Start MAT Exam Preparation with CATKing’s MAT Course Online

Start your MAT exam preparation the structured way. MAT is the AIMA Management Aptitude Test for MBA, MMS and PGDM admissions, and a valid score opens Maharashtra DTE CAP (SIMSREE, Welingkar, K J Somaiya, SIES and 300+ MMS seats under the All India category), BIMTECH, Jaipuria, XIME, SDMIMD and the wider 400+ college pool. 150 questions, 120 minutes, five sections and four sittings a year, in PBT or CBT.

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18+
Years of Experience
4.8/5
Rating from 50K+ Reviews
150 Q
in 120 Minutes, 5 Sections
4x
Sittings Every Year

Two Ways to Start MAT Exam Preparation

Choose the MAT course online that matches how much guidance you want: self-paced mock practice, or the full live-coaching stack with Sumit Sir. Check each course page for its current validity before you enrol.

MAT Mocks 2026

Calibrated mock engine for students who have finished concept prep and need to measure readiness, pacing and section strategy.

  • 10 full-length MAT mocks built by CAT toppers
  • 30 sectional tests, 6 per section
  • 130+ Bible LOD-1 & LOD-2 eBooks
  • Advanced mock analysis dashboard
  • WhatsApp batch group access
  • MAT Handbook PDF, Rated 4.5★
₹999
₹1,999 50% Off, Code CATKing50
For students 4 to 6 weeks before the sitting
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Students' Recommended
MAT Turbo 2026

Full coaching stack: daily live classes by CAT toppers, Verbal Bootcamps with Sumit Sir, 1,000+ recorded concept lessons and the mock engine.

  • Daily 2-hour live classes Mon to Fri
  • Saturday Revision Live by CAT toppers
  • Verbal Bootcamps with Sumit Sir, Wed & Fri 8 PM
  • 1,000+ recorded concept-builder lessons
  • 10 full mocks, 30 sectional tests included
  • 130+ Bible LOD-1 & LOD-2 eBooks
  • WhatsApp batch group + Doubt forum
  • MAT Handbook PDF, Rated 4.5★
₹4,999
₹9,999 50% Off, Code CATKing50
Best if you are starting from scratch
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Why Choose CATKing's MAT Course Online

Five reasons our MAT course online makes a measurable difference to your B-school application, from live teaching to GDPI support.

01 / 05
Sumit Sir Leads

Live classes in our MAT course online

Learn live from Sumit Sir (SPJIMR MBA, Harvard Executive Management, NIT alumnus) and a panel of 99.9 percentile CAT toppers across Quant, DI-LR and Verbal. Classes run Monday to Friday, Sumit Sir takes Verbal Bootcamps every Wednesday and Friday at 8 PM, and every session is recorded so you can revise at your own pace.

  • Sumit Sir, SPJIMR alumnus, leads Verbal Bootcamps Wed & Fri 8 PM
  • Sahil Sir & Prantik Sir, both CAT QA 99.9 percentilers
  • Biswadip Sir, CMAT QA 100 percentiler from NMIMS
  • Anisha Ma'am, NMIMS Mumbai MBA, leads GDPI prep
Faculty Strength
9+
subject experts across Quant, DI, LR, Verbal & GDPI
  • SPJIMR, NMIMS & SCMHRD alumni
  • CAT & CMAT 99.9 percentilers
  • Daily live + recorded coverage
02 / 05
Mock Engine

10 full-length mocks for MAT exam preparation

MAT is the only major MBA entrance with no sectional time limit and a candidate-chosen section order. Our mocks let you practice your real attempt strategy: which section to start, where to spend extra time, when to skip.

  • 10 full-length mocks built by CAT toppers, on the live MAT blueprint
  • 30 sectional tests, 6 each for LC, ICR, MS, DAS and IGE
  • Must-do priority: Mocks 1, 2, 4 and 5
  • Advanced mock-analysis dashboard with section pacing reports
Tests in Turbo
40
full-length and sectional tests calibrated to MAT pacing
  • 10 full mocks, 30 sectional tests
  • MAT blueprint locked
  • Section pacing diagnostics
03 / 05
Cutoff Targeting

Cutoff-focused MAT exam preparation for the 75 to 80 plus band

AIMA does not publish official MAT cutoffs, so generic coaching guesses at targets. Our prep plan is built around the indicative percentile bands that unlock top MAT-accepting colleges. BIMTECH wants 80 plus; Jaipuria, XIME, SDMIMD and IFMR KREA want 75 plus.

