I know that almost anyone can agree with me when I write:
It is very difficult to find the best MAT study guide for your particular situation.
The exam has many different options for test prep books, from many different companies. The MAT, Miller Analogies Test, is a very difficult test, and has a huge say on your future.
Because of these reasons I have created this list of the best MAT study guides. All of the info below should make it very easy to choose which review guide is right for you.
Ready to see our list?
Please note, all external links for the products below (geni.us links, etc.) link to the corresponding Amazon.com page for each product.
MAT Study Guide Comparison Table
| Ranking | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Study Guide |  Barron's MAT |  Kaplan MAT Strategies, Practice & Review |  MAT For Dummies |  McGraw-Hill 500 MAT Questions |  MAT Exam Study Guide |
| Award |   | ||||
| Price | |||||
| Practice Exams / Questions | 10 practice exams 1300 questions | 7 practice exams 800 questions | 6 practice exams | 500 questions | 1 practice exam |
| Pages | 456 pages | 372 pages | 360 pages | 160 pages | 68 pages |
| Published | 9/1/2013 | 10/4/2016 | 4/22/2013 | 8/26/2014 | 8/22/2016 |
| More Details | Read full review > | Read full review > | Read full review > | Read full review > | Read full review > |
Best Overall and Best Value MAT Study Guide
Barron's MAT: Miller Analogies Test, 11th Edition Review
Barron's MAT is our number 1 best overall and best value prep book on our list of the top rated MAT study guides. One great positive about this book is the gargantuan amount of practice test and problems contained within. This prep guide has more practice tests and problems than any other prep book on our list.
The sample problems and practice tests are also very “exam-like”. You won’t be surprised on test day by questions that seem unfamiliar or that you have never seen before. Familiarity breeds success and Barron's certainly helps with improving your test score.
Also included within this prep guide is a number of vocabulary checklists. These checklists are very useful on learning the different terminology that is used on the test.
Unlike other tests, this exam is very dependent on you recognizing structure and meanings of words so that you can use that knowledge to answer all of the analogy questions. Barron's certainly helps you along on identifying all the language that you need to know for the exam.
Barron's also includes:
1) A diagnostic test
2) 10 full-length practice exams
3) 1,300 additional practice questions with answers
The one main flaw of Barron's is that it includes some graphical errors and typos. These errors are sometimes distracting while you are studying and come across them. The may leave you scratch your head in confusion because the text says one thing but it really means another.
Although with this one flaw, Barron's has many strengths. Because of this we rank Barron's as our number 1 best overall and best value prep book on our list of the best prep guides.
Pros
- Has an exceptional amount of practice tests and problems
- Vocabulary checklists are very helpful for tackling the exam
- Practice tests and questions are very "exam-like"
Cons
- Has some grammatical errors and typos
#2 Best Overall MAT Study Guide
Kaplan MAT Strategies, Practice & Review, 6th Edition Review
Kaplan MAT Strategies, Practice & Review is our 2nd best overall prep book on our list of the top MAT preparation books.
The main strong point of this prep book is its in-depth and thorough concept review. This concept overview really goes into deep detail on the subjects, allowing you to be confident that you have covered everything that you need to know for the exam.
There are also tons of tips and strategies for the different questions on the exam. As you very well may know, the test writers will try to trip you up on test day, but these tips really let you slip past their tricks.
Another inclusion that is great with this prep book are the root word reviews. Root words are the segment parts that make up a larger word. Knowing these is very useful because it allows you to decipher the meaning of a word even if you do not know what it means. The test requires a lot of vocabulary knowledge and root word strategies allow you to make highly educated guesses, thus increasing your score on the exam.
Kaplan's also includes:
1) 7 full-length practice tests with detailed answer explanations
2) Word lists with 1000+ terms to help you focus your prep
3) 800+ practice questions
Although this prep guide has plenty of practice tests and sample questions, some of the questions are not very “exam-like”. You may be flustered on test day by questions that seem unfamiliar or that you have not seen before.
Even with this one flaw, Kaplan's has many strong points. Because of this we rank Kaplan Strategies, Practice & Review is our number 2 overall prep book on our list of the best guides to prepare for the MAT.
Pros
- Concept overview is through and comprehensive
- Root word review is very useful for finding out the meaning of words you do not know
- Learn the tips to help you succeed in slipping past the test makers tricks
Cons
- Some questions are not very "exam-like", different from the actual exam
#3 Best Overall MAT Study Guide
MAT For Dummies, 1st Edition Review
MAT For Dummies is our 3rd best overall prep book on our list of the top rated MAT review guides. This prep guide does many things the other guides on our list do such as giving in-depth review and multiple practice tests and explanations.
