MAT Preparation Tips 2024: Best Books, Strategy & Guide, How to Prepare

Management Aptitude Test (MAT) is a national level entrance exam the score of which is accepted by over 600 B-schools across India for admissions to MBA and allied programmes. MAT preparation tips 2024 are important for any student who wants to crack the exam.

The exam is conducted four times a year – February, May, September, and December by All India Management Association (AIMA). In this article we’ll discuss MAT preparation tips, the best strategy and books which will help you reach your goal. These MAT exam preparation tips will help you maximize your performance and ace the MAT exam.

Latest: MAT 2024 Preparation Tips, Study Material

Don't Miss: MAT 2024 Sample Papers

This Story also Contains

1. MAT Preparation Tips 2024
2. MAT Exam 2024 Pattern
3. How to Prepare for MAT Exam 2024
4. MAT 2024 Preparation Strategy for Each Section
5. Best Books for MAT 2024 Preparation
6. MAT Exam 2024: 3 Month Preparation Strategy
7. MAT Exam 2024: Last Month Preparation Tips
8. Mistakes to Avoid During MAT 2024 Preparation
9. MAT 2024 Exam Day Preparation Tips
10. Conclusion

MAT Preparation Tips 2024

A well-crafted strategy of preparation for MAT exam 2024 is important which, when followed with patience and dedication, will effectively pave the way for admission to numerous prestigious MBA colleges and universities across India.

Some MAT Preparation Tips 2024 are:

• Understand the MAT syllabus.

• Set attainable goals for the exam.

• Create a study schedule.

• Choose the right study materials.

• Practice using mock tests and PYQs.

MAT Exam 2024 Pattern

The five sections/subjects and some of the other details of MAT 2024 are mentioned below -

All sections of MAT 2024 have equal weightage though some of the MAT participating institutes do not consider Indian and Global environment marks.

How to Prepare for MAT Exam 2024

Understand MAT 2024 Syllabus

For you preparation for MAT exam, you need to understand the syllabus in detail, which is as follows -

Intelligence and Critical Reasoning

• Family Tree/Blood Relations

• Strong Arguments and Weak Arguments

• Multi-Dimensional Arrangements

• Course of Action

• Puzzles

• Visual Reasoning

• Arrangement

• Series

• Numeric Grid

• Pie Chart

• Critical Reasoning

• Calendars

• Coding & Decoding

• Statement Conclusions

• Graphs

• Fact-inference-judgment

• Passage Conclusion

• Clocks

• Analogy

• Input-Output

• Syllogism

• Set theory

• Venn Diagrams

• Direction sense

Data Analysis and Sufficiency

• Data Tables

• Data Charts

• Bar Diagrams and Charts

• Pie Charts

• Graphs Data Comparison

• Data Comparison

• Venn Diagram

• Data Sufficiency

• Caselet Based Data

Language Comprehension

Part 1: Reading Comprehension

• 1. Types of Passages (Narrative, Descriptive, Argumentative)

• 2. Types of Questions Asked -

• 
  

  • Main Idea and Theme

  • Inference Questions

  • Author's Tone and Purpose

  • Vocabulary in Context (Synonyms/Antonyms)

Part 2: Verbal Ability

• Sentence Rearrangement

• Odd One Out

• Sentence Correction based on Parts of Speech, Tenses and Usage of Words

• Subject-Verb-Agreement

• Direct & Indirect Speech

• Active & Passive Voice

• Antonyms/Synonyms

• Fill in the blanks

• One-word substitution

• Idioms/Phrases

Indian and Global Environment

• Current Affairs

• World Records

• Business

• CEOs

• Awards and Winners

• Books and Authors

• Company Punchlines

• History

• International Organisation

• Statements & Quotations

• Social issues

• Geography

• Sports

• Finance

• Corporate News

• Science

• Entertainment

• Politics

• Constitution of India

Mathematics

• LCM and HCF

• Percentage

• Averages

• Profit and Loss

• Speed, Time and Work

• Number System

• Unitary Method

• Simple Interest and Compound Interest

• Height and Distance

• Commercial Math

• Elementary Mathematics

• Mixtures and Allegations

• Permutation and Combinations

• Sequence and Series

• Trigonometry

• Linear Programming

• Surds and Indices

• Triangles

• Circles

• Arithmetic

• Geometry

• Venn Diagrams

• Quadratic Equations

• Probability

• Coordinate Geometry

• Set Theory

• Linear Equation

• Complex Numbers

• Binomial Theorem

Set Goals and Targets for MAT 2024

• Remember, your goals and deadlines need to be realistic otherwise they will lead to frustration and severely hamper your preparation for MAT exam.

