Since MAT is one of the most competitive management entrance examinations, you need to put in a lot of effort in preparing for the exam. Here we have given the subject-wise MAT Books to help you score good marks and get admission into the best MBA colleges and Business Schools.
What Is MAT Exam?
MAT or Management Aptitude Test is a national-level management entrance exam conducted by the AIMA. The main aim of this exam is to provide admissions to the best management courses provided in 600+ Business schools in India.
This exam takes place 4 times a year: February, May, September, and December. MAT is conducted in three modes: IBT, PBT, and CBT. Candidates can appear for 2 or more sessions and can choose up to two modes (IBT, PBT, or CBT) in each session.
Latest MAT Exam Updates
- Candidates must choose the updated books based on the latest MAT exam pattern and MAT syllabus.
- The MAT exam dates 2022 for the May session have been released by the AIMA for IBT and PBT modes.
- The MAT IBT Exam will be conducted on May 14th, 21st, 22nd, 28th, and 29th. The MAT application form will be available till May 26th, 2022 for the 28th May session.
- The MAT question paper includes 200 questions equally divided into 5 sections: Language Comprehension, Data Analysis and Sufficiency, Mathematical Skills, Intelligence & Critical Reasoning, and Indian and Global Environment.
- Candidates appearing for the MAT exam must ensure they practice the previous year’s question paper to know the difficulty levels and the type of questions that will be asked in the exam.
MAT Exam Pattern
Candidates appearing for the MAT exam must know the MAT exam pattern in detail. The exam pattern includes the number of questions, sections, type of questions, mode of exam, and more details.
MAT Exam Pattern Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
| Mode |
|
| MAT Sections |
|
| Medium of Exam | English |
| Duration | 150 minutes |
| Nature of Questions | Objective (MCQs) |
| Number of Questions | 200 (4o questions in each section) |
| Number of Answer Choices | 4 |
| Total Marks | 200 |
| Marks Awarded | 1 mark will be rewarded for correct answer |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 marks will be deducted for each wrong answer |
Subject-Wise MAT Exam Pattern
| Subjects | No. of questions | Sectional-Time limit | Marks |
| Language Comprehension | 40 | 30 | 40 |
| Intelligence & Critical Reasoning | 40 | 30 | 40 |
| Indian and Global Environment | 40 | 15 | 40 |
| Mathematical Skills | 40 | 40 | 40 |
| Data Analysis and Sufficiency | 40 | 35 | 40 |
| Total | 200 questions | 150 minutes | 200 marks |
Best MAT Books 2022
Now that you know the MAT exam pattern, the best subject-wise MAT books will help you effectively prepare for the exam.
Best Language Comprehension Books For MAT
- The MAT Language Comprehension section tests the aspirants’ verbal reasoning and comprehension skills.
- The question paper includes 40 questions in total.
- This section is divided into reading comprehension and verbal ability with Grammar.
- The reading comprehension section includes 20 passage-based questions of medium difficulty level. The questions asked are based on the passage, antonyms, synonyms, and true or false statements based on the passage.
- The verbal ability section includes 20 MCQs based on various grammar concepts.
This section has explained the syllabus, books, and MAT preparation tips for Language Comprehension.
Language Comprehension Syllabus
| Reading Comprehension | Verbal Ability |
| Passages from English Literature books. | Para jumbles |
| Mythological passages. | One-word substitution |
| Business and Economics passages. | Fill in the blanks |
| Passages on abstract and fictional topics. | Error Correction of Noun, Pronoun, Adjective, Verb, and other parts of speech in sentences. |
| Science and culture passages | Correcting the sequence of the sentences in paragraphs |
| Historical events passages | Idioms/Phrases |
| Antonyms and Synonyms |
Chapter-Wise Weightage
| Chapter | Easy | Moderate | Difficult | Low Weightage | High Weightage |
| Para jumbles | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| One-word substitution | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Fill in the blanks | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Error Correction of Noun, Pronoun, Adjective, Verb, and other parts of speech in sentences. | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Correcting the sequence of the sentences in paragraphs | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Idioms/Phrases | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Antonyms and Synonyms | ✓ | ✓ |
Best Language Comprehension Books For MAT Preparation
Now that you know the exam syllabus, find the right MAT preparation books for the Language comprehension section.
