MAT Exam Pattern 2024: Marking Scheme, Negative Marking

MAT Exam Pattern 2024 is the same for different modes of the exam. MAT 2024 is an internet-based, and computer-based test. Candidates will have to answer a total of 150 questions, divided equally into 5 different sections within a time limit of 150 minutes.

Each section has 30 questions to be answered, and 0.25 marks will be deducted for every incorrect answer. Candidates appearing for the exam must have a better understanding of the MAT exam syllabus and pattern. The MAT Exam time duration is 120 minutes for a total of 150 questions. Thus, the MAT number of questions per session is 30.

The total mark in the MAT exam is 150, giving 1 mark for each question. One must have a detailed understanding of the MAT Exam Pattern 2024 before appearing for the exam. Candidates are advised to check the MAT exam paper pattern in the sections below.

Q. What is the MAT full form?

Ans. MAT stands for Management Aptitude Test, which is a national-level entrance test for MBA programmes.

MAT Exam Pattern 2024 Overall

Candidates are advised to check the pointers mentioned below regarding MAT exam pattern 2024.

• The MAT Dec 2024 exam design has 5 sections, each with an equal number of questions.
• There will be 40 questions in each portion of the MAT exam. MAT's total marks consist of 200 marks in the paper, all of which consist of the MCQ question pattern.
• The MAT exam has a 150-minute total time limit for answering the questions.
• Although AIMA has established a separate time limit for each subject, there are no restrictions on moving freely from one section to another within the total time limit in the MAT 2024 Dec exam format.

MAT Paper Format Highlights

Candidates will be given a total of 150 minutes to solve the entire question paper. It had 200 questions and 5 different sections. Candidates must note that negative marking is applicable in both modes of the MAT 2024 exam. The important highlights related to the MAT exam pattern are tabulated below.

MAT Paper Pattern

Subject	Details
Mode of exam	PBT, IBT, and CBT
Language	English
Sections	Indian and Global Environment Data Analysis and Sufficiency Mathematical Skills Language and Comprehension Intelligence and Critical Reasoning
MAT Negative Marking	For every incorrect answer, 0.25 marks will be deducted.
Type of Questions	Multiple-choice questions
Total Questions in Each Section	30
MAT Exam Duration	120 minutes
MAT Exam Total Questions	150
MAT Total Marks	150
MAT Exam Pass Marks	400+ (80% tile)

Sectional Weightage in MAT 2024

The questions test candidates' aptitude in 5 domains. Each of the sections has an equal number of questions, where each question carries 1 mark.

MAT Sectional Weightage

Section	No. of Questions	Maximum Marks
Indian and Global Environment	30	30
Data Analysis and Sufficiency	30	30
Mathematical Skills	30	30
Language and Comprehension	30	30
Intelligence and Critical Reasoning	30	30
Total	150	150

What is the MAT Calculation Format?

The MAT Exam score is calculated as per the candidate's performance in the examination. Candidates will be awarded +1 for each correct answer, while 0.25 marks will be deducted for wrong attempts. There is no marking given for unattempted questions. The composite score is calculated from the sum of the first four sections on a scale of 199 - 801.

Read More: MAT Score Vs. Percentile

Facility to Appear in 1 or 2 MAT Exams

The following MAT exam options are available for you to select your preferred examination format. You can select your favourite MAT exam 2024 session from one or two MAT Exams:

• Internet-based test (IBT) with remote proctoring or
• Internet-based test (IBT) with two remote proctors, or
• PBT, or paper-based test
• PBT+IBT stands for Paper-Based Test and Remote Proctored Internet-Based Test.
• CBT, or computer-based test
• Internet-based computer test with remote proctoring (CBT+IBT) or
• (PBT+CBT) Paper-based test plus computer-based test
• Two computer-based exams (CBT)

Difficulty level as per MAT Exam Pattern 2024

According to the MAT exam papers from prior years, the exam's difficulty level can be described as easy to moderate. In comparison to other national-level MBA exams including the IIM CAT test, the AIMA doesn't present challenging questions to applicants.

