The MAT Syllabus is prescribed by the All India Management Association (AIMA) which is the conducting body of the exam. A major change has been introduced in the MAT 2024 Exam Syllabus and as per that, the subject of Indian & Global Environment has been replaced with Economics & Business Environment. The syllabus is designed to check the MBA aspirants' skills in the four sections - Data Analysis and Sufficiency, Language Comprehension, Mathematical Skills, and Intelligence & Critical Reasoning.
As per the revised syllabus, the exam will now have 150 MCQ type questions to be solved within 120 minutes. The syllabus remains same for all 3 modes - PBT, CBT, and IBT, and the candidates are advised to be thorough with the syllabus. Whether you are a first-timer or just aiming to improve your score, this guide will provide you with valuable insights to confidently navigate through the MAT Syllabus.
Download MAT Syllabus PDF File |
MAT Exam Syllabus PDF Download Link |
MAT Exam Syllabus Highlights
The table below provides a comprehensive view of the MAT Syllabus. Candidates can utilize this to understand the important highlights and prepare accordingly.
Particulars |
Details |
Exam Duration |
120 minutes |
Total No. of Questions |
150 |
Number of Sections |
5 |
Type of Questions |
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
Number of Answer Choices |
4 |
Sections in MAT 2024 exam |
|
MAT 2024 Marking Scheme |
+1 for every correct answer -0.25 for every incorrect answer |
Negative Marking |
Yes |
TITA Questions |
No |
MAT Syllabus - Section-Wise Weightage & Time-Allotted
Before understanding the syllabus, it is important to understand the section-wise weightage and the marks each section carries along with the suggested time that should be taken to complete each section to finish the test in time. Check the weightage and division of time in the table below.
Sections |
Marks Allotted |
Number of Questions |
Time Suggested (In Minutes) |
Language Comprehension |
30 |
30 |
20 |
Mathematical Skills |
30 |
30 |
30 |
Data Analysis & Sufficiency |
30 |
30 |
30 |
Intelligence and Critical Reasoning |
30 |
30 |
20 |
Economics & Business Environment |
30 |
30 |
15 |
Total |
150 |
150 |
120 |
Practice MAT Mock Tests
MAT Syllabus - Mathematical Skills
The syllabus for MAT Mathematical Skills include the topics from geometry, algebra, arithmetic, etc. There are a total of 30 questions from the section carrying 20% weightage. However, when the final percentage is calculated, a 25% weightage is given to the section. Refer to the table below to check the topics covered in the section.
MAT Syllabus for Mathematical Skills |
||
LCM and HCF |
Percentage |
Profit and Loss |
Speed, Time and Work |
Number System |
Unitary Method |
Simple Interest and Compound Interest |
Mixtures and Allegations |
Permutation and Combinations |
Sequence and Series |
Height and Distance |
Commercial Maths |
Elementary Mathematics |
Percentage |
Averages |
Triangles |
Circles |
Arithmetic Geometry |
Venn Diagrams |
Quadratic Equations |
Probability |
Coordinate Geometry |
Trigonometry |
Linear Programming |
Surds and Indices |
Inequalities |
Set Theory |
Linear Equation |
Complex Numbers |
Binomial Theorem |
Best Preparation Books for Mathematical Skills
To be able to perform well in the section, we recommend using the following books for preparation.
Name of the Book |
Author |
How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT |
Arun Sharma |
Quantum CAT |
S K Verma |
Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams |
R S Aggarwal |
MAT Syllabus - Data Analysis & Sufficiency
The MAT Syllabus for Data Analysis includes various topics and questions based on texts, graphs, tables, charts, etc. There are a total of 30 questions from the section carrying 20% weightage. However, when the final percentage is calculated, a 25% weightage is given to the section. 50% questions are based on data interpretation and the remaining are covered from comparison and sufficiency.
MAT Syllabus for Data Analysis and Sufficiency |
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Data Tables |
Data Charts |
Bar Diagrams and Charts |
Pie Charts |
Graphs |
Data Comparison |
Data Comparison |
Venn Diagram |
Data Sufficiency |
Caselet Based Data |
- |
- |
Best Preparation Books for Data Analysis & Sufficiency
To be able to perform well in the section, we recommend using the following books for preparation.
Name of the Book |
Author |
Accredited Guide to Data Interpretation and Data Sufficiency |
Ananta Ashisha |
Data Analysis and Interpretation |
Think Tank of Kiran Prakashan |
How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT |
Arun Sharma |
MAT Syllabus - Language Comprehension
The MAT Syllabus for Language Comprehension is divided into 2 major parts - Reading Comprehension and Verbal Ability. Each section has 30 questions and each section carries 50% weightage, and the reading comprehension has 4 passages of moderate to difficult level. The syllabus for each section has been tabulated below.
