MAT September 2026 score is accepted by over 600 MBA colleges across India, with minimum percentile requirements ranging from 50 to 80+ depending on the institution tier.

The Management Aptitude Test (MAT) September 2026, conducted by the All India Management Association (AIMA), gives students seeking MBA or PGDM admission a nationally recognised score accepted at hundreds of B-schools. Whether you are targeting a top-ranked private B-school or a regional management institute, knowing the college-specific minimum MAT percentile can help you shortlist programmes before results are declared and applications open.

  • MAT composite score is computed from 4 sections: Language Comprehension, Mathematical Skills, Data Analysis and Sufficiency, and Intelligence and Critical Reasoning — the Indian and Global Environment section is excluded from the composite.
  • Percentile, not raw score, is the primary admission metric used by all MAT-accepting colleges for shortlisting students.
  • Top MAT-accepting B-schools such as JIMS Delhi and LBSIM Delhi require 80+ and 75+ percentile respectively; strong B-schools like XISS Ranchi and Christ University generally expect 70+ percentile.
  • MAT September 2026 score will be valid for admissions to the 2026–28 batch at participating institutes and remains valid for one year from result declaration.
  • Students must apply separately to each college after the MAT result; meeting the cutoff earns a shortlist, followed by GD, WAT, and PI rounds before final selection.
Direct Link to MAT September 2026 Official Portal (ACTIVE) aima.in — MAT Official Portal

MAT September 2026 Score Overview

MAT September 2026 is one of four annual MAT sessions (February, May, September, December) administered by AIMA. The exam tests students across five sections, but only four contribute to the composite score used for B-school admissions. MAT scores are reported as a percentile — a percentile of 75 means you outperformed 75 per cent of all MAT test-takers in that session.

Parameter Details
Conducting Body All India Management Association (AIMA)
Exam Name Management Aptitude Test (MAT) September 2026
Total Sections 5 (only 4 counted for composite score)
Scored Sections Language Comprehension, Mathematical Skills, Data Analysis and Sufficiency, Intelligence and Critical Reasoning
Excluded Section Indian and Global Environment (not counted in composite)
Admission Metric Percentile (0–100)
Score Validity 1 year from result declaration date
Accepting Colleges 600+ B-schools across India
Exam Mode Paper-Based Test (PBT) and Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Batch MBA / PGDM 2026–28

MBA Colleges Accepting MAT September 2026 Score

The table below lists well-known MBA and PGDM institutes that accept MAT scores, along with the expected minimum percentile cutoff for each. All figures are expected, based on 2024–25 admission trends, and will be officially confirmed by each college when MAT September 2026 admissions open.

College Name Location Programme Min. MAT Percentile (Expected)
Jagan Institute of Management Studies (JIMS) Delhi PGDM 80+
Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management (LBSIM) Delhi PGDM 75+
Xavier Institute of Social Service (XISS) Ranchi PGDM / MBA 70+
Christ University Bangalore MBA 70+
IFIM Business School Bangalore PGDM 70+
Xavier Institute of Management and Entrepreneurship (XIME) Bangalore / Chennai / Kochi PGDM 65+
Birla Institute of Management Technology (BIMTECH) Greater Noida PGDM 65+
SDM Institute for Management Development (SDMIMD) Mysore PGDM 65+
Institute of Public Enterprise (IPE) Hyderabad MBA 60+
Amrita School of Business Coimbatore / Bangalore MBA 60+
Alliance University Bangalore MBA 60+
Institute for Integrated Learning in Management (IILM) Delhi / Gurugram PGDM 60+
ITM Business School Navi Mumbai PGDM 55+
Indus Business Academy (IBA) Bangalore PGDM 55+
Amity University Noida / Multiple Campuses MBA 50+
Chandigarh University Chandigarh MBA 50+
Lovely Professional University (LPU) Phagwara, Punjab MBA 50+
International School of Business and Media (ISBM) Pune PGDM 50+

All percentile cutoffs above are expected figures based on 2024–25 trends. Actual MAT September 2026 cutoffs will be set by each college individually once admissions open for the 2026–28 batch.