Important MAT Exam Guidelines and Benefits

 According to the following information, you can choose to take two MAT 2024 Dec examinations by paying an additional charge of Rs. 1125/- on top of Rs. 1850/- for one test:

• If you decide to take MAT 2024, you can choose five management schools to which your results will be delivered free of admission charge.
• When choosing to take two MAT 2024 exams, you will gain the advantage of choosing an additional two management institutes to receive your scores in addition to the current choice of five management institutes. Thus, a total of 7 Management Institutes are available for your choice.
• The new MAT from your home exam format is called MAT 2024 IBT.

MAT Exam Pattern 2024 Registration Modes

MAT Exam Pattern Registration	Fee
One MAT Exam 2024 Registration For Remote Proctored Internet Based Test (IBT) or Paper Based Test (PBT) or Computer Based Test (CBT)	INR 1850/-
Two MAT Exam 2024 Registration For 2 Remote Proctored Internet Based Test (IBT) Exams For PBT+IBT For PBT+CBT For CBT+PBT or CBT+IBT	INR 2975/-

MAT 2024 Exam Pattern: Is it Same for all Modes?

MAT 2024 Exam Pattern has been altered to the point that AIMA has declared that one PBT and two CBT exams would be administered in the same month. As a result, there will be additional test-taking alternatives with the new Dec MAT 2024 exam design. 200 MCQ-style questions are distributed throughout 5 sections of the exam. Each MAT 2024 exam pattern includes two and a half hours for both the IBT and PBT exams.

Since 1988, the All India Management Association (AIMA) has held the MAT exam for MBA admission four times a year without making any significant modifications to the MAT 2024 exam format. Results from the MAT 2024 December exam will be utilised as a criterion for admission to MBA course/PGDM programmes nationwide.

MAT Dec Exam Pattern: Sectional Composition

The MAT Dec 2024 Exam Pattern is broken down into sections below, along with the number of questions in each component and the recommended amount of time to attempt each section.

MAT Exam Pattern 2024 Sectional Composition

Section Name	Number of Questions	Suggested Time to solve (In Minutes)
Language Comprehension	30	30
Intelligence and Critical Reasoning	30	30
Data Analysis and Sufficiency	30	35
Mathematical Skills	30	40
Indian and Global Environment	30	15
Total	150	150

Key Facts About MAT Test Pattern 2024

An objective test with multiple-choice questions is called the MAT (MCQ). The following are the main specifics of the MAT 2024 December exam pattern

• 200 Objective Type Questions make up the MAT Exam Pattern 2024. (MCQs)
• The difficulty level of MAT questions ranges from easy to moderate.
• Language comprehension, mathematical aptitude, data analysis and sufficiency, intelligence and critical reasoning, and the Indian and global environment make up the five examination components in the MAT 2024 exam.

MAT 2024 Exam Pattern: How to Answer MAT Questions?

• Out of the various options listed below the question, you must select the one that best answers the question.
• If taking the paper-based test, check the box next to the appropriate response on the answer sheet.
• If you are taking the CBT or IBT MAT, select the option for the right answer.
• According to the MAT 2024 Dec exam format, the exam can be finished in 2 hours and 30 minutes.
• Each right response receives a mark of one.
• Each incorrect response receives a -0.25 negative mark.

MAT Exam Pattern: Sectional Highlights, Key Topics, Scoring Pattern

MAT Dec 2024 Exam Pattern is separated further. With this sectional subdivision, the MAT exam in 2024 will have 8 functional portions. The main facts are as follows:

Section 1: MAT Language Comprehension

The Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension sections make up Section 1 of the MAT exam 2024, which is focused on Language Comprehension.

• 20 questions with RC passages as the basis
• Language Comprehension Section of the MAT: RC Sectional Weighting: 50%
• Types of passages on RC in the MAT Exam: 4 brief passages with a medium level of difficulty
• There are five questions based on each passage in the exam.
• All of the questions are of the MCQ variety and carry a 1/4 negative marking penalty.
• Question format: Questions are based on the text in the RC; the passage's words and phrases' antonyms and synonyms; False claims; the major concept of the RC chapter; true or false

MAT Verbal Ability

• 20 questions in total
• Sectional Weight: 50% of the MAT syllabus
• Questions: All MCQs with a penalty for providing an incorrect response.
• Unorganized Paragraphs (3-4 questions)
• Error Correction of the sentences' verbs, nouns, pronouns, adjectives, adverbs, and other components of speech.
• Making corrections to the paragraph's sentence structure, such as the proper use of conditional sentences, time clauses, reported speech, and passive writing (3-4 questions)
• Antonyms/Synonyms (5-6 questions) (5-6 questions)
• Complete the gaps (3-4 questions)
• word replacement (1-2 questions)
• Idioms/Phrases (2-3 questions) (2-3 questions)

Section 2: MAT Intelligence and Critical Reasoning 

There are questions in both the analytical reasoning and the logical reasoning sections of Section 2 on Intelligence & Critical Reasoning.

