The official notification for MAT February 2026 has not been released yet by AIMA. The test sessions will be held in Paper Based Test (PBT) and Computer Based Test (CBT) modes.
What is MAT?
MAT is a national-level test being conducted by AIMA (All India Management Association). Since 1988, MAT has served as the screening test for admission to management and other allied programs. It is held four times a year, with over 20,000 candidates appearing for each session. MAT is a gateway to more than 600 B-schools and management colleges across India.
What is the structure of MAT exam?
MAT is an objective exam of 150 questions designed to evaluate the general aptitude of candidates. The duration of the exam is 2 hours (120 minutes). But there is no sectional time restraint, which means you have to manage time effectively among different sections. The exam is designed to gauge your problem-solving abilities and time management skills. It is divided into the following five sections:
- Language Comprehension
- Intelligence & Critical Reasoning
- Mathematical Skills
- Data Analysis & Sufficiency
- Economic & Business Environment
Each of the above sections has 30 questions and carries an equal weightage of 30 marks. However, the composite MAT score is computed on a scale of 199-801. Also, there is a negative marking of 25% for every wrong answer.
MAT exam pattern has remained nearly the same all through the years, with only a few changes in the weightage and type of different questions. To secure admission to a good B-school, candidates are required to clear the specified cut-off score or percentile. Apart from the overall cut-off, many of the institutes consider the sectional cut-off for shortlisting candidates.
Further, some of the participating B-schools do not consider the marks scored in the Economic & Business Environment section. The score of Economic & Business Environment is separately displayed but is not taken into account to calculate percentile score or merit in the
MAT scorecard.
Syllabus for MAT 2026
MAT is devised to check the candidate's knowledge in a broad range of areas, including reasoning, mathematics, data interpretation, and important events. The exam is usually a mix of easy and moderately difficult questions in all sections. Although there is no standard syllabus specified for MAT, here we have briefed about the important topics of each section as per the pattern of previous year exams:
| Section |
Topics |
| Language Comprehension |
Reading Comprehension, Verbal Reasoning, Synonyms & Antonyms, Grammar, Vocabulary, Idioms, Para Jumbles, Sentence Correction, One Word Substitution |
| Intelligence & Critical Reasoning |
Seating Arrangements, Blood Relations, Syllogisms, Analogies, Critical Reasoning, Direction Tests, Coding-Decoding, Series, Statement-Assumption, Strong & Weak Arguments |
| Mathematical Skills |
Arithmetic (Percentages, Profit & Loss, Ratios, Averages, Time & Work, Time-Speed-Distance), Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration, Number Systems, Modern Math (Permutations, Combinations, Probability) |
| Data Analysis & Sufficiency |
Data Interpretation (Tables, Graphs, Charts, Pie Charts, Bar Graphs, Line Graphs), Data Sufficiency, Data Comparison |
| Economic & Business Environment |
Current Affairs (National & International, Business, Economy), Static GK (History, Geography, Polity, Science, Awards) |
When is the MAT exam conducted?
MAT is conducted four times a year, in February, May, September, and December. The detailed notification is released on the official website (https://mat.aima.in/), where you will get to know about all the important dates, application fees, MBA/PGP programmes and other essential information related to MAT. In 2018, AIMA discontinued the offline mode of form submission. So, the MAT application form is to be filled in online mode only.
Tentative Schedule for MAT February 2026: The official dates have not been announced by AIMA. Based on previous trends, registrations are expected to open in December 2025, with PBT and CBT sessions likely in February 2026. Check https://mat.aima.in/ for updates.
| Event |
Tentative Date |
| Last Date for PBT Online Registration |
Early February 2026 |
| Availability of PBT Admit Card |
Mid-February 2026 |
| PBT Test Date |
Third Week of February 2026 |
| Last Date for CBT Online Registration |
Mid-February 2026 |
| Availability of CBT Admit Card |
Mid-February 2026 |
| CBT Test Date |
Last Week of February 2026 |
| Availability of MAT February 2026 Score |
By 2nd Week of March 2026 |
Who can appear for MAT exam?
The
eligibility criteria for MAT is quite simple and lenient compared to other entrance tests. Candidates with Bachelors/ equivalent degrees as well as final-year students are eligible for the exam.
There is no minimum percentage criterion to appear for MAT, but admission to MBA colleges may require a minimum percentage/marks. NRIs and foreign nationals can also apply for the MAT exam.
Which colleges/institutes accept MAT scores?
Apart from the list of MAT accepting institutes mentioned on the official website, there are several others that extend MBA admission based on MAT scores. The number of colleges accepting MAT scores keeps varying every year. Some of the top management colleges accepting MAT scores are:
- Jagan Institute of Management Studies (JIMS), New Delhi
- Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS), Mumbai
- Indus Business Academy, Bangalore
- Jaipuria Institute of Management, Lucknow
- Birla Institute of Management & Technology (BIMTECH), Greater Noida
- International School of Business & Media, Pune
- Institute of Public Enterprise, Hyderabad
- Institute of Management Studies, Ghaziabad
- Xavier Institute of Management and Entrepreneurship (XIME), Chennai
- New Delhi Institute of Management, New Delhi
- Jaipuria Institute of Management, Noida
- PSG Institute of Management, Coimbatore
- AIMS School of Business, Bangalore
- IES Management College And Research Centre, Mumbai
- SCMS Cochin School of Business
- St. Joseph’s Institute of Management (SJIM), Bangalore
- Alliance School of Business, Alliance University, Bangalore
- ITM Navi Mumbai, ITM Group of Institutions
- Balaji Institute Of Modern Management (BIMM), Pune
- Asian School of Business Management (ASBM), Bhubaneswar
- Fortune Institute of International Business (FIIB), New Delhi
- Apeejay School of Management, Dwarka, New Delhi
- TAPMI School of Business, Jaipur
Note: As per the latest notification, the private educational institutes of Maharashtra have started accepting MAT scores for admission to MBA/MMS/PGDM courses.