• Set short-term and long-term goals. Break down the larger objectives into smaller, manageable goals.

• Set individual chapters and sub-topics as your goals. This will save you from distraction and help you stay motivated.

• Work hard to complete the chapter in the decided time. Doing so will keep you motivated.

Create a Study Schedule for MAT exam

• A comprehensive study schedule and plan followed diligently is a necessary part of MAT exam preparation tips and will pave the way for success.

• Make a workable plan keeping in mind all the topics that you need to cover with a special focus on the topics that are important and have been repeatedly asked in previous years.

• It is crucial to set a solid foundation. Start with the basics.

• Make concise notes of the important formulas. For instance,

Pie chart :

If distribution given in percent,

1. Actual Value = (this value x total amount of data) ÷ 100

2. Percentage of data = (given data/total of all data) x 100

3. Central angle of a data = (given data/total of all data) x 360 degrees

Balance Time for Each Section of the MAT Exam

• It is important to balance time for each MAT section. It doesn’t mean that you should give equal time to all the sections.

• The time allotted depends on your present position in the subject and the nature and difficulty level of the subject itself.

• Divide the study time in such a way that you are able to prepare well for all of them.

• Generally, students find it monotonous if they study one subject for a long time. You need variety. Don’t study one single subject in one day. This way it will be difficult for you to focus if you are finding something boring.

• Stick to the time-table that you have made for yourself keeping in mind the time you have for studying along with your own strengths and weaknesses.

Choose the Right Study Material

In this era of the internet, there is always an abundance of study material that is just a click away from you and can be accessed from the comfort of your home. But just quantity is not going to fetch you the required score in MAT exam 2024. More important is quality. Go through the study material available and see what works best for you - that you are able to understand with ease and that keeps you engaged.

Practice from MAT PYQs and Mocks

• Without regular practice you do not stand a chance of getting selected.

• Start with topic-wise practice. Then do miscellaneous practice.

• MAT Mock tests are essential to your preparation because they give you a reality check and a feel of the actual exam.

• Practice the previous year questions of MAT. Make it a point to do each and every previous year question that you can get hold of.

• Target the previous years’ questions of at least 6-7 years. This will help you understand the difficulty level of the exam and the types of questions asked and also the ones which are repeatedly asked.

• These papers and such full-length MAT mock tests will give you a comprehensive approach to the exam and help you identify the sections where you need to improve.

Revise Regularly

Out of sight, out of mind. If you are not regular with your revision, you are bound to forget things. Revision helps you refresh your memory and solidify the concepts that you study. If you keep piling information upon the information without checking through it every now and then, it is bound to lay buried on the day of the exam. You can’t let that happen.

Seek Guidance and Support

During the course of your preparation, there will be numerous occasions when you will be stuck somewhere and will need help. Seek clarifications of your doubts and difficulties from teachers and peers. Collaborative studying with peers is advisable for this purpose. You may also join online study groups where you may find other aspirants and teachers who can guide you and solve your doubts.

Stay Motivated and Consistent

Stay motivated and consistent in your preparation. It is important to stick to your daily study routine, maintain focus and stay committed to your goal. Do not underestimate the importance of a quiet and study-friendly environment in order to focus better.

Also Check;

MAT 2024 Preparation Strategy for Each Section

As part of MAT preparation tips 2024, now we’ll discuss the preparation strategy for each section of MAT exam.

Intelligence and Critical Reasoning

• Familiarize yourself with the different types of questions that can be asked.

• While solving a question, properly read all the information that is given and note the details in short.

• As per the need, make diagrams, tables, charts and symbols on the basis of the details provided.

• If a question is taking too long, leave it and move on to the next one. Come back to it later, if time permits.

