How many hours in a day are enough for MAT preparation?

It depends on the candidate's knowledge of MAT syllabus and whether they have appeared for the exam before or not. Someone who has prior experience of MAT will need about 4 hours daily to prepare as they will mainly need to do revision and practice mock tests. Those who are starting MAT preparation from the scratch, then they will need about 6-8 hours daily.

Is it necessary to opt for coaching to prepare for MAT?

No, it is not necessary to opt for coaching for MAT preparation. If one is already preparing for CAT or any other top MBA entrance exam, they need not take coaching for MAT. One can prepare for MAT with relevant study material and practice tests as it is an easy exam. Test takers can join online study group for doubt clearing sessions and basic guidance.

Is MAT mock test practice enough for preparation?

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.

How can I prepare for MAT without coaching?

If you don't wish to opt for coaching to prepare for MAT then join online study groups to get recommended study material and guidance from mentors/peers. Refer to MAT specific preparation books. Watch YT videos on MAT prep, practice mock tests and sample questions in a large number. Focus on all important topics from which most of the questions are asked.

What are the dos and don'ts for MAT CBT and PBT?

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.

What are the best books for MAT Language Comprehension?

MAT Language Comprehension section has equal weightage of verbal ability and reading comprehension. Candidates need to work on their English grammar and comprehension to crack this section Given below is the list of books for MAT Data Analysis and Sufficiency: Verbal Ability and Comprehension for MBA Exams by Odisha Publications Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension by Nishit K Sinha Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis Verbal Ability and Comprehension by Odisha Publication Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension by Gautam Puri How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT by Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay Verbal Ability & Comprehension for CAT/XAT/GMAT/IIFT/CMAT/MAT/Bank PO/SSC by Bharat Patodi and Aditya Choudhary English Comprehension for MAT by Odisha Experts English Reading Comprehension by RPH Editorial Board Proficiency in Reading Comprehension Simplifying the Passage for You by Ajay Singh Reading Comprehension Ordering of Words Ordering of Sentences by Dilip Kushwaha.

When should I start preparing for MAT?

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.

What are the best books for MAT Data Analysis and Sufficiency?

MAT Data Analysis and Sufficiency section is of moderate difficulty level. Candidates can prepare for this section in about 2-3 months. Given below is the list of books for MAT Data Analysis and Sufficiency: Data Analysis and Sufficiency by Arun Sharma How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for MAT by Arun Sharma Data Interpretation: Practice Book for the CAT and Other MBA Entrance Examinations by Nishit K Sinha The Pearson Guide to Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation by Nishit K Sinha Data Interpretation and Data Sufficiency for CAT/XAT/IIFT/CMAT/MAT/Bank PO/SSC by Odisha Experts Data Interpretation and Data Sufficiency by Ananta Ashisha Data Analysis and Interpretation Data Sufficiency by Think Tank of Kiran Prakashan Accredited Guide to Data Interpretation and Data Sufficiency by Ananta Ashisha Data Interpretation and Data Sufficiency by Arihant Experts.

Is MAT exam easier than other MBA entrance exams?

Difficulty level of MAT exam is lower than other MBA entrance exams. The question paper is usually of easy to moderate difficulty level. The exam is now held for 120 minutes. There are now 150 questions in the exam paper. There is no sectional time limit in MAT which allows the candidate to plan a strategy according to their strengths and weaknesses. The score of Indian and Global Environment section is not considered for percentile calculation thus candidates don't have the stress of fifth section. Also, solving 150 questions is not mandatory so candidates can choose to solve only those questions which they know they can solve accurately. Sectional difficulty level of MAT is also lower than other MBA exams. Candidates can attempt the exam multiple times in the same academic year to improve their score. They also have the option to choose the mode of test - CBT, IBT, PBT - which makes it the most student friendly exam. Also, the MAT cut offs for admission are much lower as compared to other entrance exams.

It is compulsory to attempt MAT GK section?

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.

Can I make another attempt at MAT exam, if I score low in first attempt?

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.

Which is the best session for appearing in MAT?

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 admission.

What is a good score in MAT exam?

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.

How to crack MAT in first attempt?

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.

Is MAT easier than CMAT?

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.

Can I crack MAT without Maths?

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.

Which MAT exam session is the toughest?

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.

Is the question paper of MAT IBT different from MAT CBT or PBT?

No, the question paper of MAT IBT is not different from MAT CBT or PBT. The test pattern, time duration, question type and marking scheme are the same for all three modes. Candidates can choose to appear for any exam mode with the worry of doing exam specific preparation. The only difference between MAT IBT and MAT CBT or PBT is that MAT IBT is a remote proctored exam and can be taken from any location unlike MAT CBT or PBT which are held at designated exam centres. The MAT question paper of every session however is different. All the 200 questions of each question paper is unique. The difficulty level is the same- easy to moderate but since the questions are different from each other candidates can feel slight difference in the difficulty level. The questions for every session are chosen randomly so in one session the paper can be overall easy while in another session the exam can be slightly difficult.

Is one-month preparation enough to crack MAT?

Yes, it is possible to crack MAT with 1-month preparation, but only if you have studied the topics included in the MAT syllabus before or have prepared for MAT or any other MBA entrance exam. If you are a fresher and have no prior knowledge of MAT do not attempt in with one-month preparation. Give yourself at least 6 months for MAT preparation. Those who have an experience of MAT or any other MBA entrance exam, need to focus on mock tests and sample papers in the given one month. Since they are well acquainted with the topics, sums, theorems, formulae, concepts, types, etc. All they need to do is practice them more. To prepare for MAT in one month get hold of a series of MAT mock tests and solve them every alternate day. Analyse your performance, the hits and the misses, and work on them. Keep at least last seven-eight days for revision of all the important topics. The best way to prepare for MAT in a short time is focus on only the important topics from which maximum questions are asked.

How should I prepare for Data Analysis and Sufficiency section of MAT?

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.

Is MAT syllabus difficult?

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.

MAT Exam Preparation 2026: Check Section-wise Prep Material for Feb Session

8K Students Q&A

Admit Card - 26 Feb '26

Updated on Feb 15, 2026 10:56 IST

By Vipra Shrivastava, Senior Manager - Content

MAT preparation 2026 - AIMA conducts MAT exam in multiple sessions and dates, so the first thing you should do is plan preparation on the basis of the session in which you want to appear for it. The syllabus of MAT includes Data Interpretation, Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, Language Comprehension and GK. Those who have appeared for MAT previously, can prepare for practicing MAT mock tests series only, but those who will be appearing for MAT for the first time, will need to cover the MAT syllabus first. MAT GK is an extra subject that they will need to study separately. But since it is a memory based section, it is best to prepare towards the exam month. Check below MAT 2026 preparation tips and strategies.

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