NMAT Exam Pattern: Marking Scheme, Duration & More

The Narsee Monjee Aptitude Test (NMAT) is a crucial stepping stone for aspiring management students aiming for top B-schools globally. The NMAT syllabus and exam pattern provide a comprehensive evaluation of candidates and help both the management schools and the prospective candidates in the overall admission process.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the NMAT exam pattern in detail, uncovering tips and insights to help you confidently approach the test and achieve your academic and professional aspirations. Let's unravel the NMAT exam pattern together and pave the way for your success.  

Key Highlights 

Let’s check out the key highlights of the NMAT exam to help you prepare.

Aspect	Details
Exam Conducting Body	Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC)
Sections	Language Skills, Quantitative Skills & Logical Reasoning
Number of Questions	Total: 108 questions
Duration	Total: 130 minutes
Marking Scheme	3 marks are awarded for each correct answer. There is no negative marking.
Question Types	Multiple-choice questions
Exam Mode	Computer-based
Eligibility Criteria	Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
Test Centers	Designated centers across various cities in India

NMAT Exam Pattern 

NMAT is a computer-based exam that evaluates candidates in three crucial sections: Language skills, quantitative skills, and logical reasoning. It assesses the aspirants’ aptitude and readiness for the dynamic challenges of the business and management fields. 

The NMAT exam pattern only includes objective questions (MCQs). Conducted online, this test allows candidates 2 hours and 10 minutes to answer the questions. All three sections have a dedicated time, which varies. The entire NMAT pattern includes 108 questions. Aspirants are required to take the exam in English only. 

NMAT Sectional Weightage & Time Limit 

Achieving a high score in the NMAT can significantly enhance your opportunities of an abroad education, making it a vital part of your academic and professional journey. The NMAT consists of three sections and each one of them contains a distinctive number of questions and allows for a specific time slot. 

You must answer all the questions in a specified time, or your test will move on to another section. The time slots and number of questions for each section are given below:

Section	No. of Questions	Duration
Language Skills	36	28 Minutes
Quantitative Skills	36	52 Minutes
Logical Reasoning	36	40 Minutes

NMAT Marking Scheme 

Understanding the NMAT exam's marking scheme is important so you can prioritize accordingly. 

Quantitative Skills Section:

• Marks per Question: 3
• Scaled Score Range: 12–120
• Negative Marking: No

Language Skills Section:

• Marks per Question: 3
• Scaled Score Range: 12–120
• Negative Marking: No

Logical Reasoning Section:

• Marks per Question: 3
• Scaled Score Range: 12–120
• Negative Marking: No

A candidate can achieve a total scaled score ranging from 36 to 360. This scaled range is determined depending on the difficulty level of each question to ensure fairness. The total marks are calculated based on the cumulative marks acquired across all three sections. 

NMAT Syllabus 

The NMAT exam syllabus comprises three sections: Quantitative skills, Language skills, and Logical Reasoning sections, each encompassing various topics and subtopics. The NMAT syllabus for 2024 is the same as the previous year, comprising 108 questions and three sections. A comprehensive understanding of this syllabus will allow candidates to prepare properly for the examination. 

NMAT Section	Topics & Subtopics
Quantitative Skills	Number Properties Logarithm Basics of Numbers, Fractions, and Decimals Factors, Multiples, Least Common Multiples (LCM) and Highest Common Factors (HCF) Divisibility of Numbers and Finding Unit Digit Number Properties Percentages  Time and Work and Partnership Simple and Compound Interest Ratio, Proportion, and Averages Profit, Loss, and Discount Algebra and Probability Sequences and Series Equations and Inequalities Probability Permutations and Combinations DI-Caselets and Tables DI-Graphs and Charts
Logical Reasoning	Critical Reasoning Strengthening/Weakening Conclusion-Based Questions Assumption-Based Questions Inference-Based Questions Deductions Statement-Conclusion Statement-Assumption Statement-Course of Action Fact Analysis Statement-Argument Analytical Puzzles Analytical Puzzles Input-Output Other Reasoning Missing Value in Figures Set Theory Decision Making Ranking Test Venn Diagrams Syllogism
Language Skills	Reading Comprehension Para Forming Error Identification Prepositions Sentence Completion Analogies

5 NMAT Quick Preparation Tips 

Now that you know the NMAT exam pattern, here are some quick tips to help with exam preparation.

1. You must dedicate 3 to 4 months to prepare for the exam and cover its entire syllabus.
2. You must practice and familiarize yourself with the question patterns while keeping track of the time limit.
3. To thoroughly understand the exam, you can read the NMAT by GMAC™ Exam Official Guide Ninth Edition. It is the official information source for the test, containing a structured study plan. It also includes several questions, answers and explanations for hands-on practice.
4. The NMAT by GMAC™ Exam Official Prep will help you with practice questions. It follows the exact structure and time limit of the actual exam. These mock tests will help you significantly improve your chances of getting into top B-schools. 
5. Strategize for your exam day. You can get help from previous aspirants and experts to streamline your preparation.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is indicative. While all care has been taken to ensure accuracy, visit the official examination website for further details.