Top MBA colleges accepting MAT September 2026 scores typically require a composite score of 600 or above, with premier B-schools like FORE School of Management and Great Lakes expecting 700 or above.
MAT (Management Aptitude Test) September 2026, conducted by AIMA (All India Management Association), is accepted by over 600 MBA and PGDM institutes across India. The composite score, reported on a scale of 200 to 800, is the primary benchmark colleges use to shortlist students for Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI) rounds.
- MAT September 2026 composite score is reported on a scale of 200 to 800.
- Top-tier B-schools such as FORE, Great Lakes and LBSIM expect a composite score of 700 or above.
- Mid-tier MBA colleges typically accept students with a composite score between 500 and 650.
- Expected cutoffs below are based on MAT 2025 and previous year trends; official 2026 cutoffs will be announced post-result.
- Most colleges follow a GD-PI selection process after initial MAT score-based shortlisting.
| Direct Link: MAT September 2026 Official Website (AIMA) |
MAT September 2026 Composite Score Overview
The MAT composite score is calculated from four of the five test sections. The fifth section, Indian and Global Environment, is not counted in the composite score but its score is shared with colleges that request it.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | AIMA (All India Management Association) |
| Session | September 2026 |
| Composite Score Range | 200 to 800 |
| Sections Counted in Composite | Language Comprehension; Mathematical Skills; Data Analysis and Sufficiency; Intelligence and Critical Reasoning |
| Section Not Counted | Indian and Global Environment |
| Total Questions | 200 (40 per section) |
| Institutes Accepting MAT | 600+ |
| Official Website | aima.in |
Top MBA Colleges Accepting MAT September 2026 Score
The table below lists reputed MBA and PGDM colleges that accept MAT September 2026 scores along with their expected minimum composite score cutoffs, based on 2025 and previous year admission data.
| College Name | Location | Programme | Expected MAT Composite Score (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| FORE School of Management | New Delhi | PGDM | 700+ |
| Great Lakes Institute of Management | Chennai / Gurgaon | PGDM / PGPM | 700+ |
| LBSIM (Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management) | New Delhi | PGDM | 700+ |
| TAPMI (T.A. Pai Management Institute) | Manipal | MBA | 700+ |
| BIM (Bharathidasan Institute of Management) | Trichy | MBA | 650+ |
| IFMR Graduate School of Business | Chennai | MBA | 650+ |
| Christ University | Bangalore | MBA | 650+ |
| K.J. Somaiya Institute of Management | Mumbai | MBA / PGDM | 600+ |
| Welingkar Institute of Management | Mumbai / Bangalore | PGDM | 600+ |
| SDMIMD (Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Institute) | Mysore | PGDM | 550+ |
| Jagan Institute of Management Studies (JIMS) | New Delhi | PGDM | 550+ |
| Amity University | Noida | MBA | 500+ |
| IMS Ghaziabad | Ghaziabad | PGDM | 500+ |
| Alliance University | Bangalore | MBA | 500+ |
| NDIM (New Delhi Institute of Management) | New Delhi | PGDM | 450+ |
Expected cutoffs are based on MAT 2025 trends and previous year data. Actual cutoffs for MAT September 2026 will be announced by individual institutes after results are declared.
MAT September 2026 Expected Cutoff by Percentile
Many MBA colleges specify their MAT cutoff in terms of percentile. The table below maps expected composite score ranges to approximate percentile bands for MAT September 2026, based on previous year trends.
| MAT Composite Score (Expected 2026) | Approximate Percentile | Colleges in This Range |
|---|---|---|
| 730 to 800 | 99+ percentile | FORE School of Management, Great Lakes, LBSIM, TAPMI |
| 680 to 729 | 95 to 98 percentile | BIM Trichy, IFMR, Christ University |
| 600 to 679 | 85 to 94 percentile | K.J. Somaiya, Welingkar, SDMIMD |
| 500 to 599 | 70 to 84 percentile | IMS Ghaziabad, Amity, Alliance University |
| 400 to 499 | 50 to 69 percentile | State-level and Tier-3 B-schools |
Composite score to percentile mapping is based on MAT 2025 session data. The actual mapping for MAT September 2026 may vary depending on exam difficulty and total number of test takers.
MAT September 2026 Admission Criteria
While each institute sets its own criteria, most MBA colleges accepting MAT September 2026 scores follow a multi-stage selection process. The table below outlines general eligibility and selection stages.
| Selection Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Basic Eligibility | Bachelor’s degree in any discipline with minimum 50% aggregate (45% for SC/ST) from a recognised university |
| MAT Score Requirement | Students must meet the minimum composite score or percentile cutoff set by each college |
| Shortlisting | Colleges shortlist students based on their MAT September 2026 composite score or percentile |
| Group Discussion (GD) | Shortlisted students may be called for a GD round; not all colleges conduct this stage |
| Personal Interview (PI) | Students who clear shortlisting or the GD stage appear for a PI conducted by the institute |
| Final Merit List | Based on MAT score, GD/PI performance, academic record and work experience where applicable |
| Work Experience | Required by some colleges such as Great Lakes PGPM; most full-time MBA programmes do not mandate it |
Students are advised to check the official admission notification of each college for their specific selection criteria and weightage breakdown before applying.
Factors Affecting MAT September 2026 Cutoff
The expected cutoff for MAT September 2026 at each college depends on several variables. Understanding these can help you set realistic score targets and plan applications accordingly.
- Total number of test takers: A larger applicant pool generally pushes cutoffs higher due to greater competition for the same number of seats.
- Paper difficulty: If MAT September 2026 is harder than previous sessions composite scores will be lower and colleges may adjust cutoffs accordingly.
- Seats available: Institutes with fewer MBA seats tend to maintain higher composite score requirements.
- Institute reputation: Premier B-schools maintain higher cutoffs to attract high-scoring students year after year.
- Category reservation: SC, ST, OBC-NCL and PwD students are often admitted at lower composite scores as per government reservation norms applicable to each institute.
- Academic profile and work experience: Some institutes may offer relaxation in MAT score requirements for students with strong academics or relevant work experience.
MAT September 2026 Top MBA Colleges FAQs
Ques. What is the minimum MAT composite score required for a top MBA college in 2026?
Ans. Based on previous year trends, a composite score of 700 or above is expected for top-tier MBA colleges such as FORE School of Management, Great Lakes Institute of Management and LBSIM. A score of 600 or above is generally sufficient for good mid-tier B-schools accepting MAT September 2026 scores.
Ques. How many MBA colleges accept MAT September 2026 scores?
Ans. Over 600 MBA and PGDM institutes across India accept MAT scores, including both autonomous private institutes and government-affiliated business schools spread across multiple states.
Ques. Is MAT composite score or percentile used for shortlisting students?
Ans. Different colleges use different formats. Some institutes specify their cutoff as a composite score on a scale of 200 to 800 while others state it as a percentile. Students should check the individual college admission notification to confirm which format applies to their preferred institute.
Ques. Can I apply to multiple MBA colleges with one MAT September 2026 score?
Ans. Yes. A single MAT September 2026 score is accepted by over 600 colleges. You can apply to as many institutes as you wish by sharing your MAT score with each college separately during their individual application processes.
Ques. Do MBA colleges consider only the MAT score for final admission?
Ans. No. Most institutes use the MAT September 2026 composite score only as a shortlisting criterion. Final admission typically considers Group Discussion and Personal Interview performance, academic record and work experience where applicable.
Ques. What sections are included in the MAT September 2026 composite score?
Ans. The MAT composite score is derived from four 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 score calculation, though its score is shared with institutes that request it.
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