The MAT Exam Pattern is released every year by the All India Management Association (AIMA) on their official website. Over the years, there has been significant change in the MAT Exam Pattern. The MAT exam is now conducted for 2 hours instead of 2.5 hours and the questions have also been reduced from 200 to 150. The exam is conducted in 3 modes - Paper Based Test (PBT), Computer Based Test (CBT), and Internet Based Test (IBT).
The MAT Exam is conducted 4 times a year - February, May, August, and December and the candidates can appear for the exam any number of times an in multiple modes. The MAT Score is valid for 1 year and the candidates can use their best score for admission. The difficulty level of the MAT Exam is considered to be between easy and moderate. Get all the details related to the MAT Exam Pattern in this section.
Must Check: MAT Exam Dates
MAT Exam Pattern - An Overview
Let us understand the basic overview and highlights of the MAT Exam pattern in the table presented below. It must be noted that the MAT Exam is considered to be one of the most student friendly and easy MBA Exams in comparison to exams like CAT, XAT, SNAP, etc.
|
Particulars |
Details |
|
MAT exam conducting body |
All India Management Association |
|
Mode of MAT 2024 |
|
|
Medium of MAT exam 2024 |
English |
|
|
|
|
MAT exam Duration 2024 |
120 minutes |
|
MAT exam 2024 Total marks |
150 marks |
|
Type of Questions |
Multiple Choice Question |
|
|
|
|
Total number of sections |
Five sections with 30 MCQ questions in each of them. (previously 40) |
|
Exam Level |
National Level Entrance Exam |
MAT Exam Pattern - Sectional Weightage & Time -Limit
The MAT Question Paper consists of 5 sections and each section has 30 questions each. Since each section carries an equal weightage, students should not leave any section and should work on all the aspects. There are a total of 150 questions to be solved within 120 minutes. Check the section-wise questions and time-limit in the table below. The time-limit analysis will help the students figure out how much time needs to be spent on each section. It may however be noted that the time-limit suggested here may not be relatable to all students. It can be changed as per the thinking and the speed of the student(s).
Go through the MAT Syllabus here
|
MAT Sections |
Number of Questions |
Time Limit |
|
Data Analysis and Sufficiency |
30 |
30 |
|
Economics and Business Environment |
30 |
25 |
|
Mathematical skills |
30 |
30 |
|
Intelligence and Critical Reasoning |
30 |
15 |
|
Language Comprehension |
30 |
20 |
|
TOTAL |
150 |
120 |
MAT Exam Pattern - Old Pattern Vs New Pattern (Comparison)
The table below provides a comparative analysis of the MAT exam pattern over the last years.
|
Section No. |
Section Name |
New Pattern - No. of Questions |
Old Pattern – No. of Questions |
|
I |
Language Comprehension |
30 |
40 |
|
II |
Intelligence & Critical Reasoning |
30 |
40 |
|
III |
Mathematical Skills |
30 |
40 |
|
IV |
Data Analysis & Sufficiency |
30 |
40 |
|
V |
Economic & Business Environment |
30 |
40 (Earlier this section was named as ‘Indian and Global Environment') |
|
MAT Total Questions |
150 |
200 |
|
|
MAT Exam Duration |
120 Mins. |
150 Mins. |
MAT Exam Pattern - Marking Scheme
Check the Marking Scheme for MAT Exam below.
|
Answer Type |
Marking Scheme |
|
Each Correct answer |
+ 1 |
|
Each wrong answer |
- 0.25 |
|
Not answered |
0 |
Don't Miss: MAT Preparation Tips
MAT Exam Pattern - IBT Requirements
The test structure, syllabus, and marking scheme for all 3 modes remains the same. However, for the IBT Requirements, the candidates are expected to have a smooth connection for uninterrupted exam experience. These requirements and specifications have been tabulated below.
|
MAT IBT Requirements |
Description |
|
Network |
|
|
Supported Browsers |
|
|
Operating System |
Windows OS (Version 7 and above) |
|
Dot NET framework |
MSB requires a dot net framework. The minimum supported version is 4.5.1 .NET framework |
|
Memory |
65MB of permanent free space on the default hard drive |
MAT Exam Pattern - Important Topics and Links
To crack the MAT Exam, it is important to understand the important topics covered in each section along with the relevant links. Refer to the below data and links for preparation tips and other useful topics.
