MAT eligibility criteria 2026 refers to a set of requirements that you must fulfil before appearing for the exam. Before applying for the entrance test, candidates must thoroughly comply with the MAT exam eligibility requirements. In this article, you will learn about the detailed prerequisites for MAT 2026.
MAT 2026
Management Aptitude Test (MAT) is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the All India Management Association (AIMA) for admission to MBA and other allied programs. Over 600 B-schools across the country accept
MAT scores. The exam is conducted four times a year, in February, May, September, and December. Lakhs of MBA aspirants take the test annually, making it one of India’s most significant management entrance tests. The upcoming MAT 2026 is expected to be conducted in early March 2026 for the February session.
Graduates from different streams appear for MAT every year. AIMA is expected to open the registration process for the MAT February 2026 session soon. MAT PBT and CBT sessions are typically held in one session each per phase.
Candidates opting for any of the modes can send their MAT 2026 scores to up to 5 colleges, which they have to choose from during the registration process. However, every college has its eligibility criteria. So the candidate must learn about the same before applying for that college.
The following table shows the expected schedule for MAT February 2026 session key events:
|
Exam Type
|
Event
|
Expected Timeline (2026)
|
|
Paper Based Test (PBT)
|
Last Date for Online Registration
|
Late February 2026
|
|
Paper Based Test (PBT)
|
Availability of Admit Card
|
A few days before the test in late February 2026
|
|
Paper Based Test (PBT)
|
Test Date
|
Early March 2026
|
|
Computer Based Test (CBT)
|
Last Date for Online Registration
|
Early March 2026
|
|
Computer Based Test (CBT)
|
Availability of Admit Card
|
A few days before the test in early March 2026
|
|
Computer Based Test (CBT)
|
Test Date
|
Mid March 2026
|
MAT Eligibility Criteria 2026
All India Management Association (AIMA) defines the MAT exam eligibility and related guidelines. Candidates must go through these requisites to check their eligibility for the exam.
Below mentioned are the MAT Eligibility Criteria 2026 that the candidate must follow to qualify for the admission test.
Qualification Criteria:
- The candidates must possess a graduation degree from a recognized University in any stream or a professional degree (CA/CS/ICWA).
- The final-year graduation students can also apply for MAT 2026.
Percentage Criteria:
- There is no minimum percentage criterion to appear for MAT, but admission to MBA colleges may require a minimum percentage/marks. Most institutes specify the requirement of a minimum of 50% marks in graduation for applicants. You may refer to the information brochures of particular colleges/institutes for the same.
- The percentage of marks obtained by the candidate is calculated based on the practice followed by the specific college/institute.
- In the case of grades/CGPA, the conversion to percentage of marks is based on the procedure certified by the institute following its eligibility criteria.
Age Criteria:
- There is no age limit to appear for the MAT exam.
Work Experience:
- There is no additional scoring for candidates who have previous work experience. Everyone is given the same consideration, regardless of whether they are experienced professionals or fresh graduates.
Number of Attempts:
- There is no restriction on the number of attempts. Candidates can take the examination as many times until they succeed.
Note: NRIs and foreign nationals can also apply for MAT 2026.
MAT exam eligibility has remained unchanged over the years. Further, the aspirants can appear in all four examinations in the same year.
It is to be noted that the mere fulfilment of minimum MAT eligibility criteria 2026 will not ensure consideration for shortlisting by the management Institutes.
MAT Exam Eligibility 2026: Reservation Criteria
AIMA provides fixed reservations for MAT takers. The reservation for MAT 2026 is expected to be as follows:
|
Category
|
Minimum Percentage
|
|
Scheduled Caste
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15%
|
|
Scheduled Tribe
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7.5%
|
|
OBC
|
27%
|
|
Economically Weaker Sections (EWS)
|
10%
|
Once you have gone through the MAT eligibility criteria, you can apply for MAT 2026 on its official site: mat.aima.in
FAQs about MAT Exam Eligibility
1. Is MAT required for MBA?
MAT is accepted by more than 600 B-schools in India. However, admission to MBA is also facilitated via other entrance exams like CAT, XAT, CMAT, SNAP, etc. Besides, several colleges accept more than one entrance test.
2. What is the passing score for MAT?
There is no such qualifying score in MAT. The important thing is to score higher than the cut-off scores stated by the participating B-schools. The reputed colleges generally have a MAT cut-off of 95+ percentile.
3. Is MAT easier than CAT?
Yes, MAT is quite easier compared to CAT. The questions in MAT are simple and direct, in contrast to the ones in CAT.
4. How many times can we attempt MAT?
There is no restriction on the number of attempts for MAT. Also, you can appear for all four sessions of the year.
5. What happens after clearing MAT exam?
After the MAT results are out, you will receive calls from the institutes you applied for, depending upon your scores. So, you will need to attend the GD-PI-WAT process for final admissions.
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