| Book Name | Author/Publisher | Price | Buy Now |
| How to Prepare for Verbal Ability, and Reading Comprehension | Arun Sharma & Meenakshi Upadhyay | ₹399 | Buy Now |
| Word Power Made Easy | Norman Lewis | ₹133 | Buy Now |
| Reading Comprehension Ordering of Words Ordering of Sentences | Dilip Kushwaha | ₹340 | Buy Now |
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT | Nishit K Sinha | ₹400 | Buy Now |
| Proficiency in Reading Comprehension Simplifying the “Passage” for You | Ajay Singh | ₹128 | Buy Now |
| High School English Grammar & Composition | Wren & Martin | ₹358 | Buy Now |
| English Reading Comprehension | RPH Editorial Board | ₹161 | Buy Now |
| 30 Days to a More Powerful Vocabulary | Wilfred Funk and Norman Lewis | ₹173 | Buy Now |
| English Comprehension for MAT | Disha Experts | – | Buy Now |
| Verbal Ability & Comprehension for CAT/XAT/GMAT/IIFT/CMAT/MAT/Bank PO/SSC | Bharat Patodi and Aditya Choudhary | ₹520 | Buy Now |
MAT Preparation Tips For Language Comprehension
Here are some of the important MAT preparation tips for Language Comprehension for everyone who is preparing for MAT exam:
- Focus on improving the reading speed as the questions are from passages. Moreover, the passage-based questions are easy to solve. Reading and understanding the passage might take some time.
- Start reading newspapers, magazines, and novels daily.
- Practice reading comprehension questions from MAT previous year’s question papers to improve your time management skills.
- You must focus mainly on vocabulary, clauses, verbs, idioms, punctuation, sentence formation, and active and passive voices.
- Work on improving your knowledge of basic concepts of English grammar.
Best Mathematical Skills Books For MAT
This section analyzes the students’ basic mathematical and numeracy skills. This section includes 40 questions. According to the previous year’s question paper trends, important topics in this section are Arithmetic, Mensuration, Algebra, and Geometry.
Mathematical Skills Syllabus
| LCM and HCF | Percentage | Profit and Loss |
| Commercial Maths | Coordinate Geometry | Venn Diagrams |
| Averages | Elementary Mathematics | Arithmetic Geometry |
| Speed, Time, and Work | Number System | Unitary Method |
| Set Theory | Circles | Quadratic Equations |
| Simple Interest and Compound Interest | Mixtures and Allegations | Permutation and Combinations |
| Sequence and Series | Height and Distance | Inequalities |
| Complex Numbers | Quadrilateral | Binomial Theorem |
| Triangles | Linear Equation | Trigonometry |
| Linear Programming | Probability | Surds and Indices |
Chapter-Wise Weightage
| Chapter | Easy | Moderate | Difficult | Low Weightage | High Weightage |
| LCM and HCF | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Commercial Maths | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Averages | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Speed, Time, and Work | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Set Theory | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Quadrilateral | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Simple Interest and Compound Interest | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Sequence and Series | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Complex Numbers | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Triangles | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Linear Programming | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Percentage | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Coordinate Geometry | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Elementary Mathematics | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Number System | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Circles | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Mixtures and Allegations | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Height and Distance | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Linear Equation | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Probability | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Profit and Loss | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Venn Diagrams | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Arithmetic Geometry | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Unitary Method | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Quadratic Equations | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Permutation and Combinations | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Inequalities | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Binomial Theorem | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Trigonometry | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Surds and Indices | ✓ | ✓ |
Best Mathematical Skills Books For MAT Exam Preparation
Now that you know the exam syllabus, find the right and best MAT books for Maths skills preparation.
| Book Name | Author/Publisher | Price | Buy Now |
| Speed Mathematics: Do it quick, Do it right | Rajesh Kumar Thakur C | ₹236 | Buy Now |
| How to prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT | Arun Sharma | ₹810 | Buy Now |
| Magical Book On Quicker | Maths M Tyra | ₹320 | Buy Now |
| Quantitative Aptitude | R.S. Aggarwal | ₹465 | Buy Now |
| Quantitative Aptitude For Competitive Examinations | Abhijit Guha | ₹499 | Buy Now |
| Quantum CAT | Sarvesh K Verma | ₹620 | Buy Now |
| Mathematics for MBA | RS Aggarwal | ₹406 | Buy Now |
| The Pearson Guide To Quantitative Aptitude And Data Interpretation | Nishit Sinha | ₹430 | Buy Now |
MAT Preparation Tips For Mathematical Skills
Here are some of the important MAT Mathematical Skills preparation tips for everyone who is preparing for the exam:
- It is essential to get the right MAT study material.
