NMAT
What is NMAT..?
In India, the NMAT (National Management Admission Test) is a popular entrance exam conducted by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). It’s accepted by several business schools in India, such as NMIMS (Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies) and other leading institutions for admission into their MBA and other management programs.
The NMAT in India assesses candidates’ skills in three main areas: Language Skills, Quantitative Skills, and Logical Reasoning. It’s a computer-based exam that offers a flexible testing window, allowing candidates to schedule their test dates within specified timelines. This flexibility enables candidates to retake the exam to improve their scores if needed.
The NMAT scores hold significance in the admission process of various business schools, alongside other criteria such as academic background, work experience, and performance in group discussions or personal interviews. Preparation for NMAT in India typically involves practicing sample papers, understanding the exam pattern, and honing skills in areas like quantitative aptitude, language, and logical reasoning.
Exam Highlights:
Exam Name | NMAT (National Management Admission Test) |
Conducted by | Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) |
Exam Type | Computer-Based Test |
Sections | Language Skills, Quantitative Skills, Logical Reasoning |
Test Duration | 120 minutes (2 hours) |
Test Structure | Adaptive Test – Difficulty varies based on candidate’s responses |
Exam Window | Usually conducted from October to December |
Score Range | Usually between 200 to 360 |
Score Validity | Scores valid for one year |
Number of Attempts | Three attempts allowed in a testing window |
Test Acceptance | Accepted by various management institutes in India |
Importance in Admission | Considered alongside academic records, work experience, etc. |
Preparation | Practice with sample papers, understand exam pattern, and subject-wise preparation |
Importance | Critical for admission to prestigious MBA and management programs |
NMAT: Admission & Eligibility
Eligibility Criteria:
- Educational Qualification: Candidates should have a bachelor’s degree (10+2+3/4) or equivalent from a recognized university.
- Minimum Marks: Generally, there’s no minimum percentage requirement, but some institutions may have specific criteria.
- Final Year Students: Students in their final year of graduation are also eligible to apply.
Admission Process:
- Registration: Candidates need to register for the NMAT exam on the official website during the registration window.
- Selection of Schools: Candidates can choose the management schools they want to send their scores to, usually within a specified limit.
- Scheduling Exam: After registration, candidates can schedule their exam date and time within the available slots.
- Taking the Exam: The NMAT exam is conducted in designated test centers through a computer-based format.
- Score Reporting: After the exam, candidates can send their scores to the selected business schools.
- Selection Rounds: Business schools may have further rounds like group discussions, personal interviews, or essay writing, in addition to NMAT scores, for the final selection.
Admission Criteria:
- NMAT Scores: These scores play a crucial role in the admission process but are not the sole criteria.
- Academic Records: Previous academic performance is considered.
- Work Experience: Some institutes may consider work experience as a part of the selection criteria.
- Performance in Further Rounds: Group discussions, personal interviews, or written assessments are also taken into account for final admission decisions.
NMAT: Document List
During Registration:
- Valid ID Proof: Such as Passport, Aadhar Card, PAN Card, Voter ID, or Driving License.
- Educational Qualification Details: Details of your bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
- Personal Information: Contact details, address, email, and phone number.
- Photograph: A recent passport-sized photograph meeting the specified requirements.
- Signature: A scanned copy of your signature as per the guidelines.
During Admission/Application to Institutes:
- NMAT Score Card: The official scorecard from the NMAT exam.
- Bachelor’s Degree Certificate: A copy of your degree certificate or provisional certificate.
- Mark Sheets/Transcripts: Copies of your mark sheets or transcripts from your undergraduate studies.
- Work Experience Certificate (if applicable): If you have work experience, relevant certificates or documents.
- Category Certificate (if applicable): For candidates applying under reserved categories, such as SC/ST/OBC, a caste certificate might be necessary.
- Other Certificates: Any additional certifications or achievements that might be required by specific institutions.
During Admission Interviews/Rounds:
- Admit Card/Call Letter: If called for further rounds after the exam, candidates might need the admit card or call letter provided by the institute.
- Application Form: The completed application form, if required separately by the institute.
NMAT: Registration process
- Visit the Official Website: Go to the NMAT by GMAC official website.
- Create an Account: Register yourself by providing necessary details like name, email address, contact number, etc.
- Fill Application Form: Log in using the credentials created and fill in the required details in the application form. This includes personal information, educational background, and choice of programs/schools for which you want to send scores.
- Schedule Exam: After filling in the application form, schedule your exam date, time, and test center as per the available slots. GMAC usually provides a window during which you can choose your preferred exam date and center.
- Upload Documents and Pay Fees: Upload the required documents such as a recent photograph and pay the registration fee online through available payment modes (credit/debit card, net banking, etc.).
- Confirmation: After successful submission of the form and payment, you’ll receive a confirmation email with your registration details. Keep this safe for future reference.
- Download Admit Card: Closer to the exam date, you’ll be able to download your admit card from the NMAT website. The admit card contains details about your test venue, date, and time.
