5 Reasons why to take MAT 2017 before CAT 2017, XAT 2018, NMAT 2017, SNAP 2017, IIFT 2017

Why there is a need to appear in Sept MAT 2017 exam when after 2 months CAT 2017 leading to all the top B-schools including IIMS will be held on November 26? This can be a common but intrinsic query by the aspirants of all the national level MBA entrance exams.

The key reasons why you should take MAT and treat it as important exam before all other exams are shared by the CAT/XAT expert Prof S K Agarwal, expert on CAT 2017 and XAT 2018 preparation.

MAT 2017 September exam can be treated as windfall for the MBA aspirants going to appear in CAT 2017, XAT 2018, SNAP 2017 and IIFT 2017 entrance exams. Moreover, since most of the national MBA entrance tests namely CAT 2017, XAT 2018, SNAP 2017, NMAT 2017 will be conducted as computer based online exam, while IIFT 2017 remains a paper based test, both the options to take MAT September 2017 as paper based or computer based online exam are available for the aspirants.

While the September MAT 2017 as paper based test will be held on September 3, the computer based test will be held on September 9, onwards. The Admit-card for MAT exam is available for download from Aug 26 till the exam day.

Related links:

• CAT 2017 Preparation: How to move from 75 to 95 and get IIM-A, B, C - toppers show the way
• “Online XAT 2018 format to remain the same” - Fr. Antony Uvari, S J. XAT convener and XLRI  faculty
• CAT 2017: 5 changes in Exam Syllabus; ensure your preparation on right CAT exam pattern & topics

MAT: A Real Mock for CAT 2017/XAT 2018
The September MAT 2017 is the first MBA entrance exam for admission to MBA/PGDM 2018-20 batch at more than 160 B-schools as listed in AIMA’s list of management institutes. The best part of MAT exam is that you can take this exam either as paper based test or as computer based online test as per your suitability.

Immediately after the MAT 2017 September exam, other prominent MBA entrance exams will begin to take place like NMAT 2017 leading to NMIMS; CAT 2017 leading to 20 IIMs and other top B-schools like FMS Delhi, SPJIMR Mumbai, MDI Gurgaon, IMI New Delhi, IMT Ghaziabad, TAPMI Manipal, JBIMS Mumbai; IIFT 2017 – mandatory admission test for MBA (IB) at IIFT; SNAP 2017 leading to 15 Symbiosis institutes and XAT 2018-leading to XLRI and more than 150 other B-schools.

So just like as you need to practice a lot before the big tournament like World Cup, which you cherish to win at all costs, MAT Sept exam can serve a very good opportunity to test yourself, 2 months before actual CAT 2017 which will be held on Sunday, November 26.

Even the most seasoned and top rated players go for various internal practice sessions at regional and national level and do a lot of net practice to emerge as winner in the finals, accordingly with fewer management institutes and no highly ranked B-school accepting MAT 2017 September scores for admission to MBA 2018-20, the exam offers you a full length mock with 200 questions.

MAT, CAT, XAT, SNAP: Similar topics covered in exam Syllabus & pattern
MAT, the first MBA entrance test in the series of other national tests will cover almost all the topics with current question trends which are included in the syllabus of CAT 2017 or XAT 2018. While the top national level MBA entrance exams have 3 to 4 test sections with total questions between 100 and 150, MAT throws 200 questions divided in 5 sections with 40 MCQs each.

MAT exam is quite similar to CAT 2017, XAT 2018, SNAP 2017, NMAT 2017, IIFT 2017 MBA entrance exams. A quick comparative structure will further clarify the sectional composition of all these MBA entrance exams. This will also enable you to understand what is most common among all the exams and how your preparation to one exam will lead to almost complete preparation of other exams simultaneously without much extra efforts.   

