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MAT

The Management Aptitude Test (MAT) is a widely accepted standardized test that has been in use since 1988. Its primary purpose is to help Business Schools (B-Schools) in screening potential candidates for admission to MBA and other related programs. The Government of India's Ministry of HRD authorized MAT as a national-level test in 2003. Consequently, MAT Scores are now recognized by any B-School, whether national or international, as a legitimate criterion for admission.

MAT is a vital tool that helps candidates gain admission to over 600 B-Schools across India. As a result, it is the most extensive test of its kind in the country, making it a sought-after test for aspiring management professionals. The test assesses a candidate's ability to analyze and solve complex problems, make sound judgments, and demonstrate good decision-making skills, among other qualities.

MAT is a computer-based test that evaluates a candidate's aptitude in five different areas: language comprehension, mathematical skills, data analysis and sufficiency, intelligence and critical reasoning, and Indian and global environment. The test is conducted four times a year in February, May, September, and December, and candidates can choose to appear for any one of these sessions.

In conclusion, MAT is an essential examination for individuals who aspire to pursue a career in management. It is a reliable assessment tool that enables B-Schools to identify and admit candidates who possess the necessary aptitude, knowledge, and skills required for success in the field of management. Thus, candidates who aspire to pursue an MBA or other related programs should take MAT seriously and prepare well to ensure their success.

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Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for the Management Aptitude Test (MAT) exam are as follows:

  • Educational Qualification: Candidates must have completed a Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized university or institution.
  • Age Limit: There is no age limit specified for appearing in the MAT exam. 
  • Final Year Students: Candidates who are in the final year of their Bachelor's degree program can also apply. However, they must complete their graduation requirements before the commencement of the MAT admission process.
  • Work Experience: Work experience is not a mandatory requirement to appear for the MAT exam. Both fresh graduates and candidates with work experience can apply.
  • Nationality: MAT is open to both Indian and foreign nationals. Foreign nationals can also apply for the exam.
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Syllabus

  • MAT EXAM SYLLABUS
  • Language Comprehension
  • Mathematical Skills
  • Data Analysis and Sufficiency
  • Intelligence and Critical Reasoning
  • Indian and Global Environment
  • Language Comprehension: Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, Grammar, Verbal Reasoning
  • Mathematical Skills: Number Systems, Percentage, Profit and Loss, Time and Work, Geometry, Algebra, Averages, Ratios, and Proportions
  • Data Analysis and Sufficiency: Data Interpretation, Data Sufficiency, Graphs, and Charts
  • Intelligence and Critical Reasoning: Analytical Reasoning, Arrangements, Blood Relations, Coding-Decoding, Directions, Series and Sequences
  • Indian and Global Environment: Current Affairs, Business and Economics, General Knowledge, Science and Technology, Sports and Awards, Personalities, and History
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Cut Off

The Management Aptitude Test (MAT) is used by numerous colleges and universities to screen candidates for admission to their MBA and PGDM programs. MAT cut off percentiles are determined individually by the participating institutes, and they use these cutoffs to shortlist candidates for the second round of the MBA admission process, which includes Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI).

MAT cut off percentiles for every academic session are announced by participating institutes at the time of admissions. The MAT 2023 cut off percentiles accepted for admission usually range from 65 to 95 percentile at the top participating colleges, with the cut off percentiles of top MBA colleges accepting the exam score usually above 90 percentile.

While some colleges consider the overall MAT exam score for shortlisting candidates for GD and PI, a few colleges also consider the MAT composite score and MAT sectional scores of the candidate. This means that candidates must perform well in each section of the MAT exam to improve their chances of being shortlisted for admission to their desired MBA or PGDM programs.

It is essential to note that the MAT 2023 cut off percentiles for all three exam modes, including Computer Based Test (CBT), Paper Based Test (PBT), and Internet Based Test (IBT), are the same. Therefore, a candidate who scores 95 percentile in IBT and a candidate who scores 95 percentile in CBT are both eligible for admission.

Additionally, if a candidate has attempted the MAT exam more than once, they can use their best score from all of their attempts for admission. This means that candidates can attempt the exam multiple times to improve their scores and increase their chances of being shortlisted for admission to their desired MBA or PGDM programs.

In conclusion, MAT cut off percentiles are crucial for candidates who wish to pursue an MBA or PGDM program in India. By scoring above the cutoff percentile specified by their desired institutes, candidates can increase their chances of being shortlisted for GD and PI rounds and ultimately securing admission to their desired program. Therefore, candidates must strive to score well in all sections of the MAT exam and keep themselves updated with the MAT 2023 cut off percentiles announced by participating institutes.

Exam Pattern

AIMA releases the Management Aptitude Test (MAT) Exam Pattern every year to provide details regarding the speed-based exam. Candidates appearing in the upcoming May exam must go through the MAT Exam Pattern 2023 to understand the exam well and prepare accordingly. The MAT Exam Pattern 2023 will be the same for all three modes of the exam - IBT, CBT, and PBT. The exam comprises five sections, and a total of 200 multiple-choice questions will be asked. It is essential for candidates to have a thorough understanding of the MAT Paper Pattern before making their preparation strategy.

