MAT
Accepted by around 600 MBA/PGDM institutes across India, mostly tier-2 and tier-3 private B-schools and some university departments.
Eligibility
Graduates in any discipline, and final-year students, are eligible. There is no minimum percentage for the test, no age limit and no attempt cap. Scores are valid for one year.
Age limit: No age limit
Exam pattern
Objective test of 150 MCQs in 120 minutes across five sections of 30 questions: Language Comprehension; Mathematical Skills; Data Analysis and Sufficiency; Intelligence and Critical Reasoning; and Indian and Global Environment. Each correct answer earns +1 and each wrong answer costs -0.25. The composite score is calculated from the first four sections only; Indian and Global Environment is reported separately.
Syllabus at a glance
Language Comprehension covers RC, grammar, vocabulary and para-jumbles. Mathematical Skills covers arithmetic, algebra, geometry and modern maths. Data Analysis and Sufficiency covers tables, graphs, caselets and data sufficiency. Intelligence and Critical Reasoning covers series, coding, arrangements, syllogisms and critical reasoning. Indian and Global Environment covers current affairs, business and static GK.
Upcoming dates
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| MAT December 2026 registration (open since 28 Sep 2026) | Open until 14 Dec (PBT) / 21 Dec (CBT) 2026 | confirmed |
| MAT December 2026 PBT admit card | 17 Dec 2026 | expected |
| MAT December 2026 PBT | 20 Dec 2026 | confirmed |
| MAT December 2026 CBT admit card | 24 Dec 2026 | expected |
| MAT December 2026 CBT | 27 Dec 2026 | confirmed |
| MAT February 2027 session | Feb 2027 | expected |
Expected dates follow the usual calendar; confirm on the official notification before planning.
Free prep material
Standard books
- Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations - R.S. Aggarwal
- A Modern Approach to Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning - R.S. Aggarwal
- MAT Guide (Management Aptitude Test) - Arihant Experts
- Objective General English - S.P. Bakshi
- Manorama Yearbook
How toppers play it
- The composite score ignores Indian and Global Environment, so spend no more than about 10 minutes on it. Give the time saved to the four scoring sections.
- At 150 questions in 120 minutes (about 48 seconds each), triage hard: clear the easy questions in each section first and skip lengthy DI caselets on the first pass.
- With -0.25 per wrong answer, guess only after eliminating two options.
- Because there are several sessions a year, take one as a trial run and use the later session to improve your percentile. Choose CBT if you want a quicker result.