1
How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT
Arun Sharma · McGraw Hill
Graded levels of difficulty mirroring CAT quant.
Check priceAffiliate link · price on Amazon.in
ManagementNational Reviewed September 2026
Best Books & Mock Tests for MAT 2026
Management Aptitude Test · All India Management Association (AIMA)
MBA entrance accepted by over 600 B-schools.
Best books for MAT — in the order to buy
Start at #1 and work down. The first books cover the full syllabus; later books add depth for scoring subjects.
2
How to Prepare for Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning for the CAT
Arun Sharma · McGraw Hill
Set-based DILR practice at CAT difficulty.
Check priceAffiliate link · price on Amazon.in
3
How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT
Arun Sharma, Meenakshi Upadhyay · McGraw Hill
RC passages and verbal question types in CAT style.
Check priceAffiliate link · price on Amazon.in
4
Word Power Made Easy
Norman Lewis · Penguin
Builds vocabulary systematically — useful for CAT, GRE and bank exams.
Check priceAffiliate link · price on Amazon.in
5
Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations
R.S. Aggarwal · S. Chand
Chapter-wise concepts and thousands of solved questions for arithmetic.
Check priceAffiliate link · price on Amazon.in
Best mock tests & practice sets for MAT
Take a full mock every week in the early months and every alternate day in the last 30 days. Analyse every test — that is where marks improve.
Official
Official MAT notification, syllabus & papers
All India Management Association (AIMA)
Always confirm dates, eligibility and syllabus on the official website before applying.
Visit official siteMAT at a glance
Conducted by
All India Management Association (AIMA)
Level
National
Frequency
Four times a year
Mode
Online (CBT)
Eligibility
Graduate.
Official website
https://mat.aima.inDates, vacancies, fees and age limits change every cycle — always confirm in the latest official notification.
Exam pattern
- 1Paper-based / CBT / IBT
Syllabus — key subjects
Language ComprehensionMathematical SkillsDA & SufficiencyIntelligence & Critical ReasoningIndian & Global Environment
How to prepare for MAT
STEP 1
Month 1 — Foundation
Read the official syllabus and solve one previous MAT paper to see where you stand. Start book #1 and #2 from the list above.
STEP 2
Months 2–3 — Concepts
Finish one standard book per subject. Solve topic-wise practice sets the same day you finish a chapter.
STEP 3
Month 4 — Mock phase
Start full-length mocks weekly. Maintain an error log and revisit weak topics after every test.
STEP 4
Last 30 days — Revision
Mocks every alternate day, revise short notes and previous year questions. No new books.
MAT — frequently asked questions
Which is the best mock test for MAT 2026?
Start with All India Management Association (AIMA)'s previous year MAT papers, solved under real exam timing. Aim for at least 15–20 full mocks before the exam and analyse every test.
Which are the best books for MAT preparation?
The most recommended books for MAT are: How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT by Arun Sharma; How to Prepare for Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning for the CAT by Arun Sharma; How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT by Arun Sharma, Meenakshi Upadhyay; Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis. Read one good book per subject multiple times instead of many books once.
What is MAT?
Management Aptitude Test (MAT) is conducted by All India Management Association (AIMA). MBA entrance accepted by over 600 B-schools.
What is the eligibility for MAT?
Graduate. Always verify the latest criteria in the official notification at https://mat.aima.in.
What is the MAT exam pattern?
MAT is conducted in the following stage(s): Paper-based / CBT / IBT. Mode: Online (CBT).
What is the MAT syllabus?
The main subjects/sections of MAT are: Language Comprehension, Mathematical Skills, DA & Sufficiency, Intelligence & Critical Reasoning, Indian & Global Environment. Download the detailed syllabus from https://mat.aima.in.
How often is MAT conducted?
MAT is held four times a year. Dates are announced by All India Management Association (AIMA) in the official notification.
How to crack MAT in the first attempt?
(1) Download the official syllabus and previous papers. (2) Build concepts from one standard book per subject. (3) Practise topic-wise sets daily. (4) Start full-length mock tests at least 3 months before the exam and analyse each one. (5) Revise weak areas and keep a short-notes register. (6) Take the last 15 days only for revision and mocks.
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