The MAT Exam Pattern is set by All India Management Association, the exam’s governing body. Usually, the exam pattern remains the same and this year is not an exception. MAT exam consists of a mostly objective type of questions irrespective of the exam mode. MAT 2019 will be held on February 2019, in offline and online modes respectively. Application for both the mode for February slot has already commenced from December 2018. However, the application commencement date was the same but, the applications will close on 8 February for the offline exam and on 12 February for the online exam. After a candidate has successfully filled the application form the admit card will be issued online only from February 9 and February 19, 2019, for offline and online modes respectively. As per the exam pattern set by AIMA, the exam is of 2 hours and 30 minutes which consists of 200 questions.
Overview of MAT Exam Pattern
| Component | Details |
| Test Duration | 150 minutes |
| No. of Questions | 200 |
| Marking Scheme | 1 mark for each correct question |
| Negative Marking | ¼ of the total marks or 0.25 |
| No. of Sections | 5 with 40 questions each |
| No. of Options | 4 |
| Sections |
|
Mode of Exam for MAT
Unlike the other exam, the MAT exam is conducted in both the offline and online mode. Both the exams are held on separate dates. The offline exam is conducted in the traditional pen-paper mode, where the candidates would have to fill in the answers on the OMR sheets.
Test Duration of MAT
MAT examination spans over 2 hours and 30 minutes (150 mins). However, there is no time limit for each section and the candidates have the option to choose the questions they want to answer as per their convenience. However, it is advised that candidates do not spend more than 30 minutes on each section.
Sections in the Entrance Exam
| Section No. | Sections in MAT | No of Questions in MAT | Average Time Taken |
| 1. | Language Comprehension | 40 | 30 |
| 2. | Mathematical Skills | 40 | 40 |
| 3. | Data Analysis and Sufficiency | 40 | 35 |
| 4. | Intelligence and Critical Reasoning | 40 | 30 |
| 5. | Indian and Global Environment | 40 | 15 |
| Total | 200 | 150 (mins) |
Please note that some of the participating institutes do not consider the marks of the Indian and Global Environment.
MAT Marking Scheme
As per the MAT exam pattern, the marking scheme suggests that one mark would be awarded to the candidate for each correct answer. Whereas, one-fourth of the total marks of the question or 0.25 would be deducted for each wrong answer. The presence of negative marking leaves no room for the candidates to speculate the answers.
So, this was the MAT exam pattern for the MAT 2019 entrance exam. The entrance exam is conducted in two modes, and the exam pattern for both the modes is same, the only difference is that the online exam is conducted on a computer and the offline is conducted in the traditional OMR sheet – Pen and paper method. Rest each and everything is the same between the two. Also, knowing the marking scheme, total questions, and duration would help the candidates to prepare their strategy as to how they will tackle the exam.
