MAT Exam Pattern

MAT is an acronym used for Management Aptitude Test which is conducted at the national level by the All India Management Association (AIMA). The test is an entry ticket for those who want to pursue courses like PGDM/MBA in more than 600 business schools using the MAT score to grant admissions. Organized 4 times in a year in the months of February, May, September, and December, the test holds a great nationwide recognition. Candidates can seek admission in the colleges depending upon their score and eligibility criteria. Those who hold a bachelor’s degree in any discipline or are in the final year of their programs are eligible to appear for the MAT. This blog will explain the key aspects of the MAT exam pattern.  

MAT Exam Pattern: Mode of Conduct

Before understanding the MAT exam pattern, it is important to get a brief overview of the modes through which the test is carried out. MAT is conducted through both online and offline routes. The candidates can choose the medium while filling the application form. Here is a summary of the information pertaining to both modes: 

• Paper-based Test– Those who have opted for the offline mode of the exam will be provided with an OMR sheet on which they will have to mark the answer. 

• Computer-based Test– For the candidates opting for the online mode, they will have to solve and mark the answers on a computer. The computer would be connected to a server that would automatically close the window once the exam duration is over. 

Sections	Details
Name of the Exam	Management Aptitude Test
Conducting Body	All India Management Association (AIMA)
Number of Questions	200
Marking Scale	1 mark for every correct answer
Negative Marking	¼  of the total marks
Duration  of the Test	2 hours 30 minutes

MAT Exam Pattern for MBA

Management Aptitude Test, which is an objective exam is conducted in two modes i.e. offline and online. The MAT exam pattern consists of a total of five sections which when put together, assess the candidates on several parameters. With 200 multiple choice questions, bifurcated equally in all the 5 sections, the candidates have to solve it within 150 minutes. The table below will help you get an overview of each of the sections: 

Name of the Section	Number of Questions
Language Comprehension	40
Mathematical Skills	40
Data Analysis & Sufficiency	40
Intelligence and Critical Reasoning	40
Indian and Global Environment	40
Total	200

MAT Exam Pattern and Syllabus

As the above-mentioned table depicts, the MAT exam pattern comprises 5 sections. Just like other competitive exams, it is necessary for the students to follow some success mantra and prepare accordingly for each section so as to qualify it with flying colours. Let us dig a little deeper and find out which section tests what sort of skills. 

Language Comprehension

The section is designed to test the reading comprehension and comprehending abilities of the candidates. In this, the candidates will be provided with some paragraphs and they will be required to answer the questions based on their understanding. 

Data Analysis and Sufficiency

Constituting an important part of the MAT exam pattern, the section aims to test the analytical and critical thinking of the candidates. It targets majorly two types of topics i.e data analysis and sufficiency and the intricate concepts related to the same. LCM and HCF, number systems, time and distance, etc, are some of the areas form which questions are framed.  

Also Read: Number system aptitude tricks

Intelligence and Critical Reasoning

The section consists of diverse questions based on topics like Series and Sequence, Data Arrangement, Critical Reasoning, Input/Output analysis, etc. The blood relations questions also form an integral part of this section. The objective of adding this part in the MAT exam pattern is to check the logical reasoning capabilities of the applicants. 

Mathematical Skills

In this section, candidates are tested on their knowledge related to Arithmetic, Business Mathematics, and Geometry. It would be beneficial for the students to have a thorough knowledge of the mensuration formulas and the tips and tricks to prepare maths for competitive exams.

Indian and Global Environment

This section comprises of the current affairs which are of national and international importance. Apart from the basic general knowledge, the students must prepare well on topics related to economics, history, science, awards, sports, etc. 

Marking Scheme

The MAT exam pattern and marking scheme are prescribed by the AIMA. For every correct answer, 1 mark will be awarded to the candidates and for every wrong answer,  ¼ of the marks allotted to that question will be deducted. The maximum score which a candidate can attain is 200, although the final marks are converted into a scaled score which ranges between 200-800. The score is converted on a common scale which depicts the number of questions answered by the candidates.

