Nov 2 – Dec 20, 2026 · Registration Opens Aug 20
NMAT 2026:
Exam Date, Syllabus & Pattern.
Everything
In One Place.
Exam window, syllabus, pattern, scoring, eligibility, and the full list of colleges accepting your NMAT score beyond NMIMS — updated with GMAC's official NMAT 2026 notification, released August 1, 2026, confirming the exam window and registration schedule below.
NMAT 2026 At a Glance
Conducting BodyGMAC
Exam WindowNov 2 – Dec 20, 2026
ModeComputer-Based, Adaptive
Duration120 minutes
SectionsLanguage · Quant · Logical Reasoning
Total Questions108
Score Range36–360
Accepted By50+ B-Schools
Exam window confirmed via GMAC's official NMAT 2026 notification (released August 1, 2026); registration opens August 20 and closes October 10, 2026 at mba.com/nmat. You can attempt NMAT up to 3 times — best score counts. See marks needed by B-school tier ↓ for target-setting.
Exam Pattern
Section-Wise Breakdown.
Confirmed for NMAT 2026 per GMAC's official notification. Unlike SNAP, NMAT has a fixed time limit per section — you can choose the order you attempt sections in, but once a section's clock runs out, you move on automatically.
| Section | Questions | Time Limit | Score Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Language Skills | 36 | 28 min | 12–120 |
| Quantitative Skills | 36 | 52 min | 12–120 |
| Logical Reasoning | 36 | 40 min | 12–120 |
| Total | 108 | 120 min | 36–360 |
Scoring: No negative marking for incorrect or unattempted answers — every question is worth attempting. NMAT is computer-adaptive, so your score reflects the difficulty level you reached, not a simple count of correct answers. You can attempt NMAT up to 3 times within the testing window (one main attempt plus two retakes, roughly 15 days apart), and the best score is used for admission.
Score Trends
NMAT Marks Needed By B-School Tier (2021–2025).
GMAC does not release an official NMAT percentile — your scorecard only shows scaled marks (36–360 overall, 12–120 per section), and accepting institutes shortlist on that raw score directly. So instead of guessing a percentile, here's the total and section-wise marks typically needed for each B-school tier over the last 5 cycles, compiled from institute cutoff disclosures and coaching-institute trend analysis. Section-wise marks are an even three-way split of the total, since institutes don't publish a sectional breakdown either — treat both as directional, not exact.
| Year | B-School Tier | Total Marks | Language Skills | Quant Skills | Logical Reasoning |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Safe Score (Tier-2: IFMR, VIT, SDA Bocconi) | ~209 | ~70 | ~70 | ~69 |
| Very Good (KJ Somaiya, TAPMI) | ~230 | ~77 | ~77 | ~76 | |
| Excellent (XIMB, NMIMS other campuses) | ~245 | ~82 | ~82 | ~81 | |
| Top Score (NMIMS Mumbai range) | ~254–263 | ~85–88 | ~85–88 | ~84–87 | |
| 2024 | Safe Score (Tier-2: IFMR, VIT, SDA Bocconi) | ~205 | ~69 | ~68 | ~68 |
| Very Good (KJ Somaiya, TAPMI) | ~225 | ~75 | ~75 | ~75 | |
| Excellent (XIMB, NMIMS other campuses) | ~240 | ~80 | ~80 | ~80 | |
| Top Score (NMIMS Mumbai range) | ~248–254 | ~83–85 | ~83–85 | ~82–84 | |
| 2023 | Safe Score (Tier-2: IFMR, VIT, SDA Bocconi) | ~195 | ~65 | ~65 | ~65 |
| Very Good (KJ Somaiya, TAPMI) | ~208 | ~70 | ~69 | ~69 | |
| Excellent (XIMB, NMIMS other campuses) | ~220 | ~74 | ~73 | ~73 | |
| Top Score (NMIMS Mumbai range) | ~230–234 | ~77 | ~77 | ~76 | |
| 2022 | Safe Score (Tier-2: IFMR, VIT, SDA Bocconi) | ~198 | ~66 | ~66 | ~66 |
| Very Good (KJ Somaiya, TAPMI) | ~212 | ~71 | ~71 | ~70 | |
| Excellent (XIMB, NMIMS other campuses) | ~222 | ~74 | ~74 | ~74 | |
| Top Score (NMIMS Mumbai range) | ~232 | ~78 | ~77 | ~77 | |
| 2021 | Safe Score (Tier-2: IFMR, VIT, SDA Bocconi) | ~200 | ~67 | ~67 | ~66 |
| Very Good (KJ Somaiya, TAPMI) | ~215 | ~72 | ~72 | ~71 | |
| Excellent (XIMB, NMIMS other campuses) | ~228 | ~76 | ~76 | ~76 | |
| Top Score (NMIMS Mumbai range) | ~240 | ~80 | ~80 | ~80 |
Why marks keep climbing: the "Top Score" range has risen from ~240 (2021) to ~254–263 (2025) as more students attempt NMAT each cycle, while the "Safe Score" tier has stayed fairly steady around 195–210. Always confirm the current cycle's numbers against your own scorecard and each institute's official cutoff notice — this table is for target-setting during prep, not a guarantee of admission, since NMAT scores (not percentiles) are what institutes actually shortlist on.
