MAT September 2026: 5 Sections, 150 Questions, Marking Scheme

MAT September 2026 exam pattern has 5 sections, 150 questions, and a total duration of 150 minutes, with a marking scheme of +1 for each correct answer and -0.25 for each wrong answer.

AIMA (All India Management Association) conducts the Management Aptitude Test (MAT) four times a year — February, May, September, and December. MAT September 2026 will be available in three modes: CBT (Computer Based Test), IBT (Internet Based Test), and PBT (Paper Based Test). With over 600 B-schools accepting MAT scores for MBA and allied management admissions, knowing the exact exam pattern and marking scheme is essential to plan your preparation and attempt strategy effectively.

• MAT September 2026 has 5 sections with 30 questions each, totalling 150 questions.
• Each correct answer carries +1 mark; each wrong answer attracts -0.25 marks (negative marking).
• Total exam duration is 150 minutes across all three modes.
• The Indian and Global Environment section score is excluded from the composite score sent to B-schools.
• The composite score is scaled to a range of 199 to 801 and is based on 4 sections (120 questions).

MAT September 2026 Exam Pattern Overview

The table below gives the complete section-wise breakdown of MAT September 2026, including the number of questions, maximum marks per section, and the recommended time allocation.

The exam pattern is identical across all three modes — CBT, IBT, and PBT. Students can register for and appear in more than one mode during the same session. B-schools consider the best score among all valid attempts in a session.

MAT September 2026 Marking Scheme

Each correct answer in MAT September 2026 earns +1 mark. Each wrong answer results in a deduction of 0.25 marks. Questions left unattempted carry zero marks.

The negative marking ratio means four wrong answers cancel out one correct answer. You should prioritise accuracy over attempting every question. If you can eliminate at least two options, attempting the question is beneficial. Blind guessing must be avoided. A good attempt rate with high accuracy will always outperform a high attempt count with low accuracy.

MAT September 2026 Section-wise Time Allocation

MAT PBT mode does not impose strict sectional time limits, but AIMA recommends distributing the 150-minute window based on section difficulty. In CBT and IBT modes, per-section timers may apply. The recommended breakdown is as follows:

The Indian and Global Environment section covers current affairs, business GK, and world events. Since its score does not count in the composite score sent to B-schools, you should complete it quickly and redirect any saved time to the quantitative and reasoning sections where accuracy impacts your percentile most.

MAT September 2026 Composite Score Calculation

The MAT 2026 composite score is calculated from 4 of the 5 sections. The Indian and Global Environment section is explicitly excluded from the composite score that AIMA sends to B-schools. The raw score from the four counted sections is scaled by AIMA to a range of 199 to 801 using a normalisation process. This scaled composite score — not your raw marks — is what appears on your MAT scorecard and is used by B-schools for shortlisting.

Your MAT scorecard will display individual section scores along with the composite score. Some B-schools may separately review the Indian and Global Environment score during GD-PI rounds, so you should not skip this section during the exam even though it does not affect your composite score.

Attempt Strategy Based on MAT September 2026 Marking Scheme

The +1 and -0.25 marking scheme of MAT September 2026 directly shapes how you should approach each section. The following strategy will help you maximise your composite score:

• Prioritise accuracy: Four incorrect answers cancel one correct answer. Target above 85% accuracy in your stronger sections before expanding your total attempt count.
• Minimise time on Indian and Global Environment: This section does not count in the composite score. Complete it confidently within 15 minutes and redirect time to the other four sections.
• Set per-section attempt targets: Aim for 24–26 correct answers per section in the four composite-counted sections to reach the 80th percentile or above.
• Skip and return: Flag any question taking more than 90 seconds and return only if time permits at the end of that section.
• Allocate more time to quantitative sections: Plan approximately 75 combined minutes for Mathematical Skills and Data Analysis and Sufficiency. Calculation errors in these sections cost marks disproportionately given negative marking.
• Avoid marking sheet errors in PBT mode: In the paper-based test, ensure your responses are marked neatly — a double-marked answer is treated as incorrect and attracts -0.25 marks.