Ans: The Management Aptitude Test (MAT) is a systematic national level exam conducted by All-India Management Association (AIMA) used to admission for MBA and related programs in over 600 business schools across India.
Ans: A bachelor's degree in any field is required to take the MAT exam, which is administered four times a year in February, May, September, and December. There is no minimum percentage imposed by AIMA, however particular B-schools may have their own standards.
Ans: MAT (Management Aptitude Test) is a national level standardized test, sponsored by the All-India Management Association (AIMA), meant to assess general aptitude and problem-solving skills for admission to MBA and associated programs, comprising of multiple-choice questions in five categories.
Ans: Candidates can opt for:
Note: Candidates can appear for MAT examination either as
Ans: The MAT 2025 exam in CBT mode will be held on March 23, 2025. The admit card for this has been released on March 17, 2025, and candidates can download it using their login credentials. For the MAT February 2025 stage, only two MAT sessions were scheduled. The MAT PBT mode was held on March 9, 2025. There is no IBT mode exam for the current session. The application for the MAT May session is expected to start from the first week of April 2025.
Ans: The number of participating management institutes may vary. The number of MIs varies from exam to exam. The admission criteria of each institute are different. All MIs participating in MAT are either AICTE approved or affiliated to some universities, for more information you can contact your preferred MI/university. The list of various management institutes/universities will be available in the MAT bulletin along with the admission notification. It may be worthwhile to read the brochure of the management institute for detailed information.
Ans: The MAT application form is the same for CBT and PBT mode. MAT February 2025 form can be filled in online mode only. Check out the MAT application process below:
Ans: The registration fee for the MAT exam is INR 2,100 for the paper-based test (PBT) or computer-based test (CBT) and INR 3,600 for both PBT and CBT.
Ans: Computer based test means that the candidate sits in front of the computer and the questions are presented on the computer monitor and the candidate submits the answers using the keyboard or mouse. Each computer is connected to a server, which prepares the question set and delivers it to the candidate on the computer. This is different from the paper-based test, which is usually given to all the candidates on one day. MAT allows the candidates to choose the city, day and time as per their convenience to appear for the test. Computer based test assumes that the candidate has basic familiarity with using a computer such as operating a keyboard and mouse. It is the responsibility of the candidate to acquire these skills before appearing for the test and AIMA cannot take responsibility for this. In the traditional paper-based test, the candidate is required to bring along a pen, HB-pencil, eraser and sharpie whereas the question paper and OMR answer sheet are provided at the test centre.
Ans: There is no age limit. No work experience is required.
Ans: MAT Exam Result (Scorecard) can be downloaded by following the steps given below:
Ans: Yes, the Management Aptitude Test (MAT) exam is MCQ (Multiple Choice Question) based. The exam consists of 150 multiple choice questions, divided into five sections: Language Comprehension, Intelligence and Critical Reasoning, Data Analysis and Sufficiency, Mathematical Proficiency, and Indian and Global Environment.
Ans: The Management Aptitude Test (MAT) is a standardized test that has been conducted since 1988 to facilitate business schools (B-schools) to screen candidates for admission to MBA and related programs. The Government of India, Ministry of Education, approved the MAT as a national level exam in 2003. The MAT is now a new-age entrance exam with simpler test sections, updated focus on content, and shorter test duration. The largest exam of its kind in the country, the MAT will be your passport to over 600 B-schools across India
Ans: The minimum qualification to appear for the MAT exam is a graduation or equivalent degree in any discipline from a recognized university. Any graduate (e.g. B.A, B.Sc., B.Com., B.Tech. etc.) final year student can also appear for the exam provisionally.
Ans: Many prospective students ask why it is so difficult to get an MBA. But they are asking the wrong question, the truth is: for the average student, getting an MBA is quite easy. But as you earn a master’s degree in business administration, you will probably learn: your attitude is more than 50% of your career success. So, stay positive and believe in your potential.
Instead of asking why an MBA is hard, try to create a new way of looking at the things that seem difficult to you and see them as challenges or problems. This is how a professional businessperson would see it.
Ans: The subjects related to MAT exam 2025 include the candidate's analytical skills, logical skills, English comprehension and general awareness. It is like the syllabus of other MBA entrance exams and is divided into -Language comprehension, Intelligence and critical reasoning, Data analysis and adequacy, Mathematical skills and Economic and business environment. The subjects included in the MAT 2025 syllabus are common to all the three MAT exam modes - IBT, PBT and CBT.
