The MAT 2026 May session is currently open and it will be conducted in two modes – Paper-Based Test (PBT) and Computer-Based Test (CBT). MAT PBT will be held on May 31, 2026, while MAT CBT is scheduled for June 14, 2026. The registration window for the May session is currently underway, with the last date to apply being May 25, 2026 for PBT and June 8, 2026 for CBT. Candidates who wish to appear for the MAT PBT or CBT can register online through the official AIMA website. The MAT application fee is INR 2300 for a single mode (PBT or CBT), with a concession on the combined PBT+CBT option (INR 4000).
The MAT exam is conducted four times a year – in February, May, September, and December – giving candidates the flexibility to choose a suitable session. Admissions through MAT are based on exam scores, followed by Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI) rounds. A key benefit of MAT is that students can appear in multiple sessions, and their best score will be considered for MBA admissions.
MAT 2026 May Session: Key Dates
Here’s a quick overview of the important dates for the ongoing MAT exam:
| Test Mode | Exam Date | Registration Deadline | Admit Card Release |
|---|---|---|---|
| PBT | May 31, 2026 | May 25, 2026 | May 28, 2026 |
| CBT | June 14, 2026 | June 8, 2026 | June 11, 2026 |
MAT is a popular MBA entrance exam that allows candidates to appear multiple times. The best score among all attempts is considered for admission. Selection is based on MAT scores, followed by Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI) rounds. If you missed an earlier session or want to improve your score, you can apply for the upcoming sessions in:
- September 2026
- December 2026
Management Aptitude Test (MAT) is a national-level management entrance test that has been administered since 1988 to help Business Schools (B-Schools) screen candidates for admission to MBA and related programs. MAT is your passport to over 600 B schools across India.
By the end of this blog, you will know
- MAT Exam Date and all key dates students should keep in mind.
- Are you eligible for MAT 2026?
- How can you prepare for MAT 2026 effectively?
MAT Exam Date and Other Details: An Overview
|
Aspect |
Details |
|
Exam Name |
Management Aptitude Test (MAT) |
|
Conducting Body |
All India Management Association (AIMA) |
|
Exam Phases |
Four phases – February, May, September, and December |
|
Test Modes |
- Offline (Paper Based Test - PBT) - Online (Computer Based Test - CBT) |
|
No. of Attempts |
Candidates can appear multiple times. The best MAT test score can be used for admission. |
|
Duration of Exam |
2 hours (120 minutes) |
|
Syllabus of MAT Exam |
|
|
Exam fees |
Rs. 2300 (single mode); Rs. 4000 (PBT+CBT) |
|
Negative Marking |
-0.25 marks for each wrong answer |
|
Exam Website |
Many MAT-accepting colleges offer niche programs — discover career scope of MBA in Hospitality Management in MAT-accepting colleges including placements and salary trends
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MAT Exam Date 2026
The MAT May 2026 session includes two exam modes. Below are the key dates:
|
Exam Mode |
Exam Date |
Registration Deadline |
Admit Card Release |
|
PBT |
May 31, 2026 |
May 25, 2026 |
May 28, 2026 |
|
CBT |
June 14, 2026 |
June 8, 2026 |
June 11, 2026 |
For those planning to take the exam later this year, MAT offers multiple sessions, ensuring candidates can improve their scores and enhance their chances of securing MBA admissions.
Now that you know the MAT exam 2026 registration last date, let’s find out if you are eligible for the exam.
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Eligibility Criteria for MAT 2026
Now that you know the MAT Exam Date, let’s take a look at the eligibility criteria for MAT 2026:
|
Eligibility Criteria |
Details |
|
Educational Qualification |
Candidates should have finished their graduation or an equivalent degree from a UGC-recognised university. |
|
Stream of Education |
The bachelor's degree can be in any stream of education. |
|
Final Year Graduation Students |
Final-year graduation students awaiting their results are also eligible. |
|
Minimum Score Requirement |
There is no minimum score requirement. Candidates with passing marks can appear. |
|
Age Limit |
There is no age limit to appear for MAT. Both fresh graduates and working professionals are eligible. |
|
Professional Degree Holders |
Candidates who have completed professional degrees like CA, CS, or ICWA are eligible to apply. |
How to Register for MAT 2026?
