Tentative and confirmed dates for major MBA entrance exams in 2026 are now available. While the Common Admission Test (CAT) and Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) are typically held in late 2025 and early 2026, many other exams, including the Management Aptitude Test (MAT), take place multiple times throughout the year.
Major exams (2025–2026 admission cycle)
| Exam | Conducting Body | Registration Window | Tentative Exam Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAT | IIMs | August to mid-September 2026 | Sunday, November 29, 2026 |
| XAT | XLRI | July 10 to December 5, 2025 | Sunday, January 4, 2026 |
| NMAT by GMAC | GMAC | August to mid-October 2025 | Multiple slots from early November to mid-December 2025 |
| CMAT | NTA | November to December 2025 | January 24 or 25, 2026 |
| GMAT | GMAC | Continuous throughout the year | Year-round (online or test center) |
| SNAP | Symbiosis International University | August to November 2025 | December 2025 (in three windows) |
MAT Exam 2026 schedule
The Management Aptitude Test (MAT) is held multiple times throughout the year in different formats.
February 2026 session
- Application Release:Â Early December 2025
- PBT Exam:Â Second week of February 2026
- CBT Exam:Â Fourth week of February 2026Â
May 2026 session
- Application Release:Â Early March 2026
- PBT Exam:Â Second week of May 2026
- CBT Exam:Â Fourth week of May 2026Â
September 2026 session
- Application Release:Â Early July 2026
- PBT Exam:Â Second week of September 2026
- CBT Exam:Â Fourth week of September 2026Â
December 2026 session
- Application Release:Â Early October 2026
- PBT Exam:Â Second week of December 2026
- CBT Exam:Â Fourth week of December 2026
Disclaimer: These dates are tentative and based on previous exam cycles. Always check the official website of the specific exam for the most up-to-date and confirmed information.
