The Management Aptitude Test (MAT) is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the All India Management Association (AIMA). It is used by over 600 B-schools in India for MBA/PGDM admissions. MAT is conducted four times a year February, May, September and December in various formats: Paper-Based Test (PBT), Computer-Based Test (CBT). Over 20,000 candidates appear for each session, making MAT a widely recognized MBA entrance exam.
This article provides a session-wise analysis of MAT 2024 based on the four sessions held during the year. Our experts have conducted a detailed review of the question papers, including difficulty levels, section-wise breakdowns and strategies for success.
MAT 2024: February Exam
Overall Difficulty: Moderate
The February 2024 MAT exam had a balanced difficulty level. Language Comprehension and Mathematical Skills were moderate, while Data Analysis & Sufficiency and Reasoning demanded better time management. Indian & Global Environment was the easiest section, requiring less time to complete.
MAT February 2024: Exam Structure
|
Section
|
Number of Questions
|
Suggested Time (Minutes)
|
Difficulty Level
|
|
Language Comprehension
|
40
|
30
|
Moderate
|
|
Mathematical Skills
|
40
|
40
|
Moderate
|
|
Data Analysis & Sufficiency
|
40
|
35
|
Moderate
|
|
Intelligence & Critical Reasoning
|
40
|
30
|
Moderate
|
|
Indian & Global Environment
|
40
|
15
|
Easy
|
|
Total
|
200
|
150
|
Moderate
|
Section-Wise Breakdown
- Language Comprehension
The Language Comprehension section was manageable, consisting of RC passages, grammar and vocabulary questions. The passages were a mix of fact-based and opinion-based. Grammar and vocabulary were moderately difficult, while para jumbles were manageable.
Good Attempts: 28–32
Key Strategy: Focus on RCs and vocabulary questions and ensure accuracy in grammar and sentence correction.
- Mathematical Skills
Arithmetic dominated this section, followed by algebra and geometry. The level of difficulty was moderate, with some time-consuming questions on percentages, time & work and profit & loss.
Good Attempts: 22–26
Key Strategy: Complete arithmetic questions quickly and leave more complex algebra and geometry questions for later.
- Data Analysis & Sufficiency
This section focused on bar graphs, pie charts and tables. The data sufficiency questions were moderately difficult, requiring logical reasoning.
Good Attempts: 20–24
Key Strategy: Focus on data interpretation first and tackle data sufficiency if time allows.
- Intelligence & Critical Reasoning
The section included a variety of questions on family relations, cause-effect, series and analogies. While not overly complex, these questions required careful time management.
Good Attempts: 22–26
Key Strategy: Focus on logical reasoning and analytical puzzles and skip difficult questions to save time.
- Indian & Global Environment
The GK section focused on static GK and current affairs, particularly in business, sports and politics. This section was the easiest, requiring minimal time.
Good Attempts: 18–24
Key Strategy: Complete this section quickly and move on to other sections for more scoring opportunities.
MAT 2024: May Exam
Overall Difficulty: Moderate (slightly easier than February)
The May 2024 MAT exam had a slightly easier difficulty, particularly in Language Comprehension and Mathematical Skills. Data Analysis was less calculation-heavy and Reasoning required a more logical approach. Indian & Global Environment remained easy, with an emphasis on recent events.
MAT May 2024: Exam Structure
|
Section
|
Number of Questions
|
Suggested Time (Minutes)
|
Difficulty Level
|
|
Language Comprehension
|
40
|
30
|
Easy–Moderate
|
|
Mathematical Skills
|
40
|
40
|
Moderate
|
|
Data Analysis & Sufficiency
|
40
|
35
|
Easy–Moderate
|
|
Intelligence & Critical Reasoning
|
40
|
30
|
Moderate
|
|
Indian & Global Environment
|
40
|
15
|
Easy
|
|
Total
|
200
|
150
|
Moderate
|
Section-Wise Breakdown
- Language Comprehension
The RCs were shorter and more direct, making it easier to complete in less time. The vocabulary and grammar questions remained moderate, with synonyms and antonyms being less challenging than in previous sessions.
Good Attempts: 30–34
Key Strategy: Complete RCs quickly, then focus on vocabulary and sentence correction.
- Mathematical Skills
Arithmetic continued to dominate, but modern math topics like probability and permutations were more prevalent. The overall difficulty was moderate and candidates found the section more manageable than in February.
Good Attempts: 24–28
Key Strategy: Start with arithmetic for speed and approach modern math questions after completing easier ones.
- Data Analysis & Sufficiency
Line graphs and mixed DI questions were featured. The data sufficiency questions were easier and candidates found them less challenging than in the February exam.
Good Attempts: 22–26
Key Strategy: Prioritize data interpretation first and solve data sufficiency at the end.
