MAT
Agriculture
Updated on 2025
The Management Aptitude Test (MAT) is a national level entrance exam conducted by the All India Management Association (AIMA) for admission into MBA and PGDM programs across numerous institutions, colleges, and universities throughout India. Held multiple times a year, typically in February, May, September, and December cycles, the exam meticulously tests candidates in areas such as Language Comprehension, Indian & Global Environment, Data Analysis & Sufficiency, Mathematical Skills, and Intelligence & Critical Reasoning. It serves as a crucial gateway to top-ranked management colleges in India. Appearing for the MAT is often the first major step for students aspiring to pursue management degrees at India’s most reputed institutions. With a single exam score, aspirants can apply to multiple colleges across the country — making it a centralised, merit-based selection tool. The MAT exam is renowned for its flexible conduct, offering candidates three distinct modes: Paper Based Test (PBT), Computer Based Test (CBT), and Internet Based Test (IBT), allowing applicants to choose the option best suited to their convenience. Each session runs for 2 hours and 30 minutes, featuring 200 multiple-choice questions spread across the five core sections. The syllabus primarily assesses general aptitude and does not adhere to any specific academic board, focusing instead on the analytical, quantitative, verbal, and reasoning skills essential for management studies at a graduation level. Over the years, MAT has consistently attracted a large pool of applicants due to its widespread acceptance by over 600 B-schools nationwide and the advantage of multiple attempts within an academic year. While the exam has a total score of 200 marks, there is no negative marking, which benefits test-takers. Cutoff scores for admission vary significantly across participating institutions, reflecting the diverse range of programs and college tiers available. Successfully navigating the MAT examination opens up a plethora of opportunities for management aspirants, providing a solid foundation for their academic and professional journeys in the dynamic field of business management. Diligent preparation in all five sections is key to achieving a competitive score and securing admission into a desired management program.
Full Name | Management Aptitude Test |
Short Name | MAT |
Conducting Authority | All India Management Association (AIMA) |
Domain | Agriculture |
Academic Level | PG |
Acceptance Level | National |
Exam Type | National Level Entrance Exam |
Exam Mode | CBT, PBT, IBT |
Exam Frequency | Multiple times per year |
Application Period | Rolling applications, typically 1-2 months before each exam cycle |
General Category Fee | INR 1950 |
Reserved Category Fee | INR 1950 |
Typical Exam Months | FebruaryMaySeptemberDecember |
Result Declaration | Within 2-3 weeks after the last exam date of a cycle |
Score Validity | One Academic Year |
Component | Details |
---|---|
Total Papers | 1 |
Duration per Session | 2 hours 30 minutes |
Total Questions | 200 |
Total Marks | 200 |
Question Types |
|
Syllabus Based On | General Aptitude |
Class Level Syllabus | Graduation Level |
Offers candidates multiple attempts and choice of exam mode throughout the year, making it highly flexible for MBA/PGDM aspirants seeking admission to a wide network of B-schools across India.
No centralized counselling; candidates apply directly to B-schools based on their MAT scores for further selection rounds (GD/PI).
Counselling Body | Individual B-schools accepting MAT scores |
Domain of Acceptance | Management (MBA, PGDM) |
Qualifying Management Aptitude Test opens up admission opportunities at India’s most prestigious institutions — known for their academic excellence, robust industry connections, and stellar placement records. These colleges emphasize quality education, comprehensive placement support, and strong brand value, attracting aspirants seeking a strong foundation for their management careers. Admission to these institutions is competitive, driven by MAT scores and subsequent selection processes. Among the top institutions accepting MAT scores is IMS Ghaziabad, renowned for its PGDM program, with graduates securing an impressive average CTC of approximately ₹11.2 LPA. Similarly, Jaipuria Institute of Management, with campuses in Noida, Lucknow, Jaipur, and Indore, is highly regarded, offering an average CTC of about ₹12.3 LPA across its programs. ITM Business School, Navi Mumbai, consistently demonstrates strong placement records, with an average CTC around ₹8.5 LPA for its MBA programs. Amity University, with its widespread campuses, also accepts MAT scores for its diverse management offerings, where average packages generally range from ₹6 LPA to ₹7 LPA. Furthermore, Accurate Institute of Management and Technology in Greater Noida is another notable institution, with an average CTC of approximately ₹7 LPA for its management graduates. Graduates from these colleges often land roles in leading firms like Deloitte, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Accenture, Amazon, and Infosys, showcasing the powerful return on investment of qualifying the Management Aptitude Test.
