PBT and CBT MAT Exam Date 2026: Registration, Admit Card, Exam, & Result Dates
Preparing for MAT 2026 (Management Aptitude Test) can be an overwhelming experience for many students. With the announcement of the exam by its conducting body, AIMA (All India Management Association), this overwhelming experience can sometimes turn into fear and confusion. But you don’t need to worry. Once you know all the MAT exam dates, processes, and timelines, preparing for the exam becomes much easier.
Be informed that the MAT exam dates for the 2026 session have been announced by the conducting body. Following the same trend, AIMA will conduct the exam in two modes: PBT (Paper-Based Test) and CBT (Computer-Based Test). The PBT is scheduled to be held on September 13, 2026, while the CBT will be conducted on September 20, 2026. Here are the complete details you need to know about MAT 2026.
MAT PBT September Schedule 2026
|
MAT PBT September 2026 Event |
Date |
Key Highlight |
|
MAT September 2026 Registration Starts |
Already Open |
Candidates can apply online through the official AIMA MAT website |
|
Last Date to Register for MAT PBT |
7 September 2026 |
Registration closes for the Paper-Based Test |
|
MAT PBT Admit Card |
10 September 2026 |
Candidates can download the admit card from their applicant dashboard |
|
MAT PBT Exam Date |
13 September 2026 |
Paper-Based Test will be conducted |
|
MAT PBT Result |
To be announced |
AIMA will announce the result after the examination |
MAT CBT September Schedule 2026
|
MAT CBT September 2026 Event |
Date |
Key Highlight |
|
MAT September 2026 CBT Registration Starts |
Already Open |
Candidates can register online through the official AIMA MAT website |
|
Last Date to Register for MAT CBT |
14 September 2026 |
Registration closes for the Computer-Based Test |
|
MAT CBT Admit Card |
17 September 2026 |
Candidates can download the admit card from their MAT applicant dashboard |
|
MAT CBT Exam Date |
20 September 2026 |
Computer-Based Test will be conducted |
|
MAT CBT Result |
To be announced |
AIMA will announce the result after the examination |
MAT 2026 – Key Highlights
MAT stands for Management Aptitude Test. The exam has been administered and conducting by the All-India Management Association (AIMA) since 1988. In last 37 years, the exam has come a long way. MAT was declared as a national-level test by the Government of India in 2003. The best part is, MAT exam is held four times in a week – February, May, September, and December. The exam is trusted by almost 1 lakh students to make their way into 700+ well recognized MBA and PGDM colleges and institutes in India. Some of the prominent institutions that accepts the MAT score are - Jaipuria Institute of Management (Noida), Birla Institute of Management Technology (BIMTECH), FORE School of Management, SIES Mumbai, and PIBM Pune. Find below all the important information, you need to about the MAT exam.
|
MAT 2026 Highlight |
Details |
|
Full Form |
Management Aptitude Test (MAT) |
|
Conducting Body |
All India Management Association (AIMA) |
|
Purpose |
Entrance examination for admission to MBA, PGDM and allied management programmes |
|
Frequency |
Conducted multiple times a year, with 2026 sessions including February, May, September and December |
|
Test Modes |
Paper Based Test (PBT) and Computer Based Test (CBT) |
|
September 2026 PBT Date |
13 September 2026 |
|
September 2026 CBT Date |
20 September 2026 |
|
PBT Registration Fee |
₹2,300 |
|
CBT Registration Fee |
₹2,300 |
|
PBT + CBT Fee |
₹4,000 |
|
Exam Duration |
120 minutes |
|
Total Questions |
150 questions |
|
Number of Sections |
5 sections |
|
Sections |
Language Comprehension, Intelligence & Critical Reasoning, Mathematical Skills, Data Analysis & Sufficiency, Economic & Business Environment |
|
Questions per Section |
30 questions |
|
Negative Marking |
-0.25 marks for every incorrect answer |
|
Eligibility |
Graduation in any discipline from a recognised university; final-year undergraduate students can also apply provisionally |
|
Age Limit |
No age limit |
|
Work Experience |
Not mandatory |
|
MAT Score Validity |
1 year |
|
Participating B-Schools |
MAT scores are accepted by 600+ B-Schools across India |
|
Mode Selection Advantage |
Candidates opting for both PBT and CBT can use the better score for admission and get additional management institute choices |
MAT 2026 All Important Dates – Registration, Admit Card, and Exam Dates
As one of India’s most sought-after MBA or PGDM entrance tests is just around the corner, it’s time to strategize your approach to beat the competition. And the best strategy begins with understanding the exam dates, schedule, and timelines. To help you make the most of your valuable time, we’ve broken down the registration process, admit card release, and MAT exam 2026 dates for you. Remember, to register and download your admit card, you must visit the official MAT website: https://mat.aima.in.
