Can I prepare for MAT in 3 months?

Yes, you can prepare for MAT exam in three months, but you will have to work on it in a very focused manner and dedicate quality time. You should follow a three-month MAT preparation plan that should include syllabus coverage and practice sessions. Since you have less time, you can’t wait to finish the MAT syllabus first and then start practicing sample questions and mock tests. You will need to do both side by side. So, make a list of topics from which maximum questions are asked in the MAT exam. Focus on them first. Study the topics and solve some sample questions the same day to ensure that you have understood theory and application both. This way, you will have enough practice as well. In the last one month focus on MAT mock tests, to gain speed and accuracy in solving the paper. Read more: MAT 3-month preparation plan

Can I make another attempt at MAT exam, if I score low in first attempt?

Yes, you can attempt MAT exam as many times as you want. MAT is conducted multiple times in a year, in February, May, September and December. If a candidate is not satisfied with their score of first attempt, they can choose any upcoming session to appear for it again.

It is compulsory to attempt MAT GK section?

It is not compulsory to attempt MAT GK section as the score in not considered for percentile calculation but it is not recommended to skip it all together as it may dent your chances in colleges that look at candidates' sectional scores too.

Will it be enough to prepare for MAT with mock tests only?

If you have appeared for MAT before and are thoroughly familiar with the exam syllabus and topics then you can prepare for it with the help of MAT mock tests only. However, if you are appearing for it for the first time, you will need to cover the MAT syllabus first and then practice mock tests. Mock tests are useful for increasing speed and accuracy. With conceptual clarity, mock tests won't help much in preparation.

Is MAT exam easier than other MBA entrance exams?

Difficulty level of MAT exam is lower than other MBA entrance exams. The question paper is usually of easy to moderate difficulty level. The exam is now held for 120 minutes. There are now 150 questions in the exam paper. There is no sectional time limit in MAT which allows the candidate to plan a strategy according to their strengths and weaknesses. The score of Indian and Global Environment section is not considered for percentile calculation thus candidates don't have the stress of fifth section. Also, solving 150 questions is not mandatory so candidates can choose to solve only those questions which they know they can solve accurately. Sectional difficulty level of MAT is also lower than other MBA exams. Candidates can attempt the exam multiple times in the same academic year to improve their score. They also have the option to choose the mode of test - CBT, IBT, PBT - which makes it the most student friendly exam. Also, the MAT cut offs for admission are much lower as compared to other entrance exams.

Can I crack MAT without Maths?

MAT has 2 sections which are completely Maths based – Mathematical Skills and Data Interpretation, so it is not possible to crack MAT without having a good control over this subject.

Can I make another attempt at MAT exam, if I score low in first attempt?

Yes, you can attempt MAT exam as many times as you want. MAT is conducted multiple times in a year, in February, May, September and December. If a candidate is not satisfied with their score of first attempt, they can choose any upcoming session to appear for it again.

If I have appeared for MAT February, can I appear for MAT May session?

Yes, you can. There is no cap on the number of attempts in MAT. Infact, MAT aims to cater to MBA aspirants in such a way that they do not have to waste a year to improve their entrance exam score. MAT is conducted in multiple sessions in four phases – February, May, August and December. An aspirant can appear for the MAT any number of times in a year. They can use the best exam score for MBA admission.

How is MAT test centre allotted?

MAT test centre is allotted on the basis of the following factors: · Candidate's preference mentioned in the application form · Availability of seat in the centre in that city (first come, first served basis)

Can I change my MAT exam mode after admit card has been released?

No, the candidate cannot change MAT exam mode after the admit card has been released. The exam mode, test centre and timings mentioned on the MAT admit card will be final and the candidate will have to appear for the test accordingly. Thus, candidates must choose their MAT exam mode in the application form after much deliberation.

Is digital copy of MAT admit card accepted at the exam centre?

No. The digital copy will not be accepted under any circumstances. Only the original print out of MAT admit card in A4 size sheet is accepted as valid proof at the exam centre. It is so because the MAT admit card is to be signed by the candidate and invigilator and stamped by the authorities as a proof of candidate's appearance in the exam on the given date and session. One of the signed copy of the MAT admit card is also to be submitted at the test centre. It is not possible to sign and stamp a digital copy of the admit card thus it is not accepted at the MAT exam centre. The candidate must carry two copies of the original print out of the MAT admit card. Both copies must be in color. Candidates should also carry their recent passport size photo for MAT CBT and PBT both. The photo should preferably be same as uploaded in the MAT application form.

Is admit card issued for MAT IBT?

Yes, for every MAT IBT session the admit card is issued to candidates. Candidates have to download the MAT IBT admit card for their session from the AIMA MAT admit card. The process to download the MAT IBT admit card is the same as CBT or PBT. One needs to login with their application number and password and download the MAT IBT admit card from the AIMA MAT website. The MAT IBT admit card will be checked before the exam session is started in remote proctored mode. Candidates will have to present their admit cards for verification online to the AI and human proctor who will be invigilating the exam session. Once the admit card and photo ID have been validated, candidates will get the approval of taking the exam. If they do not present their admit card, they won't be allowed to appear in the exam.

