MAT PBT vs CBT Exam 2026: Which One to Choose?
Management Aptitude Test 2026 ( MAT )
MAT December 2026 PBT Registration Last
14 Dec '26
MAT is conducted in 2 modes – PBT and CBT. The choice of exam mode is to be made in the MAT application form Those planning to appear for MAT 2026, must make a choice of exam mode, after determining which is better for them. MAT PBT or MAT CBT.
MAT PBT vs CBT
AIMA MAT is the only MBA entrance exam in India that offers the choice of exam mode to candidates. All other MBA entrance exams are conducted in online mode. Only MAT offers the option to appear for the exam in offline mode. One can appear for MAT in either Computer Based Test (CBT) mode or Paper Based Test (PBT) mode. Candidate can choose the exam mode during the MAT registration process.
They can either choose CBT or PBT or both in a given phase. Yes, AIMA also allows candidates to appear in both modes of MAT exam if they wish to. MAT fee for single attempt is INR 2300. If a candidate wishes to appear for exam in both exam modes in the same session, they can do so by paying additional fee of INR 1600. MAT Decemer 2026 registration has started for PBT and CBT both. Candidates planning to appear for the exam this December, can choose the exam mode, test city and date according to their preference.
MAT Exam Dates 2026: December Session
- MAT PBT application last date: December 14, 2026
- MAT PBT exam date: December 20, 2026
- MAT CBT application last date: December 21, 2026
- MAT CBT exam date: December 27, 2026
But before taking a decision, MAT 2026 aspirants, should know the pros and cons of both exam modes (PBT and CBT) before choosing one.
- MAT PBT vs CBT Exam 2026: Key Highlights
- Why choose MAT PBT?
- Why choose MAT CBT?
- MAT PBT vs MAT CBT: Risks Involved
- MAT PBT Test Cities
- MAT CBT Test Cities
MAT PBT vs CBT Exam 2026: Key Highlights
MAT PBT and MAT CBT have their own advantages and disadvantages. While PBT is suitable to some students, others prefer CBT. One key aspects of MAT exam mode is that test cities for both of them are different.
| Particulars |
MAT PBT |
MAT CBT |
|---|---|---|
| Full form |
Paper Based Test |
Computer Based Test |
| Test form |
OMR sheet |
Computer system |
| Venue |
Designated Test Centre |
Designated Test Centre |
| Exam duration |
120 minutes |
120 minutes |
| Chance of correction |
No |
Yes (before final submission) |
| Chance of technical error |
Low |
High |
| Chance of paper leak |
High |
Low |
| MAT Mock Test by Shiksha | |
|---|---|
| MAT Mock Test 1 | Click to Start Test |
| MAT Mock Test 2 | Click to Start Test |
Why choose MAT PBT?
MAT PBT is ideal for candidates who are more comfortable with Pen and Paper Mode tests. There is no difference in the exam pattern or syllabus of MAT PBT and CBT, so one need not prepare differently for it.
Also, MAT PBT is conducted in selected cities only so, one needs to keep that in mind as well. If MAT is not being conducted in your city, then you will have to appear for in another city or opt for CBT mode.
Why choose MAT CBT?
Candidates who are more comfortable with studying and giving tests online must opt for CBT in MAT 2026. The CBT mode can be quick and time saving if one is used to it. However, like PBT, CBT too is conducted in select cities, so if your city does not have a MAT test centre for CBT, then you will have to either appear for the exam in PBT mode or go to another city.
Also Read:
⚡ MAT 2026 Syllabus for PBT and CBT
Get detailed MAT syllabus for Language Comprehension, Mathematical Skills, Reasoning, Data Interpretation and GK
MAT PBT vs MAT CBT: Risks Involved
MAT PBT: In MAT PBT, one has to fill OMR sheet ro mark answers. Once a candidate has marked an answer they cannot erase it. So, while appearing in MAT PBT one has to be very careful in marking answers. One silly mistake will mean loss of marks. In CBT, it is possible to edit the answer option until final submission of the test.
MAT CBT: In MAT CBT, one needs to be mindful of the test flow. Having a good control of the computer mouse is essential to ensure quick movement. Also, there are chances of losing marks if one forgets to press save/submit option for the given questions. So, one needs to be very attentive.
