MAT 2026: Application Form, Exam Dates, Eligibility, Pattern, Syllabus, Preparation Tips

The Management Aptitude Test (MAT) for 2026 is scheduled to take place in the last week of February 2026 for the Paper-Based Test (PBT) format, with the application process commencing in the fourth week of December 2025. As a national-level entrance examination, MAT is organized by the All India Management Association (AIMA) four times annually during February, May, September, and December. 

The primary objective of this exam is to facilitate admissions into postgraduate management programs, including MBA and PGDM, among others. Recognized across various colleges in India, MAT scores are a gateway to securing admission to MBA courses. 

Candidates aspiring to take this entrance exam must register online once the application forms are made available. Eligibility criteria set forth by AIMA must be met by all candidates before submitting their applications, ensuring they are qualified to participate in the examination process for 2026.

MAT 2026 Highlights

The MAT 2026 serves as a gateway for candidates aspiring to enrol in over 800 MBA colleges across India. Conducted by the AIMA, it is a prominent national-level PG entrance test, held four times a year.

MAT 2026 Exam Dates

Here are the important dates for MAT 2026, including registration, exam, and result announcement.

For PBT Exam:

For CBT Exam:

MAT 2026 Application Form

The application process for MAT 2026 will be conducted by the All India Management Association (AIMA) and commences from the fourth week of December 2025 for the February session. Candidates are required to complete the registration procedure solely through online mode, with offline methods not being accepted. During the application process, candidates must furnish personal, academic, and other requisite details accurately. Ensuring adherence to deadlines and thorough verification of submitted information are crucial steps for successful application submission.

• AIMA will provide the MAT 2026 application form from the fourth week of December 2025 for the February session.
• Candidates will be able to complete the registration procedure through online mode; no other offline method will be accepted.
• At the time of filling out the form, candidates will be required to enter details such as personal, academic, and other requested information.
• Candidates are advised not to fill out multiple application forms on the website.
• After filling out the form, upload the necessary documents such as a passport-size photograph and signature in a specific format.
• The last date to submit the MAT 2026 application form will be until the first week of March 2026.
• Candidates must complete the registration procedure before the deadline, as the authority will remove the link from the website.
• Before submitting the form, it is mandatory to recheck the filled details.
• Do not forget to take a hard copy of the application form for further use in the admission procedure.
• Candidates should carefully read and follow the instructions provided by AIMA on the website while filling out the application form to avoid any errors or discrepancies.

Application Fee:

Candidates for MAT 2026 can conveniently submit their registration fee online, with no alternative offline methods available. The online payment options include debit cards, credit cards, or net banking for added convenience. Additionally, candidates opting for an additional test mode will incur an extra charge of Rs. 1200/-.

How to Fill MAT 2026 Application Form?

• Step-1: Visit the Official Website: Go to the official website of MAT 2026. The link will be provided on the homepage.
• Step 2: Access MAT 2026 Registration Link: Look for the “MAT 2026 Registration” link on the homepage and click on it.
• Step 3: Provide Contact Information: Enter a valid email ID and mobile number to initiate the registration process. Verify your identity by entering the OTP received on your mobile number.
• Step 4: Login and Start Registration: Proceed with the login process using the credentials provided during registration.
• Step-5: Selection of Exam Mode and Test City: Choose the preferred exam mode (PBT, CBT, IBT) and select test city choices according to your convenience.
• Step-6: Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of essential documents such as personal details, qualifications, experience, and preferences for management institutes.
• Step-7: Payment of Application Fee: Select the preferred payment mode and make the online application fee payment.
• Step-8: Submission and Confirmation: After completing all the steps, submit the form and save a hard copy for future reference.

MAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria

MAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria encompasses various aspects such as educational qualification, age limit, and number of attempts. Candidates must fulfil these criteria to be eligible to appear in the MAT exam. 

• Educational Qualification: Graduates from any discipline are eligible to apply for MAT.
• Minimum Marks: There is no minimum score requirement for MAT. Candidates passing their qualifying examination can apply.
• Age Limit: There is no specified age limit set by the authority for appearing in the MAT exam.
• Number of Attempts: There is no limit specified on the number of attempts for the MAT exam.
• Candidates Appearing in Final Examination: Students appearing in their final year of graduation are also eligible to apply for MAT.

MAT 2026 Exam Pattern

The MAT 2026 Exam Pattern is designed to assess candidates’ aptitude across various sections. It offers multiple formats including Computer Based Test (CBT), Paper Based Test (PBT), and Internet Based Test (IBT). The exam consists of five sections and follows a specific marking scheme.

• Exam Mode: MAT 2026 offers flexibility with Computer Based Test (CBT), Paper Based Test (PBT), and Internet Based Test (IBT) options.
• Sections: The exam comprises a total of 5 sections covering various subjects.
• Duration: Candidates will have 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete the exam.
• Total Questions: MAT 2026 includes a total of 200 questions distributed across the sections.
• Types of Questions: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) will constitute the question paper.
• Marking Scheme: Each correct answer will earn candidates 1 mark.
• Negative Marking: There is a penalty of 0.25 marks for each incorrect answer, discouraging guesswork.

