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MAT Syllabus 2025: Section-Wise Topics, Exam Pattern (150 Questions, 120 Minutes) & PDF

Author : Lalita Vishwakarma

December 17, 2025

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Overview: Management Aptitude Test (MAT) is a standardized National Level test being administered since 1988 to facilitate Business Schools (B-Schools) to screen candidates for admission to MBA and allied programmes.. Now is the time to begin your preparation by familiarizing yourself with the MAT syllabus 2025 for you to be fully prepared for MAT 2025. 

MAT Syllabus 2025 Quick Snapshot (Official Structure)

  • Total Questions: 150 (MCQ-based)
  • Total Time: 120 minutes
  • Sections (5): Language Comprehension, Intelligence & Critical Reasoning, Mathematical Skills, Data Analysis & Sufficiency, Economic & Business Environment
  • Syllabus Nature: Topics are prepared based on previous-year trends + skill areas tested

The questions are based on the previous year's standards of MAT questions containing concepts of graduation Level , reading and English comprehension and logical reasoning.

Learn more: Best Colleges for MAT Exam

What is MAT Syllabus 2025?

The MAT syllabus is not released as a fixed, topic-wise list by AIMA. Instead, candidates prepare using the official MAT exam structure and the most repeated topics seen in previous MAT papers. As per the official structure, MAT is conducted across 5 sections (30 questions each), i.e., 150 questions to be attempted in 120 minutes..

MAT Syllabus 2025 Highlights 

MAT tests core management aptitude through five skill areas. Since AIMA does not publish a fixed topic list, the best way to cover the MAT syllabus is to prepare section-wise using repeated topics from previous papers and master speed + accuracy for a 150-question exam.

MAT Exam Pattern & Syllabus Highlights (Latest)

Exam Duration 120 minutes (2 hours)
Total Questions 150 (MCQ-based)
Sections Language Comprehension, Intelligence & Critical Reasoning, Mathematical Skills, Data Analysis & Sufficiency, Economic & Business Environment
Questions per Section 30 questions in each section (5 × 30 = 150)
Negative Marking Yes, -0.25 for each incorrect answer
Syllabus Nature No officially defined topic-wise syllabus; preparation is based on trends from previous papers and test objectives

Source: AIMA (official MAT test structure).

MAT Syllabus 2025: Section-Wise Exam Structure

Section No. of Questions
Language Comprehension 30
Intelligence & Critical Reasoning 30
Mathematical Skills 30
Data Analysis & Sufficiency 30
Economic & Business Environment 30
Total 150 questions in 120 minutes

Note: AIMA’s official MAT structure is 150 questions to be attempted in 120 minutes across 5 sections.

MAT Mathematical Skills Syllabus (2026)

This section checks speed-based maths used in management aptitude tests. Aim for accuracy first, then improve attempts with timed sets.

Key Topics

  • Arithmetic: Percentages, Ratio, Profit & Loss, SI/CI, Time & Work, Time-Speed-Distance, Mixtures
  • Algebra: Linear/Quadratic equations, Inequalities, Functions, Logs basics
  • Geometry & Mensuration: Triangles, Circles, Polygons, Areas, Volumes
  • Number System: Divisibility, HCF/LCM, Remainders, Factors
  • Modern Math: Permutation-Combination, Probability (basics), Set theory (basics)

High-ROI Focus (Do These First)

  • Arithmetic (dominates easier scoring questions)
  • Number System basics + remainders
  • Geometry formulas + standard properties

Common Question Types

  • Direct calculation, application-based word problems, approximation-based questions

Quick Practice Checklist

  • 20 mixed Arithmetic questions daily
  • 2 timed topic tests/week
  • 1 sectional mock/week + error log

MAT Language Comprehension Syllabus 

This section tests reading speed, comprehension, vocabulary, and grammar-based accuracy. The fastest improvement usually comes from daily RC practice plus targeted grammar drills.

