MAT Exam 2025 – Complete Guide
What is MAT?
MAT (Management Aptitude Test) is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the All India Management Association (AIMA) for admission to MBA/PGDM programs at more than 600+ B-schools in India.
- Held 4 times a year (Feb, May, Sept, Dec)
- Offers flexibility in mode of exam (IBT, CBT, PBT)
- Easier than CAT/XAT, with a focus on moderate difficulty
MAT 2025 Exam Schedule (Tentative)
|
Exam Month |
Application Window |
Exam Date (Tentative) |
|
February |
Jan – Feb 2025 |
3rd or 4th Sunday of Feb |
|
May |
Mar – May 2025 |
Mid-May |
|
September |
Jul – Sept 2025 |
Mid-September |
|
December |
Oct – Dec 2025 |
1st or 2nd Sunday of Dec |
Why Choose MAT?
- Accepted by 600+ B-Schools
- Multiple attempts in a year
- Flexibility in choosing test mode (IBT, CBT, PBT)
- Moderate difficulty level
- Affordable fees (₹2,100)
Eligibility Criteria
|
Criteria |
Requirement |
|
Education |
Bachelor’s degree (any stream) from a recognized university |
|
Minimum Marks |
No minimum % required (some colleges may require 50%) |
|
Final Year |
Eligible |
|
Age Limit |
No age restriction |
|
Attempts |
Unlimited (can appear in all four sessions) |
MAT Exam Modes
|
Mode |
Description |
|
IBT |
Internet Based Test (home using a laptop with webcam) |
|
PBT |
Paper Based Test (offline at centers) |
|
CBT |
Computer Based Test (at test centers) |
MAT Exam Pattern
|
Section |
No. of Questions |
Marks |
Suggested Time |
|
Language Comprehension |
30 |
30 |
30 mins |
|
Mathematical Skills |
30 |
30 |
40 mins |
|
Data Analysis and Sufficiency |
30 |
30 |
35 mins |
|
Intelligence and Critical Reasoning |
30 |
30 |
30 mins |
|
Indian and Global Environment |
30 |
30 |
15 mins |
|
Total |
150 |
150 |
120 mins |
Note: Marks of the Indian and Global Environment section are not counted for the final percentile.
MAT Syllabus (Section-Wise)
1. Language Comprehension
- Reading Comprehension
- Grammar
- Synonyms & Antonyms
- Sentence Completion
- Para jumbles
- Vocabulary
2. Mathematical Skills
- Arithmetic (Time & Work, Profit-Loss)
- Algebra
- Geometry & Mensuration
- Trigonometry (basic)
- Numbers
- Data Sufficiency
3. Data Analysis and Sufficiency
- Tables & Charts Interpretation
- Bar Graphs, Line Graphs
- Data Comparison
- Venn Diagrams
4. Intelligence and Critical Reasoning
- Blood Relations
- Series & Analogies
- Coding-Decoding
- Critical Reasoning
- Statement-Conclusion
- Logical Deduction
5. Indian and Global Environment
- Current Affairs
- Business & Economics
- Static GK (Awards, Books, Polity)
- National & International Events
Application Fee
|
Attempt Type |
Fee |
|
1 Exam (PBT/CBT/IBT) |
₹2,100 |
|
2 Modes (e.g., PBT+IBT) |
₹3,300 |
How to Apply for MAT?
- Visit the official website: https://mat.aima.in
- Register with email ID and mobile number
- Fill out application form
- Upload:
- Photograph
- Signature
- Pay fee online (Credit/Debit/Net banking/UPI)
- Download confirmation page
Top Colleges Accepting MAT Scores
Always check with individual institutes for cutoffs and approval status.
Top MAT-Accepting B-Schools
- JBIMS (for MMS via DTE CAP – Maharashtra)
- Christ University, Bangalore
- VIT Business School, Vellore
- Amity University, Noida
- XIME, Bangalore
- BIMTECH, Greater Noida
- IPE, Hyderabad
- PSGIM, Coimbatore
- Jaipuria Institute of Management, Noida
- AIMS, Bangalore
MAT Score vs Percentile
|
Raw Score (out of 120) |
Approx Percentile |
|
100–110 |
99%ile |
|
90–99 |
95–98%ile |
|
70–80 |
85–90%ile |
|
60–70 |
75–80%ile |
Note: Only first 4 sections are considered for percentile
Preparation Strategy
Study Plan
- 3–4 months preparation is sufficient
- Start with basics, then practice mocks
Recommended Books
- MAT Entrance Guide by Magme
- Mission MBA MAT Guide by B.S. Sijwali & Tarun Goyal
- Quantitative Aptitude by R.S. Aggarwal
- Verbal Ability by Wren & Martin
- Previous Year Papers
Mock Tests & Analysis
- Start with 1 mock/week → increase to 2/week before exam
- Review accuracy, time taken per question
- Improve weak areas via topic-specific practice
Advantages of MAT
- Multiple chances in a year
- Moderate level; not as tough as CAT/XAT
- Accepted by 600+ B-schools
- Flexibility in exam mode
- Good for candidates targeting Tier-2 & Tier-3 colleges
FAQs About MAT
Q: Is MAT easier than CAT?
Yes. MAT is moderate in difficulty compared to CAT/XAT.
Q: Can I take MAT more than once in a year?
Yes. You can take it in all four cycles.
Q: Which mode is best — PBT, CBT, or IBT?
All modes are accepted equally. Choose based on your comfort.
Q: Does MAT help in getting into IIMs?
No. IIMs do not accept MAT scores. They accept CAT only.
Q: What is the validity of the MAT score?
1 year from the date of result.
Useful Links
- Official Website: https://mat.aima.in
