MAT 2025: February Exam
The Management Aptitude Test (MAT) is conducted by the All India Management Association (AIMA) and acts as a crucial entrance exam for MBA aspirants across India. This year, over 20,000 candidates appeared for each session. The exam is conducted four times a year, commonly in February, May, September and December; in mainly two formats: Paper-Based Test (PBT), Computer-Based Test (CBT).
The following article provides a section-wise analysis of MAT February 2025. Conducted by our experts, the analysis provides a detailed review of question papers, including difficulty levels, section wise breakdowns and strategies.
MAT 2025, conducted in February so far, was focusing on proficiency in five key areas, namely, Language Comprehension, Mathematical Skills, Data Analysis & Sufficiency, Intelligence & Critical Reasoning, and Economic & Business Environment. The overall difficulty level of the exam was Easy to Moderate, challenging the candidate's expertise in Language Comprehension, Data Analysis, and Mathematical Skills.
The following table provides detailed review of MAT February 2025:
|
Section
|
No. of Ques
|
Difficulty Level
|
Time Required
|
Key Topics
|
|
Language Comprehension
|
30
|
Easy to Moderate
|
30–35 minutes
|
Reading Comprehension, Sentence Correction, Antonyms, Synonyms, Fill in the Blanks, One Word Substitution, Phrases & Idioms, Jumbled Paragraphs
|
|
Mathematical Skills
|
30
|
Moderate
|
35–40 minutes
|
Arithmetic (Interest, Percentages, Time & Work, Profit & Loss, Partnership), Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration, Ratio & Proportion, Probability, Permutation & Combination
|
|
Data Analysis & Sufficiency
|
30
|
Moderate to Difficult
|
35–40 minutes
|
Graphs, Pie Charts, Bar Diagrams, Line Graphs, Data Comparison, Data Sufficiency
|
|
Intelligence & Critical Reasoning
|
30
|
Moderate
|
30–35 minutes
|
Blood Relations, Alphanumeric Series, Letter Series, Coding-Decoding, Venn Diagrams, Comparison, Distribution
|
|
Economic & Business Environment
|
30
|
Easy
|
10–15 minutes
|
Current Affairs related to Business, Economy, Politics, Trade, Medicine, Sports, Personalities, Awards
|
Section-Wise Breakdown and Insights
Language Comprehension
Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
Good Attempt: 24-26
Expected 90+ Percentile Score: 26-28 marks
Insights: The Language Comprehension section consisted of two reading comprehension passages with 10 questions in each. The passages were a mix of fact-based and opinion-based. Grammar and vocabulary were moderately difficult.
Key Strategy: It is advisable that the candidate learns how to skim through RCs. Focus on vocabulary questions and ensure accuracy in grammar and sentence correction.
Mathematical Skills
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Good Attempt: 22-24
Expected 90+ Percentile Score: 28-30 marks
Insights: According to analysis, MAT 2025 was dominated by the arithmetic section. Around 15 questions were dedicated to Interest and Percentages based methods. The Mathematical Section was said to be time-consuming but manageable.
Key Strategy: It is advisable that the candidate has concept clarity with the know-how of shortcuts, especially in topics like percentages, profit & loss, time & work, and ratios, which are frequently tested. Keep a track of time and prioritize easier topics like arithmetic, which can be solved more quickly.
Data Analysis & Sufficiency
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Good Attempt: 20-22
Expected 90+ Percentile Score: 21-23 marks
Insights: The Data Analysis & Sufficiency section of MAT 2025 mainly focused on Data Interpretation, taking almost 50% of the section. The data sufficiency questions were moderately difficult, requiring logical reasoning.
Key Strategy: This section is famous among candidates for taking up most of the exam time, thus, it is advisable to spend not more than 35-40 minutes. Candidate’s proficiency in concept topics, bar graphs, pie charts, tables, and line graphs can improve the sectional score
Intelligence & Critical Reasoning
Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
Good Attempt: 26-27
Expected 90+ Percentile Score: 25-26 marks
Insights: Candidates reviewed the section as “well-balanced”. The section was pretty straightforward with main focus on family relations, cause-effect, series and analogies.
Key Strategy: This section mainly follows the rhythm of quickly observing patterns and then solving them. It is advisable that the candidate solves easier questions first and try not getting stuck on one question to lose time and confidence.
