If you’ve decided to pursue an MBA but missed the CAT window, or you simply want more shots at a good percentile in a single admission cycle, MAT registration 2026 is probably the reason you’re here — and if you’re targeting the current session, time is tight: PBT registration closes on 7 September 2026, and CBT closes on 14 September 2026. Unlike most MBA entrance exams that give you one attempt a year, the Management Aptitude Test (MAT) runs four separate sessions — February, May, September, and December — so a weak score in one cycle doesn’t have to derail your whole year.
This guide walks through everything tied to MAT registration 2026: the full session-wise schedule, the application fee, step-by-step registration instructions, eligibility rules, and the exam pattern you’ll actually be tested on. Whether you’re registering for the first time or re-appearing to improve your score, everything you need sits in one place below.
What Is MAT and Why It Still Matters in 2026
The Management Aptitude Test (MAT), conducted by the All India Management Association (AIMA), has run continuously since 1988, making it one of India’s longest-standing MBA entrance exams. The Government of India’s Ministry of Education officially recognised MAT in 2003. More than 600 B-schools across the country accept MAT scores for admission to MBA and PGDM programmes.
What sets MAT apart from CAT, XAT, or NMAT isn’t difficulty — it’s frequency and flexibility. You can attempt MAT in more than one session within a single testing year, submit your best score to participating colleges, and choose between a Paper-Based Test (PBT) or a Computer-Based Test (CBT) depending on what suits you.
MAT Registration 2026: Session-Wise Dates
AIMA conducts MAT across four sessions every year. Registration for the MAT September 2026 session is currently open, and this is the most relevant window for most aspirants checking this page right now.
| Session | Registration Status | PBT Exam Date | CBT Exam Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 2026 | Closed | 1 March 2026 | 8 March 2026 |
| May 2026 | Closed | — | 8 June 2026 (last reg. date) |
| September 2026 | Open now | 13 September 2026 | 20 September 2026 |
| December 2026 | Not yet announced | Expected mid-December | Expected mid-December |
MAT Registration 2026 Last Date: September Session Key Dates
If you’re planning to appear in the current live session, here’s the exact schedule confirmed on the official AIMA portal.
| Event | Paper-Based Test (PBT) | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
|---|---|---|
| Registration Closes | 7 September 2026 | 14 September 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | 10 September 2026 | 17 September 2026 |
| Exam Date | 13 September 2026 | 20 September 2026 |
| Result Declaration | Last week of September 2026 | Last week of September 2026 |
Note the one-week gap between the two deadlines — PBT registration closes first, so if you’re leaning toward the paper mode, don’t leave it for the last minute. AIMA has not yet announced exact December 2026 dates; based on previous cycles, the notification typically arrives in October, with the exam itself falling in the second week of December. Always confirm the latest schedule directly on the official AIMA MAT website before finalising your plans, since dates are occasionally revised.
Step-by-Step MAT Application Process 2026
The MAT registration process is entirely online and takes most candidates under 20 minutes to complete, provided your documents are ready in advance.
Step 1: Visit the Official AIMA MAT Portal
Go to mat.aima.in and click on the registration link for your intended session.
Step 2: Create Your Account
Register using a valid, active email ID and mobile number — this becomes your login for the entire application and admit card download process.
Step 3: Fill in Personal and Academic Details
Enter your name, date of birth, category, educational qualifications, and communication address exactly as they appear on your official documents.
Step 4: Choose Your Test Mode and City Preferences
Select PBT, CBT, or both (AIMA offers a fee concession for candidates opting into both modes in the same session), then pick your preferred test cities from the available list.
Step 5: Upload Scanned Documents
Upload a recent scanned photograph and signature in the specified format and file size — typically JPG/JPEG, with the photograph between 10–50 KB and the signature between 5–20 KB.
Step 6: Pay the Application Fee
Complete payment via net banking, debit card, or credit card. Once payment is confirmed, your registration is locked in — double-check every field before this step, since corrections afterward are limited.
Step 7: Download and Save the Confirmation
Save a copy of your submitted application and payment receipt for future reference, and keep checking your registered email for admit card updates.
MAT Exam Fees 2026
The MAT application fee depends on how many test modes you register for in the same session.
| Test Mode Selected | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| Single mode (PBT or CBT only) | ₹2,300 |
| Both modes (PBT + CBT) | ₹4,000 |
Opting for both PBT and CBT in the same session works out cheaper than paying for each mode separately across two different sessions, and it also gives you two scorecards to choose your best result from — a useful hedge if your preparation timeline is tight.
MAT Eligibility Criteria 2026
Eligibility for MAT is intentionally kept broad, which is part of why it remains one of the more accessible national-level MBA entrance exams.
- A bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university.
- Final-year undergraduate students can also apply, subject to submitting proof of graduation at the time of admission.
- AIMA has not prescribed any upper age limit for MAT.
- There is no cap on the number of attempts — you can appear in as many of the four annual sessions as you want and submit your highest score to colleges.
