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. Thousands of MBA aspirants take the test annually, making it one of India’s most significant management entrance tests. The upcoming MAT February 2026 is expected to be conducted in February 2026.
Important Dates for MAT February 2026
The official dates for MAT February 2026 have not been announced by AIMA. The following are tentative dates based on previous trends. Candidates should check the official AIMA website (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 |
Graduates from different streams appear for MAT every year. Registrations for the MAT February 2026 session are expected to open in December 2025. MAT PBT and CBT sessions will be held in one session each.
Candidates opting for either mode can send their MAT 2026 scores to up to 5 colleges, which they have to choose during the registration process. Candidates opting for both PBT and CBT modes can select two additional institutes, totaling seven. However, every college has its own eligibility criteria. So the candidate must learn about the same before applying for that college.
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).
- 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, 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
Reservation criteria for MAT admissions vary by institute, as AIMA does not mandate specific reservations for the exam itself. Individual B-Schools follow their own reservation policies, often aligned with government guidelines for categories such as Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS). Candidates should check the specific reservation policies of the institutes they apply to.
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 specific qualifying score in MAT. The important thing is to score higher than the cut-off scores stated by the participating B-schools. 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.