But Dummies also goes beyond just review and gives you helpful tips and strategies to prepare you for the exam. These tips are very useful for making sure that you are not flustered or tripped up for the exam. Since you will be confident that you are fully prepared for the exam, you will not have test day anxiety, thus increasing your score. Dummies is a jack of all trades prep guide.
Dummies also includes:
1) 6 full-length practice tests with complete answer explanations
2) Word/terms lists covering the major subject categories
Even though Dummies does many things well, it doesn’t necessarily do anything great. The subject review is alright but it is not as in-depth as other prep guides on our list.
Also some of the review questions have some typographical errors that distract from your studying. Even though Dummies is pretty decent, it does not stand out like the other guides our list. Because of this, we rank MAT For Dummies as our number 3 overall prep book on our list of the best review guides.
Pros
- Goes beyond just review and gives helpful test taking strategies
- Helpful tips to keep in mind on test day, along with some ways to help reduce test anxiety
Cons
- Subject review is not as in depth and has some typographical errors
#4 Best Overall MAT Study Guide
McGraw-Hill Education 500 MAT Questions to Know by Test Day, 1st Edition Review
McGraw-Hill 500 MAT Questions is our number 4 best overall prep book on our list of the top MAT prep books.
This prep guide focuses a lot more on practice questions and tests rather than in-depth subject review. Because of this, McGraw-Hill's has a ton of practice questions within.
These practice questions also have great answer explanations. With these answer explanations you can really learn from your mistakes, thus increasing your score on the exam.
The sample questions and tests are also in a great format and well organized. This layout really allows you to pick up the book for short periods and get a quick cram in; perfect for in between classes or coming home from work on the train or bus.
McGraw-Hill's also includes:
1) 500 questions to help you prepare more effectively, use your preparation time wisely, and get your best score
2) Full explanations for each question in the answer key
3) A format parallel to that of the actual exam
Obviously, since McGraw-Hill's focuses solely on practice questions and tests, there is no in-depth theory overview. If you’re looking for a guide that goes over the concepts through the different subjects of the exam, you may need to pick up a supplemental guide. If you’re just looking for practice questions, this preparation guide would be great to pick up. We rank McGraw-Hill 500 MAT Questions as our 4th overall prep book on our list of the top rated MAT review guides.
Pros
- Has tons of practice questions
- The explanations for the practice problems are detailed and in-depth
- Has great format and organization, laid out like the actual test
Cons
- Only has practice questions, no comprehensive review
#5 Best Overall MAT Study Guide
MAT Exam Study Guide Review
MAT Exam Study Guide is our number 5 best overall prep book on our list of the best MAT study books. At only 68 pages, MAT Exam Study Guide is the shortest book on our list.
Although this short length may give this guide some flaws, it also gives it some strengths. The review is concise and to the point, it does not waste your time. This prep guide covers all the concepts that you need to know for the exam and does not cover the concepts that you do not need to know. There is no fluff contained within this book, there is just straightforward information that you will need for the exam.
Even though its short length gives this prep book some strengths, it also gives it some flaws. There is no in-depth concept review and this guide only contains one practice test. If you’re looking for more practice tests or a comprehensive theory overview, you may need to purchase a supplemental guide. Because of this, we rank MAT Exam Study Guide is our 5th overall prep book on her list of the best prep guides to prepare for the MAT.
Pros
- Short, concise and to the point, does not waste your time
- No "fluff" material, just the straight-forward information you will need for the exam
- Excellent layout, organized by process group and not by knowledge area
Cons
- Shortest guide on our list, review is not very comprehensive
- Only 1 practice test
Our Suggestions
Our endorsements offer the most budget friendly way to prepare for the exam without breaking the bank. There are many different prep guides that you can choose from, but the good thing is that they are all near the same price, and that price is pretty low. Because of this we suggest to:
Just buy Barron's MAT. It is the top guide on our list and none of the other guides offer a great price compared to this guide.
Best MAT Study Guides: Reviewed
| MAT Study Guide | Award | |
| 1 | Barron's MAT | Best Overall & Best Value |
| 2 | Kaplan MAT Strategies, Practice & Review | #2 Best Overall |
| 3 | MAT For Dummies | #3 Best Overall |
