Students’ Speak: Preparation tips to crack MAT 2020
Management Aptitude Test 2026 ( MAT )
By: Kandarp Patel
If you haven't scored well in a few of the other MBA entrance exams, then MAT can be your second chance to score well and get access to top B-schools.
Management Aptitude Test (MAT) is one of the important entrance exams for MBA. Effective score in MAT can lead you to get admission in some of the top B-schools in the country, including Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-Madras), Welingkar Mumbai, Institute of Public Enterprise (IPE) Hyderabad, Management Development Institute (MDI) Murshidabad, Jagan Institute of Management Studies (JIMS Rohini), etc. The countdown for MAT 2020, to be held on February 16, has begun. So, in this article, we will discuss some effective tips and strategies to score well in MAT 2020.
When compared to other MBA entrance exams such as CAT, XAT, SNAP, etc., MAT is easy. So one can really score well in MAT if one has prepared well for any of the above mentioned entrance exams. If in some of your MBA entrance exams you have not performed well, then trust me MAT can be your second chance to score well and get access to top B-schools. Paper pattern of MAT haven’t not changed much since some years.
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Let us first go through the paper pattern of MAT.
| Sections |
No. of questions |
|---|---|
| Mathematics |
40 |
| Language Comprehension |
40 |
| Data Analysis & Sufficiency |
40 |
| Intelligence & Critical Reasoning |
40 |
| Indian & Global Environment |
40 |
| About Exam |
Information |
|---|---|
| Total questions |
200 |
| Total marks |
200 |
| Time duration |
150 minutes |
| Marking scheme |
+1 for correct answer -0.25 for wrong answer |
Section-wise Focus Topics & Tips
Mathematics
- Be thorough with all basic concepts & formulas.
- Try to solve some questions with the help of options.
- Try to find out easy questions by going through the paper first which can really help you in scoring well and saves time.
| Top Topics |
|---|
| Average |
| Percentage |
| Profit & Loss |
| HCM, LCM |
| Ratios |
| Proportions |
| Algebra |
Language Comprehension
- Be as fast as much as you can in this section.
- Good vocabulary can help you better in this section.
| Top Topics |
|---|
| Grammar |
| Comprehensions |
| Synonyms |
| Antonyms |
| Fill in the blanks |
| Idioms & Phrases |
| Match the followings |
Intelligence & Critical Reasoning
- You can really do your best in this section if you enhance your logical thought process.
- Analyze the questions properly and then solve the questions.
| Top Topics |
|---|
| Pie Chart |
| Family Tree |
| Calendars |
| Blood relation |
| Arrangement |
| Series |
| Coding-decoding |
| Reasoning |
- Data Analysis & Sufficiency
- Only practice can make you good in this section.
- Try to solve and practise some good questions from above-mentioned
| Top Topics |
|---|
| Time Speed Distance |
| Accounts |
| Partnership |
| Work & Time |
- Indian & Global Environment
- In this section, GK books can benefit you much.
- Reading newspapers and having knowledge of trending topics can make you score well.
| Top Topics |
|---|
| Current affairs |
| Sports |
| Education |
| Science & Technology |
| History |
| Business |
| Politics |
General MAT 2020 Tips
- Utilise more time in the section in which you are very strong and in which you can score well.
- Give at least 12-15 mocks.
- Solve past 2-5 years papers completely (or give it as a mock).
- Be perfect in time distribution.
- Suggested Time Distribution for effective scoring
About the Author:
Kandarp Patel is a student at Nirma University, Ahemdabad, pursuing Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering (final year). He is also a campus representative with Shiksha.com since 2016.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 17 hours ago
Yes, CAT/MAT/XAT/CMAT/GMAT scores are valid for KIITEE MBA. Candidates applying online will be required to submit copies of their mark sheets and other supporting documents.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 days ago
Yes, you will get a rank in the MAT exam, usually called your All India Rank (AIR).
Your rank is decided based on your overall MAT score and percentile compared to all other candidates who appeared in the same session.
You can see your rank and percentile on the official AIMA MAT scorecard after the r
P
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 3 days ago
The MAT scorecard is generally valid for one year from the date of result declaration.
This means you can use the same MAT score for MBA/PGDM admissions in the same academic year or the very next admission cycle, depending on the month you took the test (e.g., September/December scores often cover tw
P
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 5 days ago
Over 1400 MBA colleges in India accept MAT scores for admission. Best business schools in Bangalore, GIBS Business School Bangalore is one of them.
Key Stats
1400+ total colleges (990 private, 100 govt, 7 public-private).
Top ones: Christ University, Amity, VIT Vellore, Alliance University.
GIBS Spec
P
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 5 days ago
MAT is held in 4 phases - February, May, September and December. There are two exams per phase which means you can attempt MAT exam about 8 times in a year.
N
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 5 days ago
It is estimated that about 20,000 candidates appear for MAT in every exam phase and about 80,000 appear for the exam annually. There are no confirmed data however.
E
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 5 days ago
There is no minimum passing marks in MAT. Anybody scoring more than 0 marks is eligible for admission. However, since MAT admission is cut off based, merely passing the exam will not ensure selection.
M
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 5 days ago
MAT 2026 result will be released session wise. There are four sessions of MAT in a year – February, May, September and December. Result for each session is released 10 – 15 days after the exam. No, particular date is announced by the AIMA for result declaration. Candidates have to simply login and c
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
No, having good scores in MAT entrance test is not enough. AIM Pune admission is entrance-based. The accepted entrance exams are MAT/ XAT/ CAT/ CMAT/ ATMA entrance test. The final shortlisting is done on the basis of Written Ability Test/ Group Discussion followed by personal interview.
G
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
GIBS Business School Bangalore offers 8-10 week summer internships with 80+ companies across IT, finance, FMCG, consulting, and manufacturing, achieving near 100% placement.
Live Projects
Students undertake cross-functional live projects in marketing, sales, finance, HR, operations, and business devel
G
Contributor-Level 10