Registration - 1 Apr '26 - 25 May '26
If you are planning to pursue MBA but cannot decided which entrance exam to appear for, you should definitely opt of MAT. It not only provides the option of over 800 B Schools but also prepares you for other entrance exams.
Benefits of MAT exam.
Management Aptitude Test or MAT is one of the popular MBA entrance exams in India. A good number of management aspirants appear for the exam in every session. It is estimated that nearly 3 lakh candidates apply for MAT yearly, and every session records about 20,000 applications. MAT is a preferred choice among candidates as it is more student friendly than other MBA entrance exams like CAT, CMAT, XAT and NMAT. Conducted by the All India Management Association or AIMA, the exam score is accepted by over 800 B-Schools in India. Let’s take a look at the benefits of MAT exam.
- Multiple phases
- Multiple Attempts
- Multiple exam modes
- Low difficulty level
- Large pool of MBA colleges to choose from
Multiple phases
Candidates can appear for MAT any point of time in an academic year. The exam is conducted four times in a year – February, May, August and December. Multiple phases allow candidates to prepare for the exam and appear in to according to their convenience. Even if they decide to apply late, and miss one registration deadline, they can register for the next phase exam in the same academic year, unlike other MBA entrances which are conducted annually and if one misses it, they have to wait for one whole year.
Commonly asked questions
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
To cover the Economic and Business Environment section of MAT syllabus will not take much time if you keep yourself abreast with current happenings of the business world. This section is basically a GK section but the emphasis is more on the knowledge of business and economy. So, candidates must follow these fields for major events of the past and present. They must also study from GK year books at least a month before the MAT exam.
MAT syllabus is not very difficult but it is not easy either. The topics included in MAT syllabus are same as that of other MBA entrance exams like English, Quants, Reasoning, DI and GK. So, if you find these subjects tough MAT syllabus will be difficult for you and if you find the easy, the exam syllabus will be easy.
Multiple Attempts
In MAT, candidates can take multiple attempts and use the best score of all attempts for admission. It also allows candidates to improve their score in the same academic year, whereas, it is not possible in CAT, XAT or CMAT.
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Multiple exam modes
Another plus point of MAT is that it allows candidates to choose mode of exam. MAT is conducted in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode and Paper Based Test (PBT) mode. They can choose the exam mode as per their convenience. MAT exam pattern, syllabus, difficulty level – all are same for both exam modes. MAT can also be taken as a practice for tougher MBA entrance exams. MAT syllabus includes the same topics as CAT, CMAT, XAT, NMAT, etc.
Commonly asked questions
If you don't wish to opt for coaching to prepare for MAT then join online study groups to get recommended study material and guidance from mentors/peers. Refer to MAT specific preparation books. Watch YT videos on MAT prep, practice mock tests and sample questions in a large number. Focus on all important topics from which most of the questions are asked.
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.
There is no single MAT session or phase that can be considered the toughest. Overall difficulty level of MAT is easy to moderate and every session has a test form which is the same – easy to moderate. There can be slight variation in the difficulty level of the test form, due to difference in questions. No two MAT sessions have the same set of questions.
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Low difficulty level
MAT is a low difficulty level exam so scoring high is easier. It is a 2 hour exam in which candidates have to solve 150 questions. There is no sectional time limit and also not restriction of minimum sectional cut off. Each of the five sections – Language Comprehension, Mathematical Skills, Data Analysis & Sufficiency, Intelligence & Critical Reasoning and Economic & Business Environment have 30 questions in MCQ format. Since the score of Economic & Business Environment is not considered for MAT percentile calculation, candidates find it as a relief. Since the MAT questions are easier than that of CAT, XAT, NMAT or CMAT and the number of applicants per session is also lower, it is easier to get a high percentile in MAT.
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Large pool of MBA colleges to choose from
MAT score is accepted by over 800 B Schools in India. These include many Tier 2 private institutions that have good placement record. Some of the popular MBA colleges for MAT are BIMTECH Noida, JAGSoM Bangalore, Christ University, Jaipuria Institute, XIME Bangalore, Amity University, KIIT, UPES, LM Thapar, JBIMS among others. Check below the list of some of the popular MAT colleges
| MBA College |
MAT cut off 2026 (percentile) |
|---|---|
| 90+ |
|
| 80-90 |
|
| 80-90 |
|
| 80-90 |
|
| 80-90 |
|
| 80-90 |
|
| 80-90 |
|
| 80-90 |
|
| 80-90 |
|
| 80-85 |
|
| 80-85 |
|
| 80-85 |
|
| 80-85 |
MAT qualifying candidates can use the score to seek admission also through MAH MBA CET CAP process. Admission to MBA/MMS courses in Maharashtra State affiliated institutions is done through a Centralized Admission Process or CAP which is conducted by State CET Cell. Candidates can use MAT score to participate in the CAP to get a seat in one of the Maharashtra colleges.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered Yesterday
To get into Anna University for the MBA/PGDM course, students would need to appear in the accepted exam, like CAT, MAT, and TANCET.
Students who appear in the CAT or MAT exam would need to attain a valid percentile, and only then are they eligible for the next round of admission, which involves GD,
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
No, you can not join Anna University without appearing for an entrance exam if you want admission to the MBA/PGDM course. Students can either take the CAT or MAT exam, attain a valid percentile and then proceed to the next round.
Or they can take the TANCET entrance examination, attain valid ranks an
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
The percentile needed for admission would depend on the category you belong to. JAGSoM accepts various entrance examinations for admission to the MBA/PGDM course, like CAT, XAT, MAT, etc.
As per the estimated XAT cutoff in 2026, a percentile of 70 would be good enough to secure a chance at admission
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
You don't strictly need CAT to get into GIBS Business School. They accept both CAT and MAT scores, but even if you haven't appeared for them, you can still get admission through their direct admission or interview process.
CAT → accepted, helps in selection
MAT → also accepted, gives another option
No
P
Contributor-Level 8
Answered a week ago
Yes, Global Institute of Business Studies does accept scores from exams like CAT, MAT, XAT, and CMAT. They take these exams into consideration for admissions, so you don't have to worry about only one exam. It gives you flexibility to apply with the scores you already have and increases your chances
P
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 2 weeks ago
GIBS Business School's PGDM cutoff is moderate and generally does not reach the high levels of an IIM. The main factors impacting cutoff are your entrance test scores and other criteria.
Cutoff Recent Data:
- CAT: 60-70 Percentile approximately
- XAT: 60-70 Percentile approximately
- MAT: 60-65 Percentile ap
M
Beginner-Level 4
Answered 2 weeks ago
Yes, MAT score valid for MAH CET counselling for MBA/MMS. Candidates can apply for admission to Maharashtra MBA colleges by registering for the CAP round under non-MAH CET category. MAH CET CAP is conducted in July-August, every year.
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 weeks ago
MAT cut off is not the only criteria for MBA admission. Candidates have to appear for Personal Interview and Group Discussion conducted by the institutes for final selection. Those who do not clear this round are not selected for admission.
M
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 3 weeks ago
Yes, you can apply to GIBS Business School Bangalore after taking the MAT exam. From my experience, the college accepts scores from exams like MAT, CAT, or XAT, so having a valid MAT score makes you eligible for admission.
MAT score is considered during the selection process
College looks at your over
P
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 3 weeks ago
Yes, you could take admission to the MBA course with a MAT percentile of 70 if u belong to the General AI category. For this category, the IISWBM MAT cutoff 2025 required was 70 for the MBA in Human Resource Management course.
In 2024, the cutoff for the MBA in Public Systems was also 70 for the sa
N
Contributor-Level 10
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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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