MAT 2026: PBT/CBT Exam Dates, Admit Card, Registration & More

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Chanpreet Kaur

Senior Content Strategist | MBA Professional | Updated on - Jun 1, 2026

The MAT May/June 2026 application window is open on the AIMA MAT Website. The Last date to register for the Paper-Based Test is 25th May 2026. For the Computer-Based Test, the last date to register is 8th June 2026.

  • The MAT 2026 Paper-Based Test (PBT) is scheduled to be conducted on 31 May 2026.
  • The MAT 2026 Computer-Based Test (CBT) is scheduled to be held on 14 June 2026.
  • The registration fee for the PBT/CBT exam is INR 2300/-
  • For the CBT+PBT examination, the MAT 2026 registration fee is INR 4000/-.
  • The admit card for the PBT exam is scheduled to be released on 28 May 2026.

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MAT 2026

What is the MAT Exam and its Advantages?

The most important advantage of MAT is the number of times it is held in a year. If you have missed the earlier exams, you can also take the next exam. As per Career Defence School Ambala, “MAT is a great backup for those appearing in CAT, SNAP, XAT, or CMAT. Even if you don’t perform well in one exam, MAT gives you another path to good colleges.”

MAT has served for over 35 years as a trusted gateway to management education. Its massive reach is chosen by over 30 lakh candidates around the country.

  • MAT is generally considered easier than exams like CAT
  • MAT is accepted by a wider range of mid-tier colleges rather than targeting only top-tier colleges like IIM.

So if you are someone who does not want to take CAT due to difficulty or college choices, MAT is the perfect exam for you. You can check the details of the MAT exam below:

Aspect Details
Exam Level National Level
Exam Frequency Four times a year (March, May, September, December)
Exam Modes Paper-Based Test (PBT), Computer-Based Test (CBT), Dual Mode
Eligibility A graduation in any discipline from a recognized university
Marking Scheme +1 for correct answer, -0.25 for incorrect answer
Registration Fee INR 2,300
Payment Mode Credit/Debit Card, Net Banking, UPI, Paytm Wallet
Official Website www.aima.in

MAT 2026: Important Dates

Event Date
PBT Registration Closes 25 May 2026
PBT Admit Card Release 28 May 2026
PBT Test Date 31 May 2026
CBT Registration Closes 8 Jun 2026
CBT Admit Card Release 11 Jun 2026
CBT Test Date 14 Jun 2026

MAT 2026 Registration Begins: Check Fees

The MAT 2026 exam registration is ongoing; the last date to register for the PBT exam is 25 May 2026. For the CBT exam, the last date to register is 8 June 2026.

Mode of Test Application Fee (₹) Description / Insights
PBT (Paper-Based Test) ₹ 2,300 For candidates appearing in the paper-based test mode only. Recommended for those preferring traditional offline exams.
CBT (Computer-Based Test) ₹ 2,300 For candidates opting for the computer-based test at authorised test centres. Provides flexible scheduling and faster processing.
PBT + CBT (Both Modes) ₹ 4,000 Allows candidates to appear for both modes in the same session. Offers a backup attempt and a higher score improvement opportunity, but costs ~72% more than a single mode.

MAT 2026: How to Register

To register for the MAT 2026 exam, first go to the official website: mat.aima.in, then follow the steps given below:

  • Click 'Register' and enter your name, date of birth, email ID, and mobile number to receive your login details
  • Log back in and enter your personal, educational, and work experience details.
  • Select your preferred test mode (PBT or CBT), test cities, and up to five B-Schools.
  • Upload a scanned copy of your recent passport-sized photograph and your signature.
  • Complete the payment online using a Debit Card, Credit Card, or Net Banking

MAT 2026 Admit Card

The MAT 2026 admit card is a document needed to enter the examination hall for both the Paper-Based Test and the Computer-Based Test.

  • The admit card for the MAT 2026 Paper-Based Test is scheduled to be released on 28 May 2026.
  • The admit card for the MAT 2026 Computer-Based Test is scheduled to be released on 11 June 2026.

MAT 2026: Exam Pattern & Syllabus

The MAT evaluates candidates on 5 core sections with 200 questions to be completed in 150 minutes.

Sr. No. Sections Questions Time (Minutes)
1 Mathematical Skills 30 No sectional Time-limit
2 Language Comprehension 30
3 Data Analysis & Sufficiency 30
4 Intelligence & Critical Reasoning 30
5 Indian & Global Environment 30
Total 150 120 Minutes

Exam Syllabus:

  • Language Comprehension: Reading comprehension, grammar, and vocabulary.
  • Mathematical Skills: Basic arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and modern math.
  • Data Analysis & Sufficiency: Charts, graphs, tables, and data cases.
  • Intelligence & Critical Reasoning: Coding/decoding, family tree, and series.
  • Indian & Global Environment: Current affairs and business awareness

How to Practice for MAT before the Test?

To prepare for MAT, take at least 30-35 mock tests and analyse mistakes to improve accuracy and time management. You can get free mock tests on Collegedunia’s MAT Mock Test page.

Year Question Paper Solution PDF
MAT 2025 Question Paper with Solution PDF Check Here Check Solutions
MAT 2022 Question Paper with Solution PDF Check Here Check Solutions
MAT 2021 Question Paper with Solution PDF Check Here Check Solutions
MAT 2020 Question Paper with Solution PDF Check Here Check Solutions

MAT Previous Years’ Question Papers

The MAT previous years’ question papers for last 10 years are given below:

Year Question Paper PDF
2018 Download PDF
2013 Download PDF
2012 Download PDF
2010 Download PDF
2009 Download PDF
2008 Download PDF
2007 Download PDF
2006 Download PDF
2005 Download PDF

Ques. What is a good attempt in the MAT exam?