Indian & Global Environment
Difficulty Level: Easy
Good Attempt: 28-30
Expected 90+ Percentile Score: Excluded from composite score
Insights: The section primarily focused on static general knowledge and current events from the past few years to be completed in under 15 minutes.
Key Strategy: It is advisable to complete this section quickly and move on to other sections for more scoring opportunities.
Overall Difficulty and Expected Percentiles
- 90+ Percentile: 110–115 marks approx
- 80+ Percentile: 95–100 marks approx
- 70+ Percentile: 85–90 marks approx
Conclusion
Over the years, MAT has upheld the reputation of being a moderately challenging test. This year focused on testing the candidate's conceptual understanding with practical application. Aspirants with an aim to get into top B schools should strengthen their conceptual knowledge on quantitative aptitude, logical reasoning, and general awareness to enhance their performance in future sessions.
MAT 2025: May Exam
Conducted by the All India Management Association (AIMA), The Management Aptitude Test (MAT) is a crucial entrance exam for MBA aspirants across India. In MAT May 2025 alone, over 20,000 candidates appeared for each session. The exam is conducted four times a year, commonly in February, May, September and December; in mainly two formats: Paper-Based Test (PBT), Computer-Based Test (CBT).
The following article provides a section-wise analysis of MAT May 2025. Conducted by our experts, the analysis provides a detailed review of question papers, including difficulty levels, section wise breakdowns and strategies.
MAT 2025, conducted in February and May so far, was focusing on proficiency in five key areas, namely, Language Comprehension, Mathematical Skills, Data Analysis & Sufficiency, Intelligence & Critical Reasoning, and Economic & Business Environment. The overall difficulty level of the exam was Easy to Moderate, challenging the candidate's expertise in Language Comprehension, Data Analysis, and Mathematical Skills.
The following table provides detailed review of MAT May 2025:
|
Section
|
No. of Ques
|
Difficulty Level
|
Time Required
|
Key Topics
|
|
Language Comprehension
|
30
|
Easy to Moderate
|
30–35 minutes
|
Reading Comprehension, Sentence Correction, Antonyms, Synonyms, Fill in the Blanks, One Word Substitution, Phrases & Idioms, Jumbled Paragraphs
|
|
Mathematical Skills
|
30
|
Moderate
|
35–40 minutes
|
Arithmetic (Interest, Percentages, Time & Work, Profit & Loss, Partnership), Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration, Ratio & Proportion, Probability, Permutation & Combination
|
|
Data Analysis & Sufficiency
|
30
|
Moderate to Difficult
|
35–40 minutes
|
Graphs, Pie Charts, Bar Diagrams, Line Graphs, Data Comparison, Data Sufficiency
|
|
Intelligence & Critical Reasoning
|
30
|
Moderate
|
30–35 minutes
|
Blood Relations, Alphanumeric Series, Letter Series, Coding-Decoding, Venn Diagrams, Comparison, Distribution
|
|
Economic & Business Environment
|
30
|
Easy
|
10–15 minutes
|
Current Affairs related to Business, Economy, Politics, Trade, Medicine, Sports, Personalities, Awards
|
Section-Wise Breakdown and Insights
Language Comprehension
Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
Good Attempt: 24-26
Expected 90+ Percentile Score: 26-28 marks
Insights: The Language Comprehension section mainly had two reading comprehension passages with 10 questions in each. The passages were a mix of fact-based and opinion-based view-points. Grammar and vocabulary were moderately difficult.
Key Strategy: It is advisable that the candidate learns how to skim through RCs to save time. Focus on vocabulary questions and ensure accuracy in grammar and sentence correction.
Mathematical Skills
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Good Attempt: 22-24
Expected 90+ Percentile Score: 29-30 marks
Insights: According to analysis, MAT 2025 is dominated by the arithmetic section. Around 13-15 questions were dedicated to Interest and Percentages based concepts. The Mathematical Section was said to be time-consuming but manageable.
Key Strategy: It is advisable that the candidate has concept clarity with the know-how of shortcuts, especially in topics like percentages, profit & loss, time & work, and ratios, which are frequently tested. Keep a track of time and prioritize easier topics like arithmetic, which can be solved more quickly.
Data Analysis & Sufficiency
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Good Attempt: 20-22
Expected 90+ Percentile Score: 21-23 marks
Insights: The Data Analysis & Sufficiency section of MAT 2025 mainly focused on Data Interpretation, taking almost 50% of the section. The data sufficiency questions were moderately difficult, requiring logical reasoning.
