Vipra
Vipra Shrivastava
Senior Manager - Content
Updated on May 6, 2025 17:52 IST

MAT 2025 exam will be held in February, May, September and December. MAT is a low difficulty level exam so one can crack it with a short-term preparation. If you plan to appear for MAT 2025 start preparing for it from at least three months ahead. Get the best three month MAT preparation strategy. 

MAT preparation in three months

MAT exam preparation in three months is possible but one needs to have a focussed plan in which you can cover more in less time. Even though the exam is of low difficulty level, one needs to practice a lot as it is a speed based test in which 150 questions have to be addressed in 120 minutes. You may not want to attempt all 150 questions, but should aim for 70-100 questions. Solving these many questions accurately in 150 minutes can be challenging if you haven't prepared well. 

Explore colleges based on MAT

Pune
₹9.50 L
Indore
₹12.50 L
Gurgaon
₹86.00 K
Gurgaon
#9 NIRF
₹8.25 L

Want better recommendations?

There is a 90% more chance of getting best college recommendations by sharing preferences.
Mumbai
#20 NIRF
₹9.50 L
Vellore
₹6.97 L
Bhubaneswar
#66 NIRF
₹3.40 L
Chennai
₹9.00 L
Noida
#49 NIRF
₹6.40 L
Rourkela
₹4.00 L
Confused about which college or exam to opt for?assitentRcpRhsImage
  • Chat with our counselor
  • Get your personalised list of colleges & exams matching your preferences
View allCollections

We say it is possible to prepare for MAT in three months because, MAT syllabus is same as that of other MBA entrance exams and most of the candidates appear for multiple entrance tests. MBA aspirants who have prepared for CAT exam, XAT exam and other MBA entrance exams for admissions to top B-schools in India, need to only brush up the basics and practice MAT mock tests. Therefore, a three-month preparation strategy for MAT is perfect.

Q:   Which MAT exam phase is the easiest to crack?
A:

MAT exam of every phase is easy to moderate in terms of difficulty level. It depends upon the candidate's preparation whether they find their test form easy or tough. Meaning, candidates should register and appear for MAT in only that phase by which they are full prepared and have started scoring 90 plus in mock tests. If they are well prepared, they will find any MAT session easy.

Q:   Can I prepare for MAT in 3 months?
A:

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

Q:   How should I prepare for Data Analysis and Sufficiency section of MAT?
A:
For Data Analysis and Sufficiency of MAT test takers should constantly revise the topics and practice sample questions as this section can be cracked only by enough practice of all types of questions. It is also important to strengthen basic calculations of Maths. Candidates must memorise Tables up 20, Cubes, Cube roots, square, square roots, percentage, pie value, etc. For quick multiplication and division, Practicing adequate number of MAT mock tests and sample papers will prepare you for the main exam, so you should practice 30-35 mock tests. To improve percentile score, focus on maximizing accuracy of every question that you solve in mock tests and sample papers. Candidates must attempt questions of all types and all difficulty levels to master this section of MAT exam. They should also practice every MAT sample question 2-3 times, to gain speed and accuracy.
Table of contents
  • How to Crack MAT 2025 in Three Months?
  • MAT Syllabus 2025
  • Sample Paper and MAT Mock Test Practice

How to Crack MAT 2025 in Three Months?

The key to MAT preparation 2025 in limited time period is enough practice of sample questions from important topics. MAT exam is easy. Also, the score of Economic and Business Environment (GK) section is not included in calculation of final MAT percentile. Thus, you needs to actually prepare for only four main sections. So focus majorly on Language Comprehension, Data Analysis & Sufficiency, Mathematical Skills and Intelligence & Critical Reasoning in these three months. You can prepare for Economic and Business Environment section in the last few days before exam, if time permits. If you have no prior knowledge of MAT or any MBA entrance exam, the first thing to do is, check the MAT syllabus and pattern. Let's take you through that below:

Explore more MBA exams with upcoming dates

CMAT 2026 application fee payment

17 Oct '25 - 25 Nov '25

XAT 2026 form correction 2

25 Nov '25 - 27 Nov '25

MU BAAT 2026 Round 2 Registration

13 Oct '25 - 28 Nov '25

CAT 2025 exam

30 Nov '25

SNAP 2025 admit card session 1

28 Nov '25 - 6 Dec '25

MICAT (I) admit card download

3 Dec '25 - 6 Dec '25

XGMT registration

30 Sep '25 - 10 Dec '25

NMAT 2025 Rescheduling Window

1 Aug '25 - 16 Dec '25

IBSAT 2025 Registration

1 Jul '25 - 19 Dec '25

KIITEE MBA 2026 Registrations

9 Oct '25 - 9 Jan '26

Understand MAT Exam Pattern and Syllabus 2025

MAT exam pattern 2025 is prescribed by AIMA, the exam conducting body. There are 150 questions in MCQ format to be answered in two hours. The MAT 2025 syllabus includes five subjects –

