AIMA Conducted · 4 Sessions/Year · National Level
MAT 2026:
Exam Date & Pattern.
4 Chances a Year.
Score vs Percentile Guide.
MAT (Management Aptitude Test) is conducted by AIMA, four times a year — February, May, September, and December — and accepted by 800+ B-schools across India, including BIMTECH, JAGSoM, and Jaipuria Noida. Unlike most MBA exams that give you just one shot a year, MAT lets you attempt multiple sessions and use your best score.
MAT At a Glance
Conducting BodyAIMA (All India Management Association)
Exam LevelNational — All India
ModePBT (Paper) & CBT (Computer)
Duration120 minutes
Sections5 Sections, 30 questions each
Total Questions150
Marking Scheme+1 per correct · −0.25 per wrong
Score Range199–800 (composite)
Next SessionSeptember 2026 (PBT Sep 13, CBT Sep 20)
Application Fee₹2,300 (single mode) · ₹4,000 (both modes)
Score Validity1 year from exam date
You can take MAT up to 4 times a year and apply with your best composite score — no other major MBA entrance exam in India offers this flexibility.
Exam Pattern
Section-Wise Breakdown.
MAT has 5 sections with 30 questions each. All sections are attempted in a single 120-minute window — there are no sectional time limits, and you can move freely between sections.
| Section | Questions | Counts Toward Composite? | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Language Comprehension | 30 | Yes | RC Passages, Grammar, Vocabulary, Para Jumbles |
| Mathematical Skills | 30 | Yes | Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Number System |
| Data Analysis & Sufficiency | 30 | Yes | Tables, Graphs, Charts, Data Sufficiency |
| Intelligence & Critical Reasoning | 30 | Yes | Arrangements, Syllogisms, Critical Reasoning, Analogies |
| Indian & Global Environment | 30 | No — reported separately | Current Affairs, Business GK, Static GK, Economy |
| Total | 150 | +1 correct · −0.25 wrong · No sectional time limit | |
The "5th section" trap: Indian & Global Environment is scored and shown on your scorecard, but it does NOT count toward your composite score (199-800) that colleges actually use for shortlisting. Many first-time MAT takers waste prep time over-indexing on this section — focus most of your effort on the first 4 sections, since those determine your real ranking. Your raw score out of the scoring 120 questions is normalized into the composite scale to account for difficulty variation across sessions.
Syllabus
What To Actually Study.
AIMA's syllabus is similar in spirit to other MBA entrance exams but tests at a comparatively gentler difficulty level, especially in Mathematical Skills.
Language Comprehension
Reading Comprehension
● Central idea / theme identification
● Inference & implied-meaning questions
● Author's tone, intent & purpose
● Vocabulary-in-context (word/phrase meaning as used in the passage)
Vocabulary
● Synonyms & antonyms
● One-word substitution
● Idioms & phrases
Grammar & Sentence Correction
● Sentence correction — identifying and fixing grammatical errors
● Error spotting
● Fill-in-the-blanks (single & double blanks)
Verbal Reasoning & Para-Jumbles
● Para Jumbles — arranging sentences into a coherent paragraph
● Para Completion — filling the missing concluding sentence
● Verbal reasoning & critical-reading based questions
Mathematical Skills
Arithmetic
● Percentage
● Profit, Loss & Discount
● Simple & Compound Interest
● Ratio & Proportion
● Mixtures & Alligations
● Averages
● Time & Work
● Time, Speed & Distance
Algebra
● Linear & quadratic equations
● Inequalities
● Sequences & progressions (AP, GP)
Number System
● Divisibility, LCM & HCF
● Remainders & factors
Geometry & Mensuration
● Lines, angles, triangles & circles
● 2D area & 3D volume/surface area
Modern Math
● Permutation & Combination
● Probability
● No calculator allowed, but calculations stay manageable
Data Analysis & Sufficiency
Data Interpretation
● Tables & multi-table data sets
● Bar graphs, line graphs & pie charts
● Caselets — data embedded in text/paragraph form
● Data comparison across multiple sources
Data Sufficiency
● Determining whether given statements are sufficient to answer
● Single-statement & combined-statement sufficiency questions
Intelligence & Critical Reasoning
Puzzles & Arrangements
● Seating arrangements — linear, circular & multi-row
● Puzzles — distribution & matching-based
Verbal & Analytical Reasoning
● Syllogisms
● Coding-Decoding
● Blood Relations
● Direction Sense
● Statement-Conclusion & Statement-Assumption
Critical Reasoning
● Strengthen & weaken the argument
● Assumption & inference-based questions
● Analogies & series-based questions
Indian & Global Environment
Current Affairs
● National & international events
● Recent appointments, awards & summits
Business & Economy
● Union Budget highlights & RBI policy
● Market & corporate news
Static GK
● History, geography & polity basics
● Science & general awareness
● Since this section doesn't affect your composite score, light daily revision is enough — don't over-invest prep time here
Scoring
Understanding Your Score.
