Exams
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a prestigious national entrance exam conducted annually by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) for admission into their MBA programs. Held on the last Sunday of November, the exam is administered in three time slots across more than 170 cities. There are 21 IIMs in total, comprising 7 established IIMs and 14 newer or "baby" IIMs. While the older IIMs use the CAT application form as both an exam and admission application, the newer and baby IIMs follow the Common Admission Process (CAP) to shortlist candidates for admission.
Overview
The Management Aptitude Test (MAT) is a popular entrance exam conducted in India for admission into various management programs offered by business schools. It is a standardized test that assesses a candidate's aptitude in areas such as language comprehension, mathematical skills, data interpretation, and logical reasoning. The MAT exam is accepted by over 600 business schools across India.
Here are some key details about the MAT exam:
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Conducting Body: The MAT exam is conducted by the All India Management Association (AIMA), which is a premier apex body of professional management in India.
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Test Format: The MAT exam is offered in both online (Computer-Based Test) and offline (Paper-Based Test) modes. Candidates can choose their preferred mode while registering for the exam. The test consists of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and is divided into sections, including Language Comprehension, Mathematical Skills, Data Analysis and Sufficiency, Intelligence and Critical Reasoning, and Indian and Global Environment.
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Test Duration: The MAT exam has a total duration of 2 hours and 30 minutes (150 minutes). Each section typically consists of 40 questions, making a total of 200 questions in the exam.
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Scoring: The scoring pattern for the MAT exam is as follows: Each correct answer carries one mark, and for each incorrect answer, 0.25 marks are deducted. Unanswered questions do not attract any negative marking.
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Test Dates: The MAT exam is conducted multiple times a year, usually in February, May, September, and December. Candidates can choose the exam date that suits them best.
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Eligibility: To appear for the MAT exam, candidates must have a bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized university. There is no minimum percentage requirement for appearing in the exam, and final year undergraduate students can also apply.
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Preparation: As the MAT exam covers various sections, candidates are advised to have a comprehensive study plan. They can refer to study materials, solve sample papers, and practice mock tests to familiarize themselves with the exam pattern and enhance their time management skills.
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Other Considerations: In addition to the MAT exam, some management institutes may also consider other parameters such as group discussions (GD), personal interviews (PI), and written ability tests (WAT) for their selection process.
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MAT Score Validity: The MAT exam score is valid for one year, which means candidates can utilize their scores to seek admission in the corresponding academic year.
The MAT exam provides aspiring management students with a platform to showcase their aptitude and gain admission into esteemed management programs across India. It serves as an important step towards a successful career in the field of management.