Do IIMs accept MAT score?

No, IIMs do not accept MAT score for MBA Admission. They only accept CAT score for admission to their MBA/PGP programmes. However, MAT score is accepted by over 700 MBA colleges in India including: Amity University GL Bajaj Institute of Management & Research Christ University GITAM Institute of Management JIMS Rohini Jain University Taxila Business School, Jaipur SRM University Birla Institute of Management Technology Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University Tezpur University Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India IIFM Bhopal YMCA.

What is MAT age limit?

There is no age limit for appearing in MAT exam. Any candidate who has a graduation degree can appear for MAT. They can be fresh graduates or working professionals with several years of work experience. A good number of MAT applicants are working professionals who are seeking to enhance their management skills by pursuing an MBA course. At the same time, a large number of fresh graduates also apply for MAT. Especially from non-technical background as the difficulty level is not as high as CAT or XAT exams. Since, MAT is accepted by MBA colleges for Executive MBA, Online MBA, Part-Time MBA and Distance MBA courses too, a good number of working professionals appear for the MAT exam. MAT is also popular among Management aspirants and working professionals as it is an easy exam and one can prepare for it while working as well. It is easier to strike work and study balance in MAT.

Can I write MAT - CBT exam at my home or will they provide a center for this exam?

For MAT CBT, candidates will be allotted a test centre in the city they shall have selected as preference in the, MAT application form. Candidates can appear for MAT from home in only IBT mode. MAT CBT is held in the followimg cities: Agra, Ahmedabad, Asansol, Bareilly, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Coimbatore, Dehradun, Delhi, Ernakulam - Kochi, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon, Guwahati, Hubballi (Hubli), Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Jammu, Kolkata, Kozhikode, Lucknow, Madurai, Meerut, Mumbai, Mysuru (Mysore), Nashik, Noida, Patna, Pune, Raipur, Ranchi, Rourkela, Shillong, Shimla, Silchar, Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, Vellore and Vijayawada

Is the question paper of MAT IBT different from MAT CBT or PBT?

No, the question paper of MAT IBT is not different from MAT CBT or PBT. The test pattern, time duration, question type and marking scheme are the same for all three modes. Candidates can choose to appear for any exam mode with the worry of doing exam specific preparation. The only difference between MAT IBT and MAT CBT or PBT is that MAT IBT is a remote proctored exam and can be taken from any location unlike MAT CBT or PBT which are held at designated exam centres. The MAT question paper of every session however is different. All the 200 questions of each question paper is unique. The difficulty level is the same- easy to moderate but since the questions are different from each other candidates can feel slight difference in the difficulty level. The questions for every session are chosen randomly so in one session the paper can be overall easy while in another session the exam can be slightly difficult.

What are the best books for MAT Mathematical Skills?

The Mathematical Skills section of MAT carries 40 questions and which belong to Arithmetic, Geometry, Mensuration Algebra and Number System. To crack this section of MAT one needs study all the topics included five Mathematical sub sections. To prepare for these topics, CAT Quantitative Aptitude books are useful. Candidates can also refer to MAT specific books. Mathematics for MBA by RS Aggarwal Magical Book on Quicker Maths by M Tyra Arithmetic and Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams by R Goal Speed Mathematics: Do it quick, Do it right by Rajesh Kumar Thakur Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams by RS Aggarwal Vedic Mathematics: Secrets Skills for Quick, Accurate Mental Calculations by Sumita Bose The Pearson Guide to Quantitative Aptitude by Dinesh Khattar How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude by Arun Sharma.

When should I start preparing for MAT?

Ideal time to start MAT preparation is 6 months before the exam session. But if you have appeared for it before, you will need less time to prepare. So, plan your preparation accordingly.

Is the syllabus of MAT IBT, PBT and CBT mode exams common?

Yes, the syllabus MAT IBT, PBT and CBT mode exams is common. In fact the exam pattern and marking are also same for all three modes. MAT syllabus for all modes includes topics from Language Comprehension, Intelligence and Critical Reasoning, Data Analysis and Sufficiency, Mathematical Skills and Indian and Global Environment. The candidate needs to prepare all the topics mentioned above on this page to crack MAT exam. The total time required for completion of MAT syllabus is about 3 months. If a candidate has appeared for MAT before or any other MBA entrance exam then they can complete the syllabus in lesser time. The only difference between the three MAT modes is that, in IBT, candidates have to take the test from home on a computer. In PBT, candidates have to appear for the test at an exam centres and fill the OMR sheet as part of the test. In CBT, candidates have to take the test on a computer at an exam centre.

