MBA Colleges Accepting MAT Score in 2026: Full List, Cutoffs & Admission Guide
For those who prefer more options than a single exam to pursue an MBA in India, the Management Aptitude Test (MAT) may be the better way to go. MAT has been conducted by the All India Management Association (AIMA) since 1988 and recognized by the Ministry of Education since 2003 and accepted by more than 600 MBA & PGDM colleges throughout the country. That means that the aspirants have a wide range of options, including reputed private B-schools, university management departments and several government institutions.
Conducted 4 times a year (February, May, September, and December), MAT is offered in both PBT and CBT as well as IBT (online) and offers direct admission to various IIMs, unlike CAT which is held only once a year and offers admission to mainly IIMs. This implies that you will receive a number of chances to shoot a high score and your best percentile of one year's validity can be applied in various colleges across an admission cycle. MAT is an ideal choice for working professionals, first-time MBA aspirants, or those seeking a less stressful alternative to CAT or XAT.
Why MAT Is a Smart Choice for MBA Aspirants
The most significant aspect of MAT is choice. Hundreds of colleges accept the score and candidates do not have to choose between a few institutions; they can have a choice of the institution based on the specialization, location, fee, and career objective. It is also less difficult than CAT and XAT making it a good launching pad for candidates gaining confidence. Moreover, there are many colleges that accept MAT scores that have selection processes that are structured and evaluate personality and communication skills, in addition to test scores, in the format of Group Discussions (GD), Written Ability Tests (WAT), and Personal Interviews (PI). This integrated approach is advantageous for the candidates who have scored well in academics or any other type of job related experience but are not the most natural high scorers in aptitude tests.
MAT Percentile Guide: What Score Gets You Where
• 90+ percentile: Provides entry to premier MAT institutes like BIMTECH, JAGSOM and XIME Bangalore.
• 80-90 percentile: Good mid-range colleges like Jaipuria Institute, IPE Hyderabad, FLAME University.
• 65-80 percentile secure good seats in credible PGDM/MBA programs offered by institutes like ITM and a few university affiliated B-schools.
Note that percentile is not a prerequisite for admission—most colleges consider your academic record, GD-PI-WAT performance, and, in some cases, work experience in addition to your MAT score.
Read More : PBT and CBT MAT Exam Date 2026
Top MBA Colleges Accepting MAT Score
1. BIMTECH, Greater Noida
BIMT is always in the list of best MAT schools in India. It is renowned for its industry linkages and the strict curriculum of its PGDM courses as well as dedicated specializations in retail, insurance and international business. For a “serious” shot, a MAT percentile of 90+ is generally desired.
2. JAGSOM, Bangalore
Jagdish Sheth School of Management (previously known as IFIM) is recognized for its global exposure, live projects and excellent placement results. It draws the candidates who are looking for a career in consulting, marketing and analytics positions. Typical successful candidates will have a score of 90-95 percentile.
3. Jaipuria Institute of Management, Noida/Lucknow
Multiple campuses across North India, Jaipuria is an esteemed AICTE approved PGDM college for MAT aspirants. For the low cost compared to placements and a holistic admission process that involves WAT-PI.
4. XIME Bangalore
Xavier Institute of Management and Entrepreneurship is a B-school run by the Jesuits, and with a great alumni network and a strong focus on entrepreneurship. It's a more selective MAT college, with a typical requirement of a 90+ percentile and consistency.
5. IPE Hyderabad
The Institute of Public Enterprise is a unique combination of insights from public policy and fundamental management skills, which makes it a special preference for MBA students who have an interest in public partnership and governance-related professions. It is well known for its high ROI and moderate charges.
6. SIES College of Management Studies, Mumbai
SIES is a well-established institute of Mumbai that is well known among aspirants seeking industry connectivity in Maharashtra with specializations in finance, marketing and HR. Generally, it will ask for a 80+ percentile of grades.
7. FORE School of Management, Delhi
FORE is one of the older and respectable private B-schools in Delhi with its formidable base of recruiters from the consulting and FMCG industry and has a strong reputation for its case-study pedagogy. It's considered a Tier-1 MAT college requiring a high percentile.
8. Christ University, Bangalore
Christ's School of Business and Management is a university-based institute with MBA degrees that focus more on an all-round development, ethics and interdisciplinary approach. It attracts candidates who wish to pursue management education on the campus of a university.
9. Amity University (Noida & other campuses)
Amity is one of the biggest private university networks in India and offers MBA courses with various specializations such as International Business, Banking and IT. It's a good fit for candidates who prioritize infrastructure, flexible specializations, and moderate cutoffs.
10. KIIT School of Management, Bhubaneswar
KIIT SOM is part of the renowned Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology and provides excellent placement opportunities for students from East India with various specialization options. It offers a good mix of prestige and relatively low cutoffs for the MAT.
11. Alliance University, Bangalore
Alliance's School of Business is well known for its international ties and flexible MBA programs, such as the part-time and executive MBA programs. It is appropriate for candidates who are interested in attending the MBA program in a private university that provides international exposure.
12. FLAME University, Pune
FLAME is unique for its liberal-education-based MBA program which incorporates management principles and interdisciplinary electives. It is a solid choice for those seeking a less traditional MBA program with a research emphasis.
Read more : Download MAT PYQs
Admission Process for MAT Colleges
Most institutes accepting MAT are following a similar admission process:
1. Register and appear for MAT via AIMA's official portal, choosing your preferred colleges during application.
2. Score Release — AIMA shares your scorecard with institutes of your choice.
3. Shortlisting – colleges use MAT percentile and academic records to shortlist candidates.
4. GD/WAT/PI rounds — shortlisted candidates participate in group discussion, written test and interview.
5. Final selection and admission on all-rounded performance.
The basic documents needed are your MAT scorecard, academic record, identity proof, passport size photos, and category certificates if you have them.
Final Thoughts
MAT is one of the most achievable and versatile routes into Indian management education. There are hundreds of colleges to choose from, several attempts annually, and the admission procedure is holistic, thus it is perfect for a variety of candidates, including fresh graduates and working professionals. The trick is to match your MAT percentile reasonably with the college, to do proper research on placement history and specializations of the college and prepare well for the GD-PI-WAT rounds, which decide the future. Make your strategic choice and MAT can be the starting point of an actual rewarding MBA path.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do any IIMs accept MAT scores?
MAT is not accepted by any IIM and No. IIMs are mainly accepting CAT for their flagship programs.
How many times can I attempt MAT in a year?
MAT is administered four times per year in February, May, September and December, allowing you to retake the test as often as you would like to boost your score.
What percentile is considered good for MAT?
A percentile higher than 80 is broadly good and can help you woo most popular private B-schools and a percentile above 90 is recommended for Tier 1 institutes such as BIMTECH and XIME.
Is MAT easier than CAT?
Absolutely, MAT is comparatively less difficult than CAT and XAT making it a better choice for first-time MBA aspirants or those who wish to prepare for the MBA exam in a less demanding
Published: 16 Sep, 2026
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At MyCampusReview (MCR), we are a team of passionate education consultants, writers, and student mentors committed to guiding students on their journey.
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