MAT Exam Pattern 2025 (Available): Check MAT Paper Pattern and Marking Scheme

Each section of MAT exam has equal weightage. All the five sections - Language Comprehension, Intelligence and Critical Reasoning, Data Analysis and Data Sufficiency, Mathematical Skills and Indian & Global Environment have 30 questions. Each question carries one mark thus the section wise weightage of marks is 30 per section. There is negative marking of 0.25 in MAT. Since, every section has equal weightage, you need to prepare well for each one of them for a good overall score. Even in the exam, spend a good amount of time on each section and solve a minimum number of questions to meet the sectional cut off. Since, there is no sectional time-limit in MAT exam. Candidates can decide themselves how much time they should spend on which section as one needs to score well in all sections because of equal weightage. Out of 2 hours or 120 minutes, candidates should allot maximum time to the section they find tough or are calculation intensive. It is advisable to attempt the easier sections first and then move to tougher sections.

Yes, the 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.

The CBT or computer based mode MAT exam is conducted online in which, candidates have to punch in their answers on the computer screen with the help of the mouse-pad. In PBT mode exam, candidates have to fill an OMR sheet with a blue/black ball point pen with the suitable option as the answer. These days most of the candidates opt for CBT which is way it is conducted twice in a particular exam phase. PBT is conducted only once in MAT exam phase. There is no difference in the exam pattern or syllabus of the MAT CBT and MAT PBT. Candidates can choose the mode of exam at the time of registration as per their convenience. If a candidate is comfortable in pen and paper mode, then they can opt for MAT PBT and if the candidate is comfortable in taking tests on computer, they can opt for MAT CBT. However, the CBT and PBT exams are held in different cities so candidates must check the list of test cities before choosing their exam mode.

Yes, there are two changes in MAT exam format. The exam duration is noq 120 minutes and total number of questions are 150. Earlier, the exam duration was 150 minutes and number of questions was 200.

The MAT 2024 test pattern consists of five sections that will measure your Language Comprehension, Mathematical Skills, Data Analysis and Sufficiency, Indian and Global Environment, and Intelligence and Critical Reasoning. The best part is you can choose to take the exam either in paper-based or computer-based modes. Each question carries one mark, so you have a chance to score big. Just keep in mind that there's a penalty of 0.25 marks for each incorrect answer, so choose wisely. You have four chances to take the exam in February, May, September, and December, so mark your calendars and get ready to ace it!

No, CAT and MAT syllabuses are almost same. MAT is easy. If you are preparing for CAT then no need of separate work for MAT. The syllabus is almost the same. I was also a student who prepared for CAT immediately after my graduation. The important things which you should look into while preparing for this exam are as follows: 1. Select one of the best coaching centers which offer quality education- TIME is one of the famous coaching centers for CAT. 2. Dedication- Be focused on the aim which you need to achieve. 3. Try to read Hindu newspaper editorial. Most of the passages which appear in CAT are from Hindu editorial. 4. Try to maximum number of online mock test. You will definitely clear CAT by doing the above. 5. Try to read as much as you can and make note of points. 6. Revision of each week topics is very important. 7. Mathematical ability questions will be little twisted try to do as faster as you can. These are my tips for you to crack both MAT and CAT.

Yes, the 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.

For MAT preparation in six months candidates need to have a focused plan. They must gather the best books for MAT preparation and start with covering the syllabus. MAT syllabus should be completed in three months. You can make a monthly/weekly or daily plan to cover the syllabus which should include studying one topic each from the main four sections - Mathematical Skills, Data Interpretation, Intelligence and Critical Reasoning as well as Language Comprehension. Keep the Indian and Global Environment section for the last. In the next two months, practice MAT sample papers and MAT mock tests to gain control over the topics you studied in the first three months. For a speed based test like MAT mock test and sample paper practice is a must because only with the help of these you can gain speed and accuracy in solving questions. The MAT question paper can have tough, tricky or easy question so you should be prepared for all types. In the last one month, study for the Indian and Global Environment section and do daily revision of all other topics. Solve a few previous year MAT question paper or solve a couple of mock tests to stay in touch with your abilities. Read More: MAT 6 months preparation plan

The difficulty level of MAT IBT, CBT and PBT is same – easy to moderate. Even though the set of questions are different in each test form, the examination authority maintains same difficulty level, so that no candidate has any advantage or disadvantage over others due to difference in exam mode. Thus, scoring better in MAT IBT, CBT or PBT totally depends on candidate's preparation and ability to optimize their score by choosing the right questions in the exam.

