NMAT exam 2026 is scheduled to be held from 2nd November 2026 to 20th December 2026. The NMAT exam is usually conducted over a span of a 45-day exam window.
Candidates have to appear for the exam on their scheduled date within the test window. The NMAT exam by GMAC can be taken from both home (online proctored exam) and from test centres (Online VUE Test Centres). The NMAT Test Centres are available in 70+ cities in India. GMAC allows three attempts at the NMAT exam within the test window. Candidates have to pay the registration fee for each attempt separately.
The NMAT is generally considered moderate in difficulty, especially when compared to exams like CAT, XAT, or GRE. However, the competition remains intense because of the limited number of seats in top B-schools accepting NMAT scores. Once the exam concludes, candidates are eager to analyse their performance and estimate potential B-school calls based on their scores.
Like every year, we will share the NMAT exam analysis after the exam is conducted, so that candidates can utilise the analysis and gain insights into the exam. It could also be beneficial for aspirants attempting the exam multiple times.
There was no change in the NMAT exam pattern 2026 with respect to previous years. There were three sections: Language Skills, Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Skills to be completed in 120 minutes.
|
Sections |
No. of Questions |
Time Allotted |
|
Language Skills |
36 |
28 |
|
Logical Reasoning |
36 |
40 |
|
Quantitive Skills |
36 |
52 |
|
Total |
108 |
120 |
The NMAT exam analysis 2026 will provide a detailed review of the section-wise difficulty level, ideal attempts, and expected score range for each section: Language Skills, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Skills.
|
Sections |
No. of Questions |
Topics |
Difficulty Level |
|
Language Skills |
36 |
TBA |
TBA |
|
Logical Reasoning |
36 |
TBA |
TBA |
|
Quantitative Skills |
36 |
TBA |
TBA |
|
Total |
108 |
Candidates can refer the table below to understand the NMAT Expected cutoffs 2026.
|
Program |
NMAT Cutoff 2026 (Overall) |
|
MBA Mumbai |
209 |
|
MBA HR |
209 |
|
MBA Business Analytics |
209 |
|
MBA Digital Transformation |
209 |
|
MBA Pharmaceutical Management |
190+ |
|
MBA Bangalore |
209 |
|
MBA Navi Mumbai |
209 |
|
MBA Hyderabad |
209 |
|
MBA Indore |
209 |
The NMAT exam analysis for 16th December 2025 provided a detailed review of the section-wise difficulty level, ideal attempts, and expected score range for each section: Language Skills, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Skills. It helps candidates understand how the paper performed compared to previous years and what scores may be required for top B-schools like NMIMS
The overall difficulty level was considered easy to moderate. Candidates can check the table below to know the section-wise difficulty level.
|
Sections |
Difficulty Level |
|
Language Skills |
Moderate |
|
Logical Reasoning |
Easy to Moderate |
|
Quantitative Skills |
Moderate |
The NMAT 2025 exam comprises three sections, each with 36 questions. Test-takers cannot skip a question without answering it, as the option to move ahead has been disabled. Being an adaptive test, NMAT rewards candidates more for correctly answering difficult questions than for easier ones.
Overall, the difficulty level of NMAT 2025 is easy to moderate in terms of the questions asked. However, it also depends on the ability of the candidate as NMAT 2025 is a “Computer Adaptive” exam.
|
Sections |
Difficulty Level |
|
Language Skills |
Easy To Moderate |
|
Logical Reasoning |
Moderate |
|
Quantitative Skills |
Moderate |
The overall difficulty level for the NMAT exam 2025 was moderate. All sections were manageable; however, maintaining speed was crucial for optimal performance.
|
Sections |
Difficulty Level |
Ideal Attempts (Questions) |
|
Language Skills |
Easy To Moderate |
30 |
|
Logical Reasoning |
Moderate |
25-27 |
|
Quantitative Skills |
Moderate but intensive Calculation |
25-28 |
The NMAT 2024 paper consists of three sections, each with 36 questions. Since the exam is adaptive, students will be rewarded more for answering tougher questions correctly, as compared to easier questions. The topic-wise questions in each section vary for each student.
|
Section |
No. of questions |
Time allotted (in minutes) |
|
Language Skills |
36 |
28 |
|
Logical Reasoning |
36 |
40 |
|
Quantitative Skills |
36 |
52 |
|
Total |
108 |
120 |
Let’s take a look at the individual section-wise analysis of NMAT 2024, based on the feedback given.
