MAT Cutoff 2026: May Result Out on 22 June, Previous Year Cutoff and Score vs Percentile

The MAT cutoff 2026 is the minimum composite score or percentile each MBA college sets for admissions shortlisting. AIMA does not release an official MAT cutoff — every participating B-school decides its own threshold. The MAT May 2026 result was declared on June 22, 2026. The September 2026 PBT is scheduled for September 13, giving you one more session this cycle.

The MAT May 2026 scorecard is available on mat.aima.in. A composite score of 600 or above puts you in the running for top B-schools in the 2026–27 batch.

• Top B-schools like XIME and BIMTECH need a MAT percentile of 80 to 90 or above for 2026 admissions.
• A MAT composite score of 600 or above (out of 800) is considered competitive for reputed MBA and PGDM programmes.
• AIMA does not publish a common cutoff — every participating college announces its own shortlisting percentile through its admission notification.
• The MAT May 2026 result was declared on June 22, 2026. Download your scorecard from the official portal at mat.aima.in.
• More than 600 B-schools accept MAT scores. A percentile of 60 to 70 is enough for many solid MBA programmes.
• Scoring 75 to 85 percentile puts colleges like Christ University, FORE School, and KIIT SoM within reach.
• The MAT September 2026 PBT is on September 13, 2026. Registrations are open for candidates wanting a second attempt this cycle.

MAT Cutoff 2026: Important Dates

The table below covers key events in the MAT 2026 cycle that affect the cutoff and the admission timeline. Upcoming events appear first, followed by completed sessions.

If your May 2026 score falls short, the September PBT on September 13 is your next opportunity. Most B-schools for the 2026–27 batch accept the best score across all 2026 sessions. Many admission windows stay open through October and November. A September score can still qualify you for the final round.

Factors Affecting MAT Cutoff 2026

The cutoff at each B-school depends on a mix of exam-level and college-level factors. Knowing these helps you judge your chances before applying.

• Total number of test-takers: A larger candidate pool raises competition. More candidates scoring in the upper range pushes the bar higher at top colleges.
• Difficulty level of the paper: A harder paper reduces raw scores across the board. The same composite score can yield a higher percentile when the paper is tougher.
• Number of seats available: A college with more seats often sets a lower cutoff. New programmes or campus expansions can lower the bar in a given year.
• Applicant quality from the previous cycle: A college that received many strong profiles in 2025 may raise its 2026 threshold.
• Session chosen by candidates: MAT runs four times a year. A session with a different applicant mix produces a different score-to-percentile conversion. Top scorers tend to cluster in the May and December sessions.
• College reputation and NIRF ranking: Better-ranked B-schools attract more applicants and keep their bar at 80 percentile or above.
• Programme type and specialisation: Programmes like International Business or HR may set different cutoffs from a general MBA.

MAT 2026 College-Wise Cutoff

The table below shows the expected cutoff for top MBA colleges accepting MAT scores in 2026. These figures are based on previous-year college admission data and this cycle’s published requirements where available.

AIMA does not publish a college-wise cutoff. The percentiles below come from official admission notifications of individual colleges and are expected figures for 2026.

If you are targeting XIME Bangalore or Great Lakes, aim for a composite score of 650 or above. For KIIT or Jaipuria (70–80 percentile range), a score of 510 to 580 is enough for a shortlisting call. Verify each college’s current-year admission notification before applying.

MAT 2026 Category-Wise Cutoff

AIMA does not set any category-wise cutoff. However, most B-schools that accept MAT follow government reservation norms. SC, ST, OBC, and PwD candidates typically receive a relaxation in the minimum percentile required for shortlisting. The table below is a general guide on how MAT-accepting colleges set their category-wise thresholds.

These ranges are indicative. Each college sets its own relaxation norms. Check each college’s official admission brochure. The exact category-wise requirement will be stated there.

MAT 2026 Session-Wise Cutoff

MAT runs in four sessions each year: February, May, September, and December. Colleges accept scores from any 2026 session for the 2026–27 MBA batch. Your composite score and percentile are calculated separately for each session based on that session’s candidate pool and paper difficulty.

Your percentile can differ between sessions even if your raw score stays the same. This happens because the difficulty level and the candidate mix change each time. When applying to colleges, mention the session in which you scored your highest percentile. Many colleges allow you to submit scores from multiple sessions and consider the best one.

MAT Previous Year Cutoff Trends (2021–2025)

The table below shows how the shortlisting bar has moved across B-school tiers from 2021 to 2025. The figures represent the typical percentile range each tier required to shortlist candidates in that year’s admission cycle.

The lower bound of the top-tier cutoff rose by 10 percentile points between 2021 and 2025 — from 75 to 85. Mid-tier colleges raised their floor by the same 10 percentile points, from 60 to 70. Entry-level colleges also moved up by 10 percentile points across the same period, from 45 to 55. The number of B-schools accepting MAT grew from 450+ to over 600. You have more college options today even as top-tier competition tightens.

A 10-percentile-point rise in the top-tier floor across five years signals growing competition. Aim for a composite score of 620 or above for a strong shot at the best MAT-accepting colleges in 2026.

Expected MAT Cutoff 2026

The expected cutoff for each college is based on four years of data and the May 2026 applicant trends. These figures will be confirmed once colleges release their official 2026 shortlists after the September session results are announced.

These expected cutoffs apply to General category candidates. SC, ST, and OBC candidates typically get a relaxation of 5 to 15 percentile points. Check each college’s official admission notice for the exact category-wise norms.

How to Check MAT Cutoff 2026

MAT does not have a single central cutoff portal. You need to check each college’s official website separately. Here is how to track the cutoff for the colleges you are targeting.

• Download your scorecard from mat.aima.in using your registered login credentials.
• Visit the admissions section of each B-school’s official website. Look for terms like "MAT eligibility", "shortlisting criteria", or "minimum percentile required".
• Check the college’s official admission brochure or information bulletin — the MAT percentile cutoff will usually be stated there.
• If a college has released its 2026 shortlist, check whether your session percentile is at or above the stated threshold.
• Contact the college’s admission office directly if the cutoff is not published online. Many smaller B-schools announce requirements only through direct communication.

MAT 2026 Admission and Counselling

MAT does not have a centralised counselling process. Each B-school runs its own admission process after shortlisting candidates based on their scores. Here is what the typical process looks like after you meet the cutoff.

• Step 1 — Apply to colleges: Submit your MAT scorecard and application form on each college’s portal. Most colleges charge a separate application fee.
• Step 2 — Shortlisting call: The college checks your percentile against its cutoff. You get a call for the next round if you meet the threshold.
• Step 3 — Group Discussion (GD): Many B-schools conduct a GD round to assess communication and thinking under pressure.
• Step 4 — Personal Interview (PI): The PI evaluates your motivation, work experience, and programme fit.
• Step 5 — Written Ability Test (WAT): Some colleges add a WAT before or after the PI.
• Step 6 — Merit list: Colleges rank you on MAT score, GD-PI performance, academic record, and work experience. The weightage each component gets varies by college.
• Step 7 — Seat confirmation: You accept the offer and pay the first-semester fee to secure your seat.

Most top MAT-accepting colleges run their admission process from July to November for the 2026–27 batch. Apply early — many colleges close applications once seats fill, even before the formal deadline.