• In the reasoning portion, there are two types of questions: single questions and sets of three to four.
• 20% of the MAT reasoning section's total weight
• Reasoning section weight in the MAT percentile calculation: 25%
• There are 40 total reasoning problems in the MAT exam syllabus.
• MCQs are one type of question.
• Topical trends in the MAT Reasoning Syllabus in the past: The questions covered topics like family relationships, statements with causes and effects, clocks and calendars, statements with assumptions, reasons, analogies, directions, series, and incorrect terms.

Section 3: MAT Data Analysis and Sufficiency 

Data Analysis and Data sufficiency make up Section 3 of the MAT exam pattern. This section includes two different types of questions: one type is on Data Analysis, which is more similar to data interpretation, while the other type is on Data sufficiency.

• There are 40 questions.
• Questions of the MCQ variety
• 20% of the MAT exam is weighted per section.
• MAT Sectional Weighting Calculating the percentile: 25%
• Data analysis questions on the MAT exam have historically been based on text, tables, graphs (line, area), charts (column, bar, pie), and Venn diagrams.
• Tables, charts, and graphs are all possible formats for data presentation.
• In this phase, applicants' abilities to comprehend the supplied data and respond to questions using it are put to the test.
• There are further data interpretation questions in this section.
• More than half of the section's questions concern data interpretation (DI), with the remaining questions focusing on data sufficiency and data comparison.
• Sets of questions as well as lone ones can be anticipated in this part of the MAT exam paper.
• The greatest obstacle to quickly and accurately answering these questions with data comparisons is still time.

Section 4: MAT Mathematical Skills

The Mathematical Skills part is found in Section 4 of the MAT exam. Essentially, the quantitative ability component is this one. It is quite comprehensive and covers every area of mathematics, with an increased focus on arithmetic.

• There are 40 questions.
• 20% of the MAT exam is weighted per section.
• Calculating Sectional Weightage as a Percentile: 25%
• MCQs are one type of question.
• The historical history of the MAT exam for mathematics indicates that arithmetic is given more weight, with the number of questions falling between 15 and 16.
• The topics of interest, percentages, time and work, profit, loss, and partnerships are covered in the questions.
• Other questions are based on subjects like probability, geometry, mensuration, permutation and combination, ratio, proportion & variation, and equations.

Section 5: MAT Indian and Global Environment

The Indian & Global Environment component of the MAT exam is a GK section that includes questions on current events, static GK, business and economics, international affairs, who's who, the Indian Constitution, and the United Nations, among other important subjects. There are 40 questions total, however as the results of this portion are not used to calculate the merit score, many candidates choose to omit it or only attempt it if they have additional time.

IBT MAT Exam Pattern Key Features

With a longer testing window, AIMA has created the "Remotely Proctored Internet Based Test (IBT)". The sole distinction between this exam and other computer-based admission exams is that this one is taken from the comfort of home rather than a testing facility.

It is an online internet-based test. The AIMA proctor will monitor all internet activity throughout the entire assessment session.

• In both the paper-based and computer-based versions of the MAT, the IBT contains the same number of questions and sections.
• The IBT-MAT scoring structure and percentile calculation procedure are the same as those used in the PBT and CBT versions of the MAT, with a time limit of 150 minutes.
• Candidates might take the IBT exam from the comfort and safety of their homes under certain restrictions rather than travelling to a testing facility.
• Only candidates who meet certain requirements and have a computer, webcam, and internet access are eligible to take the IBT exam.
• By using both human proctors and powerful Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based tools, remote proctoring in dual mode efficiently maintains the test's integrity and security.
• AIMA has also planned to practise MAT-IBT sessions to assist applicants in becoming accustomed to this new format of testing.
• These IBT practice exams serve to familiarise applicants with the testing environment by simulating it. This guarantees that the applicants are sufficiently ready for the main exam. Candidates can now select from one or more of the test formats—IBT, PBT, or CBT.

