How to Prepare for MAT Exam 2025 in Three Months?

Management Aptitude Test 2024 ( MAT )

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Registration: 24 Dec '24 - 2 Mar '25

Vipra
Vipra Shrivastava
Senior Manager - Content
Updated on Dec 2, 2024 15:41 IST

MAT 2025 exam will be held in February, May, September and December. MAT is a low difficulty level exam so one can crack it with a short-term preparation. If you plan to appear for MAT 2025 start preparing for it from at least three months ahead. If you start MAT preparation now, you will be ready for February 2025 session. Get the best preparation strategy to crack MAT in only three months.

MAT preparation in three months

MAT exam preparation in three months is possible only if candidates adopt a speedy preparation plan. Even though the exam is of low difficulty level, one needs to practice a lot as it is a speed based test in which 150 questions have to be addressed in 120 minutes. 

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MBA aspirants planning to appear for MAT 2025 with short term preparation need to make an exam centric preparation plan and follow it till the last day. MAT exam is conducted in three modes - Computer Based Test (CBT), Paper Based Test (PBT) and Internet Based Test (IBT). The three modes have common syllabus and pattern. So, whichever mode you prefer to take MAT 2025 exam in, you have to prepare quickly but in a focused way. 

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.

We say it is possible to prepare for MAT in three months because, MAT syllabus is same as that of other MBA entrance exams and most of the candidates appear for multiple entrance tests. MBA aspirants who have prepared for CAT exam, XAT exam, IIFT exam and other MBA entrance exams for admissions to top B-schools in India, need to only brush up the basics and practice MAT mock tests. Therefore, a three-month preparation strategy for MAT is perfect.

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Also Read: MAT 2025 - Preparation Strategy and Tips

How to Crack MAT 2025 in Three Months?

The key to MAT preparation 2025 in limited time period is enough practice of sample questions from important topics. MAT exam is easy. Also, the score of Indian and Global Environment (GK) section is not included in calculation of final MAT percentile. Thus, you needs to actually prepare for only four main sections. So focus majorly on Language Comprehension, Data Analysis & Sufficiency, Mathematical Skills and Intelligence & Critical Reasoning in these three months. You can prepare for Indian and Global Environment section in the last few days before exam.

If you have no prior knowledge of MAT or any MBA entrance exam, the first thing to do is, check the MAT syllabus and pattern. Let's take you through that below:

MAT Exam Pattern and Syllabus 2025

MAT exam pattern 2025 is prescribed by AIMA, the exam conducting body. There are 150 questions in MCQ format to be answered in two hours. The MAT 2024 syllabus includes five subjects –

  1. Language Comprehension
  2. Data Analysis and Sufficiency
  3. Mathematical Skills
  4. Intelligence and Critical Reasoning
  5. Indian and Global Environment

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:   How can I prepare for MAT exam without coaching?

A:
I am telling you some books and you can check last year's question papers that will help you to crack it without coaching List of 10 best books for MAT are given below : 1. Mission MBA MAT Guide by B S Sijwali and Tarun Goal (Arihant Books) 2. MAT (Management Aptitude Test) Entrance Exams with Practice CDby GKP (G K Publications Pvt. Ltd. ) covers, 3. The Pearson MAT Super Course with CD (Pearson) 4. Study Package For Management Aptitude Test by Arun Sharma (Tata McGraw-Hill) 5. 10 Challengers MAT 10 Mock Tests for Management Aptitude Testby Dharmendra Mittal (Arihant Publications) 6. MAT Score Accelerator (Odisha Publication) 7. MAT Solved Papers by Odisha Experts (Odisha Publication) 8. 10 Mock Test Papers MAT by Career Launchers (Oswaal Books) 9. R S Aggarwal for Class XI and XII Maths 10. Barrons Guide to GMAT by Eugene D. Jaffe and Stephen Hillbert (Galgotias Publication Pvt. Ltd. ) good luck!

Q:   Can I make another attempt at MAT exam, if I score low in first attempt?

A:

Yes, you can attempt MAT exam as many times as you want. MAT is conducted multiple times in a year and three different modes. The MAT exam is held in February, May, September and December. In each phase there are 4-5 IBT sessions, 2 CBT sessions and 1 PBT session. If a candidate is not satisfied with their score of first attempt, they can choose any upcoming session to appear for it again. They can choose an exam phase and a session as per their preparation level, decision to pursue MBA or admission cycle of the target college. However, for each session, the candidate will have to fill a fresh application form and pay the fees. The score of the last attempted MAT exam will be considered for admission. Read More: https://www.shiksha.com/mba/articles/mat-exam-preparation-tips-blogId-11997

 

Check below some key highlights of MAT exam 2025:

There has been no change in the MAT exam pattern over the years. It is simple and student friendly. Check the table below for highlights of MAT exam pattern 2025.

MAT Exam Pattern 2025

Exam modes

CBT, PBT, IBT

Exam duration

2 hours

Total sections

5

Type of questions

Objective type questions

Total questions

150 questions

Total marks

150 marks

Sectional weightage

30 questions per section

Marking scheme

1 mark per correct attempt

-0.25 marks per incorrect attempt

GK scores not taken into consideration for percentile calculation

MAT Syllabus 2025

To score well in MAT 2025 exam, candidates need to be thorough with all the below mentioned topics. Check the table below for section-wise topics included in MAT syllabus 2025:

MAT Syllabus 2025

Topics

Language Comprehension

Grammar, vocabulary, clauses, idioms & phrases, active & passive voice, verbs, tenses, pronoun, sentences, punctuation, parajumble, prepositions, articles

Data Analysis and Sufficiency

Tables & graphs, data sufficiency, venn diagram, charts (column, bar, pie)

