How to Prepare for the MAT Exam in 2 Weeks: Smart Study Plan & Quick Tips

The Management Aptitude Test (MAT) is a national level entrance test conducted by the All India Management Association (AIMA). It provides candidates with the opportunity to secure admission into more than 600 B-schools in India for their MBA and allied management programs. MAT will be conducted four times a year (February, May, September and December) and provides the convenience of choosing from three testing modes i.e. Paper Based Test (PBT); Computer Based Test (CBT) and Internet Based Test (IBT).

MAT Exam Structure

The MAT exam assesses you across five sections.

• Language Comprehension
• Mathematical Skills
• Data Analysis and Sufficiency
• Intelligence & Critical Reasoning
• Indian & Global Environment
• Each section will have 40 questions, making for a total of 200 questions. You will have a total of 150 minutes (2.5 hours) to complete the exam. The MAT examines a combination of conceptual knowledge, reasoning, and time management.

Exam pattern and syllabus of MAT (2025)

Management Aptitude Test (MAT) is a standardized test for admission to MBA/ PGDM programs in India administered by the All India Management Association (AIMA). It is intended to measure a candidate's aptitude in areas related to success in Management programs.

MAT Exam Pattern

Section-wise Breakdown

Marking pattern

• Correct response: +1 mark
• Incorrect response: -0.25 mark
• Questions left unattempted: No deduction
• Total maximum marks: 200 marks (this is ignoring section cutoffs or weightages dictionary colleges consider)

Note: The Indian & Global Environment section mark is excluded from composite score, as understood by most institutes. And some have criteria for it.

Time Management Strategy (Recommended)

Although there is no sectional time limit, here's a suggested time allocation:

2-Week MAT Preparation Strategy

Week 1: Laying the Groundwork

Objective: Build a sound grasp of the format of the exam, retrace your learning of the key concepts, and assess your strengths and weaknesses.

1. Familiarise yourself with MAT Exam Structure & Syllabus

1. Familiarise yourself with all five sections:

• Language Comprehension
• Mathematical Skills
• Data Analysis & Sufficiency
• Intelligence & Critical Reasoning
• Indian & Global Environment

2. Note the different question-types and weightage for marks, and plan your time management.

NOTE:Your focus should be on the first four only as these count towards your composite score.

2. Identify Your Strengths and Weaknesses

• Take a diagnostic test or work through sample questions from each section. Identify:
• What sections you are already good at (e.g., Reading Comprehension or Arithmetic)
• What you need more practice on (e.g., Graph Interpretation or Critical Reasoning).

3. Revise Core Concepts

Focus on building a strong base in these key areas:

4. Create a Daily Study Routine

Week 2: Practice, Mocks, and Final Revision

Goal: Simulate the real test environment, improve accuracy and timing, and focus on revision of high-impact topics.

1. Work on Previous Year MAT Papers

1. Solving previous year MAT question papers is suggested.
2. At least 2–3.
3. Pay attention to:

• Question patterns
• Topics to repeat
• Time-consuming and scoring sections

2. Take Full Length Mock Tests

1. Take at least 3-4 mock tests this week.
2. Again, they should be taken in a timed, exam-like setting.
3. If possible, take at least a day between mock tests, then, after each mock test you should spend 1-2 hours doing a detailed analysis:

• Which sections/concepts take time?
• Which sections/concepts lose marks?
• What questions did you guess?

3. Concentrate on Revising Crucial Concepts

1. Revise your important formulas, grammar rules, and reasoning techniques.
2. Create a short "quick revision" notebook:

• Quant formulas
• Common RC traps
• Shortcuts for reasoning
• Current affairs summaries (last 6 months)

4. Prioritize High-Weightage Topics

Quantitative Aptitude & Data Analysis & Sufficiency

These two sections are designed to test numbers and data interpretation skills, which makes them important components of your composite score.

Topics to Study:

Quantitative Aptitude:

• Arithmetic: Percentages, Profit & Loss, Averages, Simple & Compound Interest, Time & Work, Distance, Speed & Time
• Algebra: Linear & Quadratic equations, Inequalities
• Geometry & Mensuration: Areas, Volumes, Perimeter
• Number Systems & HCF/LCM
• Venn Diagrams, Set Theory

Data Analysis & Sufficiency:

• Tables. Bar Graphs, Pie Charts, Line Graphs.
• Caselets (Data based word problems).
• Data Sufficiency (2 statements problems).

