Smart Decisions = Better Results @MAT

The Management Aptitude Test (MAT) is a standardised test that has been used since 1988 by Business Schools as part of their qualification process. Originally administered in the conventional paper-and pen format, the MAT today can also be taken on a computer. The test is used by over 600 management institutes and hence is one of the largest tests of its kind.

The test generally comprises 200 questions with a time limit of 150 minutes. 

Tips for Candidates

Practice and Improve your Speed

• MAT exam questions are relatively straightforward and simple but given the time pressure, you have to solve questions quickly. Solve at least 25 Maths questions daily in not more than 30 minutes. Your fundamentals should be clear, so revise questions from your Class XIII textbooks.

• Work on your vocabulary and English.

• Do mental Mathematics

• Also make sure you know your multiplication tables, reciprocals, square and cube roots, fractions to percentage conversions etc-these may save you valuable time during the exam.

Spot and avoid the ‘Speed Breakers’ and leave what you don’t know

Time pressure in MAT is an understatement with 200 questions to solve in just 150 minutes. Every MAT exam has certain questions which can be termed as ‘speed breakers’, meaning they take too much time and hence break your speed or momentum.

• The issue with attempting such questions is that although you get marks for one correct answer, the amount of time you spend, you could probably answer 2-3 other questions and scored more marks.

• Watch out for these in the Data Interpretation section particularly-some questions may have long and tedious calculations with very close answer choices. Sometimes the answer choices may differ only in the decimal numbers meaning that you actually have to perform long multiplications or divisions! It is best to avoid such questions.

• Similarly in the Verbal Ability or General Knowledge sections, leave those questions whose answer you do not know and cannot infer. Avoid wild guessing.

Use Approximations

An analysis of the MAT tests of previous years shows that the test taker doesn’t need to actually make calculations every time. Remember that the MAT exam tests your ability to make a crucial choice- when to actually calculate an exact number and when to approximate.

• If an approximation works, use it. It will save you a lot of time and effort.

• Similarly in some Quant questions, instead of actually writing an equation and then solving it, you can actually plug the answer choices in the equation and see which one works. This may also save you time. 

Take Mock Tests

Take a few mock tests and see how you do. In particular, make sure you spend some time analysing your mock test results. Which section do you struggle with? Is it Verbal Ability or GK, Quant or Data Interpretation? You must know your areas of strength and weakness before the exam

Sidharth Balakrishna is an alumnus of IIM Calcutta and has been employed with the world’s top Marketing, Management Consultancy and energy firms in the past. He has authored books and articles for various reputed publications. He is a faculty in several management institutes. He can be contacted at bsiddharth_2001@yahoo.co.in