  • BIMTECH Greater Noida indicative band: 80 plus percentile
  • Jaipuria, XIME, SDMIMD, IFMR KREA: 75 plus percentile
  • Section balance drills so no single section pulls the composite down
  • Multi-sitting strategy: attempt Feb, May, September or December to hit your target
Target Percentile
80+ %ile
composite percentile that unlocks BIMTECH and other top MAT colleges
  • Aim for 140 plus attempts of 150
  • Section balance over peaks
  • Best of four sittings counted
04 / 05
GDPI Coverage

GDPI support after your MAT exam preparation

Unlike NPAT or NMAT, every MAT-accepting B-school runs its own GD-WAT-PI round after shortlisting on your MAT scorecard. Our Non-CAT Combo upgrades MAT prep with full GDPI coverage so you do not need a separate program after your score arrives.

  • BIMTECH, Jaipuria, XIME and SDMIMD GDPI specifics covered
  • Mock interviews with NMIMS, SPJIMR and SCMHRD alumni
  • Personal-statement, SOP and resume guidance
  • Group discussion and written ability test simulations
GDPI Sessions
15+
live GDPI mock interviews plus written-ability workshops
  • BIMTECH and Jaipuria specifics
  • One-on-one PI feedback
  • Alumni-led mock interviews
05 / 05
Multi-Sitting

Plan your MAT course online around four sittings a year

MAT runs four times every year: February, May, September and December. Within one sitting you can also combine PBT plus CBT for two attempts in roughly two weeks. Most colleges accept the best score across the validity window, so you have multiple chances to peak.

  • Plan A: February baseline plus May score-max for July intake
  • Plan B: September or December attempt for the next year intake
  • Two-mode combo of PBT plus CBT for two cracks in one cycle
  • 1-year score validity, use the same scorecard across multiple cycles
Sittings Per Year
4
February, May, September and December. Best score is what counts
  • Up to 8 attempts a year with combos
  • 1-year score validity
  • Sequenced peak strategy

The Exam in One Glance

Every number below comes from AIMA's MAT notifications on mat.aima.in and has held steady across recent cycles.

150

MCQ Questions

Five sections of 30 questions each: Language Comprehension, Intelligence & Critical Reasoning, Mathematical Skills, Data Analysis & Sufficiency, Economic & Business Environment.

AIMA MAT notification
120

Minutes Total

No sectional time limit, candidate-chosen section order. Allocate the full 120 minutes across the 5 sections in any proportion.

AIMA MAT notification
0.25-

Negative Marking

Plus 1 for correct, minus 0.25 for wrong, 0 for un-attempted. Real cost to guessing, skip questions you are under 60 percent confident on.

AIMA MAT notification
4

Sittings Per Year

February, May, September and December. Each sitting offers PBT and CBT modes. Best score across validity is considered by most B-schools.

AIMA MAT notification

Who Can Sit for MAT

AIMA keeps MAT eligibility deliberately open so any graduate can apply. Each B-school then sets its own cutoffs on top of this base.

UG

Bachelor's in Any Discipline

10+2+3 or 10+2+4 graduation in any discipline from a recognised university. All streams are eligible, no specific subject background required.

F

Final-Year Students Welcome

Final-year graduation students can also apply. Admission is provisional, subject to passing the qualifying examination with the marks set by your target B-school.

∞

No Upper Age Limit

AIMA imposes no upper age limit on MAT candidates. Work professionals, late graduates and career-switchers can apply at any age.

0%

No Minimum Marks by AIMA

AIMA does not set a minimum graduation percentage. Individual B-schools may require 50 percent aggregate (45 percent for reserved categories).

0

Work Experience Not Mandatory

Freshers are welcome. Some MAT-accepting B-schools give bonus weightage to candidates with 1 to 3 years of work experience during shortlisting.

