NMAT 2026: Syllabus, Pattern, Exam Dates, Registration, Eligibility, Results, Top Colleges

NMAT 2025 ( NMAT )

Abhishek Dhawan
Updated on Mar 30, 2026 23:58 IST

By Abhishek Dhawan, Assistant Manager – Editorial Content

NMAT 2026: The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) will release NMAT exam details in the first week of August, 2026. Candidates will find the NMAT registration link with the exam details on the official website, mba.com/nmat. Candidates who fill NMAT application form get access to MBA admission process at more than 50 b-schools in Indi and abroad. NMAT participating colleges shortlist candidates based on their exam scores. Shortlisted candidates go through selection rounds, including a competency test, personal interview, WAT, group discussion, etc.

NMAT exam will have a test window of 40 to 50 days. Candidates will be allowed to appear for NMAT 2026 exam thrice during the test window. Scroll down for more details on the NMAT exam 2026, including the eligibility criteria, registration process, pattern, syllabus, mock test, and more.

Table of contents
  • What is NMAT Exam?
  • NMAT 2026 Registration & Exam Dates
  • NMAT 2026 Exam Highlights
  • NMAT 2026 Admission Process
  • NMAT 2026 Registration Process
  • NMAT 2026 Exam Scheduling & Slot Booking
  • NMAT Preparation Tips 2026
  • NMAT 2026 Exam Pattern & Syllabus
  • NMAT 2026 Admit Card
  • NMAT Result 2026
  • NMAT 2026 Selection Process
  • NMAT Cutoff Scores
  • NMAT 2026 Contact Information
  • FAQs on NMAT Exam
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NMAT Logo

What is NMAT Exam?

Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) conducts NMAT for MBA admissions across b-schools in India and abroad. Top NMAT participating colleges include SVKMs NMIMS, KJ Somaiya, TAPMI, SPJIMR, among other institutes. Candidates find NMAT question paper with three sections similar to CAT exam. NMAT varies from other MBA exams as it provides flexibility of choosing preferred exam date and three exam attempts. several b-schools have their set selection criteria, which may include considering best of first two NMAT score, best of three NMAT scores or the score from the first NMAT exam attempt. All NMAT colleges have a separate admission process.

NMAT by GMAC score is based on the performance of candidates in three sections, namely, Language Skills, Quantitative Skills and Logical Reasoning.

NMAT 2026 Registration & Exam Dates

Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of NMAT 2025 exam

DatesUpcoming Exam Dates
Aug ' 26 - Oct ' 26

NMAT 2026 Registration Window

TENTATIVE
Aug ' 26 - Oct ' 26

NMAT 2026 Scheduling Window

TENTATIVE
Oct ' 26 - Dec ' 26

NMAT 2026 Admit Card Issuance

TENTATIVE
Nov ' 26 - Dec ' 26

NMAT 2026 Exam Window

TENTATIVE
Nov ' 26 - Dec ' 26

NMAT 2026 Result Declaration

TENTATIVE
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NMAT 2026 Exam Highlights

The table below provides an overview of the NMAT by GMAC exam:

Features

Details

Exam name

NMAT by GMAC

Conducting body

Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC)

Exam level

National level for PG admission

Frequency

Once a year with three attempts (within a test window ranging around 45 days)

Mode

CBT from test centre

Duration

120 minutes

Syllabus

Language Skills, Quantitative Skills and Logical Reasoning

Pattern

108 Questions

Language

English

NMAT registration fee

INR 3,000

Exam purpose

Admission into India's top business schools such as NMIMS, SPJIMR, ISB, XIMB, VIT, ICFAI, Shiv Nadar, SDA Bocconi, LM Thapar, etc.

Course offered

MBA/PGDM

Number of test centres and cities

79 test cities

Exam helpdesk number

0120 4397855

Exam website

mba.com

Also Read: Why NMAT by GMAC?

NMAT Logo

NMAT 2026 Admission Process

The admission process for NMAT has following six stages,

  1. Filling the NMAT 2026 application form
  2. Issuance of NMAT 2026 admit card
  3. NMAT 2026 exam
  4. Declaration of NMAT results
  5. NMAT selection process for shortlisted candidates by participating institutes.

Check the stages for admissions via NMAT below:

NMAT Logo

NMAT 2026 Registration Process

DeskCalendarRegistration: Aug ' 26 - Oct ' 26

GMAC administers admission process with the NMAT registration 2026. Candidates have to fill the NMAT application form before the last date. NMAT 2026 registration process is available online and candidates need to create a login ID and password to complete the online registration. Candidates must pay INR 3,000 (excluding GST) against the application fee and slot booking (scheduling) the exam. The fee can be paid online using Debit Card, Master Card, Mobile wallet and other options.

After NMAT registration, the test reschedule option is enabled in the student account. To reschedule the NMAT 2026 test, candidates have to apply for the NMAT exam reschedule option in less than 72 hours from the date and schedule of the test. NMAT rescheduling steps can also be completed through the same candidate dashboard.