• Sometimes, you may think you have found the correct answer and mark it as your answer in a hurry without reading the other options carefully which may be more accurate.

• Never jump to conclusions. An option may seem correct but it may be possible that there is a better option. So don’t mark your answer in a hurry. Take time to read all the options carefully.

• Be thorough with the basics, be it mental math, squares, and tables, or the English alphabet, for example -

Letter position (A=1, B=2, C=3, …… Y=25, Z=26)

Opposite position of letters (A=26, B=25 …… Z=1, Y=2)

Opposite of each letter (A is opposite to Z and B is opposite to Y and C is opposite to X …… and so on).

Data Analysis and Sufficiency

• Understand different types of charts (bar graph, data tables, line graphs, pie charts)

• Study the question carefully as Data Interpretation has a lot of information not relevant to the question. Learn to weed them out and focus only on the topic at hand.

• Like Arithmetic, learn how to quickly round numbers, and practise doing mental maths. Rounding speeds up your calculation and helps you arrive at the answer quickly.

• Master arithmetic concepts such as percentage.

• Speed matters, but don’t get overconfident.

• Unlike other topics, data interpretation does not have lots of formulas, it is based on application of simple arithmetic concepts, so practice is paramount.

• Also read financial newspapers (such as The Economic Times) and try to analyse similar data sets and logically conclude what is being interpreted in the charts.

Language Comprehension and Verbal Ability

VOCABULARY -

• With the help of root words, you are often able to understand the meaning of the words you have never encountered before. Learning and revising through roots saves a lot of time and you tend to learn more effectively. For instance, THEO is a root word that means GOD. It forms several words like :

THEIST - A person who believes in the existence of God.

ATHEIST - A person who believes that God does not exist.

MONOTHEIST - A person who believes in one God. (MONO = ONE)

POLYTHEIST - A person who believes in multiple gods. (POLY = MULTIPLE)

THEOLOGY - The study of religion. (OLOGY = STUDY)

THEOCRACY - A system of government in which priests rule in the name of God. (CRACY = GOVERNMENT)

THEOLATRY - The worship of a god. (LATRY = WORSHIP)

THEODY - A hymn praising God.

• Preparation for the MAT exam 2024 requires you to read the newspaper daily which will help you immensely in vocabulary and reading comprehension and also in the Indian and Global Environment section. Look up the meanings of the difficult words you come across and note them down. It is advisable to write down the part of speech of the given word and at least one example sentence in simple language containing the word that you have just learned. It helps you better understand and remember the word.

• Keep revising daily. Vocabulary memorization is a time-taking process and requires repetition. Learn new words daily and revise what you learned the previous day. Keep one day of the week for revising whatever you learned the whole week.

GRAMMAR -

• Tenses and the basic understanding of parts of speech form the basis of English. You need to be thorough with them and be able to recognize the different parts of speech.

• Understand all the rules of grammar related to different topics, starting with the study of basic tenses or parts of speech.

• Understand the concepts with the help of example sentences. For example,

The word MANY can be used in two ways, both having the same meaning -

1. MANY + Plural Noun + Plural Verb

= 2. MANY + A + Singular Noun + Singular Verb

Memorizing these rules may be difficult and you may mix them up, so it is better to learn them with the help of examples -

1. Many boys are playing.

= 2. Many a boy is playing.

• Practise questions on each topic. Topic-wise practice will be very useful.

JUMBLED SENTENCES -

Any MAT preparation tips should tell you that this part requires a lot of practice. If you find jumbled sentences and sentence rearrangement difficult, start practising small/easy questions first. You get grammatical clues in order to arrange the sentences in the right order. You will ace such questions with practice.

READING COMPREHENSION

• A solid vocabulary boosts reading comprehension because it’s hard to read and understand a text if you don’t know what the words mean.

• If you read a mix of things – newspapers, magazines, novels and non-fiction, blogs – it will help you a great deal in terms of vocabulary building as well as reading speed and general understanding of the text.

• Extensive reading is the key. Improving your reading comprehension is a long process that demands patience and dedication. If there is paucity of time, focus solely on newspaper reading because there is no source as diverse in its very nature as a newspaper is.

Indian and Global Environment

• The Indian and Global Environment section is similar to General Awareness.