I am telling you some books and you can check last year's question papers that will help you to crack it without coaching List of 10 best books for MAT are given below : 1. Mission MBA MAT Guide by B S Sijwali and Tarun Goal (Arihant Books) 2. MAT (Management Aptitude Test) Entrance Exams with Practice CDby GKP (G K Publications Pvt. Ltd. ) covers, 3. The Pearson MAT Super Course with CD (Pearson) 4. Study Package For Management Aptitude Test by Arun Sharma (Tata McGraw-Hill) 5. 10 Challengers MAT 10 Mock Tests for Management Aptitude Testby Dharmendra Mittal (Arihant Publications) 6. MAT Score Accelerator (Odisha Publication) 7. MAT Solved Papers by Odisha Experts (Odisha Publication) 8. 10 Mock Test Papers MAT by Career Launchers (Oswaal Books) 9. R S Aggarwal for Class XI and XII Maths 10. Barrons Guide to GMAT by Eugene D. Jaffe and Stephen Hillbert (Galgotias Publication Pvt. Ltd. ) good luck!

For every incorrect attempt, 0.25 marks are deducted in MAT. The negative marking is applicable to all exam modes – CBT/PBT/IBT and all five sections. Candidates while appearing for the MAT, must keep in mind the negative marking and not attempt questions that they are not sure of. It is better to not answer a question than lose 0.25 marks. Negative marking impacts sectional as well as overall scores.

The Management Aptitude Test MAT is conducted for admission to more than 800 colleges. Based on the analysis of previous year's question papers, the following are some of the important topics for MAT preparation: 1. Mathematical Skills Section: The important topics include number systems, averages, percentages, Algebra ratios, time and work, speed, geometry, venn diagrams, time and distance, and profit and loss. 2. Data Analysis and Sufficiency: In this section, important topics are charts, line X-Y graphs, data comparison, and caselet-based data. 3. Intelligence and critical reasoning Section: Some important topics in this section include syllogisms, direction, blood relations, statement assumptions, conclusions, arrangement, coding and decoding, and arguments. 4. Language Comprehension: For this section, vocabulary and basic grammar are very important. The topic includes one-word substitution, antonyms and synonyms, and comprehension.

No. The exam pattern of MAT IBT is not different from CBT or PBT. In fact, the MAT exam pattern of all test modes is the same. The duration of MAT exam (PBT, CBT and IBT modes) is 2 hours or 120 minutes. The marking scheme is - plus one for correct attempt and minus 0.25 for incorrect attempt. There is no sectional time limit in MAT so candidates can utilise the 2 hours as per their own strategy. They should ideally, spend 25 minutes each on the top four sections and 15 minutes on the GK section. However, there may be slight difference in difficulty level because the questions in each MAT session are unique. No question is repeated in any session across CBT, PBT or IBT. This is to prevent any candidate from getting advantage or facing disadvantage due to leaking of the questions or in case of a candidates re-attempting the exam.

MAT is one of the easier MBA entrance exam. The difficulty level of the exam much easier than CAT XAT or CMAT. Candidates usually prepare for CAT XAT and CMAT and use that experience to give the MAT exam. Even though the MAT has more questions than XAT CAT CMAT. It is easier because the questions of all the five sections include:

• Mathematical Skills
• Language Comprehension
• Intelligence and Critical Reasoning
• Data Analysis and Sufficiency
• Indian and Global Environment

These are easy and straightforward. There are less Reading Comprehension passages of shorter length and are easy to comprehend. Since, the Indian and Global Environment scores are not taken into consideration for MAT percentile calculation, candidates find it easier to crack MAT in 2.5 hours with high scores.

MAT exam has five important sections - Mathematical Skills, Language Comprehension, Intelligence and Critical Reasoning, Data Analysis and Sufficiency, Mathematical Skills and Indian and Global Environment. Each section carries 40 questions each. Given below are the important topics from which questions are asked in MAT. 

