MAT : Full Exam Guide for Every MBA Aspirant
Get to Know Everything about MAT
What is the MAT Exam ?
The Management Aptitude Test (MAT) is a national-level MBA entrance exam conducted by the All India Management Association (AIMA). Recognized by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, MAT is one of the most widely accepted MBA exams in India.
Over 600+ MBA/PGDM colleges accept MAT scores for admission, making it a great choice for students aiming for affordable and reputable B-schools.
MAT is conducted four times a year (Feb, May, Sept, and Dec) in three modes: Paper-Based Test (PBT), Computer-Based Test (CBT), and Internet-Based Test (IBT).
Key Highlights
| Conducting Body | AIMA (All India Management Association) |
| Exam Level | National-level MBA entrance exam |
| Mode of Exam | Online (Computer-based test) |
| Exam Frequency | 4 times a year (Feb, May, Sept, Dec) |
| Exam Mode | PBT, CBT, IBT |
| Duration | 150 minutes (2.5 hours) |
| Question Type | Objective (MCQs) |
| Total Questions | 200 |
| Accepting Colleges | 600+ MBA/PGDM colleges in India |
| Score Validity | 1 year |
| Difficulty Level | Easy–Moderate |
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification: Graduation in any discipline (minimum 3 years).
Final Year Students: Eligible to apply.
Minimum Marks: No minimum percentage required (participating colleges may set cut-offs).
Age Limit: No age restriction.
Work Experience: Not mandatory.
Exam Pattern
| Section | No. of Questions | Suggested Time | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Language Comprehension | 40 | 30 min | Easy–Moderate |
| Intelligence & Critical Reasoning | 40 | 35 min | Moderate |
| Data Analysis & Sufficiency | 40 | 40 min | Moderate |
| Mathematical Skills | 40 | 40 min | Moderate–Tough |
| Indian & Global Environment | 40 | 25 min | Easy |
| Total | 200 | 150 min | Easy–Moderate |
- Marking Scheme: +1 for correct answer, -0.25 for wrong answer.
- Flexibility: Students can choose mode (PBT/CBT/IBT).
Syllabus Overview
Language Comprehension (40 Qs)
Reading Comprehension (short passages)
Vocabulary (Synonyms, Antonyms, Idioms)
Grammar (error spotting, sentence correction)
Fill in the blanks
Mathematical Skills (40 Qs)
Arithmetic (Percentages, Profit & Loss, SI/CI, Time-Speed-Distance)
Algebra (Equations, Functions)
Geometry & Mensuration
Probability, Permutation & Combination
Data Analysis & Sufficiency (40 Qs)
Tables, Graphs, and charts.
Data Comparison
Caselets
Data Sufficiency
Intelligence & Critical Reasoning (40 Qs)
Series, Coding-Decoding
Blood Relations
Syllogisms
Critical Reasoning
Puzzles
Indian & Global Environment (40 Qs)
Current Affairs (National + International)
Business & Economy
Awards, Sports, Science & Tech
Static GK
Exam Difficulty Level
Easier than CAT, XAT, and SNAP – More students can score high.
The Mathematical Skills section is often considered the toughest.
The GK section is not counted in percentile (but colleges may use it).
With practice and smart time management, a 95+ percentile is achievable.
Cut-Off Trends
| College | MAT Cut-Off (Percentile) |
|---|---|
| Christ University, Bangalore | 80–85 |
| BIMTECH, Greater Noida | 80–85 |
| XIME, Bangalore | 75–80 |
| JIMS, Delhi | 70–75 |
| Amity University | 65–70 |
| NDIM, Delhi | 70–75 |
Application Process
Visit the official website: mat.aima.in
Register with an email and a mobile number.
Fill in academic and personal details.
Choose exam mode (PBT/CBT/IBT).
Please proceed to pay the application fee online.
Download the admit card before the exam.
Application Fees
Single Mode (PBT/CBT/IBT): ₹2,100
Double Mode (Any 2): ₹3,300
Important Dates (Tentative 2025)
Feb 2025 Session:
Registration: Dec 2024 – Jan 2025
Exam: Feb 2025
May 2025 Session:
Registration: Mar–Apr 2025
Exam: May 2025
Sept 2025 Session:
Registration: Jul – Aug 2025
Exam: Sept 2025
Dec 2025 Session:
Registration: Oct – Nov 2025
Exam: Dec 2025
Preparation Strategy
Start Prep: 3–6 months before the exam.
Mathematical Skills: Revise Class 10–12 basics and practice daily.
Reasoning: Solve 400–500 practice questions.
Data Analysis: Practice DI sets from past papers.
GK: Read newspapers and business magazines and follow MBA current affairs portals.
Mocks: At least 15–20 mocks before the final exam.
Best Books for MAT
Quantitative Aptitude – R.S. Aggarwal
Logical Reasoning – Arun Sharma
Word Power Made Easy – Norman Lewis
Arihant MAT Guide – AIMA
GK: Manorama Yearbook, Newspapers, MBA GK portals
Career Scope After MAT
Admission to 600+ MBA/PGDM colleges across India.
Popular specializations: Marketing, Finance, HR, IT, Operations, IB.
Placement packages vary from ₹4 to 10 LPA depending on the college.
Ideal for students who want multiple attempts & flexible exam modes.
FAQs
Yes, students can appear in more than one attempt; best score considered.
Yes, students can appear in more than one attempt; the best score is considered.
Over 600 colleges, including Christ, BIMTECH, XIME, JIMS, and Amity.
Yes, MAT is much easier compared to CAT and XAT.
A score in the 95th+ percentile can get you into top MAT colleges.
Our MAT Mentor
20+ years in education, MBA preparation, and academic leadership.
Vinayak Kudva
Learning Leader | Career Strategist | Mentor MMS, NMIMS | BE Chemical Engineering
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