Admission Procedure
MAT selection procedure starts after the announcement of MAT result, and the management institutes shortlist the candidates based on their
MAT score cut-off. The shortlisted candidates are required to appear in the group discussion/group exercises, written ability test, personal interview and other selection rounds.
Since B-schools differ in their particular admission procedure, students must check their respective sites to prepare accordingly.
ROI of Programmes offered by MAT-accepting Institutes
In addition to being one of the most popular courses, an MBA also counts among the most expensive ones. So, if you have decided to pursue an MBA or PGDM, you must know about its probable ROI. Owing to the quality of their education and other favourable factors, the top B-schools of India are known for their high-salary placements. In other words, you must assess the scope and prospects of MBA courses/specialisations of specific B-schools before opting for one. Glance through the placement facts and statistics of top MAT-accepting institutes:
- For MMS 2024 batch of JBIMS, the average salary has been increased by more than 20% as compared to the last year which stood at INR 27.63 LPA whereas the median CTC stood at INR 26.48 LPA and the Highest Salary stood at INR 42 LPA. Consulting companies played the dominating role during the placement drive. Major recruiters included Deloitte, EY, PwC, Accenture, Infosys, KPMG and many more.
- In the placement drive of 2023, the maximum number of students were placed in the Consulting sector (39%) followed by BFSI & IB (36%).
- The average package offered during JBIMS MMS placements 2022 stood at INR 27.63 LPA. Earlier, the average package offered during JBIMS MMS placements 2021 and 2020 stood at INR 23.16 LPA and INR 22.84 LPA, respectively.
- The placement season witnessed participation from the top recruiters like Avendus, Barclays, Cipla, Goldman Sachs, HSBC, HUL, JPMC, McKinsey and Company, P&G, Standard Chartered Bank, etc.
- Most of the B-schools with MAT cut-off percentile at 90 or above, have the best placement packages at Rs.15-20 LPA.
For a good ROI, students must weigh factors like course fee, score, placement figures, and reputation before applying for an MBA/PGDM and choosing a B-school.
Preparation Tips for MAT 2026
Before starting your preparation for the MAT exam, you must go through its exam pattern and study the syllabus well. Once you know about the important topics, you can plan your study schedule and develop a proper strategy for the exam. Remember the following tips while preparing for MAT 2026:
- Begin with building the conceptual clarity of the fundamental topics of reasoning, grammar, and mathematics.
- You can also make short notes of difficult formulas and shortcuts for last-minute revisions.
- After you have gone through the essential formulae and tricks, start practising the same with the help of topic/chapter-wise tests. Alongside the mathematics section, try solving data interpretation/comparison/sufficiency sets and questions.
- Develop a regular habit of reading through good newspapers, books, magazines, and similar websites. Alongside, you can utilise flashcards for the new words you find. This will help you brush up your general knowledge as well as improve your reading skills.
- In the mid-phases of your preparation, you should start attempting sectional tests within the given time limits. This will let you know your progress in different sections.
- Finally, start practising complete mock tests and the previous year's papers on MAT. Past year papers prove extremely useful in familiarising you with the precise pattern of the exam and frequently asked questions. Besides, make sure that you analyse your test performance after attempting every mock.
Generally, MBA aspirants devote 3-6 months to
MAT preparation. Since MAT is taken by students of all educational backgrounds, each of them requires a different strategy. So, you should plan your strategy as per your strengths and weaknesses. Further, you will have to keep modifying your exam tactics based on your performance in mock tests.
FAQs Regarding MAT
-
Which is better MAT or CAT?
Both MAT and CAT are national-level entrance exams, used for admissions for MBA/PGDM programmes offered by reputed B-schools in India. However, CAT is much more difficult due to high competition and tougher level of questions.
-
Is MAT good for MBA?
Yes, MAT is one of the most popular MBA entrance tests, with around 20,000 candidates appearing in each session. Besides, MAT is conducted four times a year, which makes it an even more sought-after exam.
-
Is 3 months enough for MAT?
Yes, you can very well prepare for MAT in three months, provided you stay focused and disciplined while following a proper study plan and practice strategy.
-
What is the highest MAT score?
MAT is scored in the range of 199-801, so the highest (maximum) score is 801.
-
What is the validity of MAT score?
MAT score/percentile is valid for 1 year from the time of result announcement.
-
What is a good score in MAT?
MAT-accepting institutes vary in their cut-offs from 400 to 700 marks. However, most top-ranked institutes admit candidates with a score of 600+. So, it is recommended to target a score of 600+ in MAT.
-
Are there any age restrictions for MAT?
There are no age restrictions for appearing in MAT.
-
Can I appear more than once in MAT in the same year?
Yes, you can sit for all four sessions for MAT, i.e., four times in a year.
-
What is the fee for MAT application?
For the single test mode (PBT or CBT), the MAT application fee costs Rs. 2200. Candidates can opt for both PBT and CBT by paying Rs. 3800.