NMAT Exam Pattern 2024: Know Latest Pattern, Marking Scheme & Exam Duration

Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) conducts NMAT exam in an online mode. Online NMAT exam is conducted from Pearson VUE centres situated across India. Candidates need to appear at the chosen test centre to appear for the computer based NMAT exam. At the NMAT exam centre, each candidate is allotted a computer system where he/she has to login to take the test. Once the candidate logs in to the computer system, the responses will be recorded against the test taker ID. Further, this test taker ID will be helpful while evaluating performance of indicidual test takers.

NMAT exam is an online MCQ based test conducted for MBA admission. Candidates need to choose one correct option out of four answer options available in the NMAT exam. The marking scheme for NMAT exam is mentioned below:

• 1 mark is added for each correct answer marked by the candidate
• No negative marking is there for icnorrect answers marked by the candidate
• No negative marking prevails for the unattempted questions in the NMAT exam

Since there is no negative marking, candidates can rely on guess work for the questions where they do not know the answers.

While answering questions in the NMAT exam, a candidate received a question based on his/her answer accuracy in the previous questions. The questions a candidate receives in the NMAT exam are tailored to their ability level; hence, a high-scoring candidate is typically presented with a more challenging set of questions compared to a low-scoring candidate. The scoring of the NMAT exam involves deriving the candidate's final ability estimate using the probabilistic model approach of modern test theory, which is then converted into a scaled score that ranges from 12 to 360.

Yes, questions under each section of NMAT exam are to be answered within a specified time limit. NMAT exam has three sections. The total time to answer all questions across sections in the NMAT exam is 120 minutes. The 120 minutes of NMAT exam is divided as mentioned below:

Candidates need to adhere to the time-limit as the responses marked within the specified time-frame will be submitted automatically once the time is over. 

Yes, all questions of NMAT exam have a similar marking scheme. Candidates attempting MCQs in NMAT will fetch 1 marks for each correct response. For incorrect response, candidates are not marked negatively or positively. Additionally, the candidates are not scored for any question which was left unattempted while taking the NMAT exam.

Questions across all three sections fetch equal marks if found correct or incorrect. Additionally, each section has equal weightage of questions. Therefore, no particular section in NMAT exam is termed important or less important. All three sections of NMAT exam have equal importance.

As per the NMAT exam pattern, as many as 108 questions are asked from three sections collectively. Each section of NMAT exam has 36 questions. The sections for NMAT exam with question weightage is as follows:

• Language Skills: 36

• Logical Reasoning: 36

• Quantitative Skills: 36

Candidates need to answer all the questions within 120 minutes. The 120 minute time-frame of NMAT exam is divided into sectional time frames. Questions under each section must be answered within the specified time limit.

The difficulty level of exams may vary depending on numerous factors, including an individual's preparation, conceptual knowledge and aptitude. However, based on the past student reactions, the difficulty level of these exams is often perceived as mentioned below:

1. CMAT is considered relatively easier in comparison with other MBA exams mentioned. Typically, the CMAT question paper is designed to test candidate's knowledge in quantitative techniques, logical reasoning, language comprehension, along with general awareness.
2. NMAT is considered to be moderately difficult if compared with CMAT. NMAT question papers are designed with a focus on skills like language proficiency, logical reasoning, and quantitative aptitude. Candidates are allowed to choose the order of sections and provides some flexibility.
3. CAT is the most challenging MBA exam from the list. Different IIM conduct CAT exam every year for admission to PGP courses. Almost all the MBA aspirants in India appear for CAT exam. Therefore, it becomes challenging to score well in the exam. CAT assesses candidate's aptitude in similar sections, such as quantitative ability, verbal ability and reading comprehension, data interpretation and logical reasoning.
4. XAT is also considered a challenging exam However, it is easier than CAT. XLRI Jamshedpur conducts XAT exam for admission to its MBA programme. Besides XLRI, several other b-schools accept XAT scores for admission. XAT assesses candidates on similar sections as CAT, with the addition of a general awareness section.

Proper preparation, practice, and understanding of the exam pattern and syllabus are crucial for success in any of these exams. therefore, candidates must plan a well structured preparation startegy for NMAT and other MBA exams.

