How to Prepare for MAT Exam 2026: Tips to Crack Mathematical Skills

MAT preparation for Mathematical Skills section requires strategic planning and focused effort. This section is very scoring if you have enough practice. Check out top tips to prepare for Mathematical Skills section of MAT exam 2026.

Mathematical Skills is the only calculation intensive section of MAT exam. So, one has work on Mathematics from both theory and practice aspects. One can't be ignored for another. Start studying Mathematical Ability, at least six months in advance. Questions of MAT Mathematical Skills are of easy to moderate difficulty. With the right kind of MAT preparation strategy, test takers can easily master this section. The requirement here would be thorough understanding of the concepts and formulae.

The Mathematical Ability Section of MAT exam contains 30 questions of MCQ format. For each right attempt one mark is awarded and for each wrong attempt 0.25 marks is deducted. So, in the exam, pay attention to selection of questions. Check below some key tips to prepare for Mathematical Skills (Quantitative Aptitude) section of MAT 2026 exam and score perfect 30/30. 

Best Books for MAT Preparation 2026: Mathematical Skills

To understand basic and advance level of Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry concepts, refer the following MAT books. These books also have practice tests which will help you in understanding theory better.

Also Read: Best books for MAT preparation 2025

Preparation Tips for MAT 2026: Mathematical Skills

Study Mathematical Skills Topics Thoroughly

Mathematical Skills section of MAT 2026 exam will include Quantitative Aptitude topics ─ LCM and HCF, Speed, Time and Distance, Time and Work, Average, Number System, Unitary Method, Triangles, Circles, Geometry, Venn Diagrams, Trigonometry, etc. Candidates preparing for the MAT exam this year, must keep their main focus on these topics. Give yourself about three months to cover the MAT Mathematical Skills syllabus.

Also Read:

• MAT 2026 Syllabus
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Memorise Formulas, Theorems and Shortcuts

In order to be proficient in every topic included in the Mathematical Skills syllabus of MAT exam, knowing the formulae and theorems by heart. Study each topic one by one. Get conceptual clarity and understand the application of each theorem before moving ahead. Unless you understand the theorems, you can't solve the MAT Mathematical Skills questions accurately. After completing a topic, solve a few questions for understanding the correct application of the theorem.

• Memorise all the formulas and theorems of Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry and Mensuration.
• Also, memorise Tables up to 20, Square, Square Root and Cubes. 
• Join online study forums for guidance and problem solving sessions. 
• Learn universal tricks and shortcuts for generic Mathematical calculations.

Learn Time Management

MAT, like any other MBA exam is a speed-based test. Mastering time management skills is important as Mathematical Skills section has calculation intensive questions which take time. The sums can be tricky if you are not adept with the application of the right formula or theorem. Also, there is pressure of attempting at least 15-20 questions accurately for a high score. Therefore, practice MAT mock tests and sample questions in a time-bound manner. Attempt the same questions multiple times and try to solve it in lesser time in every next attempt. This will help in gaining speed and accuracy. Try out the MAT Mock Test by Shiksha for practice of time bound questions. below:

Focus on Accuracy

Everybody puts a lot of emphasis on practice for cracking an MBA entrance exam as they are speed based. In MAT too, you barely get enough time to solve a question and revise it too. Morevover, there is negative marking. Thus, accuracy is the prime requirement. With mock test practice and sample papers, you should aim for accuracy too. 

Avoid Guesswork in MAT Exam

Mathematical questions are to be solved through application of formulae and theorems as that is the only way to arrive at the correct answer. Don't resort to guess work in Mathematical Skills section of MAT exam. This can lead to negative marking. 

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• Last week MAT preparation tips
• Last minute tips to crack MAT

Lastly, start early with the preparation of Mathematical Skills section of MAT. Take time to learn the fundamentals of topics such as Vectors, Differential Equation, Trigonometry, etc. and a large number of practice sample questions. Devote not less than one to two hours per day on solving and learning formulas and theorems to prepare for Mathematical Skills. 

Make notes of formulae, theorems learnt and shortcuts discovered during preparation. These notes will be immensely useful for revision in the final phase of MAT 2026 preparation.

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