ATMA and MAT are two of the several admission entrance tests for getting into management colleges. Candidates can appear for both and any one of the exams, depending on their preferences.
ATMA and MAT are both renowned management entrance exams that are conducted to provide admission for MBA courses in top colleges. ATMA is the Association of Indian Management Schools Test for Management Admissions, while MAT is the Management Aptitude Test. Both these exams are for admissions into various management courses. Further, both these exams are held multiple times in a year. For example, ATMA is held six times every year, while MAT is held four times a year.
However, each year thousands of candidates participate for admissions into top B-schools through various management admission tests such as CAT, MAT, SNAP, ATMA, XAT, CMAT, and many more. Nevertheless, ATMA and MAT are pretty popular among them.
ATMA vs MAT Highlights
You will get to know the primary differences between ATMA vs MAT through this. It is important for the understanding of both exams.
| Particulars | ATMA | MAT |
| Full Form | Association of Indian Management Schools Test for Management Admissions | Management Aptitude Test |
| Conducting Authority | Association of Indian Management Schools - AIMS | All India Management Association - AIMA |
| Examination Level | National | National |
| Mode of Test | Computer-based - Online | PBT - Offline, CBT - Online, & Internet-Based Test - IBT |
| Mode of Application | Online | Online |
| Exam Duration | 180 Minutes | 150 Minutes |
| Eligibility | Graduate with 50% aggregate from any recognized university | Graduate in any discipline (Final year candidates can also apply) |
| Official Website | atmaaims.com | mat.aima.in |
ATMA vs MAT Exam Pattern
Furthermore, to get an insight into the exams, it is essential to know and have explicit knowledge of the ATMA 2026 exam pattern vs the MAT 2026 exam pattern. For your benefit, it is as elucidated below:
| Particulars | ATMA | MAT |
| Medium of the question paper | English | English |
| Number of Questions in every section | 30 | 40 |
| Question Type | MCQs | MCQs |
| Total Marks | 200 | 180 |
Sectional Weightage of ATMA vs MAT
For a better understanding of the topic, listed below are the section-wise weightages of various sections:
| ATMA | MAT | ||||
| Section | Total Question | Weightage | Section | Total Question | Weightage |
| Analytical Reasoning Skills - Paper-I | 30 | 30 | Language and Comprehension | 40 | 40 |
| Analytical Reasoning Skills - Paper-II | 30 | 30 | Data Analysis and Sufficiency | 40 | 40 |
| Quantitative Skills - Paper-I | 30 | 30 | Mathematical Skills | 40 | 40 |
| Quantitative Skills - Paper-II | 30 | 30 | Intelligence and Critical Reasoning | 40 | 40 |
| Verbal Skills - Paper-I | 30 | 30 | Indian and Global Environment | 40 | 40 |
| Verbal Skills - Paper-II | 30 | 30 | |||
Marking Scheme of ATMA vs MAT
Let us now look at the mark division of both exams to avoid any dilemma.
