MAT Exam Pattern 2025 (Revised): Sectional Weightage, Marking Scheme Explained & Paper Structure

MAT Exam Pattern 2025 (Revised): Sectional Weightage, Marking Scheme Explained & Paper Structure

Edited By Himanshu Shekhar | Updated on Apr 07, 2025 11:31 AM IST | #MAT
Upcoming Event
MAT  Application Date : 02 Jun' 2025 - 02 Jun' 2025

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 will conduct the MAT May 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): Sectional Weightage, Marking Scheme Explained & Paper Structure
MAT Exam Pattern 2025 (Revised): Sectional Weightage, Marking Scheme Explained & Paper Structure

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

Read more -

Parul University MBA Admissions 2025

Registrations Deadline- 12th June | India's youngest NAAC A++ accredited University | NIRF rank band 151-200 | 2200 Recruiters | 45.98 Lakhs Highest Package

Great Lakes - PGPM & PGDM 2026

Admissions Open | Globally Recognized by AACSB (US) & AMBA (UK) | 17.3 LPA Avg. CTC for PGPM 2024

Top MBA Colleges accepting MAT scores - State-wise

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
MAT Preparation Tips, Study Material & Mock Test
Candidates can download this eBook to check MAT 2025 section-wise preparation tips, latest exam pattern, previous year paper analysis & Important books.
Download EBook

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
GITAM University | MBA Admissions 2025

NAAC A++ Accredited | AMBA & AACSB Member | Highest CTC 16.22 LPA | Merit-based Scholarships | Last Date: 5th Jun’25

VIT Bhopal University | MBA Admissions 2025

MBA Admissions 2025 Open @ VIT Bhopal University | Ranked #1 in India by ARIIA | Overall Highest CTC 59 LPA | Applications closing soon | Apply Now

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.

Articles

Explore Top Universities Across Globe

University of Essex, Colchester
 Wivenhoe Park Colchester CO4 3SQ
Oxford Brookes University, Oxford
 Headington Campus Oxford OX3 0BP UK
Northumbria University, Newcastle City Campus
 Sutherland Building, Northumberland Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 8ST
Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff
 Llandaff Campus, Western Avenue, Cardiff, CF5 2YB
University of Reading, Reading
 Whiteknights PO Box 217 Reading Berkshire RG6 6AH
Bristol Baptist College, Bristol
 The Promenade, Clifton Down, Bristol BS8 3NJ

Questions related to MAT

Have a question related to MAT ?

Hii,

No, not all MBA programs require these tests. These are merely entrance exams that are accepted by a lot of universities. Depending on the college you wish to attend, you can take any of them (such as MAH CET, MAT, XAT, GMAT, CMAT, or ATMA).

Additionally, some universities have entrance exams of their own. Therefore, for the majority of MBA admissions, you only need to take one appropriate exam. To find out which tests the college accepts, always visit their website.

For MAT exam preparation previous year question paper from 2010 to 2025 are available for free download in the pdf format. these paper helps in understanding exam patterns question type and difficulty levels. In careers360 you can get the access of the question papers of your preference and also you will be served with solution which will be beneficial for your self-assessment and improving the problem solving skills. apart from this there are many sites like Self Studies, Sikhsha, textbooks, careerIndia etc, from which you can get the access of the question papers and be familiarized with the format and improve your performance.

You'll be taking the MAT exam in June 2025, and you're wondering if you're eligible for admissions in the academic year 2025-27.


Eligibility for Admissions

Yes, you're eligible for admissions in the academic year 2025-27. The MAT exam is conducted multiple times a year, and your latest attempt will be considered for MBA admissions.


Applying to Colleges Before Results

It's generally recommended to apply to colleges after your results are out. Here's why

- *Know Your Score: You'll have a clear idea of your MAT score and percentile, which will help you gauge your chances of getting into specific colleges.

- Shortlisting Colleges: With your score in hand, you can shortlist colleges that align with your score and interests.

- Application Process: Most colleges will require your MAT scorecard as part of the application process.


