MAT 2018 Exam Analysis - Major obstacles faced in DA section

MAT 2018 May PBT was successfully conducted on May 6, 2018. The Paper based test was conducted across 51 test cities. The test was taken by over 17,000 students, however the actual number vary due to the 10-12% of absentees. This year MAT 2018 May test takers did not come across any surprise element. Nevertheless, candidates faced some difficult questions in the Data Analysis, Language and Critical Reasoning sections. It was observed there were no changes in the MAT May exam pattern— a relief factor for many. Since the difficulty level of the test was moderate, therefore students will need to score high in order to seek admission into any leading MAT accepting B-school.

Before we break down the MAT 2018 Analysis, let us take you through the exam pattern of MAT May 2018:

MAT 2018 Exam Pattern

Below we bring to you the section wise MAT 2018 May analysis:

Section I- Language Comprehension

The language comprehension section had 40 questions of which 20 questions were dedicated to reading comprehension and 20 to English Language. Some of the major topics from the comprehension were Difference in modern life vs. Past life and parameters of good life, Neuro Linguistic Programming- How to run your brain and Impact of flow credit, subsidized interest rate and loan waiver on Agriculture growth.         

This section on overall was moderate in nature except for few questions. Candidates could attempt the section in given time of 30 minutes. A score of 27-28 could fetch 90 percentile in the Language section.

MAT 2018 Analysis: Language Comprehension

Section II- Mathematical Skills

The Mathematical skills section had 40 questions where maximum weightage was given to Arithmetic based questions. Over 15 questions were based on Percentages, Profit, Loss and Interest to name a few. The Arithmetic questions were time consuming but of moderate difficulty level. Apart from Arithmetic, there were questions from Ratio, Geometry & Mensuration, Equations, Proportion & Variation and Probability among others. If attempted well, the section could be a percentile booster. Candidates with score 29-30 could easily earn over 90 percentile.

Section III- Data Analysis & Sufficiency

Data Analysis & Sufficiency comprises questions from Graphs, Venn Diagram, Pie Charts, Bar Graphs, Tables and Puzzles among others. This section had maximum questions on Data Interpretation (DI) as over 50% of the section was based on DI, while the rest on data comparison and data sufficiency. The major obstacle candidates faced in the section was to complete the section in the given time. Those aiming to earn above 90 percentile, must score 22-23 minimum.

Section IV- Intelligence and Critical Reasoning

The Intelligence and Critical Reasoning section had 40 questions overall with a time limit of 30 minutes. Majority of the questions were based on Analytical and Logical reasoning and fewer were based on Critical reasoning. Of the 40 questions, 10 were based on Family relation, 10 on Cause & Effect statements while the rest were statement- reasons, assumptions, series, analogies, direction and incorrect terms.

Overall the difficulty level of the section was moderate in nature, however, candidates found the section lengthy to complete in given time. A score of 26-27 would help score over 90 percentile.

Section V- Indian and Global Environment

This section was based on General Knowledge, Business and Economics, International Affairs, and Current Affairs. Given the time limit for this section which was 15 minutes, candidates could easily wrap up the section in mere 10 minutes. Questions in the Indian and Global Environment section were based on GST, Import Duty, Oscar Awards, Indian States, North President’s recent visit and Common Wealth Games to name a few. Candidates while attempting this section took less than 30 seconds on each question. Since, this section is not considered for percentile calculation; hence few students chose to skip the section to dedicate time to other sections.

MAT 2018 May Analysis: Highlights

• The time limit to complete the MAT PBT May 2018 was 150 minutes for 200 questions which was not enough for test takers.
• Time management was the biggest challenge in the test, as each question had to be solved in less than 60 seconds.
• Those with poor time management skill could not attempt the questions despite knowing their answers.

MAT 2018 Expected Cut off

In the table given below, candidates can find the leading institutes that accept the MAT scores with their expect MAT 2018 cut offs:

MAT cut off 2018

The result of MAT May 2018 PBT will be announced in the end of May 2018. MAT May is the last test for session 2018-19 as the MAT September 2018 exam will be held for session 2019-20.