Syllabus
What To Actually Study.
GMAC doesn't release a fixed syllabus document for NMAT. These topics are based on consistent patterns observed across the last several years of papers.
Language Skills
Reading Comprehension
● Short-to-medium passages on business, social issues, science & general topics
● Main idea / central theme identification
● Inference & author's tone questions
● Vocabulary-in-context (word/phrase meaning as used in the passage)
Grammar & Sentence-Level Skills
● Sentence correction
● Error identification
● Fill-in-the-blanks (vocabulary & grammar based)
● Cloze test passages
● Para-jumbles — arranging sentences into a coherent paragraph
Vocabulary
● Synonyms & antonyms
● Contextual/idiomatic usage
● Tightest sectional time of the three — speed matters most here
Quantitative Skills
Arithmetic
● Percentage
● Profit, Loss & Discount
● Simple & Compound Interest
● Ratio & Proportion
● Mixtures & Alligations
● Averages
● Time & Work
● Time, Speed & Distance
Algebra & Number System
● Linear & quadratic equations
● Inequalities
● Sequences & series
● Number system — divisibility, LCM/HCF, remainders, factors
Geometry & Mensuration
● Lines, angles & triangles
● Circles, quadrilaterals & polygons
● Coordinate geometry
● Mensuration — 2D area & 3D volume/surface area
Modern Math
● Permutation & Combination
● Probability
Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency
● Tables & multi-table data sets
● Bar graphs, line graphs & pie charts
● Data sufficiency — judging if given statements are enough to answer
● Longest sectional time — most calculation-heavy section
Logical Reasoning
Critical & Analytical Reasoning
● Critical reasoning — argument strength & assumptions
● Statement-conclusion sets
● Analytical puzzles — distribution & matching-based
Arrangements & Puzzles
● Seating arrangement — linear & circular
● Ranking & ordering
Verbal & Symbol-Based Reasoning
● Syllogisms
● Coding-decoding
● Blood relations & family-tree sets
● Series completion (number/letter)
● Visual/non-verbal reasoning occasionally featured
● Generally considered the most scorable section with practice
You choose the order in which you attempt the three sections before the test starts — but once locked in, the sequence can't be changed mid-exam. Most aspirants attempt their strongest section first to build confidence and banked time-pressure tolerance for the harder ones.
Official Timeline
NMAT 2026 Calendar.
Official NMAT 2026 schedule per GMAC's notification released August 1, 2026.
August 1, 2026
Official Notification Released
GMAC released the NMAT 2026 notification confirming the exam window, registration schedule, and fees at mba.com/nmat.
August 20, 2026
Registration Opens
Registration and test-slot scheduling open at mba.com/nmat.
October 10, 2026
Registration Closes
Last date to register for your test date, time, and centre. The slot-scheduling window itself stays open a little longer, until October 22, 2026.
24 Hours Before Your Scheduled Slot
Admit Card Release
Unlike CAT or XAT, your NMAT admit card becomes available on your candidate dashboard roughly 24 hours before your individually scheduled test slot — not a fixed date for everyone.
November 2 – December 20, 2026
NMAT 2026 Testing Window
A ~49-day window during which you pick your own date, time, and one of 70+ test centres. You can also retake the exam during this same window, with a 15–16 day gap required between attempts.
Within 48 Hours of Your Test
Scorecard Release
Your NMAT scorecard is available faster than most other MBA exams — typically within 48 hours of completing each attempt.
