MAT 2024 Question Paper PDF Download Here [Official]

Overview: Are you preparing for the MAT 2026 Exam? This guide provides a clear understanding of the exam pattern, sectional analysis, difficulty trends, and how to use the MAT 2024 question paper for your preparation. Read on to know the key details and download the PDF now!

• The MAT 2024 question paper has undergone its most significant transformation in years.
• With a shorter duration and a more focused question set, candidates now need a different strategy to succeed.

Download Free Study Material for MAT Exam 2026 by Supergrads

This blog covers the most frequently asked questions to help you navigate the 2024 exam cycle.

How many Questions are in the MAT 2024 Question Paper?

• In the revised MAT 2.0 format, the total number of questions has been reduced from 200 to 150.
• The exam is perfectly balanced, with each of the five sections containing exactly 30 questions.
• This change aims to reduce candidate fatigue and focus on high-quality problem-solving.

As of May 2024, AIMA introduced a major revamp, MAT 2.0. This revised pattern significantly streamlined the exam, making it shorter and faster.

Here is the finalised MAT 2024 (and beyond) exam pattern:

Download MAT 2024 Question Paper PDF Now

MAT 2024 Question Paper Sectional Breakdown

The exam consists of 5 sections. While you are tested on all five, only the first four contribute to your main percentile.

Section Name	No. of Questions	Suggested Time
Language Comprehension	30	20-25 mins
Intelligence & Critical Reasoning	30	25-30 mins
Mathematical Skills	30	35-40 mins
Data Analysis & Sufficiency	30	30-35 mins
Economic & Business Environment*	30	10 mins
Total	150	120 Minutes

Note: Scores for "Economic & Business Environment" are reported separately and are not included in the Composite Score or Percentile calculation.

Read More: MAT Exam 2026 Preparation

What is the total duration of the MAT 2024 exam?

The total time allotted for the MAT 2024 exam is 120 minutes (2 hours). This is a reduction from the previous 150-minute limit.

Candidates now have an average of 48 seconds per question, making speed and "question selection" the most critical skills for this year.

Other Important Links

MAT Exam Preparation	Best Books for MAT	MAT Previous Year Papers
MAT Sample Paper	MAT GK Questions	MAT Aptitude Questions
MAT English Questions	Critical Reasoning for MAT	MAT Exam Analysis

Is there negative marking in MAT 2024?

Yes. The marking scheme follows a +1 / -0.25 rule:

• Correct Answer: +1 Mark
• Incorrect Answer: -0.25 Mark
• Unattempted: 0 Marks

What is the difficulty level of the MAT 2024 Question Paper?

MAT 2024 maintains an easy-to-moderate difficulty level. Unlike the CAT, which focuses on complex logic, MAT is a speed-based test.

The Mathematical Skills section is often the most time-consuming, while Language Comprehension is generally considered the scoring area.

Does the "Economic and Business Environment" section count toward the percentile?

No. This is a common point of confusion. The marks obtained in the Economic & Business Environment section are not included in the calculation of your Composite Score or Percentile.

Most B-schools only evaluate your performance in the first four sections.

Read more: MAT Important Topics

Can I switch between sections during the exam?

Yes. MAT does not have sectional time limits. You have the freedom to navigate between sections throughout the 120 minutes. AIMA provides "Suggested Time Limits" to help you manage your pace:

Sections	Suggested Time
Language Comprehension	20 Minutes
Intelligence & Critical Reasoning	25 Minutes
Data Analysis & Sufficiency	30 Minutes
Mathematical Skills	35 Minutes
Economic & Business Environment	10 Minutes

What are the major topics in the Mathematical Skills section?

Arithmetic remains the most dominant topic, accounting for nearly 50% of the section. Key areas include:

• Arithmetic: Percentages, Profit & Loss, Interest (SI/CI), Time & Work.
• Algebra: Linear and Quadratic Equations.
• Geometry: Circles, Triangles, and Mensuration.
• Modern Math: Basic Probability and Permutation/Combination.

Download Maths Mantra Formula Booklet by Supergrads

In what modes was the MAT 2024 Question paper conducted?

