MAT Exam Pattern 2025 (Revised): Total Marks, Paper Pattern, Time Duration, Marking Scheme

MAT Exam Pattern 2025 (Revised): Total Marks, Paper Pattern, Time Duration, Marking Scheme

Edited By Himanshu Shekhar | Updated on Dec 26, 2024 02:41 PM IST | #MAT
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Last year, AIMA introduced some changes in MAT 2025 exam pattern and syllabus, the total number of questions have been reduced from 200 to 150. Also, MAT exam duration have been reduced from 150 minutes to 120 minutes. MAT exam pattern 2025 is available in online mode on the official website of AIMA, mat.aima.in. Candidates appearing for the MAT exam must be familiar with the MAT paper pattern so that they can prepare for this national-level MBA entrance exam accordingly. This time, AIMA conducts the MAT February session in two modes- Paper Based Test (PBT) and Computer Based Test (CBT).

This Story also Contains
  1. MAT Exam Pattern 2025: Key Highlights
  2. MAT Sectional Weightage of Questions
  3. MAT Marking Scheme 2025
  4. MAT Pattern 2025: Scoring Pattern and format of questions
  5. MAT Syllabus 2025
  6. MAT Preparation Tips 2025
MAT Exam Pattern 2025 (Revised): Total Marks, Paper Pattern, Time Duration, Marking Scheme
MAT Exam Pattern 2025 (Revised): Total Marks, Paper Pattern, Time Duration, Marking Scheme

MAT Exam Pattern 2025: Key Highlights

The MAT paper pattern specifies the overall structure of the exam such as the number of sections, questions, type of questions, MAT total marks, MAT exam time duration, sectional time limit etc. As per the MAT exam pattern for MBA, there will be 150 questions, and the total time duration of the exam will be 120 minutes. Continue reading for more details about the MAT syllabus and exam pattern, marking scheme, and section-wise distribution of questions.

MAT 2025 Paper Pattern

ParticularsDetails

Exam name

Management Aptitude Test (MAT)

Exam conducting body

All India Management Association (AIMA)

Exam Level

National level Entrance Exam

MAT Exam mode

PBT and CBT mode

Total time duration

2 hours (120 Minutes)

Type of questions

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Negative marking

Yes (Scheme applicable)

Total number of sections

Five sections with 30 questions in each of them

Total number of questions

150

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MAT Sectional Weightage of Questions

The MAT question paper will be divided into five sections namely, Intelligence and Critical Reasoning, Data Analysis and Sufficiency, Language Comprehension, Indian and Global Environment, and Mathematics. According to the MAT exam pattern, in every section, there will be 30 questions.

Test Pattern of MAT 2025- Sectional Breakup of Questions

MAT Sections

Total number of questions

Intelligence and Critical Reasoning

30

Data Analysis and Sufficiency

30

Language Comprehension

30

Economic and Global Environment

30

Mathematical Skills

30

MAT total marks

150

Note - Some of the MAT participating institutes do not consider Indian and Global environment marks.

MAT Marking Scheme 2025

According to the MAT 2025 test pattern, the marking scheme is as follows -

  • As per the marking scheme of MAT 2025, candidates will be awarded one mark for every correct answer
  • There is a penalty of 0.25 marks for each incorrect response
  • The total scaled score is 800
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Candidates can download this eBook to check MAT 2024 section-wise preparation tips, latest exam pattern, previous year paper analysis & Important books.
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Difficulty level as per MAT Pattern

As per the previous years' MAT papers, the level of the exam can be comprehended as easy to moderate. As compared to the IIM CAT test and other national-level MBA exams, AIMA doesn't set up tough questions for candidates.