Your raw score out of 150 (120 scoring questions, since Indian & Global Environment is excluded) is normalized into a composite scale from 199-800. Here's how scores map to percentile and college competitiveness.
700+
Top Percentile Range
Genuinely among the top scorers nationally — strong shot at the most selective MAT-accepting colleges.
90%ile+
Strong Tier-1 Options
BIMTECH, JAGSoM Bangalore, XIME Bangalore. Solid profile plus this percentile opens strong doors.
80%ile+
Good Tier-2 Access
IPE Hyderabad, SIES Mumbai, Jaipuria Noida, Rajagiri Kochi. Wide range of solid programs available.
Below 80%ile
Niche & State-Level Access
Retake recommended for stronger colleges — MAT's 4 sessions/year make this easy. Many programs across 800+ colleges still accessible.
Composite score vs percentile: the 199-800 composite scale accounts for difficulty variation across MAT's 4 yearly sessions, so a "700" in one session is comparable to a "700" in another even if raw difficulty differed. Since you can attempt MAT up to 4 times a year and use your best score, there's no reason to settle for a weak first attempt — many serious aspirants treat their first session as a calibration attempt and improve significantly by their second or third.
How To Register
4 Sessions a Year.
MAT runs in February, May, September, and December. Here's the registration process for each session, using the September 2026 session as a reference.
~6-8 Weeks Before Each Session
Registration Opens
AIMA opens registration at mat.aima.in for the upcoming session. For September 2026: PBT registration closes September 7, CBT registration closes September 14.
At Registration
Pay the Fee & Pick Colleges
Fee is ₹2,300 for a single mode (PBT or CBT) or ₹4,000 for both modes, paid via card/UPI/net banking. Select up to 5 institutes to receive your score (7 if registering for both modes).
~1 Week Before Your Exam
Admit Card Released
Download from your candidate dashboard at mat.aima.in. Carry a printed admit card and a valid original photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN, passport, driving licence, or voter ID) to the centre.
September 13 & 20, 2026 (This Session)
MAT September 2026 Exam
PBT mode on September 13, CBT mode on September 20, 2026. 120 minutes, 150 questions, across test centres in 70+ cities nationwide (combined across both modes).
~15-20 Days Post-Exam
Result & Scorecard
AIMA releases scores in your dashboard, sent automatically to your 5 (or 7) chosen institutes. Scorecard is valid for 1 year — usable across all sessions within that window.
Eligibility
Who Can Apply?
MAT has one of the most open eligibility criteria among national MBA entrance exams — no minimum percentage, no age limit, set by AIMA itself.
Graduate in Any Stream
Must hold a bachelor's degree (any discipline) from a recognized university. AIMA itself sets no minimum percentage — though individual accepting colleges often require 50% (45% reserved categories) for shortlisting.
Final Year Students Eligible
Students in their final year of graduation can apply provisionally. Admission is confirmed only after producing the final marksheet.
No Age Limit
AIMA sets no minimum or maximum age — candidates of all ages, including working professionals, can register for MAT.
