Quantitative Skills or the Mathematics and Data Interpretation section is one of the crucial areas of the NMAT exam. This article of Shiksha brings a detailed preparation strategy for the Quantitative Skills section of the NMAT exam.
NMAT Quantitative Skill Preparation: GMAC compiles questions from three sections, including the Quantitative Skill section, to design the NMAT exam. With more than 90,000 candidates taking NMAT exam every year, NMAT is among the most sought-after MBA entrance exam for admission in India. Although NMAT is a student-friendly exam, candidates must not take the preparation lightly. The difficulty standards of the NMAT exam is at par with some of the toughest MBA entrance exams. Therefore, candidates can not get away with minimal preparation.
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Quantitative Skill section of the NMAT exam is among the toughest section. Therefore, candidates must provide extra effort while preparing for this section. Test takers find the NMAT Quantitative Skill section among the most time-consuming section. This article of Shiksha brings a detailed preparation plan for NMAT Quantitative Skills section.
Q: What is the difficulty level of NMAT exam?
The NMAT exam is conducted for MBA admission across multiple B -schools across India and abroad. Based on feedback from test takers of the past exam sessions, test takers found the exam to be moderate to tough in terms of difficulty standards. If compared with other MBA entrance exams, NMAT is comparatively easy as the candidates have the liberty to appear for the test three times and use the best scores for admission. Additionally, candidates can schedule the exam based on his/her convinience.
However, the level of difficulty can vary from year to year. Success in any entrance exam ultimately depends on the candidate's preparation and performance on the exam day.
Q: How do I prepare for the NMAT?
You may be eligible for admission to the best management colleges in India and abroad based on your NMAT score. Therefore, performing well on this exam becomes essential. You can use the following expert strategy to clear the NMAT:
- Before beginning your preparation, familiarize yourself with the NMAT's syllabus and exam format.
- Create a schedule to finish the NMAT syllabus.
- Choosing the best books and study materials to cover the NMAT syllabus
- To prepare for the Language section, concentrate on vocabulary since it is a key element of this section.
- Develop reading habits and conceptual clarity in grammar to perform well on the language section.
- Basic concepts should be conceptually clear and practiced in order to prepare the quantitative section.
- You should practice a lot of questions on arrangements and puzzles in order to do well on the logical reasoning section.
- Before the exam, go over all crucial ideas, calculations, and theorems several times.
- Start practicing mock tests and previous year's questions one month before the exam.
- Analysing mock results will help you continuously raise your score over time.
Q: Does GMAC prescribe any book for NMAT preparation?
Yes, Graduate Management Admission Council prescribes the NMAT Official Guide for exam preparation. It is created and developed by the exam conducting authority, GMAC, itself and comprises everything an aspirant need to know about the exam, including:
- A detailed overview of the exam format and content
- Actual practice questions from past NMAT exams
- In-depth explanations of each question
- Answer key and scoring guide
- Tips and strategies for test-taking
The NMAT by GMAC official guide is among the most comprehensive resource available for NMAT preparation. It is essential for candidates who aims to maximise their chances of converting admission calls based on NMAT scores.
Components of Quantitative Skills
In the old exam pattern of NMAT, the Quantitative Skills section carried the highest weightage, which was 48 out of 120 questions. From the previous examination session, all the sections of NMAT by GMAC has equal weightage of 36 questions each in all the sections. The quantitative Skills section carries questions from topics including Data Sufficiency and Data Interpretation as well. Following are the common topics of the Quantitative Skills section of the NMAT exam:
-
Number System
-
Algebra
-
Percentage
-
Profit & Loss
-
Geometry
-
Mensuration
-
Permutation and Combination
-
Simple and Compound Interest
-
Ratio and Proportion
-
Alligations and Mixtures
-
Probability
-
Logarithms
-
Equations
-
Venn Diagram
Also Read: NMAT 2024 Syllabus
Best Books for NMAT Quantitative Skills Preparation
Some of the most commonly referred books for NMAT preparation for the Quantitative Skills section are as follows:
Books |
Authors |
---|---|
Quantitative Aptitude for CAT |
Arun Sharma |
Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations |
R.S. Aggarwal |
How to prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT |
Arun Sharma |
The Pearson Guide to Quantitative Aptitude |
Dinesh Khattar |
Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT |
Sarvesh K Verma |
Also Read: Best Books For NMAT Preparation
Preparation Tips for NMAT Quantitative Skills Section
Get familiar with questions and topics: First and foremost, it is important to get well abreast of the question types commonly asked in NMAT. For this, refer to past five to six years of NMAT question papers and solve the questions to analyse your present preparation level and decide the preparation strategy accordingly.
