MAT 2026 Question Paper and Answer Key with detailed solutions is available here to download in PDF format. MAT September 2026 Paper Based Test (PBT) was conducted on September 13, 2026, while the Computer Based Test (CBT) is scheduled to be held on September 20, 2026. The exam duration is 2 hours, and the test is generally conducted from 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon.
| Question Paper PDF | Answer Key PDF |
|---|---|
| MAT 2026 PBT Question Paper and Answer Key PDF (Sep 13, 2026) |
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| MAT 2026 CBT Question Paper and Answer Key PDF (Sep 20, 2026) |
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Candidates can use the MAT 2026 Question Paper and Answer Key to check the questions asked in Language Comprehension, Intelligence and Critical Reasoning, Mathematical Skills, Data Analysis and Sufficiency, and Economic and Business Environment. The detailed solutions will help candidates verify their responses, analyse the difficulty level of the questions and estimate their performance in the examination.
Click Here to Download: MAT Previous Year Question Paper with Solutions
MAT 2026 consists of five sections with 30 questions in each section, making a total of 150 questions. Candidates are given 120 minutes to complete the examination. Since every section contains an equal number of questions, each section accounts for approximately 20% of the total question count. There is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for every incorrect response.
Language Comprehension assesses reading, vocabulary and verbal ability, while Intelligence and Critical Reasoning focuses on logical and analytical reasoning. Mathematical Skills covers quantitative aptitude, Data Analysis and Sufficiency tests interpretation and data-based problem solving, and Economic and Business Environment evaluates awareness of business, economics and current developments.
| Section | Number of Questions | Approx. Weightage | Major Topics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Language Comprehension | 30 | 20% | Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, Grammar, Para Jumbles, Sentence Completion |
| Intelligence and Critical Reasoning | 30 | 20% | Logical Reasoning, Arrangements, Series, Coding, Statements and Conclusions |
| Mathematical Skills | 30 | 20% | Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Number System, Mensuration and Modern Mathematics |
| Data Analysis and Sufficiency | 30 | 20% | Tables, Bar Graphs, Pie Charts, Line Graphs, Caselets and Data Sufficiency |
| Economic and Business Environment | 30 | 20% | Business Awareness, Economy, Current Affairs, Corporate Developments and Government Policies |
| Total | 150 | 100% | - |
Language Comprehension contains 30 questions and accounts for approximately 20% of the total paper by question count. The section can include reading comprehension passages, vocabulary, grammar, sentence correction, para jumbles and verbal ability questions. Candidates need to balance reading speed with accuracy to complete this section efficiently.
Intelligence and Critical Reasoning also contains 30 questions. Questions generally assess logical thinking and the ability to analyse information. Important areas include arrangements, blood relations, direction sense, coding-decoding, series, statement-based reasoning and other analytical reasoning problems.
The Mathematical Skills section consists of 30 questions and tests quantitative aptitude and calculation skills. Arithmetic topics such as percentages, profit and loss, ratios, averages, time and work and time, speed and distance remain important along with Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration and Number System. Candidates should focus on accuracy because lengthy calculations can make this section time-consuming.
Data Analysis and Sufficiency contains 30 questions based on interpretation and evaluation of numerical information. Questions can be presented through tables, bar graphs, line graphs, pie charts and caselets. Data sufficiency questions require candidates to determine whether the information given in statements is sufficient to answer a particular problem.
Economic and Business Environment contains 30 questions and evaluates awareness of business, economic and current developments. Candidates can expect questions related to the Indian economy, major companies, business terminology, government policies, national and international developments, awards, appointments and other important events.
AIMA does not release a single common MAT cutoff for MBA admission. Participating B-schools determine their own cutoff scores or percentiles based on factors such as the number of applicants, available seats, programme requirements and candidate performance. Therefore, candidates should check the admission criteria of the individual colleges to which they plan to apply.
Based on previous admission trends, a percentile of around 90 or above can be competitive for several highly sought-after MAT-accepting institutes, while a percentile between 80 and 89 can provide opportunities at many established B-schools. Candidates with percentiles in the 70–79 range can also find options among several emerging and regional management institutes. Actual MAT 2026 cutoffs may vary from institute to institute.
| Institute Category | Expected MAT 2026 Cutoff | Admission Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| Highly Competitive MAT-Accepting B-Schools | 90+ Percentile | Strong score range for several competitive institutes |
| Established/Mid-Tier B-Schools | 80-89 Percentile | Competitive for many MBA/PGDM institutes |
| Emerging/Regional B-Schools | 70-79 Percentile | Can provide multiple admission options |
| Other MAT-Accepting Institutes | Below 70 Percentile | Options depend on individual institute cutoffs |
Note: The above cutoff ranges are indicative and based on previous admission trends. MAT does not have a centralised admission cutoff, and candidates should verify the final cutoff separately for each participating institute.
| Relevant Links | ||
|---|---|---|
| MAT Result | MAT Syllabus | MAT Preparation Tips |
| MAT Admit Card | MAT Cutoff | MAT Exam Pattern |
Ques: What is the exam duration of MAT 2026?
Ans: MAT 2026 is conducted for 120 minutes. Candidates have to attempt 150 questions distributed across five sections, with 30 questions in each section.
Ques: Is there negative marking in MAT 2026?
Ans: Yes. According to the current MAT test structure, 0.25 marks are deducted for every incorrect answer. Candidates should therefore avoid unnecessary guessing and focus on maintaining accuracy.
Ques: Which section has the highest weightage in MAT 2026?
Ans: All five sections contain 30 questions each, so they have equal weightage in terms of the number of questions. Each section represents approximately 20% of the 150-question paper.
Ques: What is a good percentile in MAT 2026?
Ans: There is no single MAT cutoff applicable to all colleges. However, a score of around 90 percentile or above can be competitive for several sought-after MAT-accepting B-schools, while the 80-89 percentile range can be suitable for many other established institutes. Candidates should check the individual admission cutoff of their target college.
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