Key Topics

  • Reading Comprehension (RC): main idea, tone, inference, fact vs opinion, summary-based questions
  • Vocabulary: synonyms/antonyms, word usage, idioms & phrases, one-word substitutions
  • Grammar & Usage: subject-verb agreement, tenses, articles, prepositions, modifiers, parallelism
  • Sentence Skills: error spotting, sentence correction, fill in the blanks
  • Para-based Questions: para jumbles, para completion, odd sentence out

High-ROI Focus (Do These First)

  • RC basics: tone + inference + main idea (highest scoring with practice)
  • Error spotting + sentence correction (rule-based questions)
  • Vocabulary-in-context (builds accuracy inside RC too)

Common Question Types

  • Short RC passages with 4–6 questions
  • Spot the error / choose the correct sentence
  • Para jumbles and sentence arrangement
  • Fill in the blanks (single/double blanks)

Quick Practice Checklist

  • 1 RC passage daily + 10 vocab words (usage-based, not just meanings)
  • 15 grammar questions/day (error spotting + correction mix)
  • 2 para-jumble sets/week + 1 sectional test/week

MAT Intelligence & Critical Reasoning Syllabus 

This section checks logical thinking, pattern recognition, and decision-making under time pressure. Build speed using standard reasoning formats and timed mini-sets.

Key Topics

  • Analytical Reasoning: arrangements (linear/circular), selection & distribution, scheduling
  • Critical Reasoning: statement–assumption, statement–conclusion, inference, strengthen/weaken
  • Syllogisms: traditional + Venn-based syllogism questions
  • Cause–Effect & Assertion–Reason: identifying valid reasoning relationships
  • Coding–Decoding, Series, Analogy, Classification
  • Direction Sense, Blood Relations, Order & Ranking
  • Visual Reasoning: figure series, mirror/water image, paper folding, embedded figures

High-ROI Focus (Do These First)

  • Arrangements + ranking (frequent and learnable patterns)
  • Syllogisms (high accuracy once concepts are clear)
  • Statement–Assumption / Conclusion (logic-based scoring)
  • Visual reasoning basics (easy marks with practice)

Common Question Types

  • 5–6 question reasoning sets (arrangements/networks)
  • Single-statement logic questions (assumption, conclusion, inference)
  • Diagram-based syllogisms
  • Figure/pattern identification

Quick Practice Checklist

  • 1 arrangement set + 15 standalone reasoning questions daily
  • 10 syllogism questions/day for 2 weeks (then alternate days)
  • 2 timed mini-mocks/week (20–25 mins) + error log

MAT Data Analysis & Sufficiency Syllabus 

This section tests data reading, interpretation, and selection of the right method quickly. Focus on accuracy in calculation and smart elimination in sufficiency questions.

Key Topics

  • Data Interpretation (DI): tables, bar graphs, line graphs, pie charts, mixed graphs
  • Caselets: paragraph-based data sets with multiple questions
  • Data Comparison: percentage change, ratios, averages, growth/decline interpretation
  • Data Sufficiency: determining whether given statements are sufficient to answer a question
  • DI-based Reasoning: Venn diagrams, set-based data, ranking-based DI sets
  • Speed Math in DI: approximation, fractions/percent conversions, quick averages

High-ROI Focus (Do These First)

  • Tables + bar/line charts (most common, fastest ROI)
  • Caselets (improves reading + calculation together)
  • Data sufficiency basics (decision rules + elimination)

Common Question Types

  • Chart/table-based 4–6 question sets
  • Caselet DI with inference-style questions
  • “Which statements are sufficient?” type data sufficiency
  • Ratio/percentage comparison questions inside DI

Quick Practice Checklist

  • 1 DI set daily (rotate: table → bar → line → pie → caselet)
  • 10 data sufficiency questions/day (focus on decision rules)
  • 2 sectional tests/week (timed) + maintain calculation-error list

MAT Economic & Business Environment Syllabus (2026)

This section checks awareness of current affairs and basic understanding of the economy, business, and general knowledge themes. Preparation works best with weekly revision and monthly compilation notes.

Key Topics

  • Current Affairs: national & international events, appointments, awards, sports, summits
  • Business & Economy: inflation, GDP, fiscal deficit (basics), budget highlights, RBI & banking basics
  • Business News: major mergers/acquisitions, big corporate updates, startups/unicorns, brand & industry moves
  • Static GK: important days, countries-capitals-currencies, abbreviations, books & authors
  • India Focus: government schemes (high-level), institutions, reports & indices (major ones)
  • Global Awareness: organisations (UN, WTO, IMF, World Bank), key rankings/indices (basic familiarity)

High-ROI Focus (Do These First)

