NMAT Exam Syllabus

The  Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) conducts the Narsee Monjee Management Aptitude Test (NMAT). Based on my conversations with successful applicants, being well-versed in the NMAT syllabus and using the right approach is crucial to cracking the exam.

Accepted by 50+ business schools, the exam is highly competitive and requires rigorous preparation. It is an MBA entrance exam for students in India, the Philippines, South Africa, Morocco, and Nigeria. 

To define a winning strategy for the exam, read this article that covers the NMAT syllabus and expert tips to fast-track your preparation. 

NMAT Syllabus: Section-Wise Topics

The NMAT exam is computer-based and includes three sections, i.e., language skills, quantitative skills, and logical reasoning. Each section of the exam evaluates different aspects of candidates necessary to succeed in business school. Reviewing the NMAT exam syllabus to streamline your preparation thoroughly is essential. 

The syllabus of NMAT comprises the following sections and topics:

Language Skills

This section tests both your English language and verbal skills. It also assesses grammar, reading comprehension, and vocabulary. There are three sections included in this part, as outlined below. 

Grammar	Parts of Speech Tenses Phrasal Verbs Sentence Correction Identify the Error Choose the Correct Preposition
Comprehension	Para Jumbles Paragraph Summary RC Passages Jumbled Sentences Odd One Out
Vocabulary	Analogies Antonyms Synonyms Fill in the blanks Idioms Cloze test

Quantitative Skills

In the quantitative section,  your skills in mathematics, numerics, data interpretation, and data sufficiency are tested. Students need to prepare primarily for five subjects as outlined below.

Arithmetic	Numbers Ratio and Proportions Percentages Averages Time, Work, and Partnership Integers Simple and Compound Interest Highest Common Factor (HCF) and Lowest Common Multiple (LCM)
Modern Math	Permutation and Combination Set Theory Coordinate Geometry Probability Arithmetic, Geometric, and  Harmonic Progression Venn Diagrams
Algebra	Equations Quadratic Equations Linear Equations Logarithm Inequalities Absolute Value
Geometry & Mensuration	Circles Lines, Angles, and Triangles Polygons Cylinder, Cones, and Spheres Quadrilaterals Square and Rectangles Cubes and Cuboids Rhombus Pythagoras Theorem Base Angle Theorem Longest Side Theorem Trapezium Parallelogram 3D Figures
Data Interpretation	Line Graphs Tables Bar Charts Pie Charts

Logical Reasoning

Your critical and analytical skills are analyzed in this section. For this, you will be given arguments to analyze and conclude with your thinking skills. There are two sub-sections included in this part, as outlined below.

Analytical Reasoning	Classification Symbol-Based Questions Blood Relation Questions Syllogisms Coding and Decoding Matrix Type Questions Series and Direction Questions Linear and Circular Arrangements Alphabet Questions
Verbal Reasoning	Critical Reasoning Statement and Inference Questions Course of Action Statement and Assumption Questions Decision-Making Statement and Argument Questions

NMAT Exam Pattern

The NMAT exam includes a  series of multiple-choice questions (MCQs). Here is a brief overview of the exam pattern, including section-wise time limit, weightage, total number of questions, and more. 

Aspect	Details
Total Number of Questions	108
Total Duration	2 hours
Number of Questions Included in Each Section	Language Skills: 36 Quantitative Skills: 36 Logical Reasoning: 36
Time Limit for Each Section	Language Skills: 28 minutes Quantitative Skills: 52 minutes Logical Reasoning: 40 minutes
Marks per Question	3
Scaled Score Range	12–120
Total Score Range	36–360
Negative Marking	No

Source: Graduate Management Admission Council™

Preparing yourself within the given time limits will help you score better. For this, you can refer to various practice books for NMAT.

Best Books for NMAT

You can get help from various books to learn basic concepts and practice questions for the exam. These resources will help you identify topics from the NMAT syllabus that require more attention. Some of these are given below:

For Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension:

• How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension by Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay
• Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis

For Quantitative Aptitude:

• Quantitative Aptitude Numerical Ability (Fully Solved) 7000 + Objective Question by Pratiyogita Kiran & KICX Think Tank of Kiran Prakashan
• Quantitative Aptitude by R.S. Aggarwal

For Logical Reasoning:

• Logical Reasoning by Arihant
• Logical and Analytical Reasoning by Ashok Gupta

NMAT 2024 Preparation Tips

Taking NMAT exams can be challenging if you do not strategize your plan as per the syllabus and exam pattern. If you know the NMAT exam pattern, you can start preparing for the test by following the discussed tips. 

Steps to Prepare for the NMAT Exam

After familiarizing yourself with the NMAT syllabus and question pattern, you can follow a few tips to score optimally in the NMAT exam. 

Create a Study Plan

You must start with designing a study plan to prepare for the NMAT exam. Form a structured timetable and work on each topic. Observe your weaknesses and dedicate more time to those areas. 

Make Your Concepts Clear

When you’re preparing for the NMAT exam, make sure you have clarity about the topics. This will boost your confidence, and you can take the test with full potential. It is, therefore, important that you practice the topics as given in the NMAT exam syllabus and revise them regularly. With more and more practice, you can find shortcuts to solve time-consuming questions, increasing your chances of scoring well. 

Know Time Management

Time management is everything in the NMAT exam. Since the exam sets a sectional time frame, candidates must attempt maximum answers (preferably all) in the given timeline. While practising for the exam, keep track of time and check how long it takes to answer the questions. Re-strategize your plan if you are lagging behind. 

NMAT by GMAC™ Exam Official Guide Ninth Edition: This is the official information source for the test, containing a structured study plan. It also includes 264 questions from previous NMAT by GMAC™ exams and 475 latest questions with their answer keys & explanations. 

By following the correct NMAT syllabus and designing a proper strategy, you will be well-prepared to tackle various questions in the exam.