MAT Pattern 2025: Scoring Pattern and format of questions

Section 1: Language Comprehension - 30

Part-1: Reading Comprehension in MAT Exam

  • Sectional Weightage of RC in MAT Language Comprehension Section: 50%
  • Type of passages in MAT Exam on RC: 4 Short passages of moderate difficulty level
  • Division of questions: 5 questions based on each passage
  • Type of Questions: All MCQ types with a penalty of ¼ negative marking
  • Format of questions: Questions are based on information in the RC passage; Antonyms/synonyms of the words & phrases as used in the passage; True/false statements; the main idea of the RC passage
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Part-2: MAT Verbal Ability

  • Sectional Weightage in MAT Syllabus: 50%
  • Type of Questions: All MCQ types with a penalty for the wrong answer
  • Jumbled Paragraphs (3-4 questions)
  • Error Correction of Verb, Noun, Pronoun, Adjective, Adverb, and other parts of speech in the Sentences.
  • Correcting the sequence of sentences in the paragraph for example correct use of conditional sentences, time clauses, reported speech, and passive writing (3-4 questions)
  • Antonyms/Synonyms (5-6 questions)
  • Fill in the blanks (3-4 questions)
  • One-word substitution (1-2 questions)
  • Idioms/Phrases (2-3 questions)

Section 2: Intelligence and Critical Reasoning

The MAT question paper has tricky questions in this area. The section in the MAT exam pattern is divided into 2 parts – Intelligence Reasoning and Critical Reasoning. In other exams like CAT, critical reasoning questions are also asked in the Verbal Ability section. Here are the key details on the section in the MAT exam:

  • Questions in the Reasoning section can be individual or can be in a set of 3-4 questions.
  • Weightage of Reasoning Section in MAT exam: 20%
  • Weightage of Reasoning Section in MAT Percentile calculation: 25%
  • Total Reasoning questions in MAT syllabus for an exam: 30
  • Type of Questions: MCQs
  • Past trend of topics in MAT Reasoning Syllabus: Questions were based on Family relations, Statements-Cause & Effect, Clocks & Calendars, Statements – Assumptions, Reasons, analogies, direction, series, and Incorrect Terms.

Section 3: Mathematical skills

MAT exam pattern for Mathematical skills refers to the Quant topics on which MAT questions are based. MAT Exam pattern for Quant consists of everything in Mathematics that you may or may not expect. MAT exam pattern on Quant is based on questions on different topics on Arithmetic, Algebra, Modern Math, Geometry, Mensuration, and Trigonometry among others. Here are the key details of the Mathematical Skills section in the MAT exam pattern

  • Number of Questions: 30.
  • Sectional weightage in MAT Exam: 20%
  • Sectional Weightage in Percentile calculation: 25%
  • Type of Questions: MCQs
  • The past trend in the MAT exam pattern for Mathematics shows that there is more emphasis on Arithmetic with a number of questions going in the range of 15 to 16.
  • Questions are based on Interest, Percentages, Time and Work, Profit, Loss, and Partnership.
  • Other questions are based on topics like Equations, Ratio, Proportion & Variation, Geometry & Mensuration, Permutation and Combinations, and Probability among others.

Section-4: Data Analysis and Sufficiency

MAT exam pattern for Data Analysis and Sufficiency covers more topics on Data Interpretation. The key details of the section in the MAT exam pattern are:

  • Number of Questions: 30
  • Type of questions: MCQs
  • Sectional weightage in MAT Exam: 20%
  • Sectional Weightage in MAT Percentile Calculation: 25%
  • The past trend of topics in the MAT exam for Data Analysis shows that questions on Data Analysis are based on text, tables, graphs (line, area), charts (column, bar, pie), and Venn diagrams.
  • Data could be given in the form of tables, charts, or graphs.
  • This section tests how candidates can interpret the given data and answer questions based on it.
  • This section has more questions on data interpretation
  • Data comparison time remains the major hurdle to solving these questions with speed and accuracy
  • Questions on Data Interpretation (DI) occupy more than 50% of the section, the rest of the part covers questions on data sufficiency and data comparison
  • The questions in this section of the MAT question paper can be expected in sets as well as individual ones

Section-5: Economic and Business Environment

Indian and Global Environment section in the MAT exam refers to the GK section. It expects you to know everything under the Sun on Business & Economy, Who’s who, current affairs, and static GK among others.