What is the exam pattern for MAT and how can I prepare for it?

MAT or Management Aptitude Test is a national level entrance exam conducted four times a year by the All India Management Association (AIMA) for admission to MBA/PGDM and other management programs. The MAT exam pattern is as follows: Mode: The exam is conducted in both paper-based and computer-based modes. Duration: The total duration of the exam is 150 minutes or 2.5 hours. Sections: The exam consists of five sections: Language Comprehension, Mathematical Skills, Data Analysis and Sufficiency, Intelligence and Critical Reasoning, and Indian and Global Environment. Number of Questions: There are a total of 200 questions, with 40 questions in each section. Marking Scheme: Each question carries 1 mark and there is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer. To prepare for the MAT 2023 exam, you can follow the below tips: Understand the Exam Pattern: Before you start your preparation, make sure you have a clear understanding of the exam pattern, marking scheme, and syllabus. Create a Study Plan: Create a study plan that suits your schedule and stick to it. Allocate time to each section and prioritize the topics that you find difficult. Practice Mock Tests: Practice mock tests regularly to get an idea of the exam pattern and to improve your time management skills. Improve Your Language Skills: To do well in the Language Comprehension section, improve your reading and vocabulary skills. Read newspapers, magazines, and novels to enhance your language skills. Focus on Mathematics and Data Analysis: To do well in the Mathematical Skills and Data Analysis and Sufficiency sections, practice regularly and improve your calculation speed. Work on Your Critical Reasoning Skills: To do well in the Intelligence and Critical Reasoning section, practice puzzles, riddles, and logical reasoning questions. Stay Updated with Current Affairs To do well in the Indian and Global Environment section, stay updated with the latest news and events. Revise Regularly: Revise the topics regularly to retain what you have learned. Stay Confident and Positive: Lastly, stay confident and positive. Believe in yourself and your abilities to crack the exam. Good luck with your preparation!

Can I apply in more than 5 colleges with MAT score?

Yes, you can apply for more than 5 colleges with MAT score. The limit of 5 MBA colleges is only for the MAT application form. If any candidate wishes to apply for more colleges, they can do so by filling the application forms of those colleges separately. The MAT cut offs, will be different for different colleges, so candidates must check it before applying.

Do I need to fill separate forms for multiple MAT attempts?

For every MAT attempt in different phases you need to fill a separate form. However, if you are planning to go for more than one attempt in the same exam phase, they you can apply for a combination of two exam session. Candidate can take MAT in the following modes and combinations: Remote Proctored Internet Based Test (IBT) or Double Remote Proctored Internet Based Test (IBT) or Paper Based Test (PBT) or Paper Based Test and Remote Proctored Internet Based Test (PBT+IBT) or Computer Based Test (CBT) or Computer Based Test and Remote Proctored Internet Based Test (CBT+IBT) or Paper Based Test and Computer Based Test (PBT+CBT) The MAT application form will be common and candidates will have to only mention their exam modes in it.

Can I edit the MAT application form after submission?

There is no provision to edit the MAT application form after submission. Unlike other MBA entrance exams, there is not provision of form correction in MAT. Forms submitted once will be final. If a candidate has made a mistake in the form or wishes to change any information they cannot do so. They will have to fill a fresh MAT application form with a new phone number and email ID. They will also have to pay the application fee again. Aspirants must note that the MAT application fee is non refundable so they cannot request for refund if they have filled the form incorrectly. Thus, it is very important for candidates to check each and every field of the MAT application form before hitting the submit button. In case they have filled incorrect information in any field, they must edit it before final submission.

Is the MAT application fee different for IBT, PBT and CBT?

The MAT application fee is same for all exam modes. The fee amount to be paid is INR 2200 for every single attempt irrespective of the exam mode. If a candidate wishes to combine two attempts (e.g. IBT+IBT, PBT+CBT, IBT+PBT, IBT+CBT), then they will have to pay INR 1500 additionally. Those who opt for additional test will get the benefit of additional 2 Management Institutes for sending their scores in addition to existing option of selecting 5 Management Institutes. If you wish to take the MAT exam in following combination, then you will have to pay INR 3,600. For Double Remote Proctored Internet Based Test (IBT) or PBT+IBT or PBT+CBT or CBT+IBT

What is the difference between CBT and PBT modes of MAT exam?

The CBT or computer based mode MAT exam is conducted online in which, candidates have to punch in their answers on the computer screen with the help of the mouse-pad. In PBT mode exam, candidates have to fill an OMR sheet with a blue/black ball point pen with the suitable option as the answer. These days most of the candidates opt for CBT which is way it is conducted twice in a particular exam phase. PBT is conducted only once in MAT exam phase. There is no difference in the exam pattern or syllabus of the MAT CBT and MAT PBT. Candidates can choose the mode of exam at the time of registration as per their convenience. If a candidate is comfortable in pen and paper mode, then they can opt for MAT PBT and if the candidate is comfortable in taking tests on computer, they can opt for MAT CBT. However, the CBT and PBT exams are held in different cities so candidates must check the list of test cities before choosing their exam mode.

