MAT Preparation 2025: Tips for Data Analysis & Sufficiency
Management Aptitude Test 2025 ( MAT )
Exam On - 13 Dec '25
MAT Data Analysis and Sufficiency section is moderate to difficult. One needs to have strong calculation skills. Know the tips and tricks to score high in Data Analysis and Sufficiency section of MAT 2025 exam.
MAT Data Analysis and Sufficiency preparation is all about gaining control on mathematical calculations and practice. One needs to practice a large variety of DI questions to understand various types of table, graphs, bars and pie charts through which data sets are analysed. Among the five sections of the MAT, the Data Analysis and Sufficiency section is considered to be the easier one.That is, if test takers understand the tables and charts well. Strong base in Maths is immensly helpful in quick calculations to derive solutions.
Explore colleges based on MAT
Want better recommendations?
There is a 90% more chance of getting best college recommendations by sharing preferences.
- Chat with our counselor
- Get your personalised list of colleges & exams matching your preferences
The Data Analysis and Sufficiency section of MAT exam tests the aspirant’s ability to analyse large data sets which is crucial to various management profiles. The key to crack any questions in this section is having a good practice of solving MAT question papers and sample papers. If the MAT preparation of Data Analysis and Sufficiency is done in a systemic manner, this section is easy to crack. Those planning to appear for MAT in 2025 must start exam preparation from now. Check Data Analysis & Sufficiency preparation tips for MAT 2025 below:
- MAT Preparation 2025: Pattern of Data Analysis & Sufficiency Section
- MAT Data Analysis & Sufficiency Questions and Difficulty Level
- MAT Preparation: Tips for Data Analysis & Sufficiency
- Types of Data Analysis & Sufficiency Questions in MAT
- Tips to Score High in MAT Data Analysis & Sufficiency
MAT Preparation 2025: Pattern of Data Analysis & Sufficiency Section
The Data Analysis and Sufficiency section of MAT exam usually has seven to eight sets and each set comprises 3-4 questions. The questions can be from topics like - Bar Graphs, Tables, Line Graphs, Combination Graphs, Pie Charts, Caselets, Data Sufficiency, Data Comparison, etc. These are Maths based questions and require quick calculation. An important aspect of this section of MAT is that one needs to know the art of selecting the right set of questions to solve. Choose only those sets that can be solved quickly and accurately.
Explore more MBA exams with upcoming dates
13 Dec '25
SNAP
1 Aug '25 - 16 Dec '25
1 Jul '25 - 19 Dec '25
CAT
20 Dec '25
21 Dec '25
30 Sep '25 - 22 Dec '25
9 Oct '25 - 9 Jan '26
MAT Data Analysis & Sufficiency Questions and Difficulty Level
For preparation of Data Analysis & Sufficiency section of MAT exam, it is important that the candidates know the types of questions. Check the table below indicating topic-wise difficulty level of Data Analysis & Sufficiency section of MAT exam:
| MAT DI-DSTopics |
Number of Questions |
Level of Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Data Sufficiency |
4 |
Easy |
| Data Caselet |
4 |
Difficult |
| Line Graph |
4 |
Easy-Moderate |
| Bar Graph, Expenditure and Profit |
4 |
Easy- Moderate |
| Multiple Graphs |
4 |
Easy |
| Pie Chart |
3 | Difficult |
| Data Comparison |
4 |
Easy |
| Quantitative Comparison |
3 |
Easy |
| Total |
30 |
|
Also Read:
MAT Preparation: Tips for Data Analysis & Sufficiency
In this section of MAT 2025 exam, the questions might be lengthy. Candidates will be required to make optimal use of their skills to interpret the given data accurately. This section also tests decision-making ability of the candidates. In order to gain speed as well as accuracy in studying tables and charts, students must practice various shortcuts and Vedic Mathematic techniques.
Secondly, multiple types of calculations will be required to derive the result. One needs to practice table, square, square roots, cube, cube roots, etc.for faster calculation.