Select topics to go ahead with: By now, you must have realised your strengths and weaknesses. This is high time for you to zero down on the topics you are absolutely confident about in the Quantitative Skills section. Make sure that you prepare these topics in such a way that you are able to solve even the toughest questions from these areas with complete accuracy. For doing that, you need to combine your preparation with theoretical understanding as well as practice.
Q: How can I prepare for the CAT and NMAT simultaneously?
The sections in CAT and NMAT exam are on similar lines. The space below mentions the similarities in the syllabus and exam sections:
- Quantitative Aptitude in CAT and Quantitative Skills in NMAT: The Quantitative Aptitude section of the CAT and the Quantitative Skills section of the NMIMS Management Aptitude Test are both based on very similar topics. If the candidates prepare for the Quantitative Aptitude section of the Common Admission Test, which requires knowledge of higher-level topics, they can easily solve the Quantitative Skills section of the NMIMS Management Aptitude Test since the same foundation topics are covered thoroughly in the Common Admission Test preparation.
- DILR in CAT and logical reasoning in NMAT: The DILR section in the Common Admission Test exam is a combination of data interpretation and logical reasoning, whereas, in the NMIMS Management Aptitude Test, the section is solely logical reasoning. These two sections of the respective exams are different from the other sections. As a result, anyone hoping to pass the NMAT by GMAC should devote enough time to studying for the reasoning section of the exam, as the syllabus covered in the CAT-D section will not suffice.
- VARC in CAT and Language Skills in NMAT: The VARC section of the Common Admission Test combined verbal ability and reading comprehension. Reading comprehension in Common Admission Test usually comes with tricky passages, whereas the passages in NMAT are relatively straightforward. Vocabulary- and grammar-based questions have more weight in the Language Skills section of the NMIMS Management Aptitude Test. However, the CAT VA will include reasoning-based questions. Students who want to prepare for NMIMS Management Aptitude Test and Common Admission Test at the same time must pay close attention to the Language Skills section of the NMIMS Management Aptitude Test after the Logical Reasoning section.
Q: How to scale NMAT exam if my quant is a bit weak?
One can imporve the quant skills while preparing for NMAT exam by following the steps below mentioned tips:
- Identify the weak areas: Determine the specific topics in Mathematics that are causing trouble during preparation phase. Focus and prioritise the study plan accordingly.
- Review the concepts: Start by getting the conceptual clarity to get the strong fundamentals. Understand and revise basic concepts, including number systems, geometry, algebra, statistics, etc. One must build a strong foundation before they move to advanced topics.
- Seek mentorship: One must consider joinibg a coaching to prepare for the NMAT exam. A crash course specialising in MBA entrance exam preparation will help candidates understand the difficult concepts with a targeted practice.
- Invest in good resources: Candidates must find the recommended study materials or textbooks that cover the NMAT Quantitative Skills syllabus for the MBA entrance exam. A good book for Quantitative Skills will have examples as well as practice questions to reinforce the understanding.
- Practice regularly: Practise is the key to scale up the Quantitative Skills. One must allocate a specific amount of time each day to solve maths problems. Candidates must start with easy problems and gradually move towards more challenging questions.
To improve Mathematics skills, one must invest the preparation with consistent efforts and practice. With a structured study plan and determination, candidates can improve their performance in the maths section of any MBA entrance exam.
Q: Which is the best book of logical reasoning and data interpretation for the CAT XAT NMAT MAT and SNAP exams?
Mock tests and practice: Take at least two to three NMAT mock tests weekly and get them analysed by an expert or your mentor. Follow the expert advice to modify your preparation process. After completing each chapter, solve the practice papers to encounter each question types and difficulty level.
Smart Tricks and Shortcuts: Speed is crucial for a test like NMAT. Moreover, since there is no negative marking scheme, you may tend to attempt all 32 questions, but remember that you will get only 52 minutes for this section. Hence, manage your time effectively by spending as less time per question as possible. For this, work out on smart tricks and short cuts which will not only save your time but will also ensure accuracy. Focus on methods of approximations, mental calculations and eliminations.
