The All India Management Association (AIMA) has released the schedule for the Management Aptitude Test (MAT) December 2026 session, the fourth and final MAT cycle of the year.
- As per the MAT exam date 2026, the Paper-Based Test (PBT) is set for December 20, 2026, and the Computer-Based Test (CBT) for December 27, 2026.
- Online registration is to be completed at mat.aima.in, with the last dates fixed at December 14, 2026 for PBT and December 21, 2026 for CBT.
- As per the MAT exam date 2026, the admit cards are scheduled to be made available from December 17, 2026 for PBT and December 24, 2026 for CBT for the December session.
- Graduates in any discipline, as well as final-year graduation students, are eligible to apply for MBA and PGDM admissions through the test.
- The MAT 2026 September session CBT exam was scheduled for September 20, 2026.
- The MAT September 2026 result is expected to be released by the last week of September 2026.
Source: Official MAT Website
Related Links:
- MAT December 2026 Registration Ongoing, Check Last Date to Apply
- MAT Registration 2026: Check Session-Wise Form-Filling Start and End Date, Steps to Register, and Fees
| MAT December 2026 Latest Updates:
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| Table of Contents |
MAT Exam Date 2026
The MAT exam dates for the December session have been released and are shared below. The MAT December 2026 registration is ongoing for both PBT and CBT exams.
Check the session-wise MAT exam date 2026 shared below.
MAT December Session Exam Dates 2026
The MAT exam 2026 December session is shared in the table below. The MAT exam 2026 registration last date for PBT is December 14, 2026, and for CBT it is December 21, 2026.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| PBT Registration Last Date | December 14, 2026 |
| PBT Admit Card Release | December 17, 2026 |
| MAT PBT Exam Date 2026 | December 20, 2026 |
| CBT Registration Last Date | December 21, 2026 |
| CBT Admit Card Release | December 24, 2026 |
| MAT CBT Exam Date 2026 | December 27, 2026 |
| Expected Result | First week of January 2027 |
MAT September Session Exam Dates 2026
The MAT exam 2026 September session exam schedule is shared below.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| PBT Registration Last Date | September 7, 2026 |
| PBT Admit Card Release | September 10, 2026 |
| MAT PBT Exam Date 2026 | September 13, 2026 |
| CBT Registration Last Date | September 14, 2026 |
| CBT Admit Card Release | September 17, 2026 |
| MAT CBT Exam Date 2026 | September 20, 2026 |
| Expected Result | Last week of September 2026 |
MAT May Session Exam Dates 2026
Students must follow the MAT exam 2026 May session schedule, which is shared below.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| PBT Registration Last Date | May 25, 2026 |
| PBT Admit Card Release | May 28, 2026 |
| MAT PBT Exam Date 2026 | May 31, 2026 |
| CBT Registration Last Date | June 8, 2026 |
| CBT Admit Card Release | June 11, 2026 |
| MAT CBT Exam Date 2026 | June 14, 2026 |
| Expected Result | July 2, 2026 |
MAT February Session Exam Dates 2026
The table shared shows the MAT 2026 February session exam schedule.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| PBT Registration Last Date | February 23, 2026 |
| PBT Admit Card Release | February 26, 2026 |
| MAT PBT Exam Date 2026 | March 1, 2026 |
| CBT Registration Last Date | March 2, 2026 |
| CBT Admit Card Release | March 5, 2026 |
| MAT CBT Exam Date 2026 | March 8, 2026 |
| Expected Result | March 24, 2026 |
Source: AIMA MAT Official Website — mat.aima.in
Ques. Why Does the MAT September Session Almost Always Fall in the Second–Third Week of September?
Ans. AIMA schedules the September MAT PBT on the second Sunday of September and the CBT one week later — a pattern observed consistently from 2019 through 2025. This window avoids major national holidays, minimises clashes with state board school examinations, and gives participating institutes enough time to process scores for October-round MBA admissions. The 7-day gap between PBT and CBT is deliberate: students who miss the PBT deadline still have a chance to register and appear for the CBT within the same session, without waiting for December.
