The MAT entrance exam 2026 is a national-level management entrance examination conducted by the All India Management Association (AIMA) for admission to MBA and PGDM programmes. The December session offers two examination modes: Paper Based Test (PBT) on 20 December and Computer Based Test (CBT) on 27 December 2026. Candidates can choose either mode or register for both.
Quick Answer
The MAT entrance exam 2026 consists of 150 questions across five sections, with 120 minutes to complete the test. The December registration fee is ₹2,300 for PBT or CBT and ₹4,000 for both modes. Graduates from any discipline and final-year undergraduate students can apply. The December examination offers candidates an opportunity to seek admission to participating management institutes for the upcoming academic session.
What Is the MAT Entrance Exam?
The Management Aptitude Test (MAT) is a standardised entrance examination conducted by AIMA for candidates interested in postgraduate management education. It has been administered since 1988 and is accepted by participating business schools for admission to MBA and allied programmes.
MAT evaluates a candidate’s ability in five areas: language comprehension, intelligence and critical reasoning, mathematical skills, data analysis and economic and business environment. The examination provides an alternative to other management entrance tests such as CAT, XAT and CMAT.
One advantage of MAT is that it is conducted in multiple sessions during the year. Candidates can appear in different administrations and use their best score from multiple attempts, subject to the admission requirements of their preferred institutions.
AIMA conducts MAT in February, May, September and December. The December 2026 session is the final scheduled session of the calendar year.
What Are the MAT Exam Dates in 2026?
The December 2026 MAT examination will be conducted in PBT and CBT modes. The PBT examination is scheduled for 20 December, while the CBT examination will take place on 27 December 2026.
Candidates should note the following schedule before completing their registration.
| Important event | PBT | CBT |
|---|---|---|
| Registration deadline | 14 December 2026 | 21 December 2026 |
| Admit card availability | 17 December 2026 | 24 December 2026 |
| Examination date | 20 December 2026 | 27 December 2026 |
| Expected result availability | First week of January 2027 | First week of January 2027 |
The admit cards are scheduled to become available from 5:00 PM on their respective release dates. Candidates should download the correct admit card from their applicant dashboard and verify the examination centre, reporting time and other details.
The two examination modes offer different testing experiences.
Paper Based Test (PBT): Candidates answer questions using a question paper and an answer sheet at the allotted examination centre.
Computer Based Test (CBT): Candidates attempt the examination on a computer at the allotted test centre.
AIMA may update examination instructions when necessary. Candidates should refer to the official MAT December examination schedule for the latest information.
How to Complete MAT Registration and Pay the Fees?
MAT registration takes place online through the official AIMA examination portal. Candidates need to create an account, provide their personal and academic details, select their examination mode and pay the applicable registration fee.
The registration process involves these steps:
Visit the official MAT registration portal.
Create an account using a valid email address and mobile number.
Enter the required personal and educational information.
Select PBT, CBT or the combined PBT and CBT option.
Upload the required photograph and signature in the prescribed format.
Select the participating management institutes to which you want your score sent.
Review the application details carefully.
Pay the registration fee using an available online payment method.
Submit the application and retain the confirmation for future reference.
MAT examination fees 2026
The official registration fees for the December 2026 session are:
| Examination mode | Registration fee |
|---|---|
| Paper Based Test (PBT) | ₹2,300 |
| Computer Based Test (CBT) | ₹2,300 |
| PBT + CBT | ₹4,000 |
Candidates choosing both modes pay ₹1,700 more than the single-mode registration fee.
There is also a difference in the number of institutes candidates can select for score reporting. Single-mode candidates can select up to five management institutes, while candidates registering for both modes can select up to seven.
Before submitting the application, verify your examination mode, institute preferences and personal details. The registration confirmation and admit card should be retained until the admission process is complete.
What Is the MAT Exam Eligibility Criteria?
Graduates from any discipline who have completed their degree from a recognised university can apply for MAT. Students appearing in the final year of their undergraduate programme can also apply provisionally.
AIMA does not specify a universal minimum graduation percentage for appearing in MAT. However, individual management institutes can prescribe their own academic requirements for admission.
The general eligibility conditions are:
| Eligibility factor | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Educational qualification | Bachelor’s degree in any discipline |
| University | Recognised university or equivalent qualification |
| Final-year students | Eligible to apply provisionally |
| Minimum graduation percentage | As prescribed by the admitting institute |
| Entrance examination | MAT conducted by AIMA |
It is important to understand the difference between examination eligibility and admission eligibility. Meeting AIMA’s MAT eligibility conditions does not automatically make a candidate eligible for every MBA or PGDM programme.
For example, a management institute may require a particular graduation percentage, academic documents or additional selection rounds. Candidates should verify these conditions before applying.
What Is the MAT Exam Pattern and Syllabus?
The MAT examination has 150 questions divided equally across five sections. Candidates receive 120 minutes to complete the test, and 0.25 marks are deducted for every incorrect answer.
The December 2026 examination structure is as follows:
| Section | Number of questions |
|---|---|
| Language Comprehension | 30 |
| Intelligence and Critical Reasoning | 30 |
| Mathematical Skills | 30 |
| Data Analysis and Sufficiency | 30 |
| Economic and Business Environment | 30 |
| Total | 150 |
All five sections contribute to the overall MAT score.
Important topics to prepare for MAT
The following topics provide a practical preparation guide for the five examination sections. They are indicative study areas rather than an exhaustive official syllabus.
1. Language Comprehension
This section assesses English language understanding and reading ability. Preparation areas include reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, sentence completion and verbal ability.