IN

Indian Nationals & NRI

Open to Indian nationals. Foreign and NRI candidates can apply through the same online registration process on mat.aima.in.

MAT Exam Pattern

Five sections of 30 questions each. 150 questions in 120 minutes. No sectional time limit. Candidates pick their section order. Negative marking at minus 0.25 per wrong answer.

I. Language Comprehension
Questions30
Marks30
Suggested time25 min
In compositeYes
II. Intelligence & Critical Reasoning
Questions30
Marks30
Suggested time25 min
In compositeYes
III. Mathematical Skills
Questions30
Marks30
Suggested time30 min
In compositeYes
IV. Data Analysis & Sufficiency
Questions30
Marks30
Suggested time30 min
In compositeYes
V. Economic & Business Environment
Questions30
Marks30
Suggested time10 min
In compositeReported separately
Total: 150 questions, 150 marks, 120 minutes. Plus 1 correct, minus 0.25 wrong, 0 un-attempted. No sectional time limit, candidate-chosen section order. Conducted in two modes: paper-based PBT and computer-based CBT, both at designated test centres. Section V (Economic & Business Environment) is historically reported separately on the scorecard and excluded from the composite percentile used by most B-schools, confirm the current cycle's rule on mat.aima.in.

MAT Syllabus Blueprint

Topic-wise coverage across the five MAT sections. Difficulty sits in the moderate graduate band: easier than CAT, but demanding enough to separate the top 25 percent of candidates.

I. Language Comprehension
30 Questions, 30 Marks, ~25 minutes
  • Reading Comprehension: 3 to 4 passages of 400 to 450 words, 5 questions each
  • Grammar: tenses, subject-verb agreement, error correction
  • Sentence Correction, Sequence Correction, Para-jumbles
  • Vocabulary: antonyms, synonyms, fill-in-the-blanks, one-word substitution
  • Idioms & phrases, sentence completion
  • Verbal ability and critical interpretation of arguments
II. Intelligence & Critical Reasoning
30 Questions, 30 Marks, ~25 minutes
  • Arrangements: linear, circular, matrix, team formation
  • Coding-decoding, series, blood relations and family trees
  • Critical reasoning: fact-inference-judgement, statement-assumption
  • Logic puzzles: clocks, calendars, direction sense, binary logic
  • Syllogisms, input-output, cubes, network diagrams
  • Set theory, Venn diagrams, quantitative reasoning
III. Mathematical Skills
30 Questions, 30 Marks, ~30 minutes, MAT favourite
  • Arithmetic: percentages, profit & loss, SI & CI, TSD, time & work
  • Number system, ratio & proportion, mixtures & alligations
  • Algebra: linear & quadratic equations, inequalities
  • Geometry & mensuration: triangles, circles, coordinate geometry
  • Modern math: P&C, probability, set theory
  • Sequences, series, heights & distances, pure math
IV. Data Analysis & Sufficiency
30 Questions, 30 Marks, ~30 minutes, the differentiator
  • Data tables: single and multi-row tables
  • Charts: bar diagrams (simple, stacked, composite), pie, X-Y line graphs
  • Caselets: paragraph-based DI with embedded data
  • Venn diagrams: 2-set and 3-set problems
  • Data comparison across two or more data sets
  • Data sufficiency: standard two-statement format
V. Economic & Business Environment
30 Questions, 30 Marks, ~10 minutes, reported separately
  • Current affairs: national & international news from the last 6 to 12 months
  • Business GK: top officials, founders, corporate news, mergers, slogans
  • Fiscal & monetary policy: CRR, Repo Rate, SLR, RBI announcements, Union Budget
  • Static GK: Indian Constitution, States & Capitals, UN, WTO, IMF, World Bank
  • Awards: Nobel, Padma, Filmfare, Booker, Magsaysay, sports trophies
  • Arts, Books & Authors, sports champions and famous quotations

Pick Your Exam Mode

MAT is currently delivered in two modes: Paper-Based Test (PBT) at the centre, or Computer-Based Test (CBT) at the centre. Pick one, or combine both for a two-attempt sitting at a discounted combo fee. The Internet-Based Test (IBT) was discontinued by AIMA in 2025.