No Work Experience Required
Fresh graduates and working professionals are equally eligible. Work experience isn't mandatory, though some colleges may give it weightage during shortlisting.
Unlimited attempts: MAT can be taken as many times as you wish across its 4 yearly sessions — there is no cap. Most colleges consider your most recent or best score, so retaking is a genuine, low-risk strategy if your first attempt doesn't go as planned. Candidates with professional qualifications like CA, CS, or ICWA are also explicitly eligible to apply.
Selection Process
Mostly Score-Based — Institute-Dependent Beyond That.
Unlike CAT, AIMA itself does not run a centralized WAT-GD-PI process for MAT. Here's how selection actually works, and what makes MAT's multi-session structure different.
1. MAT Composite Score
Your normalized 199–800 composite score (from the 4 scoring sections) is calculated by AIMA and sent directly to your chosen institutes — up to 5 for a single mode, or 7 if you registered for both PBT and CBT.
2. No Centralized AIMA Interview
AIMA does not itself conduct a Written Ability Test, Group Discussion, or Personal Interview as part of MAT — the exam's role effectively ends once your composite score is sent to your selected institutes.
3. Institute-Level GD / PI / WAT (Where Applicable)
Whether you face a Group Discussion, Personal Interview, or Written Test — and how much weight your MAT score carries versus academics or work experience — is entirely up to the individual accepting institute. This varies significantly across the 800+ colleges that accept MAT, so always check your target institute's specific admission process.
4. Pick Your Sitting & Format
MAT's biggest structural difference from most MBA entrance exams: it's held four times a year (February, May, September, December), in both PBT and CBT modes. Candidates can choose whichever session and format best fits their preparation timeline and comfort level, then apply with their best composite score.
Important: Because selection beyond the composite score is institute-driven rather than centralized, there's no single "MAT selection formula" to prepare for the way there is for CAT-based IIM admissions. Research your specific target colleges' admission pages to understand whether they run a GD/PI round and how they weight your MAT score against academics and other factors.
Score vs Percentile
What Score Gets You Where?
MAT uses a composite scaled score from 199–800 (not raw marks) — this normalizes difficulty across its 4 yearly sessions. Here's how composite scores map to percentiles and college tiers, with session-wise context for the last 4 sessions.
| Composite Score (out of 800) | Approx. Percentile |
|---|---|
| 750–800 | 98–99%ile |
| 700–750 | 95%ile |
| 650–700 | 90%ile |
| 550–600 | 80%ile |
| 500–550 | 70%ile |
How MAT scoring works: Your raw score out of 120 (the 4 scoring sections — Indian & Global Environment is excluded) is normalized into the 199–800 composite scale. This means a "650" in the September session is comparable to a "650" in February — the scaling accounts for difficulty variation. Unlike CAT or XAT, there is no concept of sectional percentile for MAT; only the overall composite score is reported. Data compiled from AIMA official score reports, BIMTECH/JAGSoM/XIME admission brochures, and MBA Universe admission cycle reporting. Treat as directional, not guaranteed — verify with individual college cutoffs.
| Composite Score | Estimated Percentile | Target Colleges |
|---|---|---|
| 720+ | 97–99%ile | BIMTECH, JAGSoM Bangalore |
| 680–720 | 90–96%ile | BIMTECH, XIME Bangalore, IPE Hyderabad |
| 640–679 | 80–89%ile | IPE, Rajagiri, SIES Mumbai, Jaipuria |
| 580–639 | 65–79%ile | Jaipuria Noida, IBA Bengaluru, NISM Mumbai |
| Below 580 | Below 65%ile | December 2026 session recommended |
MAT September 2026: PBT mode September 13 · CBT mode September 20, 2026. Registration for this session closes in early September. If you missed it, the December 2026 session is next — registration typically opens in late October. Figures are projected based on prior September session trends. Verify actual cutoffs once AIMA releases September 2026 results (~October 2026).
