MAT September 2026 has two exam dates: 13 September for the Paper-Based Test (PBT) and 20 September for the Computer-Based Test (CBT). Both are conducted by AIMA (All India Management Association), and both routes lead to the same MAT score, valid for one year and accepted at over 600 MBA and PGDM institutes across India.
If your admit card has already landed, this is what to check before exam day. If you are still deciding which mode to take, or wondering what your score is actually good for afterward, that is covered here too.
For the official MAT 2026 notification, admit card, and any updates, use: mat.aima.in
MAT September 2026: the two exam dates
AIMA runs MAT four times a year: February, May, September, and December. For the September 2026 cycle specifically:
- PBT (Paper-Based Test): 13 September 2026, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Reporting time 8:30 AM, gate closure at 9:45 AM.
- CBT (Computer-Based Test): 20 September 2026.
A note on exam modes: the Internet-Based Test (IBT), which AIMA used to offer as a third option, was discontinued in 2025 and is not available for the 2026 cycle. If you have come across older MAT guides that mention IBT registration, that mode no longer exists. Only PBT and CBT are offered now.
You can take one mode or both. AIMA offers a fee concession for candidates who register for both PBT and CBT in the same session, and since colleges typically consider your best score within the validity window, taking both modes is a reasonable way to maximize your chances if your schedule allows it.
MAT September 2026 exam-day checklist
Whether you are sitting for PBT or CBT, a few things are non-negotiable on exam day.
- Admit card: printed, clear, and matching your registration details exactly. PBT admit cards were released 10 September; CBT admit cards release 17 September, both via mat.aima.in.
- Valid photo ID: an original, not a photocopy. Aadhaar, PAN, passport, voter ID, or driving license are typically accepted; check your specific admit card for the exact list AIMA has specified for your slot.
- Reporting time: arrive well before the gate closure time printed on your admit card. For the 13 September PBT slot, gates close at 9:45 AM for a 10:00 AM start. Arriving at gate closure time, rather than before it, risks losing your seat.
- Permitted stationery: for PBT, carry a black or blue ballpoint pen as specified on your admit card. Pencils and erasers are generally not required since MAT PBT uses OMR-style answer marking.
- Prohibited items: mobile phones, smartwatches, calculators, and any electronic device are not allowed inside the exam hall for either mode. Leave them with whoever is dropping you off, or do not bring them at all.
MAT September 2026 exam pattern, briefly
MAT tests five sections: Language Comprehension, Intelligence and Critical Reasoning, Data Analysis and Sufficiency, Mathematical Skills, and Indian and Global Environment. Each section carries 40 questions, for 150 questions total, to be completed in 120 minutes. The marking scheme awards +1 for each correct answer and deducts 0.25 for each incorrect answer.
Composite score calculation:
MAT score validity: how long your score actually lasts
A MAT score is valid for one year from the date of the exam. If you take the September 2026 MAT, your score remains usable for admissions cycles through September 2027, after which you would need to retake the exam if you want to apply using a MAT score again.
Because AIMA conducts MAT four times a year, this validity window gives you meaningfully more flexibility than a single-attempt annual exam. If your September score does not land where you hoped, you have the December 2026 session, and again in early 2027, still within a reasonable planning window for most admission cycles.
PGDM colleges accepting MAT scores in Delhi NCR
More than 600 MBA and PGDM institutes across India accept MAT scores as part of their admission process. In Delhi NCR specifically, several well-known institutes evaluate MAT scores alongside other criteria.
| Institute | Location | MAT Accepted |
| FIIB (Fortune Institute of International Business) | Vasant Vihar, New Delhi | Yes |
| Jaipuria Institute of Management | Noida, NCR | Yes |
| BIMTECH | Greater Noida, NCR | Yes |
| JIMS (Jagan Institute of Management Studies) | Delhi | Yes |
| Jamia Hamdard | New Delhi | Yes |
FIIB accepts MAT scores as one of several entrance exam routes into its PGDM and PGDM-FM programs, alongside CAT, XAT, and other national-level scores. Like most institutes in this list, FIIB evaluates MAT applicants on a fuller profile beyond just the percentile: academic record, work experience where applicable, and performance in the personal interview process.
FIIB’s specific MAT cutoff percentile for the 2027 intake: Equal to or greater than 60
What to do after your MAT score arrives
Once your MAT score is out, it becomes one input into a broader PGDM application, not the whole application. Institutes weigh your academic background, any relevant work experience, and how you perform in group discussions or personal interviews, alongside your MAT percentile.
If FIIB’s PGDM or PGDM-FM programs are on your list, it is worth reviewing the program structure and admissions process while your MAT prep or score is still fresh in mind, rather than waiting until results are out to start researching institutes.
FAQs
Q: What are the MAT September 2026 exam dates?
MAT September 2026 PBT (Paper-Based Test) is on 13 September 2026, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. MAT September 2026 CBT (Computer-Based Test) is on 20 September 2026. Both are conducted by AIMA at mat.aima.in.
Q: How long is a MAT score valid?
A MAT score is valid for one year from the date of the exam. A September 2026 MAT score can be used for admissions cycles through September 2027.
Q: Which PGDM colleges accept MAT scores?
More than 600 MBA and PGDM institutes across India accept MAT scores. In Delhi NCR, this includes FIIB, Jaipuria Institute of Management (Noida), BIMTECH (Greater Noida), JIMS, and Jamia Hamdard, among others. Each institute sets its own cutoff and evaluates MAT scores alongside academic background and interview performance.
Q: What should I carry on MAT exam day?
Your admit card (printed and matching your registration details) and a valid original photo ID are mandatory. For PBT, carry a black or blue ballpoint pen. Mobile phones, smartwatches, and calculators are not permitted inside the exam hall for either PBT or CBT.
Q: Is the MAT IBT mode still available in 2026?
No. AIMA discontinued the Internet-Based Test (IBT) mode in 2025. For the 2026 cycle, only PBT (Paper-Based Test) and CBT (Computer-Based Test) are offered.
Q: Does FIIB accept MAT scores for PGDM admission?
Yes. FIIB accepts MAT scores as one of several entrance exam routes into its PGDM and PGDM-FM programs, alongside CAT, XAT, and other national-level scores. Applicants are evaluated on a fuller profile beyond the percentile, including academic record and personal interview performance.
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