The sectional cutoff in NMAT is the minimum score required in each section of the exam in order to be eligible for admission to a particular B-school. The NMAT exam is divided into three sections:

• Language Skills
• Quantitative Skills
• Logical Reasoning

The sectional cutoffs are different for each B-school. Some of the participating institutes may or may not have any sectional cutoff score. Candidates who meet the overall cutoff score; however, do not meet the sectional cutoff scores are not eligible for the NMAT based admissions.

Yes, one can refer to CAT books for NMAT exam preparation. The NMAT and CAT are both management entrance exams for admission to MBA courses. Both CAT and NMAT share major parts of the exam sections such as quantitative aptitude, verbal reasoning, and logical reasoning skills. However, there are some minor differences between the two exams in terms of pattern.

Some of the best CAT books for NMAT preparation include:

• Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by RS Agarwal
• How to Prepare for Quantitative for the CAT by Arun Sharma
• Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT by Sarvesh K Verma
• Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT by Nishit K Sinha
• Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT by Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay
• Logical Reasoning by Arihant
• Logical and Analytical Reasoning by Ashok Gupta

In addition to the above mentioned books, candidates may also want to consider using online resources and practice tests to prepare for the NMAT. Candidates must also prepare for NMAT using the official guide and practise papers available on the NMAT website.

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.

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.

Similar to other top NMA entrance exams, NMAT exam also comprises three sections. These three sections have equal weightage in terms of maximum marks, number of questions, and a similar marking scheme. NMAT exam sections include the following:

• Language Skills
• Lgical reasoning
• Quantitative Skills.

Candidates need to answer questions from all three sections of the NMAT exam. Each section of the NMAT exam has a time limit collectively making the NMAT exam duration as 120 minutes.

All sections of NMAT exam hold equal importance as the weighatge in terms of number of questions, and marks are similar across sections. Therefore, no particular section out of three sections hold additional importance. Candidates must prepare for all three sections based on the NMAT syllabus. However, candidates must work on theIr speed as the NMAT exam will have sectional weightage. Although all three sections have equal number of questions, each section has an unidentical time limit to answer these questions.

To score high in NMAT exam, a candidate must follow an approach to attempt the questions for which he/she knows the answer, and guess the question for which he/she doesn't know the answer. Since there is no negative marking, candidates must attempt all questions in NMAT exam. In the speed-based test, one must aim to answer the questions as soon as possible.

Coming to NMAT exam, a test taker has to answer each question keeping in mind the sectional time limit. Additionally, candidates get to choose the section chronology before the test starts. One can use their analysis from NMAT mock tests to devide a good exam day strategy. Speed and accuracy can also be improved by practising previous years papers and mock tests.

NMAT mock test and the actual exam are identical in terms of the exam structure and overall difficulty standards of the exam. The user interface of the NMAT mock test may vary across service providers. However, candidates practising using the official NMAT mock test will get taste of the actual exam user interface.

NMAT mock test released by GMAC is a simulation of the actual exam. Questions, pattern, syllabus, and test structure are similar to the actual exam. However, the score of the NMAT mock test will not affect the admission process at the NMAT participating colleges. Mock test only helps in practicing and revision of the questions.

NMAT mock test holds the utmost importance during the preparation phase of the exam. Some of the key benefits of integrating mock test in the NMAT preparation strategy are mentioned below:

1. Understanding the nature of the exam
2. Getting aware of the exam pattern, and syllabus
3. Getting rid of exam anxiety
4. Preparing an exam day plan
5. Helps in designing better exam strategy
6. Helps in accessing the preparation levels throughout
7. Helps in revising the syllabus and concepts
8. Helps increasing speed and accuracy
9. Analysing strengths and weaknesses
10. Getting aware of the NMAT exam UI

The conducting body of NMAT, Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), releases the NMAT preparation material. Candidates can buy the NMAT prep material online from Amazon or Flipkart. The online purchase of the NMAT guidebook will provide access to 264 questions from the past exam session, along with 173 new questions in line with the difficulty standards. Candidates also get access to the answers and solutions for these questions. Additionally, candidates get access a total of 475 questions with answer keys and explanations.

Besides the questions from the official guidebook, candidates applying for NMAT get access to one practise paper with 108 questions. Additionally, candidates can purchase two NMAT practise papers designed by GMAC for exam preparation.