MAT Exam Dates 2026: September Registration Open, PBT CBT Schedule and Shift Timing

The MAT 2026 September session exam dates have been officially announced on mat.aima.in. AIMA (All India Management Association) has scheduled the MAT September 2026 PBT on September 13, 2026, and the CBT on September 20, 2026. Of the four annual sessions, February and May 2026 have already been conducted; the September session is the next open window, with December 2026 session dates yet to be announced.

• MAT September 2026 PBT is scheduled for September 13, 2026; PBT registration closes September 7, 2026.
• MAT September 2026 CBT will be held on September 20, 2026; CBT registration closes September 14, 2026.
• MAT September 2026 IBT (Internet Based Test) dates are yet to be announced separately on mat.aima.in.
• February 2026 session (PBT: March 1, CBT: March 8) and May 2026 session (PBT: May 31, CBT: June 14) have already been conducted.
• December 2026 session dates are yet to be announced; based on 2025 trends, the December PBT typically falls in the second week of December.
• MAT score is valid for one year from the date of result declaration and is accepted by 500+ MBA and PGDM institutes across India.

For all the current updates, you should regularly visit the official website mat.aima.in, for official information regarding final dates and schedule.

Key Summary

In this Article, we have discussed about MAT 2026 Exam Dates, Session-wise Schedule, and Previous Year Date Trends.

• MAT September 2026 PBT is on September 13 and CBT is on September 20, 2026; PBT registration closes September 7, 2026.
• MAT 2026 is conducted in four sessions — February, May, September, and December — across three modes: PBT, CBT, and IBT.
• Admit cards for the September 2026 session are expected approximately 3–5 days before each exam date; download from mat.aima.in.
• MAT September 2026 results are expected in the last week of September 2026; December session results typically follow 2–3 weeks after the exam.
• MAT score is valid for one year from result declaration and is accepted by 500+ B-schools for MBA/PGDM admission across India.

What are the MAT 2026 Exam Dates?

MAT 2026 is conducted across four sessions in a year: February, May, September, and December. Each session offers three mode options — PBT, CBT, and IBT — allowing students to choose based on their comfort and preparation level. Students register separately for each session and mode they wish to attempt. Below is a detailed breakdown of every key event in the MAT 2026 calendar.

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 September 2026 session, PBT registration is currently open (closing September 7), and CBT registration remains open until September 14 — giving students who miss the PBT deadline a second chance within the same session.

• February 2026 – PBT Registration Closed: February 23, 2026
• February 2026 – CBT Registration Closed: March 2, 2026
• May 2026 – PBT Registration Closed: May 25, 2026
• May 2026 – CBT Registration Closed: June 8, 2026
• September 2026 – PBT Registration Last Date: September 7, 2026
• September 2026 – CBT Registration Last Date: September 14, 2026
• September 2026 – IBT Registration Dates: To be Announced
• December 2026 – Registration Dates: To be Announced (expected October 2026)

Note: The MAT 2026 February and May session registration windows are now closed. Students wishing to appear in 2026 must register for the September or December session. AIMA does not accept late registrations under any circumstances.

Ques. When will MAT 2026 September registration close?

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.

• February 2026 – PBT Admit Card: February 26, 2026 (Released)
• February 2026 – CBT Admit Card: March 5, 2026 (Released)
• May 2026 – PBT Admit Card: May 28, 2026 (Released)
• May 2026 – CBT Admit Card: June 11, 2026 (Released)
• September 2026 – PBT Admit Card: ~September 10, 2026 (Expected)
• September 2026 – CBT Admit Card: September 17, 2026 (Expected)
• September 2026 – IBT Admit Card: 24–48 hours before selected slot (pattern-based estimate)
• December 2026 – Admit Card: To be Announced

Note: Report to the exam centre at least 30 minutes before the scheduled exam. Late entry is not permitted under any circumstances — even if you hold a valid admit card. For IBT, ensure a stable internet connection and functioning webcam before your slot begins.