| Composite Score | Estimated Percentile | Target Colleges |
|---|---|---|
| 715+ | 97–99%ile | BIMTECH, JAGSoM Bangalore |
| 675–715 | 90–96%ile | BIMTECH, XIME Bangalore, IPE Hyderabad |
| 635–674 | 80–89%ile | IPE, Rajagiri, SIES, Jaipuria Noida |
| 575–634 | 65–79%ile | Jaipuria, IBA Bengaluru, NISM Mumbai |
| Below 575 | Below 65%ile | September 2026 session recommended |
MAT May 2026: Conducted by AIMA in May 2026 (PBT + CBT modes). May session typically sees slightly fewer candidates than September, which can affect normalization marginally. BIMTECH and JAGSoM typically use scores from any session within the admission year — so a strong May score is fully valid for 2026–27 admissions. Figures from AIMA post-result analysis and college admission office data.
| Composite Score | Estimated Percentile | Target Colleges |
|---|---|---|
| 710+ | 97–99%ile | BIMTECH, JAGSoM Bangalore |
| 670–710 | 90–96%ile | BIMTECH, XIME Bangalore, IPE Hyderabad |
| 630–669 | 80–89%ile | IPE, Rajagiri, SIES Mumbai, Jaipuria |
| 570–629 | 65–79%ile | Jaipuria Noida, IBA Bengaluru |
| Below 570 | Below 65%ile | May or September 2026 session recommended |
MAT February 2026: First session of the 2026 cycle. February is typically the smallest session by candidate count, making the normalization slightly different from busier sessions. Scores are valid for 1 year and usable for 2026–27 MBA admissions. Colleges accepting February MAT scores include BIMTECH, JAGSoM, XIME, IPE, Rajagiri, and Jaipuria. Figures from admission brochures and verified session reporting.
| Composite Score | Estimated Percentile | Target Colleges |
|---|---|---|
| 720+ | 97–99%ile | BIMTECH, JAGSoM Bangalore |
| 680–720 | 90–96%ile | BIMTECH, XIME Bangalore, IPE Hyderabad |
| 640–679 | 80–89%ile | IPE, Rajagiri, SIES Mumbai, Jaipuria |
| 580–639 | 65–79%ile | Jaipuria Noida, IBA Bengaluru, NISM Mumbai |
| Below 580 | Below 65%ile | Retake in 2026 sessions recommended |
MAT December 2025: Last session of the 2025 cycle. Scores from December 2025 remain valid for 12 months — usable for 2026–27 admissions cycles through December 2026. December is typically the second-largest MAT session of the year (after September). Figures from AIMA result data and verified post-exam reporting. All composite scores on this page are approximate — actual results depend on AIMA's session-specific normalization.
Where This Gets You
Top MBA Colleges Accepting MAT.
MAT scores are accepted by 800+ B-schools across India. Below are commonly cited MAT-accepting colleges with directional percentile bands compiled from recent admission-cycle reporting.
| # | College | City | Typical MAT Percentile | Data |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BIMTECH (Birla Institute of Mgmt. Technology) | Greater Noida | ~90–95%ile | Estimate |
| 2 | JAGSoM (Jagdish Sheth School of Mgmt.) | Bengaluru | ~88–94%ile | Estimate |
| 3 | XIME Bangalore | Bengaluru | ~85–92%ile | Estimate |
| 4 | IPE Hyderabad (Institute of Public Enterprise) | Hyderabad | ~85–90%ile | Estimate |
| 5 | Jaipuria Institute of Management | Noida | ~80–88%ile | Estimate |
| 6 | Rajagiri Business School | Kochi | ~75–85%ile | Estimate |
| 7 | SIES College of Management Studies | Mumbai | ~75–85%ile | Estimate |
| 8 | NISM (National Institute of Securities Markets) | Mumbai | ~70–82%ile | Estimate |
| 9 | Indus Business Academy (IBA) | Bengaluru | ~70–80%ile | Estimate |
Data source & caveats: these percentile bands are directional estimates compiled from recent MAT admission-cycle reporting, not officially confirmed cutoffs published by AIMA or any single body — each of the 800+ accepting colleges sets its own shortlisting criteria independently, and cutoffs shift each session based on difficulty and applicant pool. Always verify current requirements directly at each college's official admissions page. Beyond this list, hundreds of additional state-level, autonomous, and university-affiliated B-schools across India accept MAT scores at varying cutoffs.