Key Strategy: Candidate’s proficiency in concept topics, bar graphs, pie charts, tables, and line graphs can improve the sectional score. This section is famous among candidates for taking up most of the exam time, so be careful to spend not more than 35-40 minutes.
Intelligence & Critical Reasoning
Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
Good Attempt: 26-27
Expected 90+ Percentile Score: 25-26 marks
Insights: Candidates said that the section was well-balanced and straightforward with main focus on family relations, cause-effect, series and analogies.
Key Strategy: This section mainly follows the rhythm of quickly observing patterns and then solving them. It is advisable that the candidate solves easier questions first and try not getting stuck on one question to lose time and confidence.
Indian & Global Environment
Difficulty Level: Easy
Good Attempt: 27-29
Expected 90+ Percentile Score: Excluded from composite score
Insights: The section primarily focused on static general knowledge and current events from the past few years to be completed in under 15 minutes.
Key Strategy: It is advisable to complete this section quickly and move on to other sections for more scoring opportunities.
Overall Difficulty and Expected Percentiles:
- 90+ Percentile: 110–115 marks approx
- 80+ Percentile: 95–100 marks approx
- 70+ Percentile: 85–90 marks approx
Conclusion:
Over the years, MAT has upheld the reputation of being a moderately challenging test. This year focused on testing the candidate's conceptual understanding with practical application. With the sections varying a bit here and there in difficulty level, MAT May 2025 was said to be achievable. Aspirants with an aim to get into top B schools should strengthen their conceptual knowledge on logical reasoning, quantitative aptitude, and general awareness to enhance their performance in future sessions.
MAT 2025: September Exam
The MAT September 2025 session, held by the All India Management Association (AIMA), passed off with its two modes on the 21st of September, 2025 (Paper-Based Test (PBT)), and on the 28th of September, 2025 (Computer-Based Test (CBT)). Being one of the fundamentals of national-level MBA entry tests, MAT admits to more than 800 MBA and PGDM courses throughout the country, including top-tier B-schools such as Bangalore.
Held quarterly (February, May, September, and December), MAT has a structure that enables test-takers to redo it whenever needed, improving their high scores on the admissions to keep on the current cycle. This edition attracted applicants who were looking at a balanced assessment of core competencies without the high stress of the exams such as CAT, XAT, CMAT or NMAT.
What Made MAT September 2025 Stand Out
- Accessible format with moderate challenges, ideal for diverse backgrounds
- Broad acceptance by leading institutes for MBA/PGDM seats
- Focus on essential skills: Language Comprehension, Mathematical Skills, Data Analysis & Sufficiency, Intelligence & Critical Reasoning, and Indian & Global Environment
Essential Exam Snapshot (September 2025 Session)
|
Aspect
|
Overview
|
|
Exam Title
|
Management Aptitude Test (MAT)
|
|
Organizer
|
All India Management Association (AIMA)
|
|
Formats Offered
|
Paper-Based (PBT) & Computer-Based (CBT)
|
|
Key Dates
|
PBT: Sept 21, 2025; CBT: Sept 28, 2025
|
|
Annual Schedule
|
Quarterly (Feb, May, Sept, Dec)
|
|
Who Can Apply
|
Any graduate (final-year students included)
|
|
Age Criteria
|
None
|
|
Test Length
|
150 minutes (2.5 hours)
200
Multiple Choice (MCQs)
5 areas (40 questions per area)
|
|
Core Areas
|
1. Language Comprehension
2. Mathematical Skills
3. Data Analysis & Sufficiency
4. Intelligence & Critical Reasoning
5. Indian & Global Environment
|
|
Scoring Rules
|
+1 correct, –0.25 incorrect
|
|
Time Constraints
|
No limits per section
|
|
Score Duration
|
1 year
|
|
Thresholds
|
Percentile-driven; differs by school
|
|
Retake Policy
|
No cap (multiple sessions allowed)
|
|
How to Apply
|
Digital via portal
|
|
Fee Amount
|
₹2,200
|
|
Accepting Schools
|
800+ across India
|
|
Portal
|
https://mat.aima.in
|
Insights from Exam Day
- Arrive by 8:30 AM; sessions ran 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM
- Required: Two copies of admit card + valid ID (e.g., Aadhaar, Passport, Voter ID, Driving License, PAN)
- Essentials: Blue/black pen for attendance
- Banned: Electronics, calculators, smartwatches, metals
