MAT Exam Syllabus 2026 (Available): Download Free AIMA MAT Syllabus PDF

Yes, you can prepare for MAT exam in three months, but you will have to work on it in a very focused manner and dedicate quality time. You should follow a three-month MAT preparation plan that should include syllabus coverage and practice sessions. Since you have less time, you can’t wait to finish the MAT syllabus first and then start practicing sample questions and mock tests. You will need to do both side by side. So, make a list of topics from which maximum questions are asked in the MAT exam. Focus on them first. Study the topics and solve some sample questions the same day to ensure that you have understood theory and application both. This way, you will have enough practice as well. In the last one month focus on MAT mock tests, to gain speed and accuracy in solving the paper. Read more: MAT 3-month preparation plan

Candidates can refer to CAT books for MAT preparation but they should also study from books and study material specifically designed for MAT. The Quantitative Aptitude, Logical Reasoning, Data Interpretation and English topics are same for CAT and MAT. But to prepare for Economic and Business Environment section of MAT, one will need books and study material specific to it.

MAT syllabus is not very difficult but it is not easy either. The topics included in MAT syllabus are same as that of other MBA entrance exams like English, Quants, Reasoning, DI and GK. So, if you find these subjects tough MAT syllabus will be difficult for you and if you find the easy, the exam syllabus will be easy.

MAT RC passages are easier than CAT RC passages. They are shorter in length and easy to understand. Candidates preparing for MAT, must practice MAT RC passages in good number as even though the passages are short, one will still need speed to read them in a limited time and note down the important points for answering the related questions.

MAT exam usually has 4 Reading Comprehension passages in MAT exam. The passages are easy to read and have questions with direct answers. They belong to Economy, Environment, Science & Technology, Culture, Society, Business & Management, Current Affairs, History, Philosophy and Abstract topics.

MAT has 2 sections which are completely Maths based – Mathematical Skills and Data Interpretation, so it is not possible to crack MAT without having a good control over this subject.

The important topics included in the MAT syllabus for Intelligence and Critical Reasoning include 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 & Decoding, Syllogisms, Statement Conclusions, Column Graphs, Graphs Representing Area. Candidates must note that covering MAT syllabus for Intelligence and Critical Reasoning is tough because it is not Mathematics. There is no concept to be understood, there is no formula to be memorized. It is also not like General Knowledge, where facts are to be memorized. This section of MAT requires developing intelligence and reasoning skills. Most of the questions in this section are based on puzzles and patterns so one needs to develop the skill of identifying key details. Practice of several types of questions from all the topics is one of the best ways to cover the syllabus of this section of MAT.

The Mathematical Skills section of MAT carries 40 questions and which belong to Arithmetic, Geometry, Mensuration Algebra and Number System. To crack this section of MAT one needs study all the topics included five Mathematical sub sections. To prepare for these topics, CAT Quantitative Aptitude books are useful. Candidates can also refer to MAT specific books. Mathematics for MBA by RS Aggarwal Magical Book on Quicker Maths by M Tyra Arithmetic and Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams by R Goal Speed Mathematics: Do it quick, Do it right by Rajesh Kumar Thakur Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams by RS Aggarwal Vedic Mathematics: Secrets Skills for Quick, Accurate Mental Calculations by Sumita Bose The Pearson Guide to Quantitative Aptitude by Dinesh Khattar How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude by Arun Sharma.

Ideal time to start MAT preparation is 6 months before the exam session. But if you have appeared for it before, you will need less time to prepare. So, plan your preparation accordingly.

Yes, you can attempt MAT exam as many times as you want. MAT is conducted multiple times in a year, in February, May, September and December. If a candidate is not satisfied with their score of first attempt, they can choose any upcoming session to appear for it again. 

 

Some of the main topics included in the MAT syllabus for Mathematical Skills are LCM and HCF, Percentages, Commercial Maths Complex Numbers, Percentages, Profit and Loss, Permutation and Combinations, Binomial Theorem, Sequence and Series Surds and Indices, Interest (Simple and Compound), Heights and Distance, Inequalities, Speed, Time and Distance, Triangles Set Theory, Number System Circles, Mixtures and Alligations, Elementary Mathematics, Geometry, Venn Diagrams, Trigonometry Equations and Linear Programming. Candidates need to study all these topic thoroughly this section of MAT carries 40 questions and in every session there can be more questions from any topic. So, start preparing for Mathematical Skills section of the MAT exam at least six months before you intend to appear for it. To cover the entire syllabus of this section thoroughly, you will need at least six months.

If you don't wish to opt for coaching to prepare for MAT then join online study groups to get recommended study material and guidance from mentors/peers. Refer to MAT specific preparation books. Watch YT videos on MAT prep, practice mock tests and sample questions in a large number. Focus on all important topics from which most of the questions are asked.

