MAT 2016: Analysis of CBT; high score needed to get top B-school; check your probability

Updated on May 9, 2016

The second option provided by AIMA for the candidates to appear in online computer based MAT 2016 was over on May 7 with a moderate exam and with no surprises

Admission to good B schools out of the list of 330 B schools available at the AIMA site can only be explored with a percentile as high as 85 and above

The second option provided by AIMA for the candidates to appear in online computer based MAT 2016 was over on May 7 with a moderate exam and with no surprises although many candidates reported a few questions in Data Analysis and Sufficiency; Intelligence and Critical Reasoning as a little more difficult.

However, test pattern was more or less at the same difficulty level as shared by MBAUniverse.com in its MAT 2016 May series. Viewing the overall difficulty level of the exam, it can be predicted that you will need a high percentile score to get one of the top B-schools.

CBT over in 1 day
No candidate who had already appeared in paper based MAT 2016 on May 1, was allowed to appear in the Computer based test again on May 7, 2016. The computer based test which was supposed to be held in different time slots subject to availability in multiple days beginning from May 7, was completed in one day only on Saturday May 7, 2016 as number of test takers was limited.

According to AIMA ‘If the number of candidates registered for Computer Based Test is limited and can be accommodated in a single day; the test will be completed on 7 May 2016 itself.’ Accordingly, MAT 2016 online CBT may not be conducted in subsequent days of May 2016.

CBT with same LOD as PBT
AIMA conducted MAT 2016 May exam in paper pencil mode on May 1, 2016 in a single session for admission to 330 B schools across the country. The exam reported no surprises in the paper based test. The feedback from the test takers indicated that May MAT 2016 was moderate and accordingly candidates should expect higher scores but tougher competition in getting the highly ranked B-school.

Similarly, the level of difficulty in MAT 2016 May CBT exam was not higher than it was in Paper based test.

Management Aptitude Test (MAT) 2016 May exam in paper pencil mode was taken by an approximate number of 14000 candidates while much fewer candidates opted for computer based test. The truth is evident from the fact that AIMA allocated 51 test centres for paper based test while the test centres for computer based MAT 2016 May exam were 11 across the country.

Overview of MAT 2016 May CBT
There were 200 questions divided in 5 sections in MAT 2016 computer based exam held on May 7, 2016 from 10AM to 12.30 PM in 11 test cities in the country. The 200 questions had to be answered in 150 minutes. All the questions carried equal marks. Every right answer is to be awarded with a credit of 1 mark while every wrong answer will attract a penalty of negative marking of 0.25 mark deducted from the awarded score for right answers. All the questions were in MCQ format followed by 4 answer options. Below is shared the quick view of MAT 2016 May exam-

MAT 2016 May Computer Based exam date & time	Saturday May 7, 2016 from 10AM to 12.30PM
Number of test centres for PBT	11
Total number of questions in the exam	200
Number of sections in the exam	5
Number of answer options per question	4
Maximum Marks per question	1
Negative Marking	0.25 mark for every wrong answer
Total maximum raw score	200
Total maximum scaled score out of which percentile score will be awarded	800

Optimum attempts
As advised earlier by MBAUniverse.com, the test takers who maximised the attempts in MAT 2016 May CBT are expected to score much higher score than their peers as it remained the key to success. Giving time to each of the sections and not get focused only on one section remained an important factor to help you score high.

The suggested attempts needed per section to maximise scores are shared below

Sno	Section	No of Qs	Good ttempts
1	Language Comprehension	40	28
2	Intelligence and Critical Reasoning	40	26
3	Data Analysis and Sufficiency	40	26
4	Mathematical Skills	40	30
5	Indian and Global Environment	40	20

MBAUniverse.com had already suggested the time limit to solve questions in each section and those who followed it did better in the paper based exam as they could attempt more number of questions with accuracy.

Many MAT 2016 May test takers in CBT exam 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.

Sectional Analysis
Mathematical Skills: Out of the 40 questions in the section, 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.

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 5 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.

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.

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.

Indian and Global environment: The suggested time limit to answer the 40 questions in this section was 15 minutes. 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.

High Percentile required
MAT 2016 May exam would award scores keeping the Indian and Global environment section out. Hence the scores are to be awarded out of 160 marks and accordingly the test takers will get their merit position where their scores are sent by AIMA. The percentile score will be awarded out of 800 and following scores may be needed to get different MBA/PGDM programmes.

Admission to good B schools out of the list of 330 B schools available at the AIMA site can only be explored with a percentile as high as 85 and above.