Which is the best session for appearing in MAT?

MAT is conducted in February, May, September and December. You can appear for it whenever ready and confident of scoring high. However, it is seen that maximum applications are done for December and February sessions as that's the main season of all other national level MBA entrance exams and admission.

How many questions to attempt in MAT?

There are 150 questions in MAT. It is not mandatory to solve all questions so aim about 90-100 questions to get a good score.

What is the marking scheme of MAT exam?

Total marks of MAT exam is 150. Every question carries one mark for correct attempt and there is negative marking of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer. No marks is deducted for skipping questions. The MAT question paper has 150 questions equally divided into five sections - Language Comprehension, Intelligence & Critical Reasoning, Data Analysis & Data Sufficiency, Mathematical Skills and Economic and Business Environment. Language Comprehension: 30 questions 2. Intelligence & Critical Reasoning: 30 questions 3. Data Analysis & Data Sufficiency: 30 questions 4. Mathematical Skills: 30 questions 5. Economic and Business Environment: 30 questions Every section therefore has 30 questions which means every section carries 30 marks. The scores of GK section is not considered for MAT percentile calculation. So candidates can keep GK section as their last priority.

Which are the top colleges for MAT score 70-80 percentile?

MAT score is accepted by lot of MBA colleges across India. Candidates can find a college of their percentile range among the 800 MBA colleges that accept MAT score. If you have scored in the MAT percentile range of 70-80 percentile, you can seek admission in the following colleges. These are some of the popular MBA college that accept MAT score of 70-80 percentile. Institute of Business Management and Technology Jaypee Business School EMPI Business School Delhi School of Business FIIB Delhi Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan's Usha and Lakshmi Mittal Institute of Management SCMS Cochin School of Business IES Management Colleges and Research Centre Mumbai Globsyn Business School, Kolkata Calcutta Business School, Kolkata GITAM School of International Business Visakhapatnam GITMA Hyderabad Business School Hyderabad Durgadevi Saraf Institute of Management Studies Mumbai Rajalakshami School of Business Chennai ABBS Bangalore.

How many colleges in India accept MAT score?

There are over 800 MBA colleges in India that accept MAT score for admission. MAT is a national level exam and it is accepted in all states of the country. A large number of private management institutes accept MAT score. Some of the popular colleges include, Amity University, Dr DY Patil B School, Pune, ITM University, GL Bajaj Institute of Management & Research, OP Jindal Global University, Christ University, GITAM Institute of Management, JIMS Rohini, JK Business School Gurgaon, ABBS School of Management, SRM University, IILM University. Check here top MBA colleges accepting MAT score: https://www.shiksha.com/mba/articles/top-mba-colleges-accepting-mat-score-blogId-6056

When are MAT result and cut offs released for all sessions?

AIMA MAT releases the results phase wise. The exam is held in multiple sessions in February, May, September and December phases. So the results are released for all the sessions of a particular phase on the same day. The MAT February result of all sessions are released in March. The MAT May results are released in June and the MAT September result is released in October and MAT December results are released in January. Candidates who appear for the exam, can download their scorecard for their exam session from the AIMA MAT website. AIMA does not release cut offs for admission through MAT. It has no role in the MAT cut off determination. The participating institutes determine MAT cut offs on their own and as per their selection parameters and criteria.

What after MAT Result?

After the declaration of MAT result, candidates can start applying to the colleges they have shortlisted for pursuing MBA/PGDM. AIMA will send candidate's scores to the participating B-Schools that they shall have selected in their MAT application form. The MBA colleges will then shortlist candidates for the admission process and call candidates for further rounds. If candidates want to apply at colleges other than those five, then they will have to fill the application form for those other colleges individually. The admission process includes, Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI). Candidates can start preparing for the GD/PI round before or after the MAT result announcement. They can join online platforms or coaching institutes group discussion and PI preparation. Those who are not happy with their MAT score can attempt again in the next session and improve their score. MAT score remains valid for one year for MBA admission. Read more: What After MAT Result?

How much marks is required in graduation for MAT?

There is no minimum marks requirement in graduation for MAT, but B Schools have minimum academic criteria of 50% in graduation (45% for Reserved categories) for full time MBA programmes.

What is the age limit for MAT?

There is no age limit for MAT. Candidates who are fresh graduates or working professionals in any phase of their career are eligible for it. So, essentially they must be at least 20 years old.

Is MAT eligibility criteria different for PBT and CBT?

No, MAT eligibility is not different for PBT and CBT. Whether the candidate chooses PBT or CBT, they must have completed graduation or be in the final year of Bachelor's degree programme.

I did graduation from Open university. Can I apply for MAT?

