How to Prepare for MAT Exam 2025: Tips to Crack Mathematical Skills

Management Aptitude Test 2024 ( MAT )

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Exam On: 18 Dec '24 - 22 Dec '24

Vipra
Vipra Shrivastava
Senior Manager - Content
Updated on Dec 13, 2024 16:56 IST

MAT preparation for Mathematical Skills section requires strategic planning and focused effort. This section is very scoring if you have enough practice. Check out top tips to prepare for Mathematical Skills section of MAT exam 2025.

MAT preparation

Mathematical Skills is the only calculation intensive section of MAT exam. Those who have Engineering background will not find it difficult to crack this section, but those with non-technical background can face challenges. Starting exam preparation early on will be beneficial for those who have to study Mathematical Skills from the scratch.

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The questions of MAT Mathematical Skills are of easy to moderate difficulty. With the right kind of MAT preparation strategy, test takers can easily master this section. The requirement here would be thorough understanding of the concepts and formulae.

Q:   How can I prepare for MAT in six months?

A:

For MAT preparation in six months candidates need to have a focused plan. They must gather the best books for MAT preparation and start with covering the syllabus. MAT syllabus should be completed in three months. You can make a monthly/weekly or daily plan to cover the syllabus which should include studying one topic each from the main four sections - Mathematical Skills, Data Interpretation, Intelligence and Critical Reasoning as well as Language Comprehension. Keep the Indian and Global Environment section for the last. In the next two months, practice MAT sample papers and MAT mock tests to gain control over the topics you studied in the first three months. For a speed based test like MAT mock test and sample paper practice is a must because only with the help of these you can gain speed and accuracy in solving questions. The MAT question paper can have tough, tricky or easy question so you should be prepared for all types. In the last one month, study for the Indian and Global Environment section and do daily revision of all other topics. Solve a few previous year MAT question paper or solve a couple of mock tests to stay in touch with your abilities. Read More: MAT 6 months preparation plan

Q:   Which section of MAT exam has maximum weightage?

A:

Each section of MAT exam has equal weightage. All the five sections - Language Comprehension, Intelligence and Critical Reasoning, Data Analysis and Data Sufficiency, Mathematical Skills and Indian & Global Environment have 30 questions. Each question carries one mark thus the section wise weightage of marks is 30 per section. There is negative marking of 0.25 in MAT. Since, every section has equal weightage, you need to prepare well for each one of them for a good overall score. Even in the exam, spend a good amount of time on each section and solve a minimum number of questions to meet the sectional cut off. Since, there is no sectional time-limit in MAT exam. Candidates can decide themselves how much time they should spend on which section as one needs to score well in all sections because of equal weightage. Out of 2 hours or 120 minutes, candidates should allot maximum time to the section they find tough or are calculation intensive. It is advisable to attempt the easier sections first and then move to tougher sections.

Q:   If I am preparing for CAT, do I need to prepare separately for MAT?

A:
No, CAT and MAT syllabuses are almost same. MAT is easy. If you are preparing for CAT then no need of separate work for MAT. The syllabus is almost the same. I was also a student who prepared for CAT immediately after my graduation. The important things which you should look into while preparing for this exam are as follows: 1. Select one of the best coaching centers which offer quality education- TIME is one of the famous coaching centers for CAT. 2. Dedication- Be focused on the aim which you need to achieve. 3. Try to read Hindu newspaper editorial. Most of the passages which appear in CAT are from Hindu editorial. 4. Try to maximum number of online mock test. You will definitely clear CAT by doing the above. 5. Try to read as much as you can and make note of points. 6. Revision of each week topics is very important. 7. Mathematical ability questions will be little twisted try to do as faster as you can. These are my tips for you to crack both MAT and CAT.

The Mathematical Ability Section of MAT exam contains 30 questions out of the total 150 questions. For each right attempt one mark is awarded and for each wrong attempt 0.25 marks is deducted. So, in the exam, pay attention to selection of questions. Check below some key tips to prepare for Mathematical Skills (Quantitative Aptitude) section of MAT 2025 exam and score perfect 30/30. 

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Best Books for MAT Preparation 2025: Mathematical Skills

For conceptual clarity study books on Quantitative Aptitude (Mathematical Skills). Listed below are some of the most recommended preparation books for Mathematical Skills section of MAT exam. When preparing for MAT, you should refer to these books. 

MAT Books 2025

Authors/Publishers

Mathematics for MBA

RS Aggarwal

Magical Book on Quicker Maths

M Tyra

Arithmetic and Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams

RGopal

Speed Mathematics: Do it Quick, Do it Right

Rajesh Kumar Thakur C

Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams

RS Aggarwal

Vedic Mathematics: Secrets Skills for Quick, Accurate Mental Calculations

Sumita Bose

The Pearson Guide to Quantitative Aptitude

Dinesh Khattar

How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude

Arun Sharma

Also Read: Best books for MAT preparation 2025

Preparation Tips for MAT 2025: Mathematical Skills

Study Mathematical Skills Topics Thoroughly

Mathematical Skills section of MAT 2025 exam can be handled easily, if you have conceptual clarity on each of the topics. This section includes Quantitative Aptitude topics ─ LCM and HCF, Speed, Time and Distance, Time and Work, Average, Number System, Unitary Method, Triangles, Circles, Geometry, Venn Diagrams, Trigonometry, etc. Candidates preparing for the MAT exam this year, must keep their main focus on these topics. Give yourself about three months to cover the MAT Mathematical Skills syllabus.

