MAT 2025 December Exam Registration Starts Today; Test to Be Held in PBT and CBT Modes
The Management Aptitude Test (MAT) December 2025 registration window is now officially open for MBA/PGDM aspirants. Conducted by AIMA, the exam offers a dual-mode option: PBT on December 13 (deadline December 7) and CBT on December 21 (deadline December 15). This national-level test is accepted by over 800 B-schools. This article provides essential details on the registration process, the updated exam pattern with negative marking, the fee structure for single and dual attempts, and the strategic advantages of appearing in this final cycle of the year. Apply promptly at mat.aima.in to secure your preferred test mode.
The final and most crucial cycle of the year for MBA admissions has officially begun. The All India Management Association (AIMA) has activated the registration window for the Management Aptitude Test (MAT) December 2025 session. This national-level entrance exam is a vital gateway to hundreds of reputed Business Schools (B-schools) across India for admission into their MBA/PGDM programs for the 2026 academic session.
What makes the MAT exam unique is its offering of multiple modes: the traditional Paper-Based Test (PBT) and the modern Computer-Based Test (CBT). The December session offers both modes on two separate dates: the PBT is scheduled for December 13, 2025, and the CBT is slated for December 21, 2025. Aspirants have the strategic flexibility to choose one mode, or even both, to maximize their score and potential for admission. The deadline to register for the PBT mode is December 7, 2025, while the deadline for the CBT mode is December 15, 2025. With limited time remaining, all serious MBA candidates must rush to the official website, mat.aima.in, to complete their application and lock in their preferred test slot.
MAT December 2025 Schedule and Registration Deadlines
The ability to choose between PBT and CBT, and even appear for both, gives MAT aspirants a significant advantage over single-attempt examinations. However, this flexibility requires strict adherence to the differing deadlines for each mode.
- Key Dates for MAT December 2025 Cycle:
- Online Application Starts: Early November 2025
- PBT Registration Deadline:December 7, 2025
- PBT Admit Card Release: December 10, 2025
- PBT Exam Date: December 13, 2025
- CBT Registration Deadline:December 15, 2025
- CBT Admit Card Release: December 18, 2025
- CBT Exam Date: December 21, 2025
- Strategic Choice of Test Mode:
- PBT Mode: Recommended for candidates who are more comfortable with the traditional paper-and-pen format, especially for managing rough work and marking answers on an OMR sheet.
- CBT Mode: Ideal for candidates who are comfortable with the digital interface, offering the convenience of editing answers directly on screen.
- Dual Mode Advantage (PBT + CBT): Candidates opting for both modes pay a reduced combined fee (₹3,800 vs. ₹2,200 for a single mode) and can use their best score from the two attempts, significantly enhancing their percentile and B-school acceptance probability.
- Application Fee Structure (Strictly Online Payment):
- Single Test Mode (PBT or CBT): ₹2,200
- Dual Test Mode (PBT + CBT): ₹3,800 (Provides two scorecards for increased admission opportunities).
Understanding the MAT Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme
The MAT exam pattern is structured to assess five core competencies essential for management roles. Aspirants must be fully familiar with the scoring system, particularly the negative marking, to optimize their attempt strategy.
- MAT 2025 Exam Overview:
- Total Questions: 150 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs).
- Total Duration: 120 minutes (2 hours).
- Scoring: +1 Mark for every correct answer, and a penalty of -0.25 Marks for every incorrect answer. This negative marking necessitates thoughtful attempts.
- Total Scaled Score: The official scaled score for the four main sections (excluding Economic & Business Environment) is 800.
- Sectional Composition and Weightage:
- The exam is divided into five sections, with 30 questions in each:
- Language Comprehension: Tests grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension skills.
- Mathematical Skills (Quantitative Aptitude): Covers Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, and Number Systems.
- Data Analysis and Sufficiency (DI/DS): Focuses on interpreting data from tables, charts, and graphs.
- Intelligence and Critical Reasoning: Evaluates logical and analytical thinking through puzzles, analogies, and syllogisms.
- Economic and Business Environment (General Awareness): Assesses knowledge of static General Knowledge and current affairs related to business and economy (scores often reported separately by B-schools).
- The exam is divided into five sections, with 30 questions in each:
- Syllabus Alignment:
- The syllabus broadly aligns with the preparatory material for other national-level MBA entrances, making the MAT December cycle an excellent final check or safety net for candidates simultaneously appearing for CAT, XAT, or CMAT.
B-Schools, Eligibility, and The MAT Score Acceptance Advantage
The primary advantage of the MAT exam lies in its wide acceptance network, providing a crucial late-stage admission option for MBA aspirants targeting the 2026 intake batch.
- Eligibility Criteria:
- Academic Qualification: A candidate must hold a Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a recognized University.
- Final Year Students: Students currently in their final year of the graduation program are fully eligible to apply.
- Age Limit: There is no upper age limit for appearing in the MAT exam.
- Minimum Score: AIMA does not mandate a minimum score; however, most participating B-schools typically look for a composite score above the 500-mark range (or equivalent percentile) for admission.
- Top B-Schools Accepting MAT Scores (Partial List):
- The score is accepted by over 800 reputed institutions, offering diverse specialisations in Finance, Marketing, HR, Operations, and Business Analytics.
- Premier institutions like Amity University, Christ University (Bengaluru), BIMTECH (Greater Noida), Balaji Institute of Modern Management (Pune), and many others rely on the MAT score for their admissions process.
- Strategic Timing:
- The December cycle is perfectly timed to coincide with the closing admission processes of many colleges, making it the last major national test for securing a seat in the next academic year. Candidates can apply to five institutes of their choice through the MAT application fee itself.
Conclusion: Final Push Towards MBA Admission
The opening of MAT December 2025 registration provides a timely, flexible, and essential opportunity for securing an MBA/PGDM seat. With the PBT and CBT deadlines on December 7 and December 15, respectively, candidates must choose their test mode and complete registration immediately at mat.aima.in. The chance to take the exam in two modes and use the best score is a strategic advantage that should not be overlooked. Focus on the core five sections and practice accuracy to tackle the negative marking. The December MAT is your final, best chance to enter a top B-school in 2026.
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