Subject-wise distribution of question paper:

MAT 2026 Syllabus

MAT 2026 Syllabus covers various subjects and topics essential for the Management Aptitude Test, providing candidates with a comprehensive understanding of the exam content. 

MAT 2026 Preparation Tips

Preparing for the MAT exam requires strategic planning and effective study techniques. Here are ten tips to help you ace the MAT:

• Understand the Exam Pattern: Familiarize yourself with the exam pattern, including the number of sections, types of questions, and marking scheme
• Create a Study Schedule: Develop a study schedule that allocates sufficient time for each section of the exam, focusing on your weaker areas.
• Practice Regularly: Practice solving sample papers and previous years’ question papers to improve your speed and accuracy.
• Work on Time Management: Practice time-bound mock tests to enhance your time management skills and simulate exam-day conditions.
• Focus on Strong Areas: Identify your strengths and weaknesses and allocate more time to strengthen weaker areas while maintaining proficiency in strong ones.
• Improve Vocabulary and Grammar: Enhance your vocabulary and grammar skills by reading newspapers, magazines, and English-language books regularly.
• Strengthen Quantitative Skills: Practice solving mathematical problems regularly to improve your quantitative aptitude and problem-solving abilities.
• Stay Updated with Current Affairs: Stay informed about current affairs, business news, and global events to excel in the Indian and Global Environment section.
• Revise Regularly: Regularly revise the topics you have covered to reinforce your learning and ensure better retention of information.
• Stay Confident and Calm: Maintain a positive attitude, stay confident, and manage exam stress effectively by practising relaxation techniques like deep breathing and meditation.

MAT 2026 Books

MAT 2026 Books serve as indispensable resources for aspirants preparing for the Management Aptitude Test. These meticulously curated publications cover a wide array of topics, aiding candidates in their comprehensive preparation journey.

MAT 2026 Exam Centres

MAT 2026 Exam Centres provide convenient locations for candidates to take the Management Aptitude Test across various cities. These centres are strategically chosen to ensure accessibility and convenience for applicants appearing for the exam.

MAT 2026 Admit Card

MAT 2026 admit card is expected to be released in the last week of February 2026 for the PBT exam and in the first week of March 2026 for the CBT exam. Only registered candidates will be eligible to access the admit card. To download it, candidates will need to use their login credentials such as email ID and password.

Upon entering the correct details, the admit card will be displayed on the screen. Candidates should carefully review the details after downloading the admit card from the website. The admit card can only be downloaded through online mode; no offline method will be provided.

Candidates must retain a hard copy of the admit card, as it is mandatory to carry it to the exam venue. Candidates without a valid admit card will not be permitted to appear for the exam.

MAT 2026 Answer Key

There will be no MAT 2026 official answer key released by the authorities. However, candidates can access institutional answer keys online, provided by various coaching institutes. Candidates can utilize these institutional answer keys to estimate their potential scores in the MAT 2026 entrance exam. 

There won’t be an opportunity to challenge these answer keys, and they will be released after the completion of the exam. Several coaching institutes like Akash, Allen, Resonance, and Reliable Kota are expected to release section-wise answer keys for MAT 2026 on their respective websites.

MAT 2026 Result

The MAT 2026 result will be scheduled for release by AIMA and is expected to be available in March 2026 for PBT participants and April 2026 for CBT participants. Upon publication, registered candidates can access their MAT 2026 scores through their respective dashboards, facilitated by AIMA.

To obtain the result, candidates must log in using their registered ID and Password, accessing it exclusively via online mode. Offline methods for result retrieval will not be available. The MAT 2026 result encompasses both overall and sectional percentiles, providing a comprehensive overview of candidates’ performance.

MAT 2026 Cut Off

The participating institutes will announce the MAT 2026 cutoff on their official websites, accessible only through online mode. These cutoffs will vary based on factors like available seats, candidate turnout, and historical trends.

Meeting the released cutoff is essential for candidates to qualify for the subsequent GD/PI rounds. It represents the minimum score required for admission consideration and is determined by candidates’ overall and sectional percentiles in the exam.

MAT 2026 Counselling

The counselling process for MAT 2026 will be conducted individually by the participating institutes, with AIMA not organizing any centralized counselling sessions. There won’t be a unified counselling procedure for MBA admissions through MAT scores.

Over 600 B-Schools accepting MAT scores will have their unique admission policies and criteria. They will select candidates based on MAT scores, category, and seat availability, ensuring a diverse and personalized admission process.

Required Documents for Counselling:

• MAT 2026 Scorecard
• MAT 2026 Admit Card
• Graduation Mark sheet
• Mark sheet of class 10th and 12th
• Passport size photograph
• Candidates Identity proof

Participating Institutes of MAT 2026

MAT 2026 has numerous participating institutes across India, offering management programs to aspiring candidates. These institutes accept MAT scores for admission into their various management courses.

MAT 2026 FAQ’s

Sunil Kushwaha

As a dedicated Biology Science graduate, I’m passionate about sharing the latest updates in national and state entrance exams through my blog. I aim to keep aspiring students informed about exam trends, important dates, and changes in syllabi. With a keen interest in education, I strive to offer valuable insights for students navigating the competitive landscape of entrance examinations and admission tests. Stay updated with me.