Taking the MAT
The MAT, or Miller Analogies Test, is an alternative to the GRE that some graduate programs accept. It tests your general knowledge, verbal comprehension, analytical thinking, ability to determine relationships, and mastery of English.
The MAT consists of 120 analogies in the following categories:
- General knowledge.
- Mathematics.
- Humanities.
- Natural sciences.
- Language.
- Social sciences.
There are four types of analogies on the MAT:
- Semantic, which involve definitions, synonyms, antonyms, intensity, or word part.
- Classification, which place words and concepts in a category or membership.
- Association, which address the order of events, cause and effect, characteristics, and relationships between ideas.
- Logical/mathematical, which consist of equations, fractions, patterns, and multiples.
The test takes 60 minutes to complete. Of the 120 questions, 100 are scored and 20 are experimental questions that are being tested for use in future exams.
Preparing for the GRE can be difficult because it covers such a wide range of knowledge. However, practice tests and study guides are available to help you prepare.
Like the GRE, the MAT is primarily a computer-based test, although paper-and-pencil options may also be available. It is offered at testing centers at colleges and universities throughout the United States and Canada. The cost of the test varies according to the location but typically ranges from $65 to $80.
If you take the computer-based version of the MAT, you will receive a preliminary score as soon as you finish the test, with official scores mailed to you within three weeks. An official score report can also be sent to any institutions and organizations you request. The official score report will list the scores for all MAT tests you have taken in the last five years.
Scores for the MAT range from 200 to 600. You will receive both a scaled and percentile score.