• This section contains questions on Static GK as well as Current Affairs.

• Static GK questions are often directly or indirectly related to some recent event.

• Stay updated with the latest news through newspapers, magazines and online sources.

• You will have to memorize a lot of things for which you may utilize mnemonic techniques. These techniques use associations to help you remember information. They are known to improve memory.

• Writing helps you retain information so get in the habit of writing in order to learn.

• Make concise self-help notes. Whatever chapter you do, make a summary of it in the form of one-liners or bullet points. These will help in revision as well. For instance, you are very well aware of the importance of Chandrayaan-3 as far as preparation for MAT exam 2024 is concerned. There are numerous questions that can be framed on this topic, some of which are as follows –

• 
  

  • What was the launch date of Chandrayaan 3 mission?

  • Which launcher has been used for Chandrayaan-3?

  • How much did the Chandrayaan 3 mission cost?

  • What is the total weight of Chandrayaan 3?

  • What is the one thing that Chandrayaan 3 has but Chandrayaan 2 did not have?

• So, it is advisable to note down such points in order to learn and revise them.

Mathematics

• Start with fundamental concepts in mathematics.

• Solve more and more problems from topics like arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data interpretation.

• Try to find time-saving methods in everything you do. Make use of formulas and tricks to shorten the process. For instance,

2 articles were sold at Rs 2,400, one at 20% profit in case 1 and another one at a 20% loss in case 2.

Case 1:

Detailed Calculations

CP = {100/(100 + P%)} x SP

Therefore CP= {100/(100 + 20)} x 2,400 = 2,000

Profit = SP-CP = 2,400 - 2,000 = 400

Case 2:

CP = {100/(100 – L%)} x SP

Therefore CP= {100/(100 - 20)} x 2,400 = 3,000

Loss = CP-SP = 3,000 - 2,400 = 600

Net Loss = 600-400 = 200

Net Loss % = (200/(2000+3000)x 100 = 4%

"Or applying shortcut:"

Net % profit or loss will be: [m-n-(mn/100)]

= (20-20-(20x20)/100) = -4%. Negative means net loss of 4%

• Make concise notes of important concepts, formulas and rules with example problems. Keep revising them. The notes should contain such brief information as you may revise just before the exam, like the following relations in data interpretation–

Value of sector = (Angel of sector/360°) x Total Value

Value of sector = (Percentage of sector/100) x Total Value

Best Books for MAT 2024 Preparation

The books you study for your preparation for MAT exam can make or break your performance. Therefore, these MAT exam preparation tips should include a section-wise list of the best MAT books you can refer to. Here it is -

MAT Exam 2024: 3 Month Preparation Strategy

Month 1: Foundation Building

• Understand the exam pattern and syllabus.

• Take a couple of mock tests to assess your present level of knowledge.

• Start studying the basic concepts of all the sections. Gain clarity and make such topics strong. Only a strong foundation can help you solve difficult questions later.

• Start reading the newspaper from the very first day. It will help you in Language Comprehension as well as in Indian and Global Environment.

Month 2: Intermediate Level Practice

• Make your preparation more practice based now.

• Try to take easy level quizzes and mocks.

• Seek help for the doubts that may have accumulated.

Month 3: Advanced Practice and Revision

• Start more advanced practice.

• Take regular mock tests and solve previous years’ questions.

• Keep the last 10-15 days for revision.

MAT Exam 2024: Last Month Preparation Tips

Focus on Weak Areas

Recognize your weak areas and work on them. Try to get help from mentors and friends. Practice such topics more.

Intensive Revision of Important Topics

• Revise the most important topics of all the sections.

• Work on your mental math. It will help you not only in Mathematics but also in Intelligence and Critical Reasoning and in Data Analysis and Sufficiency

• If you are quick with addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, you will save a lot of time.