- To clear this section you need to know strong numerical ability skills.
- You should also have good knowledge of maths concepts and theorems
- You must spend at least 2-3 hours a day solving questions from this section.
- Note down all the formulas and theorems for future use. Doing so will help to save time while revising.
- You must also practice Mental maths questions which will help you speed up your calculation skills.
- You must complete the most difficult topics first. Some of the difficult topics are Vectors, Differential equations, trigonometry, Algebra, etc.
Best Data Analysis and Sufficiency Books For MAT
The main aim of this section is to analyze the student’s knowledge to interpret the data and answer questions based on it. Data Interpretation includes 50% of the total section. The rest of the questions are asked from Data Comparison and Data Sufficiency.
Here in this section, we have given the Data Analysis and sufficiency Syllabus, Important topics, best books, and some important MAT preparation tips.
Data Analysis and Sufficiency Syllabus
| Data Tables | Data Charts |
| Pie Charts | Graphs |
| Data Comparison | Data Sufficiency |
| Data Comparison | Venn Diagram |
| Caselet Based Data | Bar Diagrams and Charts |
Chapter-Wise Weightage
| Chapter | Easy | Moderate | Difficult | Low Weightage | High Weightage |
| Data Tables | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Pie Charts | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Data Comparison | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Data Comparison | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Caselet Based Data | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Data Charts | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Graphs | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Data Sufficiency | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Venn Diagram | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Bar Diagrams and Charts | ✓ | ✓ |
Best Data Analysis and Sufficiency Books For MAT Preparation
Now that you know the exam syllabus, find the right and best MAT books for Data Analysis and Data Sufficiency preparation.
| Book Name | Author/Publisher | Price | Buy Now |
| Data Interpretation for The CAT | Arun Sharma | ₹545 | Buy Now |
| Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency for CAT/XAT/IIFT/CMAT/MAT/Bank PO/SSC. | Disha Experts | ₹149 | Buy Now |
| Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for CAT & other MBA exams. | Nishit K Sinha | ₹547 | Buy Now |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation Data Sufficiency. | Think Tank of Kiran Prakashan | ₹210 | Buy Now |
| Data Interpretation and Data Sufficiency. | Arihant Experts | ₹170 | Buy Now |
| Data Analysis & Sufficiency. | Arun Sharma | ₹445 | Buy Now |
| Data interpretation and Logical Reasoning for CAT. | Pearson | ₹547 | Buy Now |
| Kiran’s Text Book of Data Interpretation & Analysis and Data Sufficiency. | Kiran Prakashan | ₹325 | Buy Now |
MAT Preparation Tips For Data Analysis and Sufficiency
Here are some of the important MAT preparation tips for Data Analysis and Data Sufficiency for everyone preparing for the MAT exam:
- You must have basic knowledge and understanding of data representation.
- Since the questions include more data and numbers represented in tables, graphs, pie charts, etc, you must break the questions into parts and then try to read and answer the questions.
- Before attempting the question, you must analyze the data, interpret it, and choose the right answer.
- You must note that solving questions in this section might be time-consuming. So if you are not able to find the right answer, it is recommended to answer those questions at the end.
Best Intelligence & Critical Reasoning Books For MAT
This section analyzes the students’ reasoning skills. This section includes 40 questions. According to the previous year’s question paper trends, important topics in this section are Blood relations, Critical reasoning, Coding-decoding, and Non-verbal reasoning.
Intelligence & Critical Reasoning Syllabus
| Fact-inference-judgment | Passage Conclusion |
| Calendars | Statement-Argument |
| Blood Relations / Family Tree | Logical Sequence |
| Premise | Conclusion |
| Linear and Matrix Arrangement | Team Formation |
| Series | Syllogism |
| Rows | Set theory, Venn Diagrams, and Network Diagrams |
| Logical Reasoning based on Rankings | Critical Reasoning |
| Direction sense | Decision Making |
| Puzzles | Seating Arrangement |
| Quantitative Reasoning | Analogy |
| Input-Output | Clocks |
| Cubes | Assumption |
Chapter-Wise Weightage
| Chapter | Easy | Moderate | Difficult | Low Weightage | High Weightage |
| Fact-inference-judgement | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Calendars | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Blood Relations / Family Tree | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Premise | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Linear and Matrix Arrangement | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Series | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Rows | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Logical Reasoning based on Rankings | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Direction sense | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Puzzles | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Quantitative Reasoning | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Input-Output | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Cubes | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Passage Conclusion | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Statement-Argument | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Logical Sequence | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Conclusion | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Team Formation | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Syllogism | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Set theory, Venn Diagrams, and Network Diagrams | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Critical Reasoning | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Decision Making | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Seating Arrangement | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Analogy | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Clocks | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Assumption | ✓ | ✓ |
Best Intelligence & Critical Reasoning Books For MAT Exam
Now that you know the exam syllabus, find the right and best MAT books for Intelligence and critical reasoning preparation.