  1. Language Comprehension
  2. Data Analysis and Sufficiency
  3. Mathematical Skills
  4. Intelligence and Critical Reasoning
  5. Economic and Business Environment

Check below some key highlights of MAT exam 2025:

MAT is an an MCQ based exam. Candidates can choose to appear for it in CBT, PBT or IBT mode. Check the table below for highlights of MAT exam pattern 2025.

MAT Exam Pattern 2025

Exam modes

CBT, PBT, IBT

Exam duration

2 hours

Total sections

5

Type of questions

Objective type questions

Total questions

150 questions

Total marks

150 marks

Sectional weightage

30 questions per section

Marking scheme

1 mark per correct attempt

-0.25 marks per incorrect attempt

GK scores not taken into consideration for percentile calculation

MAT Syllabus 2025

To score well in MAT 2025 exam, candidates need to be thorough with all the below mentioned topics. Check the table below for section-wise topics included in MAT syllabus 2025:

MAT Syllabus 2025

MAT Topics

Language Comprehension

Grammar, vocabulary, clauses, idioms & phrases, active & passive voice, verbs, tenses, pronoun, sentences, punctuation, parajumble, prepositions, articles

Data Analysis and Sufficiency

Tables & graphs, data sufficiency, venn diagram, charts (column, bar, pie)

Intelligence and Critical Reasoning

Statements & conclusion, judgment, argument, pie chart, blood relations, family tree, analogies, statements

Mathematical Skills

Profit & loss, mean & median, number system, mensuration, time, distance & speed, percentage, vectors, differential equation, trignometry, algebra, geometry, modern math

Ecomomic and Business Environment

Current affairs, political news & events, world records, books and authors, corporate affairs, personalities, history, business & economy, science & technology

Also Read:

Q:   Which MAT exam session is the toughest?
A:

There is no single MAT session or phase that can be considered the toughest. Overall difficulty level of MAT is easy to moderate and every session has a test form which is the same – easy to moderate. There can be slight variation in the difficulty level of the test form, due to difference in questions. No two MAT sessions have the same set of questions.

Q:   What is the exam mode of MAT?
A:
MAT exam is conducted in three modes - Paper Based Test or PBT in which candidates have to report to a test centre to take the test. They have to fill an OMR answer sheet with a blue/black ball point pen in the PBT mode exam. The PBT mode is conducted only once in every MAT phase as the number of applicants is least for PBT. In the Computer Based Test or CBT, candidates have to take the test at designated exam centre on a computer system. Candidates have to fill in their answers in an online test page with the help of computer mouse. They can choose only one of the four given options as answer. In the Internet Based Test or IBT, candidates have to take the test on a computer system at home or any preferred location. The test structure is same as CBT but the candidates are monitored in remote proctored mode. Since MAT exam is conducted multiple times in a year during February, May, September and December, one can take the exam in more than one mode. Candidate can also take the test any number of times. The score of the latest MAT attempt will be taken into consideration for admission.
Q:   What is the exam pattern for MAT and how can I prepare for it?
A:
MAT or Management Aptitude Test is a national level entrance exam conducted four times a year by the All India Management Association (AIMA) for admission to MBA/PGDM and other management programs. The MAT exam pattern is as follows: Mode: The exam is conducted in both paper-based and computer-based modes. Duration: The total duration of the exam is 150 minutes or 2.5 hours. Sections: The exam consists of five sections: Language Comprehension, Mathematical Skills, Data Analysis and Sufficiency, Intelligence and Critical Reasoning, and Indian and Global Environment. Number of Questions: There are a total of 200 questions, with 40 questions in each section. Marking Scheme: Each question carries 1 mark and there is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer. To prepare for the MAT 2023 exam, you can follow the below tips: Understand the Exam Pattern: Before you start your preparation, make sure you have a clear understanding of the exam pattern, marking scheme, and syllabus. Create a Study Plan: Create a study plan that suits your schedule and stick to it. Allocate time to each section and prioritize the topics that you find difficult. Practice Mock Tests: Practice mock tests regularly to get an idea of the exam pattern and to improve your time management skills. Improve Your Language Skills: To do well in the Language Comprehension section, improve your reading and vocabulary skills. Read newspapers, magazines, and novels to enhance your language skills. Focus on Mathematics and Data Analysis: To do well in the Mathematical Skills and Data Analysis and Sufficiency sections, practice regularly and improve your calculation speed. Work on Your Critical Reasoning Skills: To do well in the Intelligence and Critical Reasoning section, practice puzzles, riddles, and logical reasoning questions. Stay Updated with Current Affairs To do well in the Indian and Global Environment section, stay updated with the latest news and events. Revise Regularly: Revise the topics regularly to retain what you have learned. Stay Confident and Positive: Lastly, stay confident and positive. Believe in yourself and your abilities to crack the exam. Good luck with your preparation!

