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The Management Aptitude Test (MAT) is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the All India Management Association (AIMA) for admission to MBA and PGDM programs in over 600 B-schools across India. Held four times a year in February, May, September, and December, MAT offers flexibility through Paper-Based Test (PBT), Computer-Based Test (CBT), and sometimes Internet-Based Test modes. The exam assesses aptitude in language, reasoning, quantitative skills, data interpretation, and general awareness. For the 2026 February session, registration is open, with PBT on March 1 and CBT on March 8, providing multiple opportunities for candidates to secure admission in reputed institutes with strong placement records averaging 5-15 LPA.
Table of Contents
MAT 2026 Important Dates (February Session)
AIMA has released the schedule for MAT February 2026 on mat.aima.in. Key dates include:
- Registration Start: Ongoing (December 2025)
- PBT Registration Last Date: February 23, 2026
- PBT Admit Card: February 26, 2026
- PBT Exam Date: March 1, 2026
- CBT Registration Last Date: March 2, 2026
- CBT Admit Card: March 5, 2026
- CBT Exam Date: March 8, 2026
- Result Declaration: Late March 2026
Subsequent sessions (May, September, December) will follow similar timelines. Candidates should check mat.aima.in for updates.
MAT Participating Institutes 2026
MAT scores are accepted by over 600 B-schools, including top ones offering specializations in Marketing, Finance, HR, Operations, and International Business.
- BIMTECH Greater Noida
- XIME Bangalore
- Christ University Bengaluru
- Jaipuria Institute of Management
- Amity Business School Noida
- Jagan Institute of Management Studies (JIMS) Rohini Delhi
- Indus Business Academy Bangalore
- SOIL Institute of Management Gurgaon
These institutes provide excellent faculty, infrastructure, industry exposure, and placements with companies like Deloitte, KPMG, ICICI Bank, and HDFC.
MAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must meet these requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized university.
- Final-year students awaiting results are eligible.
- No minimum percentage required.
- No upper age limit.
- Indian and foreign nationals eligible.
Work experience is preferred but not mandatory for most institutes.
MAT 2026 Application Form
The process is online:
- Visit mat.aima.in.
- Register with name, email, mobile, and date of birth.
- Fill personal, educational, and preferred test mode details.
- Upload photograph and signature.
- Pay fee: INR 2200 (single mode); INR 3800 (both PBT+CBT).
- Select up to 5 institutes for free score reporting.
- Submit and print confirmation.
Additional institutes can receive scores for extra fees post-result.
MAT Exam Pattern 2026
MAT is available in PBT and CBT modes, with identical pattern:
- Duration: 120 minutes
- Total Questions: 150 MCQs
- Total Marks: 150
- Marking: +1 for correct; -0.25 for incorrect; 0 for unattempted
| Section | Topics | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Language Comprehension | Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, Grammar, Synonyms/Antonyms | 30 | 30 |
| Mathematical Skills | Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration, Probability | 30 | 30 |
| Data Analysis & Sufficiency | Graphs, Charts, Tables, Data Interpretation, Sufficiency | 30 | 30 |
| Intelligence & Critical Reasoning | Analogies, Series, Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations, Puzzles | 30 | 30 |
| Indian & Global Environment | Current Affairs, Business, Economy, Awards, Sports | 30 | 30 |
MAT Syllabus 2026
The syllabus covers graduation-level topics with aptitude focus:
- Language: Passages, error correction, idioms, para jumbles.
- Maths: Percentages, Profit/Loss, Ratios, Time/Work, Equations, Trigonometry.
- Data: Bar/Pie/Line graphs, Caselets, Venn Diagrams.
- Reasoning: Assumptions, Arguments, Statements, Visual Reasoning.
- GK: National/International events, History, Geography, Science, Polity.
Indian & Global Environment section tests awareness; many skip it strategically due to negative marking.
MAT Previous Year Cutoff Trends
Cutoffs are percentile-based, varying by institute and applicant numbers. Top colleges require 80-95+ percentile; mid-tier 70-80.
Recent trends show stable cutoffs for premier institutes, with slight increases due to rising applicants. Percentiles above 90 secure calls from multiple top B-schools.
Expected 2026 trends: Similar ranges, with high competition for 95+ percentile seats.
| Institute | 2023 Percentile | 2024 Percentile | 2025 Percentile | Expected 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIMTECH Greater Noida | 80-90 | 80-90 | 80-90 | 85-95 |
| XIME Bangalore | 70-75 | 80-85 | 80-85 | 80-90 |
| Christ University Bengaluru | 70-80 | 80-85 | 80-90 | 80-90 |
| Jaipuria Institute | 80-90 | 80-90 | 80-90 | 80-90 |
| Amity Business School | 90+ | 90+ | 90+ | 90+ |
MAT Previous Year Question Papers
Practising previous papers builds familiarity with question types and improves speed/accuracy. Official resources:
- AIMA website mat.aima.in: Sample papers and mock tests under Resources/Downloads.
- Previous years (2020-2025): Available in archives or notifications section.
- Free mock test: Login-based on official portal.
Solve 10-15 papers timed; focus on weak sections like GK or Reasoning.
MAT Preparation Tips 2026
Aim for 90+ percentile with structured prep:
- Master basics: NCERT for Maths, Wren & Martin for English.
- Daily GK: Read newspapers, Manorama Yearbook.
- Reasoning/Data: RS Aggarwal, Arun Sharma books.
- Practice mocks weekly; analyze errors.
- Skip tough questions initially due to negatives.
- Target 120+ correct attempts for high percentile.
- Focus on accuracy in Language and Maths (high scorers).
3-6 months consistent preparation yields 95+ percentile for top calls.
MAT Admission Process 2026
No centralized counselling; institutes conduct own selection:
- Apply separately with MAT score.
- Shortlisting based on percentile.
- GD/PI/WAT rounds.
- Final merit: MAT score (70-80%), academics, work experience, diversity.
Multiple attempts allowed; best score considered.
MAT Score Validity and Trends
Scores valid for 1 year. Recent trends: Increased applicants (~50,000+ per session), stable difficulty, rising cutoffs for top institutes due to demand for quality MBA programs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on MAT Exam
1. What is the full form of MAT exam?
Management Aptitude Test, conducted by AIMA for MBA/PGDM admissions.
2. How many times is MAT conducted in a year?
Four times: February, May, September, December.
3. Is there negative marking in MAT?
Yes, -0.25 for each wrong answer.
4. What is the minimum eligibility for MAT 2026?
Bachelor's degree; final-year students eligible; no percentage cutoff.
5. How many colleges accept MAT scores?
Over 600 B-schools across India.
6. Can I appear for both PBT and CBT in the same session?
Yes, with additional fee; best score considered.
7. What is a good MAT score for top colleges?
90+ percentile (600+ composite score) for premier institutes.
8. Is GK compulsory in MAT?
Included, but many candidates attempt selectively due to negatives.
9. How to download MAT admit card?
From mat.aima.in using registration details.
10. Is MAT easier than CAT?
Yes, moderate difficulty; focuses on speed over depth.
11. Can I take MAT multiple times?
Yes, unlimited; best score used for admissions.
12. How long is MAT score valid?
One year from result declaration.
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