Take MAT, if wish to crack CAT 2017/XAT 2018 with high score
Going by the above analysis, it is amply clear that MAT covers almost all the test sections of CAT 2017, XAT 2018, SNAP 2017, NMAT 2017 and IIFT 2017 exam. Not only this, since all these exams are largely based on Multiple Choice Questions type (MCQs), although CAT 2017 will also have a few Non-MCQ type of questions, it will be better to appear in MAT 2017 September exam to get the complete idea of what is the current question trends in MBA entrance exams.

No doubt, if you are targeting IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow, Indore, XLRI Jamshedpur, SPJIMR Mumbai, MDI Gurgaon, FMS Delhi, NMIMS Mumbai, Symbiosis Pune or IIFT Delhi, MAT 2017 September test scores would not help you to get admission in any of them. But you also do not intend to do it as after MAT you have series of MBA entrance exams, the scores of which can offer you admission in top B-schools in India.

As shared above, remember the concept of net practice! In fact MAT 2017 September exam will offer you the ample opportunity of net practice for all the top rated exams. Whether you are a fresher or are appearing in top MBA entrance tests second time, it is always beneficial to have hands-on practice. This is the reason you join various coaching centres, test series etc. In fact MAT 2017 September exam is a windfall to you as you can assess yourself where you stand.

Please remember the result of MAT exam is declared in the same month, so there is no fear that after appearing in the exam, you will have to wait for the result or will miss the opportunity to analyse your mistakes. The timely result will help you to know the areas where you need improvement and you can do it accordingly as around 60 days will be at your disposal between announcement of MAT 2017 September result and CAT 2017 exam day.

Get current exam trends with MAT
If you skip MAT 2017 September exam, the first thing you will miss is the current question trend in the entrance exam. Next thing you will miss is the real feel of testing environment. The most important is – if suddenly you find a top B-school getting affiliated to MAT accepting its September score, you have no chance and will have to wait for other exams.

Take CBT MAT, if planning for CAT 2017, XAT 2018, SNAP 2017
As discussed above, MAT is conducted in 2 modes – as paper based test and computer based test. Most of the candidates opt for paper based test as they find it easier to approach and can have the question booklet with them. Besides the testing venues for paper based test are more than they are for computer based MAT exam.

However, since CAT 2017, XAT 2018, SNAP 2017 are now announced to be conducted as computer based tests, it is advisable to prefer the computer based MAT 2017 September exam instead of paper based test. This will help you to understand the exact nature of computer based test, its navigational tools and all other pros & cons of the exam.

Exam contents more important than mode
Please do remember that the contents of the exam are more important than its mode. It does not mean that those appearing for paper based test will not understand the computer based exam. On the other hand it is your preparation level that helps you in the entrance exam. If you think that computer based MAT test centre is not near your city, you should go for paper based test. But do not skip MAT 2017 September exam as it will be a great benefit for you before CAT 2017 exam.

Please also note that although the MAT scores remain valid for 1 year from the date of declaration of result, candidates appear in quarterly MAT exams to improve their score and also to get the hands on experience for the forthcoming exams. AIMA conducts MAT 4 times a year at quarterly intervals. The 1^st MAT of the year is held in February, followed by 2^nd in May, 3^rd in September and 4^th in December.

If you check the testing window of MAT, you will find it is conducted in September around 2 months before CAT, then in December about a month before XAT, then in February, a month before MAHCET. Most of the MAT takers take it as the important practice test to their CAT/XAT finals and you may also take it that way.

To help out MAT 2017, CAT 2017, XAT 2018, SNAP 2017, NMAT 2017, IIFT 2017 and CMAT 2018 aspirants, MBAUniverse.com has started unique initiative to provide updates on MBA exam Cut-offs, Expert guidance, Admission Counselling for Admission 2018.

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See Also:

• CAT 2017 Preparation: How to move from 75 to 95 and get IIM-A, B, C - toppers show the way
• “Online XAT 2018 format to remain the same” - Fr. Antony Uvari, S J. XAT convener and XLRI  faculty
• CAT 2017: 5 changes in Exam Syllabus; ensure your preparation on right CAT exam pattern & topics