Previous Year Analysis
What Recent Sessions Suggest.
General trend observations across MAT's 5 sections, based on patterns seen across recent sessions — useful for shaping where you spend your prep time.
Language Comprehension
● RC and vocabulary consistently form the backbone of the section — strong reading habits pay off more than last-minute grammar cramming
● Grammar-based questions (sentence correction, error spotting) reward candidates with solid fundamentals over memorized rules
Mathematical Skills
● Generally considered more moderate in difficulty than the quant sections of CAT or XAT — rewards speed and accuracy over advanced concept mastery
● Arithmetic remains the highest-weightage topic group, consistent with most aptitude-style MBA entrance exams
Data Analysis & Sufficiency
● Has grown into more of a distinguishing section — sets increasingly reward analytical reading over pure calculation speed
● Data Sufficiency questions specifically trip up candidates who are strong at DI but unfamiliar with the sufficiency question format
Intelligence & Critical Reasoning
● Arrangement and puzzle-based sets remain consistently high-weightage within the section
● Critical reasoning question types (strengthen/weaken/assumption) appear to feature more prominently in recent sessions
Indian & Global Environment
● Rewards consistent daily current-affairs reading over cramming, since the topic pool spans a wide, unpredictable range
● Since it doesn't count toward your composite score, treat it as a light ongoing habit rather than a dedicated prep block
Takeaway: These are general, directional patterns, not statistically verified figures for any specific session — MAT does not publish detailed sectional difficulty data the way some exams do. Build broad coverage across all 4 scoring sections rather than over-optimizing for any single trend. See the Score vs Percentile section above for session-wise composite score data.
Preparation Strategy
A Different Plan For Every Starting Point.
MAT's multi-session, multi-mode structure means your strategy can flex around your timeline in a way most MBA entrance exams don't allow.
Beginner (First Attempt, 4+ Months Out)
Build Mathematical Skills fundamentals from the basics up, and start a daily reading habit for both RC and Indian & Global Environment. Treat your first session (say, February) as a low-pressure calibration attempt — your composite score is valid for a full year, and you have May, September, and December to improve on it.
Intermediate (One Session Attempted)
Use your previous scorecard to identify your weakest of the 4 scoring sections and drill it with sectional tests. Keep a light, consistent current-affairs habit for Indian & Global Environment even though it's non-scoring — it helps if your target institute runs its own GD/PI. Aim for 2 full-length mocks per week with error analysis.
Advanced (Targeting 700+, Next Session <2 Months Out)
Since MAT has no sectional time limit, practice moving fluidly between sections to play to your strengths within the 120-minute window. 3–4 full mocks per week with composite-score tracking session-over-session, plus focused speed drills on Data Analysis & Sufficiency and Intelligence & Critical Reasoning.
Working Professional (Limited Daily Hours)
Use MAT's 4-sessions-a-year flexibility to your advantage — pick whichever session and mode (PBT or CBT) best fits your work schedule, and space your prep over a longer runway rather than cramming. Time-box 1–1.5 hours on weekdays, more on weekends, prioritizing Mathematical Skills and Language Comprehension first.
Get Started Free
Start Your
MAT Prep.
Share a few details and a mentor will reach out with your free diagnostic and study plan — on WhatsApp.
Free diagnostic to identify weak sections across all 5 MAT areas
Session-aligned study plan — built around your next MAT date
Full-length MAT mock tests with detailed analytics
Strategy on which 4 sections to prioritize over Indian & Global Environment
Mentors who've guided students into top MAT-accepting B-schools
Start MAT Prep Free
Takes under 2 minutes. No payment required.
Free to start. No credit card required.
