Management Aptitude Test, commonly known as MAT, is a national-level management entrance exam, conducted by AIMA. The objective of this exam is to evaluate a candidate’s ability and aptitude required to take admission in MBA, PGDM and allied management courses in the top Business Schools of the country.
A proper plan and strategy is a must to crack any competitive exam and it becomes even more crucial when it comes to exams like MAT. The first confusion that comes to almost every student’s mind is which book to refer that will cover the maximum topics and will help them in preparing for the exam.
We believe once you have a clear idea about
MAT syllabus, important topics and ideal books you can easily clear MAT cut off.
So first, let’s discuss the MAT Syllabus.
MAT Syllabus
The key to score well in MAT exam is to be thorough with the complete syllabus. It gives an idea about all the important questions that must be studied diligently to get an excellent MAT Result. There are five sections in the MAT question paper, having total 200 questions. Each section has 40 MCQ questions, where
one mark is awarded for correct answer and
¼ marks is deducted from every incorrect one.
Let us see the detailed syllabus for every section.
SECTION 1: Quantitative Ability
Quantitative ability as the name itself suggests refers to testing the Mathematical abilities and candidate’s oral calculation skills. Students often find this section a bit difficult as compared to other sections. The topics are generally from the basic Mathematics as covered until Grade 12 by a candidate. The percentage of question asked from Grade 11
th & 12
th Mathematics is generally limited, owing to the fact that not many students study Mathematics in these classes.
Given below are all the important topics in
MAT Syllabus for Mathematical Skills:
| MAT Syllabus for Quantitative Ability |
| Geometry |
Averages |
| Ratios and Proportion |
Percentages |
| In-equations Quadratic and linear equations |
Algebra |
| Profit & Loss |
(Lines, angles, Triangles, Spheres, Rectangles, Cube, Cone etc.) |
| Partnership (Accounts) |
Time-Speed-Distance |
| Work and time |
Number system |
| HCF & LCM |
Mode |
| Arithmetic progression |
Arithmetic mean |
| Mensuration |
Harmonic mean |
| Median |
Geometric Progression |
| Number Base System |
BODMAS |
| Geometric Mean |
Allegation & Mixtures |
| Work |
Pipes and Cisterns |
| Simple Interest & Compound Interest |
Set Theory |
| Venn diagram |
Installment Payments |
| Co-ordinate geometry |
Binomial Expansion |
| Permutations Combinations |
Trigonometry |
| Vectors |
Probability |
| Clocks |
Logarithm |
| Calendar |
Maxima & Minima Progression |
| Surds & Indices |
Complex numbers |
Now, in order to ace this section, it is very important that you have practiced enough questions, which will not only increase your familiarity with the type of questions that can be asked but will also increase your speed. As per the last MAT exam’s question paper analysis, this was the most difficult section, and questions were very time-consuming. So students are required to focus on mastering their strong topics, and learning all the concepts and basics of the topics they find difficult.
Some of the great books they can refer to this particular section are,
- Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT, by Sarvesh Sharma
- Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT, by Nishit Sinha Trishna
- A Complete Manual for the CAT, published by Knowledge System
SECTION 2: Data Interpretation and Sufficiency
Data interpretation simply means making sense of the presented data set. It judges a candidate on the basis of his/her critical thinking. It is about deciphering and inferring the information as provided by charts, graphs and other data sets. Reasoning, on the other hand, requires finding the logic behind the given data set. It involves using systematic steps, intense calculations and rational judgment to arrive at conclusion.
The important topics covered under this section are-
| MAT Syllabus for Data Interpretation & Sufficiency |
| Column Graphs |
Bar Graphs |
| Line charts |
Pie Chart |
| Graphs representing Area |
Venn diagram |
While attempting this section in the examination hall, one has to keep in mind to balance speed & accuracy and eliminate negative marking. This section can be cracked easily if you are solving past year question papers, taking mock tests and studying from the right book, which carries all type of questions and correct approach to solve them.
Some of the great books that you can refer to ace this section are,
- Accredited Guide to Data Interpretation and Data Sufficiency, by Ananta Ashisha
- How to prepare for Data Interpretation for MAT, by Arun Sharma
- Data Analysis & Interpretation Data Sufficiency, published by Think Tank of Kiran Prakashan
SECTION 3: Verbal Ability
Verbal Ability is a very important section of the examination, as it tests a candidate’s command over the language. This section can be time-saving and scoring if one is mastered over Grammar and Vocabulary. The questions in this section are between easy to moderate difficulty level.
This section covers various Grammar topics and word power, as given below.
| MAT Syllabus for Verbal Ability |
| Verbal Reasoning |
Syllogisms |
| Contextual usage |
Analogies |
| Antonyms |
Fill In the Blanks |
| Jumbled paragraphs |
Sentence Correction |
| Foreign language words used in English |
Sentence completion |
| Sentence correction |
Odd one out |
| Idioms |
One word substitution |
| Different Usage of Same Word |
|
Reading newspapers, solving mock tests, practicing questions from various topics can be enough to score good in this section. Some of the top books that you can refer to prepare for verbal ability are,
- How to prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, by Arun Sharma & Meenakshi Upadhyay
- Mastering the Verbal Ability for CAT COMMON ADMISSION TEST, by Ajay Singh
- CAT Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, by Gautam Puri
By meticulously preparing for this section, one can elevate their scores in MAT exam.