MAT 2025 exam schedule has been announced for May session. In May, MAT will be conducted in CBT and PBT mode. Registration process for the same began from April 5, 2025. Check MAT 2025 exam dates below:
MAT 2025 May PBT (PAPER BASED TEST) | |
|---|---|
PBT registration last date | May 25 2025 |
MAT PBT admit card release | May 28, 2025 (5.00 PM Onwards) |
MAT PBT Date | May 31, 2025 |
MAT 2025 May CBT (COMPUTER BASED TEST) | |
|---|---|
CBT registration last date | June 2, 2025 |
MAT CBT admit card release | June 5, 2025 (5.00 PM Onwards) |
MAT CBT date | June 8, 2025 |
MAT test cities are not same for CBT and PBT. Number of CBT test cities is more than PBT test cities. CBT and PBT test cities are listed below:
MAT PBT Test Cities:
Bengaluru, Bhilai, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Coimbatore, Delhi, Durgapur, Gandhinagar, Gurgaon, Guwahati, Haldwani, Hyderabad, Jabalpur, Jalandhar, Jodhpur, Kanpur, Kolkata, Kottayam, Lucknow, Madurai, Mangaluru, Mumbai, Nashik, Noida, Patna, Prayagraj, Raipur, Ranchi, Silchar, Siliguri, Surat, Tezpur, Thiruvananthapuram, Varanasi and Visakhapatnam
MAT CBT Test Cities:
Agra, Ahmedabad, Asansol, Bareilly, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Coimbatore, Dehradun, Delhi, Ernakulam - Kochi, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon, Guwahati, Hubballi (Hubli), Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Jammu, Jamshedpur, Kolkata, Kozhikode, Lucknow, Madurai, Meerut, Mumbai, Mysuru (Mysore), Nagpur, Noida, Patna, Pune, Raipur, Ranchi, Rourkela, Shillong, Shimla, Salem, Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, Tiruchirappalli (Trichy), Vellore and Vijayawada
Types of Data Analysis & Sufficiency Questions in MAT
Questions Based on Graphs
Some questions in the Data Analysis & Sufficiency section of MAT exam are based on different types of graphs such as Bar Graph, Pie Chart, Line Graph, Tables and Combination Graph. The combination graph involves the combination of two or more types of graphs like: Line Bar, Pie Bar, Table Pie, etc.
While solving graph-based questions, one needs to focus on the basics of Data Interpretation. Such questions require relating the given data to a real life scenario for easy understanding, making use of options, scanning and skipping for selection of proper option. It also involves understanding the nature of data whether they are absolute or relative. Time management is of essence in this section.
Questions Based on Data Sufficiency
After analyzing a few previous years' MAT question papers, we can say that around 5-10 Data Sufficiency questions are usually asked in MAT exam. The difficulty level of the questions is usually easy.
Questions Based on Data Comparison
The difficulty level of Data Comparison questions is easy. It is advisable to attempt the Data Comparison questions before attempting the Data Interpretation questions. This will help you in understanding the pattern of questions.
Questions Based on Caselet
In MAT exam, there is usually one caselet with around four to five questions, as seen in a few previous years' MAT question papers, the Caselet questions are most time consuming. So, attempt Caselet questions in the end.
Tips to Score High in MAT Data Analysis & Sufficiency
- Read all the questions very carefully before attempting. Understand the data presentation and then read the answer options.
- Do not read the answer options first as it may cloud your judgement while reading the question.
- Memorise Tables up to 20, Squares, Square Roots, Cubes, etc. to save time on calculation.
- Do not make assumptions in Data Analysis & Sufficiency questions as they are data-based and there is no scope of guess work.
- MAT exam has negative marking, so do not attempt questions you can’t solve with 100 per cent accuracy.
MAT Mock Test
| MAT_Mock_Test_1 | MAT_Mock_Test_1_Solutions |
| MAT_Mock_Test_2 | MAT_Mock_Test_2_Solutions |
Read More:
- MAT Preparation 2025: Intelligence & Critical Reasoning
- MAT Preparation 2025: Language Comprehension and Verbal Ability
- MAT Preparation 2025: Mathematical Skills
- How to prepare for MAT 2025 in six months
- How to prepare for MAT 2025 in three months
- How to prepare for MAT 2025 in one month
- Is MAT tougher than CMAT? Know key differences
- Last minute tips to crack MAT exam
- MAT score vs percentile: How to calculate?
- Best Books for MAT exam preparation
- Key points for MAT preparation
News & Updates
Explore Other Exams
20 Dec '25 | XAT 2026 admit card download s... |
4 Jan '26 | XAT 2026 Exam |
28 Oct '25 - 16 Dec '25 | NMAT 2025 Admit Card Issuance |
1 Aug '25 - 16 Dec '25 | NMAT 2025 Rescheduling Window |
19 Dec '25 | CAT 2025 result announcement |
8 Dec '25 - 10 Dec '25 | CAT 2025 answer key challenge |
1 Jul '25 - 19 Dec '25 | IBSAT 2025 Registration |
5 Nov '25 - 27 Dec '25 | IBSAT Slot Booking 2025 |
25 Jan '26 | CMAT 2026 exam |
26 Nov '25 - 28 Nov '25 | CMAT 2026 form correction |
8 Dec '25 - 14 Dec '25 | SNAP 2025 admit card session 2... |
14 Dec '25 | SNAP 2025 session 2 |
16 Apr '26 - 18 Apr '26 | MAH MBA CET 2026 exam |
9 May '26 | MAH MBA CET 2026 exam 2 |
25 Nov '25 - 29 Jan '26 | MICAT (II) registration proces... |
24 Dec '25 | MICAT (I) result declaration |
17 Oct '24 - 5 Dec '24 | IIFT 2025 registration and app... |
Jan '26 | Publication of TANCET notifica... |
Jan '26 | TANCET registration window |
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered Yesterday
Hi.