January 2027 Onward
College Selection Rounds
Your best score across all attempts is used. NMIMS and other accepting institutes run their own Competency Test and Personal Interview rounds after results, which now carry more weight than the NMAT score itself.
Eligibility
Can You Apply?
NMAT's eligibility is straightforward — degree and percentage are the only two real checks.
Bachelor's Degree
A 3-year bachelor's degree (10+2+3+4 structure) in any discipline, from a recognized university.
Minimum Aggregate
50% aggregate marks in graduation. NMAT doesn't differentiate this requirement by category the way CAT and SNAP do.
Final-Year Students
Eligible to apply, provided the degree and required percentage are completed before the institute's admission deadline.
No Age Limit, Up to 3 Attempts
GMAC sets no age limit for NMAT. You get one main attempt plus two retakes within the same testing window — best score counts.
Individual eligibility can vary by accepting institute and specific programme — NMIMS, for instance, now weighs a Competency Test at 50%, Personal Interview at 20%, and the NMAT score itself at only 20% (down from a much higher weight in earlier cycles), with the remaining 10% split between academic profile and work experience/diversity. Always cross-check the specific institute's admission page in addition to this general NMAT criteria.
Selection Process
Your NMAT Score Is Just Step One.
A single NMAT score gets submitted to every campus and institute you choose — but each one then runs its own additional rounds before making an offer. Here's the typical flow at NMIMS, whose weightage is publicly documented.
1. NMAT Score Submission
One NMAT attempt (your best score) can be submitted to multiple NMIMS campuses and programmes at once, plus any other GMAC-partner institutes you choose — no need to retake the exam separately for each.
2. NMIMS Competency Test
A separate written aptitude test conducted directly by NMIMS itself — not by GMAC — for candidates it shortlists based on NMAT scores. It's a distinct assessment from NMAT and now carries the single highest weight in NMIMS's final selection score.
3. Personal Interview (PI)
A panel interview covering academic background, career goals, and general awareness, conducted after the Competency Test for candidates who clear that stage.
4. Final Composite Score & Merit List
NMAT score, Competency Test, PI, academic profile, and work experience/diversity are combined using the institute's own weightage formula to produce the final merit list and admission offers.
| Component (NMIMS) | Weightage |
|---|---|
| NMIMS Competency Test | 50% |
| Personal Interview | 20% |
| NMAT Score | 20% |
| Academic Profile & Work Experience/Diversity | 10% |
Important: This weightage is specific to NMIMS and can change from year to year — always confirm against NMIMS's current official admission policy. Other GMAC-partner institutes accepting NMAT run their own separate selection processes and may weigh the NMAT score, interviews, and academics differently, so check each target institute's own admission page.
Where NMAT Can Take You
Colleges Accepting NMAT Score.
NMAT cutoffs are usually quoted as a raw score out of 360, not a percentile — organized here by the typical score band needed for a shortlist. ROI = (Average Package ÷ Total Fees) × 100. Rows marked ✓ have solidly-sourced fee and package figures; the rest are estimates compiled from scattered public data and should be treated as directional, not exact.
| Institute | Typical Cutoff Score | Total Fees | Avg. Package | ROI | Data |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NMIMS Mumbai | 209+ | ₹27.0 L | ₹25.13 LPA | 93% | ✓ Verified |
| TAPMI Manipal | 220+ | ₹20.1 L | ₹13.99 LPA | 70% | ✓ Verified |
| NMIMS Bengaluru | 200–230 | ~₹24.0 L | ~₹14.1 LPA | ~59% | Estimate |
| NMIMS Hyderabad | 200+ | ~₹22.0 L | ~₹12.0 LPA | ~55% | Estimate |
| NMIMS Navi Mumbai | 230+ | ~₹23.0 L | ~₹12.5 LPA | ~54% | Estimate |
| NMIMS Indore | 200+ | ~₹18.0 L | ~₹10.0 LPA | ~56% | Estimate |
| XIMB Bhubaneswar | 220+ | ~₹21.0 L | ~₹17.0 LPA | ~81% | Estimate |
| KJ Somaiya Mumbai | 220+ | ~₹18.0 L | ~₹14.5 LPA | ~81% | Estimate |
| IFMR GSB (Krea University) | 180–220 | ~₹15.0 L | ~₹10.5 LPA | ~70% | Estimate |
| SDA Bocconi Asia Center | 200+ | ~₹19.0 L | ~₹13.0 LPA | ~68% | Estimate |
| VIT Vellore (VIT Business School) | 180+ | ~₹14.0 L | ~₹8.5 LPA | ~61% | Estimate |
| ICFAI Business School (IBS) Hyderabad | 180+ | ~₹14.0 L | ~₹9.85 LPA | ~70% | ✓ Verified |
