Planning to appear for the MAT exam in 2026? Whether you are a fresh graduate, a working professional, or a healthcare aspirant aiming for a PGDM in Hospital and Health Management, this guide covers everything you need — dates, eligibility, syllabus, registration, and how your MAT score opens the door toTop PGDM Colleges in Delhi NCR.
What Is the MAT Exam? (Full Form & Overview)
MAT stands for Management Aptitude Test. Conducted by the All India Management Association (AIMA) since 1988, it is a national-level MBA/PGDM entrance exam accepted by 600+ B-schools across India. Unlike CAT, which is held once a year with great difficulty, MAT runs four times a year, is fully MCQ-based, and offers two exam modes: Paper-Based Test (PBT) and Computer-Based Test (CBT). For students targeting a PGDM in healthcare management, the MAT Exam is often the most strategic and accessible route.
MAT 2026 Exam Dates ( All Four Sessions )
| Session | Mode | Exam Dates | Registration Opens |
| February 2026 | PBT + CBT | March 1 (PBT) | March 8 (CBT) | December 25, 2025 |
| May 2026 | PBT + CBT | ~May 17 (PBT) | ~May 24 (CBT) | Last week of March 2026 |
| September 2026 | PBT + CBT | Dates TBA by AIMA | TBA |
| December 2026 | PBT + CBT | Dates TBA by AIMA | TBA |
Registration fee: ₹2,200 for a single mode | ₹3,800 for both PBT + CBT. Apply at mat.aima.in
MAT 2026 Eligibility — Who Can Apply?
MAT has one of the most open eligibility criteria of any management entrance exam in India:
✓ Any graduate from any recognised university, in any discipline
✓ Final-year students are eligible to apply provisionally
✓ No minimum percentage required by AIMA
✓ No age limit — freshers and working professionals both eligible
✓ MBBS, BPharm, nursing, science, arts, commerce graduates — all can apply
This openness makes MAT ideal for healthcare professionals transitioning into management roles — a segment IIHMR Delhi specifically welcomes.
MAT Exam Pattern 2026 — Structure at a Glance
| Section | Questions | Marks | Counts in Score? |
| Language Comprehension | 30 | 30 | ✅ Yes |
| Intelligence & Critical Reasoning | 30 | 30 | ✅ Yes |
| Mathematical Skills | 30 | 30 | ✅ Yes |
| Data Analysis & Data Sufficiency | 30 | 30 | ✅ Yes |
| Indian & Global Environment (GK) | 30 | 30 | ⚠️ Reported separately |
| Total | 150 | 150 | 120 minutes | No sectional time limit |
Marking scheme: +1 for every correct answer, −0.25 for every wrong answer. Aim to attempt 90–100 questions for a strong percentile. The GK section score is reported separately — it does not affect your composite score, but many institutes review it during GD/PI.
MAT Exam Syllabus 2026 — Key Topics by Section
Language Comprehension
Reading Comprehension passages, grammar, vocabulary, para-jumbles, sentence correction, fill-in-the-blanks. Tip: Practice editorials from quality newspapers daily.
Intelligence & Critical Reasoning
Puzzles, arrangements (linear + circular), blood relations, coding-decoding, critical reasoning, cause and effect, assumptions. This is the highest-scoring section for prepared candidates.
Mathematical Skills
Arithmetic (percentages, ratios, profit/loss, time-speed-distance) makes up ~40–50% of this section. Also covers algebra, geometry, and number systems. Master arithmetic first — it delivers the highest return on preparation time.
Data Analysis & Data Sufficiency
Bar charts, pie charts, tables, line graphs, mixed DI sets. Practice reading and interpreting multiple chart types simultaneously under time pressure.
Indian & Global Environment
Current affairs, economic and business news, fiscal policy basics, who’s who, and awards. Fifteen minutes of daily news reading is enough for this section.
