MAT (Management Aptitude test) is among the reputed entrance exams for taking admission in to the colleges which offers masters in business administration (MBA). All India Management Aptitude Testing Service (AIMATS), New Delhi is the organization who conducts this examination. MAT is a national level entrance examination. Over the years the popularity of this examination has increased a lot and this exam comes second after the CAT (Common Admission test) examination. All the colleges who are affiliated to the AICTE for MBA programmes accept the MAT score. But this is not the end as other B school in India too accepts the MAT score and various top class management institute accepts the score of MAT. So, any type of Myths that this exam do not have good colleges or have bad good will in the market, are purely wrong and students should not pay attentions to it. MAT is as competitive as CAT is and over the years the reputation has increased many folds and so does the competition. In this article you will find all the necessary details which are needed for a student to know about MAT clearly.
Basically you will get lot of various courses which are being offered under the MBA flagship. So, you can choose MBA in finance etc as per your choice. But the choice totally depends whether your college for which you have applied is having that course or not. MAT is conducted four times in a year and this is the best part of this exam. Whenever you feel that this is the right time for you to study, you can take the dates of MAT exam. Mainly it is conducted in the month of February, May, September and December. Now the score which a student scores in the MAT is valid for One year. This simply means that, supposed you took exam in the month of February, then your score is valid till the February of next year. So, you have lot of flexibilities available in this exam. A complete list of colleges is there who accepts the MAT score. This list may not include many colleges because, some colleges not being listed in the list, still accepts the score of MAT.
Eligibility criteria for Management aptitude test (MAT)
An Eligibility criterion for management aptitude test is pretty simple.
- You should have a valid degree from a recognized college or university. Your degree can be in any field but at least you should have 50% marks in your graduation degree. Person found with fake document will be eliminated from the exam and may not be allowed ever to take this examination.
- Students studying in their final year of graduation can also give this exam. Students with carryovers in the last year can also give but they have to clear these carry over before taking admission through MAT exam.
Exam pattern of management aptitude test (MAT): MAT is conducted online, so it is better your take some mock test, before actually taking this examination. There are various coaching institutes available for these exams. But it is your choice whether to go for coaching or not. The best thing about coaching is that you get best experiences about how will you give paper.
Sections in the exam paper:
- Indian and global envirinmnet-40 questions
- Language comprehension-40 questions
- Data analysis and sufficiency-40 questions
- Mathematical skills-40 questions
- Intelligence and critical reasoning-40 questions
2nd section i.e. Language comprehension have the most importance weight age in terms of percentile. So, keep an eye on this.
Number of question: 200
Time duration: 150 minutes
Marking scheme: 1 mark for right answer and .25 will be deducted for wrong answer.
Syllabus: As per the guidelines given in the prospectus or site.
The questions which are being asked in MAT exam are objective type questions and their number keep on changing. You are given around 150 minutes for completing all the questions. Currently there are two options available for giving the MAT exam. Either you can choose the paper exams method, in which you will give the exam in the traditional way or you can choose the computer format, in which all the questions will be displayed on the computer screen. So it is your choice which one to choose or not. Whatever way you are more comfortable with, you give that way. But online is much better as other exams are also has same format, so you don’t have to prepare it in different way.
Note: If you mark two answers of same question, then you will not get marks for that question and that will be treated as a wrong question.
Percentile calculated by the MAT is purely based on their way of calculating it. You can’t predict how they do it. But certainly if you have put your best in any exam, then your success is sure in that. Check the recent trends of percentile and it may help you a little. But more focus on the last year trends is not good and total wastage of time in my view.
Procedure of getting forms for MAT:
Traditional way: Forms for MAT examinations are readily available in the bank branches. There are two official banks in which you will get the Prospectus or bulletin for this exam. Bank of Baroda and AXIS bank, both have the facilities for providing you with the application forms. You have to give Rs 1200 in cash to the bank for taking this application forms. You can also take forms from the centers of All India Management Association.
Advice: Our advice would be to take out a photocopy of your application form. Fill this first and then fill the original form by copying this one. It will avoid any type of mistake occurring in while filling the application form. Avoid using white markers etc for correcting but if it is given in instruction to use them, then you can go for them. Application form should be not bending or crumpled.
Online way: Simply log on to this official site apps.aima.in and register yourself. Read the instruction given on the site carefully and do the payment online by whatever means you like. Please read the instruction given on the site and fill the form correctly.
Tips from ex students
In this area we have provided some tips to you from the ex students of this college. It will definitely going to help you while preparing for this entrance exam. As we know that seats in MAT as compared to number of applicants are like an ant in front of elephant. So, you have to have little different in your approach, while preparing for this entrance exam.
“MAT does check your Language and analytical power, so practice to get an edge”-Anonyms
“MAT syllabus is pretty general but one should have a thorough knowledge of that syllabus. Especially the Math’s and language portion need to be taken care of.” –Anonyms
“A proper planning from beginning will add boost to your success in MAT. Number of hours you study does not matter, what matters is that how much your fundas are clear about this syllabus”- Anonyms