Saumya JainAssistant Manager- Content
ATMA preparation: Compared to other management exams, ATMA is not very tough but requires careful and strategic planning in order to clear it. The ideal time required for ATMA exam preparation is six months to nine months. In the first two to three months, candidates should focus on learning the basic concepts and brush up on the fundamentals of the topics. Candidates should also devote ample time to solving the ATMA mock test. This will help candidates to analyse where they stand in terms of knowledge. Candidates should be focused and attentive to what they study. AIMS Test for Management Admissions(ATMA) is a national-level exam conducted for admission to MBA, MCA, PGDBA, PGDM, etc. More than 750 management institutions accept ATMA scores for offering admission to its various programmes. Here are a few ATMA preparation tips to help candidates get past the finishing lines.
Also Read: ATMA eligibility criteria 2025
Q: Â Is ATMA exam difficult?
Q: Â What is the ideal time to prepare for ATMA?
Q: Â Which are the best books to refer for ATMA exam preparation?
How to Prepare for ATMA 2025?
ATMA is conducted four to five times a year. It is one of the most popular MBA exams in the country. According to ATMA 2025 exam pattern, the exam consists of Analytical Reasoning, Quantitative and Verbal Skills. There will be a total of six sections divided into two parts. Candidates must master these topics in order to get a good score. Both online and offline study materials will help you crack the ATMA exam 2025. Take a look at the ATMA exam pattern below.
Q: Â What is the syllabus for ATMA exam?
Q: Â What is the best way to prepare ATMA at home?
Q: Â Which is tougher to crack: TISSNET or ATMA?
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ATMA 2025 Exam Pattern Highlights
Here are the ATMA exam pattern highlights to give the candidates an overview of the exam.
Exam structure | Details |
---|---|
Number of sections |
6 (Analytical Reasoning Skills – I, Verbal Skills – I, Quantitative Skills – I, Analytical Reasoning Skills – II, Verbal Skills –II, Quantitative Skills – II) |
Duration |
180 minutes |
Type of questions |
Multiple choice questions (MCQs) |
Total marks |
180 |
Mode of examination |
Online |
ATMA marking scheme |
+1 mark for each correct answer -0.25 for every wrong answer |
Q: Â What is the medium of the ATMA question paper? What is the structure of the ATMA question paper?
Q: Â What is the marking scheme of the ATMA exam?
Q: Â What is the syllabus and exam pattern of ATMA?
ATMA (AIMS Test for Management Admissions) is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the Association of Indian Management Schools (AIMS) for admission to MBA/PGDM and other postgraduate management programmes in various B-schools across India.
The syllabus and exam pattern for ATMA are as follows: Syllabus: The ATMA exam tests the candidate's aptitude in the following areas:
Analytical Reasoning Skills Verbal Skills Quantitative Skills Exam Pattern: The ATMA exam is a computer-based test. The duration of the exam is 180 minutes (3 hours). The exam consists of 180 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs). The questions are from three different sections, namely Analytical Reasoning Skills, Verbal Skills, and Quantitative Skills. Each correct answer carries one mark, and there is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for incorrect answers. The total marks for the exam are 180. The detailed section-wise exam pattern is as follows:
- Section 1: Analytical Reasoning Skills This section tests the candidate's analytical and logical reasoning abilities. It consists of 60 MCQs. The section tests the candidate's knowledge of topics such as Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations, Analogy, etc.
- Section 2: Verbal Skills This section tests the candidate's English language skills. It consists of 60 MCQs. The section tests the candidate's understanding of topics such as Grammar, Vocabulary, Reading Comprehension, etc.
- Section 3: Quantitative Skills This section tests the candidate's Quantitative Aptitude. It consists of 60 MCQs. The section tests the candidate's knowledge of topics such as Arithmetic, Algebra Geometry, Trigonometry etc.
Six Months Preparation Strategy for ATMA 2025 Exam
Candidates should prepare a study routine and stick to it. Incorporating ATMA preparation in their daily schedule will help candidates to stick to their goals and deliver the desired end result. When the candidates are preparing for the ATMA exam, they must know the syllabus thoroughly. It is important to have in-depth knowledge. As mentioned above, ATMA is divided into six sections. The six sections of the ATMA exam are based on Verbal Skills, Quantitative Skills and Analytical Reasoning. The syllabus for all the subjects is different. Also, candidates must make sure that they refer to the correct and relevant study material and books available online and offline. Divide your six months preparation strategy into different phases to make the preparations easy for yourself. Shiksha brings you a section-wise preparation strategy for ATMA 2025 below.Â
Also Read:Â Best books to read for ATMA 2025 preparation
- Analytical Reasoning: Questions in this section are moderately difficult. This section analyses the candidates' critical reasoning and analytical skills. The section will analyse the candidate's skills to comprehend and interpret a particular statement and arrive at a conclusion based on their understanding. One can prepare for the Analytical Reasoning section by solving puzzles, riddles, syllogisms, coding and decoding, etc.
