Expert advice on MAT December 2014 preparation strategy
After appearing for CAT and IIFT, now it’s time for Mat December 2014. The written exam will be held on December 7, 2014, while the computer-based exam will conducted from December 13, 2014 onwards.
Less than 10 days are left for the MAT December exam. The difficultly level is not as high as that of CAT or XAT. But aspirants need to revise topics before they appear for the exam. There is no specific or separate exam strategy for MAT. If aspirants are already preparing for CAT, XAT, CMAT and other entrance exams, preparation strategy for MAT should be on the same lines. You can view here MAT September exam analysis.
To help you with the preparation strategy for MAT 2014, Shiksha.com decided to talk to an expert. Here’s what Vinayak Kudwa from IMS Coaching answers to popular queries from MAT aspirants.
1. What should be the preparation strategy adopted by students for MAT December?
MAT is an easy paper and a person should completely focus on basics. The main effort should go in clearing the concepts and the application on elementary level of questions. Students should focus on speed and accuracy at the same time. In the last few days the student should solve mock tests and should make a strategy for Test taking and then apply it in the Test in December.
2. How is this strategy different from other MBA exams?
As already mentioned the MAT paper is easy, and the cut offs in Good Business Schools could be above 80% of the total marks, students should focus on Speed but also on accuracy as there is negative marking (no specific marks are mentioned for negative marking, but historically it has been 25% of the positive marks). Since it is 200 questions in 150 minutes, the student should look at maximizing attempts. Around 180 attempts with 90% accuracy should be good enough for a Top 25 Business School which take MAT exclusively as the Score for admission.
3. How to manage time during MAT exam?
The paper is divided in to five sections. Each section carries 40 marks. A student should attempt the strength section first if the student has chosen the Test Format to be Paper based. If it is online then the student should solve as the question comes. If the Test’s instructions mention no negative marking, then a student should look at attempting all questions. The student should general leave the GK section for the last 10 minutes as one can either know or not know the answer. The student should look at 30 minutes for language comprehension, 40 minutes for Maths, 3o minutes for LR and 40 minutes for DI ideally. Focus on Time Management even in the Mock tests and they shall be able to crack the Test.
