It goes without saying that MAT (Management Aptitude Test) is one of the most popular entrance exams for admission to MBA and PGDM courses. Conducted by the All India Management Association (AIMA), it is accepted by over 600 colleges across India. Known for being relatively easier compared to other entrance exams, MAT can be less daunting to crack with a well-planned strategy. Interestingly, even if you start preparing for MAT just before 1 month of the exam date, it is possible to crack it. Hence, the most pressing question in such a scenario is “How to prepare for MAT exam in one month?”
When you have such a short period of time to prepare for MAT, your focus should be more on answering most questions accurately rather than attempting to finish the entire MAT syllabus. Hence, with essential MAT exam tips, and a MAT study plan, candidates can achieve a result that will secure their admissions to colleges of their preference.
This blog provides practical tips and strategies to help you prepare for the MAT exam effectively within a month. This piece will guide you on how to prepare for MAT exam smoothly.
Understanding the MAT Exam Pattern
To score better in the MAT exam, it is crucial to understand its pattern. You need to have a thorough understanding of the MAT exam syllabus, the types of questions, the marking scheme, and so on.
If you are acquainted with the MAT exam structure ahead of time, you can tackle the exam with greater proficiency. Furthermore, having prior knowledge of the exam could improve your confidence, allowing you to score at your peak.
Here is a tabular version of the MAT exam pattern.
| MAT (Full Form) | Management Aptitude Test | |
| Conducting Body | All India Management Association (AIMA) | |
| Medium/ Language of the exam | English or Hindi | |
| Mode |
● Paper Based Test (PBT) or ● Computer Based Test (CBT) or ● Paper Based Test and Computer Based Test (PBT+CBT) or ● Computer-Based Test 1 and Computer-Based Test 2 (CBT 1 + CBT 2) |
|
| Duration | 120 minutes | |
| Number of Questions | 30 in each section (30 x 5 = 150 questions) | |
| Exam Sections with Key Focus Areas | ● Language Comprehension | Reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary |
| ● Mathematical Skills | Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, data interpretation | |
| ● Data Analysis & Sufficiency | Data interpretation, logical reasoning | |
| ● Intelligence & Critical Reasoning | Logical thinking, decision-making, critical analysis | |
| ● Economic & Business Environment | General knowledge, current affairs | |
| Total Marks | 150 | |
| Marking Scheme |
+1 for each correct answer -0.25 for each incorrect answer 0 for not attempting a question |
|
| Score Validity | 1-Year | |
| How many times the exam is conducted? | 4 times a year – February, May, September and December | |
Create a One-Month Study Plan
MAT exam strategy before 1 month of the exam could be challenging if not done meticulously. With only 1 month left for the exam, the sole focus should be effective time management, improving accuracy, and ensuring a clear understanding of concepts rather than relying on rote learning. Hence, here is a one-month study plan outlining what to include and focus on throughout the MAT exam preparation journey.
| Weeks | Key Focus Areas | To-Do List | Tips |
| Week – 1 | Familiarizing with the syllabus and concepts. |
● Go through the MAT exam syllabus/ pattern ● Do not cram the whole syllabus ● Identify the areas that are the strongest and weakest ● Brush up your knowledge of the sections you have a good hold on ● Focus on getting a good grip on the areas that need more practice ● Revise basic concepts of Quantitative Aptitude, Logical Reasoning, and Language Comprehension |
● Dedicate 1 hour daily to analyzing previous years’ papers ● Dedicate separate time for separate sections ● Invest in the best books for MAT preparation |
| Week – 2 | Practice Application |
● Start by clarifying the concepts ● Move towards applying the knowledge to solve questions ● Solve topic-wise questions for each section ● Take short quiz sessions for a better approach |
● Allocate 2–3 hours daily for practice ● Review mistakes thoroughly |
| Week – 3 | Mock tests and identifying weak areas |
● After completing 50%-60% of the syllabus, undertake mock tests ● Take one full-length mock test every alternate day ● Conduct personal SWOT analysis to understand the areas that need more focus and practice ● Practice problem-solving under timed conditions ● Focus on increasing the writing speed and accuracy within a stipulated time |
● Focus on time management, speed, and accuracy ● Analyze each test in detail to get a good hold on weak areas and areas that can be opportunities to score more. |
| Week – 4 | Revise |
● Revise all sections systematically ● Practice weak areas more ● Review key formulas, concepts, and shortcuts |
● Prioritize high-weightage topics during revision ● Maintain a calm mind ● Be focused ● Be persistent and positive ● Avoid starting new topics |
Section-Wise Preparation Tips
One of the most important components of MAT exam preparation tips is section-wise preparation. To score well in MAT, one must understand the syllabus, divide it into smaller sections, and set aside time for each section.
