The MAT exam comprises five sections, each containing 30 multiple choice questions, totaling 150 questions. The five sections in MAT exam are: Language Comprehension, Intelligence and Critical Reasoning, Data Analysis and Data Sufficiency, Mathematical Skills and Economic & Business Environment. The difficulty level of questions in MAT exam is easy to moderate. MAT 2025 will be held in two modes: Paper Based Test (PBT) on May 31, 2025 and Computer Based Test (CBT) on June 8, 2025. MAT Registration is open. Check complete details of MAT Exam pattern, sectional composition, marking scheme and more.
Before we discuss MAT Exam pattern 2025, read key highlights of MAT exam paper for a good overview:
| MAT Exam Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| MAT Exam Full Form | Management Aptitude Test (MAT) |
| Who conducts MAT Exam? | All India Management Association (AIMA) |
| Number of MBA/PGDM colleges accepting MAT | 200+ |
| Top MBA Colleges Accepting MAT | NIT Jalandhar, NIT Kurukshetra, NIT Silchar, BIMTECH Greater Noida, Jaipuria Noida |
| Number of MAT Exams | Held in February, May, August, December |
| MAT 2025 May Exam Modes | Paper Based (PBT) and Computer Based (CBT) |
| MAT 2025 May Exam Dates | PBT on May 31 & CBT on June 8 |
| MAT Official Website | www.mat.aima.in |
| MAT Exam Application Fees | Rs 2200 for Paper Based Test (PBT) or Computer Based Test (CBT). Rs 3800 for both PBT + CBT Exams. |
| Total Questions in the Exam | 150 questions |
| Total Exam Duration | 120 minutes |
| Number of Sections | 5 Sections with 30 Questions in Each Section |
| Name of MAT Sections | Language Comprehension, Intelligence and Critical Reasoning, Data Analysis & Data Sufficiency, Mathematical Skills, Economic & Business Environment |
| Scoring Pattern in MAT exam | +1 Mark for Each Correct Answer; -0.25 Mark for Each Wrong Answer; 0 Mark for Un-attempted Question |
Check MAT May 2025 Exam Pattern with number of questions.
MAT Marking Scheme 2025
As per the MAT marking scheme 2025 each correct answer is awarded 1 mark, while 0.25 marks are deducted for every incorrect answer. All sections carry equal weightage, with a total of 150 questions and a maximum possible score of 150 marks.
Key points about the MAT 2025 marking scheme:
No marks for unanswered questions: No marks are deducted for unanswered questions.
| MAT Exam Components | No of Questions (All MCQs) | Sectional Time Limit (In Minutes) |
|---|---|---|
| Section 1: Language Comprehension | 30 | No Time Limit |
| Section 2: Intelligence and Critical Reasoning | 30 | No Time Limit |
| Section 3: Data Analysis and Data Sufficiency | 30 | No Time Limit |
| Section 4: Mathematical Skills | 30 | No Time Limit |
| Section 5: Economic & Business Environment | 30 | No Time Limit |
| Total | 150 | 120 Minutes |
Section wise MAT pattern all the five sections is as below:
Section-1: MAT Exam Pattern for Language Comprehension
The section-1 in MAT exam paper on Language Comprehension is divided into two parts - Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension.
Section 2: MAT Exam Pattern for Intelligence and Critical Reasoning
The Section-2 on Intelligence & Critical Reasoning consists of two parts with Analytical and Logical Reasoning questions.
Section 3: MAT Exam Pattern for Data Analysis and Data Sufficiency
The section-3 in MAT pattern consists of Data Analysis & Data sufficiency which also has two types of questions – the first type is on Data Analysis which is closer to Data Interpretation and other type of questions are on Data sufficiency.
Data Analysis and Data Sufficiency
This section is divided into two parts – Data Analysis and Data Sufficiency. Questions are asked from:
Section 4: MAT Exam Pattern for Mathematical Skills
The Section-4 in MAT exam is the Mathematical Skills section. This section is basically the Quantitative Ability section. It is very wide and covers each and every topic in Mathematics with greater emphasis on Arithmetic.
