MAT 2026 Exam Guide: Dates, Registration, Eligibility, Syllabus & Pattern

TL;DR

• The MAT exam 2026 is a national-level MBA entrance test conducted by AIMA and accepted by 600+ B-schools across India.
• The exam is held multiple times a year in CBT, PBT and IBT modes for added flexibility.
• Candidates must track the MAT exam date 2026, registration deadlines, and admit card release on the official website.
• Graduates from any discipline, including final-year students, can apply provided they meet the eligibility criteria.
• The exam consists of 150 questions across five sections and must be completed in 2 hours.
• The application process is fully online, with exam fees starting at INR 2,200.
• Admit cards will be released on the applicant dashboard before the exam.
• MAT scores are used for admission to MBA, PGDM and MMS programmes nationwide.

The MAT, or the Management Aptitude Test, has been conducted by AIMA since 1988. This exam is one of India’s leading national-level MBA entrance exams. Recognised and approved by the Ministry of Education in 2003, MAT scores are accepted by 600+ B-schools across the country. Every year, thousands of management aspirants appear for MAT due to its flexible testing schedule and multiple exam modes.

The exam is conducted four times annually: February, May, August and December, in the CBT (Computer-Based Test) and PBT (Paper-Based Test) formats. Students planning to apply should closely track the MAT registration 2026 schedule, exam dates, and admit card updates on the official website.

Read this blog to find out detailed information about the MAT exam 2026, syllabus, exam pattern, important dates, eligibility criteria and more.

What is MAT Exam?

The MAT Exam (Management Aptitude Test) is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the All India Management Association (AIMA) For Admission to MBA and other Management Programmes in India. It evaluates a candidate's analytics, thinking, mathematical abilities and language comprehension. The exam is conducted four times a year in Feb, May, Sep, and Dec, offering flexibility to students through different modes.

Key Highlights of MAT Exam 2026

MAT Exam Date 2026

Now that you know what is MAT exam is, you should take a closer look at the MAT exam 2026 date as well. Here are the key details for your consideration: 

PBT:

• The last date for MAT registration 2026 is February 23, 2026. Registration began on December 25, 2025.
• The MAT entrance exam 2026 will be held on March 1, 2026, and the admit card is expected to be released by February 26, 2026.
• The results are expected to be released in late March or early April.

CBT:

• The last date to register for the CBT mode exam is March 2, 2026. The registration process started on December 25, 2025.
• The MAT entrance exam for CBT mode will be held on March 8, 2026, and the admit card is expected to be out by March 5, 2026.

IBT:

Note: No IBT mode exam for the February 2026 session.

Keep track of the final exam dates at the official website @mat.aima.in.

Also Read:- MAT 2026 Exam Format: CBT, PBT, or IBT— Which One Should You Choose?
 

MAT 2026 Examination Pattern

The MAT 2026 examination pattern is the following:
 

The 150 questions in the test have to be answered in a total of 120 minutes or 2 hours.

MAT Exam 2026: Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility guidelines for MAT registration 2026 include the following: 

• Graduates of any discipline can apply to take the examination 
• It is also open to those in the final years of their graduate programs 

Documents Required For MAT Exam

The key documents required to apply for the MAT entrance examination include the following: 

• Scanned image of your photograph (between 10 and 50 kb)
• A scanned image of your signature (between 5 and 20 kb)
• Credit card/debit card/net banking details for payment
• Valid email address 

Also Read: CMAT 2026: Important Dates, Syllabus

MAT Exam 2026 Mode & Other Details

The MAT 2026 examination will be held in the following modes: 

• Paper-based test (PBT) 
• Computer-based test (CBT)
• PBT + CBT
• CBT 1 + CBT 2

You can opt for an extra testing mode by paying the additional fee of Rs 1,500 along with the standard registration fee. Those choosing additional tests will have the advantage of choosing two extra management institutions to send their scores, along with the existing option of choosing five such institutions. 

Also Read: MAT 2026 Exam Day Guide: Do’s & Don’ts for Maximum Performance

MAT 2026 Application Process

The MAT 2026 application form for both CBT and PBT modes is the same and can only be filled out online. Follow the steps below to apply for MAT 2026:

1. Visit the AIMA-MAT website: https://mat.aima.in/
2. Click on the 'Register' option.
3. Provide All Required Details like your name, date of birth, email ID, mobile number, state, city, preferred test mode, and password.
4. Use the MAT ID sent via email and phone for authentication.
5. On the next page, choose your preferred test mode (CBT, PBT, IBT), test cities, and select five preferred B-Schools.
6. Pay the application fee of INR 2,200 using a debit/credit card, net banking, or e-wallet.
7. Fill in your academic and other details in the MAT 2026 application form.
8. Upload a recent passport-sized photo and a scanned signature.
9. Complete the process by clicking the submit button.
10. An Acknowledgment of your MAT form submission will be sent to your email.
11. Complete the MAT registration 2026 process at https://mat.aima.in with your debit/credit card, UPI, net banking, or UPI wallet (for fee payments)
12. Once it is released, you can download your admit card from the same website (applicant dashboard) 
13. This card will have details of your name, Form number, Roll number, exam date, testing time, venue, etc. 

Also Read:-  IGNOU OPENMAT 2026: Exam Details for MBA

MAT Exam 2026 Fees

The MAT 2026 fees are Rs 2,200 for the PBT or CBT mode, while those choosing PBT + CBT or CBT 1 + CBT 2 will have to pay Rs 3,800. 

Why Choose the MAT Exam?

Below are the Specific reasons to choose the MAT Exam:-

• Flexible Exam Modes: Choose between offline, online, or remote proctored tests.
• Wide Acceptance: MAT Exam accepted by over 600+ MBA colleges in India for Admission.
• No Age Limit: Suitable for both fresh graduates and working professionals.
• Multiple Attempts: Since it's conducted four times a year, candidates can improve their scores.

Final Word

The MAT 2026 exam offers a flexible path for MBA aspirants seeking admission to reputed management institutions across India. With multiple test modes, frequent exam cycles and wide acceptance among 600+ B-schools, MAT remains a popular choice for management aspirants.

If you are planning to pursue an MBA after MAT or even explore flexible learning options, Amity University Online offers UGC-entitled online MBA programmes with industry-focused specialisations, global exposure and dedicated career support.

It can be a strong option for students and working professionals looking to advance their management careers with a recognised and future-ready degree.

MAT Exam Queries & Clarifications

For any clarifications or queries, you can easily contact the official personnel here: 

• Call 8130338839/9599030586 between 9 AM and 5.30 PM (Monday to Friday)
• Call 011-47673020 between 9 AM and 5.30 PM (Monday to Friday)
• You can also send an email to mat@aima.in

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