MAT Exam February 2026 Analysis: Difficulty Level, Section-wise Review & Expected Cutoff

MAT Exam Analysis 2026

MAT February 2026 exam will be held in CBT and PBT modes. The duration of the test in all modes - CBT and PBT will be the same. Also, the exam pattern is expected to be the same, consisting of five sections, namely - Language Comprehension, Mathematical Skills, Data Analysis and Sufficiency, Intelligence and Critical Reasoning, and Indian and Global Environment. Each section has 30 questions, making a total of 150 questions.

MAT analysis of the MAT exam 2026 for the February cycle will be available once the exam is held. The analysis will include detailed insight on difficulty level, expected MAT cutoffs, and individual section-wise cutoffs. This analysis will be helpful for future aspirants to prepare for the exam.

MAT Exam Pattern 2026

Total number of questions: 150

Total time allotted: 120 minutes

Note: The Indian and Global Environment section does not count towards the final score, but it is important to score well in this section to enhance the overall score.

MAT Exam Analysis: February Session Last Year

As per the MAT exam analysis, the overall paper was moderately difficult. Candidates can read the sectional breakup of MAT exam analysis by MAT coaching institutes like Hitbullseye given below:

MAT Exam Analysis: May Session

As per the Hitbullseye MAT exam analysis, the MAT paper had a moderate difficulty level with 200 multiple-choice questions in 5 sections. Although generally manageable, some sections in MAT May session, especially Verbal and Data analysis, demanded extra focus. With thorough preparation and a strategic approach, success in the MAT MBA entrance exam is achievable.

Sectional MAT Exam Analysis

Check out the sectional MAT analysis given by hitbullseye below:

Language comprehension

Mathematical Skill

Data Analysis and Sufficiency

Intelligence and Critical Reasoning

MAT Exam Analysis: September Session

Based on MAT September exams, the difficulty level has been easy to moderate, with a few questions tricky and time-consuming. Language Comprehension Data Analysis and Sufficiency sections have been reported to be the toughest. The Indian and Global Environment section is the only one that does not count towards the final score, but it is important to score well in this section to enhance the overall score. As per the MAT analysis, the MAT IBT exam has some tricky questions in Language and data analysis, whereas the PBT MAT exam question difficulty level was manageable.

Based on the analysis of the MAT exams, candidates who wish to appear for upcoming MAT exams are advised to focus on strengthening their comprehension skills for the Language Comprehension section, mathematical skills for the Mathematical Skills section, and analytical skills for the Data Analysis and Sufficiency section. They should also improve their critical reasoning and decision-making ability to do well in the Intelligence and Critical Reasoning section.

To prepare for the Indian and Global Environment section, candidates should stay updated with current affairs, business and economic news, and general knowledge.

Overall, the MAT exam requires a well-rounded preparation and understanding of MAT syllabus. Candidates should also focus on time management and attempting a maximum number of questions with accuracy.

MAT Exam Analysis: December Session (Previous Year)

The MAT was similar to other sessions. The difficulty level of the MAT exam was moderate to easy. According to the MAT exam pattern 2025, the test paper consists of five sections, namely Language Comprehension, Mathematical Skills, Data Analysis and Sufficiency, Intelligence and Critical Reasoning, and Indian and Global Environment, with 40 questions each.

The Language comprehension section of MAT PBT, and CBT exams were moderately difficult having 40 questions. As per MAT exam analysis, the mathematical skills section's overall difficulty level was moderate. Few questions were easy and few posed a higher difficulty level. The difficulty level of the MAT Data Analysis and Sufficiency section was easy to moderate having questions from graphs and tables. The Intelligence and Critical Reasoning section had questions from analogies, series, reasons, assumptions, directions, etc. The overall difficulty level was moderate but this section was comparatively lengthy.

Indian and Global Environment

Most of the questions in this section of the last MAT exam session will be based on current events of the past few months, so anyone who keeps abreast of current economic and political scenarios in India and abroad and regularly reads newspapers will find this section easy. About 17 questions will be based on national events, and 8 on international events.15 questions will be based on miscellaneous topics. For a person who has prepared for GK, about 10 questions can be called easy, 15 moderately difficult, and 15 difficult. This section can be attempted in about 10-15 minutes. A good attempt would be about 15-18 questions, with 75% accuracy.

Candidates should note that the Management Aptitude Test, MAT is held multiple times a year for MBA admission. It is held four times - in February, May, September and December. MAT is conducted by the All India Management Association (AIMA) and is accepted by over 600 MAT participating colleges and other top MBA colleges in India for admission to MBA and allied programs.

MAT result for the February session will be announced after the exam, and candidates who took the test will be able to download their MAT scores at the official website of AIMA MAT. Candidates can use their MAT score to apply for over 600 top B-schools in India offering MBA and allied programs.