The MAT application process for 2026 is conducted online. Below are the steps to register:
1. Visit the AIMA-MAT website: https://mat.aima.in/
2. Click on the 'Register' option.
3. Provide your name, date of birth, email ID, mobile number, state, city, test mode, and password.
4. Authenticate using the ID sent to your email and phone.
5. On the next page, choose your preferred test mode (CBT, PBT), test cities, and five preferred B-schools.
6. Pay the application fee of INR 2,300 via debit/credit card, net banking, or e-wallet.
7. Fill in your academic and other relevant details in the application form.
8. Upload a recent passport-sized photo and a scanned copy of your signature.
9. Complete the process by clicking the 'Submit' button.
10. You will receive an email confirmation of your MAT application submission.
Note: MAT PBT and MAT CBT test centres are in different cities, so make sure the test mode you choose is available in your city. Once you select a test city, it cannot be changed after submission, so choose your options carefully.
Now that you know if you are eligible, register on time for the MAT Exam date. If you are a serious MBA aspirant, diversify your options and apply to different entrance exams for an MBA in India.
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Syllabus for MAT 2026
Let’s take a look at the topics you will be tested on the MAT Exam date :
|
MAT Sections |
MAT Exam Syllabus |
|
Language Comprehension |
Reading Comprehension, Parajumbles, Fill in the Blanks, One Word Substitution, Sentence Correction, Verbal Ability, Antonyms & Synonyms, Idioms & Phrases, etc. |
|
Data Analysis & Sufficiency |
Tables, Charts, Pie Charts, Bar Diagrams, Caselet-based Data, Venn Diagrams, 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 Relations, Family Tree, Coding & Decoding, Numeric Grid, Syllogism, Clocks, Calendars, Visual Reasoning, etc. |
|
Economic and Business Environment |
Static GK, Science, Technology, Business, Sports, World News, Events, Politics, Awards & Recognition, Art, Geography, History, etc. |
Want to know the MAT Syllabus in detail? Explore the MAT Syllabus in-depth and get to know the recommended books to cover the syllabus.
The syllabus for other management entrance exams is also similar. Check out the XAT syllabus!
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Exam Pattern for MAT 2026
Here is the exam pattern you need to be prepared for on the MAT Exam Date. MAT has five sections of 30 questions each (150 questions in total) to be attempted in 120 minutes, with a negative marking of -0.25 for each wrong answer:
|
Sections |
Number of Questions |
Total Marks |
|
Language Comprehension |
30 |
30 |
|
Intelligence & Critical Reasoning |
30 |
30 |
|
Data Analysis & Sufficiency |
30 |
30 |
|
Mathematical Skills |
30 |
30 |
|
Economic & Business Environment |
30 |
30 |
|
Total |
150 |
150 |
How to Prepare for MAT 2026
To prepare effectively for the MAT exam and make the MAT Exam Date your day, follow the key points covered below:
1. Focus on reading the best books that cover the entire syllabus. Ensure thorough study of all MAT subjects. Make it a habit to read newspapers, magazines, and online blogs daily to enhance your reading and comprehension skills while staying updated on current affairs at both national and international levels.
2. Practice solving previous years’ MAT question papers and sample papers, and take online mock tests to improve your speed, accuracy, and familiarity with the test format.
3. Regularly assess your progress to identify your strengths and weaknesses in each section of the MAT syllabus. Focus on high-weightage topics in each section to boost your score.
4. Effective time management is essential to maximise your attempts in the MAT. Avoid spending too much time on difficult or time-consuming questions.
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Exam Day Guidelines for MAT
After downloading the MAT admit card, students should take two printouts. The following are important rules to remember for MAT 2026:
1. Candidates appearing for MAT CBT should reach the exam centre well before the reporting time and carry the required documents.
2. They are advised to dress comfortably and keep their admit card and a valid photo ID ready for verification at the centre.
3. Candidates should sit quietly and follow all instructions given by the invigilators at the test centre.
4. Applicants must arrive at the testing location well ahead of the reporting time mentioned on the admit card.
5. Candidates should carry a ballpoint pen in either blue or black. Candidates appearing for MAT CBT will require it in order to sign the attendance sheet, while those using PBT will require it in order to complete the OMR form and sign the attendance sheet.