MAT 2026 Exam Day Schedule

MAT PBT and CBT are conducted in a single morning session. Students must be at the exam centre by 8:30 AM; gates close at 9:30 AM and no entry is allowed after that. The exam covers 200 questions across five sections in 2 hours (120 minutes). For the IBT mode, students log in from their home device during their pre-selected slot. Negative marking applies across all modes.

• Modes: PBT (offline, designated centres) / CBT (authorised AIMA test centres) / IBT (from home via internet)
• Reporting Time (PBT/CBT): 8:30 AM
• Gate Closure (PBT/CBT): 9:30 AM — no entry after this time under any circumstances
• Exam Duration: 2 hours (120 minutes)
• Total Questions: 200 (40 questions × 5 sections)
• Sections: Language Comprehension | Mathematical Skills | Data Analysis and Sufficiency | Intelligence and Critical Reasoning | Indian and Global Environment
• Marking Scheme: +1 for correct; –0.25 for incorrect (negative marking applies to all modes)
• Items to Carry (PBT/CBT): Printed admit card + original photo ID (Aadhaar, Passport, Voter ID, PAN Card)
• For IBT: Stable internet connection, webcam, and a quiet private room are mandatory

Note: Report to the exam centre at least 30 minutes before the scheduled start. Late entry is not permitted — even with a valid admit card. Check the specific instructions printed on your admit card for any additional requirements at your assigned centre.

Ques. What time does the MAT 2026 exam start?

MAT 2026 Answer Key Dates

AIMA does not release an official MAT answer key in the public domain, and there is no official objection or challenge process for MAT — unlike JEE Main or NEET UG. Leading MBA coaching institutes and exam portals typically publish unofficial answer keys within 24–48 hours of each session’s exam. Students can use these for approximate score estimation before the official result is declared.

• Official Answer Key: Not released by AIMA for any session or mode
• Unofficial Answer Key – February 2026 PBT (March 1): Published by coaching institutes post-exam (available)
• Unofficial Answer Key – May 2026 PBT (May 31): Published by coaching institutes post-exam (available)
• Unofficial Answer Key – September 2026 PBT: Expected within 24–48 hours after September 13, 2026
• Unofficial Answer Key – September 2026 CBT: Expected within 24–48 hours after September 20, 2026

Ques. Does MAT 2026 have an official answer key?

MAT 2026 Result Dates

MAT results 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.

• February 2026 Result: 4th Week of March 2026 (Declared)
• May 2026 Result: Last Week of June 2026 (Declared)
• September 2026 Result: Last Week of September 2026 (Expected)
• December 2026 Result: Expected January 2027 (exact dates TBA)

Note: MAT scores are valid for one year from the date of result declaration. A score from the September 2026 result — expected late September 2026 — will remain valid until approximately September 2027, covering multiple rounds of MBA admissions at participating institutes.

Ques. When will the MAT September 2026 result be declared?

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, and 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?

Year-wise MAT Exam Dates and Trends

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 table below captures the session-wise PBT and CBT exam dates for the past five years. Each row shows how the scheduling pattern has held firm, helping students project upcoming dates with reasonable confidence:

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, students can tentatively plan around the 2nd Sunday (December 13, 2026) for PBT and December 20, 2026 for CBT — pending the official AIMA announcement expected around October 2026.

Ques. Are the MAT 2026 exam dates confirmed or tentative?

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 three modes — PBT, CBT, and IBT — 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.

• 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, IBT TBA — Upcoming
• December 2026: All dates to be announced (expected announcement October 2026) — TBA

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, with registration currently open. The December 2026 session is particularly well-timed for students targeting 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?

Ques. What happens if I miss the MAT 2026 September registration deadline?

Countdown to MAT 2026 September Exam

As of July 29, 2026, students have approximately 40–53 days remaining to prepare for the MAT September 2026 session. The countdown table below shows the days remaining until each key milestone, helping students plan study schedules and avoid missing critical administrative deadlines:

Source: Calculated from July 29, 2026 (article publish date) against the official MAT 2026 September session schedule published at mat.aima.in