Application Process Timeline

- MAT Result Declaration: Expected in June 2025 (after your exam date on June 8, 2025)

- College Application: You can start applying to colleges after your results are declared


Top Colleges Accepting MAT Scores

Some top colleges that accept MAT scores include:

- Institute of Public Enterprise, Hyderabad

- ABV - Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management, Gwalior*

- PSG Institute of Management, Coimbatore

- Alliance School of Business, Bangalore


Next Steps

1. Prepare for Your Exam: Focus on your MAT preparation and give your best effort.

2. Check College Requirements: Research the colleges you're interested in and check their admission requirements.

3. Apply to Colleges: Once your results are out, apply to colleges that match your score and interests.


Keep in mind that every institute has its own admission procedure, which may include additional rounds like Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD), and Personal Interview (PI).

Hi aspirant,

When filling out the MAT exam application, it is critical to submit accurate information . Forgetting to add your initials on the application could result in problems in your official documents later on. While official instructions typically emphasize correctly filling out all essential fields , it is important to address this proactively .

Unfortunately, the MAT application platform does not usually allow for direct editing after the final submission. However, you should immediately contact the MAT helpline or support service and explain the situation properly, and provide your registration information. They may be able to advise you on the appropriate course of action . Keep an eye on the official MAT website for announcements on application corrections.

All the best!

Hello,

with a MAT score of 482, you can consider MBA colleges in Bangalore such as Xavier Institute of Management and Entrepreneurship, St. Joseph's Institute of Management(SJIM), and Indus Buiseness Academy (IBA), which have cutoffs around 65-70 percentile. admission chances depend on factors like academic background and interview performance. it's advisable to check each college's official website for specific eligibility criteria and application deadlines.

View All
Marketing Director

A career as Marketing Director is also known as a marketing expert who is responsible for the overall marketing aspect of the company. He or she oversees plans and develops the company's budget. The marketing Director collaborates with the business team to plan and develop the marketing and branding strategies for the company's products or services. 

4 Jobs Available
Business Development Executive

A Business Development Executive identifies and pursues new business opportunities to drive company growth. They generate leads, build client relationships, develop sales strategies, and analyse market trends. Collaborating with internal teams, they aim to meet sales targets. With experience, they can advance to managerial roles, playing a key role in expanding the company’s market presence and revenue.

3 Jobs Available
Content Marketing Specialist

Content Marketing Specialists are also known as Content Specialists. They are responsible for crafting content, editing and developing it to meet the requirements of digital marketing campaigns. To ensure that the material created is consistent with the overall aims of a digital marketing campaign, content marketing specialists work closely with SEO and digital marketing professionals.

3 Jobs Available
Sales Manager

A Sales Manager leads a sales team to meet targets, formulates strategies, analyses performance, and monitors market trends. They typically hold a degree in management or related fields, with an MBA offering added value. The role often demands over 40 hours a week. Strong leadership, planning, and analytical skills are essential for success in this career.

2 Jobs Available
Marketing Manager

A marketing manager is a person who oversees a company or product marketing. He or she can be in charge of multiple programmes or goods or can be in charge of one product. He or she is enthusiastic, organised, and very diligent in meeting financial constraints. He or she works with other team members to produce advertising campaigns and decides if a new product or service is marketable. 

A Marketing manager plans and executes marketing initiatives to create demand for goods and services and increase consumer awareness of them. A marketing manager prevents unauthorised statements and informs the public that the business is doing everything to investigate and fix the line of products. Students can pursue an MBA in Marketing Management courses to become marketing managers.

2 Jobs Available
SEO Analyst

An SEO Analyst is a web professional who is proficient in the implementation of SEO strategies to target more keywords to improve the reach of the content on search engines. He or she provides support to acquire the goals and success of the client’s campaigns. 

2 Jobs Available
Digital Marketing Executive

Digital marketing is growing, diverse, and is covering a wide variety of career paths. Each job function aids in the development of effective digital marketing strategies and techniques. The aims and objectives of the individuals who opt for a career as a digital marketing executive are similar to those of a marketing professional: to build brand awareness, promote company services or products, and increase conversions. Individuals who opt for a career as Digital Marketing Executives, unlike traditional marketing companies, communicate effectively through suitable technology platforms.

2 Jobs Available
Business Analyst

Individuals who opt for a career as a business analyst look at how a company operates. He or she conducts research and analyses data to improve his or her knowledge about the company. This is required so that an individual can suggest the company strategies for improving their operations and processes.

In a business analyst  job role a lot of analysis is done, things are learned from past mistakes and the successful strategies are enhanced further. A business analyst goes through real-world data in order to provide the most feasible solutions to an organisation. Students can pursue Business Analytics to become Business Analysts. 

2 Jobs Available
Back to top