A video by “Manoeuvre MBA - CAT TO CET Preparation” will help students learn about the MAT December 2026 session exam dates and other details.
MAT Previous Year Exam Dates: Session-wise Data (2021–2025)
MAT has maintained a highly predictable four-session annual calendar. The table below lists confirmed PBT and CBT dates for the past five years. The September and December sessions are most relevant to students planning for the second half of 2026:
- AIMA consistently places the September PBT on the second or third Sunday of September, with the CBT exactly one week later.
- The 2021 exception (PBT on August 27) was a pandemic-era adjustment.
- For December, the PBT reliably falls in the second week and the CBT in the third week — giving students a dependable planning window.
| Year | Session | PBT Date | CBT Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | December | December 13, 2025 | December 21, 2025 |
| 2025 | September | September 21, 2025 | September 28, 2025 |
| 2024 | May | May 19, 2024 | June 2, 2024 |
| 2024 | February | February 25, 2024 | March 10, 2024 |
| 2023 | May | May 21, 2023 | May 14 & June 4, 2023 |
| 2022 | February | February 2022 | February–March 2022 |
| 2021 | December | December 8, 2021 | December 24, 2021 |
| 2021 | September | August 27, 2021 | September 20, 2021 |
Ques. How many days before the MAT exam is the admit card released?
Ans. AIMA typically releases the MAT admit card 3–5 days before the exam for both PBT and CBT modes.
- PBT Admit Card: Released approximately 3–5 days before the paper-based exam date.
- CBT Admit Card: Released 3 days before the computer-based exam date.
- Download and print the admit card from mat.aima.in using your registration number and password.
Related Links:
MAT 2026 Registration Dates
MAT registration is session-specific and mode-specific. The registration window typically opens 6–8 weeks before the exam and closes about one week before each mode’s exam date.
- For the December 2026 session, the registration is ongoing.
- The MAT registration last date 2026 for PBT is scheduled for December 14, 2026.
- The CBT registration will last till December 21, 2026.
| Events | Dates |
|---|---|
| December Session - PBT Registration Last Date | December 14, 2026 |
| December Session - CBT Registration Last Date | December 21, 2026 |
| September Session - PBT Registration Last Date | September 7, 2026 |
| September Session - CBT Registration Last Date | September 14, 2026 |
| May Session - PBT Registration Last Date | May 25, 2026 |
| May Session - CBT Registration Last Date | June 8, 2026 |
| February Session - PBT Registration Last Date | February 23, 2026 |
| February Session - CBT Registration Last Date | March 2, 2026 |
Ques. When will MAT 2026 September registration close?
Ans. MAT September 2026 PBT registration closed on September 7, 2026, and CBT registration closed on September 14, 2026.
- Register on mat.aima.in and pay the application fee online.
- IBT registration dates for the September session are announced separately on mat.aima.in.
- AIMA offers no extension or late-fee window — apply well before the deadline.
A Reddit user asked if JBIMS or CET CELL accepts MAT exam scores of May, September, and December session or not.
Replying to that, another user said that with MAT scores, you are eligible to complete for any seat all over India. However, the cutoff goes to the 99.99th percentile.
Source: Reddit
MAT 2026 Admit Card Dates
The MAT admit card is released on mat.aima.in a few days before each mode’s exam.
- Students must download and print the admit card and carry it to the exam centre along with a valid original photo ID.
- No entry is permitted to the exam hall without the admit card, regardless of reason.
| Events | Dates |
|---|---|
| December Session - PBT Admit Card Date | December 17, 2026 |
| December Session - CBT Admit Card Date | December 24, 2026 |
| September Session - PBT Admit Card Date | September 10, 2026 |
| September Session - CBT Admit Card Date | September 17, 2026 |
| May Session - PBT Admit Card Date | May 28, 2026 |
| May Session - CBT Admit Card Date | June 11, 2026 |
| February Session - PBT Admit Card Date | February 26, 2026 |
| February Session - PBT Admit Card Date | March 5, 2026 |
Also Read:
- MAT 2026: Section-Wise Strategy to Score 90+ Percentile
- MAT 2026 PBT 60-Day Study Plan: Daily Schedule for All 5 Sections
- MAT 2026 Revision Strategy: 8-Week Section-Wise Priority Plan
Ques. What time does the MAT 2026 exam start?
Ans. MAT 2026 PBT and CBT are conducted in a morning session. Students must report by 8:30 AM; exam gates close at 9:30 AM, with no entry permitted after that. The exam duration is 2 hours (120 minutes).
- Total questions: 200 across 5 sections.
- For IBT, the slot time is pre-selected by the student at the time of registration.
- Confirm the timing from your admit card before exam day, as any updates will be reflected there.
Ques. Does MAT 2026 have an official answer key?
Ans. No, AIMA does not release an official MAT answer key for any session or mode, and there is no official challenge or objection process.
- Unofficial answer keys are published by coaching institutes within 24–48 hours of the exam and can be used for score estimation.
- The official MAT result — which includes section-wise scores, composite score, and percentile — is released on mat.aima.in approximately 2–3 weeks after the exam.
MAT Result Dates 2026
MAT results 2026 are declared on mat.aima.in approximately 2–3 weeks after the exam.
- The score report includes section-wise scores, a composite score (out of 800), and a percentile.
- This score report is submitted by students directly to participating MBA and PGDM institutes as part of their individual applications.
- AIMA does not conduct centralised counselling — each institute runs its own GD/WAT/PI selection process.
| Events | Dates |
|---|---|
| December Session PBT & CBT Result Date | First week of January 2027 |
| September Session PBT & CBT Result Date | First week of October 2026 |
| May Session PBT & CBT Result Date | July 2, 2026 (Out) |
| February Session PBT & CBT Result Date | March 24, 2026 (Out) |
Ques. When will the MAT September 2026 result be declared?
Ans. The MAT September 2026 result is expected in the first week of October 2026, approximately 2–3 weeks after the PBT and CBT exam.
- Log in to mat.aima.in with your registration number to download the score report once declared.
- The score report includes section-wise scores, composite score (out of 800), and overall percentile — all required for MBA applications.
- The score remains valid for 1 year, covering multiple admission rounds at 500+ participating institutes.
Related Links:
MAT 2026 Score Usage and Counselling
AIMA does not conduct centralised counselling for MAT. Students apply individually to MBA and PGDM institutes using their MAT scorecard.
- Each institute runs its own selection process — typically a Group Discussion (GD), Written Ability Test (WAT), and Personal Interview (PI).
- AIMA maintains a list of MAT-accepting institutes on its official website, which students should consult when shortlisting colleges.
- Score Validity: 1 year from the date of result declaration
- Participating Institutes: 500+ MBA/PGDM colleges across India accept MAT scores
- Selection Process: GD/WAT/PI conducted independently by each institute; no centralised seat allotment
- Application Process: Students apply directly to institutes using their MAT scorecard; check each institute’s own admission calendar for deadlines
- Competitive Score: A composite score of 600+ and 80+ percentile is generally considered strong for top MAT-accepting MBA programmes
Ques. When will MAT 2026 counselling begin?
Ans. AIMA does not conduct centralised counselling for MAT. Students apply directly to individual MBA/PGDM institutes using their MAT scorecard, and each institute runs its own GD/WAT/PI selection process.
- Check the individual admission calendar of each institute you intend to apply to for their specific GD/PI dates and deadlines.
- The MAT score is valid for 1 year, so students can apply across multiple admission rounds within the validity window.
- AIMA lists all MAT-accepting institutes at mat.aima.in.