The Language Skills section was balanced with questions from Reading Comprehension (3 passages with 4 questions each), Para-jumbles, Grammar, and Vocabulary-based questions, with equal emphasis on each of these topics.
Complexity Level: Easy to Moderate
The section division is tabulated below:
|
Topic |
No. of Questions |
|
Reading Comprehension (3 RCs of 4 questions each were asked in NMAT 2024) |
12 |
|
Para-jumbles (3 Qs were based on 4 sentences, and 3 Qs were based on 5 sentences) |
6 |
|
Analogy (Similar pair of words) |
4 |
|
Fill in the blanks (Vocabulary-based Questions: Double fill-in-the-blanks, 2 words were used for each option) |
4 |
|
Fill in the blanks (Preposition-based Questions: 3 fill-in-the-blanks, 5 prepositions were given) |
4 |
|
Spot the Error (Qs were based on underlined phrases/group of words, with one group being incorrect) |
6 |
The Quantitative Skills section of NMAT 2024 comprised Arithmetic and Data Interpretation (2 DI sets - 1 Caselet and 1 Line Graph and Bar Graph combination - of 4 questions each), as well as Data Sufficiency questions (4 questions) that were relatively easy to moderate in difficulty. The section predominantly focused on modern math and numbers. As expected, there were no Geometry questions.
Complexity Level: Moderate
The section division is tabulated below:
|
Topic |
No. of Questions |
|
Numbers |
2 |
|
Percentage |
3 |
|
Pair of simultaneous equations |
1 |
|
Simple Interest/Compound Interest |
1 |
|
Profit, Loss and Discount |
3 |
|
Time and Work |
2 |
|
Log-based |
1 |
|
Ratio/Partnership |
2 |
|
Geometric progression |
1 |
|
Permutation and Combination |
5 |
|
Probability |
3 |
|
Data Interpretation (2 DI sets with 4 questions each. 1. Caselet – Set theory percentage based, three subjects, students like which subject. 2. Line graph + Bar Graph – based on share prices of a company and their investment.) |
8 |
|
Data Sufficiency (Qs were based on numbers and Time and work) |
4 |
The Logical Reasoning section comprised 17 Analytical Reasoning questions, which were easily doable, and 19 Verbal Reasoning questions, which were lengthy and challenging.
Complexity Level: Moderate
The section division is tabulated below:
|
Topic |
No. of Questions |
|
Analytical Reasoning |
|
|
Data Arrangement (2 sets of 4 Qs based. First set: 5 authors, 5 books written in 5 months and Second set: In a wedding reception, seven dishes are served in an order) |
8 |
|
AR – Rank based |
1 |
|
Input-Output (1 set of 4 Qs each – Numbers and alphabets based) |
4 |
|
Statement based. Four friends have numbers with different divisibility |
1 |
|
Venn Diagram – Rectangle, Circle, Oval shapes-based |
1 |
|
Missing number – Image based |
1 |
|
Fact statement based. Three facts with different conditions are given. |
1 |
|
Verbal Reasoning |
|
|
Statement/Assumption |
4 |
|
Statement/ Conclusion |
3 |
|
Statement /Argument |
4 |
|
Statement /Inference |
3 |
|
Meaning of Sentence |
1 |
|
Course of Action |
2 |
|
Syllogism |
2 |
Overall, the difficulty level of NMAT 2024 was moderate in terms of the questions asked. However, it also depends on the ability of the candidate as NMAT 2024 is a “Computer Adaptive” exam. All these sections have been modified in many aspects.