Maintain Handbook of Formulae and Tricks: Quantitative Skills or Mathematics is all about applying the right formula and question-solving technique. After completing each chapter, make notes on the important points, formulae, tips and tricks. This will help you in last-minute revision.
Read More:
- How to Prepare for NMAT Language Skills
- How to Prepare for NMAT Logical Reasoning
- Eight Key Tips to Crack NMAT 2024
- How to Prepare for NMAT 2024 Online
- How to Prepare for NMAT in One Month
FAQs on NMAT Quantitative Skills Preparation
Q: How can I improve my quantitative skills required for the NMAT exam?
Q: What are the most recommended books to prepare for the quantitative skill section of NMAT?
Q: What are the topics in the quantitative skills section of NMAT?
Q: How many questions does the quantitative skill section have in NMAT?
Q: Will solving past year’s questions from the quantitative ability section help enhance NMAT preparation for the section?
Q: Is there any sectional time limit in NMAT?
Q: Will there be any negative marking in NMAT quantitative skills section?
Q: Can I score well in the quantitative skill section of NMAT just by practising sample questions?
Q: Are there short-cuts for calculation helps to prepare for NMAT quants questions?
Q: Can I score well in the Quantitative Skills section just by memorising the formula?
Q: Will I be allowed to navigate across sections, i.e. from logical reasoning to quantitative skill section, while taking NMAT?
With a creative soul, Abhishek is inclined towards anything in the creative space be it drawing, painting, craft, or writing. He has been working in the ed-tech industry since he started his career. Besides creative... Read Full Bio
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Student Forum
Answered 2 days ago
With a holistic score of 221, you are likely to get into multiple reputed colleges where scores are taken for their respective MBA/PGDM programs. Here is the tabulated list of colleges against your NMAT score and generic cut-offs of premier and mid-range institutions below:
Colleges You Can Get Into
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 days ago
With an NMAT score of 181, you have several good options for pursuing an MBA. Here are some colleges where you can apply:
1. SVKM's Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS): With campuses in Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and other locations, NMIMS is a top choice for MBA aspirants.
2. Xa
A
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 3 days ago
Yes, you can reappear for the NMAT by GMAC exam. As per the guideline of NMAT,
1. In a testing cycle, you are permitted to make three attempts, including your first attempt and two retakes.
2. Two attempts must be separated by at least 15 days.
Since you sat for the first time on 9th December 2024, yo
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
I'm sorry to hear you're having trouble booking a slot for your NMAT retake exam. Here are some steps you can take to resolve this issue:
1. Check Your Email: Look for any communication from GMAC (Graduate Management Admission Council) regarding your retake registration and slot booking. Sometimes,
A
Contributor-Level 8
Answered a week ago
With a score of 181 marks in NMAT, you have several good options for pursuing an MBA. Here are some colleges where you can expect to secure admission:
1. SVKM's Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS): Known for its strong placement record, NMIMS offers various specializations and has
A
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 2 weeks ago
You can check your possibilities at
Shiksha college predictor.
NMAT score is accepted by many good b schools mostly private but you can get some good college with this score.
I suggest you to explore about -
CAT
CMAT
TISS NET
and a next try .
Also you can explore about -
Distance MBA
Online mba
Answered 2 weeks ago
With a score of 110 in NMAT, you may have the opportunity to apply to some of the management colleges in Pune and Mumbai. You may have the opportunity to apply in Mumbai to NMIMS Mumbai, though its cut-offs are higher for top programmes. Xavier Institute of Management and Research accepts NMAT score
K
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 4 weeks ago
.A reschedule is only possible 72 hours prior to the exam time subject to availability of seats, upon payment of the applicable fee. The exam slots are available on a first come first serve basis.
A
Contributor-Level 8
Answered a month ago
A score of 198 in NMAT is generally considered competitive for Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar (XIMB). The expected NMAT cutoff for XIMB ranges between 200-220. However, cutoffs can vary each year based on factors like the number of applicants, difficulty level of the exam, and seat avai
A
Contributor-Level 8
I got 64 in Quantitative, 79 in Language, 78 in Logical Reasoning and overall 221 in NMAT. Which colleges can I apply to with this score?