MAT: Miller Analogies Test
The Miller Analogies Test (MAT) is a high-level mental ability test requiring the solution of problems stated as analogies. It consists of 120 partial analogies that are to be completed in 60 minutes. The test is available as either a computer-based test or a paper-and pencil test.
Fluency in the English language, a broad knowledge of literature, philosophy, history, science, mathematics, and fine arts, and the ability to reason out relationships may contribute to performance on the test. There is no foreign-language edition. No one is permitted to use a dictionary or any other reference aid when taking the test.
The test is administered through a network of Controlled Testing Centers licensed by Pearson/Harcourt Assessment. While Pearson/Harcourt Assessment has rigorous procedures that all Centers must follow, each Center establishes its own testing schedule, test fee, and other procedures. Candidates apply directly to a Controlled Testing Center to take the test. The Center is responsible only for administering the test; Pearson/Harcourt Assessment does all scoring and reporting of scores.
More information about the test is available on-line.
You may download a copy of the official Candidate Information Bulletin at the MAT website or by contacting Pearson/Harcourt Assessment at the address below, or by visiting Cal Poly's Testing Services office in Student Services (Building 124).
Pearson.
PSE Customer Relations - MAT
19500 Bulverde Road
San Antonio, Texas 78259
Telephone (210) 339-8710 or (800) 622-3231
Fax: 888-211-8276
The fee for the test at Cal Poly is $80.00
Testing at Cal Poly
Cal Poly administers the test on weekdays by appointment only.
To schedule an appointment to take your test at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, California, candidates should call 805-756-1551 at least one week in advance. (At times, however, the waiting period will be longer due to the demand for appointments.) Candidates must report to the Testing Services office promptly at the scheduled time. If candidates are late, they may not be able to be tested. The fee for the examination is $80.00, to be paid at the time of testing. Candidates must present two forms of identification: one must be a government-issued photo ID (such as a driver's license or passport) or a school-issued photo ID with a signature; the second can be another form of identification, such as a social security card or a birth certificate.
RETESTING: Candidates who have taken the test previously must say so when making their appointment. Candidates who have taken the test within the past twelve months must bring a retest admission ticket to the test session (provided with your last score report). Your scores may not be considered valid if you test without a retest ticket.
SCORE REPORTING: At the time of testing, candidates may designate up to three score recipients. Candidates should bring the exact addresses of score recipients and the program within each school or college where scores should be sent. Scores will be mailed by Pearson/Harcourt Assessment and received by candidates and the designated score recipients approximately three weeks after testing. Candidates are responsible for verifying that the score reports reach the correct score recipients. (There will be an additional charge by Pearson/Harcourt Assessment if a duplicate score report is requested more than five weeks after the date of the test.)
Transcript Service
For five years after your test date, you may have transcripts of your score sent to additional score recipients. Scores more than five years old will not be reported. After you take the test, you can have your score reported to score recipient schools and other institutions by using the Transcript Request Form that you receive with your personal Score Report or by submitting a letter to Pearson/Harcourt Assessment (at one of the addresses given below) specifying that you are requesting a transcript of your score and must include the following information:
- Your name as you gave it when you took the test and your current address (If your name has changed, also give your current name.)
- Your daytime telephone number
- Your Social Security number (American) or Social Insurance number (Canadian), if you have one
- The date of your request
- The place and approximate date on which you took the test
- The complete address or addresses to which you want your score reported
- Your signature
- With your Transcript Request Form or your letter, you must include a money order for the transcript fee of $25.00 per transcript. The money order must be payable to Harcourt Assessment, Inc. and must display your name.
- Within five business days of receiving your transcript request, Pearson/Harcourt Assessment will send a transcript to your designated score recipient. Transcripts are sent by first class mail.
- Your name, address, Social Security number (American) or Social Insurance number
- (Canadian), date of birth, and intended major exactly as you stated them on your answer document
- The date on which you took the test
- Your scaled score
- Your percentile based on the current normative data of the general population of examinees
- Your percentile based on the current normative data for your intended major as indicated on your answer document
- Any other scores you earned during the five years preceding the date of your latest test date
Send transcript requests and money order to one of the following addresses:
By regular mail:
Pearson
Miller Analogies Test
P.O. Box 7247-6707
Philadelphia PA 19170-6707
By overnight courier service:
Pearson
c/o CitiBank Delaware
Team 2
Lock Box 6707, OPS3
1615 Brett Road
New Castle, DE 19720
Frequently Asked Questions
I want to take the test at Cal Poly, but I want to apply to another graduate school. Will my scores be good?
Yes. You may take the test at any of the Controlled Testing Centers and designate any score report recipient.
Are there any special procedures to take the test again?
Yes. If you have taken the test previously, you must say so when making your appointment. In addition, if you have tested within the past twelve months, you must bring your retest admission ticket to the test session (you will not be tested without the admission ticket!).
When do I receive my scores?
Official score reports will be mailed by Pearson/Harcourt Assessment and received by candidates and the designated score recipients approximately three weeks after testing. However, if you take the computer-based version, you will be shown your scores and receive an unofficial copy of your results on the day of the test.
How long are my scores good for?
Pearson will not report scores which are more than five years old. In addition, the graduate school or program to which you are applying may have additional requirements for when the test must be taken.
How may I study for the test?
Since this test surveys a broad knowledge base across disciplines, it is difficult to study for content. However, there are study guides available from El Corral Bookstore or other bookstores. The more exposure you have to the ways in which analogies may be set up, the greater are you chances of recognizing and solving the problems. There are also some analogy examples with explanations and test-taking strategy tips in the Information Bulletin. A sample test is available on-line from the official website, for a fee.
What are the procedures for accommodating candidates with disabilities?
To qualify for additional test time or assistance taking the test, you must provide the Testing Services office with a current letter from a licensed physician, optometrist, social worker, or psychologist (including title, address, and telephone number) on his or her letterhead describing the nature of your disability as it applies to taking a multiple-choice standardized test and a completed copy of the Accommodations Request Form in the Candidate Information Booklet, specifying the accommodations you will need for testing. Submit these documents to the Testing Services office before scheduling a testing appointment.