MAT Exam Dates and Trends: Year-Wise
AIMA has conducted MAT four times a year since the mid-2000s. The IBT (Internet Based Test) mode, introduced in 2020, was retained permanently after the pandemic and now runs alongside PBT and CBT in every session.
- The pattern has been consistent since 2022. AIMA schedules PBT on the 2nd or 3rd Sunday and CBT exactly one week later, session after session.
- The 2021 deviation (September PBT moved to August) was a one-time pandemic adjustment.
- For December 2026, the PBT exam is scheduled for December 20, 2026, and the CBT is scheduled for December 27, 2026.
| Year | Session | PBT Date | CBT Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | December | December 20, 2026 | December 27, 2026 |
| September | September 13, 2026 | September 20, 2026 | |
| May | May 31, 2026 | June 14, 2026 | |
| February | March 1, 2026 | March 8, 2026 | |
| 2025 | December | December 13, 2025 | December 21, 2025 |
| September | September 21, 2025 | September 28, 2025 | |
| May | May 31, 2025 | June 8, 2025 | |
| February | March 9, 2025 | March 23, 2025 | |
| 2024 | December | December 14, 2024 | December 7 and 22, 2024 |
| September | August 25, 2024 | August 18, 2024 | |
| May | June 2, 2024 | May 26, 2024 | |
| February | February 25, 2024 | March 10, 2024 | |
| 2023 | December | December 9, 2023 | December 3 and 16, 2023 |
| September | September 3, 2023 | September 17, 2023 | |
| May | May 21, 2023 | May 14 and June 4, 2023 | |
| February | February 19, 2023 | February 26 and March 4, 2023 |
Ques. Are the MAT 2026 exam dates confirmed or tentative?
Ans. The MAT September 2026 PBT (September 13) and CBT (September 20) dates are officially confirmed by AIMA on mat.aima.in. The December 2026 session dates are also out.
- February and May 2026 sessions have already been conducted as scheduled with no disruptions.
- December 2026 dates for PBT are scheduled for December 20, 2026, and the CBT is scheduled for December 27, 2026.
- For any last-minute schedule change, AIMA notifies registered students by email and updates mat.aima.in.
Download and Practice MAT Sample Papers:
How Many Times Is MAT Conducted in 2026?
AIMA conducts MAT four times in 2026: in February, May, September, and December.
- Each session is offered across two modes — PBT and CBT — giving students up to twelve appearance opportunities in the year.
- Students can register for and appear in more than one session, and most institutes accept the most recent or highest valid MAT score within the one-year validity window.
- For students who appeared in the February or May 2026 sessions but are dissatisfied with their scores, the September 2026 session is the immediately available retake opportunity.
- The December 2026 session is particularly well-timed for students targeting the January 2027 MBA intake, as results can be available before most January application deadlines close.
Ques. Can I appear in more than one MAT session in 2026?
Ans. Yes, AIMA allows students to appear in multiple MAT sessions in the same year. There is no restriction on the number of attempts.
- Each session requires a fresh registration and separate fee payment on mat.aima.in.
- Most institutes use the most recent or best MAT score within the 1-year validity period — verify each institute’s policy individually.
- Appearing in the September session does not prevent a student from also registering for the December 2026 session.
Ques. What happens if I miss the MAT 2026 September registration deadline?
Ans. AIMA does not accept late registrations. If you miss the PBT deadline (September 7), you could register for the CBT until September 14 — within the same session.
- If both the September PBT and CBT deadlines are missed, the next opportunity is the December 2026 session.
- IBT registration dates are separate and may offer an additional window — check mat.aima.in for the announcement.
- No hardship extensions or special consideration requests are entertained by AIMA under any circumstances.
MAT Exam Date 2026 FAQs
Ques. When is the MAT 2026 exam date?
Ans. MAT 2026 is conducted in four sessions. The next upcoming session is in December 2026, with PBT on December 20, 2026, and CBT on December 27, 2026.