Here is a tabular form of section-wise preparation tips for the MAT exam.
| Key Areas to Focus | Tips | |
| Language Comprehension |
● Reading comprehension passages ● Grammar ● Vocabulary ● Sentence Completion ● Jumble Paras ● Odd Ones Out ● One Word Substitution |
● Read newspapers, editorials, magazines, and other relevant books (like Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis) ● Practice mock tests ● Undertake quizzes online ● Use apps like Quizlet or Word of the Day to enhance vocabulary |
| Mathematical Skills |
● Percentages, ratios, and proportions ● Interests, profit, and loss ● Speed, and distance ● Work, and time ● Quadratic and linear equations ● Geometry ● Algebra ● Number systems |
● Refer to books like Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by R.S. Aggarwal ● Solve practice questions ● Learns the tricks to solve questions with speed and accuracy ● Learn mental math ● Practice mock tests every week |
| Data Analysis & Sufficiency |
● Bar graphs, line graphs, pie charts, and tabular data ● Basic statistical concepts ● Data sufficiency problems |
● Practice interpreting data ● Refer to books like How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT by Arun Sharma and Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams by R.S. Aggarwal ● Refer to practice websites like Indiabix and Testfunda ● Prepare a daily study plan: ○ Solve at least 2 data interpretation sets ○ Solve 5 data sufficiency problems ○ Review one past MAT question paper (Data Analysis & Sufficiency section) |
| Intelligence & Critical Reasoning |
● Critical Reasoning ● Sequencing ● Coding-decoding ● Blood relations, seating arrangements, and puzzles ● Assumption-Premise-Conclusion ● Identifying valid inferences ● Linear Arrangements ● Cause-effect analysis |
● Practice puzzles and riddles ● Refer to books like A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal ● Focus on logical questions ● Practice mock tests in a timed manner |
| Indian & Global Environment |
● General awareness covering current affairs and business-related topics ● Focus on topics on ○ Science ○ Business ○ Sports ○ Geography ○ History ○ Company Punch Lines |
● Read newspapers ● Refer to GK books ● Watch news channels and educational vlogs on YouTube ● Follow monthly current affairs magazines ● Attempt quizzes on GK online |
Importance of Mock Tests and Previous Year Papers
Referring to past years’ question papers helps you grasp the MAT question structure and what to expect on exam day. This is extremely critical when you just have one month to prepare. Because you cannot study the full MAT course and are extremely selective, gaining a good grasp on the test format and practicing accordingly is critical to success.
Practicing mock tests, on the other hand, can give you a true flavor of the MAT exam. In addition, doing regular timed mocks can help you improve your time management and accuracy, and you can track your progress.
Here is a list of benefits of referring to previous years’ questions and practicing mocks for the MAT exam.
| Previous Years’ Papers | Mock Tests |
| Understand the actual exam pattern | Improve time management skills |
| Offer an insight into the types of questions, difficulty level, and section weightage | Replicate the actual MAT exam |
| Help to identify recurring question patterns | Enhance the accuracy rate |
| Hint towards high-priority topics | Help to pinpoint the areas of weakness and strength |
| Boosts self-assurance | Enable tracking of preparation over time |
| Reduce any surprise elements | Reinforce self-discipline |
| Boosts problem-solving speed with an accuracy rate | Provides insights into performance |
Time Management Strategies
The MAT exam is time-bound. The total duration of the exam is 120 minutes within which you would need to answer questions across five sections. Also, there is a negative marking for negative answers. Hence, you need to manage your time in a way that you can attempt all five sections with confidence. Here are a few tips for effective time management during the MAT exam.
- Practice timed mock exams beforehand.
- Allocate 20-25 minutes per section.
- Keep 10-15 minutes on hand to review and fix errors.
