MAT Exam Pattern 2023: Marking Scheme, Section-wise Syllabus and Topics
MAT Exam Pattern 2023- All India Management Association (AIMA) has released the exam pattern for MAT May 2023 exam. Candidates appearing for MAT the exam must be familiar with the MAT exam pattern 2023 so they can prepare accordingly. According to the MAT exam pattern, the AIMA will conduct the entrance exam in three modes - Computer-Based Test (CBT), Paper Based Test (PBT) and Remote Proctored Internet Based Test (IBT). The MAT exam date for IBT was March 7, 2023.
Latest Updates for MAT
- 23 hours ago:
MAT registration 2023 has started for May session; Apply now at mat.aima.in
- 22 Feb 2023:
AIMA will issue MAT 2023 CBT mode admit card in online mode on February 24.
- 31 Dec 2022:
MAT 2022: AIMA has released MAT December exam result; Download at mat.aima.in
Stay up-to date with MAT News

MAT Exam Pattern 2023: Key Highlights
The paper pattern of MAT 2023 specifies the overall structure of the exam such as number of sections, questions, type of questions, total marks, exam duration, sectional time limit etc. As per the MAT exam pattern, there will be 200 questions, and the total time duration for the exam will be 150 minutes. Continue reading for more details about MAT test pattern 2023, MAT syllabus, marking scheme, and section-wise distribution of questions.
MAT 2023 Paper Pattern
Particulars | Details |
Exam name | Management Aptitude Test (MAT) |
Exam conducting body | All India Management Association (AIMA) |
Exam Level | National level Entrance Exam |
Exam mode | PBT, CBT, and IBT mode |
Total time duration | 2.5 hours (150 Minutes) |
Type of questions | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
Negative marking | Yes (Scheme applicable) |
Total number of sections | Five sections with 40 questions in each of them |
Total number of questions | 200 |
Read more -
- MAT Preparation for Language Comprehension & Verbal Ability
- Top B-schools Accepting MAT Scores and Cutoffs
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 40 questions.
Test Pattern of MAT 2023- Sectional Breakup of Questions
Section name | Total number of questions | Sectional time limit |
Intelligence and Critical Reasoning | 40 | 30 Minutes |
Data Analysis and Sufficiency | 40 | 35 Minutes |
Language Comprehension | 40 | 30 Minutes |
Indian and Global Environment | 40 | 15 Minutes |
Mathematics | 40 | 40 Minutes |
Total | 200 | 150 Minutes (2.5 Hours) |
Note - Some of the MAT participating institutes do not consider Indian and Global environment marks.
Quick Link- What is AIMA MAT IBT 2023?
MAT Marking Scheme 2023
According to MAT 2023 test pattern, the marking scheme is as follows -
As per the marking scheme of MAT 2023, 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 IBT Mode: Test Pattern Details
Requirement | Description |
---|---|
Network |
|
Supported Browsers |
|
Operating System | Windows OS (Version7 and above) or Mac OS |
.Dot NETframework | MSB requires a dot net framework. The minimum supported version is 4.5.1.NET framework |
Memory | 65 MB permanent free space on the default hard drive |
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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.
Top Colleges in India offering MBA
MAT Pattern 2023: Scoring Pattern and format of questions
Section-1: Language Comprehension
Part-1: Reading Comprehension in MAT Exam
- Number of Questions Based on RC Passages: 20
- 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
Part-2: MAT Verbal Ability
- Number of Questions: 20
- 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 the 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: 40
- 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: 40.
- Sectional weightage in MAT Exam: 20%
- Sectional Weightage in Percentile calculation: 25%
- Type of Questions: MCQs
- The past trend in 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: 40
- 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 diagram.
- Data could be given in form of tables, charts, or graphs.
- This section it is tested 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: Indian and Global 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: 40
- 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 40 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
Year of MAT Papers | Download Link |
MAT 2021 Sample Paper | Click here |
MAT 2020 Sample Paper | Click here |
MAT 2018 Sample Paper | |
MAT 2014 Question Paper | |
MAT 2013 Question Paper | |
MAT 2012 Question Paper | |
MAT 2010 Question Paper | |
MAT 2009 Question Paper | |
MAT 2008 Question Paper | |
MAT 2006 Question Paper | |
MAT 2005 Question Paper | |
MAT 2004 Question Paper |
MAT Syllabus 2023
MAT 2023 syllabus will consist 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 below-provided table, which contains all the chapters pertaining to MAT syllabus.
MAT Exam 2023 Syllabus (Topics)
Section name | Topics |
English Language |
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Mathematics |
|
Intelligence and Critical Reasoning |
|
Indian and Global Environment |
|
Data Analysis and Sufficiency |
|
Top MBA Colleges accepting MAT scores - City-wise
MAT Preparation Tips 2023
Any entrance exam requires active preparation if one wants to ace it in one go. Similarly, like every competitive exam, Management Aptitude Test (MAT) also demands preparation and focus. Before starting their MAT preparation journey, one should go through the MAT 2023 exam pattern and syllabus thoroughly and start practicing 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 Question (FAQs) - MAT Exam Pattern 2023: Marking Scheme, Section-wise Syllabus and Topics
Question: Which MAT section has maximum weightage?
Answer:
Each section of the MAT exam has an equal weightage of 40 questions and 40 marks.
Question: Do MAT have subjective questions?
Answer:
No, MAT has only Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs).
Question: What are the section name for MAT exam?
Answer:
There will be a total of five sections namely- Intelligence & Critical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, Mathematical Skills, Data Analysis & Data Sufficiency, and Indian & Global Environment.
Question: Will there be different pattern for IBT, CBT and PBT mode?
Answer:
No, the MAT exam pattern for every mode is same.
Question: What is the marking scheme of MAT exam?
Answer:
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.
Question: Which section of MAT exam has maximum weightage?
Answer:
Each section of the MAT exam has an equal weightage of 40 questions and 40 marks. Each question carries one mark for a correct attempt.
Question: How many questions are there in MAT question paper?
Answer:
The MAT question paper has 200 questions equally divided into five sections - Language Comprehension, Intelligence & Critical Reasoning, Data Analysis & Data Sufficiency, Mathematical Skills, and Indian & Global Environment.
Question: Is there any negative marking in MAT 2023?
Answer:
Yes, 0.25 marks will get deducted for every incorrect answer.
Question: What is the mode of exam?
Answer:
MAT 2023 will be held in Computer-Based Test, Paper-Based Test, and Remote Proctored Internet-Based Test (IBT) mode.
Question: Is there any age limit for MAT 2023?
Answer:
There is no age bar prescribed by the authorities for MAT 2023.
Question: How many times is MAT conducted in a year?
Answer:
AIMA conducts MAT four times a year i.e. February, May, September, and December.
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Questions related to MAT
What is MAT May 2023 exam date ?
AIMA has released the MAT May 2023 exam date on its official website. MAT exam for May session will be conducted in CBT, IBT, and PBT modes. The registration for MAT May 2023 exam date will soon start on the website of AIMA MAT.
Is MAT score accepted for MBA admission at PUMBA?
MAT score is accepted for MBA admission at PUMBA along with the scores of other entrance exams such as CAT, CET, ATMA, and XAT.
Is MAT score accepted for MBA admission at PUMBA?
MAT score is accepted for MBA admission at PUMBA along with the scores of other entrance exams such as CAT, CET, ATMA, and XAT.
Is this college accepting MAT scores for admission to PGPM?
No, the college is only accepting CAT exam scores for admission to its PGPM programme.
Is a MAT score card required for MBA admissions to PIM?
CMAT score is required for admission in MBA programmes at PIMR Indore.