Is the question paper of MAT IBT different from MAT CBT or PBT?

No, the question paper of MAT IBT is not different from MAT CBT or PBT. The test pattern, time duration, question type and marking scheme are the same for all three modes. Candidates can choose to appear for any exam mode with the worry of doing exam specific preparation. The only difference between MAT IBT and MAT CBT or PBT is that MAT IBT is a remote proctored exam and can be taken from any location unlike MAT CBT or PBT which are held at designated exam centres. The MAT question paper of every session however is different. All the 200 questions of each question paper is unique. The difficulty level is the same- easy to moderate but since the questions are different from each other candidates can feel slight difference in the difficulty level. The questions for every session are chosen randomly so in one session the paper can be overall easy while in another session the exam can be slightly difficult.

Which is better MAT or CMAT?

MAT and CMAT have similar syllabus but the difficulty level is different. Both exams have Quantitative Aptitude Logical Reasoning, Data Interpretation, English and General Knowledge. CMAT has an additional section - Innovation and Entrepreneurship which was introduced in 2021. While MAT is an easy exam, CMAT is moderately tough but to say which is better totally depends upon the college a candidate is targeting for MBA Admission. The participating colleges for both exams are different. If a candidate's dream college accepts MAT score, then they appear for MAT but if their dream college accepts CMAT then they should appear for CMAT. The CMAT exam is conducted by the NTA only once in a year but MAT is conducted multiple times in a year. AIMA conducts MAT in February, May, September and December. So, unlike CMAT MAT gives a candidate the choice to appear for the exam when they are well prepared and improve test score in the same academic session. The benefit of CMAT or MAT is that former is accepted by all government and state universities/institutes whereas latter is accepted by mostly private institutes.

What is the difference between CBT and PBT modes of MAT exam?

The CBT or computer based mode MAT exam is conducted online in which, candidates have to punch in their answers on the computer screen with the help of the mouse-pad. In PBT mode exam, candidates have to fill an OMR sheet with a blue/black ball point pen with the suitable option as the answer. These days most of the candidates opt for CBT which is way it is conducted twice in a particular exam phase. PBT is conducted only once in MAT exam phase. There is no difference in the exam pattern or syllabus of the MAT CBT and MAT PBT. Candidates can choose the mode of exam at the time of registration as per their convenience. If a candidate is comfortable in pen and paper mode, then they can opt for MAT PBT and if the candidate is comfortable in taking tests on computer, they can opt for MAT CBT. However, the CBT and PBT exams are held in different cities so candidates must check the list of test cities before choosing their exam mode.

What is the marking scheme of MAT exam?

Total marks of MAT exam is 150. Every question carries one mark for correct attempt and there is negative marking of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer. No marks is deducted for skipping questions. The MAT question paper has 150 questions equally divided into five sections - Language Comprehension, Intelligence & Critical Reasoning, Data Analysis & Data Sufficiency, Mathematical Skills and Indian & Global Environment. Language Comprehension: 30 questions 2. Intelligence & Critical Reasoning: 30 questions 3. Data Analysis & Data Sufficiency: 30 questions 4. Mathematical Skills: 30 questions 5. Indian & Global Environment: 30 questions Every section therefore has 30 questions which means every section carries 30 marks. The scores of GK section is not considered for MAT percentile calculation. So candidates can keep GK section as their last priority.

Is the syllabus of MAT IBT, PBT and CBT mode exams common?

Yes, the syllabus MAT IBT, PBT and CBT mode exams is common. In fact the exam pattern and marking are also same for all three modes. MAT syllabus for all modes includes topics from Language Comprehension, Intelligence and Critical Reasoning, Data Analysis and Sufficiency, Mathematical Skills and Indian and Global Environment. The candidate needs to prepare all the topics mentioned above on this page to crack MAT exam. The total time required for completion of MAT syllabus is about 3 months. If a candidate has appeared for MAT before or any other MBA entrance exam then they can complete the syllabus in lesser time. The only difference between the three MAT modes is that, in IBT, candidates have to take the test from home on a computer. In PBT, candidates have to appear for the test at an exam centres and fill the OMR sheet as part of the test. In CBT, candidates have to take the test on a computer at an exam centre.

What are the important topics of MAT exam?