• Language Comprehension - Verb, Noun, Pronoun, Adjective, Adverb, Antonyms and Synonyms, Reading Comprehension, Parts of Speech, One Word Substitution, Vocabulary, Sentence Correction, Idioms/Phrases, Grammar, Fill the Blanks, Para Jumbles and Verbal Ability.
• Intelligence and Critical Reasoning - Family Tree, Strong Arguments and Weak Arguments, Multi-Dimensional Arrangements, Course of Action, Puzzles, Visual Reasoning, Arrangement, Series, Numeric Grid, Pie Chart, Blood Relations, Critical Reasoning, Calendars, Coding and Decoding, Syllogisms, Statement Conclusions, Column Graphs and Graphs Representing Area.
• Data Analysis and Sufficiency - Tables, Pie Charts, Caselet-based Data Charts, Graphs - Line X-Y Graphs, Venn Diagram, Bar Diagrams, Data Analysis and Data Comparison and Data Sufficiency Mathematical Skills- LCM and HCF, Commercial Maths Complex Numbers, Percentages, Permutation and Combinations, Binomial Theorem, and more.

MAT exam has 150 multiple-choice questions equally divided into five sections - Language Comprehension, Intelligence and Critical Reasoning, Data Analysis and Sufficiency, Mathematical Skills and Indian and Global Environment. Each section of the exam has 30 questions. The questions are in MCQ format with four options to choose the correct options from. Given below is the sectional break up of MAT question paper. All three modes of exam have the same weightage. 

Language Comprehension: 30 questions 

Intelligence and Critical Reasoning: 30 questions 

Data Analysis and Sufficiency: 30 questions 

Mathematical Skills: 30 questions 

Indian and Global Environment: 30 questions 

Since there is no sectional time limit in MAT candidates can divide time between all the five sections according to their own exam strategy and target score. The score of Indian and Global Environment section is not taken into consideration for percentile calculation, thus candidates should not spend more than 10-15 minutes on it.

No marks are deducted for skipping a question in MAT exam. If you do not attempt a question, you will be marked 0 for it. There is negative marking in MAT for wrong attempts, so candidates must rather skip the question than make guess work. It is not mandatory to attempt all the questions in MAT, so there is no pressure.

The MAT exam is an entrance exam for top MBA programs that is administered in three modes: PBT, CBT, and IBT modes. The MAT IBT exam is known as the Remote Proctored Internet-Based Test (IBT). It is the most convenient mode among the three. You can take a computer-based MAT exam at home or any other preferred location in the IBT in this mode. This was introduced in 2020 following the coronavirus outbreak. The exam pattern and marking are similar to PBT and CBT. The requirements to give the MAT IBT are as follows: 1. You should have a stable internet connection with a minimum of 512 kbps speed throughout the MAT duration. 2. You need to give the exam in either Chrome version 63 or above or Firefox version 52 or above. 3. To give IBT, you must have Windows operating system version 7 or higher. 4. The minimum requirement is 65 MB of permanent free space on the default hard drive. 5. The minimum supported version is 4.5.1. NET framework for IBT exam.

For MAT CBT, candidates will be allotted a test centre in the city they shall have selected as preference in the, MAT application form. Candidates can appear for MAT from home in only IBT mode.  MAT CBT is held in the followimg cities: Agra, Ahmedabad, Asansol, Bareilly, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Coimbatore, Dehradun, Delhi, Ernakulam - Kochi, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon, Guwahati, Hubballi (Hubli), Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Jammu, Kolkata, Kozhikode, Lucknow, Madurai, Meerut, Mumbai, Mysuru (Mysore), Nashik, Noida, Patna, Pune, Raipur, Ranchi, Rourkela, Shillong, Shimla, Silchar, Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, Vellore and Vijayawada

If you have appeared for MAT before and are thoroughly familiar with the exam syllabus and topics then you can prepare for it with the help of MAT mock tests only. However, if you are appearing for it for the first time, you will need to cover the MAT syllabus first and then practice mock tests. Mock tests are useful for increasing speed and accuracy. With conceptual clarity, mock tests won't help much in preparation.

Each section of MAT exam has equal weightage. All the five sections - Language Comprehension, Intelligence and Critical Reasoning, Data Analysis and Data Sufficiency, Mathematical Skills and Indian & Global Environment have 30 questions. Each question carries one mark thus the section wise weightage of marks is 30 per section. There is negative marking of 0.25 in MAT. Since, every section has equal weightage, you need to prepare well for each one of them for a good overall score. Even in the exam, spend a good amount of time on each section and solve a minimum number of questions to meet the sectional cut off. Since, there is no sectional time-limit in MAT exam. Candidates can decide themselves how much time they should spend on which section as one needs to score well in all sections because of equal weightage. Out of 2 hours or 120 minutes, candidates should allot maximum time to the section they find tough or are calculation intensive. It is advisable to attempt the easier sections first and then move to tougher sections.