How to Prepare:

• Practice Daily: Practice Arithmetic, Algebra and DI mixed problems daily, so that you can begin to increase your speed and accuracy.
• Learn Shortcuts: Learn squares, cubes, percentage values and commonly used fractions to decimals.
• Solve DI Sets against time: Make sure to tell yourself that analyzing the data charts quickly is necessary, measure your learning time accordingly, because this is where most students lose a lot of time.
• Review Mistakes: Reviewing the problems you got incorrect, and TRY to follow the logic used in the solution.
• The goal: Accuracy with calculator speed, so as to avoid painstaking calculations during the exam.

2. Intelligence & Critical Reasoning

This is the section that measures your analytical, logical reasoning and decision-making process - these are the key competencies required by an MBA program.

Key Topics/Concepts:

• Series (Number / Alphabet)
• Blood Relations
• Directions
• Syllogisms
• Coding-Decoding
• Statements and Assumptions
• Cause and Effect
• Puzzles and Arrangements

Tips for Preparation:

• Build to understanding: Each type of question has a logic to it, understand the logic first before moving to complex puzzles.
• Practice Daily: Practicing 4-5 logical reasoning questions a day, days especially with puzzles and arrangements, will enhance your knowledge and recall.
• Practice with Diagrams: When studying blood relations or arrangement like questions, practice using a flow chart like diagrams.
• Practice for Accuracy: Don't guess indiscriminately - take your time when practicing logical questions, work methodically. They can be solved by being patient and working by a process of elimination.
• Focus: You will want to build a logical framework/order of practice for working through questions under time pressure.

3. Language comprehension

This section of the exam tests your proficiency in the English language in terms of both reading comprehension and other verbal skills. It's scoring will be in line with your reading skills and vocabulary.

Topics to focus on:

• Reading Comprehension(RC) – passages with questions
• Synonyms & Antonyms
• Sentence Correction and Grammar
• Para Jumbles
• Cloze Test
• Fill in the blanks

Preparation tips:

• Read Editorials: Reading the newspaper daily (The Hindu, The Indian Express, The Economic Times) for comprehension and vocabulary.
• RC Practice: Practicing reading comprehension should focus on speed and ability to identify the main idea, tone and inferences.
• Word Lists: Keep a personal vocabulary chart, using word lists from GRE/CAT/MAT prep resources.
• Grammar: Revise basic grammar rules- subject-verb agreement, tenses, modifiers, and articles.

Time Management & Test Day Strategy for MAT

Why Time Management Is Important

• MAT is not just an exam where you know the answers, you need to get through a total of 200 questions in 150 minutes.
• So you will have an average of preparing and answering questions in only 45 seconds to recognize, maximize your speed, and have the right answers.

1. Answer the Easier Questions First

One of the biggest traps in MAT is spending too long on a couple of difficult questions, foregoing easier questions. If you can prepare for this, try:

1. Scanning a section briefly at the start, and answering the easier questions on the first pass, and then go back to the remaining questions.
2. For example:

• In Quantitative: Skip long calculation based DI sets. Answer simple questions from arithmetic or percentages first.
• In Reasoning: Answer syllogism or series questions before addressing complex puzzles.

2. Using the "3-Pass Rule" Strategy

The 3-Pass Rule will help you strategically navigate the paper:

• First Pass: In the first pass, tackle all the easy and familiar questions.
• Second Pass: In the second pass, tackle those moderate-level questions you noted to review.
• Third Pass: In the third pass, tackle only difficult questions or those that take time if you have time remaining.

3. Allocate Time Per Section Based on Strengths

While MAT doesn’t have sectional time limits, abalanced time allocation helps you attempt all sections without leaving any one under-attempted.

Taking the MAT exam in two weeks can be difficult, but it is possible with a good plan and commitment. You can be ready for the MAT exam. Focus on understanding the MAT exam pattern, develop and refine your strengths in each individual section of the exam and use mock tests to help you to identify and improve your weaknesses in the last two weeks. If you dedicate yourself to making the most of your time during the next two weeks, preparing for the MAT exam will not only allow you to approach the test and feel confident but allow you to get a top percentile to enhance your potential for MBA admissions. Good luck with your exam preparation!