- Start with areas you’re most confident in, then focus on questions you’re sure about. Leave the Indian and Global Environment portion until last, as it may not count for a composite score at some schools.
- Avoid guessing, especially in portions with negative markings.
- Leave the questions that you find tough, and return to them at the end.
- Memorize formulae and shortcuts for math skills and data interpretation.
Recommended Study Materials
Referring to the appropriate study resources is critical in the preparation of the MAT exam. You can use internet resources such as YouTube videos, instructional channels, applications, and so on. Along with this, books may be a great help when preparing for the MAT. MAT preparation books are useful tools since they provide a planned and complete approach to test preparation.
Here are a few benefits of MAT preparing books:
- Comprehensive coverage of the MAT syllabus
- Specialized study material to help prepare for the MAT exam
- Essential tools for building a solid foundation, mastering concepts, etc.
- Include important formulae and shortcut tricks to succeed in the MAT
- Help in regular MAT mock tests
- Include solved or unsolved MAT previous year papers
- Contain mock test papers
- MAT books are affordable and easily available
- The best books for MAT preparation are authored by experts
Daily Habits for Better Preparation
There is no dearth of top MBA colleges accepting MAT scores. All you need to do is focus on scoring well, which can be possible by maintaining a consistent habit of better preparation and determination. So, here is a list of daily habits that will help you to assist you prepare for the MAT exam in one month.
- Create a daily study plan of 7-8 hours.
- Follow the timetable regularly and make adjustments as required.
- Take small breaks to rest and refuel.
- Read newspapers and storybooks to expand your vocabulary and broaden your comprehension.
- Create a to-do list and review it daily to track your progress.
- Revise ideas and formulae regularly.
- Take one mock test every day and evaluate your performance.
- To retain attention, minimize distractions.
- Maintain a well-balanced diet, remain hydrated, and exercise regularly.
- Get at least 7 hours of sleep each night to maintain a calm and focused mind.
Last-Minute Tips
As the exam day approaches, it is very common to feel nervous. However, there is no need to worry. Here is a list of a few last-minute tips for the MAT exam.
- Revise Key Formulae: Pay attention to key formulas and shortcuts for Quantitative Aptitude.
- Review Your Strong Subjects: To improve your score, prioritize topics in which you are competent.
- Avoid New Subjects: Do not introduce new subjects at the last minute; this might confuse you.
- Do not Cram: Avoid doing everything at once and rote learning.
- Practice Mock Tests: Take a final mock test to improve time management and precision.
- Analyze Mistakes: Review prior test mistakes to prevent repeating them.
- Brush Up Vocabulary: Review your vocabulary notes and flashcards.
- Read GK Highlights: Quickly glance through current events and static GK notes by referring to MAT books, new papers, or YouTube videos.
- Prepare Exam Essentials: The day before the exam, organize your admission card, ID proof, and stationery.
- Stay Relaxed: To do well on exam day, sleep properly and remain calm.
FAQs
Is one month enough for MAT preparation?
Yes, one month could be adequate to prepare for the MAT exam, as long as you organize and prepare strategically. The goal is to focus on the most important sections and avoid cramming to capitalize on your strengths while fixing your mistakes.
How to improve speed and accuracy?
The best way to improve your speed and accuracy is to practice regular mock tests. Undertake at least 1 mock test every day if you have only 1 month to prepare for the MAT exam.
Which section should I attempt first?
It completely depends on you as to which section you should attempt first. However, experts often advocate starting with the section you are most competent in and gradually progressing to the ones that require more practice. This will give you more confidence and determination to stick in there.
Is the MAT exam difficult / is the MAT exam tough?
MAT is considered to be an easier exam compared to other management entrance exams. However, whether you find the exam tough or easy will be determined by how well-prepared you are.
How many times MAT exam is conducted in a year?
The MAT (Management Aptitude Test) is conducted four times a year by the All India Management Association (AIMA) typically in February, May, September, and December.
Conclusion
To summarize, you can take the MAT exam with one month of preparation, even if it seems overwhelming. What is key is to properly plan your preparation and focus on particular sections with an elevated chance of scoring. It is usually advisable to avoid cramming. Focus on your strengths, fix your shortcomings, and set aside time for frequent practice and mock tests to hone your skills. Remember to be organized, care for your physical and mental health, and avoid distractions.