MAT exam: how to crack management aptitude test without coaching
In short
- The MAT exam is conducted four times annually, in February, May, September, and December, by the All India Management Association (AIMA).
- MAT scores are accepted by over 600 colleges across India for MBA and PGDM admissions.
- The application fee for the Paper-Based Test (PBT) or Computer-Based Test (CBT) is ₹2,300, while for both PBT and CBT, it is ₹4,000.
- Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree in any discipline to be eligible for MAT, with no age limit.
- The MAT exam is generally considered easier than other MBA entrance examinations.
The All India Management Association (AIMA) administers the Management Aptitude Test (MAT) for admission to MBA and PGDM courses across India. The exam is conducted four times a year, in February, May, September, and December, providing multiple opportunities for aspirants.
MAT scores are accepted by over 600 colleges nationwide, making it a popular entrance examination. It is often regarded as less challenging compared to other MBA entrance exams such as CAT, XAT, SNAP, or CMAT, with many candidates opting for self-study preparation.
MAT Exam Structure and Marking Scheme
The MAT exam is a Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) based test. According to one source, the exam is 2 hours long and comprises 150 MCQs, with 30 questions in each of the five sections. The total marks for the MAT exam are 150.
Another source indicates that the MAT exam has 200 questions in total, with 40 questions per section, and a total duration of 150 minutes. The marking scheme awards +1 for each correct answer and deducts -0.25 for each incorrect answer, with 0 marks for unattempted questions. The MAT score is valid for one year.
| MAT (Full Form) | Conducting Body | Medium/ Language of the exam | Mode | Duration | Number of Questions | Exam Sections with Key Focus Areas | Total Marks | Marking Scheme | Score Validity | How many times the exam is conducted? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Management Aptitude Test | All India Management Association (AIMA) | English or Hindi | ● Paper Based Test (PBT) or ● Computer Based Test (CBT) or ● Paper Based Test and Computer Based Test (PBT+CBT) or ● Computer-Based Test 1 and Computer-Based Test 2 (CBT 1 + CBT 2) | 120 minutes | 30 in each section (30 x 5 = 150 questions) | ● Language Comprehension Reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary ● Mathematical Skills Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, data interpretation ● Data Analysis & Sufficiency Data interpretation, logical reasoning ● Intelligence & Critical Reasoning Logical thinking, decision-making, critical analysis ● Economic & Business Environment General knowledge, current affairs | 150 | +1 for each correct answer -0.25 for each incorrect answer 0 for not attempting a question | 1-Year | 4 times a year – February, May, September and December |
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks | Time (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Language Comprehension | 40 | 40 | 30 min |
| Mathematical Skills | 40 | 40 | 30 min |
| Data Analysis & Sufficiency | 40 | 40 | 30 min |
| Intelligence & Critical Reasoning | 40 | 40 | 30 min |
| Indian & Global Environment | 40 | 40 | 30 min |
| Total | 200 | 200 | 150 min |
| MAT Sections | No. of Questions |
|---|---|
| Language Comprehension | 30 |
| Intelligence and Critical Reasoning | 30 |
| Data Analysis and Sufficiency | 30 |
| Mathematical Skills | 30 |
| Economic & Business Environment | 30 |
| Total | 150 |
Eligibility and Application Process
To be eligible for the MAT exam, candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university. Final-year graduation students are also eligible to apply. There is no age limit for the MAT entrance exam. While AIMA does not mandate a minimum percentage for MAT eligibility, individual B-schools may have their own cut-off requirements.
The MAT exam can be taken in Paper-Based Test (PBT), Computer-Based Test (CBT), or Internet-Based Test (IBT) modes. The application form is available online through the AIMA website, mat.aima.in. Once the test city is selected and the form is submitted, it cannot be changed.
| Application Fee | |
|---|---|
| For Paper Based Test (PBT) or Computer Based Test (CBT) | ₹2,300/- |
| For PBT + CBT | ₹4,000/- |
Syllabus and Section Weightage
The MAT exam syllabus includes Language Comprehension, Intelligence and Critical Reasoning, Data Analysis and Sufficiency, Mathematical Skills, and Economic and Business Environment. All five sections carry the same sectional weightage. However, the Economic & Business Environment section is not considered when determining the candidate’s MAT score and percentile.
| Section | Time (In minutes) | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Language Comprehension | 30 | 20-27 |
| Mathematical Skills | 40 | 27-20 |
| Data Analysis and Sufficiency | 35 | 21-28 |
| Intelligence and Critical Reasoning | 30 | 19-26 |
| Indian and Global Environment | 05 | 10-15 |
For preparation, various books are available covering the different sections of the MAT exam. These include titles for Data Analysis and Sufficiency by authors like Arun Sharma and Nishit K. Sinha, and books for Verbal Ability & Comprehension and Mathematical Skills by various publishers and authors such as Disha Publications, Norman Lewis, R.S. Aggarwal, and M. Tyra.
Further reading
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