Paper-Based Test

PBT

Pen and OMR sheet at a designated test centre. Traditional paper format with physical proctoring. Best for candidates who prefer the familiar paper experience and want a single fixed date.

  • OMR sheet, candidate marks bubbles with a black or blue ballpoint pen
  • Physical proctoring at a designated test centre
  • One PBT date per cycle, typically a Sunday
  • Fee: ₹2,300 single attempt
Computer-Based Test

CBT

Digital interface on a workstation at a test centre. On-screen section navigation, candidate-chosen section order. Best for candidates comfortable with screens who want the test-centre environment.

  • Computer workstation at a designated test centre
  • Physical proctoring, on-screen section navigation
  • One CBT date per cycle, typically 2 weeks after PBT
  • Fee: ₹2,300 single attempt
Discontinued

IBT

The Internet-Based Test (remote-proctored from home) was introduced during the COVID-19 period. AIMA discontinued IBT in 2025. Recent 2026 sessions (February, May) have run with PBT and CBT only.

  • Was available during 2020 to 2024 cycles
  • Discontinued by AIMA in 2025
  • Not available for the current 2026 cycle
  • Refer mat.aima.in for any future revival
Combo savings: PBT + CBT combo for ₹4,000 instead of ₹4,600 for two single registrations. Two attempts in one cycle, AIMA accepts the best score. Recommended for candidates aiming for 80 plus percentile.

Strategy Videos from CATKing

Three free strategy sessions from CATKing's MAT preparation playlist. Pacing, section attempt order and topic prioritisation explained by Sumit Sir himself.

MAT strategy video by Sumit Sir
Strategy

MAT 2026 Complete Strategy & Roadmap

YouTubeWatch now →
MAT section attempt order by Sumit Sir
Attempt Order

How to Pick Your MAT Section Order

YouTubeWatch now →
MAT cutoffs & college targeting
Cutoffs

MAT Percentile to College Mapping

YouTubeWatch now →
View full MAT playlist on YouTube

Top B-Schools Accepting MAT

More than 400 MBA and PGDM colleges across India accept MAT scores. Below is CATKing's curated list of the top MAT-accepting institutes, with indicative percentile bands aggregated from past-cycle data published by mbauniverse, shiksha and collegedunia. AIMA does not publish official MAT cutoffs; each B-school sets and announces its own.

01
BIMTECH
Birla Institute of Management Technology, Greater Noida
Indicative cutoff80+ percentile
ProgrammePGDM
Avg placement₹12.5 LPA range
Duration2 years
Flagship MAT college, NIRF top-tier PGDM institute
02
Jaipuria Institute
Lucknow, Noida, Jaipur, Indore campuses
Indicative cutoff75+ percentile
ProgrammePGDM
Avg placement₹8 to 10 LPA
Campuses4 nationwide
AICTE-approved, four campuses, strong recruiter network
03
XIME Bangalore
Xavier Institute of Management & Entrepreneurship
Indicative cutoff75+ percentile
ProgrammePGDM
Avg placement₹9 LPA range
Duration2 years
Bangalore-based Xavier institute, consistent placements
04
SDMIMD Mysore
Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwar Institute
Indicative cutoff75+ percentile
ProgrammePGDM
Avg placement₹8 LPA range
Duration2 years
Among India's top tier-2 PGDM institutes
05
IFMR KREA
IFMR Graduate School of Business, Sri City
Indicative cutoff75+ percentile
ProgrammePGDM, MBA
Avg placement₹10 LPA range
SpecialityFinance & Analytics
Part of KREA University, finance-strong
06
JAGSoM Bangalore
Jagdish Sheth School of Management, ex-IFIM
Indicative cutoff70 to 80 percentile
ProgrammePGDM
Avg placement₹8 to 9 LPA
SpecialityMarketing & Analytics
Bangalore PGDM, varies by program
07
Woxsen University
Hyderabad, MBA programme
Indicative cutoff70 to 80 percentile
ProgrammeMBA
Avg placement₹9 LPA range
SpecialityMultiple electives
New-age Hyderabad MBA, strong tech recruiter base

