Why MAT is a Good MBA Entrance Exam?
Management Aptitude Test 2026 ( MAT )
MAT September 2026 Registration CBT
22 Jun '26 - 14 Sep '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 crack MAT exam in first attempt, start preparation early; at least a month six months in advance. Cover each topic of the MAT syllabus thoroughly and attempt 40+ mock tests to have complete control on all possible types of questions asked. In the exam, avoid negative marking by skipping questions you are not sure of. Try to maintain average scoring by solving 17-20 questions in each section.
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
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.
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 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.
It depends on the candidate's knowledge of MAT syllabus and whether they have appeared for the exam before or not. Someone who has prior experience of MAT will need about 4 hours daily to prepare as they will mainly need to do revision and practice mock tests. Those who are starting MAT preparation from the scratch, then they will need about 6-8 hours daily.
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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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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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