- Quantitative Skills:Â Candidates can prepare for this section by brushing up on their mathematics skills. They must refer to the mathematics books that they studied in Class 10 and Class 12. To ace this section, candidates must learn the formulae and theories by heart. Learning tricks to solve lengthy questions will be of great help. Candidates must solve previous years' question papers and practice ATMA mock tests. This will help them in increasing their speed and accuracy.Â
- Verbal Skills:Â This section is all about Reading Comprehension and English Usage. Candidates must improve their vocabulary to score well in this section. Candidates should focus on topics such as grammar, para jumbles, reading comprehension, word meanings, phrases and idioms, sentence completion, etc. Refer to newspapers and magazines to ace this section.
Also Read:Â
Detailed ATMA syllabus | Verbal Ability questions with answers | Quantitative Skills questions with answers | Analytical Reasoning questions with answers |
Q: Â What are the important topics of the Verbal Skills section of the ATMA exam?
Q: Â Which are the most important topics to focus for ATMA preparation?
Q: Â What are the important topics of the Quantitative Ability section in the ATMA exam?
Three Months Preparation Strategy for ATMA 2025
Candidates must devote at least three months to ATMA preparation. Applicants who have appeared for other management exams will find preparing for ATMA easier, however, every candidate must give a minimum of three months to ATMA preparations. Divide your ATMA preparation strategy into phases. Below are a few tips to prepare your phase-wise ATMA preparation strategy.
The three phases for the three-month preparation strategy for ATMA 2025 are:
- Phase 1:Â Covering ATMA syllabus and exam pattern
- Phase 2:Â Practicing sample papers and knowing your strengths and weaknesses
- Phase 3:Â Topic-wise revision and practice
- Phase 1:Â Every exam preparation must start with knowing the overall syllabus, exam pattern and marking scheme. ATMA is a time-based exam, hence, candidates must be able to cover the entire syllabus and at the same time have enough time for revision and practice. While preparing for the ATMA exam make sure that candidates should pay equal time to all three sections. At times, candidates who are good at Analytical Reasoning, might pay less time for this section and end up skipping an important topic which might result in scoring bad marks in the exam. Hence, it is really important for the students to prepare well for each section of the ATMA question paper.Â
- Phase 2: In the next phase of ATMA preparation, it is important for the candidates to be well-acquainted with the ATMA syllabus and various topics. Choose the right study material for your preparations. There is no point in collecting the study books and material in bulk. Candidates should categorise the topics of ATMA syllabus 2025 as the most difficult, difficult, moderate and easy. This will help candidates to hone the strong topics and work on the weaker topics. Candidates should learn more than one method to solve a question. During the exam, knowing more than one way of solving a question will help candidates in solving questions more accurately. Accuracy is the key to securing a high percentile score. Brush up your calculations and basics. One should make short notes during their preparations, and note down the formulae and tricks that they come across while preparing.
- Phase 3: While solving questions, candidates should keep a check on their accuracy levels. This can be increased by solving previous years’ papers. Candidates must assess how much time it takes for them to solve each section and improve speed accordingly. Any exam preparation is incomplete without the right amount of revision and practice. Candidates should try to solve as many mock tests as they can. Mock tests will help candidates to track their performance and improvement, but will also get them in the right frame of mind for the exam day. Solving mock tests will help candidates to know their strategy and help them manage time. Besides taking mock tests, candidates should solve previous years’ question papers as it will give them a fair understanding of the type of questions that can be asked in the exam.
Also Read:
Q: Â Can I prepare for ATMA exam in one month?
Preparing for the ATMA in one month requires a structured plan. In the first two weeks, understand the exam pattern, syllabus, and identify weaknesses through a diagnostic test. In the third week, focus on quantitative, verbal, and analytical reasoning skills. Strengthen basic concepts and practice time management. Week four is crucial for simulated exam conditions; take full-length mock tests, analyze mistakes, and revise key concepts. Prioritize weak areas and enhance vocabulary. In the last days, ensure relaxation, review test-taking strategies, and maintain a positive mindset. While intensive, this condensed plan can be effective with consistent effort and strategic focus on identified weaknesses. Regular mock tests and targeted revision will be essential for building confidence in the limited timeframe.
Q: Â What are the important topics of the Analytical Reasoning section of the ATMA question paper?
Q: Â How can I crack ATMA in 3 months?
Last-Minute Preparation Tips for ATMA
When only a few days are left for the ATMA exam, candidates must be on-toes with their preparations for the exam. Lessen the pressure of scoring well in the ATMA exam 2025 with these last-minute preparation tips for ATMA 2025. Candidates must now devote their time to revision and solving mock tests. They must revise all the topics that they have studied. Look at all the formulae and theorems that you studied while preparing for the Quant and Analytical Reasoning section. Revision helps in strengthening what you have already studied.Â
It is important to have a sound sleep so that you feel calm and fresh on exam day. Since the ATMA exam 2025 is a time-based exam (as mentioned above) it is important to have a calm and relaxed mind. A fresh mind will fetch you a good score. Candidates must make sure that they reach the exam centre at least an hour before the commencement of the exam. They also must not forget to carry all the necessary documents like photo ID proof (original and photocopy), ATMA admit card, two recent passport-size coloured photographs and a copy of the ATMA application form.