Since, MAT exam is conducted only for admission to MBA and PGDM/PGP courses. It is a post graduate level business aptitude test comprising Quantitative Aptitude critical reasoning, data interpretation, data sufficiency, language comprehension and general awareness.

Given below are the topics included in the MAT syllabus:

• MAT Syllabus for Language: Comprehension Verb, Noun, Pronoun, Adjective, Adverb, Parts of Speech, Sentence Correction, Fill in the Blanks, Antonyms and Synonyms, One Word Substitution, Idioms/Phrases, Para Jumbles, Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, Grammar, Verbal Ability, etc. 
• MAT Syllabus for Intelligence and Critical Reasoning: Family Tree, Course of Action, Arrangement, Pie Chart, Calendars, Statement Conclusions, Strong Arguments and Weak Arguments, Puzzles, Series, Blood Relations, Coding and Decoding, Column Graphs, Multi-Dimensional Arrangements, Visual Reasoning, Numeric Grid, Critical Reasoning, Syllogisms, Graphs Representing Areas MAT Syllabus for Data Analysis and Sufficiency: Tables, Charts, Pie Charts, Caselet-based Data, Graphs - Line X-Y Graphs, Venn Diagram, Bar Diagrams, Data Analysis and Data Comparison, Data Sufficiency 
• MAT Syllabus for Mathematical Skills: LCM and HCF, Commercial Maths Complex Numbers, Percentages, Permutation and Combinations, Binomial Theorem, Profit and Loss, Simple Interest and Compound Interest, Heights and Distance, Inequalities, Speed, Time and Distance, Triangles Set Theory, Number System Circles, Mixtures and Alligations, Elementary Mathematics, Geometry, Venn Diagrams, Trigonometry Equations, Linear Programming
• MAT Syllabus for Indian and Global Environment Section: Current Affairs World Records, Business and Economy, Companies and CEOs, Awards and Winners, Books and Authors, Company Punchlines, History, International Organisation, Quotes and Personalities, Social Issues, Geography, Sports, Arts, Entertainment, Technology.

Total marks of MAT exam is 150. Every question carries one mark for correct attempt and there is negative marking of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer. No marks is deducted for skipping questions. The MAT question paper has 150 questions equally divided into five sections - Language Comprehension, Intelligence & Critical Reasoning, Data Analysis & Data Sufficiency, Mathematical Skills and Indian & Global Environment.

Language Comprehension: 30 questions 

2. Intelligence & Critical Reasoning: 30 questions 

3. Data Analysis & Data Sufficiency: 30 questions 

4. Mathematical Skills: 30 questions 

5. Indian & Global Environment: 30 questions 

Every section therefore has 30 questions which means every section carries 30 marks. The scores of GK section is not considered for MAT percentile calculation. So candidates can keep GK section as their last priority.

Preparing for an entrance exam like MAT can be daunting, but there are many excellent resources available to help you succeed. Some of the best books for MAT preparation include the Mission MBA Guide by B. S. Sijwali & Tarun Goal, The Pearson MAT Super Course by Pearson, and Study Package for MAT by Arun Sharma. In addition to these books, candidates can also benefit from practicing with previous years' question papers and mock tests, which provide insight into the exam pattern and syllabus.

Online study materials and video lectures are also available to supplement your preparation. Be sure to check the official website and other reliable sources for the most updated information on the best books and study materials for MAT preparation. With the right resources and dedication, you can ace the exam and take the first step towards your dream management career. All the best!

Yes, you can attempt MAT exam as many times as you want. MAT is conducted multiple times in a year and three different modes. The MAT exam is held in February, May, September and December. In each phase there are 4-5 IBT sessions, 2 CBT sessions and 1 PBT session. If a candidate is not satisfied with their score of first attempt, they can choose any upcoming session to appear for it again. They can choose an exam phase and a session as per their preparation level, decision to pursue MBA or admission cycle of the target college. However, for each session, the candidate will have to fill a fresh application form and pay the fees. The score of the last attempted MAT exam will be considered for admission. Read More: https://www.shiksha.com/mba/articles/mat-exam-preparation-tips-blogId-11997