Admit Card - 26 Feb '26
MAT exam preparation 2026 can be done in 6 months as the difficulty level is easy and syllabus is familiar. Here is a 6-month MAT preparation strategy for aspirants aiming to appear for the exam in September 2026.
MAT exam preparation can be done in six hours. It is an easy exam having same syllabus as other MBA entrance exams. It is conducted four times a year – February, May, September and December, which makes it easy for aspirants to plan their preparation.
Candidates can decide in which MAT 2026 phase they want to appear and start preparation six months before that. If you plan to appear for MAT September session start preparing now. Those who have appeared for MAT before or other MBA entrance exams, may need lesser time and can appear for MAT May exam. Here's a comprehensive plan for MAT six-month preparation.
- MAT 2026 Exam Preparation in Six Months
- MAT 6-Month Prep Plan: Know Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme 2026
- MAT 6-Month Plan: Check MAT Syllabus 2026
- Prepare for MAT in 6 Months with Previous Year Question Papers
- MAT 6-Month Plan 2026: Revision in the Last Month
- 6-Month MAT Preparation Plan: Section-Wise Tips
MAT 2026 Exam Preparation in Six Months
Divide 6 months into three stages - MAT syllabus coverage, MAT mock test practice and revision of important chapters. Here we have laid down a six month preparation plan for MAT 2026.
First Three Months:
- Understand MAT exam pattern, subjects and marking scheme
- Study all the topics included in the MAT syllabus in detail
Next Two Months:
- Practise sample questions, MAT mock tests and MAT question papers
- Analyse each mock test performance. Make a note of your strengths and weakness.
Last One Month:
- Continue practice sessions and revise important topics and formulae regularly
- In the last two weeks make an exam day strategy based on your strength and weakness and attempt mock tests according to the plan.
MAT 6-Month Prep Plan: Know Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme 2026
The first step towards MAT preparation 2026 is to know the test structure – question paper, topics, type of questions, marks per section, etc. Check latest MAT exam pattern, below:
| MAT exam features |
Details |
|---|---|
| MAT exam modes |
Computer-Based Test (CBT), Paper-Based Test (PBT) and Internet Based Test (IBT) |
| MAT exam duration |
2 hours |
| MAT subjects |
|
| Total number of questions |
150 questions |
| Type of questions |
Multiple choices |
| Marks per section |
1 mark per question |
| Negative marking |
Deduction of 0.25 marks for every incorrect attempt |
MAT 6-Month Preparation Plan 2026: Know Sectional Weightage
Every section of MAT carries 30 questions. There is no sectional time-limit so candidates need to make their own time management strategy. Here we have mentioned estimated time that should be enough to complete each section of the exam. Check the section-wise break up of MAT question paper and suggested time to solve each one of them.
| MAT Sections |
No. of Questions |
Time in minutes |
|---|---|---|
| Language Comprehension |
30 |
20 |
| Mathematical Skills |
30 |
30 |
| Intelligence & Critical Reasoning |
30 |
30 |
| Data Analysis & Sufficiency |
30 |
30 |
| Indian & Global Environment |
30 |
10 |
| Total |
150 |
120 |
Also Read:
MAT 6-Month Plan: Check MAT Syllabus 2026
The MAT question paper has questions from topics mentioned in the MAT syllabus. Take a look at the MAT syllabus 2026 and topics included in each subject. Begin MAT six month preparation with prime focus on topics that are your weak areas. Devote first three months for covering the MAT syllabus topic-wise.
| MAT Syllabus 2025 |
MAT Important Topics |
|---|---|
| Language Comprehension |
Parajumbles, Reading Comprehension, Verbal Ability, Grammar, Vocabulary, Clauses, Idioms, Active & Passive Voice, Verbs, Sentences, Errors and Punctuation |
| Data Analysis and Sufficiency |
Statements, Table, Graphs, Data Sufficiency, Venn Diagram, Charts (Column, Bar, Pie) |
| Mathematical Skills |
Profit & Loss, Mean, Median, Number System, Mensuration, Time-Distance-Speed, Percentage, Vectors, Differential Equation, Trigonometry, Arithmetic Progression, Geometric Progression, Algebra |
| Intelligence and Critical Reasoning |
Logical Reasoning, Statements & Conclusion, Judgment, Argument, Pie Chart, Blood Relations, Analogies |
| Economic and Business Environment |
Current Affairs, Politics, World Records, Books and Authors, Corporate Affairs |
Also Read: Best Books for MAT Preparation 2026
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.
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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Prepare for MAT in 6 Months with Previous Year Question Papers
After covering the MAT syllabus, move to the next phase of MAT six-month preparation 2026. Start practicing MAT mock tests and sample papers. Many mock test series are available online for MAT preparation. The more you practice mock tests and sample questions, higher the chances are of solving questions accurately in the MAT 2026 exam. You should also practice sectional mock tests so that you don’t over step the time-limit in the main exam. Previous years MAT question paper practice will help you in gaining control on MAT specific questions.
