MAT 2021 Analysis

MAT is a national-level entrance exam conducted by AIMA (All India Management Association) for admission to 600+ B-schools of India. It is held four times a year, in the months of February, May, September, and December. More than 20,000 candidates appear for each session of MAT. The exam is administered in three modes: PBT (paper-based test), CBT (computer-based test), and remote-proctored IBT (internet-based test). Candidates can also opt for a double mode.

The recent session was held in Nov-Dec. 2021, and its result was declared on 27 December, 2021. Post the exam, the aspirants are eager to assess their performance. So, our experts have come up with a detailed analysis of MAT 2021 (Nov-Dec session).

MAT has a moderate level of difficulty and is easier than other popular MBA tests like CAT, XAT, etc. Likewise, MAT Nov-Dec. 2021 paper maintained a medium degree of difficulty and same exam pattern in all three modes. It is an objective test consisting of five sections designed to check the general aptitude of the candidates. Listed below are the key features of MAT 2021:

Glimpse through the complete break-up of MAT 2021 exam pattern:

*Not included in the final score and percentile calculation.

MAT 2021 paper was a mix of easy and moderately tough questions. Except a few tricky questions, most of the paper was manageable in the given time limits. Given below is the detailed section-wise analysis of different sections of MAT (Nov-Dec) 2021 paper:

Language Comprehension section is one of the most scoring parts of MAT as it is relatively easier and less time-consuming than other sections. The latest exam featured 2 RC passages of 300-400 words each. Each passage had 5 questions, which included mostly direct questions and a few complex ones. Remaining 30 questions were asked from grammar/ vocabulary-based topics such as one-word substitution, sentence correction, antonyms, synonyms, idioms/phrases, para-jumbles, and FIB.

Mathematical section is on a slightly tougher side in MAT. In Nov/Dec MAT paper, there were almost 18-20 questions from the fundamental topics of Arithmetic. The remaining questions were from Algebra, Geometry, and Modern Maths (P & C, Probability, etc.). While a few questions required heavy calculations, most were direct and could be tackled with simple shortcuts and formulae.

This section includes questions on DI sets, data comparison, data sufficiency, and other forms of data analysis. In the recent MAT 2021 paper, there were 4-5 DI sets based on graphs, pie charts, bar diagrams, etc. Each set had 5 each questions and the remaining questions were from data comparison, case study, and data sufficiency. Most of the sets in this section were straightforward and a few were lengthy.

Reasoning section tests the candidate’s critical thinking, analytical and logical abilities. In the latest MAT exam, this section was dominated by logical reasoning topics, which involved sets as well as standalone questions. There were 25 non-verbal (logical) reasoning questions in the exam and the remaining part covered verbal reasoning topics like assertion-reason, cause-effect and statement-assumptions. LR sets were based on blood relations and games.

This section checks the general awareness of the candidates. In this part of MAT 2021, majority of the questions were from current national and international happenings such as new appointments, government policies, trade deals, etc. There were also a few static GK questions as well. This section can be easily completed in 10-15 minutes.

As per their MAT scores, candidates get calls from the suitable B-schools they have applied for. Accordingly, they are required to attend the next screening rounds like GD, WAT, PI, etc. The final admission is granted on the basis of MAT scores, profile, work experience, and performance in the selection rounds.

MAT 2021: Overall Analysis

• Total number of questions: 200
• Total time duration: 150 minutes
• No sectional time limit
• 4 choices given for each question
• 1 mark granted for every correct answer
• 0.25 marks deducted for each incorrect answer
• Overall Scaled Score Range: 200-800
• Scaled score per section: 0-100

MAT 2021: Exam Structure

MAT 2021: Sectional Analysis

Depending upon their MAT scores, candidates receive calls from the suitable B-schools they have applied for. Thereafter, they are required to attend the subsequent rounds like GD, WAT, PI, etc. The final admission is granted on the basis of MAT scores, profile, work experience, and performance in the selection rounds.

MAT PBT Analysis (Feb-March 2021)

MAT 2021 PBT Exam Highlights

MAT 2021 PBT Analysis: Question Paper Break Up

MAT 2021 PBT Analysis: Section-wise

The section had a different mix of reasoning questions from different topics including letter series, blood relations,arithmetic questions, coding-decoding (letter based), comparison, Venn diagram, etc. Candidates can easily attempt the section within 30-40 minutes. However, the level of difficulty was of moderate difficulty.

Management Aptitude Test (MAT 2021) is a national level test conducted by All India Management Association (AIMA) to test candidates for admission to MBA and allied programs offered by the various B-schools of the country who will participate in the MAT 2021. It is conducted 4 times in a year i.e. in the month of May, September, December and February. Candidates can choose to take either Paper Based Test or Computer Based Test as per their convenience. Due to COVID, Internet-based test (IBT) was introduced to comply with the guidelines.

For 2021, MAT CBT 2021 was conducted on February 20, 2021. There was no change in the exam pattern and the exam was said to be of easy to moderate level of difficulty. The exam had 200 questions, which were to be completed within 150 minutes. Below mentioned is the in-depth exam analysis of MAT 2021 conducted in CBT mode curated by subject-matter experts at Hitbullseye.

The purpose of this in-depth exam analysis is to help the test takers in analyzing their performance as well as assisting the future aspirants in getting familiar with the types of questions, level of difficulty, marking scheme, sectional weightage and exam duration.

Check the table below for section-wise question break up-

The section was of difficult to moderate level of difficulty. Two reading comprehension passages comprising of 10 questions were asked in the exam. Other questions in this section were based on topics like fill in the blanks, synonyms, antonyms, idioms/phrases sentence correction, Para jumbles and one word substitution. Test-takers found the section to be easy as compared to other sections.

The section had a mixture of reasoning questions of different from different topics including letter series, arithmetic questions, blood relations, coding-decoding (letter based), comparison, Venn diagram, etc. The section was of easy to moderate level of difficulty and could be easily attempted within 30-40 minutes.

This section was of moderate level of difficulty as compared to previous year papers. It was more dominated by arithmetic questions. Other topics that were asked in the section were modern math, algebra and geometry. However, the questions were not much tricky and were straightforward. Candidates can easily attempt the section within the given time.

The section is on the same lines with the previous year exam papers and questions were asked from the topics like graphs, tables and charts that dominated the section. Questions from Data Sufficiency required the application of mensuration and arithmetic formulas. Overall the exam was termed to be of easy to moderate level of difficulty.