How to Register for MAT 2026 — Step-by-Step
1. Visit mat.aima.in and click ‘Register.’
2. Create an account with your name, DOB, email, and phone number
3. Choose your exam mode (PBT / CBT) and preferred test city
4. Select up to 5 B-schools to receive your score (7 if you choose both modes)
5. Upload your photo (10–50 KB) and signature (5–30 KB)
6. Pay the fee online — ₹2,200 (single mode) or ₹3,800 (both modes)
7. Submit the form and download your confirmation receipt
MAT score is valid for one year. You can appear in multiple sessions and submit your best score.
MAT Score for PGDM Admission at IIHMR Delhi
IIHMR Delhi, which ranked among India’s top healthcare management institutes, accepts MAT scores for its flagship PGDM (Hospital and Health Management) programme. The two-year, full-time PGDM is AICTE-approved, NAAC ‘A’ graded, and AIU-recognized as MBA-equivalent.
| IIHMR Delhi PGDM — Quick Facts | Details |
| Programme | PGDM (Hospital & Health Management) — 2 years, full-time |
| Exams Accepted | MAT, CAT, XAT, CMAT, ATMA, GMAT, GPAT, JRF — or DMAT (IIHMR’s own online test) |
| Fees | ₹9.25 Lakhs total | Scholarships for SC/ST/OBC/EWS, Northeast, and merit students |
| Placements 2025 | 145+ placed | 90+ recruiters | Avg. 7–7.5 LPA | Highest 25.4 LPA |
| Top Recruiters | Apollo, Fortis, Max Healthcare, Deloitte, EY, WHO, UNICEF, Ministry of Health |
| Rankings 2025 | #31 Best B-School in Healthcare (India Today) | #12 Top North B-Schools (Times) |
IIHMR Delhi Admission Process After MAT
8. Appear for MAT (or DMAT — IIHMR’s own online test from home)
9. Submit application at applynow.iihmrdelhi.edu.in (fee: ₹1,000)
10. Shortlisting based on MAT score (45% weight) + academic record
11. Group Discussion (GD) — 15% weight
12. Personal Interview (PI) — 15% weight
13. Final merit list and admission offer
3 Quick MAT Preparation Tips for 2026
- Start with Arithmetic first — percentages, ratios, and time-speed-distance cover nearly half the Maths section. Strong arithmetic alone can push your composite score significantly.
- Take at least 8 full-length MAT mock tests before exam day. Free mocks are available on the AIMA portal. Analyze each test: where did you lose time? Where were the errors?
- Don’t ignore the GK section. It takes only 15 minutes a day to prepare — one newspaper + one business headline app. Institutes like IIHMR Delhi review this score during the interview stage.
Ready to Start?
In conclusion, the MAT Exam 2026 remains one of the most versatile and student-friendly gateways for those aspiring to enter the dynamic world of healthcare management. With four testing windows and multiple exam modes, it offers the flexibility needed to secure a seat in the Top PGDM Colleges in Delhi NCR. Whether you are a fresh graduate or a working professional, mastering the MAT syllabus is your first step toward a leadership role at IIHMR Delhi.
Don’t let the opportunity pass you by, Check the PGDM Admission Process today to align your MAT preparation with our upcoming 2026 intake and take charge of your professional future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is MAT easier than CAT?
Yes — significantly. MAT has 150 moderate-difficulty MCQs with no non-MCQ questions. CAT has 68 harder questions including Type-In-The-Answer format. For healthcare management PGDM aspirants, MAT is the more practical exam choice.
How many times can I appear for MAT?
Unlimited. MAT runs four times a year — February, May, September, and December. You can appear in every session and submit your best score. Colleges accept any score earned within the past 12 months.
Can MBBS or BPharm graduates apply for PGDM at IIHMR Delhi?
Absolutely. IIHMR Delhi accepts graduates from any background — science, arts, commerce, MBBS, nursing, or pharmacy. Clinical professionals are especially valued because their domain knowledge is a direct asset in healthcare management roles.
What is DMAT?
DMAT is IIHMR Delhi’s own online Management Aptitude Test — taken from home. It is a valid alternative to MAT or CAT for PGDM admission at IIHMR Delhi, making the application process flexible for working professionals.