Q:   How can I prepare for MAT?

A:
Hi, Set your plan right. Work on your plan and identify your weaknesses and strength. Get the right material. Try to plan and identify above stated things within a week. Set your plan agile and keep buffer time for revision and solving mock test papers. Start with your verbal and quantitative practice in parallel. Time management is very important at every single point of time till the final day and even on the day. Be positive. Solve questions in a specified time frame as this will help you in doing questions in time. Maintain a good balance between your accuracy and solving time. You can refer to the below link for complete information on MAT: https://www.shiksha.com/mba/exams/mat/preparation-tips

Q:   What is the difficulty level of MAT exam?

A:

MAT is one of the easier MBA entrance exam. The difficulty level of the exam much easier than CAT XAT or CMAT. Candidates usually prepare for CAT XAT and CMAT and use that experience to give the MAT exam. Even though the MAT has more questions than XAT CAT CMAT. It is easier because the questions of all the five sections include:

  • Mathematical Skills
  • Language Comprehension
  • Intelligence and Critical Reasoning
  • Data Analysis and Sufficiency
  • Indian and Global Environment

These are easy and straightforward. There are less Reading Comprehension passages of shorter length and are easy to comprehend. Since, the Indian and Global Environment scores are not taken into consideration for MAT percentile calculation, candidates find it easier to crack MAT in 2.5 hours with high scores.

Q:   Is MAT syllabus more difficult than other MBA entrance exams?

A:

The MAT syllabus is same as other MBA entrance exams, which is Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude English Comprehension and General Awareness, only their nomenclature is different. So, candidates preparing for MAT has to study the same subject, topics and sub-topics that they have to study in CAT or CMAT.

In fact, candidates can use the same books for studying for MAT as well as other MBA entrance exams. In terms of difficulty level of the exam, MAT is easier in comparison to other MBA entrance exams. The difficulty level of MAT question paper is usually easy and there is no sectional time limit.

Moreover, MAT is conducted multiple times a year so candidates can choose an exam date or session whenever they are fully prepared for the exam, unlike in other MBA entrances, where candidates have to cover the syllabus, etc. Before a particular exam date. In MAT candidates have the choice of multiple attempts to improve score. A lot of candidates opt for the MAT for the reason that it is easy and they can get a good MBA college through it.

Q:   What is the exam mode of MAT?

A:
MAT exam is conducted in three modes - Paper Based Test or PBT in which candidates have to report to a test centre to take the test. They have to fill an OMR answer sheet with a blue/black ball point pen in the PBT mode exam. The PBT mode is conducted only once in every MAT phase as the number of applicants is least for PBT. In the Computer Based Test or CBT, candidates have to take the test at designated exam centre on a computer system. Candidates have to fill in their answers in an online test page with the help of computer mouse. They can choose only one of the four given options as answer. In the Internet Based Test or IBT, candidates have to take the test on a computer system at home or any preferred location. The test structure is same as CBT but the candidates are monitored in remote proctored mode. Since MAT exam is conducted multiple times in a year during February, May, September and December, one can take the exam in more than one mode. Candidate can also take the test any number of times. The score of the latest MAT attempt will be taken into consideration for admission.

Q:   What are the dos and don'ts for MAT CBT and PBT?

A:
MAT exam is conducted in strict vigilance and a lot of care is taken to prevent impersonation, cheating, etc. Candidates are expected to follow guidelines set by the examination authorities for smooth and orderly conduct of the exam. Given below are certain dos and don'ts that candidates need to follow at the time of giving MAT. MAT exam dos 1. Reach the test centre as per the reporting time mentioned on the MAT admit card 2. Incase of IBT mode, log on to the test system as per the time mentioned on the admit card 3. Present all the relevant documents asked for identification 4. Cooperate in frisking and identification process 5. Divide your time in such way that you are able to solve a good enough number of questions in each session 6. MAT has negative marking so choose the questions carefully. Leave those whose answers you don't know. MAT exam don'ts 1. Don't be late to the test centre. The entry gates will be closed 15 minutes before the commencement of the exam and no entry will be allowed thereafter 2. In case of IBT mode, do not log in late 3. Do not carry prohibited items like notes, books, phone, calculator, watch, ipad, etc. 4. Do not wear metal items and accessories to the exam centre 5. Do not wear outfits with caps/headgears/hoodies, pockets etc. 6. Do not cheat or look into other candidate's system 7. Do not ask of exit before the announcement by exam invigilator.

Also Read:

Memorise Formulas, Theorems and Shortcuts

In order to be proficient in every topic included in the Mathematical Skills syllabus of MAT exam, one needs to know all the formulae and theorems by heart. Study each topic one by one. Get conceptual clarity and understand the application of each theorem before moving ahead. Unless you understand the theorems, you can't solve the MAT Mathematical Skills questions accurately. After completing a topic, solve a few questions on the same to assess if you've learnt the correct application of the theorem.