| Shiv Nadar IMS, Greater Noida | 190+ | ~₹15.0 L | ~₹9.0 LPA | ~60% | Estimate |
| Alliance University, Bengaluru | 180+ | ~₹16.0 L | ~₹8.5 LPA | ~53% | Estimate |
| Woxsen University, Hyderabad | 185+ | ~₹19.0 L | ~₹8.0 LPA | ~42% | Estimate |
| SRM University, Sonepat (Delhi-NCR) | 170+ | ~₹11.0 L | ~₹7.0 LPA | ~64% | Estimate |
Data source & caveats: Cutoff scores and fee/package figures are compiled from verified public coverage and individual institute placement disclosures, current as of this writing. Figures marked "✓ Verified" come from clean, recently published institute data; figures marked "Estimate" (~) are directional approximations and should be treated as a starting reference, not an exact number — always confirm with the institute's official placement brochure. NMAT cutoff scores can shift noticeably year to year since the test is adaptive and scaled, so treat the bands above as a guide rather than a guarantee. Beyond this list, 35+ additional institutes in India and abroad also accept NMAT scores at varying cutoffs.
Previous Year Analysis
What Actually Changes Year To Year.
Trend observations across recent NMAT cycles that matter more than any single year's paper — useful for deciding where to focus your prep time.
Language Skills Trend
● Increasing lean toward vocabulary-in-context and passage-based inference over standalone grammar rules
● Cloze test and fill-in-the-blanks continue to appear consistently alongside sentence correction and para-jumbles
● Remains the tightest-timed section, so speed-accuracy balance matters more than raw vocabulary size
Quantitative Skills Trend
● Overall difficulty has been gradually rising, with Data Interpretation sets getting denser and more calculation-heavy
● Arithmetic remains the single highest-weightage topic group, but algebra and geometry questions have grown steadily more frequent
● Being the longest and most calculation-heavy section, time management across question types matters as much as raw accuracy
Logical Reasoning Trend
● Continues to be the most consistently scorable section with focused practice, since question types repeat reliably year to year
● Seating arrangements and analytical puzzles remain the dominant question types, alongside syllogisms and coding-decoding
● Visual/non-verbal reasoning appears occasionally but isn't a dominant theme
The multi-attempt effect: because NMAT allows up to 3 attempts with no penalty for a lower score and the best one counts, many candidates increasingly treat their first attempt as a practice run — a live diagnostic under real exam conditions — and use the 15–16 day gap before the next attempt to target specific weak areas revealed by that first score. This is a defensible use of the multi-attempt structure, but it only pays off if you seriously analyze attempt one rather than treating it as a throwaway.
Preparation Strategy
A Different Plan For Every Starting Point.
NMAT's zero-negative-marking format and up-to-3-attempts structure change the optimal strategy compared to exams with penalty scoring — where you start determines what you should do first.
Beginner (First Attempt, 6+ Months Out)
Build Quant fundamentals from the basics up and develop a daily reading habit for Language Skills. Since there's no negative marking, practice attempting every question from day one rather than skipping uncertain ones — that habit needs to be trained early, not on exam day.
Intermediate (One Mock Attempted, 3–6 Months Out)
Start sectional tests to isolate weak topics, and experiment with the order you attempt Language, Quant, and Logical Reasoning to find your strongest sequence. Build toward full mocks under the exact 28/52/40-minute sectional timing.
Advanced (Targeting a Top-Tier Score, <3 Months Out)
Lock in your section-order strategy and drill speed under the adaptive format — since difficulty scales with performance, staying calm through harder questions matters more than chasing every question. Treat your first real attempt as a diagnostic if you're planning to use all 3 attempts.
Working Professional (Limited Daily Hours)
Time-boxed study: 1–1.5 hours on weekdays, 4–5 hours on weekends. Prioritize Quant (longest section, highest marks-per-minute potential) and Logical Reasoning (most consistently scorable). Since NMAT lets you pick your own test date within the window, plan attempts around your work schedule rather than cramming.
Get Started Free
Start Your
NMAT 2026 Prep.
