MAT December 2026: PBT and CBT Dates, Registration Deadlines, Fee and How to Prepare

Quick answer

The Management Aptitude Test (MAT) December 2026 session is run by the All India Management Association (AIMA). The paper-based test (PBT) is on 20 December 2026, and the computer-based test (CBT) is on 27 December 2026. Registration is open on the AIMA portal. The reported last date for PBT registration is 14 December 2026, and for CBT 21 December 2026. Choose the mode that suits you, and register before its deadline.

Key dates

PBT or CBT: which to choose

The PBT is taken with a pen and an answer sheet at a centre. The CBT is taken on a computer at a test centre. Both have the same pattern, but the format changes how you practise. Choose the mode that suits your typing speed, your comfort with the screen and your travel plan.

Fee

A report gives a fee of Rs 2,200 for a single mode and Rs 3,800 for both modes. Confirm the fee on the AIMA portal before you pay, since fees are set for each session.

Eligibility

MAT is open to graduates in any discipline. Final-year students can usually apply and submit their result later, as the AIMA notice sets. Check the notice for the rule on final-year candidates.

Pattern

MAT covers five sections:

1. Language comprehension
2. Mathematical skills
3. Data analysis and sufficiency
4. Intelligence and critical reasoning
5. Indian and global environment

The sections, the number of questions and the marks are in the AIMA brochure. MAT is used by many management institutes, so check each institute's rule on which score they accept.

Preparation plan

• Weeks 1 and 2: Language comprehension and vocabulary, with one passage a day.
• Weeks 3 and 4: Mathematical skills and data analysis, with 25 timed questions a day.
• Weeks 5 and 6: Intelligence and critical reasoning, with a daily set.
• Week 7: Indian and global environment, with a weekly news summary.
• Week 8: Full-length mocks, one each in the PBT and CBT formats, with a review of each error.

Documents to keep ready

• Graduation marksheet and certificate
• Photo identity proof for the centre
• Photograph and signature in the format the portal sets
• Category certificate, if claimed

Common mistakes

• Registering for only one mode without thinking. Compare the two modes before you choose.
• Ignoring the environment section. It is a scoring section if you keep up with the news.
• Missing the deadline. Register well before 14 or 21 December.

Who should take MAT

MAT suits graduates who want a management degree from one of the many institutes that accept the score. It is one of the most widely accepted management tests, so the score can open several admission routes. Working professionals and final-year students both take it.

How to choose between PBT and CBT

If you are comfortable writing answers by hand and you prefer a paper format, the PBT suits you. If you type quickly and you are comfortable with the screen, the CBT may suit you. Practise in the mode you choose, because the on-screen navigation and the paper-marking habits are different.

A six-week practice plan

• Weeks 1 and 2: Language comprehension and mathematical skills, with 25 questions a day.
• Weeks 3 and 4: Data analysis, intelligence and critical reasoning, with timed sets.
• Week 5: The Indian and global environment section, with a daily news summary.
• Week 6: Two full-length mocks, one in each mode if you are unsure, with an error log.

Score use across institutes

Each institute sets its own rule for MAT scores, including the minimum score, the weightage and whether the score is used alone or with other tests. Read each institute's admission brochure before you register for the test, so you know which mode and which score it accepts.

Documents and checks for the test day

• Printed admit card and photo identity proof
• Centre address and the route to the centre, for the PBT and the CBT
• For the CBT, a check of the test software and your internet connection before the day

Data analysis and sufficiency in practice

Data sufficiency questions ask whether the information given is enough to answer a question, without solving it fully. Learn the common forms, and practise deciding whether a statement is sufficient without doing the full calculation. For data analysis, practise reading tables and charts, checking units and finding the value a question asks for, in the shortest route.

Intelligence and critical reasoning

These sections test logic, inference and the ability to weigh arguments. Practise by writing the assumption behind each argument and checking whether the conclusion depends on it. Keep a short list of common reasoning errors, and check each question against it.

Institutes and how they use the score

Many private management institutes accept MAT, and each sets its own cut-off, weightage and selection steps. Some use the score alone, while others add a group discussion, a written ability test or a personal interview. Make a list of the institutes you want, note their MAT rules, and check their admission dates, since the admission timeline runs separately from the test calendar.

Building a steady study routine

Study for thirty to forty minutes a day, five days a week, and use one longer session on the weekend for a full mock. Keep a notebook for each section, and write the rule or method behind each error. Review the notebook every Sunday, and choose the section that needs most attention for the coming week.

What to bring and what to avoid on the day

Carry the printed admit card, your photo identity proof and a pen if the paper mode is chosen. Avoid heavy meals before the test and arrive at the centre early. Keep your phone switched off and stored outside the room, as the notice requires.

Common questions candidates ask

Is MAT accepted by all institutes? No. Check the institutes you want to apply to.

Can I take both modes? Yes, if you pay for both. Each mode has its own registration.

What if I miss the test date? The brochure sets the rules for rescheduling or for a later session.