• Go through all the formulas again like these -

• 
  

  • Percentage Change: Percentage Change = ((New Value – Old Value) / Old Value) × 100

  • Simple Interest: Simple Interest (SI) = (Principal × Rate × Time) / 100

  • Compound Interest: Compound Interest (CI) = P(1 + R/n)^(nt)

  • Profit and Loss: Profit = Selling Price – Cost Price, Loss = Cost Price – Selling Price

  • Average: Average = (Sum of all terms) / (Number of terms)

  • Ratio and Proportion: If a : b = c : d, then (a/b) = (c/d)

  • Distance Traveled when speed and time are given: Distance = Speed × Time

  • Time taken to cover a certain distance at different speeds: Time = Distance / Speed

  • Time taken to meet when moving towards each other: Time = Distance / Relative Speed

  • Time taken to meet when moving in the same direction: Time = Relative Distance / Relative Speed.

• Go through the short tricks.

• Make sure you are thorough with your tables.

• Keep revising grammar rules and practising them. Some topics can be learned only through repetition, for example fixed prepositions, like -

• ABIDE + BY

• ABSENT + FROM

• ABSTAIN + FROM

• ACCEDE + TO

• AFRAID + OF

• BEWARE + OF

• BEREFT + OF

• CONSIST + OF

• COPE + WITH

• DESIROUS + OF

• DISPENSE + WITH

• DEFICIENT + IN

• DISPOSE + OF

• FOND + OF

• INTEREST + IN

• Stay in the habit of reading till the very end. The more you read, the easier you’ll find reading comprehension questions.

Take Full-Length MAT Mock Tests

• You know the importance of full-length MAT mock tests which simulate the real exam but it is also important to know how to maximize the benefit you get from them.

• While solving a mock test do make a note of the type of questions in which you are taking too long or which you are getting wrong.

• Restudy those topics.

• If there is some topic that you are not able to understand or learn no matter how much you are trying – it’s better to leave it out and utilize that saved time and effort for some other topics which are as important or more.

• Keep track of your progress in terms of the correct attempts and the time taken to solve the mock test by doing a thorough analysis of the mock test results.

Time Management

The last few days before the MAT 2024 exam should be dedicated to revision alone for which you need to make a proper study time table considering the importance of the different topics and your own strengths and weaknesses. From the very beginning of your preparation for MAT exam, you should manage your time in such a way that you are left with the last few days dedicated just to intense revision. Do not leave anything new to be done in the end.

Stay Healthy and Stress-Free

You have to make sure you’re eating well. Skipping meals will only deplete your energy and leave you feeling drained and thus unable to give your best. Get proper sleep and rest. Your body is a machine that requires food, rest, and exercise to keep functioning.

Stay Confident and Positive

It is important to stay positive and confident but that doesn’t come in isolation. Prepare yourself well for the exam and do not postpone things. Keep ample time for revision. This way you get the feeling that you are in control of things and you automatically feel confident and positive. Keep your ultimate goal in mind.

Mistakes to Avoid During MAT 2024 Preparation

Procrastination

The earlier you start, the better it is. Do not delay your preparation for MAT exam 2024. The syllabus is vast and there is great competition. You need to understand the concepts and then practice them thoroughly. You can’t afford to waste time.

Ignoring Weak Areas

• It would hurt your chances of scoring well if you ignore your weak areas. You need to assess your strengths and weaknesses across all five sections of MAT exam. If there is some topic that you find too difficult or time-consuming, it’s not at all advisable to get stuck on it. Move on to the next topic. You cannot afford to waste time on such topics.

• Even if you find a certain topic that you are weak in, it is hardly possible that you do not understand it at all, not even the questions that are relatively easy. So, study at least the easier questions of the chapter you dread. For that, previous years’ questions will guide you.

• Do not become overconfident of your strengths. Overconfidence kills performance and you may lose in terms of accuracy as well as speed.

Overlooking Practice

• Practice is crucial for selection. Don’t underestimate its importance.

• Start with topic-wise tests. Study the concept of the particular chapter and then attempt all the types of questions related to it.

• After topic-wise practice, move on to mock tests and previous years’ questions because they are based on the entire syllabus.

• Doing mock tests regularly makes you faster and better at answering questions.

• It is a great way to revise.

• You are able to recognize your weak areas through practice and can make them strong.

Neglecting Time Management

It would be sheer folly not to realize the importance of effective time management. If you have a clear study plan before you, regarding the time needed to tackle each topic, and are able to follow that plan, it will reduce your anxiety and stress and give you the feeling that you are in control of things.

