What to Do After MAT 2025: A Roadmap for MBA Admissions

“I’ve given the MAT… now what?”
That’s the exact question buzzing in your mind right now, right? Don’t worry—you’re not alone. Every year, thousands of students finish their MAT exam and enter this weird post-exam limbo, wondering what’s next.

Let’s walk through this together—step by step—so you don’t feel lost and can make informed, confident decisions for your MBA journey.

Step 1: Take a Breather (Yes, Really!)

Before you jump into forms and cut-offs, breathe.

You have put in considerable effort, reviewed thoroughly, and completed the examination. Regardless of the outcome, whether it was excellent or less than satisfactory, allow yourself a few days to relax. Clarity often emerges when you are not preoccupied with scores and formats.

Step 2: Know Your Score—And What It Means

Once the MAT 2025 result is out, you’ll see two things:

• Composite Score (out of 800)
• Percentile

Different colleges use different criteria—some go with percentiles, others with composite scores.

Quick Tip: A score of 600+ generally opens doors to decent B-schools.
Above 700? Even better.
Below 500? You might want to retake or look into backup options.

Step 3: List Down the Right B-Schools for You

Now comes the real task—shortlisting colleges.

Ask yourself:

• What’s my budget?
• Which cities am I open to?
• Do I want a specific specialization?
• Am I looking for placement-focused colleges?

Some good colleges accepting MAT include:

• Alliance University (Bangalore)
• JIMS (Rohini, Delhi)
• Jaipuria Institute of Management (Lucknow, Noida)
• IPE (Hyderabad)
• XIME (Bangalore)
• BIMM (Pune)

Make an Excel sheet with college name, cutoff, location, fees, placements, and deadlines. Trust me, it saves lives!

Step 4: Apply Smartly

Many students make this mistake—they either:

• Apply to too many colleges (and waste money), or
• Apply to too few (and regret it later)

Aim for 6–8 institutes:

• 2 Dream colleges (a bit higher than your percentile)
• 3–4 Target colleges (match your score)
• 1–2 Safe colleges (where you're likely to get in)

Most colleges have separate forms even after you've selected them through MAT. Keep a tab on deadlines!

Step 5: Prepare for GD-PI-WAT Rounds

Many students relax after the exam—but this is the real game.

Most B-schools conduct:

• Group Discussions (GD)
• Personal Interviews (PI)
• Written Ability Test (WAT)

Start prepping:

• Read newspapers daily (especially editorials from The Hindu or Indian Express)
• Practice speaking on random topics (take help from friends or even record yourself)
• Reflect on your journey—why MBA, why this specialization, strengths, weaknesses, etc.

Pro Tip: Colleges want clarity and confidence—not memorized answers.
 

Step 6: Keep Backup Options Ready

Let’s be real—MBA is a huge investment. If you're not happy with your current MAT score, don’t panic. You can:

• Retake MAT (it happens four times a year)
• Appear for CMAT, ATMA, or state-level exams (like MAH-CET)
• Consider a job/internship and try again next year

You’re not running late in life. Sometimes a gap year with purpose is better than jumping into something half-heartedly.

Step 7: Don’t Forget the Documents

Yes, boring but important.

Start collecting and organizing:

• MAT Scorecard
• 10th & 12th Mark Sheets
• Graduation Certificates
• Identity Proof
• Passport-size photos
• Work-experience documents (if any)

Trust me—you’ll thank yourself when you're not scrambling 10 minutes before a PI.

Step 8: Talk to Alumni or Current Students

Want to know what a college really feels like? Talk to someone who's already there.

LinkedIn, college Instagram pages, Quora, even Reddit—find people, reach out politely, and ask:

• How’s the faculty?
• What’s the placement scene like?
• Is the environment competitive or collaborative?

Real voices cut through all the marketing fluff on brochures.

Step 9: Don’t Let Comparison Kill Your Confidence

Your friend may have scored higher. Your cousin might’ve cracked IIM. And you… are figuring things out.

That’s perfectly okay.

MBA is not a race. It’s your personal growth journey. Choose a path that suits your goals, finances, and values. Your success will come—not because you rushed, but because you made conscious decisions.

Final Thoughts: It’s Your Journey—Own It

MBA is not just about a degree—it’s a transformational two years. Choose a college where you’ll grow, network, and discover new sides of yourself.

And remember: your MAT score doesn’t define your future.
It’s just one step. What you do next—that’s what truly counts.

So take charge, plan smart, and move forward one decision at a time.