The important topics included in the MAT syllabus for Intelligence and Critical Reasoning include 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 & Decoding, Syllogisms, Statement Conclusions, Column Graphs, Graphs Representing Area. Candidates must note that covering MAT syllabus for Intelligence and Critical Reasoning is tough because it is not Mathematics. There is no concept to be understood, there is no formula to be memorized. It is also not like General Knowledge, where facts are to be memorized. This section of MAT requires developing intelligence and reasoning skills. Most of the questions in this section are based on puzzles and patterns so one needs to develop the skill of identifying key details. Practice of several types of questions from all the topics is one of the best ways to cover the syllabus of this section of MAT.

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 Economic and Business Environment.

Language Comprehension: 30 questions 

2. Intelligence & Critical Reasoning: 30 questions 

3. Data Analysis & Data Sufficiency: 30 questions 

4. Mathematical Skills: 30 questions 

5. Economic and Business 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.

MAT scoring is done between 200 to 800, so a nearly 650 or 700 will get you 90 to 95 percentile. A score of 600 is also good as it converts into percentile between 80 to 85.  

To cover the Economic and Business Environment section of MAT syllabus will not take much time if you keep yourself abreast with current happenings of the business world. This section is basically a GK section but the emphasis is more on the knowledge of business and economy. So, candidates must follow these fields for major events of the past and present. They must also study from GK year books at least a month before the MAT exam.

Yes, candidates can appear for MAT exam from home. For that, they need to opt for the Internet Based Test or IBT mode option in the MAT application form. In IBT mode, candidates can appear for the test from home or any location by using a laptop or desktop with a functional webcam and internet connection. Given below are some guidelines for MAT IBT: The candidates must have a stable internet connection with proper speed throughout the exam duration A proxy for this is if they can login into their email accounts without difficulty. Upload Speed: Minimum speed should be 512 kbps Browser to use are: Chrome version 63 and above and Firefox version 52 and above Operating system to use are: WindowsOS (Version7 and above) Dot NETframework: MSB requires dot net framework. The minimum supported version is 4.5.1. NETframework Memory: 65MB permanent free space on the default hard drive.

To crack MAT exam in first attempt, start preparation early; at least a month six months in advance. Cover each topic of the MAT syllabus thoroughly and attempt 40+ mock tests to have complete control on all possible types of questions asked. In the exam, avoid negative marking by skipping questions you are not sure of. Try to maintain average scoring by solving 17-20 questions in each section.

MAT exam of every phase is easy to moderate in terms of difficulty level. It depends upon the candidate's preparation whether they find their test form easy or tough. Meaning, candidates should register and appear for MAT in only that phase by which they are full prepared and have started scoring 90 plus in mock tests. If they are well prepared, they will find any MAT session easy.

For Data Analysis and Sufficiency of MAT test takers should constantly revise the topics and practice sample questions as this section can be cracked only by enough practice of all types of questions. It is also important to strengthen basic calculations of Maths. Candidates must memorise Tables up 20, Cubes, Cube roots, square, square roots, percentage, pie value, etc. For quick multiplication and division, Practicing adequate number of MAT mock tests and sample papers will prepare you for the main exam, so you should practice 30-35 mock tests. To improve percentile score, focus on maximizing accuracy of every question that you solve in mock tests and sample papers. Candidates must attempt questions of all types and all difficulty levels to master this section of MAT exam. They should also practice every MAT sample question 2-3 times, to gain speed and accuracy.

MAT and CMAT both are moderately difficulty exam, but have their own challenges. While, CMAT has one extra section Innovation and Entrepreneurship, MAT has a separate section for Data Interpretation having 30 questions. With focused preparation, you can crack either of the two that you choose.

MAT is much easier than CAT. Despite having more number of questions and more sections, than CAT, MAT is easy to crack. CAT is held annually but one can appear for MAT multiple times in the same academic session. CAT has three sections only – VARC, DILR and Quantitative Aptitude. MAT has five sections – Language Comprehension, Mathematical Skills, Intelligence & Critical Reasoning, Data Analysis & Sufficiency and Business & Economic Environment. CAT has sectional time limit of 40 minutes per section. MAT does not have sectional time limit.

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.

MAT is conducted in February, May, September and December. You can appear for it whenever ready and confident of scoring high. However, it is seen that maximum applications are done for December and February sessions as that's the main season of all other national level MBA entrance exams and admission.

It is not compulsory to attempt MAT GK section as the score in not considered for percentile calculation but it is not recommended to skip it all together as it may dent your chances in colleges that look at candidates' sectional scores too.