Not Seeking Clarifications

Don’t panic if you face any problems while studying. Try to get help in order to clear your doubts. Collaborative studying with peers is advisable for this purpose. You may also join online study groups where you may find other aspirants and teachers who can guide you and solve your doubts.

Also, check the related articles

Burning Out Before the Exam

• Burnout before the exam will have serious consequences.

• Adequate sleep plays an important role in overall health. And health is necessary for any type of activity - mental or physical.

• In order to save time, sometimes students make the mistake of cutting down their sleep and rest time which is wrong.

• You can optimize the functioning of your brain only if your body gets proper rest. It is a basic requirement of the body and mind. Do not compromise on it.

• More than the number of hours, it is important that you study with focus even if the duration is not that long.

• Studying for several hours at a stretch is not sustainable in the long run.

MAT 2024 Exam Day Preparation Tips

Final Revision

It is advisable to avoid studying anything on the day of the exam but if you are of the type of students who gain confidence by studying just before the exam, you may do so. But do not study anything new. You may go through the most important formulas and points of the different subjects which will give you the confidence that you have minimized the chances of forgetting anything. For example, revise these in Trigonometry :

• sin x = cos (90° – x)

• cos x = sin (90° – x)

• tan x = cot (90° – x)

• cot x = tan (90° – x)

• sec x = cosec (90° – x)

• cosec x = sec (90° – x)

• 1/sin x = cosec x

• 1/cos x = sec x

• 1/tan x = cot x

Relaxation Techniques

• On the final day your mind and body need time to relax.

• Close your eyes and take deep breaths.

• Try some breathing exercises, meditation or yoga.

• Listen to music or watch a couple of videos if that relaxes you. This can help you switch your brain off for a moment which is important for it to keep functioning well.

• Skipping meals will only deplete your energy and leave you feeling drained and thus unable to give your best.

• Get proper sleep and rest. Your body is a machine that requires food, rest, and exercise to keep functioning.

Time Management

• Focus on time management. You need to be wary of it throughout your preparation and on the day of the exam. Do a time-bound practice every time. You can’t afford to waste time.

• During the exam, do not get stuck on difficult questions. If you can’t solve a particular question, move on to the next one and come back to it later, if time permits.

• Aim for accuracy even if you have to sacrifice speed a little. Attempting questions in haste and making careless mistakes will harm your overall score. Strike a balance between accuracy and speed.

• Read all the instructions carefully before attempting the questions.

• Before you start answering, decide how you will manage the time, allocating time for each section. Try to keep around 10-15 minutes for revision at the end.

• Answer those questions first which you find easy and then move on to the difficult ones. Do not waste too much time on one question.

Necessary Items to Carry

Get everything ready before the morning of the exam in order to avoid a chaotic situation leading to panic. Keep all the things in one place. Do not carry any prohibited items inside the examination hall such as mobile phones, smartwatches, earphones, calculators, Bluetooth devices, etc.

You will be allowed to carry only the following things inside the examination hall -

• MAT Admit Card

• One photocopy of the photo ID

• A valid ID Proof (Aadhaar Card/Voter ID Card/Driver’s License/Passport, etc)

• Transparent water bottle

• 50 ml hand sanitizer in a transparent bottle

• Face mask

• Disposable Gloves

• Blue/Black ballpoint pen

• Any other documents, if mentioned on the Admit Card

Positive Mindset

Focus on the matter you have learned and not on the test itself. Stay calm. If you have studied properly and taken proper rest as well, it will surely show positively in your performance. Trust your preparation and take the MAT exam with a positive mindset.

Conclusion

After doing a comprehensive analysis of the syllabus and the pattern, stick to your study plan with dedication. Don’t be disheartened with minor failures in your way. Neither should you waste time in any way. Do rigorous practice in a disciplined way, strengthening your weaknesses. Learn from your mistakes. Stay updated with the help of the best quality study material and newspapers. Don’t underestimate the importance of sectional and mock tests as well as previous years’ questions. The MAT exam is moderately difficult. If you follow these MAT preparation tips 2024 and have truly dedicated yourself to the preparation for MAT exam, you will definitely perform well. Good luck!

MAT Section Wise Preparation Tips