MAT 2026 Preparation Tips for Data Analysis & Sufficiency
Management Aptitude Test 2026 ( MAT )
Registration - 23 Feb '26
MAT Data Analysis and Sufficiency section is easy. However, one needs to have strong calculation skills to solve questions quickly. Know the tips and tricks to score high in Data Analysis and Sufficiency section of MAT 2026 exam.
MAT Data Analysis and Sufficiency preparation is all about gaining control on calculations with practice. One needs to practice a wide variety of DI questions to understand table, graphs, bars and pie charts through which data sets are analysed. Among the five sections of the MAT, the Data Analysis and Sufficiency section is considered to be the easier one. That is, if test takers understand the tables and charts well. Strong base in Maths is immensely helpful in quick calculations to derive solutions.
The Data Analysis and Sufficiency section of MAT exam tests the aspirant’s ability to analyse large data sets which is crucial to various management profiles. The key to crack any DI question is having ample practice. For that, you need to solve previous years' MAT question papers and practice sample papers. If the MAT preparation of Data Analysis and Sufficiency is done in a systemic manner, then scoring high is possible. Those planning to appear for MAT 2026 must check Data Interpretation tips below.
- MAT Preparation 2026: Pattern of Data Analysis & Sufficiency Section
- MAT Data Analysis & Sufficiency Questions and Difficulty Level
- MAT Preparation: Tips for Data Analysis & Sufficiency
- Types of Data Analysis & Sufficiency Questions in MAT
- Tips to Score High in MAT Data Analysis & Sufficiency
MAT Preparation 2026: Pattern of Data Analysis & Sufficiency Section
The Data Analysis and Sufficiency section of MAT exam usually has seven to eight sets and each set comprises 3-4 questions. Bar Graphs, Tables, Line Graphs, Combination Graphs, Pie Charts, Caselets, Data Sufficiency, Data Comparison are they key topics in this MAT section. An important aspect of this section of MAT is that one needs to know the art of selecting the right set of questions to solve. Choose only those sets that can be solved quickly and accurately.
MAT Data Analysis & Sufficiency Questions and Difficulty Level
Data Analysis & Sufficiency section of MAT exam is moderate in terms of difficulty level. Check the table below indicating topic-wise difficulty level of Data Analysis & Sufficiency section of MAT exam:
| MAT DI-DSTopics |
Number of Questions |
Level of Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Data Sufficiency |
4 |
Easy |
| Data Caselet |
4 |
Difficult |
| Line Graph |
4 |
Easy-Moderate |
| Bar Graph, Expenditure and Profit |
4 |
Easy- Moderate |
| Multiple Graphs |
4 |
Easy |
| Pie Chart |
3 | Difficult |
| Data Comparison |
4 |
Easy |
| Quantitative Comparison |
3 |
Easy |
| Total |
30 |
|
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MAT Preparation: Tips for Data Analysis & Sufficiency
MAT Data Analysis questions can be lengthy, so due diligence is required. Speed and accuracy is the key and for that studying tables and charts, students must practice various shortcuts and Vedic Mathematic techniques. Secondly, multiple types of calculations will be required to derive the result. One needs to practice table, square, square roots, cube, cube roots, etc. for faster calculation.
Types of Data Analysis & Sufficiency Questions in MAT
Questions Based on Graphs
Some questions in the Data Analysis & Sufficiency section of MAT exam are based on different types of graphs such as Bar Graph, Pie Chart, Line Graph, Tables and Combination Graph. The combination graph involves the combination of two or more types of graphs like: Line Bar, Pie Bar, Table Pie, etc.
Questions Based on Data Sufficiency
Based on previous years' MAT question papers, we can say that around 5-10 Data Sufficiency questions are usually asked in MAT exam. Data Sufficiency questions are easier than Data Analysis questions.
Questions Based on Data Comparison
There are usually one or two Data Comparison questions. It is advisable to attempt the Data Comparison questions before attempting the Data Interpretation questions. This will help you in understanding the pattern of questions.
Questions Based on Caselet
In MAT exam, there is usually one caselet with around four to five questions, as seen in a few previous years' MAT question papers, the Caselet questions are most time consuming. So, attempt Caselet questions in the end.
Also Read: MAT books for preparation
Tips to Score High in MAT Data Analysis & Sufficiency
Only solving questions is not enough. It is important to solve questions with maximum accuracy in order to optimise performance. Check below some quick tips for MAT.
- Read the questions very carefully before attempting. Understand the data presentation and then read the answer options.
- Do not read the answer options first as it may cloud your judgement while reading the question.
- Memorise Tables up to 20, Squares, Square Roots, Cubes, etc. to save time on calculation.
- Do not make assumptions in Data Analysis & Sufficiency questions as they are data-based and there is no scope of guess work.