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MAT 2023 Syllabus 

Knowing the syllabus before hand helps in evaluating your weaker sections and you can work on them accordingly. Having the list the topics of the entrance exam you are appearing for also reduces the risk of missing out any important topic. Here is the syllabus of MAT 2023:

Language Comprehension

• Verbal Reasoning
• Using the same word with a different meaning
• Syllogisms
• Analogies
• Contextual Usage
• One-word substitution
• Antonyms
• Idioms
• Fill in the blanks
• Odd man out
• Jumbled Paragraphs
• Sentence Correction
• Sentence Completion
• Foreign language words used in English

Quantitative Aptitude

• Trigonometry
• Algebra
• Averages
• Percentages
• Geometry
• Ratio and Proportion
• Quadratic and Linear Equations
• Time and Speed
• Work
• Profit and Loss
• HCG and LCM
• Geometric Progression
• Number System
• Partnership
• Distance

Data Analysis

• Bar Graph
• Column Graph
• Pie Chart
• Line Charts
• Graphs representing area
• Venn 
• Data comparison
• Combination graph
• Quantitative Comparison

Critical Reasoning

• Assertion and Reasons
• Visual reasoning
• Assumption – Premise – Conclusion
• Identifying arguments
• Statements and assumptions
• Cause and Effect
• Identifying true and false
• Statements and conclusions

Indian and Global Environment 

• Current Affairs
• Business
• Punch line of companies
• Top officials of big companies
• Major corporate events
• Famous award and prizes
• World Records
• Books and authors
• Science
• History
• Geography
• International organizations
• Important quotations
• Social issues
• Sports
• Finance
• Automobiles
• Entertainment

MAT Books

There are many books available in the markets and online for students appearing for MAT. Here are some of the best books you can refer to for revision and practice. Here are the best books for MAT:

English	How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension by Arun Sharma & Meenakshi Upadhyay	Buy Here
English	CAT Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension by Gautam Puri	Buy Here
Mathematics	Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT by Nishit Sinha Trishna	Buy Here
Data Analysis	How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for MAT by Arun Sharma	Buy Here
Data Analysis	Data Analysis & Interpretation Data Sufficiency by Think Tank of Kiran Prakashan	Buy Here
Critical Reasoning	How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for the CAT by Arun Sharma	Buy Here
Indian and Global Environment	The Mega Yearbook by Disha Experts	Buy Here

Marking Scheme

Every entrance exam has its own marking scheme. In some exams, there is negative marking and in some there is no deduction for a wrong response. Here is the marking scheme of MAT:

Exam Name	MAT
Conducting Body	All India Management Association
Total Marks	200 marks
Negative Marking	1/4th deducted for wrong answers
Marking Scale	1 for every correct answer
Exam Duration	2 hours 30 mins

MAT Exam Day Guidelines

Students must follow the exam day guidelines as given in the admit card or specified at the time of applying. 

• Aspirants should carry their admit card and it should not be in the digital or scanned format.
• Aspirants must reach the exam centre an hour before the exam to avoid any delay.
• Aspirants are not allowed to carry any electronic devices to the exam venue.
• Aspirants must carry a photo identity proof along with the admit card which could be any of these – Aadhar Card, Passport, Pan Card, Voter ID Card , Driver’s License 

MAT Exam Sample Paper

Sample Paper and Test Structure : MAT 2020

Sample Paper and Test Structure : MAT 2018

The MAT exam pattern has a very diverse syllabus. It is thus important to devise a plan which covers your strengths and weaknesses. If you are preparing for any such competitive exams for pursuing a business or management course abroad then contact us at Leverage Edu and our experts here will guide you throughout the admission process. You can also use our AI tool to identify the courses which align with your interests and skills.