 

As per the official MAT Exam Pattern, the total time duration for the upcoming December exam is 2 hours and 30 minutes. The AIMA conducts the MAT Exam four times in a year - in February, May, September, and December.

 

Candidates must note that each section carries 40 marks and has 40 questions, with a negative marking scheme of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer. The MAT Exam Pattern 2023 has been designed to test the candidate's aptitude and reasoning skills. The Indian and Global Environment section is unique to the MAT Exam, and it tests the candidate's general knowledge and current affairs. The Data Analysis and Sufficiency section tests the candidate's ability to analyze and interpret data, while the Language Comprehension section assesses the candidate's language skills. The Mathematical Skills and Intelligence & Critical Reasoning sections test the candidate's analytical and reasoning skills.

 

In conclusion, candidates must go through the MAT Exam Pattern 2023 to understand the exam structure and prepare accordingly. They must keep in mind the negative marking scheme and allocate time efficiently for each section. A thorough understanding of the exam pattern will help the candidates perform well in the exam and secure admission to their desired B-School.

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How to Prepare

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Here are some recommended prep books for the MAT exam:

  • "A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning" by R.S. Aggarwal
  • "Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations" by R.S. Aggarwal
  • "How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for the CAT" by Arun Sharma
  • "Word Power Made Easy" by Norman Lewis
  • "The Pearson Guide to Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning" by Nishit K. Sinha
  • "Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT" by Nishit K. Sinha

 

Additionally, it is recommended to solve previous years' question papers and mock tests to familiarize yourself with the exam pattern and practice time management. Online resources, such as practice tests and study materials provided by coaching institutes and educational websites, can also be helpful in your preparation.

Admit Card

  • To download your MAT 2023 Admit Card, you must do it online. There are no other options to obtain it, and it will not be sent by post. It is important to follow the steps below to get your admit card.
  • First, visit the official website of MAT 2023. Then, keep an eye out for the download tab on the homepage. When it becomes active, click on it. You will be directed to a dropdown menu. From there, select “MAT admit card”.
  • Next, you will need to login with your password, date of birth, and registered email ID. Make sure that you enter the correct information to access your admit card.
  • It is crucial to note that you must download your admit card before the examination date. Failing to do so may result in you being unable to sit for the exam. Therefore, it is important to keep track of the date the admit card is available for download, and to download it as soon as possible.
  • Additionally, ensure that the information on the admit card is correct. Check your name, photograph, signature, examination centre, and timing. If there are any discrepancies, inform the authorities as soon as possible.


In summary, to download your MAT 2023 Admit Card, you must do so online through the official website. Remember that it is not sent by post, and you must login with your password, date of birth, and registered email ID. Be sure to download it before the examination date and verify that all information is correct.

Seat Allotment

The Management Aptitude Test (MAT) is administered by the All India Management Association (AIMA), and the results for the February session have been declared. As a result, participating institutes will commence the selection process for MAT 2023. It is important to note that there is no common counselling process for MBA admissions via MAT.

More than 600 B-schools will conduct the MAT 2023 counselling process. Those who qualify in the exam will need to apply separately to each participating institute. The counselling process for MAT 2023 is based on group discussions, personal interviews, and a few written tests. It is only conducted after the announcement of the MAT results, and the schedule for the same will be published shortly after.

All shortlisted candidates will be summoned for the MAT selection procedure and document verification process. During the counselling process, candidates will typically go through 2 to 3 rounds of group discussions, personal interviews, and written tests. The goal of this process is to assess a candidate's suitability for MBA/PGDM courses offered by various affiliated colleges/institutes of the university.

It is important to note that AIMA does not have a centralized MAT counselling process for 2023. Instead, each participating management institute will conduct its own admission process. Therefore, candidates should be aware of the specific selection criteria and application procedures of each institute they are interested in attending.

In summary, the MAT 2023 counselling process is conducted by more than 600 B-schools individually. It is based on group discussions, personal interviews, and a few written tests, and is only conducted after the announcement of the MAT results. AIMA does not have a centralized counselling process, and each participating institute will conduct its own admission process. Candidates should be aware of the specific criteria and procedures of each institute they wish to apply to.

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FAQ's

How many times is the MAT exam conducted in a year?

The MAT exam is conducted four times a year, usually in February, May, September, and December.

What is the exam pattern of MAT?

The MAT exam consists of five sections: Language Comprehension, Mathematical Skills, Data Analysis and Sufficiency, Intelligence and Critical Reasoning, and Indian and Global Environment. The test duration is 150 minutes for the PBT and 120 minutes for the CBT.

Can I choose to appear for both PBT and CBT of MAT?

No, candidates have to select either the PBT or CBT mode while registering for the exam. They cannot appear for both in the same test session.