  • Memorise all the formulas and theorems of Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry and Mensuration.
  • Also, memorise Tables up to 20, Square, Square Root and Cubes. 
  • Join online study forums for guidance and problem solving sessions. 

Learn Time Management

MAT, like any other MBA exam is a speed-based test. Mastering time management skills is important as Mathematical Skills section has calculation intensive questions which take time. The sums can be tricky if you are not adept with the application of the right formula or theorem. Also, there is pressure of attempting at least 15-20 questions accurately for a high score. Therefore, practice MAT mock tests and sample questions in a time-bound manner. Attempt the same questions multiple times and try to solve it in lesser time in every next attempt. This will help in gaining speed and accuracy. Try out the MAT Mock Test by Shiksha for practice of time bound questions. below:

MAT_Mock_Test_1 MAT_Mock_Test_1_Solutions
MAT_Mock_Test_2  MAT_Mock_Test_2_Solutions

Avoid Guesswork in MAT Exam

Mathematical questions are to be solved through application of formulae and theorems as that is the only way to arrive at the correct answer. Don't resort to guess work in Mathematical Skills section of MAT exam. This can lead to negative marking. 

Also Read:

Lastly, start early with the preparation of Mathematical Skills section of MAT. Take time to learn the fundamentals of topics such as Vectors, Differential Equation, Trigonometry, etc. and a large number of practice sample questions. Test takers should devote not less than one to two hours per day on solving and learning formulas and theorems to prepare for Mathematical Skills. 

Make notes of formulae, theorems learnt and shortcuts discovered during preparation. These notes will be immensely useful for revision in the final phase of MAT 2025 preparation.

Read More:

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Answered 10 hours ago

The result of MAT (Management Aptitude Test) usually comes out in 3-4 weeks after the test conducted for Aruna Manharlal Shah Institute of Management and Research, Mumbai under the umbrella of SGSJK. MAT scores for the December 2024 session are expected to be out by mid January 2025. Every candidate

...more

K

Kunal Lalwani

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 13 hours ago

The Management Aptitude Test (MAT) result date for Pillai Institute of Management Studies and Research (PIMSR) depends on the session. Here are some general MAT result release dates:

May phase: Results are released in June–July

September phase: Results are released in October

December phase: Results ar

...more

A

Anurag tiwari

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 21 hours ago

Yes, you can get admission to the MBA/PGDM programme at Matrix Business School, Pune, without MAT scores. The institute accepts various entrance exam scores, including CAT, CMAT, MAH MBA CET, and GMAT. As long as you have a valid score from one of these exams, you are eligible to apply. The selectio

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7388054
Amit Saini

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 21 hours ago

es, you can get admission to the MBA/PGDM programme at Aruna Manharlal Shah Institute of Management and Research (AMSIMR) in Mumbai without taking the MAT exam, provided you qualify through one of the other accepted entrance tests. AMSIMR considers scores from various national and state-level exams

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7388054
Amit Saini

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 days ago

For general considerations, the MAT cut-offs for admission to MMS at St. Francis Institute of Management and Research SFIMAR, Mumbai happen to be around 70% to 75 % percentile. But still there exists a possibility that, they may change year-to-year based on the total candidates applying, the intake

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K

KUMKUM BASWAL

Contributor-Level 8

Answered 2 days ago

Yes, you can get admission to the Master of Management Studies (MMS) course at Lala Lajpatrai Institute of Management (LLIM) without taking the Management Admission Test (MAT). LLIM accepts scores from other entrance exams such as the CAT (Common Admission Test), MAH-MBA CET, XAT (Xavier Aptitude Te

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A

ABHINAV SRIVASTAVA

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 2 days ago

St. Francis Institute of Management and Research (SFIMAR) accepts MAT scores for its admission to the MBA/PGDM programs. The dates of result for MAT are not specific for SFIMAR as they are released by the All India Management Association, which conducts the test. MAT is conducted several times a yea

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K

KUMKUM BASWAL

Contributor-Level 8

Answered 4 days ago

Yes, you can get a scholarship based on your MAT score for the PGDM programme at GIBS Business School. GIBS offers merit-based scholarships to students with good scores in national exams like MAT. If you have a strong MAT score, it increases your chances of being considered for a scholarship.

In addi

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Bhavani

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 4 days ago

MAT results for the December 2024 session are likely to be announced by January 10, 2025. Lotus Business School accepts scores through MAT in its admission procedure for the MBA and PGDM programmes. The dates for result announcement may be slightly different so that one can keep a tab on the offici

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KUMKUM BASWAL

Contributor-Level 8

Answered 4 days ago

The MBA programme at GRG School of Management Studies for Women is not MAT-based; that is not the sole criteria. This institute accepts MAT because it also considers CAT, TANCET, and CMAT before taking admission. The institution's admission eligibility also includes academic performance with a perso

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Shejal agrawal

Contributor-Level 10