Why is the MAT Exam now the most Important Exam for MBA Aspirants 2026?

MAT May Registration: The Management Aptitude Test (MAT) for the May 2026 session is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the All India Management Association (AIMA). It serves as a gateway for admission to over 200+ B-schools across India. This essentially is the last chance for any MBA aspirant to pursue MBA or PGDM in 2026-28 batch as most of the other MBA entrance tests are either over or registrations closed. For students who missed earlier MBA entrance deadlines or fell short of their target scores, the MAT May 2026 remains a vital opportunity to secure admission for the 2026–28 academic session.

The exam will be conducted in two primary modes: Paper Based Test (PBT) and Computer Based Test (CBT).

Important Dates for MAT May 2026

PBT Registration Last Date: May 25, 2026
PBT Admit Card Date: May 28, 2026
PBT Exam Date: May 31, 2026
CBT Registration Last Date: June 8, 2026
CBT Admit Card Date: June 11, 2026
CBT Exam Date: June 14, 2026

MAT Exam Pattern

AIMA has recently updated the exam structure. It is now a 120-minute exam with a total of 150 questions (reduced from the previous 200-question format).

Structure: 5 sections, each containing 30 questions.

Marking Scheme: +1 for correct answers; -0.25 for incorrect ones.

Sections:

1. Language Comprehension
2. Intelligence and Critical Reasoning
3. Mathematical Skills
4. Data Analysis and Sufficiency
5. Economic & Business Environment (Note: Scores from this section typically aren’t included in the merit percentile by most institutes).

MAT Registration Fees:

Single Mode (PBT or CBT): ₹2,300
Dual Mode (PBT + CBT): ₹4,000 (Recommended if you want two attempts to improve your score).

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification: A graduate degree in any discipline from a recognized university.

Final Year Students: If you are in your final year of graduation, you are eligible to apply provisionally.

Minimum Percentage: There is no official minimum percentage required by AIMA to sit for the exam, though individual B-schools usually require at least 50% (45% for SC/ST/PwD) for admission.

To register directly at the official AIMA MAT website CLICK HERE

Find mock tests, check GD PI interviews of MBA students, Watch video Sessions on Campusutra.com YouTube Channel to enhance your MAT Scores.

AIMA MAT Exam: Step to apply ~ To apply online, candidates can follow the steps given below.

Visit the official website of AIMA at mat.aima.in.
Click on the AIMA MAT May Registration link available on the home page.
A new page will open where candidates will have to register themselves.
Once registration is done, login to the account.
Fill the application form and make the payment of the application fee.
Click on submit and download the page.
Keep a hard copy of the same for further need.

Top MBA Colleges accepting MAT Score are Amrita School of Business, SIMSREE, IMDR Pune, IIAM Visakhapatnam, XIME, EDII Ahmedabad, TSM Madurai, PSG Coimbatore, Mittal Business School LPU, Chitkara University, FIIB, FOSTIIMA, IMS Ghaziabad, Christ University, Alliance University, SSIM, IPE, KIIT School of Rural Management etc.

Preparation Tips

Focus on Speed: With 150 questions in 120 minutes, you have less than a minute per question. Practice skipping time-consuming puzzles.

Data Analysis: This section often features heavy calculations. Familiarize yourself with shortcuts for percentages, ratios, and averages.
Language: Focus on Reading Comprehension (RC) and Vocabulary. RC passages in MAT are generally shorter and more direct than those in CAT.
Mocks: Since the format has been updated to 150 questions, ensure you are using the most recent 2026 mock tests to get your timing right.

Don’t let a missed exam or a low score derail your goals. Register for the MAT today to secure your seat for the 2026–28 MBA batch.

Issued on Behalf of Campusutra by DebriN Synergy. Greater Noida nitin@debrin.in