Make a Section-wise Three-Month Preparation Strategy for MAT 2025

Many B-schools consider sectional scores of MAT while selecting a candidate for admission, thus it is important to prepare well for all the sections even if time is less. Check section-wise tips for MAT preparation in three months below:

MAT Language Comprehension Preparation

  • First Month: Practice reading with the help of magazines, newspapers and online blogs.
  • Second Month: Practice English grammar, vocabulary and verbal ability.
  • Third Month: Practice sample questions and exercises every day.

MAT Intelligence and Critical Reasoning Preparation

  • First Month: Understand the basic patterns and types of reasoning questions in MAT. Learn the basic concepts.
  • Second Month: Learn tricks to solve questions quickly and accurately. Practice a large number of questions of various ranges and various difficulty levels.
  • Third Month: Take online MAT mock test to develop the speed of solving Critical Reasoning questions specific to the exam.

MAT Data Analysis and Sufficiency Preparation

  • First Month: Understand types of charts, tables and graphs to interpret data accurately.
  • Second Month: Practice sample questions, learn shortcuts and tricks to solve questions without using a calculator.
  • Third Month: Spend maximum time in revision and practice of sample questions, mock tests, etc. to master each type of data interpretation questions.

MAT Mathematical Skills Preparation

  • First Month: List out topics from the MAT syllabus that you feel are difficult and work on them first. If you are weak in Mathematics, learn the fundamentals and formulas first.
  • Second Month: Learn shortcuts to solve Mathematics problems without using a calculator or doing rough work on paper. Practice mental calculation.
  • Third Month: Solve MAT mock tests to gain control over all types of questions from across the sections and gain speed.

MAT Economic and Business Environment Preparation

Once you've completed the syllabus of the four main MAT sections, move to Economic and Business Environment. This section is all about General Knowledge and Current Affairs. Thus, you can prepare this section in the last few days before the MAT exam. Dedicate about two hours daily to revise static GK and current affairs from Manorama Year Book. You can also refer to other current affairs publications.

Sample Paper and MAT Mock Test Practice

Get hold if MAT sample papers to practice a variety of questions. This will help you in learNing the application of formula and concepts to various types of questions. For every section of MAT, practice ample number of questions topic wise. Also analyse your performance in each so that you know your strengths and weaknesses. Having a clarity of what are your strong and weak areas will help you in choosing questions to attempt in the MAT exam. Practice a good number of MAT mock tests. Since you have only three months to prepare, do not wait to complete the syllabus, start practicing MAT mock test side by side. Mock test practice is essential for improving accuracy and time management so that you make the best of 120 minutes of the MAT exam. 

Free Shiksha Mock Test for Practice:

MAT_Mock_Test_1 MAT_Mock_Test_Solutions
MAT_Mock_Test_2 MAT_Mock_Test_2_Solutions

Read More:

Videos you may like
About the Author
author-image
Vipra Shrivastava
Senior Manager - Content
Vipra is a massive Breaking Bad fan. When not watching crime drama series, she spends time in updating the list of places she wants to visit and people she wants to meet, but she is happiest in the company of dogs. Read Full Bio
Download Important Dates for MBA/PGDM Exams

News & Updates

Latest NewsPopular News

Explore Other Exams

25 Nov '25 -

27 Nov '25

XAT 2026 form correction 2

10 Jul '25 -

5 Dec '25

XAT 2026 Exam registration

28 Oct '25 -

16 Dec '25

NMAT 2025 Admit Card Issuance

1 Aug '25 -

16 Dec '25

NMAT 2025 Rescheduling Window

30 Nov '25

CAT 2025 exam

Dec '25

CAT 2025 answer key challenge

1 Jul '25 -

19 Dec '25

IBSAT 2025 Registration

5 Nov '25 -

27 Dec '25

IBSAT Slot Booking 2025

26 Nov '25 -

28 Nov '25

CMAT 2026 form correction

17 Oct '25 -

24 Nov '25

CMAT 2026 registration and app...