Mathematical Skills
This Mathematical Skills of MAT is Quantitative Aptitude section. In this section, questions are asked
Section 5: MAT Exam Pattern for Economic & Business Environment
This section includes questions from both Current Affairs and Static GK. Although this section carries 30 marks, it is not taken into consideration to determine candidate’s MAT score and percentile. So, this section is given low priority by students. The questions are asked from the below topics
MAT pattern is not much different than the other national level MBA entrance exams. However, the difficulty levels of questions in CAT and XAT exams is much higher than MAT. Below is shared quick comparison of MAT pattern with other National level exams:
MAT Exam Pattern Vs CAT Exam
MAT pattern and IIMs CAT exam have many similarities which give the opportunity to the candidates to synchronise their sectional and overall exam preparation. A quick analysis between MAT pattern and CAT will bring home the facts:
|
Component
|
MAT 2025
| CAT 2024 |
|
Total Questions
|
150
|
68
|
|
Overall Time Limit to Attempt the Exam
|
2 hours
|
2 hours
|
|
Question Format
|
All MCQs
|
70% questions are MCQs, rest Non-MCQs
|
|
Answer Options for MCQs
|
4
|
4
|
|
Marks Awarded for Each Correct Answer
|
1
|
3
|
|
Negative Marking
|
0.25 mark
|
MCQs with 1/3 negative marking; No negative marking for Non-MCQs
|
|
Exam Difficulty Level
|
Easy to Moderate
|
Difficult
|
|
Number of Sections
|
5
|
3
|
|
Section-1: Name and Number of Questions
|
Language Comprehension: 30
|
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension: 24
|
|
Section-2: Name and Number of questions
|
Intelligence & Critical Reasoning: 30
|
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning -20
|
|
Section-3: Name and Number of Questions
|
Data Analysis & Sufficiency: 30
|
Quantitative Ability-22
|
|
Section-4: Name and Number of Questions
|
Mathematical Skills: 30
|
Not Applicable
|
|
Section-5: Name and Number of Questions
|
Economic & Business Environment:30
|
Not Applicable
|
|
Facility to Choose Order of Sections
|
Yes, any section/question within overall time limit
|
No, should follow pre defined sectional order
|
|
Individual Sectional time limit
|
No, Candidate to complete the test in 120 minutes
|
Yes, each section with 40 Minutes time limit
|
MAT Exam Pattern Vs ATMA Exam
MAT Exam and ATMA exam scores are accepted for MBA admission in number of common colleges. The MAT exam pattern and ATMA exam pattern is also not much different:
|
Component
|
MAT 2025
|
ATMA 2025
|
|
Total Questions
|
150
|
180
|
|
Overall Time Limit to Attempt the Exam
|
2 hours
|
3 hours
|
|
Question Format
|
All MCQs
|
All MCQs
|
|
Answer Options for each MCQ
|
4
|
4
|
|
Marks Awarded for Each Correct Answer
|
1
|
1
|
|
Negative Marking
|
0.25 mark
|
0.25 mark
|
|
Exam Difficulty Level
|
Easy to Moderate
|
Easy to Moderate
|
|
Number of Sections
|
5
|
6
|
|
Section-1: Name and Number of Questions
|
Language Comprehension-1: 30
|
Analytical Reasoning Skills-1: 30
|
|
Section-2: Name and Number of Questions
|
Intelligence & Critical Reasoning: 30
|
Verbal Skills-1: 30
|
|
Section-3: Name and Number of Questions
|
Data Analysis & Sufficiency: 30
|
Quantitative Skills-1: 30
|
|
Section-4: Name and Number of Questions
|
Mathematical Skills: 30
|
Verbal Skills-2: 30
|
|
Section-5: Name and Number of Questions
|
Economic & Business Environment: 30
|
Analytical Reasoning Skills-2: 30
|
|
Section-6: Name and Number of Questions
|
Not applicable
|
Quantitative Skills-2: 30
|
|
Facility to Choose Order of Sections & Questions
|
Yes, any question from any section within overall time limit
|
No, should follow pre defined order
|
|
Individual Sectional Time Limit
|
No
|
Yes, 30 Minutes for each Section
|
|
Top MBA Colleges Accepting Exam Score
|
Christ University, NDIM, DSIMS, IPE, IESMCRC, FIIB among 600 MBA colleges
|
PUMBA, Dy Patil, IFIM, Welingkar, Christ University, NDIM, DSIMS, IPE, IESMCRC, FIIB among 100 MBA colleges
|
MAT Exam Pattern PDF is a document that has a summary of MAT Exam Pattern in PDF mode. It is easy to read and refer. Click on MAT Exam Pattern PDF Download link below, submit your details, and download the document immediately. You can easily refer to it during your preparation.
In summary, MAT May Exam Pattern 2025 consists 30 questions in five sections: Language Comprehension, Intelligence and Critical Reasoning, Data Analysis and Data Sufficiency, Mathematical Skills and Economic & Business Environment. Total number of questions in MAT exam paper are 150 (all Multiple-Choice Questions), and total duration is 2 hours (120 minutes). Check complete details of MAT Exam pattern, sectional composition, marking scheme and more in the above article.
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Read other important details
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Q: What is the pattern of the MAT exam?
Q: What are the total marks of the MAT exam?
Q: Does MAT have negative marking?