MAT 2016: The 1st MBA 2017 admission exam in September; take it as practice

MBAUniverse.com News Desk | :

July 30, 2016

With fewer management institutes and no highly ranked B-school accepting MAT 2016 September scores for admission to MBA 2017-19, the exam can still serve a very good opportunity to test yourself 2 months before actual CAT 2016

MAT 2016 September exam will offer you the ample opportunity of net practice for all the top rated exams

Before the World Cup, even the most seasoned and top rated players go for various internal cricket matches at regional and national level and do a lot of net practice to emerge as winner in the finals. Now with fewer management institutes and no highly ranked B-school accepting MAT 2016 September scores for admission to MBA 2017-19, the exam can still serve a very good opportunity to test yourself, 2 months before actual CAT 2016 happens in November.

September MAT 2016: 1st MBA entrance for 2017
MAT 2016 September exam is the first MBA entrance test for admission to 2017-19 batch at 164 B-schools as listed in AIMA’s list of management institutes.

Following MAT 2016 September exam, more prominent MBA entrance exams will begin to take place like NMAT by GMAC leading to NMIMS; CAT 2016 leading to 20 IIMs and top B-schools in India; IIFT 2016 – mandatory admission test for MBA (IB) at IIFT; SNAP 2016 leading to 14 Symbiosis institutes and XAT 2017-leading to XLRI and more than 100 other B-schools.

So, Why to appear in MAT 2016?
Based on MAT 2016 September test scores, you may not be offered admission in any of the top B-schools nor you intend to do it as after MAT you have number of MBA entrance exams, the scores of which can offer you admission in top B-schools in India. So why to take this exam is the spontaneous question that comes to your mind.

As shared, remember the concept of net practice! In fact MAT 2016 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 2016 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 45 days will be at your disposal between announcement of MAT 2016 September result and CAT 2016 examination.

Don’t skip MAT
If you skip MAT 2016 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.

Better to appear in CBT MAT 2016
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.

Now since CAT 2016 will be a computer based test, it is advisable to prefer the computer based MAT 2016 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.

But, please remember 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 test centre is not near your city, you should go for paper based test. But do not skip MAT 2016 September exam as it will be a great benefit for you before CAT 2016.

MAT similar to CAT
MAT and CAT have 4 similar testing components. The only difference is their level of difficulty. These 4 sections are –
MAT 2016 September                          CAT 2016
Language comprehension                       Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension
Mathematical skills                                 Quantitative Aptitude
Data Analysis and Sufficiency                 Data Interpretation
Intelligence and Critical Reasoning          Logical Reasoning

The only separate section in MAT which does not match CAT exam is Indian and Global Environment. This section you can prepare well be reading GK books, news papers, periodicals, current affairs among others.

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 1st MAT of the year is held in February, followed by 2nd in May, 3rd in September and 4th in December.

If you closely watch the testing window of MAT, you will find it is conducted 1 or 2 months before CAT, a month before XAT, before MAHCET, and so on. Most of the MAT takers take it as net practice to their finals and you should also not skip it.

To help out MAT 2016 May & September candidates, MBAUniverse.com has started unique initiative to provide updates on MAT Cut-offs, Expert guidance, Admission Counselling for Admission 2017.

Candidates may register free to get MAT 2016 September exam Updates