The MAT Language Comprehension section is a part of the Management Aptitude Test (MAT), which is an entrance exam for MBA programs in India. This section tests a candidate's ability to understand and use the English language effectively. It covers topics such as reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, and verbal reasoning. The section has 40 multiple-choice questions, each carrying one mark. There is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for each incorrect answer. This section has a weightage of 25% in the overall MAT score. It is expected to take 20 to 30 minutes to complete this section. The MAT Language Comprehension and Verbal Ability section is divided into two sub-sections:
- Reading Comprehension: This sub-section consists of 5 short passages, each followed by 4 questions. The passages cover a variety of topics, such as science, history, literature, and current affairs. The questions test your ability to understand the main idea of the passage, identify the author's purpose, and make inferences from the passage.
- Verbal Ability: This sub-section consists of 20 questions that test your knowledge of grammar, vocabulary, and verbal reasoning. The grammar questions test your understanding of basic grammar concepts, such as subject-verb agreement, pronoun case, and verb tense. The vocabulary questions test your understanding of the meaning of words and your ability to use them correctly in sentences. The verbal reasoning questions test your ability to understand the meaning of sentences and to make inferences from them.
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Exam Pattern of MAT Language Comprehension
The Exam Pattern of MAT Language Comprehension is provided in the table below:
Topic | Information |
Total Marks | 40 |
Total Questions | 40 |
Question Pattern | MCQ |
Weightage in Percentile | 25% |
Marking Scheme | Correct Answer: +1 Incorrect Answer: -0.25 |
Allotted Time | 30 Minute |
Total Time of MAT Exam | 150 Minute |
Weightage of Topics in MAT Language Comprehension
The weightage of each topic present in the MAT language comprehension is as follows:
Topics | Probable Question Number to Come | Percentage Weightage | Difficulty Level |
Reading Comprehension | 20 | 50% | Moderate |
Para Jumble | 4 | 10% | Moderate |
Antonyms and Synonyms | 4 | 10% | Difficult |
Fill in the Blanks | 3 | 7.5% | Moderate |
Idioms and Phrases | 3 | 7.5% | Difficult |
One Word Substitution | 3 | 7.5% | Moderate |
Errors Correction | 3 | 7.5% | Moderate |
Important topics for MAT Language Comprehension
The important topics for preparation of MAT Language Comprehension are listed below:
- Fill in The Blanks
- Antonyms and synonyms (Vocabulary questions)
- Sentence Completion
- Para Jumble
- Rearranging sentences
- One-word Substitutions
- Phrases or Idioms
- Grammatical errors correction
- Reading Comprehension.
Best Books for MAT Language Comprehension
The best books for MAT Language Comprehension preparation are provided in the table below:
Book Name | Author/Publisher |
How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT | Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay |
English Comprehension for MAT | Disha |
Verbal Ability & Comprehension for CAT/XAT/GMAT/IIFT/CMAT/MAT/Bank PO/SSC | Bharat Patodi and Aditya Choudhary |
English Reading Comprehension | RPH Editorial Board |
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension | Gautam Puri |
MAT Language Comprehension and Verbal Ability: Preparation Tips
Some tips for preparing for the MAT Language Comprehension and Verbal Ability section are as follows:
- Read as much as you can: The best way to improve your reading comprehension skills is to read as much as you can. Make sure to read a variety of materials, such as newspapers, magazines, books, and articles.
- Expand your vocabulary: A strong vocabulary is essential for success in the Verbal Ability section. There are many ways to expand your vocabulary, such as reading, taking vocabulary quizzes, and using flashcards.
- Practice with practice tests: There are many practice tests available for the MAT. Taking practice tests will help you get familiar with the format of the exam and the types of questions that are asked.
- Time management: The MAT Language Comprehension and Verbal Ability section is 30 minutes long, which means you will have about 6 minutes per passage and 1 minute per question. It is important to develop a good time management strategy so that you can finish all of the questions in the allotted time.
- Focus on the main idea: When reading a passage, focus on the main idea. Once you have a good understanding of the main idea, you will be better able to answer the questions.
- Read actively: When reading a passage, don't just read the words. Think about what the author is saying. Ask yourself questions about the passage. This will help you stay engaged with the material and make it easier to understand.
- Don't be afraid to skip a question: If you don't understand a question, don't waste time trying to answer it. Skip it and come back to it later. You can also mark the question for review so that you can come back to it if you have time.
- Review your answers: Once you have finished the section, take some time to review your answers. Make sure that you have answered all of the questions and that you have answered them correctly.