Also Check: Here's All That You Must Keep in Mind Before Giving MAT

MAT 2024: IBT Mode

Specifications	Details
Operating System	Windows (Version 7 or above)
Memory	The computer device being used must have at least 65 MB of free space on its hard drive.
Network Requirements	A stable connection with a good speed Minimum upload speed: 512 kbps
Web Browsers	Google Chrome (version 63 or above) Mozilla Firefox (version 52 or above)
.NET Framework	Minimum supported version: 4.5.1 .NET framework

MAT Marking Scheme 2024

The MAT Marking Scheme 2024 is mentioned below:

• Candidates will receive one mark for each accurate response under the MAT 2024 marking methodology.
• For each incorrect response, 0.25 marks are deducted.
• The scaled score as a whole is 800.

MAT 2024 Marking Scheme

Correctly Answered Questions	+1 mark
Incorrectly Answered Questions	-0.25
Unattempted Questions	No deduction
Total Marks	150

Important Tips: How to Prepare for MAT 2024 in One Month?

MAT Exam Pattern Vs CAT, XAT, NMAT, ATMA MBA Entrance Exams

The format of the MAT exam in 2024 is similar to those of previous national-level MBA entrance exams. A brief comparison of the MAT Dec 2024 exam pattern with other national-level exams is provided below:

MAT MBA Exam Pattern Vs IIMs CAT

Due to the many parallels between the MAT test format 2024 and the IIMs CAT exam, candidates have the chance to coordinate their sectional and overall exam preparation. A simple comparison between the MAT exam pattern and the CAT will highlight the following facts:

MAT vs CAT

Component	MAT 2024	IIMs CAT 2021
Total Questions	150	66
Overall Time Limit to Attempt the Exam	2½ hours	2 hours
Question Format	All MCQs	70% of 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	Indian & Global Environment: 30	Not Applicable
Facility to Choose Order of Sections	Yes, any section/question within the overall time limit	No, should follow pre-defined sectional order
Individual Sectional time limit	No, the Candidate is to complete the test in 150 minutes	Yes, each section with 40 Minutes time limit
Top MBA Colleges Accepting Exam Score	Christ University, NDIM, DSIMS, IPE, IESMCRC, and FIIB among 600 MBA colleges	20 IIMs, FMS, MDI, NITIE, SPJIMR, IMI, IMT, IITs, TAPMI, XIMB and hundreds of others

Check This: CAT vs CMAT vs NMAT vs MAT which is better?

MAT Exam Pattern Vs XAT Exam Pattern 2024

There are several parallels between the MAT Exam Pattern 2024 and the XLRI-XAT exam. It makes it easier for test-takers to get ready for the MAT exam and XAT exam with little additional effort:

MAT vs XAT

Component	MAT 2024	XLRI – XAT 2024
Total Questions	150	101
Overall Time Limit to Attempt the Exam	2½ hours	3 hours 10 Minutes
Question Format	All MCQs	All MCQs
Answer Options for each MCQ	4	5
Marks Awarded for Each Correct Answer	1	1
Negative Marking	0.25 mark	0.25 mark; No negative marking for GK & Essay section
Exam Difficulty Level	Easy to Moderate	Moderate to High
Number of Sections	5	5
Section-1: Name and Number of Questions	Language Comprehension-1: 30	English Language & Logical Reasoning- 26
Section-2: Name and Number of Questions	Intelligence & Critical Reasoning: 30	Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation- 28
Section-3: Name and Number of Questions	Data Analysis & Sufficiency: 30	Decision Making-21
Section-4: Name and Number of Questions	Mathematical Skills: 30	General Awareness-25
Section-5: Name and Number of Questions	Indian & Global Environment: 30	Essay Writing Test (Descriptive Question)
Sectional Score Not Counted for Percentile Calculation	Indian & Global Environment	General Awareness
Facility to Choose Order of Sections & Questions	Yes, Any question from any section within the overall time limit	Yes, Any question from any section within the overall time limit
Individual Sectional Time Limit	No	No
Top MBA Colleges Accepting Exam Score	Christ University, NDIM, DSIMS, IPE, IESMCRC, and FIIB among 100 MBA colleges	XLRI, IMI, IMT, TAPMI, XIMB, Great Lakes, LBSIM, LIBA, BIMTECH, and XIME among 150 B-schools