Cutoff bands are indicative and aggregated from past-cycle data published by mbauniverse, shiksha and collegedunia. AIMA does not publish official cutoffs. Verify program-specific eligibility on each B-school's admission page. Beyond these top 7, MAT scores are accepted at IPE Hyderabad, SIES Mumbai, IBA Bangalore, Rajagiri Kochi, NISM Mumbai, FIIB Delhi, CIMP Patna, Christ University, Amrita School of Business and 400+ other AICTE-approved MBA and PGDM colleges. Maharashtra-specific note: SIMSREE Mumbai accepts MAT as one of several valid entrance exams for MMS admission via DTE CAP under the All India category, but cutoffs are extremely high (99 percentile range) and the bulk of seats fill through MAH-CET. JBIMS Mumbai does NOT accept MAT for its core MMS programme as of the 2025 to 2026 cycle.

MAT 2026 Important Dates

Schedule for the 2026 cycle. AIMA announces exact dates for each sitting about 6 to 8 weeks ahead on mat.aima.in. Always verify the live notification before you pay.

February 2026 Sitting

First Sitting of the Year (Completed)

Registration window closed February 23 (PBT) and March 2 (CBT). PBT exam: March 1, 2026. CBT exam: March 8, 2026. Results were released in late March 2026. Source: official AIMA notification on mat.aima.in.

May 2026 Sitting

Second Sitting of the Year (Completed)

PBT exam: May 31, 2026. CBT exam: June 14, 2026. Admit cards were released on May 28 (PBT) and June 11 (CBT). Conducted in 66 cities across India.

September 2026 Sitting

Third Sitting of the Year (Completed)

The PBT was held in early to mid September and the CBT in mid to late September, with results in early October 2026. This sitting suits late-cycle and lateral admissions.

December 2026 Sitting

Fourth Sitting of the Year (Registration Open)

Registration closes December 14 (PBT) and December 21 (CBT). PBT exam: December 20, 2026. CBT exam: December 27, 2026. Admit cards release on December 17 (PBT) and December 24 (CBT). Results are expected in early January 2027, in time for the July 2027 intake. Confirm every date on mat.aima.in.

Each sitting timeline

Inside a Single MAT Sitting

Registration opens 6 to 8 weeks before exam. PBT registration closes 1 week before PBT exam. CBT registration closes 2 weeks before CBT exam. Admit cards are released about 3 days before the exam in both modes. Result 1 to 2 weeks post-exam.

Score validity

1 Year From Result Date

Your MAT scorecard is valid for 1 year from the result release date. You can attempt multiple sittings within this window. Most B-schools accept your best score across the validity period for their admission cycles.

MAT Application Fees

AIMA charges per number of modes you sign up for. Two-mode combo saves roughly ₹600. The fee is identical across PBT and CBT. No category-wise concession.

Test Mode CombinationFeeWhat You Get
Single mode: PBT₹ 2,300One paper-based attempt at the test centre
Single mode: CBT₹ 2,300One computer-based attempt at the test centre
PBT + CBT combo₹ 4,000Both attempts in one cycle, save roughly ₹600, best score counts

Source: AIMA MAT notification. Free 5 B-School preference forwarding included. Additional B-Schools cost ₹75 each before exam date and ₹100 each after exam date. Payment methods: debit or credit card, net banking, UPI, demand draft where allowed. No category-wise concession applies to MAT, unlike CAT or CMAT.

MAT Admit Card

Your admit card is the mandatory entry document for PBT and CBT test centres. AIMA releases it about 3 days before the exam date for each mode.

How to Download Your Admit Card

  1. Visit mat.aima.in and click the Admit Card tab on the homepage.
  2. Enter your application number, date of birth and registered email ID.
  3. Verify name, exam date, mode and venue match your registration.
  4. Take a printout on A4 paper. Phone screenshots are not accepted at PBT or CBT centres.

What to Carry on Exam Day

  • Printed admit card, A4 paper, clearly readable
  • Government photo ID: Aadhaar, Passport, PAN or Driving Licence (original)
  • Two passport-size photographs (a spare is wise)
  • Black or blue ballpoint pen (required for PBT only)
  • Transparent water bottle, optional, where allowed

Note: The name on your original ID must exactly match the name on the admit card. Reach the PBT or CBT centre at least 30 minutes before scheduled time. Mode of the test (PBT or CBT) is printed on the admit card and cannot be changed after registration.