Qualifying the Management Aptitude Test (MAT) opens doors to some of the most prestigious institutions in India and unlocks access to high-growth career opportunities across sectors. MAT is accepted by over 600 B-schools across the nation, making it one of the most widely accepted management entrance examinations. Studying at these institutions offers a blend of academic rigor, experienced faculty, robust infrastructure, and crucial industry exposure, which collectively enhance a student's profile and marketability. The return on investment for an MBA or PGDM degree secured through MAT-accepting colleges is significant. Graduates from these programs often secure average placement packages ranging from ₹6 LPA to ₹15 LPA, depending on the institute's reputation and the candidate's performance. Top recruiting companies from various sectors such as BFSI, Consulting, IT & ITES, FMCG, and Manufacturing actively hire from these campuses. Firms like Deloitte, ICICI Bank, Infosys, Capgemini, and Amazon are frequent recruiters, offering diverse roles in management, analytics, marketing, and human resources. The curriculum offered by these programs aligns seamlessly with in-demand career domains and emerging sectors like FinTech, E-commerce, and Data Analytics, preparing students for the evolving global business landscape. While MAT primarily facilitates admissions in India, a degree from a reputed Indian B-school provides a strong foundation for future higher studies or international career aspirations. The MAT exam serves as a strategic launchpad for aspirants, equipping them with the necessary skills and network to achieve lifelong success in their academic and professional journeys.
Management Aptitude Test continues to evolve each year to stay aligned with modern academic frameworks and career readiness expectations. The 2024-2025 edition of the exam, building on its established reputation, introduces several key features that candidates should be aware of, primarily centered around flexibility and accessibility rather than dramatic pattern shifts. AIMA consistently offers MAT in multiple testing modes: Paper-Based Test (PBT), Computer-Based Test (CBT), and Internet-Based Test (IBT), providing aspirants with unprecedented convenience to choose their preferred examination environment. This multi-mode approach is regularly updated to ensure a smooth and secure testing experience. Furthermore, MAT maintains its unique structure of being conducted multiple times a year, typically in February, May, September, and December. This frequent scheduling allows candidates to choose the best time to appear based on their preparation levels and college application deadlines, effectively offering continuous opportunities for admission to management programs. The core exam pattern, encompassing sections like Language Comprehension, Intelligence & Critical Reasoning, Data Analysis & Sufficiency, Mathematical Skills, and Indian & Global Environment, remains consistent, ensuring candidates can prepare without concerns of unexpected structural changes. The list of participating colleges is dynamically updated, with new institutions frequently joining the roster, expanding the choices available to MAT score holders. These enduring features and the consistent quality of the examination underscore MAT’s commitment to improving fairness, coverage, and access for all management aspirants.
Official Website | https://www.aima.in/testing-services/mat/mat |
Official Email | matibt@aima.in |
Helpline Numbers | 011-47673000 |
Information Brochure | https://www.aima.in/testing-services/mat/mat |
The Management Aptitude Test (MAT) is a vital national level entrance examination for postgraduate management programs. Conducted by the All India Management Association (AIMA) multiple times a year, MAT offers flexibility with three exam modes: Paper Based Test (PBT), Computer Based Test (CBT), and Internet Based Test (IBT). The application timeline for each session typically opens one to two months prior to the exam dates, with prospective candidates needing to register online via the official AIMA MAT website. For the upcoming February 2025 session, applications are expected to commence in late 2024 or early 2025. To be eligible for MAT, candidates generally need a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university. There is no age limit for appearing in the examination. The application fee is INR 1950 for a single mode, payable through online methods. Applicants must ensure they provide accurate personal and educational details, along with scanned photographs and signatures, during the registration process to avoid common mistakes like data inconsistencies or missing deadlines. The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions, distributed evenly across five sections: Language Comprehension, Indian & Global Environment, Data Analysis & Sufficiency, Mathematical Skills, and Intelligence & Critical Reasoning. Each question carries one mark, contributing to a total of 200 marks, with no negative marking for incorrect answers. The score obtained in MAT is valid for one academic year for admissions. After receiving their MAT scores, candidates directly apply to individual B-schools, which then conduct their own selection processes, including group discussions and personal interviews, for final admission. Timely submission of applications and careful adherence to all guidelines are crucial for a smooth application experience.
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