The most important tip for the ATMA exam is to be calm and confident. Do not panic while attempting the ATMA question paper if you get stuck on a particular question. Panicking will only make things worse and one might end up losing marks.
Q: Â How to improve my reading speed in ATMA preparation?
To improve reading speed for the ATMA exam, preview passages quickly, focus on keywords, and eliminate subvocalization. Practice with timed passages, use a pointer to guide your eyes, and chunk information by reading in groups. Expand your vocabulary, engage in silent reading, and vary your reading materials. Take breaks to prevent fatigue, set realistic targets, and consistently practice diverse genres. Gradually increasing exposure and setting achievable goals will help develop efficient reading while maintaining comprehension for the Reading Comprehension section of ATMA exam.
Q: Â What are the last minute tips to prepare for ATMA before the exam?
ATMA is one of the important MBA entrance exams. The first tip to ace the ATMA exam is to stay calm. Here are a few last minute preparation tips for ATMA exam:
- Confirm the exact location of the ATMA test centre at least one day before the ATMA exam day to ensure that transportation is available on time. If you are new to the city or the location of the centre, it is adivsable to visit the centre once.
- Arrive early to the ATMA exam centre. Applicants must ensure that they arrive at least an hour before the exam begins.
- Use the restroom before to the start of the test. Because you will not have time and may not be able to exit the exam hall throughout the examination period, use the restroom before entering the examination hall.
- Do not bring cell phones or other electronic devices, such as calculators, smartwatches, to the exam centre because the machines are not always available. Personal property will not be safeguarded outside of the exam centre, and the exam centre authories will not be held liable for any loss of personal property. There are no stationary objects allowed, such as a pen, stylus, or paper. Rough pads and pens will be given to the applicants. Candidates should write their name and application number on their rough pads/sheets.
- Stay calm and have a healthy breakfast in the morning before the exam.
Q: Â What are the important topics I should focus on in the last few days of the ATMA preparation?
In the last few days leading up to the ATMA exam, it's crucial to focus on key areas that can contribute significantly to your performance. Dedicate time to review and revise core concepts in quantitative aptitude, verbal ability, and logical reasoning. Focus on formulas, rules, and fundamental principles. Practice time management strategies. Ensure that you can allocate time effectively to each section. Practice solving questions within the stipulated time limits. Focus on different types of logical reasoning questions. Practice solving puzzles, syllogisms, and other reasoning problems. Brush up on key mathematical concepts. Focus on topics such as percentages, ratios, averages, and arithmetic.
ATMA Exam Day Checklist
Given below are a few ATMA exam day guidelines that the applicants must adhere to:
- Candidates must take two copies of the ATMA admit card 2025 and affix a passport-size photograph on both. The photograph must match the one on the ATMA application form. Candidates not having the admit card or ID proof will not be allowed to appear for the exam.
- Candidates must also keep original and photocopies of photo ID proof issued by the Government of India and a copy of the ATMA application form for identification purposes.
- ATMA 2025 will be conducted across various exam centres, hence, candidates should reach the exam centre at least an hour before the exam starts. The exam will be conducted from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Do not reach late to the ATMA exam centre. Latecomers will not be allowed to enter the exam centre.
- Candidates must carry a ballpoint pen, hand sanitiser and transparent water bottle. They must also wear a mask and pair of gloves before appearing for the exam. They must follow COVID-19-appropriate behaviour at all times.
- Candidates must carefully read the instructions given on the question paper before starting the exam.
- The students cannot leave their seats during the exam.
- Do not talk during the exam.
- Loose blank sheets will be provided by the invigilator for rough work.
- Do not press the F5 key. It will end your exam abruptly.
Read More:
Q: Â What are the dos and don'ts of the ATMA exam?
Q: Â What is the sectional time limit in ATMA?
FAQs Related to ATMA Preparation
Check some of the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on ATMA preparation.
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Q: Â What are the best books for ATMA preparation?
Q: Â How can I crack ATMA in 6 months?
News & Updates
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ATMA Exam
Student Forum
Answered 2 months ago
Yes, OPJU offers admissions to students who do not have a valid CAT score. This happens because OPJU accepts other national exam scores along with CAT. Listed below are the accepted exams for MBA admissions:
- CMAT
- XAT
- MAT
- ATMA
Those who have a higher score have higher chances of getting admission. Moreove
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
No, students who hold any foreign country's passport is not eligible to appear for the ATMA exam. The basic eligiblity criteria for the ATMA exam states that any student applying for the ATMA exam must be a citizen of India. There are various other ATMA eligiblity criteria along with the nationality
747 Institutes accepting ATMA
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- 2 years
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- Full Time
- Total Fees: ₹ 11.69 Lakh
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- 2 years
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- Full Time
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- Total Fees: ₹ 14.00 Lakh
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- 2 years
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- Full Time
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- Total Fees: ₹ 3.00 Lakh
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- 2 years
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- Full Time
Can I take admission in OPJU MBA without CAT?