MAT Selection Process

AIMA only delivers your MAT scorecard. Each MAT-accepting B-school runs its own admission process on top. Typical flow: register, exam, scorecard, B-school shortlisting, GDPI and final offer.

1

Register & Take MAT

Apply on mat.aima.in, upload documents, pick mode(s) and 5 B-schools, pay fee, take the exam in PBT or CBT.

2

Scorecard & Forwarding

AIMA releases your scorecard within 1 to 2 weeks. Scores are automatically forwarded to your 5 (plus additional paid) selected B-schools.

3

B-School Shortlisting

Each B-school applies its own cutoff (typically 75 plus percentile for top institutes) and shortlists candidates against composite percentile and academics.

4

GD-WAT-PI Round

Shortlisted candidates attend the B-school's group discussion, written ability test and personal interview round. Weightage varies, usually 15 to 30 percent of final score.

5

Admission Offer

Final merit list considers MAT percentile (40 to 60 percent), academics (15 to 25 percent), GDPI (15 to 30 percent) and work-ex or diversity factors.

MAT Test Cities

PBT and CBT are conducted at AIMA test centres across 66 cities in India (as per the May 2026 notification). Pick 2 to 3 city preferences during application. Final allocation is printed on the admit card.

West, 13 Cities

Western India

  • Mumbai
  • Pune
  • Navi Mumbai
  • Thane
  • Ahmedabad
  • Surat
  • Vadodara
  • Nashik
  • Aurangabad
  • Indore
  • Bhopal
  • Nagpur
  • Raipur
South, 10 Cities

Southern India

  • Bengaluru
  • Hyderabad
  • Chennai
  • Kochi
  • Coimbatore
  • Visakhapatnam
  • Vijayawada
  • Mysuru
  • Mangaluru
  • Tiruchirappalli
North, 13 Cities

Northern India

  • New Delhi
  • Noida
  • Greater Noida
  • Gurugram
  • Ghaziabad
  • Lucknow
  • Jaipur
  • Chandigarh
  • Dehradun
  • Kanpur
  • Agra
  • Varanasi
  • Allahabad
East, 7 Cities

Eastern India

  • Kolkata
  • Patna
  • Ranchi
  • Bhubaneswar
  • Guwahati
  • Siliguri
  • Jamshedpur

Final centre allotment is on a first-come, first-served basis subject to capacity. Once allotted, the centre cannot be changed for that attempt. Final list is confirmed on mat.aima.in during your registration window.

Free Resources

Official AIMA documents, CATKing study materials and our community channels. Everything below is publicly available and free to access.

MBA Geeks Community Forum

Community forum at forum.catking.in with daily live doubt-solving Mon to Fri at 6 PM. Tricky MAT questions answered within four hours by the CATKing faculty.

Visit Forum

YouTube Channel

Sumit Sir's MAT strategy playlist. Section attempt order, percentile to college mapping, last-week revision plans and full mock walkthroughs.

Open YouTube Channel

CATKing Free Resources Hub

One-stop hub for all free CATKing study materials, sample mocks, exam guides and topic-wise practice across MAT, CAT, NMAT, SNAP, CMAT and CET.

Browse Free Resources

AIMA Official Site

mat.aima.in is the authoritative source for live dates, eligibility, fees, admit cards, scorecards, syllabus updates and the official notification for each MAT sitting.

Visit mat.aima.in

CATKing MAT Handbook

The CATKing handbook for MAT preparation: exam blueprint, five-section strategy, recommended 10-week timeline and last-week revision plan in one downloadable PDF.

Download Handbook

Non-CAT Combo 2026-27

For aspirants targeting multiple non-CAT exams. Bundles MAT Turbo with SNAP, NMAT, XAT, CET, CMAT, MICAT, ATMA prep plus GDPI. Valid till April 2027.

View Combo

10-Week MAT Exam Preparation Plan

A practical 10-week MAT exam preparation plan built for the 75 plus percentile band. MAT is calibrated lower than CAT, so 8 to 12 weeks of focused work usually suffices.

