dMAT Syllabus
The dMAT tests reasoning ability, not subject knowledge. There is no fixed textbook — instead, the exam draws on a defined set of question formats across two modules. This page breaks down exactly what's covered in each.
Module 1 — Core Module
Three subtests, each 20 questions in 25 minutes, with no calculator or rough paper permitted. This is the section every dMAT candidate should prioritise first, since the question formats are stable and highly practisable.
- Positional movement
- Rotation & reflection
- Fill alternation
- Count sequences (linear & bouncing)
- Matrix formulas
- Dual/simultaneous rules
- Row elimination
- Column elimination
- Cross-deduction
- Constraint propagation
- 4×4 and 5×5 grids
- Symbol sets (letters & numbers)
- Symbol substitution
- Mental arithmetic (no calculator)
- BODMAS order of operations
- Simultaneous-style equations
- Bounded trial estimation
- Sign handling
Module 2 — General Academic Module (GAM)
90 minutes of academic reading and data interpretation across three domains. Unlike the Core Module, GAM passages vary each sitting — the skill being tested is comprehension and inference under time pressure, not a fixed set of mechanical rules.
Passages and data sets drawn from physics, chemistry, biology, and quantitative reasoning contexts. Expect graphs, tables, and short calculations embedded in academic-style text.
Case-style passages involving markets, finance, or organisational data. Questions test interpretation of figures and business reasoning, not memorised theory.
Argumentative or descriptive academic text from social science and humanities contexts. Tests reading comprehension, inference, and identifying an author's claim or evidence.
Not every dMAT sitting or every university requires the GAM section — some programmes only consider your Core Module score. Confirm with your target university whether GAM applies to your application before allocating heavy prep time to it.
Full syllabus at a glance
| Module | Section | Questions | Time | Tools allowed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core | Figure Sequences | 20 | 25 min | None |
| Core | Latin Squares | 20 | 25 min | None |
| Core | Mathematical Equations | 20 | 25 min | None |
| GAM | Mathematics & Sciences | Varies | 90 min (combined) | None |
| GAM | Business & Economics | Varies | None | |
| GAM | Social Sciences & Humanities | Varies | None |
Skills the syllabus is really testing
Underneath the three Core Module formats and the GAM passages, dMAT is consistently assessing a small set of underlying cognitive skills. Recognising these helps you see why practice transfers across question types: