Eight Key Tips to Crack NMAT 2024: Preparation Strategy, Expert's Advice

NMAT 2024 ( NMAT )

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Admit Card: 29 Oct '24 - 20 Dec '24

Abhishek
Abhishek Dhawan
Assistant Manager – Editorial Content
Updated on Aug 20, 2024 15:14 IST

Taking into consideration the popularity of NMAT and the ranking of institutions accepting NMAT scores for MBA admission, Shiksha brings to you eight tips to create a preparation strategy for NMAT exam. Read below.

NMAT 2024 Preparation: The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) administers NMAT exam for MBA admissions in India and internationally. NMAT 2024 will be held from November 5 to December 20. Therefore, candidates targeting MBA admissions through NMAT should be in the advanced stages of their preparation. It's critical for candidates to adhere to the NMAT preparation strategy to excel in the exam. GMAC allows up to three attempts to NMAT every year. To achieve a high score on the NMAT 2024, candidates need to strategically plan their exam attempts in conjunction with their study plan.

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After NMAT registration, candidates have to choose the exam date while scheduling the exam. Candidates must plan three attempts of the NMAT exam before they proceed to select an exam date. Prior to knowing the strategies for NMAT 2024, candidates must familiarise themselves with the NMAT exam pattern.

Q:   Can I get direct admission at NMIMS Indore?

A:

No, candidate who are looking for admission at NMIMS Indore need to appear and clear entrance exam as per course requirement. The university conducts multiple entrance exam as per different courses. Students can find course-wise selection criteria from the table presented below:

Course NameSelection Criteria
BTechNMIMS CET
BComNMIMS - NPAT
MBANMAT
BBA LLBCLAT,  LSAT India

Q:   What is the difficulty level of NMAT exam?

A:

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?

A:

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:

  1. Before beginning your preparation, familiarize yourself with the NMAT's syllabus and exam format.
  2. Create a schedule to finish the NMAT syllabus.
  3. Choosing the best books and study materials to cover the NMAT syllabus
  4. To prepare for the Language section, concentrate on vocabulary since it is a key element of this section.
  5. Develop reading habits and conceptual clarity in grammar to perform well on the language section.
  6. Basic concepts should be conceptually clear and practiced in order to prepare the quantitative section.
  7. You should practice a lot of questions on arrangements and puzzles in order to do well on the logical reasoning section.
  8. Before the exam, go over all crucial ideas, calculations, and theorems several times.
  9. Start practicing mock tests and previous year's questions one month before the exam.
  10. Analysing mock results will help you continuously raise your score over time.

Check Difference and Similarities b/w CAT and NMAT exam

CAT vs NMAT: Which Exam is Better?

Also Read: How to Strategically Plan Three Attempts of NMAT Exam?

NMAT 2024 Exam Pattern

The table below mentions the indicative exam pattern for NMAT 2024:

NMAT Sections

No. of Questions in NMAT 2024

Language Skills Section

36

Logical Reasoning

36

Quantitative Skills

36 

Total

108

The number of questions has been reduced compared to previous years, whereas the duration has remained the same. Equal weightage has been given to each section; the score ranges from 12 to 120 in each section and 36 to 360 in total. 

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If you aim to crack the exam, use your time best. To help create a preparation strategy for NMAT 2024, Shiksha brings to you eight tips. Considering the time left and the exam difficulty level, we hope these tips will help you crack NMAT 2024 with a good score.

Eight tips to crack NMAT 2024

  1. Create a strategy for practice: Practicing without any strategy is not worthwhile. Ask questions to yourself like what subject to prepare at what time, how much time to devote to it, when to start revision and so on.
  2. Convert your weaknesses to strengths and make strong areas stronger: To do this, here’s a four-step strategy:
    1. Practice and understand solved examples
    2. Practice unsolved exercises
    3. Next, move on to NMAT mock tests
    4. Finally, solve previous years’ NMAT question papers. Try to practice around 20 questions in each step for each topic.
  3. Revision should be on the top of your mind in the last few days: The more you are clear about basic concepts, the more confident you are solving all the questions successfully in the exam. Try to revise the chapters' basics to score high in the exam.
  4. Work out on shortcuts: If you are confident about any topic or subject, do not practice odd questions. Find out shortcuts to solving a time-consuming question and practice NMAT by GMAC mock tests.
  5. Time Management. Each section has specific durations assigned for completion, i.e. NMAT will have a sectional time limit. While practising, keep a timer, onscreen or physical, to keep track of the time and ensure that you not only complete the section on time but also there is enough time for revision. The section-wise durations are given in the below table. 