Key Points to Remember:
- Fee Structure: The fee for NMAT varies based on the number of schools/programs you select to send your scores to. There might be additional charges for late registration or rescheduling.
- Eligibility: Ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria before applying for the exam.
- Important Dates: Keep track of the application window, exam dates, and deadlines for any changes or updates.
- Exam Pattern: Familiarize yourself with the exam pattern and syllabus to prepare effectively.
NMAT: Syllabus
Language Skills:
- Vocabulary
- Grammar and Usage
- Reading Comprehension
- Para Jumbles
- Fill in the blanks
- Sentence Correction
Quantitative Skills:
- Arithmetic (Percentages, Ratio and Proportion, Profit and Loss, Time-Speed-Distance, Time and Work, etc.)
- Algebra
- Geometry
- Modern Mathematics (Permutations and Combinations, Probability, etc.)
- Data Interpretation (Tables, Bar Graphs, Line Charts, Pie Charts)
Logical Reasoning:
- Critical Reasoning
- Coding-Decoding
- Series
- Blood Relations
- Arrangements (Linear and Circular)
- Seating Arrangement
- Data Sufficiency
NMAT: Exam Pattern
Section | Number of Questions | Time Allotted (in minutes) |
Language Skills | 36 | 28 |
Quantitative Skills | 36 | 52 |
Logical Reasoning Skills | 36 | 40 |
Total | 108 | 120 |
NMAT: Application fee
Description | Fee (in Indian Rupees) |
NMAT Registration (Early) | Around ₹2,000 to ₹2,500 |
NMAT Registration (Late) | Around ₹2,500 to ₹3,000 |
Additional Score Reports (per school) | Around ₹200 to ₹300 per report |
Rescheduling Fee | Around ₹1,000 to ₹1,500 per reschedule |
Retake Fee (for attempting the exam again) | Around ₹2,000 to ₹2,500 for each attempt |
NMAT: Preparation Tips
- Understand the Exam Pattern: Get familiar with the exam pattern, time allocation per section, and the number of questions to develop a strategy for attempting the test.
- Create a Study Plan: Divide your study time according to the sections and topics. Allocate more time to areas where you feel less confident.
- Practice Regularly: Solve sample papers, previous years’ question papers, and take mock tests to get accustomed to the exam format and improve time management.
- Work on Basics: Strengthen your fundamentals in quant, logical reasoning, and language skills. Focus on topics within each section and practice regularly.
- Time Management: Develop strategies to solve questions quickly. Learn when to move on from a difficult question to manage time effectively.
- Improve Reading Skills: Enhance your reading speed and comprehension abilities as this is crucial for the Language Skills section.
- Revision and Analysis: Regularly revise the topics and analyze your performance in mock tests. Understand where you make mistakes and work on improving those areas.
- Stay Updated: Stay updated with current affairs, especially in the context of business and economy, as it can help in the reading comprehension section.
- Healthy Lifestyle: Maintain a healthy routine. A well-rested mind performs better. Ensure you get enough sleep and stay physically active.
- Stay Confident: Believe in your preparation and stay calm during the exam. Confidence can help you tackle the questions more effectively.
NMAT: Exam Date
Exam Event | Dates (Tentative/Previous Year Schedule) |
NMAT Registration Start Date | July/August |
NMAT Registration End Date | October/November |
Scheduling of Exam Dates/Time Slots | Throughout the Registration Period |
NMAT Exam Window Start Date | October |
NMAT Exam Window End Date | December |
Announcement of Results | Typically within 4-5 weeks after the exam |
NMAT: Counseling Process
- Shortlisting: Institutes will shortlist candidates based on their NMAT scores.
- Selection Criteria: Each institute may have its own selection criteria, which could include NMAT score cutoffs, academic performance, work experience (if applicable), group discussions, personal interviews, and written ability tests.
- Application to Institutes: Candidates need to apply separately to the participating institutes they are interested in, mentioning their NMAT scores and fulfilling the specific application requirements of each institute.
- Call for Interviews or Group Discussions: Shortlisted candidates might be called for further evaluation rounds like interviews, group discussions, or written tests conducted by the respective institutes.
- Final Selection: Institutes will finalize the selection based on a combination of NMAT scores, performance in selection rounds, academic background, work experience, and other criteria.
- Offer of Admission: Successful candidates will receive admission offers from the respective institutes based on their performance and fulfillment of the institute’s criteria.
NMAT: Cut Off
Institute Name | NMAT Cutoff Score (Tentative/Previous Year) |
NMIMS Mumbai | Example: 200 to 220 (out of 360) |
SPJIMR, Mumbai | Example: 210 to 230 (out of 360) |
ISB, Hyderabad | Example: 220 to 240 (out of 360) |
XIM, Bhubaneswar | Example: 190 to 210 (out of 360) |
IMT, Ghaziabad | Example: 180 to 200 (out of 360) |
NMIMS Bangalore | Example: 190 to 210 (out of 360) |
SDA Bocconi, Mumbai | Example: 200 to 220 (out of 360) |