  • Last 6–8 months current affairs (weekly revision)
  • Basic economy terms (inflation, repo rate, GDP, budget basics)
  • Major awards/appointments/sports events + important days

Common Question Types

  • One-liner current affairs questions
  • Match the following (organisation–role / country–currency)
  • Economy & business terminology based questions
  • GK fact-based questions (days, books, capitals, indices)

Quick Practice Checklist

  • 15–20 current affairs questions/day + 10 static GK questions/day
  • Weekly 1-page revision notes (CA + business + economy basics)
  • Monthly 2 sectional tests + consolidate mistakes into “GK one-liners” list

MAT Exam Pattern Overview (Official)

Total Time 120 minutes
Total Questions 150
Sections 5 sections (30 questions each)
Negative Marking -0.25 for each incorrect answer
Mode PBT / CBT (as per AIMA schedule)

Check: MAT Exam Total Marks

The MAT syllabus pdf 2025 for MBA, important topics and respective weightage are listed below:

MAT Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus Topics
Number System Prime Factorization
Divisibility Rules
Finding Units place and tens place of a number
LCM and HCF
Indices and Surds
Cyclicity
Remainders
Base Change
Factorial
Arithmetic Simple Interest and Compound Interest
Time, Distance and Speed
Mixtures and Allegations
Ratios, Proportions and Variations
Time and Work
Pipes and Cisterns
Percentages
Averages
Geometry Circles
Polygons
Triangles
Trigonometry
Lines and Angles
Coordinate Geometry
Algebra Functions and Groups
Inequalities and Modulus
Logarithms
Maxima and Minima
Polynomials
Linear and Quadratic Equations
Algebraic Identities
Modern Mathematics Probability
Permutations and Combinations
Set Theory
Venn Diagram
AP, GP, HP
Binomial theorem

Check: MAT Exam Important Questions and Answers

MAT Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus Weightage: 

Topics Number of Questions in Slot 1 Number of Questions in Slot 2 Number of Questions in Slot 3
Algebra 5 6 6
Arithmetic 7 6 7
Number System 2 2 3
Geometry 3 4 2
Modern Mathematics 2 2 2

MAT Syllabus for Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation 

MAT 2025 DILR Syllabus is provided below:

MAT DILR Syllabus - DI Topics MAT DILR Syllabus - LR Topics
Tables Binary Logic
Data Caselets – Reasoning-Based DI Games and Tournaments
Column Graphs Arrangements
Bar Graphs Team Formations
Venn Diagrams Order and Ranking
Line Charts
Pie Charts
Scatter Plot
Radar Chart
Routes and Network
Bubble Chart

Check:  MAT Exam Paper

DILR Topic Priority (Based on Previous MAT Trends)

Area Topics to Prioritise Priority
Data Interpretation Tables, Bar/Line/Pie charts, Caselets, Venn diagrams High
Logical Reasoning Arrangements, Order & Ranking, Routes/Networks, Binary logic, Syllogisms High
Mixed Sets Reasoning-based DI (games/tournaments, distribution, scheduling) Medium–High

Note: AIMA does not release an official topic-wise syllabus. Topic priority is inferred from recurring patterns in previous MAT papers.

Check: MAT Exam Selection Process

MAT Syllabus 2025 for Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension 

MAT 2025 VARC Syllabus is provided below:

Here are the important topics that you must cover for the MAT syllabus pdf specifically for the VARC section

MAT VARC Syllabus - Important Topics
Reading Comprehension Verbal Ability
- Passage Analysis - Grammar and Usage
- Inference and Conclusion - Vocabulary Enhancement
- Vocabulary in Context - Sentence Correction
- Tone and Author's Purpose - Para Jumbles
- Fact Inference and Judgement - Fill in the Blanks
- Main Idea and Theme - Analogies and Antonyms
- Title and Tone Matching - Idioms and Phrases
- Synonyms and Homonyms

Check: MAT Exam Eligibility Criteria

VARC Topic Priority (Based on Previous MAT Trends)

Topic Cluster What to Prepare Priority
Reading Comprehension Main idea, tone, inference, fact vs opinion, vocabulary-in-context High
Grammar & Usage Sentence correction, error spotting, usage rules High
Verbal Ability Para jumbles, para summary, odd-one-out, fill in the blanks High
Vocabulary Synonyms/antonyms, idioms & phrases, word usage Medium–High

Among the three sections, describing the MAT syllabus for VARC is the simplest. Reading Comprehension dominates the section with a little more than 65% of the question weightage.