Intelligence and Critical Reasoning

Statements & conclusion, judgment, argument, pie chart, blood relations, family tree, analogies, statements

Mathematical Skills

Profit & loss, mean & median, number system, mensuration, time, distance & speed, percentage, vectors, differential equation, trignometry, algebra, geometry, modern math

Indian and Global Environment

Current affairs, political news & events, world records, books and authors, corporate affairs, personalities, history, business & economy, science & technology

Also Read:

Section-wise Three-Month Preparation Strategy for MAT 2025

Many B-schools consider sectional scores of MAT while selecting a candidate for admission, thus it is important to prepare well for all the sections even if time is less. Check section-wise tips for MAT preparation in three months below:

MAT Language Comprehension Preparation

  • First Month: Practice reading with the help of magazines, newspapers and online blogs.
  • Second Month: Practice English grammar, vocabulary and verbal ability.
  • Third Month: Practice sample questions, MAT mock tests and exercises every day.

MAT Intelligence and Critical Reasoning Preparation

  • First Month: Understand the basic patterns and types of reasoning questions in MAT. Learn the basic concepts.
  • Second Month: Learn tricks to solve questions quickly and accurately. Practice a large number of questions of various ranges and various difficulty levels.
  • Third Month: Take online MAT mock test to develop the speed of solving Critical Reasoning questions specific to the exam.

MAT Data Analysis and Sufficiency Preparation

  • First Month: Understand types of charts, tables and graphs to interpret data accurately.
  • Second Month: Practice sample questions, learn shortcuts and tricks to solve questions without using a calculator.
  • Third Month: Spend maximum time in revision and practice of sample questions, mock tests, etc. to master each type of data interpretation questions.

MAT Mathematical Skills Preparation

  • First Month: List out topics from the MAT syllabus that you feel are difficult and work on them first. If you are weak in Mathematics, learn the fundamentals and formulas first.
  • Second Month: Learn shortcuts to solve Mathematics problems without using a calculator or doing rough work on paper. Practice mental calculation.
  • Third Month: Solve MAT mock tests to gain control over all types of questions from across the sections and gain speed.

MAT Indian and Global Environment Preparation

Once you've completed the syllabus of the four main MAT sections, move to Indian and Global Environment. This section is all about General Knowledge and Current Affairs. Thus, you can prepare this section in the last few days before the MAT exam. Dedicate about two hours daily to revise static GK and current affairs from Manorama Year Book. You can also refer to other current affairs publications.

Free Shiksha Mock Test for Practice

MAT_Mock_Test_1 MAT_Mock_Test_Solutions
MAT_Mock_Test_2 MAT_Mock_Test_2_Solutions

Read More:

About the Author
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Vipra Shrivastava
Senior Manager - Content

Vipra is a massive Breaking Bad fan. When not watching crime drama series, she spends time in updating the list of places she wants to visit and people she wants to meet, but she is happiest in the company of dogs. ... Read Full Bio

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The MAT cutoff to join MBA programs at N.M.D College is always different year after year, which depends upon the number of students who appear for the test and the number of seats in the respective program. Typically, one who scores between 60-70 percent or more in MAT can be taken into consideratio

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Hanshika Baswal

Contributor-Level 7

Answered a week ago

The college accept many entrance exams like MAT, XAT GMAT, CAT, CMAT etc. admission process is conducted through the centralised admission process of the directorate of technical education.

For MAT 2025 exam, registration deadline is March 2.

For XAT 2025 exam, exam date is on Jan 5th. 

For CMAT 2025 e

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Vijay S

Beginner-Level 5

Answered a week ago

No, you cannot join the Adani Institute of Digital Technology Management (AIDTM) PGDM programme without an entrance exam, including the MAT: 

Entrance exams

AIDTM accepts national-level management entrance exams like CAT, XAT, CMAT, GMAT, MAT, and ATMA. 

Selection process-:

Admission is based on merit,

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subrat nanda

Beginner-Level 4

Answered a week ago

MAT 2024 registration for August is over. The next phase of exams will be held in December 2024. The schedule of MAT 2024 registration for December phase has started at the AIMA, official website. Candidates who plan to appear for the MAT exam this year can apply for any phase of the as per their pr

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Taru Taneja

Beginner-Level 5

Answered a week ago

MAT 2025 exam schedule has been announced for February session. In February MAT will be conducted in CBT and PBT mode. Registration process for the same began from December 24, 2024. Check MAT 2025 exam dates below:

MAT 2025 February PBT (PAPER BASED TEST)

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MAT 2025 February CBT (COMPUTER BASED TEST)

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MAT CBT date

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Manisha Singh

Beginner-Level 1

Answered 2 weeks ago

Yes, VIT Bhopal does offer scholarship based on MAT score. The waiver percentage depends on the score of the candidates in MAT. Below is the criteria:

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MAT with a score of 791 to 800INR 6.97 lakh100%-INR 0
MAT with a score of 760 to 790INR 6.97 lakh50%-INR 3.48 lakh

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Nishtha Shukla

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 weeks ago

Depending on the admissions policies of the MES Institute of Management and Career Courses it is possible to get admitted to the MBA/PGDM programme without taking the MAT. MES Institute may take into account additional entrance examinations like CAT, XAT or their own entrance test even though many i

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Lakshmi Sudhakar Siriguba

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Yes, you can get admission to the MBA/PGDM course at Pratibha Institute of Business Management (PIBM) without the MAT exam. PIBM accepts scores from several other entrance exams, including MAH MBA CET, CAT, CMAT, GMAT, and XAT.

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ABHINAV SRIVASTAVA

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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

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Anurag Shivam

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