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.
Explore colleges based on MAT
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
Answered a week ago
The admission deadline for GITAM MBA through the MAT entrance exam is February 21, 2025, based on information from their admissions notice.
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week 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
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week 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
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
Yes, candidates can apply to GIBS Business School, Bangalore, using only MAT scores for admission to the PGDM or MBA course. GIBS accepts MAT as one of the approved national-level entrance examinations for the purpose of shortlisting students. Students who have a valid MAT score, as per the eligibil
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
GIBS Business School, Bangalore, has a strong and dynamic Placement Cell that helps in securing excellent career opportunities for the students. Every year, more than 260 reputed companies have visited the campus for recruitment, offering versatile jobs in sectors like BFSI, IT, consulting, manufact
A
Contributor-Level 7
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
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
Yes, the MAT-PBT exam is still open for registrations for candidates looking to take admissions into the PGDM courses at DSGS. The MAT-PBT exam registrations started at the end of July and will end at the end of September. The MAT-PBT exam will be conducted near the end of September only. Candidates
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
Yes, the MAT entrance exam is still open in 2025 for the SOIM PGDM admissions. The MAT PBT and CBT registrations for the year 2025 are still open till 15 September and 22 September respectively. There are also other exams that canidates can clear to gain admissions into SOIM PGDM courses. Candidates
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
The MAT 2025 exam has been concluded with registrations being closed on the 14th July 2025. However, the MAT CBT exam is still open for registrations and is acceptable for admissions in the PBS PGDM course. The MAT CBT exam was opened for registrations recently on 22nd August 2025 and will remain op
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
Yes, all candidates who manage to clear the MAT entrance exam are eligible to apply for PGDM courses at PBS. Admissions into PBS PGDM courses are entrance based where a candidate's performance in the appropriate entrance exam is used to decide their admissions. Candidates interested in PGDM courses
S
Contributor-Level 10
Registration - 23 Oct '25 - 7 Dec '25