Ans: The MAT exam format is the same for all modes. The only variable is the delivery of the exam. PBT is paper-based and requires students to physically fill out an OMR sheet. CBT mode is calculation-based, where students fill in answers on their computer screens at the designated test center. The last option, IBT, is an internet-based home exam where students can take a remotely proctored exam over the internet using their personal device.
Ans: In MAT exam, no marks are deducted for skipping a question, rather, you get 0 marks for an unanswered question.
MAT Marking Scheme:
Ans: MAT Intelligence and Critical Reasoning section tests the candidate's reasoning skills in a variety of situations. It contains questions on coding-decoding, series, blood relations, and verbal reasoning, etc. It is not easy to solve the puzzles and choose a correct option in a few seconds, therefore, the preparation strategy for MAT Intelligence and Critical Reasoning should be holistic.
Your MAT 2025 preparation plan for Intelligence and Critical Reasoning should focus on observation and practice. The Intelligence and Critical Reasoning section of MAT 2025 exam includes 1/5 of the question paper with 30 questions. Each question carries 1 mark and -0.25 negative marking. For an ideal MAT score, candidates need to attempt at least 2/3 of the total questions in this section. Therefore, achieving accuracy in this section is of utmost importance. An ideal MAT preparation plan for Intelligence and Critical Reasoning should include practice questions of all types and difficulty levels.
Ans: Data Analysis and Sufficiency preparation is about gaining control over mathematical calculations and exercises. It is necessary to practice various types of DI questions to understand different types of tables, graphs, bars and pie charts through which data sets are analyzed. Of the five sections of the MAT, the Data Analysis and Sufficiency section is considered the easiest. That is, if the candidates understand tables and charts well. A strong foundation in mathematics is very helpful in calculating and finding solutions quickly.
Ans: The only calculation-intensive section of the MAT exam is the arithmetic aptitude. Those with an engineering background will not find this section difficult to clear, but those without a technical background may face challenges. It will be beneficial for those who must study arithmetic aptitude from the very beginning to start preparing for the exam. The arithmetic aptitude section of the MAT 2025 exam can be easily handled, if you have conceptual clarity on each topic. This section includes quantitative aptitude topics - LCM and HCF, speed, time and distance, time and work, average, number system, unit system, triangle, circle, geometry, Venn diagram, trigonometry, etc. Candidates preparing for the MAT exam this year should keep their focus on these topics.
Ans: How to prepare for MAT 2025 Economics and Business Environment? MAT Economics and Business Environment is the fifth section of the question paper. Here 30 marks are allotted for 30 MCQS. Most candidates focus more on the Reasoning, Mathematics and Comprehension sections, as they believe that since Economics and Business Environment is like general awareness, they can study it in the last few days of MAT preparation. However, it is memory-based, so one needs to have a dedicated preparation strategy. This section covers a huge field. Questions can be asked from any field, so a lot of reading about business current affairs and related fields is required. Therefore, it is advisable not to wait for the last few days to prepare for MAT Economics and Business Environment. One should spend at least an hour every day reading GK books and current affairs during the entire period of MAT 2025 exam preparation.
Ans: 2025 MAT exam is structured to assess candidates in five sections, each section assessing specific skills. Some more details about the exam pattern are given below:
| Section Number | Section Name | Number of Questions | Marks Allotted |
| 1 | Language Comprehension | 30 | 30 |
| 2 | Intelligence & Critical Reasoning | 30 | 30 |
| 3 | Mathematical Skills | 30 | 30 |
| 4 | Data Analysis & Sufficiency | 30 | 30 |
| 5 | Economic & Business Environment | 30 | 30 |
| Total | 150 | 150 |
Ans: Yes, it is possible but candidates who are preparing for the MAT Exam in 2025 need to take a quick preparation plan and adopt the right practice method. Although the exam is of low difficulty level, it is a speed-based exam where 150 questions have to be answered in 120 minutes.
Ans: Yes, of course, you candidates can take the MAT exam from home. For this, you have to choose the Internet Based Test or IBT mode option in the MAT exam application form at the time of starting the MAT exam application.
Ans: To get admission in a management college using the MAT exam, you must take the MAT exam, select your preferred college in the application form during the application process and meet the cutoff score and selection criteria of the individual college which may include GD, PI and WAT.
Ans: For top MBA colleges, the MAT cutoff is usually between 80-95 percentile, whereas for mid-tier private B-schools, the cutoff may be between 70-80 percentile.