NMAT-2023 consists of three sections, each containing 36 questions. The option to skip to the next question without answering the current question has been disabled, making it mandatory for students to attempt all the questions. Since the exam is adaptive, students will be rewarded more for answering difficult questions correctly compared to easy questions. The topic-wise questions in each of the sections vary for each student.
|
Section |
No. of questions |
Time allotted (in minutes) |
|
Language Skills |
36 |
28 |
|
Logical Reasoning |
36 |
40 |
|
Quantitative Skills |
36 |
52 |
|
Total |
108 |
120 |
Let's take a look at the individual section-wise analysis of NMAT-2023 based on the feedback given.
The Language Skills section was balanced with questions from Reading Comprehension (2 passages with 4 questions each), Para-jumbles, Grammar, and Vocabulary-based questions. There were 10 questions on Spot the error.
Complexity Level: Easy to Moderate
The section division is tabulated below:
|
Topic |
No. of Questions |
|
Reading Comprehension - Topics: 1. Multiculturalism; 2. Hypertension (4 questions each) |
8 |
|
Para-jumbles |
5 |
|
Analogy (synonyms/antonyms based) |
5 |
|
Fill in the blanks (Vocabulary based -, 2 words in each option.) |
5 |
|
Fill in the blanks (Prepositions based - 2 words) |
3 |
|
Spot the error |
10 |
The Quantitative Skills section of NMAT-2023 contained Arithmetic and Data Interpretation (2 DI sets of 4 questions each), as well as Data Sufficiency questions (4 questions) that were relatively moderate. The section had questions from modern math, arithmetic and number systems. There was one question on Logarithms and one on Geometric progression but no questions from Geometry.
Complexity Level: Moderate
The Section Division is tabulated below:
|
Topic |
No. of Questions |
|
Number system (LCM, HCF, Remainder, simplify) |
5 |
|
Ratio proportion |
1 |
|
Percentage (savings based) |
1 |
|
Average (new employee salary based; distribution of remaining amount after picnic between boys and girls) |
2 |
|
SI/CI (Mutual fund based; amount invested for 2 children of different ages maturing with equal funds at 18 years) |
2 |
|
Profit, Loss and Discount (sale of 2 cars with equal profit and loss percentage; CP decreases, find new SP, no change in profit) |
3 |
|
Time and work (2 workers different wages, different units of work, find total wages; two workers with different time taken, one starts alone then joined by the other, find time taken) |
2 |
|
Log based |
1 |
|
Geometric Progression (given d and sum of T1 to T4, find T8) |
1 |
|
Permutation and Combination (6 seats to be filled with 3 different levels of employees; 7 paintings to be displayed out of 10 - 5wc) |
3 |
|
Probability (conditional probability; find probability by writing equation based on union and intersection of sets; 10 balls of 3 different colors find probability of selecting 2 balls of different colors) |
3 |
|
Data Interpretation (2 DI sets with 4 questions each. 1. Table - based on 4 departments / salary. 2. Bar graph + Line graph- based on total water bodies and those that dried up ; 1 sample each from non dry water body ; line graph on % of non feasible out of samples collected) |
8 |
|
Data Sufficiency - PLD Numbers - odd/even Algebra - inequalities Ordering of integers |
4 |
The Logical Reasoning section consisted of 16 Analytical Reasoning questions which were easy to moderate and 20 Verbal Reasoning questions which were lengthy but easy to crack.
Complexity Level: Easy to Moderate
The Section Division is tabulated below:
|
Topic |
No. of Questions |
|
Analytical Reasoning |
|
|
Data Arrangement (based on 2 buses that stop at A, B, C, D and E; different number of passengers boarding and alighting) |
4 |
|
Data Arrangement (based on 5 mothers, 5 children, different ages) |
4 |
|
Input-Output - Numbers based |
4 |
|
Circular mathematical puzzle - 1 missing numbers |
1 |
|
Venn Diagram - 3 shapes based |
1 |
|
Set/Venn diagram-based |
1 |
|
Row arrangement - queue of 7 persons |
1 |
|
Verbal Reasoning |
|
|
Statement/Assumption |
4 |
|
Statement/ Conclusion |
3 |
|
Statement /Argument / weaken or strengthen |
3 |
|
Statement /Inference |
1 |
|
Statement /Implication |
1 |
|
Statement /Conclusion |
3 |
|
Statement /Course of Action |
3 |
|
Decision Making |
1 |
|
Passage - Main Fact |
1 |
Overall, the difficulty level of NMAT 2023 was moderate and the paper was lengthy based on the time allotted for each section. Getting a good score on the NMAT exam depends on the candidate's ability to navigate through the “Computer Adaptive” exam.