28 Nov '25 -

6 Dec '25

SNAP 2025 admit card session 1...

6 Dec '25

SNAP 2025 session 1

16 Apr '26 -

18 Apr '26

MAH MBA CET 2026 exam

9 May '26

MAH MBA CET 2026 exam 2

25 Nov '25 -

29 Jan '26

MICAT (II) registration proces...

3 Dec '25 -

6 Dec '25

MICAT (I) admit card download

17 Oct '24 -

5 Dec '24

IIFT 2025 registration and app...

Jan '26

Publication of TANCET notifica...

Jan '26

TANCET registration window

The list of exams are recommended based on what other exams do the students in your area show interest in
qna

Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered 4 days ago

Hi.

The expected MAT cutoff for admission to the PGDM programme at GIBS Business School Bangalore is generally around the 64 percentile.
 
Key Details on the MAT Cutoff
  • Minimum Requirement: A MAT score of at least the 64 percentile is the standard benchmark for general category candidates to be consider

...Read more

h

heena agrawal

Scholar-Level 17

Answered 4 days ago

Hi.

Yes

The institution offers a range of scholarships, and performance in entrance exams like MAT (and CAT, XAT, etc.) is a key criterion for determining the amount of the scholarship award. 
 
Scholarship Policy at GIBS
GIBS has a clear scholarship policy designed to reward academic excellence and stro

...Read more

h

heena agrawal

Scholar-Level 17

Answered 4 days ago

Hi.

GIBS Business School has consistent and moderate cutoff trends for CAT and MAT over recent years. The scores generally fall within a specific range, and the university emphasizes a holistic evaluation process rather than relying solely on the entrance exam percentile. 
 
Common CAT Cutoff Trends
  • Per

...Read more

h

heena agrawal

Scholar-Level 17

Answered 4 days ago

Hi.

GIBS Business School primarily uses a merit-based admission system that considers the applicant's overall profile, but it does offer specific considerations and seat allocation for reserved categories and management quota seats. 
 
Reservation Policy at GIBS
Unlike public institutions (like IIMs) th

...Read more

h

heena agrawal

Scholar-Level 17

Answered 5 days ago

Hi.

Admission to the MBA programme is based on merit in the qualifying exam and a valid score in any one of the accepted national or state-level management entrance exams. The university also conducts its own in-house entrance exam, the DPAT, as an alternative option. 
 
Accepted Entrance Exams for MBA

...Read more

h

heena agrawal

Scholar-Level 17

Answered 5 days ago

VIT Business School accepts MAT exam percentile for admission to MBA programme. The MAT Cutoff 2024 is 80 for students belonging to the General All India category. In 2023, the VIT Business School cutoff was 80, and in 2022, it was also the same, at 80.

This trend suggests that the MAT percentile has

...Read more

N

Neerja Rohatgi

Contributor-Level 8

Answered 3 weeks ago

The admission deadline for GITAM MBA through the MAT entrance exam is February 21, 2025, based on information from their admissions notice.

A

Amrita D jaiswal

Contributor-Level 8

Answered 3 weeks ago

Yes, you can get admission to the MBA programme at AURO University with a valid MAT score. The university accepts MAT besides other recognised entrance examinations such as CAT, CMAT, XAT, and GMAT for admissions to its MBA programs. This is because AURO University aims to provide an opportunity to

...Read more

A

Amrita D jaiswal

Contributor-Level 8

Answered 3 weeks ago

No, MAT is not compulsory for the admission process in MBA or PGDM courses offered at ICBM-SBE. The institute uses a number of national-level entrance examinations such as CAT, XAT, CMAT, ATMA, GMAT, and MAT for multiple qualifying opportunities. This flexibility gives students with diverse academic

...Read more

A

Amrita D jaiswal

Contributor-Level 8

Answered a month ago

If you make an error in the educational qualifications section of the MAT form, you can typically make amends during the official correction period offered by AIMA. The correction period is open for a short time after the submission of the application. You can log in with your MAT account and edit t

...Read more

A

ABHINAV SRIVASTAVA

Contributor-Level 10