The MAT 2024 exam paper was conducted in three different modes:

PBT (Paper-Based Test) Conducted at designated centres.

CBT (Computer-Based Test) Online test at a centre.

IBT (Internet-Based Test) Remote-proctored from your home.

Top MBA Colleges Accepting MAT 2024 Scores

Percentile Range	Top Accepting Colleges
90+ Percentile	PUMBA (Pune) BIMTECH (Noida) XIME (Bangalore)
80-90 Percentile	SIES (Mumbai) JIMS (Delhi) Jaipuria (Lucknow)
70-80 Percentile	IPE (Hyderabad) AIMS (Bangalore) IBA (Bangalore)

Strategic Tips for MAT 2026: Lessons from the MAT 2024 Question Paper

The 2024 sessions proved that MAT is no longer just about knowing the basics; it’s about extreme time management and strategic skipping.

Master the "48-Second" Rule

With the reduction to 150 questions in 120 minutes, you have roughly 48 seconds per question.

✅The 2024 Trend: Many students failed to finish the paper because they spent too long on the tricky Reasoning puzzles.

💡2026 Tip: Practice with a "Stopwatch Strategy." If you can't find the logic for a question within 30 seconds, mark it and move on. In MAT 2.0, reaching the last question is more important than solving every hard one.

Arithmetic is Non-Negotiable

The Mathematical Skills section in 2024 was heavily skewed toward Arithmetic.

✅The 2024 Trend: Over 50% of the Quant section focused on Percentages, Profit & Loss, SI/CI, and Time & Work. Higher math (Calculus/Trigonometry) was almost non-existent.

💡2026 Tip: Don't waste months on complex Geometry or Trigonometry. Instead, perfect your Arithmetic speed. Aim for 100% accuracy in Ratio and Proportion, as these concepts also power the Data Analysis section.

The "Unseen" Advantage: Data Sufficiency

✅The 2024 Trend: Data Sufficiency questions were found to be "easier than expected," but students often skipped them due to the format.

💡2026 Tip: Prioritise learning the logic of Data Sufficiency. These questions require no heavy calculation—only a check for "adequacy"—making them much faster to solve than standard DI sets.

Language Comprehension: Speed Over Depth

✅The 2024 Trend: Reading Comprehension (RC) passages became shorter but more direct. The difficulty shifted to Vocabulary (Synonyms/Antonyms) and Sentence Correction.

💡2026 Tip: Switch your reading habit from long novels to editorial columns (like The Hindu or Economic Times). Focus on identifying the "tone" and "main idea" of a 300-word passage in under 2 minutes.

Smart GK Allocation

✅The 2024 Trend: Even though the Economic & Business Environment section doesn't affect the percentile, it appeared earlier in some computer-based formats, causing students to "drain" their mental energy before the scoring sections.

💡2026 Tip: Treat the GK section as a "brain break." Spend no more than 10–12 minutes on it. Since it doesn't count toward your percentile, use that extra time to double-check your Mathematical Skills or Reasoning sections.

MAT 2024 Exam Highlights

The most critical changes include reducing both the total number of questions and the time allotted.

Feature	Old Pattern (Pre-May 2024)	Revised Pattern (MAT 2.0)
Total Questions	200 Questions	150 Questions
Total Duration	150 Minutes (2.5 Hours)	120 Minutes (2 Hours)
Sectional Questions	40 Questions per section	30 Questions per section
Total Marks	200 Marks	150 Marks (Raw)
Modes of Exam	PBT, CBT, IBT	PBT, CBT, IBT (Unchanged)

Also Check: MAT 2025 Question Paper with Answer keys

Conclusion

The MAT 2024 question paper is far more than a historical record; it is the definitive blueprint for the challenges you will face in MAT 2026. With the transition to the MAT 2.0 format, the exam has shifted from a test of endurance to a high-speed sprint.

By dissecting the difficulty levels and question trends of the 2024 sessions, you move from "guessing" your preparation needs to "strategizing" for a 99th percentile. Remember: MAT is no longer just a test of what you know—it is a test of how fast you can think under pressure.