MAT Exam 2023 Analysis

The exam analysis provides a comprehensive overview of the question paper, including a breakdown of difficulty levels for each section, distribution of questions by topic, and section-wise analysis. Here, you'll find a concise summary of the MAT 2023 examination.
The MAT exam is conducted multiple times throughout the year through Paper-Based Tests (PBT), Computer-Based Tests (CBT), and Internet-Based Tests (IBT) with remote proctoring (IBT). The May exam period has concluded, and the upcoming MAT 2023 sessions are scheduled for September. Compared to other MBA entrance exams, MAT is known for its moderate difficulty level, making it more manageable to pass.
Be assured that our detailed analysis will equip you with invaluable insights regarding the MAT 2023 (May) exam. The following pointers shall be covered-
  • Difficulty level of questions asked in each section
  • Overall and section-wise difficulty level analysis
  • Time management strategy
NMIMS-NMAT
MAT Analysis 2023 (May): Difficulty Level
The MAT exam presented a moderately challenging level of difficulty. It followed a familiar format consisting of 200 multiple-choice questions, meticulously divided into 5 sections. While test-takers generally found the exam to be fairly manageable, certain sections, like Verbal and Data analysis, posed some complexities that required extra focus and attention to detail. Nonetheless, with thorough preparation and a strategic approach, success in the MAT exam is definitely attainable. The MAT exam, known for its familiar format, consisted of 200 multiple-choice questions neatly divided into 5 sections. While test-takers generally perceived the exam to be easy to moderately challenging, certain sections, particularly Verbal and Data analysis, presented intriguing complexities that required careful navigation.
MAT 2023 Exam Pattern
Presented below is the exam pattern for the MAT exam.
Section
Number of questions
Suggested time to solve
Language comprehension
40
30
Mathematical skills
40
40
Data Analysis and Sufficiency
40
35
Intelligence and Critical Reasoning
40
30
Indian and Global Environment
40
15
Total
200
150
Section-Wise MAT Exam Analysis 2023 (May)
There are 5 sections in the MAT exam. The analysis of each of these sections has been mentioned below in detail-
Language comprehension
There were 40 questions in the section. Major topics and number of questions are:
Topic
Number of Questions
Difficulty level
Reading Comprehension
20
Moderate
Number of RC Passages
  5
Easy to Moderate
English Language
20
Moderate
Errors in Sentence formation
  3-4
Moderate
Antonyms
  2-3
Moderate to difficult
Synonyms
  2-3
Moderate
Fill in the Blanks with the correct vocabulary words
  2-3
Moderate
One word substitution
  2-3
Moderate
Phrases & Idioms Substitution by words
  3-4
Moderate to Difficult
Jumbled Paragraphs
  3-4
Moderate
With the exception of a few challenging questions, the section had a moderate difficulty level and allowed ample time for answering. It is worth noting that achieving a score of 26-27 marks in the Language Comprehension section can lead to a percentile of 90.
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Mathematical Skill
Topic
Number of Questions
Difficulty Level
Arithmetic
15
Moderate
Equations
8
Moderate
Ratio, Proportion & Variation
6
Moderate
Geometry & Mensuration
5
Moderate
Permutation and Combinations
4
Easy to Moderate
Probability
2
Easy
The Arithmetic-based questions carried higher weightage.
The Arithmetic questions covered topics like Interest, Percentages, Time and Work, Profit, Loss, and Partnership. Although a little time-consuming, they were of moderate difficulty.
Questions from other topics included Equations, Ratio, Proportion and variation, Geometry and mensuration, Permutation and Combinations, and Probability.
Overall, the questions were of moderate difficulty level.
Data Analysis and Sufficiency
Topic
Difficulty level
  Data Sufficiency
Moderate
  Graphs
Easy to Moderate
 Pie charts
Moderate
 Bar diagrams
Moderate
 Data comparison
Moderate to difficult
Intelligence and Critical Reasoning
Topic
Difficulty Level
Family Relation
Easy
Statements Cause & Effect
Easy to Moderate
Statement Assumptions
Easy
Reasons
Easy
Analogies
Moderate
Direction
Easy
Series
Easy
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Indian and Global environment
  • The suggested time limit by AIMA to answer the 40 questions in this section was 15 minutes but 10 minutes were enough to attempt this section
  • Questions were formed on G-20 Meet, Central Vista, SCO Meet, COVID-19& its Global implications, JIO-Facebook deal, Awards, Government policies, rules, regulations, Budget, GST, CAA, Constitution of India, Appointments, Capitals, Current National and International Events, US Trade Policy.
  • No rethinking or recalling was required for what you do not know or are confused about it.
  • The ideal time to attempt one question was less than 30 seconds
  • This section is not counted for percentile calculation in the MAT exam
  • Many Candidates skipped or answered very few questions in this section to save time for other sections
Time Management in MAT Exam: Insights from Top Scorers
The MAT Test toppers suggest the following tips to manage time in the exam:
  1. Skip or Scantly Attempt GK Section
    A unique way to manage time with an aim to attempt more questions was found by the test takers. Since the GK section in the MAT exam is not counted for score calculation, many candidates skipped or attempted very few questions in the Indian and Global Environment sections and utilized this time to attempt the questions in other sections. The strategy helped them to maximize the attempts in all 4 core sections. 
  2. Don’t Devote More than 30-35 Seconds
    Most of the MAT test takers revealed that they maximized the attempts by not wasting time in case they found even a slightly difficult question in their initial attempts. Besides, none of them devoted more than 30 seconds to one question as during this time they could know whether the question was doable or difficult.
  3. Skip the Question to Avoid a Negative Marking
    Apart from maximising the attempts, these candidates ensured that they should attempt only the questions that they could solve accurately. The strategy boosted their confidence level further and they expect higher scores due to no or very little loss on negative marking. 
  4. Maximize attempts Keeping in Mind the Cutoffs
    The MAT 2023 test takers who maximize the attempts in the exam also keep in mind the negative marking. Giving time to each of the sections and not getting down by any one section remains an important factor in helping the candidates to get high scores.
SDMIMD
The following table consists of the broad MAT guideline to achieve a cut-off above the 90 percentile, ideal attempts according to the difficulty level of questions in each section and suggested time limit to solve each of the 5 sections to score high in MAT 2023:
Section
No of Qs
Ideal time (in minutes)
Ideal attempts
The score required to get 90+ percentile
Language Comprehension
40
30
 28
27-28
Intelligence and Critical Reasoning
40
35
 27
26-28
Data Analysis and Sufficiency
40
38
 24
22-24
Mathematical Skills
40
37
 30
30-32
Indian and Global Environment
40
10
 15
Separate sectional marks, not counted for percentile calculation
Total
200
150
124
105-112
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