|
MAT 2026 Session |
Test Mode |
Registration Deadline |
Admit Card Release |
MAT Exam Date |
Result |
|
September 2026 |
PBT/CBT |
7 September 2026 |
10 September 2026 |
13 September 2026 |
By last week of September 2026 |
|
September 2026 |
CBT |
14 September 2026 |
17 September 2026 |
20 September 2026 |
By last week of September 2026 |
|
December 2026 |
PBT/CBT |
To be announced |
To be announced |
To be announced |
To be announced |
MAT Exam 2026 Eligibility
Regarding eligibility, like most other management entrance exams, students with a valid bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a UGC-approved university can apply for the MAT exam. While there is no minimum required percentile to appear for the exam, MBA colleges may require candidates to have at least a 50% score in the MAT test for admission.
There is no age limit, and both freshers and experienced professionals are eligible. What makes this test even more student-friendly is that professional degree holders such as CA, CS, and ICWA are also eligible to apply for MAT exam September and December session. Here is the quick overview of the details.
|
Eligibility Criteria |
MAT 2026 Requirements |
|
Educational Qualification |
Candidates must have a graduation degree in any discipline from a recognised university or an equivalent recognised degree. |
|
Final-Year Students |
Final-year undergraduate students, including those pursuing BA, BSc, BCom, BTech and other bachelor's programmes, can also appear for MAT provisionally. |
|
Minimum Graduation Percentage |
AIMA does not prescribe a fixed minimum graduation percentage for appearing in MAT. However, individual participating Management Institutes (MIs) or universities may have their own percentage requirements. |
|
Age Limit |
No age limit is prescribed for appearing in MAT. |
|
Work Experience |
Work experience is not mandatory to appear for MAT. |
|
Nationality |
MAT is open to candidates who meet the prescribed educational qualification; AIMA's eligibility criteria do not specify a separate nationality requirement for appearing in the test. |
|
Number of Attempts |
Candidates can appear for MAT in multiple administrations, subject to the registration requirements and schedule of the respective test. |
|
Admission Eligibility |
Qualifying MAT makes candidates eligible to apply to participating B-Schools, but each institute may have its own admission eligibility, minimum percentage and selection criteria. |
MAT Exam Registration Process for September Session 2026
Candidates who are going to appear for MAT Exam 2026 are advised to complete their registration on time to avoid last-minute stress and rush. The registration must be done through the official website of MAT-AIMA. Registering early will also help you choose your preferred exam session, city, centre, and colleges. Yes, the MAT registration process allows you to select up to five colleges of your choice.
To help you complete the registration process quickly, we have compiled the steps for the MAT September CBT and PBT sessions:
- Visit the official website of MAT-AIMA: https://mat.aima.in
- Register yourself using your full name, email ID, contact number, and date of birth.
- Create and set up your account by choosing a secure password.
- Fill out the application form, selecting your preferred exam mode – PBT, CBT, or both (dual mode).
- Provide your academic qualifications and personal details to complete the application form.
- Upload the required documents, including your passport-size photo and signature.
- Pay the application fee to complete your registration: ₹2300 for a single mode (CBT or PBT) or ₹4000 for dual mode.
Note: If you plan to appear in multiple attempts of the MAT Exam 2026, you must register separately for each attempt and pay the applicable fee each time.
MAT Exam 2026 Registration Fee for September and December Session
It is important to get familiar with the fee policy of the MAT 2026 to avoid any surprises. The fee for each attempt is fixed and non-refundable, regardless of your caste, as there are no concessions for SC/ST/OBC/EWS categories. Therefore, think carefully before choosing your exam mode, centre, and city.