NMAT Eligibility Criteria 2026

Candidates need to fulfil the eligibility requirements before NMAT registration as mentioned below

  1. Candidate must have completed graduation under 10+2+3 or four years of education pattern from any stream
  2. Secured not less than 50 per cent aggregate in the final year of graduation
  3. Candidates awaiting results or in their final year of graduation are also eligible to apply for NMAT 2026. Admission is granted on a provisional basis until the graduation mark sheet and certificate of the qualifying examination are submitted

Candidates must also check the eligibility criteria of NMAT-participating colleges individually before registering for the examination. Applicants need to select five institutes of their preference for admission while applying and those institutes may have different eligibility criteria for admission.

Also Read:

NMAT Logo

NMAT 2026 Exam Scheduling & Slot Booking

DeskCalendarSlot Booking: Aug ' 26 - Oct ' 26

NMAT registration and exam scheduling are two different events. During the registration process, NMAT aspirants need to complete the one-time registration followed by providing key information about them. During the registration process candidates need to choose the desired college where they wish to send their scores, any other MBA exam they appeared for, etc. On the other hand, NMAT exam scheduling is the facility to choose the exam date and exam city and slot preference. NMAT exam scheduling window is also known as NMAT slot booking.

NMAT Logo

NMAT Preparation Tips 2026

NMAT, like any other MBA entrance exam, is a speed-based test. Thus, the entire preparation must be aligned with this thought. Candidates need to follow NMAT preparation strategies, which helps them build speed and the accuracy level to answer questions in the test. To build speed and accuracy, candidates need to catch hold of the best books for NMAT preparation, five years of NMAT sample papers and attempt the mock tests. Keep the following points in mind to prepare for the test:

  • Devote three to four months to build conceptual clarity on topics included in the NMAT syllabus
  • Analyse your preparation level by practising NMAT question papers
  • Create notes of each topic while studying and revise them from time to time
  • Discuss your doubts with peers and mentors to clear them

NMAT 2026: Guidelines & Facilities for Students with Disability

Test takers with disabilities will have access to special arrangements during NMAT by GMAC, including an accommodation facility. Such candidates should send a request to GMAC for the same while filling the NMAT application form.

Candidates with the following disabilities can avail this facility:

  • Mobility impairment
  • Learning disability
  • Blindness (low vision to no vision)
  • Leprosy
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Others

Other arrangements made by GMAC for disabled candidates are:

  • Reader
  • Extra time
  • Large fonts
  • Mobility help

Note: A scribe can assist applicants with vision impairment. Candidates are also allowed to bring their scribe; however, in this case, they need to seek approval by GMAC before taking the exam.

NMAT Logo

NMAT 2026 Exam Pattern & Syllabus

NMAT 2026 is being conducted as the Computer-based Test (CBT). Test-takers need to solve 108 MCQs in 120 minutes. There is a sectional time limit in NMAT 2026 exam. The online exam has three sections:

  • Language Skills
  • Quantitative Skills
  • Logical Reasoning

GMAC does not release detailed syllabus for NMAT. Candidates can prepare for NMAT exam using the syllabus shared by different coaching institutes. NMAT syllabus remains in line with other MBA entrance exams.

Also Read: NMAT 2026 Exam Pattern

NMAT Logo

NMAT 2026 Admit Card

DeskCalendarAdmit Card: Oct ' 26 - Dec ' 26

After the candidates complete the NMAT 2026 application process and pay the application fee, they need to book their preferred exam slot. NMAT admit card is downloadable seven days before the exam date. The admit card for NMAT 2026 will be available for download until the examination day. Candidates will have to download a fresh admit card for all attempts of the NMAT 2026 exam.

Read more
NMAT Logo

NMAT Result 2026

DeskCalendarResult: Nov ' 26 - Dec ' 26

Candidates can check their NMAT 2026 scores immediately after they submit their test. GMAC issues NMAT official scorecard within 48 hours of the exam date. Candidates can download their NMAT scorecard using the mba.com login. Candidates must save the scorecard and take printout of the result. NMAT scorecard will be required at the time of MBA admissions through NMAT.

NMAT Score vs Percentile

Check NMAT score vs percentile statistics based on past exam sessions:

NMAT Exam Score

NMAT Percentile

233 - 234

90

235

91

236 - 237

92

238

93

239 - 240

94

241 - 242

95

243 - 245

96

246 - 248

97

249 - 253

98

254 - 263

99

264 - 360

100

NOTE: GMAC does not release NMAT percentile with the scorecard. NMAT percentile score can be calculated only when the NMAT test window concludes for one examination cycle.

Read more
NMAT Logo

NMAT 2026 Selection Process

Candidates who wish for admissions based on NMAT scores are required to fill the online application form for their desired participating institute. NMAT selection process for all participating colleges is conducted individually with various selection parameters. Some of the NMAT participating colleges administer Group Discussion and Personal Interview (GD & PI) round to evaluate candidates for admissions.

NMAT participating institute may also decide to conduct a WAT (Writing Ability Test) or Case Discussion (CD) round instead of the conventional GD round. The final admission decision is based on the combined performance in NMAT online test and GD-PI round.

