MAT Exam Pattern 2025: Sections, Duration, Marking Scheme, Question Types
The MAT 2025 exam pattern is divided into five sections, each containing 30 multiple-choice questions. The five sections in the MAT exam are: Language Comprehension, Intelligence and Critical Reasoning, Data Analysis and Data Sufficiency, Mathematical Skills and Economic & Business Environment. Check complete details of the MAT exam pattern, sectional break-up, marking scheme, exam duration and more. MAT exam 2025 will be held on December 13 and 21, 2025, and the MAT Registration 2025 is open.
MAT Exam 2025 Highlights
MAT is national level MBA entrance exam that is conducted four times a year by AIMA. The next MAT exam will be conducted in December 2025 in two modes. MAT Paper-based test (PBT) will be held on December 13, and the MAT Computer-based test (CBT) will be held on December 21, 2025. MAT Registration for both exams is open. Read key highlights of the MAT exam paper for a good overview:
MAT 2026 Exam: Key Highlights
| MAT Exam Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| MAT Exam Full Form | Management Aptitude Test (MAT) |
| Who conducts the MAT Exam? | All India Management Association (AIMA) |
| Number of MBA/PGDM colleges accepting MAT | More than 500 MBA Colleges |
| Number of MAT Exams | Held in February, May, September, and December |
| MAT Exam Modes | Paper-Based (PBT) and Computer-Based (CBT) |
| MAT Exam Dates | MAT December 2025 exam was conducted in Paper-based test (PBT) mode on December 13, and Computer-based test (CBT) on December 21, 2025. The MAT 2026 exam will be held in February 2026. |
| 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 the MAT exam | +1 Mark for Each Correct Answer; -0.25 Mark for Each Wrong Answer; 0 Mark for Un-attempted Question |
MAT 2025 Exam Pattern: Overview
- There are 5 sections with an equal number of questions in the MAT exam 2025 pattern.
- Each section in the MAT question paper has 30 questions. Total questions is 150.
- AIMA awards 4 marks for each correct answer (scaled score). Hence, the MAT Exam Total Marks are 600.
- All questions are in MCQ format.
- The total exam time duration to solve the MAT question paper is 120 minutes.
- Although an individual time limit for each section has been suggested by AIMA, there is no restriction to move from one section to another freely within the overall time limit in the MAT exam pattern.
Checkthe MAT Exam Pattern with the 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:
- Equal weightage: Each section of the MAT exam has equal weightage.
- Marking per question: 1 mark is awarded for each correct answer.
- Negative marking: 0.25 marks are deducted for each incorrect answer.
No marks for unanswered questions: No marks are deducted for unanswered questions.
MAT 2025 Exam Pattern
| 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 Exam Pattern 2025
Section-wise MAT pattern for all five sections is as follows:
Section-1: MAT Exam Pattern for Language Comprehension
The section-1 in the MAT exam paper on Language Comprehension is divided into two parts – Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension.
- RC Passages on Current Affairs and Political Developments
- RC Passages on Business & Economics
- RC passages from various English Literature Books
- RC Passages on Science
- RC Passages in Abstract Topics and Fiction
- RC Passages on Historical Events and Mythology
- Jumbled Paragraphs
- Error Correction of Verb, Noun, Pronoun, Adjective, Adverb and other parts of speech in the Sentences
- Correcting the sequence of sentences in the paragraph, for example, the correct use of conditionals, time clauses, reported speech, and passive writing
- Antonyms/Synonyms
- Fill in the blanks
- Idioms/Phrases
Section 2: MAT Exam Pattern for Intelligence and Critical Reasoning
Section 2 on Intelligence & Critical Reasoning consists of two parts with Analytical and Logical Reasoning questions.
- Fact Inference Judgment
- Clocks
- Seating Arrangement
- Assumption
- Linear and matrix arrangement
- Input-Output
- Cubes
- Passage Conclusion
- Calendars
- Blood Relations (Family Tree)
- Premise
- Team Formation
- Series
- Rows
- Analogy
- Binary logic
- Logical Sequence
- Conclusion
- Direction Sense and Decision Making
- Syllogism
- Puzzles
Section 3: MAT Exam Pattern for Data Analysis and Data Sufficiency
Section 3 in the 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, andthe 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:
- Line Graph
- Pie Chart
- Bar Graph
- Data Comparison
- Caselet
- Quantitative Comparison and Data Sufficiency
Section 4: MAT Exam Pattern for Mathematical Skills
Section 4 in the 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 the Quantitative Aptitude section. In this section, questions are asked.
- Arithmetic
- Trigonometry
- Algebra
- Mensuration Modern Maths
- Geometry
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 determinethe candidate’s MAT score and percentile. So, this section is given low priority by students. The questions are asked from the following topics.
- Current Affairs
- Constitution of India
- Business & Economics
- Monetary & Fiscal Tools
- Who’s who
- Emblem & Logos
- Currency and Capitals
- Personalities
MAT 2025 Exam Pattern Vs CAT and Other MBA Entrance Exams
MAT pattern is not much different from the other national-level MBA entrance exams. However, the difficulty levels of questions in the CAT and XAT exams are much higher than those in the MAT. Below is a quick comparison of the MAT pattern with other national-level exams:
MAT Exam Pattern Vs CAT Exam
MAT pattern and the 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 the MAT pattern andthe CAT will bring home the facts:
MAT Exam Pattern Vs CAT Exam
| 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, the rest are 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 the 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 several common colleges. The MAT exam pattern and ATMA exam pattern are 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 withinthe 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 Scores | 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 |
MAT Exam Pattern 2025 PDF Download
MAT Exam Pattern 2025 PDF is a document that has a summary of the MAT Exam Pattern in PDF format. It is easy to read and refer to. Click on the MAT 2025 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, the MAT December Exam Pattern 2025 consists of 30 questions in five sections: Language Comprehension, Intelligence and Critical Reasoning, Data Analysis and Data Sufficiency, Mathematical Skills and Economic & Business Environment. The total number of questions in the MAT exam paper is 150 (all Multiple-Choice Questions), and the total duration is 2 hours (120 minutes). Check complete details of the MAT 2025 December Exam Pattern, sectional composition, marking scheme and more in the above article.
MAT Exam Pattern Frequently Asked Questions
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