MAT Exam Pattern 2026: What You’ll Actually Be Tested On
MAT tests candidates across five sections, with 30 questions in each — a total of 150 questions to be completed in 120 minutes.
| Section | Number of Questions | What It Evaluates |
|---|---|---|
| Language Comprehension | 30 | English reading, grammar, and comprehension skills |
| Intelligence & Critical Reasoning | 30 | Logical reasoning, puzzles, and analytical ability |
| Mathematical Skills | 30 | Quantitative aptitude and basic mathematics |
| Data Analysis & Sufficiency | 30 | Interpreting charts, graphs, and data sets |
| Economic & Business Environment | 30 | General awareness of current economic and business trends |
Each correct answer earns +1 mark, and every wrong answer costs -0.25, so a purely guess-based approach can hurt your overall score if accuracy is low. Because MAT includes a dedicated Economic & Business Environment section, staying updated on current affairs throughout your preparation window genuinely pays off — this is one of the clearer differences from CAT’s exam pattern, and it’s worth comparing the two side by side if you’re still deciding which exam suits you better.
PBT vs CBT: Which MAT Test Mode Should You Choose?
Both modes test the identical syllabus and carry equal weight with accepting colleges, so the choice usually comes down to personal comfort and logistics.
| Factor | Paper-Based Test (PBT) | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Answers marked on an OMR sheet | Answers entered on a computer screen |
| Best suited for | Candidates more comfortable with pen-and-paper exams | Candidates comfortable navigating on-screen tests |
| Registration Deadline | Closes earlier in each session | Closes about a week later |
| Result Timeline | Similar turnaround as CBT | Similar turnaround as PBT |
If you’re undecided, registering for both modes (at the discounted combined fee) removes the guesswork entirely and gives you a second attempt within the same session.
MAT Score Validity and Accepting Colleges
A MAT score remains valid for one year from the date of the result. This means you can use a good score from an earlier 2026 session for admissions later in the year, alongside your latest attempt. Once your scorecard is out, you don’t need to apply separately to each college — most participating institutes accept the AIMA-issued scorecard directly during their own admission process, though it’s worth double-checking each college’s specific application requirements.
If you’re weighing which colleges are genuinely worth targeting with a MAT score, our detailed Top MBA Colleges Accepting MAT guide breaks down expected percentile bands, indicative fees, and placement context. And if MAT is one of several options you’re still comparing, our CAT vs CMAT vs NMAT vs MAT guide lays out how the four exams differ in difficulty, competition, and reach.
Key Takeaways
- MAT September 2026 registration is currently live — PBT closes 7 September, CBT closes 14 September.
- Application fee is ₹2,300 for a single mode or ₹4,000 for both PBT and CBT together.
- Eligibility is broad: any-discipline bachelor’s degree, final-year students eligible, no age limit, unlimited attempts.
- Exam structure: 150 questions across 5 sections in 120 minutes, with -0.25 negative marking per wrong answer.
- Score validity is 1 year, and colleges consider your best score across sessions.
- December 2026 session dates are not yet announced — check the official AIMA site for updates if you’re planning to appear later in the year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the last date for MAT registration 2026?
For the current September 2026 session, PBT registration closes on 7 September 2026, and CBT registration closes on 14 September 2026. Always check the official AIMA MAT website, as deadlines can occasionally change or get extended.
Q2. How much is the MAT 2026 application fee?
The fee is ₹2,300 if you register for either the PBT or CBT mode alone, and ₹4,000 if you register for both modes in the same session — the combined option offers a built-in discount compared to registering separately.
Q3. Can final-year graduation students apply for MAT 2026?
Yes. Students in their final year of a bachelor’s degree, in any discipline, are eligible to register for MAT, provided they can furnish proof of graduation at the time of final admission to a B-school.
Q4. How many times can I attempt MAT in a year?
There is no limit. AIMA conducts MAT four times a year — February, May, September, and December — and you can appear in as many sessions as you choose, submitting your best score to the colleges you apply to.
Q5. Is MAT easier than CAT?
MAT is generally considered more accessible than CAT because of its broader syllabus weightage, multiple annual attempts, and a wider pool of participating colleges with comparatively lower cutoffs. However, “easier” depends on your target colleges — MAT scores open doors to different (though sometimes overlapping) institutes than CAT does.
Final Word: Don’t Let the Registration Window Pass You By
With four sessions a year, MAT gives you more room to recover from an off day than almost any other MBA entrance exam in India — but that flexibility only helps if you actually register on time and prepare with intent. If the September 2026 session is your target, lock in your registration before the PBT deadline on 7 September, keep your documents ready in advance, and start revising the Economic & Business Environment section early since it’s the one area a last-minute crammer typically underperforms in.
Once you’re registered, shift your focus to practice. Solving previous years’ MAT-pattern questions under timed conditions is still the single most effective way to convert preparation into an actual percentile improvement — you can start with our free MBA entrance exam PYQ practice platform to build accuracy across all five sections before your exam date arrives.
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