Vipra
Vipra Shrivastava
Senior Manager - Content
Updated on Dec 13, 2024 16:31 IST

MAT Intelligence and Critical Reasoning often poses chanllenges at the time of preparation because it does not have formulas to memorise or concepts to understand. But if you like to solve puzzles then you can score well in this section. If you are preparing for MAT 2025, find here key tips for MAT Intelligence & Critical Reasoning section.

MAT preparation

MAT Intelligence and Critical Reasoning section is a test of candidate's reasoning ability in various types of situations. It has questions on coding-decoding, series, blood relation and verbal reasoning, etc. Solving puzzles and choosing a correct option in a few seconds is not easy, thus, the preparation strategy for MAT Intelligence and Critical Reasoning has to holistic.

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Your MAT 2025 preparation plan for Intelligence and Critical Reasoning should be focused on observation and practice. MAT 2025 exam’s Intelligence and Critical Reasoning section covers 1/5th part of the question paper with 30 questions. Each question carries 1 mark and there is negative marking of -0.25. IFor an ideal MAT score, candidates must attempt at least 2/3 of the total questions in this section. So, it is critical to attain accuracy in this section. An ideal MAT preparation plan for Intelligence and Critical Reasoning should include practice questions of all variety and difficulty levels. 

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 are the dos and don'ts for MAT CBT and PBT?
A:
MAT exam is conducted in strict vigilance and a lot of care is taken to prevent impersonation, cheating, etc. Candidates are expected to follow guidelines set by the examination authorities for smooth and orderly conduct of the exam. Given below are certain dos and don'ts that candidates need to follow at the time of giving MAT. MAT exam dos 1. Reach the test centre as per the reporting time mentioned on the MAT admit card 2. Incase of IBT mode, log on to the test system as per the time mentioned on the admit card 3. Present all the relevant documents asked for identification 4. Cooperate in frisking and identification process 5. Divide your time in such way that you are able to solve a good enough number of questions in each session 6. MAT has negative marking so choose the questions carefully. Leave those whose answers you don't know. MAT exam don'ts 1. Don't be late to the test centre. The entry gates will be closed 15 minutes before the commencement of the exam and no entry will be allowed thereafter 2. In case of IBT mode, do not log in late 3. Do not carry prohibited items like notes, books, phone, calculator, watch, ipad, etc. 4. Do not wear metal items and accessories to the exam centre 5. Do not wear outfits with caps/headgears/hoodies, pockets etc. 6. Do not cheat or look into other candidate's system 7. Do not ask of exit before the announcement by exam invigilator.

Given below are some useful MAT preparation tips for Intelligence and Critical Reasoning. These tips will help MAT exam 2025 aspirants sharpen their critical reasoning skills.

Table of contents
  • How to Prepare for MAT Exam 2025: Intelligence & Critical Reasoning
  • MAT Mock Test Practice
  • Best Books for Intelligence and Critical Reasoning

How to Prepare for MAT Exam 2025: Intelligence & Critical Reasoning

As per the official MAT syllabus, Intelligence & Crtiical Reasoning topics include the following:

  • Family Tree
  • Course of Action
  • Arrangement
  • Pie Chart
  • Calendars
  • Statement-Conclusion
  • Strong Arguments and Weak Arguments
  • Puzzles
  • Series
  • Blood Relations
  • Coding and Decoding
  • Column Graphs
  • Multi-Dimensional Arrangements
  • Visual Reasoning
  • Numeric Grid
  • Critical Reasoning
  • Syllogisms and Graphs

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Check MAT previous year's questions papers to understand the pattern of questions related to these topics. You will understand the types and patterns of questions asked in the MAT exam. Practice sample questions of similar nature to master critical reasoning. 

Also Read:

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MAT question paper PDFs

MAT Intelligence & Critical Reasoning: How to Practice Sample Questions

If you are new to critical reasoning concepts, then you will have to practice MAT sample questions to understand the concepts and their application. If you have appeared for the MAT exam before, you may not need to practice too many sample papers. Whatever be the case, you will need to practice Reasoning questions daily. Your aim should be to be able to solve questions swiftly and improve your score day by day.

Scores in the Intelligence and Critical Reasoning section of MAT improves only with practice. The best way to prepare for Intelligence and Critical Reasoning section of MAT exam is by considering it more as a riddle than as a subject. If you develop interest in this section, you will be able to crack any type of reasoning question.

While sovling MAT sample questions, time yourself to see how many minutes you take for solving what type of questions. With practice, the time duration should come down. 

MAT Mock Test Practice

MAT mock tests are a great source of preparation for Intelligence and Critical Reasoning. MAT mock tests are available with varied difficulty levels. Start with easy mock tests. After you've started scoring well, move to moderate and then to high difficulty level MAT mock tests. At first, you might find it challenging to solve tough questions however, once you get clarity on structure, flow, logic and the connection, you would be able to solve the problems quickly.

In the Intelligence and Critical Reasoning section of MAT exam, following a systematic approach plays a decisive role in building skills and improving analytical and reasoning aptitude. It also helps to inspect the series strategically and understand concepts faster.

Check out free Shiksha Mock Test-

MAT_Mock_Test_1 MAT_Mock_Test_1_Solutions
MAT_Mock_Test_2 MAT_Mock_Test_2_Solutions

Best Books for Intelligence and Critical Reasoning

Check below recommended books for preparation of Intelligence and Critical Reasoning section of MAT 2025 exam:

MAT Books

Publication/ Authors

The Hand on Guide to Analytical Reasoning & Logical Reasoning

Arihant publication

Logical Reasoning Ability and General Mental Ability

Sanjeev Joon, RA Sharma

Also read: Best Books for MAT Exam Preparation

MAT, like any other MBA entrance exam, is a speed based test so focus on speed and accuracy. There is negative marking too. Relax and give your best with focused preparation. All the best!

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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
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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

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heena agrawal

Scholar-Level 17

Answered 6 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

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heena agrawal

Scholar-Level 17

Answered 6 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
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heena agrawal

Scholar-Level 17

Answered 6 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

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heena agrawal

Scholar-Level 17

Answered 6 days ago

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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

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heena agrawal

Scholar-Level 17

Answered 6 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

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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

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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

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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

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ABHINAV SRIVASTAVA

Contributor-Level 10