  • Number of Questions: 30
  • Type of questions: MCQs
  • Sectional weightage in MAT: 20%
  • Sectional Weightage in Percentile Calculation: Nil
  • Past trend of topics in MAT Syllabus for Indian & Global Environment reveals that the Questions are formed on Film Awards, taxation & duties, Indian constitution, Who’s who, States of India, Sports, Recent events
  • The suggested time limit by AIMA to answer the 30 questions in this section is 15 minutes but 10 minutes are enough to attempt this section
  • The questions are based on conventional GK, business and economics, current affairs, international affairs
  • This section is not counted for percentile calculation in the MAT exam
  • Many Candidates skip or answer very few questions in this section to save time for other sections

MAT Previous Year Question Papers

MAT Syllabus 2025

MAT 2025 syllabus consists of all the chapters and topics from which questions will be asked in the entrance exam. By knowing all the sections and topics, candidates will get to know their stronger and weaker sections or topics. Check the table which contains all the chapters pertaining to the MAT syllabus.

MAT Exam 2025 Syllabus (Topics)

Section name

Topics

English Language

  • Fill in the blanks
  • Idioms
  • Synonyms and Antonyms
  • Odd one out
  • Jumbled words and sentences
  • Para Jumbles
  • Sentence correction

Mathematical Skills

  • Partnerships
  • Profit and Loss
  • Ration
  • Percentages
  • Time and work
  • Time-speed and distance
  • Profit and loss
  • Averages

Intelligence and Critical Reasoning

  • Statement-Conclusion
  • Analogy
  • Series
  • Assertion Reason
  • Coding and Decoding
  • Family Tree/ Revelation
  • Analytical Reasoning
  • Directions
  • Cause and Effect

Economic and Global Environment

  • Entertainment
  • Business Awareness
  • Sports
  • Politics
  • Social Issues

Data Analysis and Sufficiency

  • Bar graph
  • Caselet
  • Line graph
  • Pie chart
  • Data Sufficiency
  • Mixed charts and graphs
  • Table
  • Data Comparison

Top MBA Colleges accepting MAT scores - City-wise

MAT Preparation Tips 2025

Any entrance exam requires active preparation if one wants to ace it in one go. Similarly, like every competitive exam, the Management Aptitude Test (MAT) also demands preparation and focus. Before starting their MAT preparation journey, one should go through the MAT 2025 exam pattern and syllabus thoroughly and start practising accordingly.

There are certain factors that one needs to keep in mind while preparing a preparation plan for MAT such as timely completion of the MAT syllabus, time management, what are the best books that the candidates must study, solving question papers, and taking mock tests.

Also read -

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the mode of exam?

MAT 2025  will be held in Computer-Based Test (CBT) and Paper-Based Test (PBT) mode.

2. Is there any age limit for MAT 2025?

There is no age bar prescribed by the authorities for MAT 2025.

3. How many times is MAT conducted in a year?

AIMA conducts MAT four times a year i.e. February, May, September, and December.

4. Is there any negative marking in MAT 2025?

Yes, 0.25 marks will get deducted for every incorrect answer.

5. What is the duration of MAT exam?

The duration of MAT exam is 120 minutes.

6. How many questions in MAT exam?

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.

7. Which section of MAT exam has maximum weightage?

Each section of the MAT exam has an equal weightage of 30 questions and 30 marks. Each question carries one mark for a correct attempt.

8. What is the marking scheme of MAT exam?

Each question will carry one mark and there will be a negative marking scheme is applicable i.e. 0.25 marks will be deducted for every incorrect answer.

9. Will there be different pattern for CBT and PBT mode?

No, the MAT exam pattern for both mode is same.  

10. What are the section name for MAT exam?

There will be a total of five sections namely- Intelligence & Critical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, Mathematical Skills, Data Analysis & Data Sufficiency, and Indian & Global Environment.

11. What is MAT exam?

MAT exam is conducted for admission into MBA course.

12. Which MAT section has maximum weightage?

Each section of the MAT exam has an equal weightage of 30 questions and 30 marks.

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Questions related to MAT

Have a question related to MAT ?

Hello

With a score of 530 in MAT (Management Aptitude Test) and considering your OBC category, here's some colleges where you may have a good chance of admission:

1. Institute of Management Technology (IMT) - Nagpur

2. Birla Institute of Management Technology (BIMTECH) - Greater Noida

3. Jaipuria Institute of Management - Lucknow, Noida, Jaipur

4. Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management - Delhi

5. G.L. Bajaj Institute of Management and Research - Greater Noida

6. Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies (VIPS) - Delhi

7. Institute of Management, Nirma University - Ahmedabad

8. Indus Business Academy (IBA) - Bangalore

9. Noida Business School (NBS) - Noida

You should check the MAT Cutoff for each college and consider your preferences such as location , faculty , placements etc .