Here are some more details:
Ans: CAT and MAT are the two most popular MBA entrance exams in India. Candidates often appear for both exams in the hope of getting a good MBA college. Preparing for both CAT and MAT together can be a challenge for some candidates. Therefore, it is important to study the syllabus of both these exams thoroughly before starting your MBA preparation. There are several national and state level entrance exams through which candidates get admission to their dream MBA college. Out of more than 50 MBA entrance exams, CAT and MAT are the two most popular MBA entrance exams in India. A large number of candidates apply for both every year. MAT is an easier entrance exam than CAT, but it offers fewer options than CAT in terms of MBA colleges. Around 1,300 MBA colleges in India accept CAT scores for admission. These include top B-schools, IIMs, MDIs, SPJIMR, FMS, IITs, IMTs, IMIs and many other popular private and government management institutes. More than 800 popular private B-schools in India accept MAT. These B-schools include Amity University, Dr. D.Y. Patil B School-Pune, ITM University, GL Bajaj Institute of Management and Research, OP Jindal Global University, Christ University, JIMS Rohini, Jain University.
Below are some more specific differences between CAT and MAT exams.
| Feature | CAT (Common Admission Test) | MAT (Management Aptitude Test) |
| Conducting Body | IIMs (Indian Institutes of Management) | AIMA (All India Management Association) |
| Frequency | Once a year (November) | Four times a year (Feb, May, Sep, Dec) |
| Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) | CBT, PBT (Paper-Based Test), IBT (Internet-Based Test) |
| Duration | 120 minutes (2 hours) | 150 minutes (2.5 hours) |
| Number of Questions | 66 | 200 |
| Sections | 1. VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension) 2. DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning) 3. QA (Quantitative Ability) | 1. Language Comprehension 2. Mathematical Skills& 3. Data Analysis & Sufficiency 4. Intelligence & Critical Reasoning 5. Indian & Global Environment (GK) |
| Marking Scheme | +3 for correct answer, -1 for incorrect | +1 for correct answer, No negative marking |
| Difficulty Level | High (Toughest MBA entrance in India) | Moderate (Easier than CAT) |
| Accepted By | IIMs, IITs, FMS, MDI, SPJIMR, etc. (Top B-schools) | 600+ MBA/PGDM colleges in India |
| Eligibility | A bachelor's degree with a minimum of 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PWD) | Bachelor’s degree (No minimum percentage required) |
| Validity of Score | 1 year | 1 year |
| Exam Fee (General) | INR 2400 | INR 2100 (for all modes) |
| Exam Fee (SC/ST/PWD) | INR 1200 | INR 2100 (No category-wise fee relaxation) |
Ans: The registration process for MAT Exam 2025 MAY session is expected to begin in the first week of April 2025. You can register by visiting the AIMA- MAT website ( mat .aima.in) and follow the basic instructions and complete the application process.
Ans: Yes, it is. MAT GK section consists of 40 questions, 1 mark count for each correct answer, and 0.25 marks are deducted for each wrong answer. Although the marks in GK section are not counted in the overall percentage, several MAT institutes consider the GK score of the candidate in the second round.
Ans: No, calculators are not allowed in MAT exam. Candidates are not allowed to carry any electronic items like mobile phones, earphones/headphones, calculators, basic/scientific calculators and wristwatches in the MAT exam center. These items are prohibited inside the exam center for security reasons. Bags should be kept outside the exam center. There will be no facility for candidates to keep their personal belongings inside the exam center, hence candidates are advised to carry only pens, valid ID proof and a copy of MAT 2025 admit card.
Ans: XAT is comparatively more difficult than MAT, especially due to its decision-making section and long reading comprehension passages.
Below, the difficulty level of XAT and MAT and all other aspects are discussed.
| Feature | XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) | MAT (Management Aptitude Test) |
| Conducted by | XLRI (Xavier School of Management) | AIMA (All India Management Association) |
| Exam Frequency | Once a year (January) | 4 times a year (February, May, September, December) |
| Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) | CBT, Paper-Based Test (PBT), and Internet-Based Test (IBT) |
| Difficulty Level | High | Moderate to Easy |
| Number of Questions | 100 questions | 200 questions |
| Sections | 1. Verbal & Logical Ability (VA & LR) 2. Decision Making (DM) 3. Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation (QA & DI) 4. General Knowledge (GK) 5. Essay Writing (for XLRI selection) | 1. Language Comprehension 2. Mathematical Skills 3. Data Analysis & Sufficiency 4. Intelligence & Critical Reasoning 5. Indian & Global Environment |
| Duration | 3 hours 10 minutes | 2 hours 30 minutes |
| Marking Scheme | +1 for correct, -0.25 for incorrect (except GK & Essay) | No negative marking for GK; for other sections, it varies |
| Unique Feature | Decision-Making Section (Only in XAT) | More straightforward and formula-based questions |
| Best For | Students aiming for XLRI, XIMB, IMT, and other top B-schools | Students aiming for Tier-2 & Tier-3 B-schools |
| General Awareness Section | Included (but not counted for percentile) | Included (but not counted for percentile) |
| Acceptance | XLRI, XIMB, IMT, SPJIMR, TAPMI, and many top institutes | 600+ B-schools in India |
Ans: Yes, it is definitely possible to crack the MAT exam without formal coaching, but it requires a structured approach, focused self-study and consistent practice. First you need to look at the MAT exam syllabus, then the exam pattern and accordingly set a realistic study plan and daily study goals, allocate specific time for each topic, and revise them regularly, use effective study resources, solve previous year questions and give daily mock tests, if you follow each of these with honesty, you will definitely be successful.