| Book Name | Author/Publisher | Price | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|
| How to Prepare For Logical Reasoning For CAT | Arun Sharma | ₹280 | BUY NOW |
| Verbal Ability And Logical Reasoning For The CAT | Nishit K. Sinha | ₹1299 | BUY NOW |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning | Gajendra Kumar | ₹600 | BUY NOW |
| Critical Reasoning Guide | CrackVerbal | – | BUY NOW |
| Analytical & Logical Reasoning for CAT & Other Management Entrance Tests | Peeyush Bhardwaj | ₹249 | BUY NOW |
| A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning | R. S. Aggarwal | ₹550 | BUY NOW |
| General Intelligence and Critical Reasoning for MAT | Disha Experts | – | BUY NOW |
MAT Preparation Tips For Intelligence & Critical Reasoning
Here are some of the important MAT Intelligence and critical reasoning preparation tips for everyone who is preparing for the MAT exam:
- Practice at least 20-30 questions from this section every day.
- You must read the questions carefully and understand what the question is all about before you answer the questions.
- Focus more on Syllogisms, statements-cause & effect, and blood relations to improve your skills.
- Solve 2-3 MAT ICR mock tests every week to understand the type of questions that will be asked and also improve your time management skills.
- Choose the answer that is related to the information given in the questions when the questions are from syllogisms and, statements & assumptions.
Best Indian and Global Environment Books For MAT
MAT Indian and Global Environment aim to test the student’s knowledge of current affairs, and ongoing national and international events.
The biggest advantage of this section is that you can solve it in 15 minutes. There is no calculation, no analysis required.
Indian and Global Environment Syllabus
| Authors | Entertainment |
| Geography | World Records |
| Sports | Finance |
| Politics | CEOs |
| Science | International Organisation |
| Corporate News | Social issues |
| Statements & Quotations | Current Affairs |
| Awards and Winners Books | History |
| Business | Company Punchlines |
Best Indian and Global Environment Books For MAT Exam
Now that you know the exam syllabus, find the right and best MAT books for Indian and Global Environment preparation
| Book Name | Author/Publisher | Price | Buy Now |
| Manorama Year Book | Mammen Mathew | ₹280 | Buy Now |
| Mega Yearbook | Disha Experts | ₹160 | Buy Now |
| General Knowledge | Arihant Publications | ₹127 | Buy Now |
| Lucent’s GK | Lucents | ₹131 | Buy Now |
MAT Preparation Tips For the Indian and Global Environment
Here are some of the important MAT Intelligence and critical reasoning preparation tips for everyone who is preparing for the MAT exam:
- Refer to the best general knowledge books like Lucent’s GK, Manorama Year Book, etc.
- For staying updated with the daily news and current affairs, start reading newspapers and download various authentic news applications.
- Practice general knowledge and current affairs quizzes, sectional mock tests, and sample papers.
- Take notes of all the important points for future references.
- Watch YT videos, news channels, and talk shows to stay updated with current affairs.
Conclusion
MAT is a national-level management entrance exam conducted by the AIMA to provide admissions to 600+ Business schools in India. This exam is conducted 4 times a year.
The MAT question paper is divided into five sections: Language Comprehension, Intelligence & Critical Reasoning, Indian and Global Environment, Mathematical Skills, and Data Analysis and Sufficiency.
To help you prepare well for the exam, we have given subject-wise the best MAT exam preparation books.
Good luck!
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FAQs
Q.1 How many attempts can I give MAT?
Ans. MAT exam is conducted 4 times a year. It is held in the month of February, May, September, and December. You can appear in any of them.
Q.2 What is considered a good score in MAT?
Ans. Above 400 is considered to be a good score to take admissions to colleges/universities.
Q.3 What is the validity of the MAT score?
Ans. MAT exam scores are valid for 1 year from the date of MAT results.
Q.4 What is the cut-off for the MAT exam?
Ans. MAT 2022 cut-off ranges between 95-65 percentile.
