MAT is one of the most popular competitive exams among MBA aspirants as it gets them access to a large number of good B schools in India. Also, the other reason that attributes to the immense popularity of this exam is that the candidates can choose to take either Paper Based Test or Computer Based Test as per their convenience.
#MAT is your passport to the best B-schools in the country. Read more: http://bit.ly/AIMA-MAT
MAT is conducted by AIMA 4 times in a year i.e. in the month of MAY, September, December and February on the 1st Sunday of the Month from 1000-1230 hours. Whereas the Computer Based Test is being conducted from Saturday onwards(6 Days after the Paper Based Test) and in different time slots. Candidates can choose to take either Paper Based Test or Computer Based Test as per their convenience.
MAT Eligibility
The minimum qualification for appearing in MAT is graduation in any discipline from any recognized University or equivalent.
A final year student in any undergraduate (i.e. B.A, B.Sc., B.Com, B.Tech., etc.) can also apply.
Usually, there is a minimum percentage requirement in graduation which is different for different management institutes and universities.
However, there is no restriction regarding percentages for taking the MAT test, no age bar and no experience required.
Total number of Questions: 200
Total Time allocated: 150 minutes
Marks allocation
Correct attempt: 1 mark
Incorrect attempt: There will be negative marking for wrong answers.
Sections with Questions
MAT entrance exam covers five sections in all. Scores of first four sections compose the final scores. However, institutions might choose to consider the score of the General Awareness section.
Section No. |
Section |
No. of Questions |
Time Suggested (Minutes) |
1. |
Language Comprehension |
40 |
30 |
2. |
Mathematical Skills |
40 |
40 |
3. |
Data Analysis and Sufficiency |
40 |
35 |
4. |
Intelligence and Critical Reasoning |
40 |
30 |
5. |
Indian and Global Environment |
40 |
15 |
|
Total |
200 |
150 |
MAT is the test conducted by All India Management Testing Service for entering into MBA or equivalent post graduate programs. The five sections mentioned above are basically comprised of the following five papers:
Paper 1 : Language Comprehension
Paper 2 : Mathematical Skills
Paper 3 : Data Analysis
Paper 4 : Intelligence & Critical Reasoning
Paper 5 : Indian & Global Environment Section
All provisionally registered candidates both for Paper Based and Computer Based Test can download their Admit Card from AIMA website link: http://apps.aima.in/matadmitcard.aspx
Specific Admit Card is generated both for the candidates opted for the Paper Based Test and for the Computer Based Test.
Admit Card contains Candidate's Name, Form No, Roll No, Test Date, Test Time and Test Venue Address. Candidate has to strictly follow the date and time allotted to him/her in the case of Computer Based Test.
Test Centre City list is provided in the Bulletin. Test Venues for Paper-Based Test and Computer Based Test are different.
The Paper-Based Test will take place only on one day i.e., 04 September 2016 at one time slot i.e., 10.00am-12.30pm, whereas the Computer Based Test will take place from 10 September 2016 in different time slots.
If the number of candidates registered for Computer Based Test is limited and it can be accommodated in a single day; the test will be completed on 10 September 2016 itself.
If the number of candidates registered for Computer Based Test is few in a particular centre, these candidates have to appear for the Paper-Based Test on 04 September 2016.
MAT scores are valid for one year for most management institutes. It help students in getting admissions in various management programs such as Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) in Insurance Management, HR, Finance, Marketing, Operations, and International Business, Post Graduate Diploma in Information Technology & Management (PGDITM) in IT Marketing, E-Commerce, Information Systems Management etc.
You can also mail your query in regard to MAT at contact@mbarendezvous.com
When you start the test use your experience of sample paper
Do keep track of time
Read directions very carefully
Don’t assume information not provided
Be cool during the test and don’t get bogged down by lengthy calculations
In case of guessing, do it intelligently
Pay attention to negative prefixes also, such as non-, un-, or dis-
There are many books in the market that will help you deal with the different sections – Quantitative Ability, Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Data Sufficiency, Logical Reasoning and General Knowledge – of the MAT. The best books for MAT exam preparation are listed below:
Mission MBA MAT Guideby B S Sijwali and Tarun Goyal (Arihant Books) has a great piece on strategy at the beginning to help candidates design a good study plan and master the different sections of the MAT.
MAT (Management Aptitude Test) Entrance Exams with Practice CD by GKP (G K Publications Pvt. Ltd.) covers, in detail, all the different sections of the MAT to help familiarise candidates with the type of questions that can be asked in the exam.
The Pearson MAT Super Course with CD(Pearson) is easy to understand and explains concepts involved in Quantitative Ability, Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Data Sufficiency, Logical Reasoning and General Knowledge very well. It also gives tips on how to handle different questions in the MAT examination.
Study Package For Management Aptitude Test by Arun Sharma (Tata McGraw-Hill) contains many shortcuts and strategies on how to master every type of question in the MAT.
10 Challengers MAT: 10 Mock Tests for Management Aptitude Test by Dharmendra Mittal (Arihant Publications) is perfect for practicing and familiarising one’s self with the MAT question paper format and the type of questions that can be asked.
MAT Score Accelerator (Disha Publication) contains practice papers designed according to the latest exam pattern to give candidates the real feel of a MAT examination. The book is aimed at providing MAT aspirants with ample practice for the examination so they can improve their score.
MAT Solved Papers by Disha Experts (Disha Publication) is perfect for those candidates who wish to gain lots of practice and solve as many MAT-related question papers as possible in order to get the best percentile possible.
R S Aggarwal for Class XI and XII – Mathsis perfect for any candidate wishing to brush up on ` the basics of mathematics for MAT preparation.
Barron’s Guide to GMAT by Eugene D. Jaffe and Stephen Hillbert (Galgotias Publication Pvt.) contains easy to understand explanations for the different sections of the MAT, a must for any candidate just beginning their MAT preparations.
Test taking tips and strategies
BEFORE THE TEST
Get adequate rest the night before
Wear comfortable clothes
Practice, Practice, Practice.
AS YOU START THE TEST
Be aware and use the sample questions experience
Keep careful track of time
Read the directions for each question
Read the questions carefully
Use the scratch or rough paper provided by the test center
Use your scrap paper for every calculation
Read every answer choice
NEVER assume or use any information that the question fails to give you
DURING THE TEST
Be very sure of your answer before proceeding
Do not get bogged down with complicated or lengthy calculations
Use guessing intelligently and deploy the Selection by elimination method
Learn how to work backwards, i.e., plugging the most attractive option in the question and see if it makes sense
Convert quantities freely like 1/4 is nothing but 25% of any given quantity.
In questions that ask you to select a valid conclusion, always choose the one conclusion that must definitely follow from the information you are given and vice-versa.
Pay special attention to words like "all," "some," or "none" when you read the factual information each question gives you
Pay attention to negative prefixes also, such as non-, un-, or dis-
Pay special attention to negative numbers when they are used in some questions
Pay close attention to the word "ONLY" and to the phrase "IF AND ONLY IF"
Don't stick to one question for too long
Aim to answer as many questions as you can
FROM SECTION TO SECTION TO THE END OF THE TEST
Compose yourself between sections of the test and try to attempt maximum questions from each section.
Do not underestimate the role that endurance plays as half the battle is just making it through all of the sections without becoming overly stressed or fatigued. Condition yourself by taking practice tests.
Don't rush - devote just the right amount of time to each question
Don't panic - Keep your cool all the time, even when you don't know the answer.