Ans. A good attempt in the MAT exam is generally around 110–130 questions with high accuracy. The exact number may vary depending on the difficulty level of the session.

Ques. Which MAT section is thought to be the most difficult?

Ans. The Mathematical Skills section is often considered the most difficult by many candidates due to its calculation-intensive and concept-based questions.

Ques. Is the MAT 2026 syllabus the same for all sessions?

Ans. Yes, the MAT 2026 syllabus remains the same across all sessions, including PBT, CBT, and IBT modes. Only the exam dates and mode of conduct may differ.

MAT Registration Trends

The MAT registration trends will help you understand how many students you are competing with. All India Management Association, a federation of Local Management Associations (LMAs), has witnessed a 20% growth in registration for MAT post-COVID.

AIMA Director Daljeet Singh told PTI "There has been a rise in the number of women candidates registering for MAT. With 45 per cent of women candidates in 2023, there is a growth of approximately 3 per cent compared to 2019."

He also said that “There is more participation of candidates from smaller cities, including Agra, Asansol, Aurangabad, Balasore, Bhilai, Darbhanga, Durg, Durgapur, Ernakulam, Erode, Salem, among others," he said.”

State-Wise Increase in MAT Registrations

State-Wise Increase in MAT Registrations

Check:

Ques. How many times can I appear for MAT 2026?

Ans. There is no fixed limit on the number of MAT attempts. Candidates can appear in multiple MAT sessions conducted throughout the year to improve their scores.

Ques. In what modes will MAT 2026 be conducted?

Ans. MAT 2026 is expected to be conducted in Paper-Based Test (PBT), Computer-Based Test (CBT), and Internet-Based Test (IBT) modes, subject to AIMA's official schedule.

Know the MAT Exam Structure and Syllabus

The Indian & Global Environment section includes current affairs, general knowledge (science, history, geography), and topics related to economic and social issues. It's important to note that this section is not included in the score calculation for the MAT score.

Section No. Section Name No. of Questions
I Language Comprehension 30
II Intelligence & Critical Reasoning 30
III Mathematical Skills 30
IV Data Analysis & Sufficiency 30
V Indian & Global Environment 30

Check Out: Detailed MAT Exam Syllabus

Below is a section-by-section breakdown of the MAT:

Top High-Weightage Must Study MAT Topics

We have provided a few high-weightage topics for MAT, which you might get in the exam. You can also check the MAT Exam Study Material PDF here.

Topic Section Weightage Quick Resource
Reading Comprehension Language 20 50 RCs by Ajay Singh
Arithmetic (P&L, TSD, SI/CI, Ratio) Math Skills 15–18 Arun Sharma Level-1 & 2
Data Interpretation (Pie, Bar, Line) DI/DS 15–20 Nishit Sinha DI 20 sets
Series, Analogies, Blood Relations Reasoning 12–15 MK Pandey + 5 previous papers
Assumptions, Cause-Effect Critical Reasoning 10 RS Aggarwal Verbal/Non-Verbal
Para Jumbles & Critical Reasoning Language 8–10 Past 5 years MAT papers
Current Affairs (2024–25) GK 20–25 Manorama Yearbook + GK Capsule
Venn Diagrams & Cubes Reasoning 6–8 Previous MAT papers
Percentages, Profit-Loss, Averages Math 8–10 Quantum CAT basic chapters
Caselet DI DI 5–10 TIME/Race DI sets
Vocabulary (Synonyms/Antonyms) Language 8–10 Norman Lewis 15-day plan
Indian Economy & Budget 2025 GK 8–10 Pratiyogita Darpan Feb–Nov 2025

These high-weightage topics can help you improve your MAT score and, in turn, help you get into your desired college.

Do’s and Don’ts Checklist Before MAT Exam

We have mentioned some Do’s and Don’ts that you need to follow before the MAT exam. This will help you with MAT preparation.

Do’s Don’ts
Take 8–10 full-length mocks Don’t start any new book/chapter
Revise from one source only Don’t spend >2 mins on any question
Make a 2-page formula + shortcut sheet Don’t ignore the GK section (easy 20 marks)
Mark & revise every wrong question Don’t change the attempt strategy every mock
Read newspaper editorials daily (10 mins) Don’t solve 500 questions without analysis
Keep the last 2 days very light, go through overall syllabus Don’t panic if mock scores drop in the last week

Also Check:

MAT 2026 vs Other MBA Exams (CAT, XAT, SNAP)

MAT's moderate difficulty and 4 attempts make it ideal for working pros vs CAT's high competition.

Exam Sessions/Year Difficulty Accepting Colleges Fee
MAT 2026 4 Moderate 600+ ₹2,200
CAT 2026 1 (Nov) High 1,200+ (IIMs) ₹2,400
XAT 2026 1 (Jan) High 1,000+ (XLRI) ₹2,100
SNAP 2026 3 (Dec) Moderate Symbiosis only ₹2,250

Top 20 MBA Colleges and their Expected Cutoffs

​​Here is a list of the top 20 colleges that accept MAT 2026 scores, along with their expected cut-offs. You can also check the annual fees and expected package after placement. You can also check the Top 20 MAT Colleges with Good Placements.

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.

Previous Year MAT Questions

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