- MAT exam has negative marking, so do not attempt questions you can’t solve with 100 per cent accuracy.
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MAT test cities are not same for CBT and PBT. Number of CBT test cities is more than PBT test cities. CBT and PBT test cities are listed below:
MAT PBT Test Cities:
Bengaluru, Bhilai, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Coimbatore, Delhi, Durgapur, Gandhinagar, Gurgaon, Guwahati, Haldwani, Hyderabad, Jabalpur, Jalandhar, Jodhpur, Kanpur, Kolkata, Kottayam, Lucknow, Madurai, Mangaluru, Mumbai, Nashik, Noida, Patna, Prayagraj, Raipur, Ranchi, Silchar, Siliguri, Surat, Tezpur, Thiruvananthapuram, Varanasi and Visakhapatnam
MAT CBT Test Cities:
Agra, Ahmedabad, Asansol, Bareilly, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Coimbatore, Dehradun, Delhi, Ernakulam - Kochi, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon, Guwahati, Hubballi (Hubli), Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Jammu, Jamshedpur, Kolkata, Kozhikode, Lucknow, Madurai, Meerut, Mumbai, Mysuru (Mysore), Nagpur, Noida, Patna, Pune, Raipur, Ranchi, Rourkela, Shillong, Shimla, Salem, Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, Tiruchirappalli (Trichy), Vellore and Vijayawada
No, MAT CBT and MAT PBT test cities are not same. Check the table below for cities in which MAT PBT and MAT CBT will be conducted.
MAT PBT Cities
Bengaluru | Guwahati | Nashik |
Bhilai | Hyderabad | Noida |
Bhagalpur | Jodhpur | Patna |
Bhubaneshwar | Kanpur | Prayagraj |
Chennai | Kolkata | Raipur |
Coimbatore | Kottayam | Ranchi |
Delhi | Lucknow | Surat |
Durgapur | Madurai | Varanasi |
Gandhinagar | Mangaluru | Visakhapatnam |
Gurgaon | Mumbai |
|
MAT CBT Cities
Agra | Gurugram | Mumbai |
Ahmedabad | Guwahati | Mysore |
Asansol | Hubbali | Nagpur |
Bengaluru | Hyderabad | Noida |
Bhopal | Indore | Patna |
Bhubaneswar | Jaipur | Raipur |
Chandigarh | Jammu | Ranchi |
Chennai | Jamshedpur | Rourkela |
Coimbatore | Kolkata | Thiruvananthapuram |
Dehradun | Kozhikode | Thrissur |
Delhi | Lucknow | Tiruchirappalli |
Ernakulam- Kochi | Madurai | Vijaywada |
Ghaziabad | Meerut |
|
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
Yes, you are eligible to apply for MAT. The main eligibility criteria is graduation from a recognised university. Education mode can be regular or correspondence.
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Contributor-Level 6
Answered Yesterday
There is no age limit for MAT. Candidates who are fresh graduates or working professionals in any phase of their career are eligible for it. So, essentially they must be at least 20 years old.
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Contributor-Level 6
Answered Yesterday
There is no minimum marks requirement in graduation for MAT, but B Schools have minimum academic criteria of 50% in graduation (45% for Reserved categories) for full time MBA programmes.
A
Contributor-Level 6
Answered Yesterday
No, MAT eligibility is not different for PBT and CBT. Whether the candidate chooses PBT or CBT, they must have completed graduation or be in the final year of Bachelor's degree programme.
E
Contributor-Level 6
Answered Yesterday
MAT scaled score is between 200 to 800. It is arrived at using scores of all the five sections of the exam. Raw scores are coverted into scaled score by applying a standardised formula after with MAT percentile is calculated.
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
There is no passing marks in MAT. Anybody with above 0 score is eligible for admission. However, colleges select candidates on the basis of MAT cut offs. No MAT score accepting college has less than 60 percentile as cut off.
M
Contributor-Level 6
Answered Yesterday
MAT cut off is the minimum score required for admission to any college. Every MAT accepting college has a minimum percentile basis which they select candidates for admission.
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Contributor-Level 6
Answered Yesterday
If you are targeting any of the top tier MBA colleges, then it is required to have a score of 600 score in MAT, which will convert into 90 percentile and above.
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Contributor-Level 6
Answered a week ago
There are only 2 Government Colleges in India that provide PGDM Courses and accept MAT Scores, others provide MBA, which is similar to PGDM. The colleges are -
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Contributor-Level 7
Answered 3 weeks ago
HPU MAT 2026 exam date will be announced on release of official notification. Himachal Pradesh University will announce HPU MAT dates 2026 in April. Students can know the important application form dates, exam dates and counselling dates soon.
Contributor-Level 10