IGNOU OPENMAT 2023: Application, Eligibility, Dates, Syllabus & Result

Last Updated on August 5, 2023 by Vishnu Nambiar

Have you completed Bachelor’s Degree education? Do you want to pursue MBA or PGDM program through distance learning mode? If yes, this post will be of help to you. Here, we will have an in-depth analysis of IGNOU OPENMAT examination.

In this post, readers will find the following details – IGNOU OPENMAT 2021 schedule, important dates, application process, eligibility criteria, syllabus, exam pattern, admit card, result, answer key, counseling and admission process.

 

Come, let us take a quick look at IGNOU OPENMAT examination-overview:

Name of the entrance exam:	IGNOU OPENMAT
Conducted by:	National Testing Agency
Mode of application:	Online
Level:	National
Frequency:	Conducted twice in a year
Purpose:	Admission into MBA and PGDM programs in IGNOU
Mode of examination:	Online (CBT-Computer Based Test)
Medium (language) of examination:	English
Duration:	3 hours
Number of questions:	200
Marking scheme:	1 mark for each correct answer
Negative marking scheme:	No
Nature of questions asked:	MCQs

 

IGNOU stands for Indira Gandhi National Open University. OPENMAT stands for Open University Management Admission Test. OPENMAT is a national level entrance test. The NTA conducts this test. This test is conducted two times in a year.

 

IGNOU is the most popular Open University in India. IGNOU is known to offer different types of courses – Certification, Diploma, Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree and Doctoral Degree programs.

 

In short, IGNOU offers UG, PG and Doctoral Degree level programs. When it comes to management programs, IGNOU is known to offer courses like MBA and PGDM programs.

 

These management programs have been crafted keeping the needs of Bachelor’s Degree holders in mind. Each year, thousands of Bachelor’s Degree holders are known to apply for OPENMAT test. The main aim of this test is to facilitate admission of eligible candidates into MBA and PGDM programs in IGNOU.

 

In short, if you want to pursue MBA or PGDM course from IGNOU, you must crack OPENMAT. And this post is the right place to start your preparation-journey. Here, you will find all the important details that you need to know about this entrance examination.

 

After going through this post, readers will be able to find answers to these questions –

• How to register for IGNOU OPENMAT?
• How to fill up IGNOU OPENMAT application form?
• What’s the application fee for registering?
• And more…

 

For answering the above mentioned questions, I’ve covered the following topics in this post –

• IGNOU OPENMAT schedule and dates
• Eligibility criteria
• Application process
• Documents required
• Syllabus and exam pattern
• Result, counseling and admission process

 

Come, let us check out IGNOU OPENMAT schedule and important dates –

 

IGNOU OPENMAT 2021 Schedule & Important Dates

Event	Date
Online application process will start on	January/February, 2021
Last date to submit application form	March, 2021
Form correction window will open on	March/April, 2021
Admit card will be released on	April, 2021
Date of examination	May, 2021

 

Eligible candidates may apply for this test online. The NTA is known to entertain application forms from eligible candidates only! Refer the next section and find out whether you are eligible to apply for OPENMAT or not –

 

IGNOU OPENMAT 2021 Eligibility Criteria

In order to be considered eligible to appear for IGNOU OPENMAT, one must satisfy certain conditions. These conditions are both academic and non-academic in nature. Age limit, nationality, work experience – such factors usually form non-academic conditions. On the other hand, educational qualification and aggregate marks – these factors form academic conditions.

 

Come, let us take a closer look at both academic and non-academic conditions:

 

IGNOU OPENMAT Age Limit

There’s no upper age limit.

 

Educational qualification

• Minimum educational qualification required is – Completed Bachelor’s Degree course (at least 3 years long course) from a recognized college/university OR Completed equivalent professional course such as – CA, CS, CMA etc.
• Minimum aggregate marks required is 50% marks (45% marks for SC/ST/PwD candidates).

 

Let us take a closer look at OPENMAT application process now –

 

IGNOU OPENMAT 2021 Application Process

OPENMAT examination is conducted by the NTA. Candidates may apply for this test online. The application process consists of stages such as – registration, form-filling, uploading relevant documents, payment of application fee and submission of application form.

 

Let us check out the list of important dates related to OPENMAT application process –

Event	Date
Online application process will start on	January/February, 2021
Last date to submit application form	March, 2021
Form correction window will open on	March/April, 2021
Admit card will be released on	April, 2021

 

Let us take a closer look at the steps involved in OPENMAT application process –

 

Step by step OPENMAT registration process

1. Visit the official website of IGNOU exams (ignouexams.nta.nic.in).
2. Click on ‘Application form for OPENMAT’ button.
3. Click on ‘new registration’ button.
4. Fill up the application form and submit it.
5. Status of application process and application number will appear on screen.
6. You will also receive confirmation message via email and SMS.
7. Access the login page.
8. Enter your credentials (application number and password) and sign in.
9. Fill up the application form by entering the following details – personal details, academic details, contact details, address, preferences etc.
10. Upload relevant documents.
11. Proceed to pay the application fee.
12. Pay the application fee and submit your application form.
13. Download your filled application form.
14. Take its printout for further use/reference.