FAQ
Common Questions.
When is MAT 2026?+
MAT is conducted four times a year by AIMA — in February, May, September, and December. The September 2026 session is scheduled for PBT mode on September 13 and CBT mode on September 20, 2026. You can appear in multiple sessions within a year and your best score is used for admission.
What is the MAT exam pattern?+
MAT has 150 questions across five sections of 30 questions each — Language Comprehension, Mathematical Skills, Data Analysis & Sufficiency, Intelligence & Critical Reasoning, and Indian & Global Environment — in 120 minutes with no sectional time limit. Only the first four sections count toward your composite score; the Indian & Global Environment section is reported separately and doesn't affect your final score.
What is the MAT marking scheme?+
Each correct answer gets +1 mark. Each incorrect answer loses 0.25 marks. There is no penalty for unattempted questions. Your raw score out of 150 is converted into a composite scaled score ranging from 199 to 800 through a normalization process.
Who is eligible for MAT 2026?+
Candidates need a Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized university — there is no minimum percentage requirement set by AIMA itself, though individual accepting colleges may set their own minimum criteria (typically 50%, or 45% for reserved categories). There is no age limit, and final-year graduation students can apply provisionally.
Which colleges accept MAT scores?+
MAT scores are accepted by over 800 MBA/PGDM colleges across India, including BIMTECH Greater Noida, JAGSoM Bangalore, XIME Bangalore, IPE Hyderabad, and Jaipuria Noida. Each candidate can select up to 5 institutes (7 if applying for both PBT and CBT modes) to receive their score directly from AIMA.
Is MAT score valid for multiple sessions?+
Yes — each MAT scorecard is valid for 1 year from the exam date. You can appear in multiple sessions in a year (February, May, September, December) and apply with your best composite score. There is no cap on the number of times you can attempt MAT.
What is considered a good MAT score or percentile?+
A composite score of 700+ (roughly 95%ile and above) puts you in the top percentile range nationally. 90%ile+ (around 650-700) opens strong options like BIMTECH, JAGSoM Bangalore, and XIME Bangalore. 80%ile+ (around 550-600) still gives access to good options like IPE Hyderabad, Rajagiri, SIES Mumbai, and Jaipuria Noida. Below 80%ile, a retake in the next session is often worth considering given MAT's 4-times-a-year flexibility.
What is the MAT 2026 application fee?+
₹2,300 if you register for a single mode (either PBT or CBT), or ₹4,000 if you register for both modes in the same session, payable online via card, UPI, or net banking during registration.
Does MAT require a separate personal interview like CAT?+
No — AIMA itself does not conduct a centralized Written Ability Test, Group Discussion, or Personal Interview as part of MAT. Your composite score is sent directly to your chosen institutes, and it's entirely up to each individual institute whether to conduct its own GD/PI/WAT as part of its final admission process. See the Selection Process section on this page for details.
What documents should I carry on MAT exam day?+
A printed admit card downloaded from your candidate dashboard at mat.aima.in, along with a valid original photo ID such as Aadhaar, PAN, passport, driving licence, or voter ID. Photocopies aren't accepted — carry the original document.
What are the different MAT exam modes?+
MAT is offered in PBT (Paper-Based Test, using OMR sheets) and CBT (Computer-Based Test, at a designated centre) modes within the same session — for example, the September 2026 session runs PBT on September 13 and CBT on September 20. Candidates can register for either mode or both, and each mode has its own fee and registration deadline.
How is the MAT composite score (199-800) calculated?+
Your raw score out of 120 (from the 4 scoring sections — Language Comprehension, Mathematical Skills, Data Analysis & Sufficiency, and Intelligence & Critical Reasoning; Indian & Global Environment is excluded) is normalized by AIMA into a scaled composite score between 199 and 800. This normalization accounts for difficulty differences across MAT's four yearly sessions, so a given composite score means roughly the same thing whether you took the February or September session.
Know The Exam.
Now Build The Plan.
Free diagnostic + mentor-reviewed study plan for MAT 2026.