Overall, the difficulty level of NMAT 2022 was moderate in terms of the questions asked. However, it also depended on the ability of the candidate as NMAT 2022 was a “Computer-Adaptive” exam. Given below is a general overview of the exam:
|
Section |
No. of questions |
Time allotted (minutes) |
Level of Difficulty |
|
Language Skills |
36 |
28 |
Easy to Moderate |
|
Logical Reasoning |
36 |
40 |
Moderate |
|
Quantitative Skills |
36 |
52 |
Easy to Moderate |
|
Total |
108 |
120 |
Moderate |
NMAT 2021 followed an exam pattern similar to NMAT 2020.
|
Section |
No. of questions |
Time allotted (minutes) |
|
Language Skills |
36 |
28 |
|
Logical Reasoning |
36 |
40 |
|
Quantitative Skills |
36 |
52 |
|
Total |
108 |
120 |
NMAT 2020 comprised of 3 sections - each containing 36 questions. The option to skip to the next question without answering the current question was disabled, making it mandatory for the students to attempt all the questions. As the exam is Adaptive, students were rewarded more for answering tougher questions correctly as compared to easier questions. The topic-wise questions served to the students in each of the sections shows variation for each of the students.
|
Section |
No. of questions |
Time allotted (minutes) |
|
Language Skills |
36 |
28 |
|
Logical Reasoning |
36 |
40 |
|
Quantitative Skills |
36 |
52 |
|
Total |
108 |
120 |
|
Parameter |
NMAT Exam Pattern 2019 |
NMAT Exam Pattern 2020 |
|
Number of Questions |
120 |
108 |
|
Sectional Time Limit |
Language Skills – 22 Quantitative Skills – 60 Logical Reasoning- 38 |
Language Skills – 28 Quantitative Skills – 52 Logical Reasoning - 40 |
|
Score Range |
Language Skills –> 0-144 Quantitative Skills –> 0-96 Logical Reasoning - > 0-120 |
Language Skills – 12 -> 120 Quantitative Skills – 12 -> 120 Logical Reasoning- 12 -> 120 |
|
Exam Difficulty Level |
Language Skills: Moderate Quantitative Skills: Moderate to tough Logical Reasoning: Easy to moderate |
Language Skills: Easy to moderate Quantitative Skills: Easy to moderate Logical Reasoning: Moderate to tough |
|
Sectional Time Limit |
Time ranging from 22 minutes to 60 minutes |
Time ranging from 28 minutes to 52 minutes |
|
Scaled Score |
Questions are selectively chosen from a pool, based on candidate’s performance |
Questions are directly targeted and are specific to a candidate’s ability, same as GMAT |
|
NMAT Scorecard |
Result date and window not specified beforehand |
Ready within 48 hours (in the first window) |
For NMAT 2017, the difficulty level was on similar lines with NMAT 2016. Nonetheless, the overall NMAT cut-off increased by 2 marks.
|
Section |
No. of questions |
Marks/Q |
Total Marks |
Time Allotted |
Cut-off Mumbai campus) |
Cut-off (Bengaluru and Hyderabad Campus) |
|
Quantitative Skills |
48 |
3 |
144 |
60 minutes |
65 |
65 |
|
Logical Reasoning |
40 |
3 |
120 |
38 minutes |
60 |
60 |
|
Language Skills |
32 |
3 |
96 |
22 minutes |
60 |
50 |
|
Total |
120 |
360 |
120 minutes |
210 |
190 |
For NMAT 2017, the difficulty level was on similar lines with NMAT 2016. Nonetheless, the overall NMAT cut-off increased by 2 marks.