Yes, you are eligible to apply for MAT. The main eligibility criteria is graduation from a recognised university. Education mode can be regular or correspondence.

Is 500 a good score in MAT?

If you are targeting any of the top tier MBA colleges, then it is required to have a score of 600 score in MAT, which will convert into 90 percentile and above.

What is MAT passing marks?

There is no passing marks in MAT. Anybody with above 0 score is eligible for admission. However, colleges select candidates on the basis of MAT cut offs. No MAT score accepting college has less than 60 percentile as cut off.

MAT cut off is the minimum score required for admission to any college. Every MAT accepting college has a minimum percentile basis which they select candidates for admission.

What is the MAT scaled score?

MAT scaled score is between 200 to 800. It is arrived at using scores of all the five sections of the exam. Raw scores are coverted into scaled score by applying a standardised formula after with MAT percentile is calculated.

MAT Exam 2026: Registration, Dates, Syllabus, Pattern, Question Papers, Preparation Tips

8.1K Students Q&A

Updated on Mar 24, 2026 14:42 IST

By Vipra Shrivastava, Senior Manager - Content

MAT May 2026 exam dates are expected to be announced soon. The February sessions exams were held on March 1 (PBT) and March 8 (CBT). MAT 2026 application form for May session will be available through login at AIMA-MAT website. Those who already have an account can simply login and register for the exam. MAT May 2026 session will have two exams, one PBT and one CBT. Registration start date for both modes will be same but the form submission deadline will be different. Read on this page, all about MAT 2026 exam including application process, eligibility, fees, pattern, syllabus, cut offs and admission process.

Table of contents

What is MAT Exam?
MAT 2026 Exam Dates & Schedule
MAT 2026: Exam Highlights
MAT Admit Card 2026
MAT Eligibility Criteria 2026
MAT Registration Process 2026
MAT Syllabus 2026
MAT Exam Pattern 2026
MAT Exam Preparation Tips 2026
MAT Cut Off
MAT Results Download
MAT 2026 Contact Information
FAQs on MAT Exam 2026

What is MAT Exam?

MAT is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the All India Management Association (AIMA) for admissions to MBA/PGDM courses. Over 800 B-Schools in India accept MAT score for admission. Unlike, other MBA entrance exams, MAT is conducted in multiple phases to allow candidates have a choice. It also offers the choice of exam modes - Paper Based Test or PBT and Computer Based Test or CBT. During COVID-19 era, the examination body started MAT in Internet Based Test or IBT mode too. However, it has discontinued IBT mode now.

MAT 2026 Exam Dates & Schedule

Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of MAT 2026 exam

Dates	Past Exam Dates
08 Mar ' 26	MAT Feb 2026 CBT
05 Mar ' 26	MAT Feb 2026 CBT admit card
02 Mar ' 26	MAT Feb 2026 CBT Registration last date
View More Past Events (3)

MAT 2026: Exam Highlights

MAT is similar to other MBA exam but it's uniqueness lies in number of attempts. The examination authority allows the candidate to appear for MAT multiple times and use the best score for MBA admission. Check below MAT 2026 exam highlights.

MAT Exam Features	MAT Exam Details
MAT Full Form	Management Aptitude Test
Conducting Body	All India Management Association (AIMA)
Exam Level	National
Exam Frequency	Multiple times a year
MAT 2026 exam dates	March 1, 2026 (PBT) March 8, 2026 (CBT)
Exam Mode	CBT, PBT (IBT has been discontinued)
Exam Duration	2 hours
MAT Exam Syllabus	Language Comprehension Data Analysis & Sufficiency Mathematics (Quantitative Aptitude) Intelligence and Critical Reasoning Economic and Business Environment
Language	English
MAT Exam Fees	INR 2,200
Exam Purpose	Admission to 800+ MBA Colleges in India (approx.)
No. of Test Cities	PBT Mode - 28 CBT Mode - 35
Exam Website	https://mat.aima.in/
Exam Helpdesk No.	011 - 24645100 / 011 - 24617354 / 011 - 43128100

MAT Admit Card 2026

MAT admit card 2026 can be downloaded through login only. Check below how to download the MAT admit card 2026:

Visit the MAT 2026 website
Go to 'login' option
Enter email ID, password and date of birth
Go to admit card option
Download the MAT hall ticket

MAT Exam Day Guidelines

Candidates will have to follow certain guidelines related to MAT on the exam day. Check below:

MAT PBT and CBT will be conducted from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Reporting time will be 8:30 AM.
Candidates will have to carry a blue or black ball point pen for signing attendance and OMR sheet
Phone, calculator, watch, ipad, bluetooth device, earphones or any such item will be prohibited at the MAT exam centre.
Metal accessories and jewelleries will not be allowed inside the exam hall
Digital or photocopy of MAT admit card will not be considered a valid ID proof.
Candidates will have to carry two copies of the MAT 2026 admit card to the examination centre.
They also have to carry a valid photo ID card in original along with the admit card to the exam centre.