For PGDM and MBA admissions at GIBS Business School, Bangalore, the following entrance exams are accepted:
Accepted Entrance Exams
| Exam | Type / Level |
|---|---|
| CAT – Common Admission Test | National-level MBA entrance exam |
| XAT – Xavier Aptitude Test | National-level MBA entrance exam |
| MAT – Management Aptitude Test | National-level MBA entrance exam |
| CMAT – Common Management Admission Test | National-level MBA entrance exam |
| GMAT – Graduate Management Admission Test | International / National-level MBA entrance exam |
| ATMA – AIMS Test for Management Admissions | National-level MBA entrance exam |
| State CET (e.g., Karnataka PGCET) | State-level MBA entrance exam for Karnataka candidates |
h
Scholar-Level 17
Answered Yesterday
Hi.
GIBS considers any one valid score from these exams for shortlisting candidates.
Some exams (like CAT, XAT, CMAT) are preferred for national-level merit-based selection, but State CET scores are also accepted for Karnataka domicile candidates.
Along with the entrance score, academics, work experien
h
Scholar-Level 17
Answered 2 days ago
Hi.
Yes — you can pursue an MBA at Chandigarh University (CU) without appearing for CAT or MAT. CU has its own entrance process for MBA admissions, and they accept multiple types of eligibility credentials.
CU MBA Admission Eligibility
To be eligible for MBA at CU:
Bachelor's degree in any discipline fr
h
Scholar-Level 17
Answered 3 days ago
The institute has released the KIM Pune MAT Cutoff 2024 for admissions to the MBA/PGDM courses. The MAT Cutoff 2024 was 60 percentile overall for students belonging to the General category under the All India quota. Students can click here to know more about the MAT Cutoff 2024.
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 4 days ago
The CMS Bangalore MBA cutoff 2024 was released for various different exams, like CAT, XAT, NMAT, etc.
The CAT Cutoff 2024 was 50, whereas, in 2024, it was 70 as was the case in 2023. This trend over the past 3 years says that the CAT Cutoff has been decreasing overtime. Students can click here to kno
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 4 days ago
The ISME Bangalore MAT cutoff 2024 was released for admission to the MBA/PGDM course. The MAT Cutoff 2024 was 70 percentile overall for the students belonging to the General All India category. To know more about the ISME Bangalore Cutoff, click here.
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 4 days ago
The Lexicon MILE MAT Cutoff 2024 was released for admission to the MBA/PGDM programme at Lexicon Management Institute of Leadership and Excellence. The institute accepts the MAT Cutoff percentiles for enrolment to the MBA/PGDM course.
The MAT Cutoff 2024 was 70 percentile overall for the students be
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
MAT cutoff percentile for MBA admission at BIMM was 80 in 2024, for the students belonging to the General AI quota. The institute also accepts the CAT entrane exam for admission, for which the 2024 cutoff percentile was 50.
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
MAT scores are one of the factors taken into consideration when determining whether or not a student is eligible for financial aid/scholarships through GIBS. The school awards merit-based scholarships to students who achieve high scores on any of the following nationalized entrance exams: MAT, CAT,
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
GIBS does not have an additional reservation policy for students applying through CAT or MAT. Admission is based entirely upon merit, and students can apply using their scores from the national level entrance exams: CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT, ATMA, GMAT and GIBS 's own entrance exam. Each student will be
A
Contributor-Level 10
MAT is conducted multiple times in a year. MAT 2024 exam dates were announced phase wise - February, May, August and December. Candidates will be allowed to register for multiple mode and multiple attempts. The MAT December 2024 dates are given below:
MAT Test Mode
MAT Test Date
MAT Registration Ends
Availability of MAT Admit Card
CBT - 1
7-Dec-24
30-Nov-24
3-Dec-24
PBT
14-Dec-24
7-Dec-24
10-Dec-24
CBT - 2
22-Dec-24
15-Dec-24
18-Dec-24