Check out: MAT questions with solutions free PDFs for download and practice
MAT 6-Month Plan 2026: Revision in the Last Month
In the last 15 days before the MAT exam, your plan should be to revise all the topics of MAT syllabus section wise. All the notes that you have prepared in the past five months will be handy now. Go through previous years' question papers for MAT and note the topics from which maximum questions are asked. Also, take note of the types of date sufficiency tables and pie charts feature in the MAT exam. Continue solving mock test to be in practice.
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6-Month MAT Preparation Plan: Section-Wise Tips
It is important to master each section of the MAT exam so that the overall score is good. The score of Economic and Business Environment section is not taken into consideration for MAT percentile calculation so your main focus areas should be – Language Comprehension, Data Analysis & Sufficiency, Mathematical Skills and Intelligence and Critical Reasoning. Check a few tips for section-wise MAT preparation 2026 below:
Language Comprehension: Start early for this MAT section. To score well in this section, candidates should invest two to three hours of the day in reading. Apart from this, they need to improve English vocabulary and grammar as grammar-based questions make up for 50 per cent of this section.
Data Analysis & Sufficiency: To crack this section of MAT, candidates need to have good problem solving skills. To acquire that, watch YouTube video tutorials by coaching experts. Also learn, easy methods and shortcuts to analyse data. Practice a wide variety of questions. Once you have developed the basics, you'll be able to crack any table or graph.
Mathematical Skills: The focus should be on understanding and memorising formulae and theorems of the topics included in this section of MAT syllabus. Strengthen your memory and calculation skills. Also develop the skill of mental calculation to save time in the actual exam.
Intelligence and Critical Reasoning: In this section of MAT, focus on revising Analytical Skills topics such as Coding-Decoding, Ranking, Series, Arrangements, Sequencing, Directions, Puzzles, etc. Solve as many sample questions as you can so that you are well prepared for any type of reasoning question. Practising brain teasers and puzzles in free time can be a good help.
Economic and Business Environment: Get year-books for General Awareness and Current Affairs to revise the events of national and international importance. Also, focus on topics like Economics, Politics, Telecom Industry, Sports and National & International Awards, etc.
Free Shiksha MAT Mock Tests for Practice
| MAT_Mock_Test_1 | MAT_Mock_Test_1_Solutions |
| MAT_Mock_Test_2 | MAT_Mock_Test_2_Solutions |
Read More:
- MAT Exam Preparation Tips 2026
- How to Prepare for MAT in last 3 Months?
- How to prepare for MAT in one month?
- MAT Preparation tips for Intelligence and Critical Reasoning
- MAT preparation tips for Indian & Global Environment
- MAT preparation tips for Language Comprehension & Verbal Ability
- MAT preparation tips for Data Analysis & Sufficiency
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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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered Yesterday
The last day to register for MAT 2026 is March 2. Candidates will be able to download the admit card for MAT 2026 exam on 5 March from the official website.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
Standard books useful across these exams include Quantitative Aptitude by Arun Sharma or R.S. Aggarwal, Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation by Nishit Sinha, and Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis for building a strong vocabulary.
L
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 4 days ago
Candidates who have not appeared in any entrance test should have a Bachelor's Degree with at least 55% marks. They will have to give a written test: same as I-CET. Students have to qualify in Written Test, Group Discussion and Personal Interview for taking admission in MBA at Vignan's Foundation
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
Students of GIBS Business School participate in internships and live projects which are cross-functional opportunities to gain practical experience in key functional areas (marketing, sales, finance, HR, business development, and operations). Students engage in internships to gain practical exposure
M
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
MAT mock test practice is essential but not enough. You will need to go through the MAT syllabus and understand the fundamentals of all topics, only then you'll be able to crack questions in mock test.
P
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a week ago
It is not compulsory to attempt MAT GK section as the score in not considered for percentile calculation but it is not recommended to skip it all together as it may dent your chances in colleges that look at candidates' sectional scores too.
N
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a week ago
MAT is conducted in February, May, September and December. You can appear for it whenever ready and confident of scoring high. However, it is seen that maximum applications are done for December and February sessions as that's the main season of all other national level MBA entrance exams and admiss
J
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a week ago
MAT and CMAT both are moderately difficulty exam, but have their own challenges. While, CMAT has one extra section Innovation and Entrepreneurship, MAT has a separate section for Data Interpretation having 30 questions. With focused preparation, you can crack either of the two that you choose.
S
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a week ago
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
N
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a week ago
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.
A
Contributor-Level 6
Yes, you can prepare for MAT exam in three months, but you will have to work on it in a very focused manner and dedicate quality time. You should follow a three-month MAT preparation plan that should include syllabus coverage and practice sessions. Since you have less time, you can’t wait to finish the MAT syllabus first and then start practicing sample questions and mock tests. You will need to do both side by side. So, make a list of topics from which maximum questions are asked in the MAT exam. Focus on them first. Study the topics and solve some sample questions the same day to ensure that you have understood theory and application both. This way, you will have enough practice as well. In the last one month focus on MAT mock tests, to gain speed and accuracy in solving the paper. Read more: MAT 3-month preparation plan