MAT May 2026: Registration, Dates, Syllabus & Tips

MAT Exam 2026 – Full Details, Dates, Eligibility, Pattern, Syllabus & Latest Updates

The Management Aptitude Test (MAT) 2026 is a national-level management entrance examination conducted by the All India Management Association (AIMA) for admission to MBA, PGDM and allied management programmes. MAT has been conducted since 1988 and is recognized nationally by the Government of India. MAT scores are accepted by 600+ B-Schools across India.

MAT 2026 – Latest Update

As of 7 October 2026, the upcoming MAT December 2026 examination is the next major opportunity for MBA aspirants.

These dates are currently listed on AIMA's official MAT schedule.

Important: The September 2026 MAT examinations have already been conducted. For September 2026, PBT was held on 13 September and CBT on 20 September 2026.

What is MAT?

MAT stands for Management Aptitude Test. It is conducted by AIMA as an entrance examination for candidates seeking admission to MBA, PGDM and other management programmes.

AIMA states that MAT provides access to 600+ participating B-Schools across India.

MAT offers candidates the flexibility to appear through:

• PBT – Paper Based Test

• CBT – Computer Based Test

• PBT + CBT – Both modes

Candidates taking both modes can use the opportunity to apply their score to additional management institutes.

MAT 2026 Highlights

MAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must meet the following basic requirements:

Educational Qualification

Candidates should have completed graduation in any discipline from a recognized university or equivalent institution.

Final-Year Students

Students appearing in the final year of their undergraduate programme can also apply provisionally.

Minimum Percentage

MAT itself does not prescribe one universal graduation percentage for all candidates. Individual participating institutes may have their own percentage and admission requirements. Candidates should therefore check the eligibility criteria of their preferred B-Schools.

Age Limit

There is no age bar for appearing in MAT.

Work Experience

Work experience is not required to appear for MAT.

MAT 2026 Exam Pattern

The current MAT structure consists of 150 questions divided into five sections, with 30 questions in each section. The total test duration is 120 minutes.

Marking Scheme

• Negative marking: 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer.

• All five sections contribute to the overall MAT score.

MAT 2026 Syllabus

1. Language Comprehension

Important topics include:

• Reading Comprehension

• Vocabulary

• Synonyms and Antonyms

• Grammar

• Sentence Completion

• Para Jumbles

• Error Detection

• Idioms and Phrases

• Sentence Correction

2. Intelligence & Critical Reasoning

Major areas include:

• Logical Reasoning

• Analytical Reasoning

• Blood Relations

• Coding-Decoding

• Series

• Arrangements

• Direction Sense

• Statements and Conclusions

• Analogies

• Syllogisms

3. Mathematical Skills

Important topics include:

• Arithmetic

• Percentages

• Profit & Loss

• Ratio and Proportion

• Averages

• Time, Speed & Distance

• Time & Work

• Number System

• Algebra

• Geometry

• Mensuration

• Probability

• Permutation & Combination

4. Data Analysis & Sufficiency

Topics generally include:

• Data Interpretation

• Tables

• Bar Graphs

• Line Graphs

• Pie Charts

• Data Comparison

• Data Sufficiency

• Caselets

• Charts and Graphs

5. Economic & Business Environment

Candidates should prepare:

• Current Affairs

• Business News

• Indian Economy

• Banking and Finance

• Business Organizations

• Government Schemes

• Corporate Developments

• International Business

• Economic Terms

• Static General Knowledge

MAT 2026 Application Fee

According to AIMA's current MAT information:

The fee is generally non-refundable.

Candidates opting for both modes pay ₹4,000, while the current registration process also provides options for additional management-institute choices.

MAT Registration 2026

Candidates can complete the application process online.

Documents Required

• Valid email ID

• Mobile number

• Recent passport-size photograph

• Scanned signature

• Educational qualification details

• Valid payment method

AIMA specifies that the photograph should be in JPG/JPEG format and between 10 KB and 50 KB, while the signature should be JPG/JPEG and between 5 KB and 20 KB.

Registration Steps

1. Create an account using email and mobile number.

2. Verify the account through OTP.

3. Select PBT, CBT or both.

4. Upload photograph and signature.

5. Select participating Management Institutes.

6. Enter personal and academic details.

7. Pay the application fee.

8. Preview and submit the application.

9. Download/save the application confirmation.

MAT Admit Card 2026

The MAT admit card is downloaded from the candidate's MAT applicant dashboard.

It is not sent by post or email. AIMA advises candidates to download it from the official portal according to the schedule for their selected test mode.

The admit card contains details such as:

• Candidate name

• Form number

• Roll number

• Exam date

• Exam time

• Test centre

• Test-centre address

MAT 2026 Exam Centres

MAT is conducted in numerous cities across India.

For December 2026, AIMA's listed PBT cities include Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, Bhopal, Gwalior, Ahmedabad, Patna, Ranchi and several others.

The CBT city list includes Bhopal, Indore, Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, Jaipur, Noida, Gurugram and many other cities.

MAT Score & Percentile

MAT score reports contain scores for all five sections and a Composite Score. AIMA reports the five section scores on a 0–100 scale, while the Composite Score is reported on a 200–800 scale.

The score report includes:

1. Language Comprehension

2. Mathematical Skills

3. Data Analysis & Sufficiency

4. Intelligence & Critical Reasoning

5. Economic & Business Environment

6. Composite Score

AIMA also provides percentile information with the score report.

MAT Score Validity

The MAT score is valid for one year.

MAT 2026 Participating Colleges

MAT scores are accepted by 600+ B-Schools across India. However, the participating institutes and their admission criteria can vary from one MAT administration to another.

Examples of institutes listed by AIMA include:

• BIMTECH, Greater Noida

• Birla Global University

• Chitkara University

• Apeejay School of Management

• ASBM University

• Calcutta Business School

• CIMP Patna

• Alliance School of Business

• AIMS Institutes

• Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Institute of Management Science

Candidates should always check the individual college's eligibility, fees, cutoff and admission process before applying.

MAT 2026 – Important Recent Updates

1. December 2026 dates are announced

AIMA has currently listed 20 December 2026 for PBT and 27 December 2026 for CBT.

2. Registration deadlines are different

The PBT application deadline is 14 December 2026, while the CBT deadline is 21 December 2026.

3. Current pattern remains 150 questions

The current MAT structure has 150 questions, five sections and 120 minutes, with 30 questions in each section.

4. MAT continues with PBT and CBT

AIMA continues to offer both Paper Based Test and Computer Based Test options. Candidates can also choose the combined PBT+CBT option.

5. MAT remains widely accepted

AIMA currently states that MAT scores are accepted by 600+ B-Schools across India.

6. Multiple attempts remain an advantage

MAT is conducted multiple times a year, and AIMA states that candidates can use their best score for MBA/PGDM admissions.

MAT 2026 Preparation Tips

• Start with the official five-section pattern.

• Give special attention to Arithmetic, Reading Comprehension, Reasoning and Data Interpretation.

• Read newspapers/business news regularly for Economic & Business Environment.

• Solve MAT previous-year and mock questions.

• Practice completing 150 questions within 120 minutes.

• Maintain accuracy because of the -0.25 negative marking.

• Take full-length mock tests under timed conditions.

• Research participating colleges before selecting your Management Institute preferences.

Most Important for December 2026 Aspirants

If you are planning to appear for the December 2026 MAT, the immediate dates to remember are:

PBT: 20 December 2026
CBT: 27 December 2026
PBT registration closes: 14 December 2026
CBT registration closes: 21 December 2026