MAT December 2016: Exam Analysis Paper based test; No surprise but DA & Reasoning difficult

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MBAUniverse.com News Desk |
December 12, 2016
MAT 2016 paper based exam held on December 11 although had no surprise element, the Data Analysis & Sufficiency and Critical Reasoning sections were reported a bit tricky and consumed more time than expected
Candidates will need higher scores as there would be tough competition in getting the highly ranked B school

MAT 2016 paper based exam held on December 11 although had no surprise element, the Data Analysis & Sufficiency and Critical Reasoning sections were reported a bit tricky and consumed more time than expected.  Not only this, a few of the questions in GK 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 September 2016 exam.

AIMA conducted MAT 2016 December exam in paper pencil mode on December 11, 2016 in a single session for admission to more than 400 B- schools across the country. The feedback from the test takers indicated that December MAT 2016 was moderate test with Data Analysis & Reasoning being on tricky side. Candidates will need higher scores as there would be tough competition in getting the highly ranked B-school. 

Management Aptitude Test (MAT) 2016 December exam in paper pencil mode was taken by an approximate number of 15000 candidates. Test pattern remained more or less at the same difficulty level as was in MAT 2016 September 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 December 11, can appear in the on-line test proposed to be held from December 17 onwards.

MAT 2016 December test: Broad analysis
There were 200 questions divided in 5 sections in MAT 2016 held on December 11, 2016 from 10AM to 12.30 PM in 51 test cities in the country. The 200 questions had to be answered in 150 minutes. Less than 1 minute was available before the test takers to answer each of 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 2016 carry equal marks. Every right answer is to be awarded with a credit of 1 mark while every wrong answer will attract a penalty of ¼ negative marking ( 0.25 mark) deducted from the awarded score for right answers. All the questions are in MCQ format followed by 4 answer options. Below is shared the quick view of MAT 2016 December exam.

MAT 2016 December exam date & time

Paper based over on Sunday December 11, 2016 from 10AM to 12.30PM

Number of test centres for PBT

51

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

Ideal attempts
As advised earlier by MBAUniverse.com, the test takers who maximise the attempts in MAT 2016 December 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 2016 remained - 

Sno

Section

No of Qs

Ideal time (in min)

Ideal attempts

1

Language Comprehension

40

25

 28

2

Intelligence and Critical Reasoning

40

40

 25

3

Data Analysis and Sufficiency

40

35

 23

4

Mathematical Skills

40

40

 25

5

Indian and Global Environment

40

10

 18

 

 

200

150

116

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 2016 December 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 December 17 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.

MAT score you need
Admission to good B schools out of the list of B schools available at the AIMA site can only be explored with a percentile as high as 80 and above. MAT 2016 December 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.

Those who have opted for Computer based MAT 2016 on December 17 onwards 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 2016

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