables, Graphs, Data Sufficiency, Venn Diagrams, Charts (Column, Bar, Pie) |
| Mathematical Skills | Number System, Mixtures & Allegation, Profit & Loss, Sequence & Series, Interest, Ratio & Proportion, Trigonometry, Height & Distance, Algebra, Permutation & Combination |
| Intelligence and Critical Reasoning | Passage Conclusion, Fact Inference Judgment, Statement & Argument, Blood Relations, Analogy |
| Economic & Business Environment | Current Affairs, World Records, Books and Authors, Top Officials of Major Companies |
MAT 2026 Selection Process Overview
Students and candidates can apply to a number of management schools in India that recognize MAT scores following the exam. Since the MAT is administered numerous times a year, candidates can use their scores for multiple application cycles, and the admissions process usually starts as soon as the results are announced.
The candidate’s MAT score, educational background, and, in certain circumstances, previous work experience are all taken into consideration during the shortlisting process for MBA and PGDM programs.
In order to further evaluate a candidate’s communication abilities, critical thinking, and general fitness for management studies, many prestigious B-schools additionally administer Group Discussions (GD), Written Ability Tests (WAT), and Personal Interviews (PI).
MAT 2026 Exam: Top Colleges Accepting MAT
Here are some noteworthy institutions that accept MAT scores (students/aspirants should verify current fees and intake).
| College Name | Total Fees | Avg Package | Highest Package | Top Recruiters | Specializations |
| Christ University, Bangalore | ₹7.5 Lakh | ₹6.5 LPA | ₹21 LPA | Deloitte, KPMG | Marketing, HR |
| JIMS Delhi | ₹8.7 Lakh | ₹7 LPA | ₹18.7 LPA | Amazon, ICICI Bank | Finance |
| Amity Business School, Noida | ₹12 Lakh | ₹6.8 LPA | ₹20 LPA | Wipro, Tata Power | HR, International Business |
| IPE Hyderabad | ₹8.15 Lakh | ₹6.4 LPA | ₹15.5 LPA | Infosys, Tech Mahindra | Finance, Business Analytics |
| XIME Bangalore | ₹11 Lakh | ₹7.2 LPA | ₹16.5 LPA | Federal Bank, Mindtree | Marketing, Business Analytics |
MAT 2026 Exam: Courses Offered
These are the common programmes students and aspirants can pursue using MAT scores.
| Course Type | Duration | Description |
| MBA (Master of Business Admin) | 2 years | General management programme focusing on leadership, marketing, and finance |
| PGDM (Post Graduate Diploma in Management) | 2 years | Industry-oriented management programme, equivalent to an MBA |
| Executive MBA / PGDM | 1 year | For working professionals aiming at accelerated growth |
MAT 2026 Cutoff
The conducting body does not specify the MAT Exam cutoff date for 2025. Depending on the MAT cutoff that each college has set, students will be admitted to that college. Following the announcement of the results, the relevant management institutes will publish the MAT cut off.
The specific institute taking the test will determine the MAT Cut-Off 2025. A number of criteria listed below will be taken into consideration for determining the MAT cut-off 2025.
- The total number of applicants taking the test
- The examination’s level of difficulty
- Normalized score for MAT 2025
- The total number of seats that are available for admission
- An average score on the MAT.
MAT 2026 vs CAT 2025: Comparison for Students & Aspirants
This table helps students and aspirants decide which exam may better suit their goals.
| Feature | MAT 2026 | CAT 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Frequency | Four times a year (Feb, May, Sep, Dec) | Once a year (Nov 30, 2025) |
| Conducting Body | AIMA | IIMs (through IIM Kozhikode for 2025) |
| Modes | PBT, CBT, occasionally IBT | CBT, Multi-slot format |
| Number of Questions | 150 questions in 120 minutes | 66 questions in 120 minutes |
| Eligibility | Graduated in any discipline or a final-year student | Grad with 50% (general) / 45% (reserved) + final-year eligible |
| Accepting Institutes | 600+ B-schools | 1000+ institutes, including all IIMs |
| Typical Fee | ₹2,000–₹3,800 depending on mode | ₹2,600 (for CAT 2025 general category) |
| Ideal For | Students & aspirants seeking multiple attempts and flexibility | Students & aspirants targeting IIMs/top-tier MBA programs |
Which should you choose?
CAT is the best option if students want to get into one of the top IIMs or prestigious MBA programs, and they don’t mind intense competition and only one try each year.
MAT 2026 presents a compelling alternative for students and aspirants looking for flexibility, several attempts, and admission into reputable B-schools (although possibly not the very top tier).
How to Prepare for the MAT 2026 Exam
Aspirants and students should follow an organized preparation plan that covers all the important topics and includes regular practice.
- Aspirants must prepare at least three to four months in advance.
- Spend special attention to conceptual clarity, particularly in the parts on reasoning and quantitative analysis.
- To improve overall speed and accuracy, work through comprehensive mocks and MAT papers from prior years.
- To improve the part on general awareness and the business environment, regularly read newspapers and business publications.
- Increase your vocabulary and comprehension by reading regularly.
- Try to finish each segment within the allotted time by practicing sectional time management.
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