Share a few details and a mentor will reach out with your free diagnostic and first study plan on WhatsApp.
Free diagnostic to find your starting score band
Section-order strategy for NMAT's fixed sectional timing
Access to full-length mock tests across all 3 attempts
Guidance from mentors who scored 99.98 percentile
Start NMAT Prep Free
Takes under 2 minutes. No payment required.
Free to start. No credit card required.
FAQ
Common Questions.
When is NMAT 2026?+
NMAT 2026 runs as a 49-day testing window from November 2 to December 20, 2026, per GMAC's official notification released on August 1, 2026. Candidates pick their own preferred date, time, and test centre within this window; registration opens August 20 and closes October 10, 2026.
What is the NMAT exam pattern?+
NMAT has 108 questions across three sections — Language Skills (36), Quantitative Skills (36), and Logical Reasoning (36) — in a 120-minute computer-based test with fixed sectional time limits: 28 minutes for Language Skills, 52 minutes for Quantitative Skills, and 40 minutes for Logical Reasoning. Candidates can choose the order of sections before starting.
What is the NMAT marking and scoring scheme?+
NMAT has no negative marking for incorrect or unattempted questions. The exam uses adaptive scaled scoring, with each section scored from 12 to 120 and a total score ranging from 36 to 360, rather than a simple count of correct answers.
Who is eligible for NMAT 2026?+
Candidates need a Bachelor's degree with at least 50% aggregate marks from a recognized university. There is no upper age limit, and final-year graduation students can apply provisionally.
How does the NMAT 3-attempt system and best-score policy work?+
NMAT allows up to 3 attempts within the same testing window — one main attempt plus two retakes, with a mandatory gap of roughly 15–16 days between attempts. Whichever attempt scores highest is the one institutes see and use for shortlisting, so a lower-scoring attempt never counts against you.
How many marks are needed in NMAT for top B-schools?+
GMAC doesn't release an official NMAT percentile — only a scaled score out of 360, and institutes shortlist directly on that score. Based on 5-year cutoff trends (2021–2025), a total score of roughly 195–210 is a safe score for Tier-2 institutes (IFMR, VIT, SDA Bocconi), 205–230 is very good for KJ Somaiya and TAPMI, and 220–263 is needed for NMIMS Mumbai's range, which has trended upward in recent cycles. See the full year-wise table above for the section-wise breakdown.
What is the NMAT 2026 registration fee?+
Per GMAC's official NMAT 2026 notification, the registration fee is ₹3,000 + applicable taxes, with each retake also priced at ₹3,000 + taxes and a reschedule fee of ₹1,200 + taxes. Confirm the exact current figures at mba.com/nmat before paying.
What does NMIMS's Competency Test involve?+
The Competency Test is a separate written aptitude assessment conducted directly by NMIMS itself — not by GMAC — for candidates it shortlists based on NMAT scores. It's distinct from the NMAT exam and is now the single highest-weighted component (50%) of NMIMS's final selection score, ahead of the Personal Interview (20%) and even the NMAT score itself (20%).
What documents should I carry on NMAT exam day?+
Carry your NMAT admit card/confirmation and a valid original photo ID (such as Aadhaar, PAN, passport, or driving licence) matching the name on your registration. Check your admit card/candidate dashboard for the exact list of accepted ID types before your slot.
Which institutes besides NMIMS accept NMAT scores?+
Over 50 B-schools in India and abroad accept NMAT, including TAPMI Manipal, XIMB, KJ Somaiya, SDA Bocconi Asia Center, IFMR GSB (Krea University), VIT Vellore, ICFAI Business School Hyderabad, Shiv Nadar IMS, Alliance University, Woxsen University, and SRM University Sonepat, among 35+ others. See the Accepting Colleges table above for typical cutoff bands.
Is a calculator allowed during the NMAT exam?+
NMAT provides an on-screen calculator within the test interface for the Quantitative Skills section. Physical calculators aren't allowed inside the test centre.
What's the difference between my NMAT score and NMIMS's final selection score?+
Your NMAT score (36–360) is only one input into NMIMS's final selection score, and now the smallest-weighted one at just 20% — behind the Competency Test (50%) and Personal Interview (20%), with the remaining 10% from academic profile and work experience/diversity. Other accepting institutes combine the NMAT score with their own process differently.
Know The Exam.
Now Build The Plan.
Get a free diagnostic and a mentor-reviewed study plan built around the NMAT pattern.