Weeks 1 to 4

Concept Foundation

Topic-wise theory plus LOD-1 questions across all 5 sections. Build vocabulary (10 words a day). Start daily editorial reading. Heavy emphasis on Arithmetic and Algebra in MS.

Weeks 5 to 8

Sectional Mastery

LOD-2 questions across all sections. Sectional tests, identify weak topics. Start 1 full-length mock a week. Lock in your section attempt order.

Weeks 9 to 10

Mock + Speed Phase

2 full mocks a week with 60 to 90 minutes of analysis per mock. Refine pacing strategy, especially for DAS (the toughest section).

Final week

Revision Only

Re-solve your 2 best past mocks, verify speed. Revise math formulas and vocab list. No new topics. No mocks in the final 48 hours. Pack admit card, photo ID and stationery the night before.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the most common questions about MAT and CATKing's online coaching. Tap any question to expand it, or use the button below for the full set.

What is the full form of MAT and who conducts it?

MAT stands for Management Aptitude Test. It is conducted by the All India Management Association (AIMA) for admission to MBA, PGDM and equivalent management programs at 400+ B-Schools across India. Official website is mat.aima.in.

How many times is MAT conducted in a year?

MAT runs 4 times every year: February, May, September and December. Each sitting offers PBT and CBT modes with separate exam dates per mode (typically 2 weeks apart). Candidates can attempt multiple sittings within the validity window, and the best score is typically considered for admissions.

What is the MAT exam pattern?

5 sections of 30 questions each, total 150 questions, 120 minutes. Sections: Language Comprehension, Intelligence & Critical Reasoning, Mathematical Skills, Data Analysis & Sufficiency, Economic & Business Environment. All MCQ, 4 options each. Marking: +1 correct, -0.25 wrong, 0 un-attempted. No sectional time limit. Candidate chooses section order.

Is there negative marking in MAT?

Yes. Minus 0.25 marks for every wrong answer. Plus 1 for correct. Zero for un-attempted. Unlike NPAT, MAT penalises wrong answers, so do not blind-guess. Skip questions where you are under 60 percent confident.

Is there a sectional time limit in MAT?

No. Candidates can allocate the full 120 minutes across the 5 sections in any proportion. You can also choose the order of attempting sections. This flexibility is unique among major MBA entrances. Many CATKing toppers recommend starting with your strongest section to build a points buffer.

Are all 5 sections included in the composite score?

Typically no. Historically the Economic and Business Environment section is reported separately on the scorecard and is not part of the composite percentile used by most B-Schools. Composite is built from LC, ICR, MS and DAS. Always confirm the scoring rule on the official scorecard for your specific cycle.

What is the MAT application fee?

₹2,300 for a single mode (PBT or CBT). ₹4,000 for the PBT plus CBT combo. No category-wise concession. Free 5 B-School forwarding included. Additional B-Schools: ₹75 each before the exam date, ₹100 each after the exam date. Source: AIMA MAT notification.

What is the eligibility for MAT?

A Bachelor's degree in any discipline (10+2+3 or 10+2+4) from a recognised university. Final-year students can also apply. No upper age limit. No minimum graduation marks mandated by AIMA. Individual colleges set their own cutoffs, typically 50 percent aggregate (45 percent for reserved categories).

Does MAT have score validity?

Yes, 1 year from the date of the result. Candidates can use scores from any of the 4 annual sittings within this window for B-School admissions. Most colleges accept the best score across the validity period.

How many B-Schools accept MAT scores?

400+ MBA and PGDM colleges across India accept MAT scores. The top-tier MAT-accepting colleges include BIMTECH Greater Noida (80 plus percentile), JAGSoM Bangalore, Jaipuria Institute (Lucknow, Noida, Jaipur, Indore), XIME Bangalore, SDMIMD Mysore, IFMR KREA and IPE Hyderabad (all 75 plus).

What is a good MAT score?