 

Form correction

The NTA allows applicants to edit their application form even after submitting it. Yes, an applicant may edit his/her form during the form-correction window. An applicants may use this window to correct mistakes in his/her application form.

 

Follow these steps to correct your application form –

1. Visit the official website of IGNOU Exams (ignouexams.nta.ac.in).
2. While form-correction window is open, you will find relevant link on the website. Click on the form correction link.
3. Enter your credentials and sign in.
4. Make changes wherever necessary.
5. Pay form correction fee and preview your application form.
6. Submit the application form and take its printout for further use/reference.

 

Application fee

Here’s category wise list of OPENMAT application fee –

Category	Fee
General/OBC	800 INR
SC/ST/EWS	600 INR

 

While registering for this test, a candidate is supposed to upload certain scanned documents. These scanned documents must adhere to the guidelines set by the authorities. Come, let us check out these conditions –

 

Guidelines for scanned images

Document	Format	Size
Photograph	JPG or JPEG	10-200KB
Signature	JPG or JPEG	4-30KB

 

Candidates must keep the following documents ready before filling up the application process. These documents will simplify the form-filling process –

• Scanned images of photo and signature.
• Academic certificates.
• Category certificate (if applicable).

 

IGNOU OPENMAT 2021 Syllabus and Exam Pattern

OPENMAT is a CBT (Computer Based Test). The test comprises of MCQs. The paper consists of the following subjects – General awareness, reasoning, quantitative aptitude and English language.

 

Come, let us take a closer look at the syllabus –

 

Syllabus

• General awareness: Current affairs, economics, business, politics, geography, governance, organizations, leaders, eminent personalities, history, laws etc.
• Reasoning: Visual reasoning, critical reasoning, statements, conclusions, assumptions etc.
• Quantitative aptitude: Geometry, statistics, probability, permutation & combination, series, ratio and proportion etc.
• English language: Synonyms, antonyms, vocabulary, sentence correction and completion, fill in the blanks, reading and comprehension etc.

 

Marks distribution

Here’s what the section-wise marks distribution looks like –

Section	No of questions	Marks per question
General awareness	30	1
Reasoning	70	1
Quantitative aptitude	50	1
English language	50	1

 

Let us check out the exam pattern and highlight now –

 

Exam pattern and highlights

Mode of examination:	Online (CBT-Computer Based Test)
Medium (language) of examination:	English
Duration:	3 hours
Number of questions:	200
Marking scheme:	1 mark for each correct answer
Negative marking scheme:	No
Nature of questions asked:	MCQs

IGNOU OPENMAT 2021 Admit Card

OPENMAT admit card contains the following details –

• Name of the candidate
• Application number
• Date and time of exam
• Photograph and signature
• And more…

 

OPENMAT admit card is an important document. Without valid admit card, a candidate won’t be allowed to enter the examination hall. An applicant may obtain his/her admit card by following these steps –

1. Visit the official website of IGNOU exams (ignouexams.nta.ac.in).
2. Once NTA releases the admit card, you will find a relevant link on the website. Click on the link.
3. Enter your credentials and sign in.
4. Download the admit card.
5. Take its printout for further use/reference.

 

IGNOU OPENMAT 2021 Answer Key

Once the examination is over, the NTA will release OPENMAT answer key. Once the answer key is released by the NTA, candidates may download it by following these steps –

• Visit the official website of IGNOU exams (ignouexams.nta.ac.in).
• Once the answer key is released, you will find relevant link on the website. Click on the link.
• Enter your credentials and sign in.
• Download your answer key and question paper.

 

IGNOU OPENMAT 2021 Result

Result declaration takes place online. Candidates may keep an eye on the official website of IGNOU exams and check their result. Follow these steps to check your result –

1. Visit the official website of IGNOU Exams (ignouexams.nta.ac.in).
2. Once the result is declared, you will find relevant link on the website. Click on the link.
3. Enter your credentials and sign in.
4. Check your result

 

IGNOU OPENMAT 2021 Courses & Admission

As discussed before, the main aim of IGNOU OPENMAT test is to facilitate admission of eligible candidates into management courses offered by IGNOU (like MBA and PGDM programs). By cracking this test, you may pursue any one of the following programs –

• MBA
• PG Diploma in HRM
• PG Diploma in Finance Management
• PG Diploma in Finance Markets Practice
• PG Diploma in Marketing Management
• PG Diploma in Operations Management

 

IGNOU OPENMAT score is valid for a period of one year. For example – OPENMAT score from January 2021 session test will be valid for July 2021 session admission as well as January 2022 session admission!