MAT Eligibility Criteria 2026

MAT minimum eligiblity criteria have been fixed as per the AICTE guidelines. Check below eligibility criteria for MAT exam 2026:

Graduation or an equivalent degree from a UGC recognised university.
Final year graduation students awaiting their results are also eligible to apply. They will have to submit passing certificate by the due date to the MBA college.
There is no minimum score requirement for MAT. However, MAT accepting colleges have minimum score criteria of 50 percent (45 percent for reserved category).
There is no age limit to appear in MAT. Fresh graduates as well as working professionals can appear for the exam.
Candidates who have completed a professional degree such as CA, CS or ICWA are also eligible to apply for the MAT exam.

Also Read: Eligibility Criteria for MAT Exam

MAT Registration Process 2026

MAT application process 2026 for February CBT, PBT is onging. Interested candidates can fill the registration form by following the process given below:

Go to AIMA-MAT website: https://mat.aima.in/
Click on 'register' option
Enter name, date of birth, email ID, mobile phone number, state, city, test mode and a password
Use the MAT ID shared in email and phone for authentication
In the next page, select preferred test mode (CBT, PBT) test cities and five preferred B-Schools
Make fee payment via debit/credit card, net banking or e-wallet
Enter academic and other details in the MAT 2026 application form
Upload a recent passport size photo and scanned signature
Submit the form to complete the process

Note: MAT PBT and MAT CBT are conducted in different cities. Thus, when selecting a test mode, do check if it is available in your city or not. MAT test city choice cannot be edited once after form submission. Thus, candidates must select their options carefully. Also, note that if you apply for both exam modes, you will have to pay INR 3800 as fee. The MAT fee is non-refundable so apply only if you plan to appear for the exam.

MAT Syllabus 2026

MAT syllabus is prescribed by the AIMA. Topics included in the exam syllabus are same as other MBA entrance exams. To score well, candidates need to study all the topics thoroughly.Take a look at the table below for the topics that are included in MAT exam syllabus 2026:

MAT Sections	MAT Syllabus/Topics
Language Comprehension	Reading Comprehension Parajumbles Fill in the blanks One Word Substitution Sentence Correction Verbal Ability Antonym & Synonyms Idioms & Phrases, etc.
Data Analysis & Sufficiency	Tables Charts Pie Charts Bar Diagrams Caselet-based Data Venn Diagram Graphs Data Comparison Data Sufficiency, etc.
Mathematical Skills	Algebra Geometry Trigonometry Mensuration Number System Percentage, LCM & HCF Inequalities Set Theory, etc.
Intelligence & Critical Reasoning	Blood Relation Family Tree Coding & Decoding, Numeric Grid Syllogism Clocks Calendars Visual Reasoning, etc.
Economic and Business Environment	Static GK Science & Technology Business World News Events Politics Awards & Recognition, etc.

Watch Video to know more about MAT syllabus.

MAT Exam Pattern 2026

MAT is an objective type exam. There are 150 questions equally divided into five sections. It is not mandatory to attempt all questions, but candidates must aim to attempt 2/3rd of the total to get a high score. There is no sectional time limit in MAT so time management is easy. Given below is the table highlighting MAT 2026 exam pattern.

MAT Exam Features	Details
Exam modes	CBT, PBT
Exam duration	120 minutes or 2 hours
MAT sections	Language Comprehension Data Analysis & Sufficiency Mathematical Skills Intelligence & Critical Reasoning Economic and Business Environment
Number of questions	150
Number of questions section-wise	30
Total marks	150
Marking scheme	+1 for each correct entry -0.25 for each incorrect entry 0 for not attempting a question

MAT Exam Preparation Tips 2026

MAT preparation requires about 3-6 months of dedicated study. Candidates who have appeared for MAT before or have given any other national level MBA entrance exam, they can prepare in lesser time. The MAT preparation plan should include time bound syllabus coverage, MAT mock test/sample papers practice and revision. These there things can be done simultaneously or one by one, depending on the time one has for preparation.

Refer to the expert recommended MAT preparation books, These books have detailed explanation of topics and practice questions to help you get conceptual clarity. Also refer to secondary readings.
If you are studying for MAT, from CAT books, make sure you spend enough time practicing MAT specific questions.
Practice previous year MAT question papers, official sample papers and MAT mock tests to improve speed and accuracy. There is no sectional time limit in MAT, so set time limit while practicing full length practice tests.
Analyse the result of each MAT mock test to understand your strengths and weaknesses. The analysis will help you strategise further.
If you have less time, do targeted preparation. Study topics that carry more weightage in the exam so that you’re able to attempt maximum questions. Go through previous years' MAT question papers to know topic wise weightage.