The remaining questions are from Para Summary, Para Jumble, Odd One Out, and Missing Sentence (introduced in MAT 2022). So, building a reading habit is the key to covering the VARC syllabus.  

In MAT 2022, 4 passages with a total of 16 questions were asked. 3 Para Summary Questions, 3 Para Jumble Questions and 2 Missing Sentence Questions completed the section. 

Section-wise Number of Questions (Official MAT Structure)

Section Questions
Language Comprehension 30
Intelligence & Critical Reasoning 30
Mathematical Skills 30
Data Analysis & Sufficiency 30
Economic & Business Environment 30
Total 150 Questions (120 minutes)

Source: AIMA official MAT test structure.

Best Books for MAT Syllabus Preparation 2025 with Coverage

You can prepare for the MAT Syllabus 2025 using the MAT books below. 

MAT Books for Quantitative Ability

  1. "Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations" by R.S. Aggarwal
  2. "How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT" by Arun Sharma
  3. "Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT" by Sarvesh K. Verma
  4. "Fast Track Objective Arithmetic" by Rajesh Verma
  5. "Quantitative Aptitude for All Competitive Examinations" by Abhijit Guha

MAT Books for Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning

  1. "How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for the CAT" by Arun Sharma
  2. "Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT" by Nishit K. Sinha
  3. "Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency" by Ananta Ashisha
  4. "Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning for the CAT" by K. Sinha Nishit
  5. "Data Interpretation for the CAT" by Trishna Knowledge Systems

MAT Books for Verbal Ability

  1. "How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT" by Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay
  2. "Word Power Made Easy" by Norman Lewis
  3. "High School English Grammar and Composition" by Wren and Martin
  4. "Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT" by Pearson
  5. "The Pearson Guide to Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning for the CAT" by Nishit K. Sinha

The MAT exam syllabus pdf 2025 is comprehensive and covers many topics. It is important to be thorough in your preparation and to cover all the topics mentioned in the MAT 2025 syllabus. With the right amount of dedication and hard work, you can definitely crack the MAT exam and pursue your career goals.

  • The MAT exam is structured into 5 sections (30 questions each): Language Comprehension, Intelligence & Critical Reasoning, Mathematical Skills, Data Analysis & Sufficiency, and Economic & Business Environment.
  • The MAT syllabus 2025 does not have an officially prescribed syllabus. Instead, candidates are expected to deduce important subjects and topics from the previous year's papers.
  • MAT primarily assesses candidates' problem-solving speed and application skills rather than rote memorization. Questions are designed to test practical aptitude.

MAT Exam Highlights (Latest)

MAT Full Form Management Aptitude Test (MAT)
Conducting Body All India Management Association (AIMA)
Exam Frequency Four times a year (February, May, September, December)
Latest Session Dates (December 2025) PBT: 13 December 2025
CBT: 21 December 2025
Admit Card Test time and venue are mentioned on the admit card (download via MAT dashboard).
Result / Score Availability By 1st week of January 2026 (for December 2025 session)
Exam Fees ₹2200 (PBT or CBT)
₹3800 (PBT + CBT)
Exam Mode PBT / CBT (or both)
Test Cities 60+ test cities (as per AIMA)

Source: AIMA official MAT schedule and fee details.

Note:

  • Candidates can opt for an additional mode of test (e.g. IBT+IBT, PBT+CBT, IBT+PBT, IBT+CBT) by paying an extra fee of ₹1200/- in addition to ₹2100/-.
  • Candidates opting for additional test will have the benefit of selecting additional 2 Management Institutes for sending their scores in addition to existing option of selecting 5 Management Institutes i.e.
  • they can select 7 Management Institutes in total.

Conclusion

Understanding the MAT exam syllabus thoroughly is the first step toward scoring well in this national-level MBA entrance test. With sections covering language, reasoning, mathematics, data interpretation, and general awareness, MAT evaluates diverse skills essential for management studies.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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About the Author

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Lalita Vishwakarma

Content Writer

Lalita Vishwakarma is a professional content writer with 3 years of experience, distinguished by her ability to transform raw ideas into polished, high-impact content. She masterfully combines creative storytelling with strategic execution, ensuring that her work not only captures attention but also drives desired outcomes.... more