Language Skills
36 questions · 28 minutes- Reading Comprehension
- Para Forming
- Error Identification
- Prepositions
- Sentence Completion
- Analogies
Next: Exam on 2 Nov 2026
Conducted by Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC)
Online (CBT)
NMAT Exam 2026 preparation guide
NMAT 2026: Exam Pattern, Syllabus, Dates & Preparation
Everything you need to crack NMAT
By Amit Kumar Jaiswal · Updated
Exam pattern, eligibility, previous year papers, mock tests and topic-wise practice, all on this page. Pick a test, start it here, and get your score with solutions.
Download Syllabus (opens in a new tab)NMAT registration closedLast date was 25 Oct 2026
Instant score & solutionsPractice mode open without sign-up
What is the NMAT exam?
The NMAT by GMAC™ is a national-level MBA entrance exam owned and administered by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), the same global body that runs the GMAT. Its scores are used for admission to MBA and PGDM programmes at NMIMS and 58+ other leading B-schools in India, including K J Somaiya Institute of Management, XIM University, Great Lakes (PGPM), TAPMI, FLAME University and ICFAI Business School.
NMAT is known as one of the most candidate-friendly MBA exams: there is no negative marking, you can choose the order of the three sections, you can take the exam up to three times in a testing year, and you pick your own test date and slot within a long testing window. For the 2026 cycle, the NMAT exam is being held from 2 November to 20 December 2026.
Which CAT & MBA Entrance exam comes first?
NMAT beside the other CAT & MBA Entrance exams, soonest first, with where registration stands for each.
NMAT Exam 2026Next upThis exam
Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC)
Registration closed on 25 Oct 2026Exam date: 2 Nov – 20 Dec 2026
In 6 daysIndian Institute of Management, Indore
Registration closed on 22 Sept 2026Exam date: 29 Nov 2026
In 33 daysSymbiosis International (Deemed University)
Registration open till 25 Nov 2026Exam date: 13–26 Dec 2026
In 47 daysXLRI Jamshedpur
Registration open till 6 Dec 2026Exam date: 3 Jan 2027
In 68 daysNational Testing Agency (NTA)
Exam date: 7 Feb 2027
In 103 days
No dates announced yet: PU MET
What is the NMAT exam pattern and marking scheme?
NMAT is a computer-based test with 108 multiple-choice questions in three equally weighted sections. Each section has its own time limit, and you choose the order in which you attempt the sections at the start of the exam. Questions appear one at a time and the test adapts to your ability level, so a stronger performance brings tougher questions.
NMAT Section-Wise Questions, Time & Score Range
Section | Questions | Time | Score Range |
|---|---|---|---|
Language Skills | 36 | 28 minutes | 12–120 |
Quantitative Skills | 36 | 52 minutes | 12–120 |
Logical Reasoning | 36 | 40 minutes | 12–120 |
Total | 108 | 120 minutes | 36–360 |
Marking Scheme for NMAT
Correct Answer | Counts towards your scaled score |
Incorrect Answer | No negative marking |
Unattempted Question | No negative marking |
NMAT does not award a fixed number of marks per question. Because the test is adaptive, GMAC first estimates your ability from the questions you answered and then converts it into a scaled score of 12–120 for each section and 36–360 in total. Since there is no penalty for wrong answers, you should attempt every question, but remember that each section is timed separately.
NMAT Score, Retakes & Validity
- Score: You see an unofficial score on screen right after the exam, and the scorecard is available to download within 48 hours.
- Attempts: Up to three attempts in a testing cycle (the first attempt plus two retakes). A retake can be booked right after a valid score, but the new exam date must be at least 7 days later.
- Validity: An NMAT score is valid for one year, i.e. for the admission cycle it was taken for.
- Score reports: Sending your score to 5 schools is included in the registration fee; each additional school costs extra.
What is the NMAT syllabus?
GMAC publishes the topic areas for each NMAT section, and the syllabus has stayed the same as the previous cycle. Language Skills covers Reading Comprehension, Para Forming, Error Identification, Prepositions, Sentence Completion and Analogies; Quantitative Skills covers Number Properties, Arithmetic, Algebra and Probability, Data Interpretation (caselets, tables, graphs and charts) and Data Sufficiency; Logical Reasoning covers Critical Reasoning, Analytical Puzzles, Deductions and other reasoning. The topic-wise breakdown below follows GMAC's official topic list, and you can download the complete NMAT syllabus PDF from this page.
Three equally weighted sections of 36 questions each, 120 minutes in total. Topics follow GMAC's official NMAT topic list.
Quantitative Skills
36 questions · 52 minutes- Number Properties
- Fractions & Decimals
- Logarithms
- Factors & Multiples
- HCF & LCM
- Prime Numbers
- Arithmetic
- Algebra & Probability
- Data Interpretation
- Caselets
- Tables
- Graphs & Charts
- Data Sufficiency
Logical Reasoning
36 questions · 40 minutes- Critical Reasoning
- Conclusions & Inferences
- Assumptions
- Strong & Weak Arguments
- Verbal Logic
- Deductions
- Syllogisms
- Analytical Puzzles
- Seating Arrangement
- Input–Output
- Decision Making
- Venn Diagrams
Who is eligible for NMAT?
GMAC states that eligibility criteria are set by each B-school that accepts NMAT scores, and that NMAT registration and B-school applications are separate. So the rules that matter are those of the programmes you apply to.
Qualification for NMIMS MBA (most common NMAT route)
- A Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university.