6. At the MAT exam centre, it is not allowed to use a phone, calculator, electronic watch, or any similar device.
7. Bring the original copy of your MAT admit card because a digital or photocopy will not be accepted as identification.
Here are the documents you need to carry on the MAT exam date:
1. MAT Admit Card
2. Any Photo ID
3. Proof of Name Change (if applicable)
4. Caste Certificate
Admit Card for MAT 2026
The MAT admit card for 2026 will be released separately for each session before the MAT Exam Date. Candidates must ensure they have the correct admit card for their specific session on the exam day. To download the MAT hall ticket, candidates need to enter their registration number and date of birth on the AIMA-MAT login page. Here are the steps to download the MAT admit card:
1. Visit the MAT 2026 website.
2. Click on the 'Download/View' option.
3. Select 'MAT Admit Card' from the dropdown menu
4. Enter your email ID, password, and date of birth
5. Download your MAT 2026 admit card
Results for MAT 2026
The MAT result for 2026 will be available on the candidate's dashboard after the MAT Exam Date. Candidates must log in and check their scorecards directly. A hard copy of the MAT result and scorecard will not be issued; it must be downloaded online. Here’s how you can download the MAT 2026 result and scorecard:
1. Visit the official MAT exam website: https://mat.aima.in/
2. Click on 'Login for MAT'
3. Enter your Roll Number and Registration Number
4. Click on the 'Submit' button
5. Select your Exam Month
6. Go to the scorecard download section
7. Your MAT 2026 scorecard will appear on the screen
8. Download it and save it to your desktop
Note: Candidates who have appeared for multiple MAT sessions during different MAT Exam Date can use the best score across sessions for admissions. AIMA will send the candidate's score directly to the five institutes they listed in the MAT application form. If a candidate wishes to apply to additional colleges, they will need to fill out separate application forms for those institutions.
Cut Off for MAT 2026
The MAT 2026 cut-off percentile varies across different business schools. Below is the expected percentile range for top MBA colleges accepting MAT scores:
|
MBA College |
Expected Cut-Off (Percentile) |
|
Amity Business School, Noida |
90 |
|
Christ University, Bengaluru |
80-90 |
|
BIMTECH, Greater Noida |
80-90 |
|
SIES College of Management Studies (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 |
|
Institute of Public Enterprise (IPE), Hyderabad |
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 |
MAT Accepting Colleges
Here are the fee details for the above colleges and more B-Schools that accept MAT scores:
|
College Name |
Location |
Fees (Approx.) |
|
Noida, Uttar Pradesh |
₹ 10-15 Lakhs |
|
|
ABBS School of Management |
Bangalore, Karnataka |
₹ 6-10 Lakhs |
|
Pune, Maharashtra |
₹ 6-8 Lakhs |
|
|
EIILM |
Kolkata, West Bengal |
₹ 4-6 Lakhs |
|
ITM University |
Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra |
₹ 8-12 Lakhs |
|
Unitedworld School of Business |
Ahmedabad, Gujarat |
₹ 4-6 Lakhs |
|
Greater Noida, UP |
₹ 7-9 Lakhs |
|
|
IILM University |
Gurugram, Haryana |
₹ 8-12 Lakhs |
|
Sonipat, Haryana |
₹ 12-16 Lakhs |
|
|
Chennai, Tamil Nadu |
₹ 8-12 Lakhs |
|
|
Bangalore, Karnataka |
₹ 5-7 Lakhs |
|
|
Alliance University |
Bangalore, Karnataka |
₹ 10-15 Lakhs |
|
Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh |
₹ 5-7 Lakhs |
|
|
Jain University |
Bangalore, Karnataka |
₹ 6-9 Lakhs |
|
JIMS Rohini |
Delhi, Delhi |
₹ 6-8 Lakhs |
|
Taxila Business School, Jaipur |
Jaipur, Rajasthan |
₹ 4-6 Lakhs |
|
JK Business School Gurgaon |
Gurgaon, Haryana |
₹ 6-8 Lakhs |
|
Gurgaon, Haryana |
₹ 10-12 Lakhs |
|
|
New Delhi Institute of Management (NDIM) |
New Delhi, Delhi |
₹ 4-6 Lakhs |
Note: Fees mentioned are approximate and can vary. For exact details, please check with the respective colleges.
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