In case you miss the exam or are marked absent, you can register for the next MAT session. The exam is conducted multiple times each year—in December, February, and May—giving you opportunities to reattempt if needed.
|
MAT 2026 Session |
Test Mode |
Registration Fee |
Additional Information |
|
September 2026 |
PBT |
₹2,300 |
Paper-Based Test |
|
September 2026 |
CBT |
₹2,300 |
Computer-Based Test |
|
September 2026 |
PBT + CBT |
₹4,000 |
Candidates can appear for both test modes |
|
December 2026 |
PBT |
₹2,300 |
Paper-Based Test |
|
December 2026 |
CBT |
₹2,300 |
Computer-Based Test |
|
December 2026 |
PBT + CBT |
₹4,000 |
Candidates can appear for both test modes |
MAT 2026 Admit Card Release and Download
The MAT Exam 2026 comes with many important guidelines, one of which is to carry a valid admit card containing all essential candidate information. To ensure that all applicants can download their admit cards on time, AIMA will release them on their official website a few days before the exam.
- Applicants for the MAT PBT session can download their admit cards from 10th September 2026.
- CBT applicants can download their admit cards from 17th September 2026.
Regardless of your chosen exam mode, the process to download the admit card for MAT Exam 2026 is the same and is as follows:
- Visit the official website of MAT-AIMA: https://mat.aima.in
- From the drop-down menu, select the “Download/View” option.
- Log in to your MAT account using your ID, password, and date of birth.
- Download your admit card for the MAT Exam 2026.
MAT Exam Syllabus 2026
Understanding and breaking down the syllabus of the MAT exam into five sections can help you build an effective study timetable and strategy. Dividing the syllabus into smaller, manageable portions reduces last-minute cramming and stress. These five sections are: English, Data Interpretation, Quantitative Ability, Logical Reasoning, and Current Affairs.
To help you engage deeply with all the core and important subjects, we have compiled a detailed list of the MAT exam syllabus, highlighting the key topics you need to practice and focus on.
|
MAT 2026 Section |
Major Topics Covered |
Number of Questions |
|
Language Comprehension |
Reading Comprehension, Grammar, Vocabulary, Synonyms & Antonyms, Sentence Completion, Para Jumbles, Sentence Correction, Verbal Ability, Idioms & Phrases |
30 |
|
Intelligence & Critical Reasoning |
Analogy, Series, Blood Relations, Coding-Decoding, Direction Sense, Puzzles, Statement & Conclusion, Statement & Assumption, Syllogism, Data Sufficiency, Logical Reasoning |
30 |
|
Mathematical Skills |
Arithmetic, Number System, Percentage, Profit & Loss, Ratio & Proportion, Averages, Time-Speed-Distance, Time & Work, Simple & Compound Interest, Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration, Probability and Permutation & Combination |
30 |
|
Data Analysis & Sufficiency |
Tables, Charts, Graphs, Data Interpretation, Data Comparison, Caselets, Data Sufficiency, Venn Diagrams, Pie Charts, Bar Graphs, Line Graphs and Tabular Data |
30 |
|
Economic & Business Environment |
Current Affairs, Business & Corporate News, Indian Economy, Banking & Finance, Business Awareness, National & International Economic Developments, Government Policies, Important Appointments, Awards and Sports |
30 |
MAT Exam Pattern 2026
While mastering the syllabus and focusing on core subjects is crucial to succeed in the MAT exam, being familiar with the exam pattern and structure is equally important. Knowing how many questions are asked from each section and the time allocated will boost your confidence and improve your performance on exam day. Find below the detailed pattern and structure of the MAT exam.
|
MAT Exam Pattern 2026 |
Details |
|
Exam Conducting Body |
All India Management Association (AIMA) |
|
Exam Mode |
Paper-Based Test (PBT) and Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
|
Question Type |
Objective-type Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) |
|
Total Sections |
5 |
|
Total Questions |
150 |
|
Exam Duration |
120 minutes |
|
Questions per Section |
30 |
|
Language Comprehension |
30 questions |
|
Intelligence & Critical Reasoning |
30 questions |
|
Mathematical Skills |
30 questions |
|
Data Analysis & Sufficiency |
30 questions |
|
Economic & Business Environment |
30 questions |
|
Negative Marking |
0.25 marks deducted for every incorrect answer |
|
Sections Considered for Score |
All five sections |
|
Overall Difficulty |
Moderate, depending on the individual session |
Published: 24 Aug, 2026 | Updated: 24 Aug, 2026
Written By:
Pawan Rawat is a full-stack content writer with expertise in crafting research-based educational blogs and articles, paying close attention to detail. He has mastered the art of creating SEO-optimized content for websites. When he's not working to pay the bills, he spends his time lifting weights at the gym, clicking random photos, reading books, or planning his next adventure.