- February 2026: PBT March 1, CBT March 8 — Concluded
- May 2026: PBT May 31, CBT June 14 — Concluded
- September 2026: PBT September 13, CBT September 20 — Upcoming
- December 2026: PBT December 20, 2026, CBT December 27, 2026 — Upcoming
Ques. When will MAT 2026 September session registration close?
Ans. MAT September 2026 PBT registration closed on September 7, 2026, and CBT registration closed on September 14, 2026.
- Register on mat.aima.in and pay the application fee online.
- IBT registration dates are announced separately — monitor mat.aima.in for updates.
- No extensions are offered by AIMA; apply well before the deadline to avoid last-minute issues.
Ques. When will the MAT 2026 September admit card be released?
Ans. The MAT September 2026 PBT admit card was released on September 10, 2026, and the CBT admit card was released around September 17, 2026 — approximately 3 days before each respective exam.
- Download from mat.aima.in using your registration number and date of birth.
- Carry a printout along with a valid original photo ID to the exam centre.
- Monitor mat.aima.in as the exact release date may shift by a day.
Ques. What time does the MAT 2026 exam start?
Ans. MAT 2026 PBT and CBT are held in a morning session. Students must report by 8:30 AM; exam gates close at 9:30 AM, with no entry permitted after that. The exam is 2 hours (120 minutes) long.
- Total questions: 200 across 5 sections with negative marking (–0.25 per wrong answer).
- For IBT, students select their slot at the time of registration.
- Confirm the exact timing from your admit card before exam day.
Ques. When will the MAT September 2026 result be declared?
Ans. The MAT September 2026 result is expected in the first week of October 2026, approximately 2–3 weeks after the PBT and CBT exams.
- Results are available on mat.aima.in; log in with your credentials to download the scorecard.
- The scorecard includes section-wise scores, composite score (out of 800), and overall percentile.
- The score is valid for 1 year and accepted by 500+ MBA/PGDM institutes across India.
Ques. When will the MAT 2026 answer key be released?
Ans. AIMA does not release an official MAT answer key for any session. Unofficial answer keys for the September 2026 session are expected from coaching institutes within 24–48 hours of each exam date.
- There is no official challenge or objection process for MAT questions.
- Use unofficial answer keys for approximate score estimation only; the official scorecard is the definitive reference.
Ques. When will MAT 2026 counselling begin?
Ans. AIMA does not conduct centralised counselling for MAT. Students apply directly to individual MBA/PGDM institutes using their MAT scorecard; each institute runs its own GD/WAT/PI selection process.
- Check the admission calendar of each institute you are targeting for their specific GD/PI dates.
- The MAT score is valid for 1 year, so students can apply across multiple rounds within the validity window.
- AIMA lists all MAT-accepting institutes at mat.aima.in.
Ques. How many times is MAT conducted in a year?
Ans. MAT is conducted four times a year — in February, May, September, and December — each across three modes: PBT, CBT, and IBT. This gives students up to twelve appearance opportunities annually.
- Each session requires fresh registration and fee payment on mat.aima.in.
- Students can appear in multiple sessions; there is no cap on the number of MAT attempts.
- Most institutes use the best or most recent score within the 1-year validity window — verify each institute’s policy.
Ques. Where can I check the official MAT 2026 exam dates?
Ans. All official MAT 2026 exam dates are published by AIMA on the official MAT portal at mat.aima.in.
- AIMA also sends email notifications to registered students when new session dates are released.
- Bookmark mat.aima.in and check regularly, especially for September IBT dates and the December 2026 session announcement expected around October 2026.
Ques. What is the MAT score validity period?
Ans. The MAT score is valid for one year from the date of result declaration. A score from the September 2026 result — expected in October 2026 — will remain valid until approximately September 2027.
- The 1-year window covers multiple rounds of MBA admissions at participating institutes.
- A composite score of 600+ and 80+ percentile is generally considered competitive for reputed MAT-accepting MBA programmes.
- Check each institute’s minimum MAT score requirement on its official website before applying.
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