MAT exam has five important sections - Mathematical Skills, Language Comprehension, Intelligence and Critical Reasoning, Data Analysis and Sufficiency, Mathematical Skills and Indian and Global Environment. Each section carries 40 questions each. Given below are the important topics from which questions are asked in MAT. Language Comprehension - Verb, Noun, Pronoun, Adjective, Adverb, Antonyms and Synonyms, Reading Comprehension, Parts of Speech, One Word Substitution, Vocabulary, Sentence Correction, Idioms/Phrases, Grammar, Fill the Blanks, Para Jumbles and Verbal Ability. Intelligence and Critical Reasoning - Family Tree, Strong Arguments and Weak Arguments, Multi-Dimensional Arrangements, Course of Action, Puzzles, Visual Reasoning, Arrangement, Series, Numeric Grid, Pie Chart, Blood Relations, Critical Reasoning, Calendars, Coding and Decoding, Syllogisms, Statement Conclusions, Column Graphs and Graphs Representing Area. Data Analysis and Sufficiency - Tables, Pie Charts, Caselet-based Data Charts, Graphs - Line X-Y Graphs, Venn Diagram, Bar Diagrams, Data Analysis and Data Comparison and Data Sufficiency Mathematical Skills- LCM and HCF, Commercial Maths Complex Numbers, Percentages, Permutation and Combinations, Binomial Theorem, and more.

Is MAT syllabus more difficult than other MBA entrance exams?

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.

Are there any changes in the MAT 2024 exam format compared to the previous years?

Yes, there are two changes in MAT exam format. The exam duration is noq 120 minutes and total number of questions are 150. Earlier, the exam duration was 150 minutes and number of questions was 200. The MAT 2024 test pattern consists of five sections that will measure your Language Comprehension, Mathematical Skills, Data Analysis and Sufficiency, Indian and Global Environment, and Intelligence and Critical Reasoning. The best part is you can choose to take the exam either in paper-based or computer-based modes. Each question carries one mark, so you have a chance to score big. Just keep in mind that there's a penalty of 0.25 marks for each incorrect answer, so choose wisely. You have four chances to take the exam in February, May, September, and December, so mark your calendars and get ready to ace it!

MAT 2024 Exam Analysis: Get MAT CBT Paper Analysis and Review

Q: What is the difficulty level of MAT exam?

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.

8.3K Students Q&A

Registration - 24 Dec '24 - 2 Mar '25

Updated on Nov 14, 2024 17:29 IST

By Vipra Shrivastava, Senior Manager - Content

MAT exam analysis provides in-depth review of the question paper which includes section-wise difficulty levels, topic-wise distribution of questions and estimated good attempts. The below given MAT 2024 analysis is an overall review of the exam as all the attempts are same in terms of pattern, test structure, sectional break-up and difficulty level.

MAT exam is held multiple times a year in Paper Based Test (PBT), Computer Based Test (CBT) and remote proctored Internet Based Test (IBT). MAT sessions of all the phase are moderate difficulty level so it is easy to crack as compared to other MBA entrance exams. You can check overall MAT exam analysis 2024 here.

Q: What is the difficulty level of MAT exam?

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.

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Q: Which section of MAT exam has maximum weightage?

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.

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Q: What is the total number of questions in MAT exam?

MAT exam has 150 multiple-choice questions equally divided into five sections - Language Comprehension, Intelligence and Critical Reasoning, Data Analysis and Sufficiency, Mathematical Skills and Indian and Global Environment. Each section of the exam has 30 questions. The questions are in MCQ format with four options to choose the correct options from. Given below is the sectional break up of MAT question paper. All three modes of exam have the same weightage.

Language Comprehension: 30 questions

Intelligence and Critical Reasoning: 30 questions

Data Analysis and Sufficiency: 30 questions

Mathematical Skills: 30 questions

Indian and Global Environment: 30 questions

Since there is no sectional time limit in MAT candidates can divide time between all the five sections according to their own exam strategy and target score. The score of Indian and Global Environment section is not taken into consideration for percentile calculation, thus candidates should not spend more than 10-15 minutes on it.

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MAT 2024 Exam Analysis: Highlights

The pattern of MAT 2024 exam PBT, CBT and IBT is common. Check the table below for important details of MAT 2024 question paper.

Specifications	Details
Total Number of Questions	200
Number of Sections	Five
Number of Answer Options	Four
Maximum Marks Per Question	One
Negative Marking	- 0.25
Maximum Raw Score	200
Maximum Scaled Score out of which percentile score to be awarded	800
Sections Considered for Percentile Calculation	Four (Indian & Global Environment not considered)
Number of Questions Considered for Percentile Calculation	160

MAT 2024 Analysis: Question Paper Break Up

The MAT 2024 question papers did not see any changes in the pattern. Check the table below for section-wise split:

Sections of the Subject	Number of Questions	Suggested Time (in minutes)
Language Comprehension	40	30
Mathematical Skills	40	40
Data Analysis and Sufficiency	40	35
Intelligence and Critical Reasoning	40	30
Indian and Global Environment	40	15
Total	200	150

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MAT Exam Analysis 2024

MAT 2024 Analysis: Language Comprehension

The Language Comprehension section of MAT 2024 exams were of easy to moderate difficulty. There were two Reading Comprehension passages having 10 questions. Other questions in this section included Idioms/Phrases, Antonyms, Synonyms, Fill in the Blanks, Parajumbles, Sentence Correction and One Word Substitution and Summary questions, as told by some of the test takers.

