MAT is an acronym for Management Aptitude Test. This examination is a national level entrance exam for admission into various management courses in some of the best MBA colleges in India. The exam is conducted for four times a year and it is usually held in February, May, September, and December.
The MAT exam is always conducted by the AIMA (All India Management Association), which is also known to organize a number of activities related to management.
Eligibility for MAT
The minimum educational qualification for a candidate to take the MAT exam is graduation. The candidate can be a graduate in any discipline as long as the degree is from a recognised university. The exam can also be taken by undergraduate students, who are appearing for their final exam. There is also a requirement of a minimum percentage for the exam, but it differs for different colleges.
How to Apply for MAT
Candidates can apply for the exam online by visiting the official AIMA website. Online registrations for MAT 2017 started in the first week of July and are open until 25 August 2017.
Once the application form is filled online, candidates also need to make a payment for the application fees, which is INR 1,400/-. This fee can be paid either online or through a demand draft drawn on specific banks.
The Pattern of Examination
The exam is conducted in both online and offline modes. Though there is no change in the pattern of the examination, it is important for candidates to know the pattern, as will help them prepare not just for the topics, but also for the kind of questions they can expect in the paper.
Like many other entrance exams, MAT too is an objective type test, which has multiple choice questions. The duration of the exam is 2.5 hours. The test is well-designed and it helps to assess the candidates’ general aptitude. The various sections in the exam are as follows:
- Language Comprehension for 40 Marks
- Mathematical Skills for 40 Marks
- Data Analysis and Sufficiency for 40 Marks
- Intelligence and Critical Reasoning for 40 Marks
- Indian and Global Environment for 40 Marks
The exam conducted is for 200 marks, but you need to answer each question carefully, as 0.25 mark gets deducted for every wrong answer. Once the results are declared, successful candidates are called for a counseling session or an interview and the schedule for this will also be announced. It is important to note that the procedure of counseling varies from institute to institute and the same also applies to the cut-off marks.
Important MAT-Related Dates to Remember
As per the timelines are given by AIMA, the 2017 MAT will be conducted in both online and offline modes on 3 and 9 September 2017. Once the process of registration gets completed, eligible candidates are provided with the admit cards.
The candidates, who wish to appear for the exam in the month of September, should remember the following dates:
- Start of the Registration Process – 3 July 2017
- Last Date to Apply (Offline) – 23 August 2017
- Last Date to Apply (Online) – 25 August 2017
- Issuance of Admit Cards – After 26 August 2017
- Paper-based Exam – 3 September 2017
- Online Examination – 9 September 2017
- Declaration of Result – End of September 2017
Now that you are aware of the exam pattern and the important dates related to MAT exam, it is time you go ahead and complete your registration if you haven’t completed it yet. Check the official website today and start the application process without any further delay.