SECTION 4: Indian & Global Environment
General Awareness topics are linked to general intelligence. It evaluates a candidate on the basis of his/her knowledge about current affairs and past events and how someone is open to new experiences. The questions in this section are linked to the self-acquired knowledge of a person. Generally, it is assumed that people who are quite apt in one domain tend to be knowledgeable in many. Topic covered under this section are-
| MAT Syllabus for Indian & Global Environment |
| Current Affairs |
Business |
| Punch line of companies |
Top officials of big companies |
| Major corporate events |
Famous award and prizes |
| World Records |
Books and authors |
| Science |
History |
| Geography |
International organizations |
| Important quotations |
Social issues |
| Sports |
Finance |
| Automobiles |
Entertainment |
| Politics |
|
Going through as many questions as possible, reading newspaper and watching news can help in acing this section. For a variety of questions that can be asked, you can refer to the following books,
- Face to Face MAT with 19 Years (1997-2016), by BS Sijwali
- The Mega Yearbook 2016: Current Affairs & General Knowledge for Competitive Exams, published by Disha Experts
- MAT 18 Years Topic-wise Solved Papers (1997-2014), published by Disha Experts
SECTION 5: Intelligence and Critical Reasoning
The difficulty level of this section ranges from moderate to difficult, so it becomes very important to cover and master each and every topic in a systematic way. After Quantitative Ability Section, this section is considered to be a bit tricky, if not prepared well.
The topics under this section are-
| MAT Syllabus for Intelligence & Critical Reasoning |
| Critical reasoning |
Visual reasoning |
| Assumption-Premise-Conclusion |
Assertion and reasons |
| Statements and assumptions |
Identifying valid inferences |
| Identifying arguments |
Statements and conclusions |
| Cause and Effect |
Identifying probably true probably false |
Some of the top books which can help you in preparing for MAT exam are as follows.
- How to prepare for Logical Reasoning for the CAT, by Arun Sharma
- Analytical & Logical Reasoning for CAT & Other Management Entrance Tests, by Peeyush Bhardwaj
- Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT, by Nishit Sinha
Go thoroughly through the mentioned MAT Syllabus. A rigorous practice of the mentioned topics can assure you better marks. By referring to the above-mentioned preparation books and practice papers you can ace each section in the MAT Exam.
Top 11 MAT Books available on Flipkart
Candidates can find the names of some of the best books for MAT preparation, in the table given below. These books are flipkart assured and are reviewed to be the best among the whole lot of books. They will provide you the right guidance and also help you to revise and practice all the topics thoroughly –
| NAME OF THE BOOK |
AUTHOR(s)/PUBLISHER |
PRICE |
| Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency for CAT/ XAT/ IIFT/ SNAP/CMAT/ MAT/ Bank PO 1 Edition |
Gajendra Kumar & Abhishek Banerjee |
INR 74 |
| Vocabulary Advantage GRE/GMAT/CAT and Other Examinations First Impression 2012 Edition |
Japinder Gill |
INR 263 |
| Face to Face MAT with 19 years (1997-2016) |
Arihant |
INR 306 |
| Mission MBA MAT MANAGEMENT APTITUDE TEST – 2 Mock tests & Solved papers 2016-2014 |
BS Sijwalii & Tarun Goyal |
INR 394 |
| Mathematics for MBA Entrance Examinations (Fully Solved) 1st Edition |
R.S. Aggarwal |
INR 450 |
| MAT – Prev. Papers Solved 1 Edition |
R. Gupta |
INR 399 |
| MAT (Management Aptitude Test) Entrance Exam Guide 2016 Edition |
R. Gupta |
INR 402 |
| MTG : MAT for NTSE (Made Easy) |
Palia S |
INR 450 |
| Complete Guide for MAT and other MBA entrance exams 2nd Edition |
Disha Experts |
INR 750 |
| Quantitative Aptitude for the CMAT and Other MBA Entrance Examinations |
Jaimin Shah |
INR 782 |
All the books that are mentioned above are the best for MAT Preparation as reviewed by past year students who have qualified the exam. They contain all the topics as per the given syllabus, and also cover all types of possible questions that can appear in the exam. Not only this, they also explain the approach to crack a particular type of questions and past year question papers, with solution.
Every book is divided into chapters, according to the syllabus, and every chapter first describes the concepts related to that particular chapter along with numerous Solved Examples. The theory portion given in these books is followed by five levels of exercises in each chapter: First – Concept Applicator, Second – Concept Builder, Third – Concept Cracker, Fourth – Concept Deviator and finally Fifth – Concept Eliminator.
In the books related to enhancing your grammar and vocabulary skills, contain more than 3000 words asked frequently in the elite examinations, and practice test after each chapter.
The recommended books contain short cut methods that can help candidates to solve questions with a lot more ease. Anyone who is interested in cracking MAT and scoring good marks, these are the list of books that you need to refer.
Other than that, self practice, hard work and a proper strategy are the keys to ace
MAT exam. Solve as many questions you can, and take mock test.
We hope, you have gathered a lot of important information related to MAT syllabus and best MAT books. Our advice for aspirants is to understand every topic thoroughly and try to grasp the important concepts from these recommended books.