MAT preparation articles
1. MAT Exam Preparation Tips and Strategy
2. MAT Preparation for Intelligence and Critical Reasoning
3. MAT Preparation for Language Comprehension & Verbal Ability
4. MAT Preparation for Data Analysis & Sufficiency
5. MAT Preparation for Mathematical Skills
6. MAT Preparation Tips for Economic and Business Environment
7. MAT Preparation in Six Months
8. MAT Preparation in Three Months
9. How to Prepare for MAT in One Month?
10. Is MAT Exam Tougher Than CMAT?
11. Last Week Preparation Tips for MAT

MAT Mock Test Practice

Practicing a good number of MAT mock test is critical. The candidate must aim to practice atleast 20-30 mocks for exam preparation. Shiksha has created free MAT mock tests for practice. Click on the link below to start the free MAT mock test.

MAT Mock Test_1	MAT Mock Test_1_Solutions
MAT_Mock_Test_2	MAT_Mock_Test_2_Solutions

MAT Cut Off

MAT cut offs are determined by the institutes individually for admission to their MBA/PGDM programmes. AIMA has no role in any process related to admission through MAT. The cut offs for MAT usually remain static as there is no variation in the difficulty level of the sessions. Given below is the table indicating expected MAT exam cut offs:

MAT Accepting Colleges	MAT cut off (percentile)
Amity Business School, Noida	90+
SOIL Institute of Management	90
Christ University Bengaluru	80-90
BIMTECH Greater Noida	80-90
SIESCOMS Navi Mumbai	80-90
Jagan Institute of Management Studies (JIMS), Rohini Delhi	80-90
Indus Business Academy	80-90
Institute of Management Studies (IMS)	80-90
IPE Hyderabad, Institute of Public Enterprise	80-90
Jaipuria Institute of Management, Lucknow	80-90
New Delhi Institute of Management (NDIM)	80-85
Vignana Jyothi Institute of Management	80-85
IES Management College and Research Centre	80-85
ITM Business School, Navi Mumbai	80-85

Top MBA Colleges Accepting MAT Score for Admission

MAT scores are accepted by over 800 MBA colleges in India. Given below is the list of some of the top colleges accepting MAT score for admission to MBA/PGDM programmes. Candidates can apply to these colleges with their best MAT score.

Top MAT Colleges
1. Amity University
2. Dr. DY Patil B School, Pune
3. ITM University, Raipur
4. GL Bajaj Institute of Management & Research
5. OP Jindal Global University
6. Christ University
7. GITAM Institute of Management
8. JIMS Rohini
9. JK Business School Gurgaon
10. New Delhi Institute of Management
11. ABBS School of Management
12. EIILM
13. Unitedworld School of Business
14. IILM University
15. SRM University
16. Alliance University
17. Jain University
18. Taxila Business School, Jaipur
19. SOIL Institute of Management
20. Asian Business School Noida
21. Vivekanand Business School, Chembur

Check MAT cut offs and predict calls from colleges accepting MAT score for admission. Check Fees, Placement Reviews, Admission, Shortlist Criteria and Eligibility of all MAT participating colleges by clicking the link below:

Predict MAT Admission Calls

MAT Results Download

MAT scorecard is released about 15-20 days after the test session. The scorecards of all sessions and modes are released together on the same day. Given below is the process to download MAT result cum scorecard.

Visit the official website of MAT exam: https://mat.aima.in/
Click on 'Login for MAT'
Enter Roll Number and Registration Number
Click on the 'Submit' tab
Select Exam Month
Go to the scorecard download option
MAT scorecard will appear on the screen
Download it and save on desktop

Note: AIMA sends candidate's scores to those 5 institutes that they mention in the MAT application form. AIMA sends the latest score to the chosen colleges. If a candidate wishes to apply for more colleges, then they have to fill the college application forms separately. When applying separately, they can use the best score of all their MAT attempts.

MAT Selection Process 2026

MAT selection process usually includes GD/PI or WAT-PI. Candidates, who clear the MAT exam, can apply to score accepting institutes as per their preference and admission cycle. MAT also allows selection of preferred colleges in preferred colleges. Candidates can select 5 MAT participating institutes in the exam application form. Upon release of scorecard for that MAT session, AIMA sends candidate’s score to the same colleges for shortlisting process. Selection of candidates is based on three major factors:

MAT score
GD/PI performance
Academic record and work experience

FAQs on MAT Exam 2026

Check out frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to MAT 2026 exam:

Q: Can I appear for MAT exam at any test centre?

No, candidates have to appear for MAT exam at the test centre mentioned in their admit card. They will not be allowed to enter any other test centre.

Q: What is MAT Syllabus?

Since, MAT exam is conducted only for admission to MBA and PGDM/PGP courses. It is a post graduate level business aptitude test comprising Quantitative Aptitude critical reasoning, data interpretation, data sufficiency, language comprehension and general awareness.