- Intelligence & Critical Reasoning
The section included statement-assumption and cause-effect questions, which were straightforward.
Good Attempts: 24–28
Key Strategy: Focus on logical reasoning and avoid spending too much time on tricky puzzles.
- Indian & Global Environment
Focus on current affairs from January–April 2024, with limited static GK. This section was easy to complete.
Good Attempts: 20–26
Key Strategy: Answer quickly, as the section is easier compared to other sections.
MAT 2024: September Exam
Overall Difficulty: Moderate to Slightly Difficult
The September 2024 MAT exam was slightly more challenging, especially in the Reasoning and Data Analysis sections. Mathematical Skills also contained longer problems, but Language Comprehension remained consistent with previous sessions.
MAT September 2024: Exam Structure
|
Section
|
Number of Questions
|
Suggested Time (Minutes)
|
Difficulty Level
|
|
Language Comprehension
|
40
|
30
|
Moderate
|
|
Mathematical Skills
|
40
|
40
|
Moderate–Difficult
|
|
Data Analysis & Sufficiency
|
40
|
35
|
Moderate–Difficult
|
|
Intelligence & Critical Reasoning
|
40
|
30
|
Moderate–Difficult
|
|
Indian & Global Environment
|
40
|
15
|
Moderate
|
|
Total
|
200
|
150
|
Moderate
|
Section-Wise Breakdown
- Language Comprehension
Inference-based RCs made the section more challenging, as candidates had to read and analyze passages more carefully. Vocabulary and grammar questions were moderate.
Good Attempts: 26–30
Key Strategy: Spend more time on RCs and focus on vocabulary and grammar to gain quick points.
- Mathematical Skills
Arithmetic and algebra were still the primary focus, but the inclusion of more time-consuming problems required candidates to be quicker in decision-making.
Good Attempts: 20–24
Key Strategy: Focus on arithmetic and tackle geometry only if comfortable with the questions.
- Data Analysis & Sufficiency
The section was more calculation-heavy, especially with pie charts and caselets. Data sufficiency questions also required more logical reasoning.
Good Attempts: 18–22
Key Strategy: Prioritize data interpretation and eliminate difficult questions quickly.
- Intelligence & Critical Reasoning
More analytical reasoning and logical puzzles increased the difficulty, but these could be managed with practice and careful time allocation.
Good Attempts: 20–24
Key Strategy: Skip tough puzzles and focus on logical reasoning questions for quicker results.
- Indian & Global Environment
The section was balanced between static GK and current affairs, especially in international relations.
Good Attempts: 18–22
Key Strategy: Answer swiftly, as this section requires little time.
MAT 2024: December Exam
Overall Difficulty: Moderate
The December 2024 MAT exam was well-balanced, with sections like Language Comprehension and Indian & Global Environment remaining easier. However, Mathematical Skills and Reasoning contained a few tricky questions.
MAT December 2024: Exam Structure
|
Section
|
Number of Questions
|
Suggested Time (Minutes)
|
Difficulty Level
|
|
Language Comprehension
|
40
|
30
|
Moderate
|
|
Mathematical Skills
|
40
|
40
|
Moderate
|
|
Data Analysis & Sufficiency
|
40
|
35
|
Moderate
|
|
Intelligence & Critical Reasoning
|
40
|
30
|
Moderate
|
|
Indian & Global Environment
|
40
|
15
|
Easy–Moderate
|
|
Total
|
200
|
150
|
Moderate
|
Section-Wise Breakdown
- Language Comprehension
The RCs were direct with easy-to-understand vocabulary and grammar questions.
Good Attempts: 28–32
Key Strategy: Focus on RCs and spend less time on grammar and sentence correction.
- Mathematical Skills
Arithmetic and geometry were balanced, with a few tricky modern math questions.
Good Attempts: 22–26
Key Strategy: Start with arithmetic, then approach geometry questions carefully.
- Data Analysis & Sufficiency
The section remained standard, with moderate DI sets and data sufficiency questions.
Good Attempts: 20–24
Key Strategy: Complete DI first and save data sufficiency for the end.
- Intelligence & Critical Reasoning
Series, coding-decoding and cause-effect were moderate, requiring careful time management.
Good Attempts: 22–26
Key Strategy: Skip difficult questions quickly and focus on logical reasoning.
- Indian & Global Environment
Focus on current events from August–November 2024 and business or sports news.
Good Attempts: 20–26
Key Strategy: Complete quickly as this section is easy.
Conclusion
Each session of MAT 2024 presented a well-balanced exam format. The difficulty across sessions varied slightly, but the core strategy remained the same prioritize Language Comprehension and Indian & Global Environment for maximum scoring, while managing Mathematical Skills and Reasoning carefully for efficient time management.
