A MAT Previous Paper is a past AIMA Management Aptitude Test paper used to practice the exam pattern and real question types before the next MAT. Candidates have 120 minutes to solve 150 MCQs divided into five sections: Language Comprehension, Intelligence and Critical Reasoning, Mathematical Skills, Data Analysis and Sufficiency, and Economic and Business Environment.
AIMA does not publish every MAT question paper as a public PDF after each session. Most candidates use older MAT Previous Question Papers and sample sets. Treat them as pattern practice, not as a leaked current paper.
The Management Aptitude Test is the gateway to 600+ management institutes under AIMA. It is AIMA’s national MBA/PGDM test, held four times a year in February, May, September, and December. For the December 2026 cycle, the exam will be conducted in PBT mode on December 20, 2026, and CBT mode on December 27, 2026. Over 20,000 candidates appear for every MAT session, and the top percentiles get admission seats in India's reputed B-schools. Check mat.aima.in for the next window.
Here, you can download MAT previous year question papers and start attempting them to check your preparation level.
MAT Previous Paper: Key Features
The MAT previous paper consists of five sections. Each section of the MAT question paper has 30 questions, and there is no sectional time limit. Candidates will be awarded +1 for each correct answer and -0.25 for each wrong answer. A total of 150 questions have to be solved in a time span of 120 minutes.
Official AIMA structure (current FAQ and September 2026 candidate information):
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Section
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Questions
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Language Comprehension
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30
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Intelligence and Critical Reasoning
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30
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Mathematical Skills
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30
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Data Analysis and Sufficiency
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30
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Economic and Business Environment
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30
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Total
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150 in 120 minutes
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MAT previous papers until early 2024 had 200 questions to be solved in 150 minutes. Each section had 40 questions, and the fifth section was called Indian and Global Environment. From the May 2024 session, AIMA decreased the number of questions and duration to 150 and 120 minutes respectively, and renamed the fifth section as Economic and Business Environment. For 2026, use a MAT Previous Paper that follows five sections of 30. Do not treat a 200-question paper as the current test.
Previous Year MAT Question Papers With Solutions
MAT is essentially a speed-based test, and the questions range from easy to moderate. Given the exam's difficulty level and sections, the best way to prepare is to solve previous years' papers. Solving MAT previous year papers will help you devise the right way for effective time management and test-taking strategy.
Download the past year's papers of MAT here:
| Solved MAT Paper 1 |
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| Solved MAT Paper 2 |
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| Solved MAT Paper 3 |
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| Solved MAT Paper 4 |
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| Solved MAT Paper 5 |
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| Solved MAT Paper 6 |
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| Solved MAT Paper 7 |
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| Solved MAT Paper 8 |
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| Solved MAT Paper 9 |
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| Solved MAT Paper 10 |
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MAT Previous Paper Analysis
Public session reviews over recent cycles put overall MAT in the easy-to-moderate band. That is candidate feedback, not an AIMA difficulty grade.
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Section
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What analysis of MAT Previous Papers usually shows
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Language Comprehension
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Short RC and grammar or vocab items. Accuracy is high if you do not over-read.
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Intelligence and Critical Reasoning
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Arrangements, series, coding, and statements. Sets that look long should be skipped early.
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Mathematical Skills
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Arithmetic-heavy. Speed and formula recall matter more than rare topics.
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Data Analysis and Sufficiency
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Tables, graphs, comparisons, DS. Calculation errors create most −0.25.
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Economic and Business Environment
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Short GK or business items. Quick attempts; don't spend time you need for maths and DI.
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- A high number of attempts with many −0.25 mark penalties indicates weak selection. Cut guesses.
- A low number of attempts with high accuracy means you are slow. Change the order or skip long DI first.
- One weak section in every paper is a syllabus gap, not a luck issue. Revise that section before the next MAT Previous Paper.
After two or three analyzed papers, take a MAT mock on the current five-section pattern and compare the same sheet.
Difference Between MAT Previous Year Paper and Mock Test
A MAT Previous Paper is an old AIMA paper or a close copy of one. A
MAT mock test is a new paper written to the current pattern so you can time a fresh 150-question attempt.
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Parameter
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MAT Previous Paper
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MAT mock test
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What it is
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Past paper or reconstruction
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New paper on the live pattern
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Best use
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See real wording, topics and difficulty
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Practise a paper you have not seen
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Pattern check
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Older files may be 200 questions or use Indian and Global Environment
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Must be 5 × 30, 120 minutes, Economic and Business Environment
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Analysis
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Compare your errors with how AIMA asks
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Compare score, time and section order across mocks
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Limit
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You may remember items if you reuse the same PDF
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Difficulty varies by publisher; match it to AIMA’s official structure
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Use MAT Previous Papers first to learn the exam’s style. Use MAT mock tests next for unused questions and a clean 120-minute run. Do not treat a mock percentile as an official AIMA score.
How should I use a MAT Previous Paper for 2026?
MAT previous year papers help candidates understand the types of questions that are frequently asked in the exam. The major benefits of going through past year MAT exam question papers are listed below:
- Candidates get an idea of the types of questions asked in the examination and the topics covered.
- MAT previous year question papers also help candidates analyze their performance. They can also manage time and develop strategies to solve 150 questions in 120 minutes.
- Attempt it in one sitting with no notes and no sectional timer
- Split mistakes into concept, calculation, bad question choice, and time.
- Candidates can also analyze their weaker and stronger areas.
- Candidates can try different strategies while solving papers and finally choose the one that works best for them.
- After solving two or three papers, take a MAT mock on the current pattern.
- Revise those topics the same day.
- Finally, candidates will improve their speed and accuracy, which will help them in the actual MAT exam.
MAT Previous Year Question Paper 2026 FAQs
Q. How can I get previous years MAT entrance exam question paper?
A. AIMA does not release a full official paper after every session. Go to mat.aima.in for the current pattern and any sample questions. After you register, check the applicant dashboard for AIMA’s official mock. Older MAT Previous Year Question Paper PDFs on prep sites are past papers or reconstructions. Use a 150-question, 120-minute file for 2026. Ensure the previous question paper you solve follows the current pattern, not the older one.
Q. Where can I find the previous year MAT question papers with solutions?
A. There is no official AIMA archive of solved papers for every year. Use mat.aima.in and the dashboard mock for official structure. Use dated PDFs from a trusted prep site for practice, then match answers from that site’s key or your own +1 / −0.25 marking. Attempt the paper first, then open solutions. If the file still says Indian and Global Environment, treat that section as Economic and Business Environment.
Q. Does AIMA release official MAT Previous Year Question Papers every session?
A. No. AIMA does not publish a full official paper after every PBT or CBT. It has released sample questions and some older papers. Most MAT Previous Year Question Paper PDFs online are old public papers or reconstructions. Check mat.aima.in for anything labelled official.
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