MAT PBT Test Cities
Before applying for MAT 2026 exam, candidates must check the list of MAT PBT test centres below:
| MAT test cities (PBT) |
||
|---|---|---|
| Ahmedabad |
Greater Noida |
Mumbai |
| Ajmer |
Gurugram |
Nashik |
| Asansol |
Guwahati |
Noida |
| Bengalure |
Gwalior |
Patna |
| Bhilai |
Haldwani |
Prayagraj |
| Chennai |
Hyderabad |
Pune |
| Coimbatore |
Jaipur |
Raipur |
| Cuttack |
Kanpur |
Ranchi |
| Dehradun |
Kolkata |
Silchar |
| Delhi |
Kottayam |
Surat |
| Durgapur |
Lucknow |
Trichy |
| Ernakulam-Kochi |
Madurai |
Visakhapatnam |
MAT CBT Test Cities
Before applying for MAT 2026, candidates must check the list of MAT CBT test centres below:
| MAT test cities (CBT) |
||
|---|---|---|
| Ahmedabad |
Guwahati |
Nagpur |
| Agra |
Hooghly |
Navi Mumbai |
| Belgavi |
Gurugram |
Noida |
| Bengaluru |
Hubbali |
Patna |
| Bhopal |
Hyderabad |
Pune |
| Bhubaneswar |
Indore |
Raipur |
| Chandigarh |
Jaipur |
Ranchi |
| Chennai |
Jalandhar |
Rourkela |
| Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar |
Jameshedpur |
Salem |
| Coimbatore |
Jammu |
Silliguri |
| Dehradun |
Kozhikode |
Trichy |
| Delhi |
Kolkata |
Thrissur |
| Dhanbad |
Lucknow |
Tiruvallur |
| Ernakulun-Kochi |
Madurai |
Varanasi |
| Faridabad |
Mangalore |
Vellore |
| Gandhinagar |
Meerut |
Vijaywada |
| Ghaziabad |
Mumbai |
-- |
| Greater Noida |
Mysore |
-- |
MAT is conducted in 4 phases - February, May, September and December. Candidates can appear for the exam multiple times and use the best score of all attempts for MBA admission. However, the MAT participating colleges, selected by candidates in the MAT application form, accept the score of latest attempt for admission shortlist.
Explore more MBA exams with upcoming dates
Commonly asked questions
MAT and CMAT both are moderately difficulty exam, but have their own challenges. While, CMAT has one extra section Innovation and Entrepreneurship, MAT has a separate section for Data Interpretation having 30 questions. With focused preparation, you can crack either of the two that you choose.
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.
MAT is much easier than CAT. Despite having more number of questions and more sections, than CAT, MAT is easy to crack. CAT is held annually but one can appear for MAT multiple times in the same academic session. CAT has three sections only – VARC, DILR and Quantitative Aptitude. MAT has five sections – Language Comprehension, Mathematical Skills, Intelligence & Critical Reasoning, Data Analysis & Sufficiency and Business & Economic Environment. CAT has sectional time limit of 40 minutes per section. MAT does not have sectional time limit.
There is no minimum passing marks in MAT. Anybody scoring more than 0 marks is eligible for admission. However, since MAT admission is cut off based, merely passing the exam will not ensure selection.
Commonly asked questions
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.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered a month ago
Top management institutes accepting the MAT Exam generally expect a cutoff percentile between 75 and 90, while top-tier colleges may require 90+ percentile.
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Students interested in MBA at any of the Symbiosis Institutes need to take the Symbiosis National Aptitude (SNAP) Computer Based Test which will be conducted at designated test centres.
However, the institute does offer special pathways to Indian students allowing them to register for classes even i
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
To be eligible for the MBA scholarship provided by the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology via MAT, candidates must have secured 95 Percentile and above (applicable for December 2025 MAT & February 2026 MAT) (centre based/offline examination).
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Contributor-Level 10
Vipra Shrivastava is MA in English Literature from Delhi University with extensive experience in content writing of over 14 years. She has been handling content for Management, Accounting and Commerce streams for 8
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