|
Section |
No. of questions |
Marks/Q |
Total Marks |
Time Allotted |
Cut-off Mumbai campus) |
Cut-off (Bengaluru and Hyderabad Campus) |
|
Quantitative Skills |
48 |
3 |
144 |
60 minutes |
65 |
65 |
|
Logical Reasoning |
40 |
3 |
120 |
38 minutes |
60 |
60 |
|
Language Skills |
32 |
3 |
96 |
22 minutes |
60 |
50 |
|
Total |
120 |
360 |
120 minutes |
210 |
190 |
For NMAT 2016, the difficulty level was a tad lower than earlier years'. The overall cut-off, however, remained static, as has been the trend with NMAT over the years.
|
Section |
No. of questions |
Marks/Q |
Total Marks |
Time Allotted |
Cut-off Mumbai campus) |
Cut-off (Bengaluru and Hyderabad Campus) |
|
Quantitative Skills |
48 |
3 |
144 |
60 minutes |
74 |
70 |
|
Logical Reasoning |
40 |
3 |
120 |
38 minutes |
61 |
55 |
|
Language Skills |
32 |
3 |
96 |
22 minutes |
55 |
55 |
|
Total |
120 |
360 |
120 minutes |
208 |
200 |
NMAT in 2015 was conducted by GMAC (Graduate Management Admission Council), the owner and the administrator of the GMAT exam. This was a deviation from the previous years when Pearson VUE created the NMAT exam on behalf of NMIMS. The over-all cut-off remained the same as last year's, though there were minor changes in sectional cut-offs. Sectional cut-offs fell by a small margin.
|
Section |
No. of questions |
Marks/Q |
Total Marks |
Time Allotted |
Cut-off Mumbai campus) |
Cut-off (Bengaluru and Hyderabad Campus) |
|
Quantitative Skills |
48 |
3 |
144 |
60 minutes |
70 |
60 |
|
Logical Reasoning |
40 |
3 |
120 |
38 minutes |
55 |
50 |
|
Language Skills |
32 |
3 |
96 |
22 minutes |
50 |
50 |
|
Total |
120 |
360 |
120 minutes |
208 |
196 |
NMAT 2014 was quite predictable with respect to the pattern and the difficulty level. The exam was easy-to-moderate and the overall cut-off remained the same.
|
Section |
No. of questions |
Marks/Q |
Total Marks |
Time Allotted |
Cut-off Mumbai campus) |
Cut-off (Bengaluru and Hyderabad Campus) |
|
Quantitative Skills |
48 |
3 |
144 |
60 minutes |
70 |
60 |
|
Logical Reasoning |
40 |
3 |
120 |
38 minutes |
61 |
50 |
|
Language Skills |
32 |
3 |
96 |
22 minutes |
55 |
50 |
|
Total |
120 |
360 |
120 minutes |
209 |
196 |
NMAT 2020 was conducted in an 88-day test window from 4th November 2020 to 30th January 2021 and like last year, it is being administrated by GMAC. NMAT has had a very standardized pattern in the last few years which has very low chances of changing drastically. With respect to the pattern and structure of the exam, candidates can heave a sigh of relief. The overall difficulty level too will be along similar lines. The overall cut-off is expected to be around 208-210, which is the range around which the last few years' cutoffs have hovered. We can expect a little ambiguity from the sectional difficulty levels and sectional cutoffs can fluctuate by small margins.
For NMAT 2016, Quantitative Skills sectional cut-off rose from 70 to 74, despite the presence of highly calculation-intensive Data Interpretation questions, as the standalone quant questions were easier than last year. This shows that there can be varying difficulty levels even within a single section. A candidate should try to attempt around 75-80 questions to make it to a safe score of between 210-230, after accounting for a few errors. Since sections are timed, understanding of fundamentals and the speed of attempting questions are the 'make or break' factors.
As there is no penalty for wrong answers, candidates should adopt a strategy wherein they attempt all the questions. About 80 questions out of 120 should be genuine attempts and the rest could be guesses/calculated risks based on elimination. If a candidate is purely guessing on the rest of the questions, then all the answer choices selected should be the same options as this maximizes the probability of getting a few of them correct!