Ans: Top MBA colleges in India that accept MAT scores, below are the locations of all those colleges and the approximate total tuition fees.
| College Name | Location | Approximate Total Tuition Fee |
| Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham | Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu | INR 10,60,000 |
| Amity University | Noida, Uttar Pradesh | INR 13,44,000 |
| Lovely Professional University (LPU) | Phagwara, Punjab | INR 7,60,000 |
| Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) | Vellore, Tamil Nadu | INR 7,00,000 |
| KIIT School of Management | Bhubaneswar, Odisha | INR 7,10,000 |
| Alliance University | Bangalore, Karnataka | INR 18,00,000 |
| University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES) | Dehradun, Uttarakhand | INR 15,72,000 |
| Birla Institute of Management Technology (BIMTECH) | Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh | INR 13,00,000 |
| K L University Business School (KLUBS) | Guntur, Andhra Pradesh | INR 5,70,000 |
| Birla Institute of Technology (BIT Mesra) | Ranchi, Jharkhand | INR 6,48,700 |
| Jaipuria Institute of Management | Noida, Uttar Pradesh | INR 13,50,000 |
| Christ University | Bangalore, Karnataka | INR 7,50,000 |
| Xavier Institute of Management & Entrepreneurship | Bangalore, Karnataka | INR 8,00,000 |
| New Delhi Institute of Management | New Delhi, Delhi | INR 4,70,000 |
| Institute of Public Enterprise | Hyderabad, Telangana | INR 8,15,000 |
| Indus Business Academy | Bangalore, Karnataka | INR 4,50,000 |
| AIMS Institutes | Bangalore, Karnataka | INR 9,00,000 |
| Kristu Jayanti College | Bangalore, Karnataka | INR 6,00,000 |
| Ramaiah Institute of Technology | Bangalore, Karnataka | INR 6,00,000 |
| REVA University | Bangalore, Karnataka | INR 6,00,000 |
| RV Institute of Management | Bangalore, Karnataka | INR 4,50,000 |
| International School of Business and Research | Bangalore, Karnataka | INR 7,50,000 |
| Great Lakes Institute of Management | Gurgaon, Haryana | INR 9,90,000 |
| Bennett University | Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh | INR 7,75,000 |
| BML Munjal University | Gurgaon, Haryana | INR 6,00,000 |
| EMPI Business School | New Delhi, Delhi | INR 4,10,000 |
| Jaypee Business School | Noida, Uttar Pradesh | INR 6,25,000 |
| Calcutta Business School | Kolkata, West Bengal | INR 6,85,000 |
| SCMS Cochin School of Business | Cochin, Kerala | INR 3,75,000 |
Ans: There is no limit to the number of times you can appear for the MAT exam. Whether you attempt it once a year or four times, it is entirely up to you. The exam does not restrict the number of attempts based on any quota or age (as long as you meet the eligibility criteria).
Ans: All-India Management Association conducts a nationwide exam called MAT. Over 20,000 candidates appear for each of the four sessions every year. The MAT provides admission to over 600 business schools and management colleges in India.
Ans: Management Aptitude Test (MAT) scores are valid for one year from the date of declaration of results.
Ans: Remember to bring your admission card, a valid ID proof (such as your passport, voter ID, or Aadhaar) and a blue pen for the MAT exam.
Ans: The MAT Exam does not have an official dress code. It is advised to wear simple, comfortable, and useful apparel. Avoid wearing watches, jewelry, or any other metal objects because you might be requested to take them off during the test. Choose flat shoes instead of shoes with elaborate patterns that can require you to take them off. For a hassle-free experience, these are recommended.
Ans: Don't worry if you made a mistake on your MAT Exam application from; there is typically a method to correct it. Candidates have a set amount of time to make changes to their forms, according to the All-India Management Association (AIMA). What you can do is as follows:
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