The MAT test paper comprised objective multiple-choice questions without any specified sections. Although the MAT stressed on accuracy more than speed, it was important to use the allotted time wisely as students had to answer 200 questions in 150 minutes. Each question carried one mark. There was negative marking of 0.25 specified on the test booklet for the wrong answers.

The paper had questions from 5 different areas, viz. Verbal Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, Data Interpretation and Data Sufficiency, Reasoning Ability and General Knowledge, with exactly 40 questions in each of them. The last exam before CET of this session came without any surprises in terms of the number of questions but the level of difficulty was average.

In QA, the questions from pure Geometry were missing, though Mensuration and Trigonometry were present. Almost all the options were very unambiguous, so wise guessing proved fruitful.

Questions on Data Interpretation were categorized in Bar graph, Pie-chart, Tables and Line graph. Most of questions are calculation intensive. In some cases options were also very close. So overall the section was time consuming. Five questions were asked from each area of Data Sufficiency and Data Comparison.

Questions on Reasoning were quite straightforward. (Linear arrangement, Assumption based logical reasoning, Blood relation). Some reasoning based individual questions were lengthy. But the questions asked on Directions, Series were some of the single questions which were very easy.

Language comprehension was of easy to moderate difficulty level as most of them were SDQ (Specific Detailed Questions) type and for that no logical inference was required.

Overview of the MAT Paper

Time 150 Min

Total no. of questions 200

Marks per question 1

Negative marking 0.25

SECTIONAL BREAK – UP

SECTION I: Verbal Ability

This section was of the typical MAT papers of earlier years. The fill in the blanks questions were quite easy having 2 blanks on account of the very ‘out of the way’ choices that were given which helped one eliminate them. Grammar based questions were of moderate level. The RC section was of average difficulty level. This time Analogies were reintroduced with moderate difficulty level.

SECTION II: Quantitative Aptitude

The QA section in MAT comprised Arithmetic and Pure Maths questions. Arithmetic had around 12-15 questions and was easy. The questions mostly focused on Time and Work, Alligation, Ratio, SI/CI, Pipes and Cisterns and Time Speed Distance. Questions from Probability made the test takers realise the presence of Algebra. The questions were based on the application of formula and were not reasoning intensive.

SECTION III: Data Interpretation and Data sufficiency

There were more questions in Data Sufficiency than that were in Sep 07 MAT. Students would have found this section to be time consuming. Questions of DI were lengthy than the previous ones.

SECTION IV: Reasoning Ability

This proved to be an easier section for students on account of the numerous questions from ‘Analytical Reasoning’. Critical Reasoning questions were a bit dicey, but should have been attempted by those who are comfortable with those areas.

SECTION V: General Knowledge

Students who had read a lot on Current Affairs and GK would not have been able to deal with this section on account of the high focus on ‘Economics’ based questions.

Categories: MAT Papers, MBA, MBA Entrance Exams
Tags: MAT Papers, MBA Papers