MAT 2024 Analysis: Intelligence & Critical Reasoning

The Intelligence & Critical Reasoning section of MAT 2023 too was of easy to moderate difficulty. The MAT 2024 paper analysis by students reveal that this section was a good mix of different types of reasoning questions, including Blood Relation, Alphanumeric Series, Letter Series, Coding-Decoding (letter based), Venn Diagram, Comparison, Distribution, etc. The section could easily be completed in 30-40 minutes.

MAT 2024 Analysis: Mathematical Skills

This section of MAT 2024 question papers had questions from usual topics such as Arithmetic, Modern Math, Geometry and Algebra. The section was dominated by Arithmetic questions and the level of difficulty of this section can be termed as moderately difficult. Most of the questions were straightforward and doable in 30-40 minutes.

MAT 2024 Analysis: Data Analysis and Sufficiency

This section of MAT 2024 question papers too was on the same lines as previous exams. Tables, Graphs, Charts dominated this section of MAT 2024 CBT paper. The Data Sufficiency questions required application of Arithmetic and Mensuration formulae. Overall, the section can be termed as easy to moderate.

MAT 2024 Analysis: Indian and Global Environment

There was no surprise in this section of MAT 2024. The questions were straightforward and mostly from static GK. Some questions were based on events of past few years. Overall, the Indian and Global Environment section as easy and doable in less than 15 minutes.

MAT Analysis 2024: Sectional Breakup

Given below is the table indicating the topics generally included in MAT sections and their difficulty levels.

MAT Sections	Topics	Difficulty Level
Language Comprehension	RC, Sentence formation errors, vocabulary, synonyms/antonyms, FIB, one word substitution, para jumbles	Easy to Moderate
Mathematical Skills	Interest, Percentages, Time and Work, Profit, Loss, Partnership, Algebra, Geometry	Moderate to Difficult
Data Analysis and Sufficiency	Graphs, Pie Charts, Bar Diagrams, Charts, Line Graph, Data Comparison	Moderate
Intelligence and Critical Reasoning	Family Relation, Statement Cause & Effect, Series, Assumptions, Reasons, Analogies	Moderate to Difficult
Indian and Global Environment	International, Advertising, Awards, Books, Economy, Business	Easy

MAT Exam Analysis 2024: Section-Wise

Language Comprehension

This section of MAT exam has 40 questions like usual. Except a few tricky questions, the level of difficulty is usually moderate. A score of 27-28 marks can fetch 90 percentile in Language Comprehension section. There were five RC passages of moderate difficulty. Rest of the questions were on Errors in Sentence Formation, Antonyms & Synonyms, Fill in the Blanks, One Word Substitution, Phrases & Idioms, Substitution by Words and Jumbled Paragraphs.

Mathematical Skills

Mathematical Skills section also contained 40 questions. There were around 15 questions on Arithmetic topics like Interest, Percentages, Time and Work, Profit, Loss, Partnership. All the questions were of moderate difficulty level and candidates found them a little time consuming.

Besides the Arithmetic questions, rest of the questions were from Geometry, Mensuration, Ratio Proportion, Probability, Permutation and Combination, Equation, etc. A score of 29-30 marks could fetch 90+ percentile in this section.

Data Analysis and Sufficiency

About 50 per cent of this section of MAT exam was dominated by Data Interpretation that included questions from Graphs, Pie Charts, Bar Diagrams, Charts, Line Graph, Data Comparison. Rest 50 per cent of the section comprised questions from Data Sufficiency and Data Comparison. A score of 20-23 marks will help candidates fetch 90 percentile and above.

Intelligence and Critical Reasoning

This section of the MAT IBT question paper had more Analytical and Logical Reasoning questions while Critical Reasoning questions were less. There were questions on Family Relation, Statement Cause & Effect, Statement-Assumptions, Reasons, Analogies and Direction, Series and Incorrect terms. This section could be considered lengthy. A score of 26-27 marks could fetch candidates fetch 90+ percentile.

Indian and Global Environment

There were 40 questions in this section with maximum questions on Current National and International Events from the world of Business, Economy, Politics, Trade, Medicine, Sports, Personalities, Awards, etc.

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