Is ATMA tougher than MAT?

Although there is not much difference between the two exams, the question- Is ATMA tougher than MAT, still remains a hot topic of discussion. In the article below you will find the differences and similarities between the two exams along with their exam pattern, syllabus, etc. 

ATMA vs MAT

Both ATMA and MAT are management entrance exams conducted for admissions into various post-graduation courses. But, both the exams have unique features. For instance, ATMA has sectional timing which is not in the case of the MAT exam. Also, the ATMA exam has six sections in the ATMA question paper, whereas the MAT exam has only five. To determine which exam is the tougher, one needs to know the difference between the two exams.

ATMA vs MAT: Differences and Similarities

Check out the table below to know the similarities and differences between ATMA and MAT:

Details	ATMA	MAT
Full form	AIMS Test for Management Admissions	Management Aptitude Test
Conducting body	Association of Indian Management Schools (AIMS)	All India Management Association - AIMA
Exam Frequency	4-5 times in a year	Multiple times a year
Eligibility	Graduate with 50 percent aggregate from a recognised university	Candidates who have completed a professional degree such as CA, CS or ICWA are also eligible to apply for the MAT exam
Exam mode	CBT or IBT	PBT, CBT or IBT
Exam fee	INR 1500	INR 1650 (single exam) INR 2750 (both PBT and CBT mode exam)
Courses offered	MBA, PGDM, MCA, PGDBA	MBA/PGDM
Exam purpose	Admission into over 700 colleges	Admissions to 1206 MBA Colleges
Registration process	Online	Online

ATMA vs MAT: Exam Pattern

To understand if the ATMA exam is tougher than the MAT exam, one needs to understand the exam pattern of both exams.

Details	ATMA	MAT
Number of questions	180	200
Total marks	180	200
Exam duration	180 minutes	150 minutes
Negative marking	Yes. +1 marks for correct answer -0.25 mark for an incorrect answer	Yes. +1 mark for correct answer – 0.25 marks for an incorrect answer
Number of choices in MCQs	4	4
Sectional time limit	Yes	No

There are 180 questions in the ATMA exam which are to be solved in 180 minutes whereas there are 200 questions in the MAT exam question paper which the candidates have to solve in 150 minutes. Hence in the ATMA exam, candidates will get one minute on average to solve each question but since the number of questions in MAT is more and the time allotted is less, MAT exam becomes a speed-based exam.

Also, since ATMA has a sectional time limit, it can be considered tougher than MAT by the way of execution. However, if the candidates prepare for ATMA keeping the sectional time-limit in mind, they can easily score well. 

Also Read:

• ATMA Important Dates and Events
• MAT Important Dates and Events

ATMA v/s MAT Syllabus

The syllabus of both these exams is not very different from each other, they are categorised differently, though. ATMA question paper has six sections based on three subjects, whereas the MAT question paper will have five sections. MAT has two extra subjects  -  Data Analysis & Efficiency and Indian and Global Environment. Look at the table below to know the syllabus of the two exams.

S.No	ATMA	MAT
1	Verbal Skills-I	Language Comprehension
2	Analytical Skills-I	Data Analysis and Sufficiency
3	Quantitative Skills-I	Mathematics
4	Verbal Skills-II	Intelligence and Critical Reasoning
5	Analytical Skills-II	Indian and Global Environment
6	Quantitative Skills-II	-

Also Read:

• Complete ATMA syllabus
• Complete MAT syllabus
• Best books to read for ATMA
• Best books to read for MAT

Our Advice

There are many MBA entrance exams and students stress themselves to crack the toughest ones such as CAT, XAT, SNAP, etc. ATMA and MAT are comparatively easier ones. Both the exams happen multiple times in a year, hence, students need not worry about not scoring well in the first attempt. 

Talking about the question, Is ATMA tougher than MAT? There cannot be a definite answer to this question as this will vary from individual to individual and their preparation strategy. There are many differences and many similarities between the two exams, however, candidates planning to appear for any of these two exams must solve ample of sample papers and take mock tests which will give them an insight into the type of questions and exam pattern of these two exams. Also, candidates while solving the sample papers will come across questions both easy and difficult which will help them make a strategy for attempting both the exams.

Read More:

• ATMA Preparation Tips
• MAT Preparation Tips
• How to prepare for ATMA in three months
• How to Prepare for MAT in three months