MAT 2017: February Exam Analysis of Paper based test; tricky DA & Reasoning to reduce cut offs - check your score now

MAT 2017 paper based exam held today on February 5, 2017 greeted the test takers with tricky Data Analysis & Sufficiency and Critical Reasoning sections although there was no surprise element in the test paper. It is expected that MAT result may report high percentile at lower than earlier scaled score.

A few questions in Indian & Global Environment section also turned to be a little trickier and time consuming. The overall MAT in paper based form remained moderate and of same level of difficulty as was the MAT December exam.

AIMA conducted MAT 2017 February exam in paper pencil mode today on Sunday February 5, 2017 in a single session for admission to 308 MBA colleges across the country. The feedback from the test takers indicated that February MAT 2017 was moderate test with Data Analysis & Reasoning being on tricky side. To get a highly ranked MBA college, candidates will need higher scores leading to high percentile although a slight dip in cut offs is expected this year.

Management Aptitude Test (MAT) 2017 February exam in paper pencil mode was taken by an approximate number of 18000 candidates. Test pattern remained more or less at the same difficulty level as was in MAT December exam.

Candidates were already given the option of either to appear in paper pencil mode or online test. No candidate who has taken paper based test on February 5, can appear in the on-line test proposed to be held from February 11 onwards.

MAT 2017 February test: Brief analysis
There were 200 questions divided in 5 sections in MAT 2017 February exam. The 200 questions had to be answered in 150 minutes. Less than 1 minute was available before the test takers to answer each of the 200 questions. Candidates were seen struggling for Time management to maximise their attempts. Same number and pattern will appear in online computer based test.

All the questions in MAT 2017 carry equal marks. Every right answer is to be awarded with a credit of 1 mark scaled to 5 marks while every wrong answer will attract a penalty of ¼ negative marking ( 0.25 mark for 1 mark and 1.25 after calculation of scaling to 5 marks for each question) deducted from the awarded score for right answers.

The raw score is scaled and then is reported to percentile after normalization process. The total score for all the 4 sections keeping the Indian & Global environment section out is awarded out of 800 maximum score. Candidates scoring around 330 in 4 sections out of 800 marks are expected to score 99+ percentile.

All the questions are in MCQ format followed by 4 answer options. Below is shared the quick view of MAT 2017 February exam.

Ideal attempts
As advised earlier by MBAUniverse.com, the test takers who maximise the attempts in MAT 2017 February test are to score higher than their peers as it remains the key to success. Giving time to each of the sections and not get down by any one section remained an important factor to help you score high.

The suggested time limit to solve each of 5 sections and attempts needed per section to score high in MAT 2017 February exam remained - 

MBAUniverse.com suggested to adhere to the time limit to solve questions in each section as it could help you to do better in the exam as with this strategy more number of questions could be attempted with accuracy.

Many MAT 2017 February test takers were found gasping for more time as they didn’t adhere to the suggested time limit and could not attempt the questions despite knowing their answers in paper based test. Candidates going for online computer based exam on February 11 are advised not to repeat such mistake and manage time to score high in each section.

Sectional analysis
Language comprehension: There were 40 questions in the section. The test had more number of questions based on jumbled words and picking odd man out of them, inserting correct words to fill in the blanks, vocabulary words to pick out correct synonyms-antonyms. The short comprehension passages were followed by 4 questions each. Other questions were based on jumbled sentences, basic grammar corrections, main idea of paragraphs. Except a few questions they had moderate difficulty level and could be answered in time.

Intelligence and critical reasoning: The section had more number of questions on Analytical and logical reasoning and fewer questions were there on Critical reasoning. Questions were based on calendar, distribution, assertions reasons, blood relations, analogies, direction, series, statements. The questions were formed in sets as well as individual questions. The section was a little lengthy with moderate level of difficulty.

Mathematical Skills: Out of the 40 questions in the section, around 18 questions were based on Arithmetic like Interest, Percentages, Time and Work, Averages Percentage, Profit, Loss, Partnership. The questions were a little time consuming although were moderately difficult. Other questions consisted of Venn diagrams, Equations, Ratio, Proportion & Variation, Geometry & Mensuration, Permutation and Combinations, Probability.

The questions were moderate and those who practiced more could attempt more questions in this section. Higher percentile would be waiting for those candidates who did this section well.

Data analysis and Sufficiency: This section had maximum questions on data interpretation. More prominent in this section were Pie charts, bar diagrams, charts, line graph, data comparison. Time remained the main factor to solve these questions with speed and accuracy.

While questions on Data Interpretation (DI) occupied more than 50% of the section, rest of the part covered questions on data sufficiency and data comparison.

Indian and Global environment: The suggested time limit to answer the 40 questions in this section was 15 minutes but we advised 10 minutes to attempt this section. There is no point to go on re-thinking or recalling what you do not know or are confused on it. One question therefore, could be attempted in less than 30 seconds.

The questions were based on conventional GK, business and economics, current affairs, although this section would not count for calculation of percentile. Candidates could answer this section well within the time limit but many of them continued struggling in this section instead of moving forward without wasting the time as there was nothing to solve.

February MAT score you need
Admission to good B schools out of the list of 308 MBA colleges available at the AIMA site for February 2017 MAT can only be explored with a percentile as high as 85 and above. MAT 2017 February exam would award scores keeping the Indian and Global environment section out. Hence the scores are to be awarded out of 160 marks scaled to 800 marks, and accordingly the test takers will get their merit position where their scores are sent by AIMA.

Those who have opted for Computer based MAT 2017 on February 11 should revise and further strengthen their strong areas and should remember to maximise their attempts in the exam with accuracy to score high as per the above suggested time limit.

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Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more updates on MAT 2017 exam analysis and expected cut offs