Thank you

Hi Dear,

Admission to the MBA program at Jamia Hamdard depends on several factors, including the candidate's MAT percentile , academic profile , and performance in the selection process (GD/PI or other rounds). Here’s an analysis based on a 50 percentile in MAT:

Jamia Hamdard MBA Admission Criteria

  1. Entrance Exam Scores :

    • Acceptable exams: MAT , CAT , CMAT , and XAT .
    • A higher percentile (above 70–80) is usually preferred for direct selection.
  2. Academic Performance :

    • A strong academic record in 10th, 12th, and Graduation improves your chances.
  3. Selection Process :

    • Candidates are shortlisted based on entrance exam scores, followed by GD (Group Discussion) and PI (Personal Interview) .
  4. Reservation/Quota :

    • There is a preference for students under certain categories (e.g., Muslim minority, reserved categories, etc.).
  • General Category : A 50 percentile in MAT is typically not competitive for admission to Jamia Hamdard, especially for the general category. Higher scores are preferred. However, exceptions may exist if:

    • You have an excellent academic record.
    • You perform exceptionally well in GD/PI.
  • Reserved Category/Quota : If you belong to a reserved category or the Muslim minority quota, a lower MAT percentile might still be considered, provided your overall profile is strong.

While 50 percentile is on the lower side, it’s not entirely impossible if you have other strengths in your profile. Contact Jamia Hamdard's admissions office for clarity on cut-offs and quotas for the specific year.

Hope this helps!

https://bschool.careers360.com/articles/top-b-schools-accepting-mat-scores-and-cutoffs

Hello aspirant,

The cutoff score for admission to India's top B-schools, which are determined by the MAT entrance exam, is frequently maintained at 600. Candidates that receive a MAT cutoff score of 600 fall into the top 30 percentile of students who took the entrance exam.

So to get admission in top MBA colleges through MAT, you need to score above 600.

Thank you

Hello Vikas,

With a MAT score of 522.50 and belonging to the SC category , you have moderate chances of getting into good colleges depending on their cutoffs and seat availability. While the score is decent, it may not qualify for top-tier management institutions. However, many colleges accept MAT scores in this range, especially for reserved categories.

Colleges You Can Target:

  1. Institute of Management Studies (IMS), Ghaziabad
  2. Jaipuria Institute of Management, Noida/Lucknow
  3. Balaji Institute of Modern Management (BIMM), Pune
  4. ITM Business School, Navi Mumbai
  5. Fortune Institute of International Business (FIIB), Delhi
  6. Amity Business School, Noida
  7. Christ University, Bangalore (may require a higher score for SC category).

    Suggestions:

  8. Check cutoffs: Verify the SC category cutoff for the colleges you're interested in.

  9. Other criteria: Your overall academic performance and GD/PI performance will also play a significant role.

  10. Good score?: A score above 550-600 is generally considered competitive for top MAT colleges, but with category benefits, you may still secure a good institution.

Make sure to apply to multiple colleges to maximize your chances.

I would recommend you to use MAT College Predictor Tool by Careers360 to get the list of possible colleges you can get with your rank.


I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries then feel free to share your questions with us we will be happy to assist you.

Thank you and wishing you all the best for your bright future.



Hello there,

The MAT cutoff for IIFM Bhopal (Indian Institute of Forest Management) typically ranges between 75-80 percentile . However, it may vary each year depending on factors like the number of applicants and difficulty level of the exam.

Key Points:

  • A MAT composite score of 600+ is generally considered safe for a call.
  • Apart from the cutoff, your academic profile, work experience (if any), and performance in GD/PI also play a role in the final selection.

Ensure you meet other eligibility criteria and prepare well for further rounds!


For more details about the cut-off Click Here .


I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries then feel free to share your questions with us we will be happy to assist you.

Thank you and wishing you all the best for your bright future.





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