| Particulars | ATMA | MAT |
| For every correct answer | 1 Mark is granted | 1 Mark is granted |
| For every incorrect answer | -0.25 Marks deducted | -0.25 Marks deducted |
| For unattempted question | No marking | No marking |
| Total marks | 180 | 200 |
Also Check: Last-Minute Tips to Crack MAT 2026
ATMA vs MAT Syllabus
While discussing the difference between the ATMA 2026 syllabus vs the MAT 2026 syllabus, it is recommended to know the syllabus of both the exams before appearing for it. Here is a detailed explanation:
ATMA Syllabus
The detailed section-wise syllabus of ATMA exam is as follows:
| Sections | Topics |
| Analytical Reasoning Skills |
|
| Quantitative Skills |
|
| Verbal Skills |
|
MAT Syllabus
The detailed section-wise syllabus of the MAT exam is as follows:
Language and Comprehension
The MAT Language Comprehension 2026 Syllabus PDF has been provided below:
- Verbal Reasoning
- Usage of the same word with a different meaning
- Antonyms
- Idioms and their Contextual Usage
- Analogies
- One-word substitution
- Fill in the blanks
- Finding the Odd-One Out
- Syllogisms
- Solving Jumbled Paragraphs
- Sentence Completion
- Sentence Correction
- Foreign language words used in English
Data Analysis and Sufficiency
The MAT Data Analysis and Sufficiency 2026 Syllabus has been shared below:
- Solving Puzzles & Series
- Table Charts
- Data Sufficiency
- Bar Graphs
- Graphs
- Line Charts
- Column Graphs
- Pie Chart
- Venn Diagram
Mathematical Skills
The MAT Mathematical Skills 2026 Syllabus has been shared below:
- Ratios and Proportions
- Linear Inequalities
- Quadratic & Linear Equations
- Profit and Loss
- Geometry
- Percentages
- Averages
- Time-Speed-Distance
- Geometric Progression
- Partnership (Accounts)
- Number System
- Work and Time
Intelligence and Critical Reasoning
The MAT Intelligence and Critical Reasoning 2026 Syllabus has been shared below:
- Critical Reasoning
- Sequencing
- Visual Reasoning
- Coding & Decoding
- Identifying Valid Inferences
- Assumption-Premise-Conclusion
- Statements & Assumptions
- Matrix Arrangement
- Identifying Reasons
- Linear Arrangements
- Family Tree
- Effect & Cause
Indian and Global Environment
The MAT 2026 Indian and Global Environment Syllabus has been shared below:
- Current Affairs
- Quotations from Important Personalities
- Geography
- History and Business
- Major events in Corporate
- Books and Authors
- Science
- Awards
- Company Punchlines
- Top Officials of Big Companies
- Sports
- Entertainment
- Politics
How to Prepare for ATMA and MAT?
Both exams need proper preparation to qualify. Hence, it is mandatory to concentrate on the critical aspects of each exam. However, here are a few preparation tips:
- Beginning the exam by checking the ATMA vs MAT exam pattern and exam syllabus is vital.
- Try avoiding the doubtful questions; there is minus marking for incorrect answers. However, no marks will be deducted for unattempted answers. Therefore, choose wisely.
- Make a great choice to glance through the question paper and mark the known questions. Try to attempt them first.
- Always follow original books for preparation. Check reviews, ratings, and content of the books. Buy the books only if it satisfies the need.
- Make a habit of attending the mock tests organised by various platforms. Additionally, follow sample questions to improve the knowledge. Moreover, previous years’ question papers can also provide a good amount of insight into the exams.
Colleges Accepting ATMA Score
The top 20 universities that accept ATMA scores are listed in the table below, along with the anticipated percentile cutoffs.
|
College Name |
Expected Cutoff |
|
Department of Management Sciences University of Pune (PUMBA), Pune |
85-90 |
|
80-85 |
|
|
80-85 |
|
|
80-85 |
|
|
80-85 |
|
|
75-80 |
|
|
70-75 |
|
|
75-80 |
|
|
75-80 |
|
|
75-80 |
|
|
75-80 |
|
|
80-85 |
|
|
Chetana’s Institute of Management and Research (CIMR), Mumbai |
75-80 |
|
75-80 |
|
|
70-75 |
|
|
Fortune Institute of International Business (FIIB), New Delhi |
70-75 |
|
O.P Jindal University, Sonepat |
75-80 |
|
VIT Business School (VIT), Vellore |
75-80 |
|
SRM School of Management (SRM University), Chennai |
75-80 |
|
MIT School of Telecom Management (MITSOT), Pune |
70-75 |
|
International Institute of Management Studies (IIMS), Pune |
70-75 |
|
SOIL Institute of Management |
90-92 |
Colleges Accepting MAT Score
The top MBA programs in India that accept MAT scores are displayed in the table below, along with the total tuition fees.
|
College Name |
Total Fees |
|
Amity University Noida |
INR 6 lakh - INR 13 lakh |
|
Amrita School of Business |
INR 11 lakh |
|
LPU |
INR 8 lakh- INR 10 lakh |
|
UPES |
INR 1.5 lakh - INR 20.6 lakh |
|
Jaipuria Noida |
INR 15 lakh |
|
Birla Institute of Management Technology |
INR 13 lakh - INR 14 lakh |
The above-mentioned details about the ATMA and MAT exams will help the student differentiate between the exams well.
