Management Aptitude Test (MAT) conducted on 5th Sept, 2010 had no major difference in the pattern of the test as compared to its previous counterparts i.e. MAT May or Feb.
The paper was as per the expected pattern. MAT Sept exam had 200 questions to be attempted in 150 minutes. Each question carried 1 mark and the penalty for every wrong answer was 0.25 marks. The paper was equally distributed amongst 5 sections namely, Language Comprehension, Mathematical Skills, Data Analysis & Sufficiency, Intelligence & Critical Reasoning and Indian & Global Environment.
The marks obtained in the last section namely ‘Indian & Global Environment’ are given separately and not considered in the composite score. Thus, in order to calculate the composite score, total marks taken into consideration are 160 and not 200.
|
Section |
No. of Questions |
Level of Difficulty |
|
Language Comprehension |
40 |
Moderate |
|
Mathematical Skills |
40 |
Moderate to Difficult |
|
Data Analysis & Sufficiency |
40 |
Easy to Moderate |
|
Intelligence & Critical Reasoning |
40 |
Easy to Moderate |
|
Indian & Global Environment |
40 |
Moderate |
|
Total |
200 |
Moderate |
|
Total Marks |
200 Marks |
|
|
Negative Marking |
0.25 marks per question |
|
|
Duration |
150 Minutes (2.5 Hrs) |
|
This section was definitely the breather. The section had equal number of questions divided amongst Reading Comprehension (20) and English usage, grammar and vocabulary (20). There were 5 passages with 4 questions each in Reading Comprehension pertaining to various areas with easy to moderate level questions. Grammar had 15 questions including paragraph formation, incorrect sentences and summary with moderate to difficult level questions. Only 5 questions of vocabulary came which were of moderate level. Overall, the section was moderate with very few difficult level questions and one could not term any question as specifically being difficult in comparison to other exams.
Possible score could have been 6-7 in English usage & grammar and 7-8 in Reading Comprehension. Ideally one could have scored around 13 – 15 marks out of 40 in this section.
The section was ruled by Arithmetic with nearly 29 questions from this area pertaining to various topics like Time & Work, Pipes & Cisterns, Geometry, Time & Distance, Percentages, Profit & Loss, Alligations & Mixtures, Averages and SI/CI. Higher maths constituted rest of the questions with around 8 being from P&C. The rest of the questions were from Trigonometry. Ideally, a score of 9-10 in Arithmetic and 3-4 in Higher Maths would have done the trick. The questions were of moderate to difficult level.
This section comprised of Data Interpretation (DI), Data Sufficiency (DS) & Data Comparison (DC) with DI accounting for 24 out of 40 questions, DS accounting for 8 questions and DC for rest 8 questions. DI was comparatively easy with 5 sets involving 2 bar charts, 1 pie chart, 1 line graph and 1 caselet. DS & DC had moderate level questions with DS a bit time consuming.
Ideally, a score of around 9-10 in DI and 5-6 in DS & DC would have been good enough.
This section was a mix of Analytical Reasoning (24 questions) and Critical Reasoning (16 questions). The questions of analytical reasoning were easy in nature with majority being doable. It comprised of questions on directions, cubes, number/letter series, Venn diagrams, distribution & blood relations. Attempting this portion was the key to cracking this section. Critical Reasoning, on the other hand, was of moderate level with questions on statements & conclusions, assertions & reason and logical reasoning in equal proportions.
On the whole, an average score of around 15+ in analytical reasoning and 4-5 in critical reasoning i.e. total of 20 - 22 more towards the higher side would have been good enough.
This section had questions from different subject areas such as economics, sports, politics, etc. Time allocation of around 7-10 minutes with a score of around 10 out of 40 would have been adequate as the score of this section is not going to be considered for calculating the composite score. The questions were of easy nature otherwise.
Overall a student should look for an attempt of around 100 in the written, coupled with high accuracy. The total composite score of 65-67 out of 160 would be considered good and the student can expect calls for GD/PI from some of the good colleges through MAT Sept.
Disclaimer: The above cutoffs are only suggestive in nature and may differ from the actual cutoffs. Roots Education cannot be held responsible for any decision taken by the candidate on the basis of the above information.
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