75 to 80 plus composite percentile unlocks the top MAT-accepting colleges. 80 plus percentile is the BIMTECH minimum. 75 plus opens Jaipuria, XIME Bangalore, SDMIMD Mysore and IFMR KREA. 70 plus opens solid mid-tier programmes. A 130 to 140 question attempt out of 150 with high accuracy typically lands in this band.

What is the difference between PBT and CBT?

PBT (Paper-Based Test): Pen and OMR sheet at a designated test centre. Single fixed date and time slot.
CBT (Computer-Based Test): Digital workstation at a designated test centre with on-screen section navigation. Typically scheduled 2 weeks after the PBT date.
Both modes carry the same ₹2,300 single-mode fee and the identical 150-question pattern. Score, validity and college acceptance are identical across modes.

Note: The Internet-Based Test (IBT) was a third mode introduced during the 2020 to 2024 cycles. AIMA discontinued IBT from 2025. Recent 2026 sessions (February and May) have been conducted in PBT and CBT only.

Can I attempt MAT multiple times in the same year?

Yes. Candidates can register for multiple sittings within the same year (e.g., February + May + September + December) and for both modes within one sitting (PBT + CBT combo for ₹4,000). Best score is typically considered. So you can attempt MAT up to 8 times a year if you take both modes in all 4 sittings.

Where can I download my MAT admit card?

From the official AIMA MAT website mat.aima.in, under the Admit Card tab. Enter your application number, date of birth and registered email ID. It is released about 3 days before the exam in both modes (for the May 2026 sitting: PBT admit card on May 28 and CBT admit card on June 11). Print it on A4 and carry your original photo ID.

Does AIMA publish official MAT cutoffs?

No. Cutoffs are set by individual B-Schools. AIMA only publishes scorecards. Use indicative percentile bands from past years: 80 plus percentile for elite (BIMTECH), 75 plus for top (Jaipuria, XIME, SDMIMD, IFMR KREA), 70 plus for solid mid-tier.

Is GD-PI conducted by AIMA for MAT?

No. Each MAT-accepting B-School runs its own GD-PI process. After your MAT result is shared with your selected B-Schools, each college shortlists and invites candidates for its own GD-WAT-PI round. CATKing's Non-CAT Combo and MAT Turbo include GDPI prep modules.

What's the difference between MAT Mocks and MAT Turbo?

MAT Mocks 2026 (₹999): Pure mocks plus sectional tests plus eBooks plus WhatsApp group. No live classes. Best for self-learners with concept clarity who need the test engine.

MAT Turbo 2026 (₹4,999): Everything in Mocks plus daily live classes Mon to Fri plus Wed and Fri 8 PM Verbal Bootcamps with Sumit Sir plus 1,000 plus recorded concept lessons. Best for students starting from scratch or wanting structured guidance.

Can I upgrade from MAT Mocks to MAT Turbo later?

Yes. CATKing allows course upgrades. Contact the sales team at +91 8999-11-8999 (9 AM to 12 AM) and they will adjust the upgrade fee against what you have already paid.

Are MAT live lectures recorded?

Yes. All live lectures are recorded and uploaded to the CATKing dashboard. You can revisit any session during your course validity (the validity shown on your course page).

Are MAT mock tests important for preparation?

Yes, critical. Most CATKing toppers take 10 plus full-length mocks in the last 8 weeks before the exam, with 60 to 90 minutes of analysis after each. The flexible section order in MAT means you must practice attempt strategy before the live exam.

Are the classes live or recorded?

Both. MAT Turbo includes daily 2-hour live classes from Monday to Friday, a live Saturday revision and Verbal Bootcamps with Sumit Sir on Wednesday and Friday at 8 PM. Every live session is recorded and added to your dashboard, and 1,000+ concept-builder lessons are available on demand, so a missed class is never lost.

Can I study online from any city?

Yes. All classes, mocks, eBooks and doubt support run online, so you can learn from any city with a phone, tablet or laptop and an internet connection. You only travel for the MAT exam itself, which is held at an AIMA test centre in one of 66 cities.

How do I get my doubts solved online?

Post them on the MBA Geeks community forum at forum.catking.in, where CATKing faculty run daily live doubt-solving from Monday to Friday at 6 PM. Turbo students also get a WhatsApp batch group for quick questions between classes.

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