2. Intelligence and Critical Reasoning
This section tests logical thinking and the ability to identify relationships between different pieces of information. Candidates can practise arrangements, series, coding and decoding, statements, conclusions and logical reasoning questions.
3. Mathematical Skills
This section evaluates numerical ability and mathematical understanding. Important preparation areas include arithmetic, percentages, ratios, averages, profit and loss, time and work, algebra and basic geometry.
4. Data Analysis and Sufficiency
This section examines how effectively candidates interpret numerical information and evaluate whether sufficient data is available to solve a problem. Preparation areas include tables, bar graphs, pie charts, line graphs, data comparison and data sufficiency.
5. Economic and Business Environment
This section evaluates awareness of economic developments and the business environment. Candidates should follow important business news, economic developments, government initiatives, financial terminology and major national and international events.
Candidates should refer to the official MAT examination information for the latest examination structure and instructions.
How Should You Prepare for MAT 2026?
A practical MAT preparation plan should focus on strengthening subject knowledge, improving accuracy and developing the ability to manage time across all five sections.
Candidates preparing for the December examination can organise their study routine around the following activities.
Understand the examination structure
Start by reviewing the five sections and identifying the types of questions included in each. This helps you understand where you need additional practice.
Strengthen quantitative concepts
Revise arithmetic, algebra, percentages, ratios and averages. Practise numerical questions regularly instead of relying only on memorising formulas.
Improve reading comprehension
Read editorials, business reports and general articles to develop reading speed, vocabulary and the ability to understand longer passages.
Practise logical reasoning
Work on arrangements, logical sequences, statement-based questions and other reasoning exercises. Review incorrect answers to understand where your reasoning went wrong.
Follow business and economic developments
Keep track of important economic news, government policies, financial developments and business events. This is particularly useful for building familiarity with the Economic and Business Environment section.
Attempt timed mock tests
Take practice tests under the actual 120-minute time limit. After each test, review incorrect answers and identify whether mistakes result from conceptual gaps, calculation errors or poor time management.
For example, a candidate who consistently loses marks in Mathematical Skills can devote more practice time to arithmetic and data-based questions while maintaining regular revision of the other sections.
A structured routine with regular practice and performance reviews can make preparation more focused.
How Does MAT Help You Get PGDM Admission in Delhi?
A MAT score can help candidates apply to participating PGDM institutes, but the score alone does not determine admission. Management institutes may also consider academic performance, entrance examination results, group discussions and personal interviews.
When comparing PGDM colleges in Delhi, candidates should consider more than entrance examination acceptance. Programme recognition, eligibility requirements, curriculum, specialisations, fees, industry exposure and career support are also important.
Students comparing available options can use this guide to PGDM colleges in Delhi accepting MAT scores to understand the factors involved in shortlisting management institutes.
PGDM admission through MAT
The New Delhi Institute of Management (NDIM) considers MAT scores alongside CAT, XAT, CMAT, ATMA, GMAT and State Common Entrance Examination scores for PGDM shortlisting.
For the 2027–29 admission batch, the published eligibility requirements include:
Graduation in any discipline from a UGC or AIU recognised university.
At least 50% marks in graduation for general category candidates.
At least 45% marks in graduation for reserved category candidates.
The admission process includes an online application followed by Group Discussion and Personal Interview rounds. Final selection considers academic performance in Class 10, Class 12 and graduation, entrance examination scores, GD and PI performance, and other achievements such as work experience, leadership and extracurricular activities.
The application fee published for the programme is ₹1,000 and is non-refundable.
Candidates should verify the applicable eligibility conditions and final-year application deadline for their admission batch before applying. The current published eligibility page contains a deadline specific to the earlier 2026–28 batch, so it should not be treated as the confirmed deadline for 2027–29.
Students can review the PGDM admission eligibility and selection procedure for the published admission requirements.
When comparing management programmes, also consider the curriculum, faculty experience, industry interaction, practical learning opportunities and placement information. These factors can help you decide whether a programme matches your academic interests and professional plans.
Candidates who want to understand the institution, its programmes and campus facilities can visit the management institute in Delhi.
For campus location and business contact information, candidates can also use the Google Business Profile. Verify the listing details before planning a campus visit.
Conclusion
The MAT entrance exam 2026 gives management aspirants an opportunity to apply to participating MBA and PGDM programmes through a national-level management entrance test. Understanding the December examination schedule, registration fees, eligibility conditions, exam pattern and syllabus can help candidates plan their next steps.
A MAT score is one part of the admission process. Before choosing a PGDM programme, compare its eligibility criteria, curriculum, fees, selection process and career opportunities to make an informed decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many times can a candidate appear for MAT?
MAT is conducted in February, May, September and December. Candidates can appear in multiple administrations during the year and use their best score from multiple attempts, subject to the admission requirements of the institution.
2. Is MAT easier than CAT?
MAT and CAT have different examination structures and difficulty levels, so neither can be considered universally easier for every candidate. The right examination depends on your preparation, strengths and the entrance tests accepted by your preferred management institutes.
3. How can candidates download the MAT admit card?
Registered candidates can download their admit cards from the official MAT applicant dashboard according to the published examination schedule. The admit card contains details such as the examination date, time, roll number and test centre information.
4. Can candidates send their MAT scores to multiple colleges?
Yes. Candidates registering for a single examination mode can select up to five management institutes for score reporting. Those registering for both PBT and CBT can select up to seven institutes.
5. How long is the MAT score valid?
AIMA states that MAT scores are valid for one year. Candidates should also confirm the score validity requirements of their preferred management institutes before applying.