- At least 50% aggregate marks in graduation (all subjects the candidate has taken and appeared for).
- Work experience is not mandatory for the NMIMS MBA, although it may carry weightage in the final selection.
Final-Year Students
Final-year graduation students can usually apply, provided they complete their degree with the required marks by the deadline the school sets. The rule varies between schools, so check each school’s prospectus.
Age Limit for NMAT
GMAC’s official NMAT information does not list any age limit, so fresh graduates and working professionals can both take the exam. The admission rules of the individual B-school still apply.
Not Sure If You Qualify?
Programme-specific criteria (for example, specialised or executive programmes) can be different from the general rule. If you are unsure whether your degree or marks meet the criteria of your target NMAT college, our counsellors at Aptitude360 can help you check before you apply.
How are candidates selected after NMAT?
How candidates are shortlisted and admitted after the NMAT results.
Registering for the NMAT and applying to B-schools are two separate processes. While registering, you choose up to five schools to receive your score (more for an extra fee), and you must also complete each school’s own application form before its deadline.
Round 1: Shortlisting on NMAT Score
- NMAT Score: Each school sets its own NMAT cut-off and shortlists candidates who meet it.
- Which attempt counts: NMIMS states that it considers only the score of the first NMAT attempt, while other schools may accept your best score. Always check the current rules of your target school.
Round 2: Further Evaluation
Shortlisted candidates are invited to the next stage, which may include:
- PI (Personal Interview) – to assess your profile, academics and career goals
- GD / WAT or case discussion – used by some schools to test communication and analytical thinking
The components and their weightage differ from school to school and can change from one cycle to the next.
Final Selection
The final merit list is generally prepared using a composite score that combines your NMAT score, your performance in the later rounds, and your academic and work-experience profile, as defined by each institute.
Practice questions, by topic
162 topic-wise quizzes covering every NMAT syllabus area. Pick a topic and start practising it.
Arithmetic (16 topics)Number System (10 topics)Algebra (8 topics)Geometry (8 topics)Logical Reasoning (7 topics)Analytical Reasoning (5 topics)Series & Sequence (2 topics)Data interpretation (3 topics)English Language (2 topics)Verbal / Basic Reasoning (2 topics)
View all 63 practice topics →Assessments
Take a short benchmark test to see where you stand, then move on to topic-wise practice.
FreeVocabulary
Vocabulary Assessment test Level - 1
Check your vocabulary level in one sitting.
60 questions40 min
FreeVocabulary
Vocabulary Assessment test II
Check your vocabulary level in one sitting.
30 questions20 min
FreeAssessment
Assessment Test by Aptitude360
See where you stand before starting topic-wise practice.
30 questions30 min
FreeAssessment
Assessment Test - 2 by Aptitude360
See where you stand before starting topic-wise practice.
30 questions30 min
Colleges that accept NMAT
From the Aptitude360 college directory, by NIRF rank. Fees and cutoffs change every year, so check the college’s own website before you apply.
NIRF #24Deemed University
SVKM's Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies
Fee ₹27 L · Avg package ₹24.06 LPA
MumbaiMaharashtra
NIRF #32Private
Chandigarh University
Fee ₹7 L · Avg package ₹8.5 LPA
MohaliPunjab
NIRF #36Private
UPES
Fee ₹19.11 L · Avg package ₹7.88 LPA
DehradunUttarakhand
NIRF #39Deemed University
T. A. Pai Management Institute Manipal
Fee ₹20.3 L · Avg package ₹15.46 LPA
ManipalKarnataka
Frequently asked questions
What students most often ask us about NMAT.
What is the NMAT exam?
The NMAT by GMAC is a national-level MBA entrance exam owned and run by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). Its scores are used for MBA and PGDM admissions at NMIMS and 58+ other B-schools in India.
When is the NMAT 2026 exam?
NMAT 2026 is being held from 2 November to 20 December 2026. Registration for this cycle ran from 20 August to 25 October 2026 (extended from 10 October). Candidates pick their own test date and slot within the window.
What is the NMAT exam pattern?
NMAT has 108 multiple-choice questions in three sections: Language Skills (36 questions, 28 minutes), Quantitative Skills (36 questions, 52 minutes) and Logical Reasoning (36 questions, 40 minutes). The total time is 120 minutes, and you can choose the order of the sections.
Is there negative marking in NMAT?
No. There is no negative marking in NMAT, so wrong or unanswered questions do not reduce your score. Each section is scored on a scale of 12–120, giving a total score of 36–360.
How many times can I take the NMAT?
You can take the NMAT up to three times in a testing cycle: the first attempt plus two retakes. After a valid score you can book a retake straight away, but the new exam date must be at least 7 days later.
What is the NMAT registration fee?
The NMAT registration fee is INR 3,000 plus applicable taxes. A retake also costs INR 3,000 plus taxes, rescheduling costs INR 1,200 plus taxes, and each score report beyond the first five schools costs INR 400 plus taxes.
Which colleges accept NMAT scores?
NMAT scores are accepted by NMIMS and 58+ other B-schools, including K J Somaiya Institute of Management, XIM University, Great Lakes (PGPM), TAPMI, FLAME University, ICFAI Business School and Jindal Global Business School. You must apply to each school separately.
When will I get my NMAT score and how long is it valid?
You see an unofficial score as soon as you finish the exam, and the official scorecard can be downloaded within 48 hours. An NMAT score is valid for one year, i.e. for the admission cycle it was taken for.
Start your NMAT preparation
Take a free assessment to see where you stand, or book a call with our counsellors.