NMAT Colleges List 2026

More than 50 colleges accepting NMAT scores in India include NMIMS, SRMIST, SPJIMR, ISB, among others. Besides India, NMAT exam is also accepted by b-schools located in Nigeria, South Africa, Philippines, Hungary, and Morocco. Some of the colleges accepting NMAT scores for MBA admissions are listed below:

Also Read:

Read more
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NMAT Cutoff Scores

NMAT accepting colleges take into consideration both sectional and overall NMAT cutoff of the test takers. The cut off is expected to be around 210-270. Click on the college predictor button below to predict calls from NMAT accepting colleges.

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

Check cut offs of top MBA entrance exams and predict calls from IIMs and other Top MBA Colleges. Check Fees, Placement Reviews, Admission, Shortlist Criteria and eligibility of all MBA Colleges by clicking the link below:

Predict IIM & Non IIM Calls
Read more

NMAT Registration Application and payment related queries can be addressed to:

Email Support: nmatsupport@gmac.com

Helpdesk For NMAT Scheduling related queries

Phone: 0120 4397855 – Monday to Saturday (8:00 AM to 6:00 PM IST) (Except public holidays)

Email: nmatbygmacsupport@pearson.com

NMAT Logo

FAQs on NMAT Exam

Find important FAQs related to NMAT exam below:

Q:   How can I get the NMAT Syllabus PDF?
A: 

The Graduate Management Admission Council notifies the sections under NMAT syllabus on the official exam website. Candidates can find NMAT syllabus PDF designed based on the past question papers.

Q:   Which section is difficult to prepare in NMAT?
A: 

The Quantitative Skills section is generally considered the most difficult to prepare during NMAT exam preparation. Quant is tough because its calculation-intensive nature and inclusion of complex Data Interpretation (DI) sets.

Q:   How much time is sufficient for NMAT preparation?
A: 

A total of 2-3 months of consistent and focused preparation is considered sufficient for NMAT. Many candidates may require more than three months if they are find the topics in NMAT syllabus on a tougher side.

Q:   How to prepare for NMAT?
A: 

Candidates preparing for NMAT exam must use the official test prep material to familiarise themselves with exam pattern and important topics

Preparation tools and resources  issued by GMAC to help candidates prepare are:

  • Exclusive Study Plan
  • NMAT Exam Official Guide
  • One Free Exam Prep - with two attempts
  • Two Paid Exam Prep - each with two attempts
Q:   What is the overall difficulty level of NMAT?
A: 

NMAT is expected to maintain a moderate overall difficulty level. NMAT exam focuses on speed, accuracy, and basic conceptual understanding. Candidates find NMAT exam easier than CAT.

Q:   Is there any negative marking in NMAT?
A: 

No, there is no negative marking in NMAT exam. Candidates get marks for the correct answers. There is no negative marking for unattempted questions and incorrect responses in NMAT.

Q:   Can I crack NMAT through self study?
A: 

Yes, cracking NMAT through self study is achievable. One must have a structured study plan, right set of study material, and must practice questions consistently to prepare for NMAT through self study.

Q:   When can I schedule a retake for the NMAT exam?
A: 

The retake scheduling window opens immediately after taking the exam. However, a retake exam can only be scheduled for a date that is at least 15 days after the previous attempt.

Q:   When do the admission processes for NMAT colleges start?
A: 

The MBA admission processes at NMAT participating colleges typically start in November. Some b-schools may also begin their selection processes in the month of February.

Q:   What are the documents required to fill NMAT application form?
A: 

To fill NMAT application form, candidates need a valid photo ID proof, graduation mark sheets, and a recent passport-size photograph. The photograph must be front-facing with a light background and uploaded in JPG, PNG, or JPEG format.

Q:   Can I fill the NMAT application form offline?
A: 

No, the NMAT application form cannot be filled offline. GMAC only accepts online registrations. Candidates must submit their application and pay the required fee before the last date.

Q:   What is a good score in the NMAT exam?
A: 

A good NMAT score is generally considered to be in the range of 215 to 230. Most of the top B-schools accepting NMAT scores will have their cutoff scores within this specific range or below for MBA admissions

Q:   Can I refer to CAT books for NMAT exam preparation?
A: 

Yes, candidates can efficiently prepare using the books recommended for CAT exam preparation or any other MBA entrance exam. The syllabus for these entrance exams is mostly similar, covering Language Skills, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Skills.

174 Institutes accepting NMAT

  • 26.10 Lakh
  • 18 months
  • |
  • Full Time

NMIMS, Mumbai

Vile Parle West, Mumbai Private

NMIMS, Mum
  • 10.00 Lakh
  • 2 years
  • |
  • Full Time

Amity University, Noida

Noida Private

Amity Univ
    • 7.80 Lakh
    • 2 years
    • |
    • Full Time

    Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai

    Kanchipuram, Chennai Private

    Great Lake
    • 19.39 Lakh
    • 1 years
    • |
    • Full Time

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