How to Crack MAT Exam Without Coaching
Management Aptitude Test 2026 ( MAT )
MAT December 2026 PBT Registration Last
14 Dec '26
If you are planning to appear for MAT 2026 or MAT 2027 but not sure of joining a coaching institute, don't worry we have some self study recommendations for you that will help you to crack MAT exam without coaching. Read on.
How to crack MAT exam without coaching
MAT is easier than other MBA entrance exams so a lot of candidates prefer to prepare for it by self study. Option for MAT coaching is a wise option as it ensures experts in the right direction guide you. Preparing for MAT by self-study can be challenging if you’re not disciplined enough to self motivate yourself for long hours of daily study.
MAT is a 2-hour long test having 150 MCQs. To crack MAT 2026 without coaching, you will need to mainly focus on speed. Those who have appeared for other MBA entrance exams such as CAT, XAT, SNAP or CMAT, will find MAT syllabus familiar, but those who have not, will need to start from scratch. So, start at least 6 months before the MAT exam session of your choice. MAT is conducted in February, May, September and December. Choose the exam session wisely.
- How to Crack MAT Exam Without Coaching: Key Tips
- Know the MAT Syllabus Thoroughly
- Get Most Recommended MAT Books
- Practice Online MAT Mock Tests and Sample Papers
- Follow a Daily Routine of Revision
How to Crack MAT Exam Without Coaching: Key Tips
- Learn basic concepts and formulae of Language Comprehension, Intelligence and Critical Reasoning, Data Analysis and Sufficiency, Mathematical Skills and Economic and Business Environment.
- Analyse previous years’ MAT question papers to understand the requirement. Make a list of familiar and unfamiliar topics.
- Start with familiar MAT topics to gain confidence and speed and then move to unfamiliar ones. Practicing sample questions after completing each chapter to know how much have you grasped.
- Take Maths, Reasoning and Vocabulary quizzes in your free time to improve recall ability.
- Take full length and sectional mock tests to gain speed and accuracy as well as to learn time management. Analyse each mock test result to evaluate your progress or pain points so that you can improve further.
Also Read: MAT Exam 2026 Registration Last Date
Know the MAT Syllabus Thoroughly
Sectional weightage of all 5 sections of MAT is same so you cannot skip any section or be less prepared for any. Check the below table for the most important topics included in the MAT exam syllabus 2026. Study these topics thoroughly to crack MAT exam.
| MAT sections |
Important topics |
|---|---|
| Language Comprehension |
Reading Comprehension, Fill in the Blanks, Antonym-Synonym, Parajumbles, Odd sentence, word meaning |
| Intelligence and Critical Reasoning |
Syllogism, Family Tree, Seating Arrangement, Coding-Decoding, Statement-Arguments |
| Data Analysis and Sufficiency |
Tables, Charts, Graphs |
| Mathematical Skills |
Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Number System |
| Economic and Business Environment |
Business Affairs, Static GK |
⚡ MAT Exam Syllabus Section Wise
Know the MAT syllabus prescribed by AIMA to evaluate management aspirants.
Get Most Recommended MAT Books
We have provided below the most recommended MAT books. You must refer these books for conceptual clarity of each topic included in MAT syllabus.
| MAT Books |
Authors/Publishers |
|---|---|
| Data Analysis and Sufficiency |
Arun Sharma |
| How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for MAT |
Arun Sharma |
| Data Interpretation: Practice Book for the CAT and Other MBA Entrance Examinations |
Nishit K Sinha |
| The Pearson Guide to Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation |
Nishit K Sinha |
| Verbal Ability & Comprehension for MBA Exams |
Disha Publications |
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension |
Nishit K Sinha |
| Word Power Made Easy |
Norman Lewis |
| Verbal Ability & Comprehension |
Disha Publication |
| English Comprehension for MAT |
Disha Experts |
| English Reading Comprehension |
RPH Editorial Board |
| Mathematics for MBA |
RS Aggarwal |
| Magical Book on Quicker Maths |
M Tyra |
| Arithmetic and Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams |
R Gopal |
| Speed Mathematics: Do it quick, Do it right |
Rajesh Kumar Thakur C |
| Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams |
RS Aggarwal |
| Vedic Mathematics: Secrets Skills for Quick, Accurate Mental Calculations |
Sumita Bose |
| The Pearson Guide to Quantitative Aptitude |
Dinesh Khattar |
| How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude |
Arun Sharma |
| A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning |
RS Aggarwal |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning |
Gajendra Kumar |
| Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT |
Nishit K Sinha |
| How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for the CAT |
Arun Sharma |
| Critical Reasoning Guide |
Crackverbal |
Practice Online MAT Mock Tests and Sample Papers
You will need to practice a large number of MAT mock test and MAT sample papers so that you stay focused and disciplined to develop time management skill. MAT mock test and MAT sample papers practice will also help you in figuring out methods and ways to solve questions of different types and difficulty levels. Regular practice will help you in discovering your strengths and weakness, knowledge that you can use to optimize your performance in the actual exam. Check Shiksha’s MAT mock tests and sample papers.