Reading Comprehension Passage type |
Verbal Ability |
Business & Economics, English Literature, Science & Culture, Abstract & Fiction, Historical Events, and Mythology |
Para Jumbles, Noun, Pronouns, One Word Substitution, Antonym & Synonyms, Correct the sentence sequence, Idioms & Phrases |
MAT Syllabus - Verbal Ability Number of Questions
Topic |
Expected Number of Questions (Based on Analysis of Past Papers) |
Para Jumbles |
3-4 |
Error Correction of Noun, Pronoun, Adjective, Verb, and other parts of speech in sentences. |
3-4 |
Fill in the blanks |
2-3 |
One word substitution |
2-3 |
Antonyms and Synonyms |
3-4 |
Correcting the sequence of the sentences in paragraph e.g. correct use of the conditional sentence, time clauses, reported speech, active & passive writing |
3-4 |
Idioms/Phrases |
2-3 |
Best Preparation Books for Language Comprehension
To be able to perform well in the section, we recommend using the following books for preparation.
Name of the Book |
Author |
Verbal Ability & Comprehension for Management Entrance |
Bharat Patodi and Aditya Choudhary |
How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT |
Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay |
Word Power Made Easy |
Norman Lewis |
MAT Syllabus - Intelligence & Critical Reasoning
The MAT Syllabus for intelligence & critical reasoning includes a total of 30 questions from the section carrying 20% weightage. The questions are asked from topics like analogy, seating arrangement, series, blood relations, etc.
MAT Syllabus for Intelligence and Critical Reasoning |
||
Fact-inference-judgment |
Passage Conclusion |
Clocks |
Calendars |
Statement-Argument |
Analogy |
Blood Relations / Family Tree |
Logical Sequence |
Assumption |
Premise |
Conclusion |
Seating Arrangement |
Linear and Matrix Arrangement |
Team Formation |
Input-Output |
Series |
Syllogism |
Cubes |
Rows |
Set theory, Venn Diagrams, and Network Diagrams |
Puzzles |
Logical Reasoning based on Rankings |
Critical Reasoning |
Quantitative Reasoning |
Direction sense |
Decision Making |
- |
Best Preparation Books for Intelligence & Critical Reasoning
To be able to perform well in the section, we recommend using the following books for preparation.
Name of the Book |
Author |
Analytical and Logical Reasoning |
Peeyush Bharadwaj |
Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for CAT |
Nishit Sinha |
A Modern Approach to Verbal Reasoning |
R S Aggarwal |
MAT Syllabus - Economics & Business Environment
The MAT Syllabus for Economics & Business Environment (previously Indian & Global Environment) includes various topics and questions based on business and economy, taxation, current affairs, etc. There are a total of 30 questions from the section carrying 20% weightage. Refer to the syllabus highlights below.
MAT Syllabus for Economics and Business Environment |
||
Current Affairs |
World Records |
Business |
CEOs |
Awards and Winners |
Books and Authors |
Company Punchlines |
History |
International Organisation |
Statements & Quotations |
Social issues |
Geography |
Sports |
Finance |
Corporate News |
Science |
Entertainment |
Politics |
Best Preparation Books for Economics & Business Environment
To be able to perform well in the section, we recommend using the following books for preparation.
Name of the Book |
Author/ Publisher |
Mega Yearbook |
Disha Experts |
Face to Face MAT (Past Years) |
BS Sijwali |
Manorama Year Book |
Mammen Mathew |
MAT 2024 Syllabus - Preparation Tips
The best way to get started with the MAT Preparation is to get acquainted with the syllabus and the exam pattern. Candidates should solve as many mock tests and sample papers as possible to understand the kind of questions asked in the MAT Exam. Refer to the below hands on tips for MAT Preparation.
- Divide the syllabus and topics as per convenience and devote equal time to all the subjects
- MAT Syllabus is prepared keeping in mind other competitive exams and so the candidates are advised to design the preparation strategy to cover overlapping topics
- Try and practice with new sample sets to get a better idea of the exam paper
- Solve MAT Mock Tests to improve speed, accuracy, and problem-solving skills
- Start preparing at least 3 months before the exam and start with the easy questions first, and gradually get to the difficult ones
Quick Links:
- MAT Preparation Tips
- Last Minute Preparation Strategy
- MAT Preparation Strategy for Quantitative Aptitude
- MAT Preparation Strategy for Language Comprehension
- MAT Preparation Strategy for Indian & Global Environment
- MAT Preparation Strategy for Intelligence & Critical Reasoning
- MAT Preparation Strategy for Data Analysis & Sufficiency
MAT Syllabus - Practice & Sample Questions
Every year AIMA MAT releases a set of sample papers which the candidates can utilize to strengthen their preparation. This sample paper includes a variety of questions that can be asked in the MAT Exam. Solving this paper will help the candidates understand the marking scheme, MAT exam pattern and their preparation done so far. This paper has questions from various topics, like Reading Comprehensions, VALR, QA-DI, and other areas. The link to download the sample paper is given below.