Given below are the topics included in the MAT syllabus:

MAT Syllabus for Language: Comprehension Verb, Noun, Pronoun, Adjective, Adverb, Parts of Speech, Sentence Correction, Fill in the Blanks, Antonyms and Synonyms, One Word Substitution, Idioms/Phrases, Para Jumbles, Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, Grammar, Verbal Ability, etc.
MAT Syllabus for Intelligence & Critical Reasoning: Family Tree, Course of Action, Arrangement, Pie Chart, Calendars, Statement Conclusions, Strong Arguments and Weak Arguments, Puzzles, Series, Blood Relations, Coding and Decoding, Column Graphs, Multi-Dimensional Arrangements, Visual Reasoning, Numeric Grid, Critical Reasoning, Syllogisms, Graphs Representing Areas MAT Syllabus for Data Analysis and Sufficiency: Tables, Charts, Pie Charts, Caselet-based Data, Graphs - Line X-Y Graphs, Venn Diagram, Bar Diagrams, Data Analysis and Data Comparison, Data Sufficiency
MAT Syllabus for Mathematical Skills: LCM and HCF, Commercial Maths Complex Numbers, Percentages, Permutation and Combinations, Binomial Theorem, Profit and Loss, Simple Interest and Compound Interest, Heights and Distance, Inequalities, Speed, Time and Distance, Triangles Set Theory, Number System Circles, Mixtures and Alligations, Elementary Mathematics, Geometry, Venn Diagrams, Trigonometry Equations, Linear Programming
MAT Syllabus for Economic and Business Environment Section: Current Affairs World Records, Business and Economy, Companies and CEOs, Awards and Winners, Books and Authors, Company Punchlines, History, International Organisation, Quotes and Personalities, Social Issues, Geography, Sports, Arts, Entertainment, Technology.

Q: Can I change my MAT IBT exam slot after the admit card is released?

No, there is no provision of changing the MAT IBT exam slot after the admit card has been released. Each session of the MAT IBT exam is conducted in two slots: 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM and 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM. Candidates get the option to select the MAT IBT session at the time of filling the application form. They can select their preference in the application form as per their convenience. Later on there will be no way to change the preference. Once the MAT admit card is released, candidates must check their slot and make preparation for taking the exam in remote proctored mode accordingly. They should arrange for high-speed internet connectivity, a laptop/desktop with functional webcam and download the tools/specifications as prescribed by the AIMA for MAT IBT. Candidates should also arrange for a room which is well lit and disturbance free for taking the MAT IBT exam.

Q: Which is better MAT or CMAT?

MAT and CMAT have similar syllabus but the difficulty level is different. Both exams have Quantitative Aptitude Logical Reasoning, Data Interpretation, English and General Knowledge. CMAT has an additional section - Innovation and Entrepreneurship which was introduced in 2021. While MAT is an easy exam, CMAT is moderately tough but to say which is better totally depends upon the college a candidate is targeting for MBA Admission. The participating colleges for both exams are different. If a candidate's dream college accepts MAT score, then they appear for MAT but if their dream college accepts CMAT then they should appear for CMAT. The CMAT exam is conducted by the NTA only once in a year but MAT is conducted multiple times in a year. AIMA conducts MAT in February, May, September and December. So, unlike CMAT MAT gives a candidate the choice to appear for the exam when they are well prepared and improve test score in the same academic session. The benefit of CMAT or MAT is that former is accepted by all government and state universities/institutes whereas latter is accepted by mostly private institutes.

Q: What are the details mentioned on MAT result cum scorecard?

MAT scorecard is the main document which is the identity proof of a candidate qualifying the exam. Thus it is not only necessary to keep a copy of the scorecard but also necessary to have an error free scorecard. After downloading the MAT result cum scorecard the candidates must check it thoroughly for errors. Each candidate's MAT result cum scorecard will contain the following information: 1. Candidate's name 2. Candidate's roll number 3. Candidate's form number 4. Degree 5. Work experience 6. Candidate's gender 7. Candidate's category 8. Test date 9. Candidate's date of birth 10. MAT sectional scores 11. MAT overall score 12. MAT composite scores 13. MAT percentile In case there is any error in the MAT scorecard (specifically personal details of the candidate) then the test taker must reach out to the AIMA MAT admission cell to get it rectified as faulty scorecards may not be accepted by colleges.

Q: Who conducts MAT exam?

MAT exam is conducted by All India Management Association (AIMA). The examination body conducts the exam to help over 250 plus B Schools shortlist best candidates for their full time MBA programmes.

Q: Are MAT CBT and PBT admit cards same?

MAT CBT and PBT admit cards are neither same nor can be used interchangeably for verification. Candidates have to carry MAT exam session and mode specific admit card to the test centre.

Q: Is MAT mock test practice enough for preparation?

MAT mock test practice is essential but not enough. You will need to go through the MAT syllabus and understand the fundamentals of all topics, only then you'll be able to crack questions in mock test.