The 2025 MAT syllabus is quite similar to other MBA entrance exams but the section names are different. The test has five areas which are Language Comprehension, Intelligence and Critical Reasoning, Data Analysis and Sufficiency, Mathematical Skills and Economic and Business Environment. The syllabus is uniform for all three modes of exams PBT, CBT or both.

With three months of preparation and 4 to 6 hours of study daily candidates can easily cover the syllabus. Using recommended books and mock tests will help strengthen preparation.

The MAT Marking System

• Total questions will be  150 which will be MCQ type.

• Plus 1 mark will be given for every correct answer.

• 0.25 points will be minus for each incorrect answer.

• Unattempted questions are not graded.

• There will be 150 questions in all and not all of them are required.

• There will be no sectional time limit is there for the candidates and the total time provided to complete the exam is 120 minutes.

Sectional Weighting of MAT

The 2025 MAT syllabus is the same. Difficulty and section-wise distribution are the same as every year.

MAT 2025 Sectional Syllabus

1. Language Comprehension

This section will cover questions from topics like grammar, vocabulary and reading comprehension. The passages are short and easy with more focus on verbal ability than RC unlike CAT or XAT.

Important topics of this section are 

• Vocabulary, Antonyms and Synonyms

• Reading Comprehension

• Parts of Speech, Verbs, Nouns, Pronouns

• Sentence Correction, Grammar, Idioms and Phrases

• One Word Substitution

• Para Jumbles

• Fill in the Blanks

2. Intelligence and  Critical Reasoning

This section is low in difficulty but requires practice. Common topics include puzzles, arrangements and reasoning sets. Coding-Decoding and Syllogisms often dominate.

Important Topics - 

• Puzzles, Series, Arrangement

• Coding  and Decoding

• Family Tree, Blood Relations

• Syllogisms, Statement and Conclusion

• Strong versus Weak Arguments

• Visual Reasoning, Numeric Grid

• Calendars, Pie Charts, Graphs, Column Graphs, Area Graphs

• Critical Reasoning, Course of Action

3. Mathematical Skills

This section includes Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry and Mensuration with Arithmetic and Algebra dominating. Strong basics, formulas and practice are essential.

Important Topics - 

• LCM, HCF, Percentages, Profit  and Loss

• Simple and Compound Interest

• Speed, Time and Distance

• Mixtures and Alligations

• Number System, Surds, Indices

• Geometry, Circles, Triangles, Trigonometry

• Algebra, Equations, Inequalities

• Sequence and Series, Binomial Theorem

• Permutation and Combination, Probability

• Set Theory, Venn Diagrams

• Heights and Distances

• Linear Programming

4. Data Analysis and Sufficiency

Questions are calculation based and rely on strong basics in math and data interpretation.

Important Topics - 

• Tables, Pie Charts, Bar Diagrams

• Caselets, Graphs that include both Line and XY Graphs

• Data Comparison

• Data Sufficiency

• Venn Diagrams

5. Economic and Business Environment

Previously called Indian and Global Environment this section is GK and Current Affairs based. It can be prepared in about a month using yearbooks and GK material.

Important Topics - 

• Current Affairs, Business and Economy

• CEOs, Corporate News

• Awards, Winners, World Records

• Books and Authors

• Politics, Social Issues, History, Geography

• International Organisations

• Finance, Science, Sports, Entertainment

• Famous Statements and Quotations

MAT Preparation Tips 2025

• Six months of focused prep is enough to score 95 plus percentile. Previous test-takers may need less time focusing mainly on revision.

• Master the syllabus and pattern of the exam first.

• Start with topics that you know so that you gain confidence and then move on to the tough ones.

• Make daily, weekly and monthly study plans.

• After completing the syllabus focus on practice exams and sample papers.

• Given that GK is memory based and may be completed fast so do it after completing the other sections.

• In the exam attempt GK last because its score doesn’t count in the percentile calculation.

• Prioritise revision, mock tests and accuracy in the final phase of preparation.