MAT Data Analysis and Sufficiency
The important topics covered in this section include Data Analysis based Question Tables, Graph Data interpretation question and Data comparison including speed and accuracy, Questions on DI have much higher weightage, etc.
Also Read: Data Analysis and Sufficiency Preparation Tips
MAT Economics and Business Environment
The important topics covered in this section include Current Affairs Economics International Affairs Film and awards, Sports, Conventional GK.
Also Read: Economics and Business Environment Preparation Tips
MAT Mathematical Skills
The important topics covered in this section include Profit and loss Interest, Time and Work Percentage Ratio and Proportion Variation, Geometry & Mensuration, Permutation and Combinations, and Probability among others.
Also Read: Quantitative Aptitude or Mathematics Preparation Tips
MAT Intelligence and critical reasoning
The important topics covered in this section include Questions based on Family relations, Statements-Cause and effect, Clocks and calendars, Statements – Assumptions, Reasons, analogies, direction, series, and Incorrect Terms.
Also Read: Intelligence and critical reasoning Preparation Tips
MAT Language Comprehension
The important topics covered in this section include Questions based on information in the RC passage; Antonyms/synonyms of the words & phrases as used in the passage; True/false statements; the main idea of the RC passage
Also Read: Language Comprehension Preparation Tips
MAT Exam Pattern Vs CAT Exam Pattern Vs ATMA Exam Pattern
Any aspirant willing to prepare for MBA, may decide to give more than 1 entrance exam. The most popular MBA Exams include CAT and ATMA. We have curated a comparative analysis for all the 3 exams so that the students can get an understanding of each exam pattern and prepare accordingly. The table below is a comprehensive guide on these exams.
|
Component |
MAT 2024 |
CAT 2023 |
ATMA 2024 |
|
Total Questions |
150 |
66 |
180 |
|
Overall Time Limit to Attempt the Exam |
2 hours |
2 hours |
3 hours |
|
Question Format |
All MCQs |
70% questions are MCQs, rest Non-MCQs |
All MCQs |
|
Answer Options for MCQs |
4 |
4 |
4 |
|
Marks Awarded for Each Correct Answer |
1 |
3 |
1 |
|
Negative Marking |
0.25 mark |
MCQs with 1/3 negative marking; No negative marking for Non-MCQs |
0.25 mark |
|
Exam Difficulty Level |
Easy to Moderate |
Difficult |
Easy to Moderate |
|
Number of Sections |
5 |
3 |
6 |
|
Section-1: Name and Number of Questions |
Language Comprehension: 30 |
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension: 24 |
Analytical Reasoning Skills-1: 30 |
|
Section-2: Name and Number of questions |
Intelligence & Critical Reasoning: 30 |
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning -20 |
Verbal Skills-1: 30 |
|
Section-3: Name and Number of Questions |
Data Analysis & Sufficiency: 30 |
Quantitative Ability-22 |
Quantitative Skills-1: 30 |
|
Section-4: Name and Number of Questions |
Mathematical Skills: 30 |
Not Applicable |
Verbal Skills-2: 30 |
|
Section-5: Name and Number of Questions |
Economic & Business Environment: 30 |
Not Applicable |
Analytical Reasoning Skills-2: 30 |
|
Section-6: Name and Number of Questions |
Not Applicable |
Not Applicable |
Quantitative Skills-2: 30 |
|
Facility to Choose Order of Sections |
Yes, any section/question within the overall time limit |
No, should follow pre-defined sectional order |
No, should follow pre defined order |
|
Individual Sectional time limit |
No, the Candidate needs to complete the test in 120 minutes |
Yes, each section with 40 Minutes time limit |
Yes, 30 Minutes for each Section |
|
Top MBA colleges accepting exam score |
BIMTECH, Jaipuria Institute of Management, IPE Hyderabad, IBA Bangalore |
20 IIMs, FMS, MDI, NITIE, SPJIMR, IMI, IMT, IITs, TAPMI, XIMB and hundreds of others |
PUMBA, DY Patil, IFIM, Welingkar, Christ University, NDIM, DSIMS, IPE, IESMCRC, FIIB among 100 MBA colleges |