NMAT 2024 Sections

Sectional Time Limit

Language Skills

28 minutes

Logical Reasoning

40 minutes

Quantitative Skills

52 minutes

Total Duration

120 minutes

Shiksha has created a free NMAT mock test for candidates to practice and check their preparation level. Click on the link below, to start the test.

  1. Practice subjects in an alternate manner: During preparation, ensure that you pick up sections in an alternate manner so that you get equal practice and preparation in all three sections. For example, practice the Quant section on one day (or a few days) and the Language Skills sections on the second. This will help in maintaining the mood for practice. For example, devote Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to the Quant and Logical Reasoning section and Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday to the Language Skills section.

Also Read: NMAT Syllabus 2024

  1. Practice individual topics in an alternate manner: Just like you alter between sections, try to alter your topics as well. Do not get stuck on one particular topic for days. Try to switch to a new topic every time you change your section. This is important while revising. If you stick to one topic for too long, you won’t have the time to focus on other topics.

  2. Devote last month for revision and mock tests: Try to devote the last month of preparation to the basics and focus on practising the NMAT mock tests. Solving previous years' NMAT question papers in the final few days is essential. There are chances of repetition of questions from past years.

These are a few suggestions to help you in NMAT exam preparation. The better you prepare, the more the chances of securing a seat in a top B-School will be. NMAT by GMAC scores are accepted by numerous institutes in India and abroad. Remember, hard work is the key to success. If you really work hard, you will definitely crack the test.

Q:   How can I prepare for the CAT and NMAT simultaneously?

A:

The sections in CAT and NMAT exam are on similar lines. The space below mentions the similarities in the syllabus and exam sections:

  1. 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.
  2. 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. 
  3. 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 can I get admission to NMIMS School of Business Management?

A:

NMIMS School of Business Management admission is entrance-based for most of the courses. Candidates seeking admission must visit the official website of the institute to apply online. NMIMS SBM only accepts NMAT scores for admission to the MBA courses, so students need to apply for NMAT first. In the next step, students need to register separately at the NMIMS University website. Registered candidates are then required to appear for the NMAT entrance test. Basis on candidates' performance in the entrance test, NMIMS SBM will release the merit list of selected students for the next round i.e. Written Aptitude Test (WAT) and Group Discussion and Personal Interview (GD &PI) round. Selected candidates are then required to pay the admission fee to confirm their seats.

Q:   Can I get direct admission to NMIMS School of Business Management?

A:

NMIMS School of Business Management does not have the provision of direct admission as the institute accepts national-level entrance test scores for admission to several MBA courses. SBM Mumbai only accepts NMAT by GMAC scores for admission to most of the Management courses. For admission to a few MBA courses at NMIMS School of Business Management, the institute admits students on the basis of either their past academic performance or on the basis of a departmental entrance test, conducted by SBM.

Q:   What is the last date to register for NMIMS CET?

A:

Online applications were accepted by Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS) for admission to its four-year BTech degree. On December 6, 2023, the application forms were made accessible. On the official website, the NMIMS CET 2024 application form was accessible for phase 1 between December 6, 2023, and March 10, 2024. The second part of the NMIMS CET application form was accessible from March 11, 2024, to May 20, 2024. There will be two stages to the computer-based online exam at test centres. Exams for Phase 1 were administered between January 1, 2024, and March 15, 2024. Exams for Phase 2 were administered between March 16, 2024, and May 25, 2024.

Q:   Can I get direct admission in NMIMS Hyderabad MBA?

A:

NMIMS Hyderabad Admission to the MBA programme is done on the basis of performance of the canididate in NMAT entrance exam, Academic performance, work experience (preferred), and Psychometric test or Written Analytic test along with personal Interview. 

The admission process is purely merit-based and the decision regarding cut off of the merit list will only be taken by NMIMS. Candidates who clear the cutoff will be allotted seats on the basis of the merit secured, their preferences of campus and availability of seats.

Read more:

Check NMAT cut-offs and predict calls from colleges accepting NMAT score for admission. Check Fees, Placement Reviews, Admission, Shortlist Criteria and Eligibility of all NMAT participating colleges by clicking the link below:

Predict NMAT Admission Calls
About the Author
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Abhishek Dhawan
Assistant Manager – Editorial Content

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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