MAT September 2026 (Management Aptitude Test)

MAT September 2026 — Complete Guide

MAT — Management Aptitude Test — is the exam that gives you the widest net in MBA admissions. One score, 600+ colleges. If you missed the CAT 2026 registration window (which opens in August) or want a backup MBA option while preparing for CAT, MAT September is worth doing.

The All India Management Association (AIMA) conducts MAT four times a year — February, May, September, and December. The September 2026 session is the third of four sessions this year. Registration is expected to open in mid-July 2026 and the exam is in September 2026 across three modes: PBT (offline, pen-and-paper), CBT (computer-based at a test centre), and IBT (internet-based from home).

Important Dates (Expected)

All dates are expected based on AIMA's very consistent annual pattern. Official dates will be announced at mat.aima.in.

What Makes MAT Different from CAT?

MAT is not a replacement for CAT — the colleges are different. But it serves a different and important purpose:

• For candidates who need options beyond CAT/XAT shortlists: MAT opens doors to 600+ B-schools you won't get through CAT alone.
• For working professionals: MAT is conducted four times a year and is less intense in preparation requirement. Many part-time MBA candidates use MAT.
• As a backup: You can sit for MAT September and CAT 2026 in the same cycle. If CAT doesn't go well, your MAT score gives you MBA options in good institutes.
• Easier to crack: The level of difficulty is lower than CAT, and the format is simpler. A disciplined 2-month preparation is enough for a decent MAT score.

Eligibility

Any graduate from any discipline — Arts, Commerce, Science, Engineering, Law, whatever — can apply. There is no minimum percentage requirement. Even candidates who graduated with a third division or just a pass are eligible. Final year graduation students can also register.

There is no age limit and no limit on how many times you can appear. Working professionals with 5–10 years of experience routinely sit for MAT to pursue part-time or distance MBA programmes.

Exam Pattern

MAT has 200 questions in 150 minutes across five sections. However, only 4 of the 5 sections count toward your final composite score — the Indian & Global Environment (GK) section is answered and evaluated separately but is not included in the percentile calculation.

Negative marking: -0.25 for every wrong answer across all 5 sections, including GK.

The composite score (used for percentile calculation) is based on the first 4 sections only — 160 questions worth 160 marks.

Three Exam Modes

PBT (Paper Based Test): Traditional pen-and-paper exam at a designated centre. Typically held on the first Sunday of the session month.

CBT (Computer Based Test): Online test taken at an AIMA-designated test centre. More flexible dates within the session window.

IBT (Internet Based Test): Taken from your own home on a computer, with online proctoring (camera monitoring). Most flexible option — you can choose from multiple available slots.

You can register for one, two, or all three modes in the same session. Your best score is used.

What to Study

Language Comprehension: Reading comprehension (4–5 passages), para jumbles, fill in the blanks, vocabulary, grammar correction. Similar to IBPS PO English but with more RC focus.

Mathematical Skills: Arithmetic (percentage, profit/loss, interest, time/work, speed/distance), Algebra, Geometry, Number Theory, Mensuration. Level is Class 10–12 — not as hard as CAT Quant.

Data Analysis & Sufficiency: Tables, bar graphs, pie charts, line graphs, caselet-based DI, and Data Sufficiency (two-statement format). Straightforward DI sets — no complex set-type DI like CAT.

Intelligence & Critical Reasoning: Seating arrangements, blood relations, direction sense, coding-decoding, syllogisms, visual reasoning, statement-conclusion, cause-effect. Standard level.

Indian & Global Environment (GK): Current affairs of last 6–12 months, business and economy news, static GK (geography, history basics), government schemes. Doesn't count in score but individual institutes sometimes ask about this section during interviews.

Score Validity and Usage

MAT scores are valid for 1 year from the exam date. So a September 2026 score is valid till September 2027. You can use the same score for admissions in any cycle within that period.

Unlike CAT scores which most top B-schools don't share publicly, AIMA actively publishes the list of institutes accepting MAT — you can find it at mat.aima.in.

Notable B-Schools Accepting MAT

While MAT doesn't get you into IIMs, several good institutes accept MAT scores:

• IMS Ghaziabad
• BIMTECH Greater Noida
• Jaipuria Institute of Management
• SOIL Institute of Management
• IPE Hyderabad
• SDMIMD Mysore
• ITM Business School
• KIIT School of Management

Many state universities also accept MAT for MBA admissions.

Application Fee

Around ₹1,850 per mode (PBT, CBT, or IBT). If you register for all three modes in the same session, the total fee is approximately ₹5,000–₹5,500. Fee may vary slightly — check the official notification at mat.aima.in.

Official Website

mat.aima.in — Registration for the September session expected to open in mid-July 2026.