MAT May 2026 safe score for AICTE-approved MBA colleges starts at 550+ for lower-tier institutions and goes up to 700+ for top-ranked B-schools, based on MAT 2025 trends.
The Management Aptitude Test (MAT) is conducted by the All India Management Association (AIMA). MAT May 2026 scores are expected in July 2026. Over 600 AICTE-approved colleges across India accept MAT scores for MBA and PGDM admissions. Students aiming for the best colleges must plan their preparation around expected composite score benchmarks.
- MAT composite score ranges from 200 to 800.
- Only 4 of 5 sections count toward the composite score (IGE is excluded).
- A composite score of 700+ is expected to fetch 85th percentile or above.
- A score of 600+ opens doors to a good number of mid-tier AICTE colleges.
- Results for MAT May 2026 are expected in July 2026.
| Direct Link to MAT May 2026 Official Portal — mat.aima.in |
How MAT May 2026 Composite Score is Calculated
MAT has 200 questions split across 5 sections of 40 questions each. The composite score is calculated based on performance in only 4 sections. The Indian and Global Environment (IGE) section is excluded from composite score calculation.
| Section | Questions | Marks per Correct Answer | Negative Marking | Counted in Composite Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Language Comprehension (LC) | 40 | +1 | -0.25 | Yes |
| Mathematical Skills (MS) | 40 | +1 | -0.25 | Yes |
| Data Analysis and Sufficiency (DAS) | 40 | +1 | -0.25 | Yes |
| Intelligence and Critical Reasoning (ICR) | 40 | +1 | -0.25 | Yes |
| Indian and Global Environment (IGE) | 40 | +1 | -0.25 | No |
| Total | 200 | - | - | 4 Sections |
The raw scores from the 4 counted sections are scaled to produce a composite score on a 200–800 scale. Negative marking of 0.25 marks applies for each wrong answer, so students must avoid random guessing.
MAT May 2026 Score vs Percentile Expected
The table below shows expected score vs percentile mapping for MAT May 2026, based on MAT 2025 trends. Actual percentiles may vary slightly depending on the difficulty level of the exam.
| Composite Score (Out of 800) | Expected Percentile (Based on 2025 Trends) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| 750 and above | 95th percentile and above | Excellent score |
| 700 – 749 | 85th – 94th percentile | Very good score |
| 650 – 699 | 75th – 84th percentile | Good score |
| 600 – 649 | 65th – 74th percentile | Above average |
| 550 – 599 | 55th – 64th percentile | Average score |
| 500 – 549 | 45th – 54th percentile | Below average |
| Below 500 | Below 45th percentile | Limited options |
Safe Score by College Tier
The expected safe scores by college tier for MAT May 2026 are listed below. These are based on previous years’ cutoff trends and may change based on seat availability and the number of applicants.
| College Tier | Expected Safe Score (Based on 2025 Trends) | Expected Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Top 25 B-schools accepting MAT | 750+ | 95th percentile and above |
| Top 50 AICTE-approved colleges | 700+ | 85th – 94th percentile |
| Good mid-tier AICTE colleges | 650+ | 75th – 84th percentile |
| Decent AICTE colleges | 600+ | 65th – 74th percentile |
| Average AICTE colleges | 550+ | 55th – 64th percentile |
| Lower-tier AICTE colleges | 500+ | 45th – 54th percentile |
Section-wise Good Attempts for MAT May 2026
Students must balance speed and accuracy across all four scored sections. The table below shows expected good attempt ranges (at 80% accuracy) to target specific composite scores in MAT May 2026.
| Section | Good Attempts for 600+ Score | Good Attempts for 700+ Score |
|---|---|---|
| Language Comprehension (LC) | 25 – 28 | 30 – 34 |
| Mathematical Skills (MS) | 22 – 25 | 28 – 32 |
| Data Analysis and Sufficiency (DAS) | 22 – 26 | 28 – 32 |
| Intelligence and Critical Reasoning (ICR) | 26 – 30 | 32 – 35 |
These attempt ranges assume approximately 80% accuracy. Students should prioritize accuracy over the number of attempts to avoid losing marks to negative marking.
AICTE-Approved Colleges and Expected Score Requirements
More than 600 AICTE-approved colleges accept MAT scores for MBA and PGDM admissions. The table below lists some well-known colleges and their expected MAT score requirements for 2026, based on previous years’ data.
| College Name | Location | Expected Safe Score (Based on Previous Years) |
|---|---|---|
| Great Lakes Institute of Management | Chennai / Gurgaon | 700+ |
| BIMTECH | Greater Noida | 650+ |
| SOIL Institute of Management | Gurgaon | 650+ |
| IPE Hyderabad | Hyderabad | 600+ |
| IFIM Business School | Bengaluru | 600+ |
| Amity Business School | Noida | 600+ |
| JIMS | New Delhi | 550+ |
Students are advised to check individual college websites for the latest cutoff notifications. Many colleges also consider academic profile, work experience, and group discussion or personal interview performance alongside MAT scores.
MAT May 2026 Safe Score FAQs
Ques. What is the safe score for top AICTE-approved colleges in MAT May 2026?
Ans. Based on MAT 2025 trends, a composite score of 700 or above is expected to be safe for top 50 AICTE-approved MBA colleges. For the top 25 B-schools, students should aim for 750 or above.
Ques. Is the Indian and Global Environment section counted in the MAT composite score?
Ans. No. The Indian and Global Environment (IGE) section is not counted in the MAT composite score. Only the four sections — Language Comprehension, Mathematical Skills, Data Analysis and Sufficiency, and Intelligence and Critical Reasoning — are used for composite score calculation.
Ques. What is the MAT composite score range?
Ans. The MAT composite score is scaled between 200 and 800. The score is derived from raw marks in the four counted sections and converted to a scaled score for comparison across different sessions.
Ques. When will MAT May 2026 results be declared?
Ans. MAT May 2026 scores and results are expected to be released in July 2026. Students can check the official AIMA MAT portal at mat.aima.in for the latest result updates.
Ques. How many questions should I attempt to score 600 in MAT May 2026?
Ans. To target a composite score of 600 or above, students should aim to attempt 25–28 questions in Language Comprehension, 22–25 in Mathematical Skills, 22–26 in Data Analysis and Sufficiency, and 26–30 in Intelligence and Critical Reasoning, assuming approximately 80% accuracy.
Ques. Does negative marking apply in MAT May 2026?
Ans. Yes. MAT applies negative marking of 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer. Each correct answer carries 1 mark. Students should avoid guessing randomly to protect their composite score.
Comments