Shiksha MAT Mock Test
| MAT Mock Test by Shiksha | |
|---|---|
| MAT Mock Test 1 | Click to Start Test |
| MAT Mock Test 2 | Click to Start Test |
Check Out:
Make a MAT prep strategy keeping in mind exam requirements. What to study and how much to practice.
Get key insights of MAT exam with the help of previous years' question papers and latest ezam pattern prescribed by AIMA.
Follow a Daily Routine of Revision
Since you’ve chosen self study, you will need to be thoroughly dedicated to preparation. Even minor deviation can lead to loss of precious time. Make sure to keep aside 1-2 hours for daily revision of every topic you have covered so far. Keep revising important Quant formulas, theorems, English grammar rules, LR short cuts and tricks.
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Read More:
- Is MAT exam tougher than CMAT?
- How to prepare for MAT in 3 months
- How to prepare for MAT in 6 months
- MAT Preparation Tips for Language Comprehension
- MAT Preparation Tips for Mathematical Skills
- MAT Preparation Tips for Data Analysis & Sufficiency
- MAT Preparation Tips for Intelligence and Critical Reasoning
- MAT Preparation Tips for Economic and Business Enviroment
Commonly asked questions
MAT has 2 sections which are completely Maths based – Mathematical Skills and Data Interpretation, so it is not possible to crack MAT without having a good control over this subject.
MAT syllabus is not very difficult but it is not easy either. The topics included in MAT syllabus are same as that of other MBA entrance exams like English, Quants, Reasoning, DI and GK. So, if you find these subjects tough MAT syllabus will be difficult for you and if you find the easy, the exam syllabus will be easy.
Ideal time to start MAT preparation is 6 months before the exam session. But if you have appeared for it before, you will need less time to prepare. So, plan your preparation accordingly.
To crack MAT exam in first attempt, start preparation early; at least a month six months in advance. Cover each topic of the MAT syllabus thoroughly and attempt 40+ mock tests to have complete control on all possible types of questions asked. In the exam, avoid negative marking by skipping questions you are not sure of. Try to maintain average scoring by solving 17-20 questions in each section.
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Commonly asked questions
MAT scoring is done between 200 to 800, so a nearly 650 or 700 will get you 90 to 95 percentile. A score of 600 is also good as it converts into percentile between 80 to 85.
Yes, MAT exam is MCQ types. There are no subjective type or TITA questions. Every question carries 4 answer options. Candidates have to select one option as correct answer.
Yes, you can attempt MAT exam as many times as you want. MAT is conducted multiple times in a year, in February, May, September and December. If a candidate is not satisfied with their score of first attempt, they can choose any upcoming session to appear for it again.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered a week ago
Students can apply for MBA course at Sharda University with a MAT score. The MAT cutoff for MBA in 2025 was 75 percentile. Students with 75 percentile or more can take admission in Sharda University Greater Noida for MBA course.
Contributor-Level 8
Answered a week ago
No, national entrance exams like JEE, CAT, or MAT are not strictly mandatory in all cases for admission to IILM University, Greater Noida. National level entrance exam scores are preferred for direct shortlisting and merit scholarships.
G
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
Yes, for some of them. Bahra lists scholarships based on JEE Main marks and CLAT rank, along with BUSET, CAT, MAT, and CUET percentile scores. I am not sure about NEET, so confirm that with the admissions office.
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months ago
Top management institutes accepting the MAT Exam generally expect a cutoff percentile between 75 and 90, while top-tier colleges may require 90+ percentile.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
Students interested in MBA at any of the Symbiosis Institutes need to take the Symbiosis National Aptitude (SNAP) Computer Based Test which will be conducted at designated test centres.
However, the institute does offer special pathways to Indian students allowing them to register for classes even i
A
Contributor-Level 10
Vipra Shrivastava is MA in English Literature from Delhi University with extensive experience in content writing of over 14 years. She has been handling content for Management, Accounting and Commerce streams for 8
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