MAT Percentile Range vs College Tier

Use this tier-wise guide to identify the category of MBA colleges you can realistically target based on your expected or actual MAT September 2026 percentile:

MAT Percentile Range College Tier Colleges to Target
80–100 Tier 1 — Top MAT-Accepting JIMS Delhi, LBSIM Delhi, and equivalent nationally recognised PGDM institutes
70–80 Tier 2 — Strong B-Schools XISS Ranchi, Christ University, IFIM Business School, XIME (all campuses)
60–70 Tier 2–3 — Mid-Tier BIMTECH Greater Noida, SDMIMD Mysore, IPE Hyderabad, Amrita School of Business, Alliance University, IILM
50–60 Tier 3 — Regional / Private ITM Business School, IBA Bangalore, Amity University, Chandigarh University, LPU, ISBM Pune
Below 50 Open-Admission Institutes Regional private MBA colleges and state-level universities that accept MAT as one of several entrance scores

Note: A high MAT percentile does not provide access to IIMs or the top-20 national B-schools — those institutions accept only CAT scores for flagship MBA programmes. MAT is accepted primarily at private, deemed, and autonomous B-schools.


How to Apply to MBA Colleges Using MAT September 2026 Score

Meeting the MAT September 2026 cutoff is the first step. Here is the full process to convert your score into an admission offer:

  1. Download your MAT September 2026 scorecard from the AIMA official portal at aima.in after results are announced.
  2. Note your composite percentile — this is the figure colleges use to shortlist students. Keep your scorecard PDF ready.
  3. Shortlist target colleges using the percentile-to-tier table above. Apply to 5 to 8 colleges within or just above your percentile range.
  4. Visit each college’s official admission portal to read the 2026–28 batch notification, check application deadlines, and confirm MAT is an accepted score for the relevant programme.
  5. Submit your application — some colleges use the AIMA Score Reporting System for direct score submission; others require a separate online application form.
  6. Prepare for GD, WAT, and PI rounds — clearing the MAT cutoff earns a shortlist, not an offer. Final selection also weighs your academic record and work experience.
  7. Accept your offer within the deadline by paying the seat-acceptance fee to secure your admission to the 2026–28 MBA or PGDM batch.

Tip: Several colleges begin GD and PI rounds before MAT September 2026 results are officially declared. If you appeared in an earlier MAT session this year, keep that scorecard ready as a provisional document and apply early to avoid missing college deadlines.


MAT September 2026 Score Acceptance FAQs

Ques. How many MBA colleges accept MAT September 2026 scores?

Ans. Over 600 MBA and PGDM institutes across India accept MAT scores through AIMA’s participating-institution network. The actual count of programmes open to MAT September 2026 scores depends on each college’s intake and admission schedule for the 2026–28 batch.

Ques. What is the minimum MAT percentile needed for top MBA colleges?

Ans. Based on 2024–25 admission trends, JIMS Delhi expects 80+ percentile and LBSIM Delhi expects 75+ percentile. Strong B-schools such as XISS Ranchi, Christ University, and IFIM Business School generally require 70+ percentile. These are expected cutoffs for MAT September 2026 and will be officially confirmed by each college when admissions open.

Ques. Does a good MAT September 2026 percentile guarantee MBA admission?

Ans. No. Meeting or exceeding a college’s MAT percentile cutoff earns a shortlist, not a seat. Final selection depends on your performance in Group Discussion (GD), Written Ability Test (WAT), and Personal Interview (PI) rounds, along with your academic record and work experience.

Ques. For how long is a MAT September 2026 score valid?

Ans. MAT scores are valid for one year from the date of result declaration. Your MAT September 2026 score can be used for admissions to the 2026–28 batch. Applying for a later batch would require a fresh MAT attempt.

Ques. Can students with 50 percentile in MAT get MBA admission?

Ans. Yes. Several regional private MBA colleges and deemed universities accept MAT September 2026 scores at 50 percentile or below. These include Amity University, Chandigarh University, Lovely Professional University, and ISBM Pune, among others. Students should check each college’s official admission notification to confirm the threshold for the 2026–28 batch.

Ques. Do IIMs accept MAT September 2026 scores for MBA admission?

Ans. No. IIMs and most top-20 national B-schools accept only CAT scores for their flagship MBA programmes. MAT is accepted primarily at private, deemed, and autonomous B-schools. Students targeting IIMs must appear for CAT separately.