- Updates: Documents for name/caste changes mandatory if relevant
Results and Score Access
- Outcomes released in the last week of October 2025
- Download scorecard from the AIMA site using login details (valid for 12 months)
- Admit cards were available a week prior to each mode
MAT 2025 Content Outline – Key Focus Areas
|
Area
|
Core Elements
|
|
Language Comprehension
|
Passages for reading, Para-jumbles & rearrangements, Blanks to fill, Substitutions (one-word), Corrections & errors, Opposites & similars, Expressions & sayings, Word knowledge queries
|
|
Data Analysis & Sufficiency
|
Data tables & scenarios, Circular & bar visuals, Linear & combined charts, Adequacy checks, Comparisons & insights, Diagram overlaps
|
|
Mathematical Skills
|
Basics in algebra/arithmetic, Shapes & measurements, Angles in triangles, Counting systems, Shares & ratios, Common factors/multiples, Comparisons & chances, Group & outcome theories
|
|
Intelligence & Critical Reasoning
|
Kinship links & trees, Code patterns, Number layouts, Logic statements, Brain teasers & positions, Timepieces & dates, Pattern spotting & sequences
|
|
Indian & Global Environment
|
Fixed knowledge (lands, past, governance, etc.), Company & market insights, Tech & science news, National/international finance, Honors & achievements, Governance & global happenings, Recent developments & headlines
|
Post-Exam Strategy
Following the mid-speeded September session, the applicants may use their achievement to make direct MBA applications. Having as little as 2-3 months to prepare, participants with an interest in the December 2025 round have time to work on weak areas.
Visit the site to verify the score and admission advice on mat.aima.in.
Set a concrete target now: Aim for a 35–50 percentile jump from your September score (very achievable in MAT).
Complete gap analysis in the next 48 hours: Compare your September scorecard section-wise → pick your 2 weakest sections → devote 70% of study time to them only.
Take one full-length mock daily starting today: 10–12 mocks before the exam (official AIMA mocks + any reputed platform). Strictly follow exam timing: 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM.
Spend 2–3 hours on analysis after every mock: Mark three categories: Silly mistakes, Concept gaps, and Time-wasters. Maintain an error log and revise it daily.
Master intelligent guessing – especially in GK: Indian & Global Environment (40 Qs): Even 20–22 attempts with 80% accuracy = a huge edge over others. Finish any one monthly Current Affairs compilation (June–Nov 2025) + Pratiyogita Darpan/Year Book twice.
Data Analysis & Sufficiency = biggest percentile booster: Practise 50 graphs/caselets daily (pie, bar, line, mixed charts, and Venn diagrams). Learn quick approximation: 47.8% ≈ 48%, 317/642 ≈ 1/2, etc.
Mathematical Skills – focus only on high-weightage topics: Arithmetic (18–22 Qs): Profit-Loss, TSD, Time-Work, Ratios, Percentages, Averages, Mixtures. Commercial maths: SI-CI, Partnerships. Geometry basics + Mensuration formulas (5–6 Qs max). Ignore advanced Permutation-Combination or Coordinate Geometry.
Language Comprehension – aim for 30+ attempts: Read 2–3 editorials daily (The Hindu/Indian Express) for RC speed. Revise 500 of the most frequent MAT words, idioms, and one-word substitutions.
Intelligence & Critical Reasoning – accuracy first: Solve 10 sets daily of: Family Tree, Coding-Decoding, Arrangements, Syllogisms, and Series. This section is usually the easiest – target 32–35 attempts.
Develop a 150-minute strategy: Suggested order & time allocation: → Language (25 min) → Reasoning (30 min) → Maths (40 min) → Data Analysis (35 min) → GK (15–20 min) Adjust according to your strengths.
Last 7 days = revision + light mocks only: No new topics after 30 November. Revise the error log, formulas, GK notes, and vocabulary list daily.
Sleep cycle correction from 25 November: Go to sleep by 10–11 PM and wake up by 6–7 AM to be fully alert for the 10 AM slot.
Exam day essentials checklist: Two printed admit cards + original photo ID + blue/black ballpoint pen + water bottle (transparent).
Backup plan ready: If the December score is still below target, February 2026 registration opens in December itself – you lose nothing.
Mindset tip: Remember, MAT rewards consistency, not brilliance. Even 75–80% accuracy with 160–170 attempts can fetch the 95th+ percentile.
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