MAT Exam Marking Pattern Vs NMAT by GMAC

Both the sections and question format of the MAT Exam Pattern and the NMAT by GMAC Exam are quite similar. Candidates can coordinate their subsection and overall exam preparation while preparing for both exams. Below is a comparison between the MAT Pattern and NMAT by GMAC that highlights their essential characteristics:

MAT vs GMAC

Component	MAT 2024	NMAT by GMAC 2021
Total Questions	150	108
Overall Time Limit to Attempt the Exam	2½ hours	2 hours
Question Format	All MCQs	All MCQs
Answer Options for each MCQ	4	5
Marks Awarded for Each Correct Answer	1	1
Negative Marking	0.25 mark	No Negative marking
Exam Difficulty Level	Easy to Moderate	Moderate to High
Number of Sections	5	3
Section-1: Name and Number of Questions	Language Comprehension-1: 30	Language Skills-36
Section-2: Name and Number of Questions	Intelligence & Critical Reasoning: 30	Logical Reasoning-36
Section-3: Name and Number of Questions	Data Analysis & Sufficiency: 30	Quantitative Skills-36
Section-4: Name and Number of Questions	Mathematical Skills: 30	Not applicable
Section-5: Name and Number of Questions	Indian & Global Environment: 30	Not applicable
Sectional Score Not Counted for Percentile Calculation	Indian & Global Environment	Not Applicable
Facility to Choose Order of Sections & Questions	Yes, Any question from any section within the overall time limit	Yes, but once chosen has to follow
Individual Sectional Time Limit	No	Yes, varying time limits of 28 minutes to 52 minutes
Top MBA Colleges Accepting Exam Score	Christ University, NDIM, DSIMS, IPE, IESMCRC, and FIIB among 100 MBA colleges	NMIMS, VIT, XIMB, IBS-ICFAI, MISB Bocconi, Alliance University

MAT Exam Pattern Vs ATMA

Scores from the MAT and ATMA exams are approved by many public colleges for MBA admission. Additionally, there aren't many differences between the MAT and ATMA exam formats:

MAT vs ATMA

Component	MAT 2024	ATMA 2024
Total Questions	150	180
Overall Time Limit to Attempt the Exam	2½ 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	Indian & Global 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 the 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, and FIIB among 600 MBA colleges	PUMBA, Dy Patil, IFIM, Welingkar, Christ University, NDIM, DSIMS, IPE, IESMCRC, FIIB among 100 MBA colleges

Check This: ATMA vs MAT- which is better?

MAT Syllabus 2024

All of the chapters and subjects from which questions will be drawn for the entrance exam will be included in the MAT 2024 syllabus. Candidates will learn about their strongest and weakest portions or themes by being familiar with all the sections and topics. Check out the table provided below, which lists every chapter related to the MAT 2024 syllabus.

MAT Syllabus

Section Name	Topics
English Language	Fill in the blanks Idioms Synonyms and Antonyms Odd one out Jumbled words and sentences Para Jumbles Sentence correction
Mathematics	Partnerships Profit and Loss Ration Percentages Time and work Time-speed and distance Profit and loss Averages
Intelligence and Critical Reasoning	Statement-Conclusion Analogy Series Assertion Reason Coding and Decoding Family Tree/ Revelation Analytical Reasoning Directions Cause and Effect
Indian and Global Environment	Entertainment Business Awareness Sports Politics Social Issues
Data Analysis and Sufficiency	Bar graph Caselet Line graph Pie chart Data Sufficiency Mixed charts and graphs Table Data Comparison

Read More: MAT Syllabus 2024

MAT Exam 2024 Preparation Tips

• To completely prepare for the MAT 2024 exam, concentrate on completing sectional mock exams within the allotted time.
• Completely completed MAT mock examinations and sample papers will help you increase your speed and accuracy.
• Prioritize resolving simple questions before moving on to the more challenging ones.
• At least two months before the MAT exam date, master all foundational concepts.
• Throughout the month leading up to the exam, complete at least 30 to 40 questions each day.
• As per the MAT Question Paper Pattern, each section has been given an equal amount of time and attention.

Read More: Last Minute Tips to Crack MAT 2024