In a poll conducted by Shiksha, most of the MAT aspirants shared that mock test practice is most helpful in exam preparation. MAT is a speed based test and merely having conceptual clarity is no enough. Read more.
In a poll conducted by Shiksha recently, it was found out that most of the MAT aspirants prefer mock test practice for exam preparation. To the question – “What kind of content helps you the most with MAT preparation?”, most of the respondents chose MAT mock test practice.
- MAT Poll: What Respondents Say?
- MAT Preparation 2025: Overall Strategy
- MAT Syllabus and Pattern
MAT Poll: What Respondents Say?
Out of 258 respondents who took the Shiksha poll, 35% said they prefer MAT mock test practice over any other form of study material for exam preparation. About 22% respondents felt that conceptual explanation is the most important part of MAT preparation and it helps them prepare in best manner. About 16% respondents said that exam strategies help them the most in MAT preparation, while 15% felt step by step problem solving sessions are most helpful. Revision is an important aspect of overall MAT preparation and 12% respondents agreed on that.
MAT is conducted by AIMA for admission to over 800 MBA colleges in India. The exam is conducted in paper based test, computer based test and internet based test modes. MAT is considered one of the most student friendly MBA entrance exams in India, as candidates can appear for it multiple times in the same academic session. Candidates can choose to appear for MAT in February, May, August and December.
Commonly asked questions
MAT Preparation 2025: Overall Strategy
MAT is an easy exam. Overall 6 months will be enough to prepare for it. Aspirants can make a 6-month strategy. Candidates must make use of all kinds of content for MAT preparation. An ideal strategy will be a combination of all five elements – mock test, conceptual explanation, step by step problem solving sessions and mock test.
- Start with MAT syllabus coverage
- Cover every topic section wise and solve practice questions
- Practice full length and sectional MAT mock tests
- Revise important topics at regular interval
MAT Mock Tests by Shiksha
Candidates preparing for MAT 2025 can attempt free MAT mock tests by Shiksha and check their preparation level.
| MAT_Mock_Test_1 | MAT_Mock_Test_1_Solutions |
| MAT_Mock_Test_2 | MAT_Mock_Test_2_Solutions |
MAT Syllabus and Pattern
Check below key highlights of MAT syllabus and pattern.
| MAT Features |
MAT Exam Details |
|---|---|
| Exam modes |
Paper Based Test (PBT) Computer Based Test (CBT) Internet Based Test (IBT) |
| MAT sections |
Language Comprehension Data Analysis & Sufficiency Mathematical Skills Intelligence & Critical Reasoning Economic and Business Environment |
| Total number of questions |
150 |
| Number of questions per session |
30 |
| Exam duration |
120 minutes |
| Total marks |
150 |
| Marking scheme |
+1 for each correct entry -0.25 for each incorrect entry 0 for not attempting a question |
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Student Forum
Answered 14 hours ago
No, you cannot join Jindal Global Business School without an entrance exam if you want admission to the MBA course. For admission to the management courses, the institute accepts various national-level exams, like
- CAT
- MAT
- ATMA
- GMAT
- NMAT
- XAT
- CMAT
Students who attain qualifying percentiles for these exams are
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
No, you cannot join UPES Dehradun for its MBA programme without appearing for the accepted entrance examination. To gain admission to this institute, students would need to take one of the following exams after they clear the basic eligibility rules.
- NMAT, XAT and MAT
Students who attempt the previou
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
MAT is overall an easy exam, but if you compare the sections, usually the Quantitative Aptitude is considered tougher than rest of the four sections, due to calculation intensive questions.
J
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 5 days ago
All the MAT sections have same weightage, i.e. 30 questions and 30 marks. So candidates must keep in mind to prepare each section properly and poor performance in one section can affect overall score.
N
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
To get into Anna University for the MBA/PGDM course, students would need to appear in the accepted exam, like CAT, MAT, and TANCET.
Students who appear in the CAT or MAT exam would need to attain a valid percentile, and only then are they eligible for the next round of admission, which involves GD,
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
No, you can not join Anna University without appearing for an entrance exam if you want admission to the MBA/PGDM course. Students can either take the CAT or MAT exam, attain a valid percentile and then proceed to the next round.
Or they can take the TANCET entrance examination, attain valid ranks an
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
The percentile needed for admission would depend on the category you belong to. JAGSoM accepts various entrance examinations for admission to the MBA/PGDM course, like CAT, XAT, MAT, etc.
As per the estimated XAT cutoff in 2026, a percentile of 70 would be good enough to secure a chance at admission
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
You don't strictly need CAT to get into GIBS Business School. They accept both CAT and MAT scores, but even if you haven't appeared for them, you can still get admission through their direct admission or interview process.
CAT → accepted, helps in selection
MAT → also accepted, gives another option
No
P
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 2 weeks ago
Yes, Global Institute of Business Studies does accept scores from exams like CAT, MAT, XAT, and CMAT. They take these exams into consideration for admissions, so you don't have to worry about only one exam. It gives you flexibility to apply with the scores you already have and increases your chances
P
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 3 weeks ago
GIBS Business School's PGDM cutoff is moderate and generally does not reach the high levels of an IIM. The main factors impacting cutoff are your entrance test scores and other criteria.
Cutoff Recent Data:
- CAT: 60-70 Percentile approximately
- XAT: 60-70 Percentile approximately
- MAT: 60-65 Percentile ap
M
Beginner-Level 4

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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