Explore NMAT Exam Pattern 2025 with section-wise structure, number of questions, marking scheme, and time limits. Get detailed insights to plan and boost your MBA exam preparation.
The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) has released the NMAT exam pattern. The NMAT exam format requires applicants to answer up to 108 questions in 120 minutes. The NMAT consists of three sections: Language Skills, Quantitative Skills, and Logical Reasoning, each with 36 questions.
The NMAT exam is administered throughout a 45-day testing frame. During the NMAT exam scheduling procedure, you can select a specific day and place to take the exam at your convenience. Learn all about the NMAT test structure and marking method below.
NMIMS NMAT 2025 Exam Pattern Highlights
Here is a quick overview of the NMAT exam pattern.
|
Particulars |
Details |
|
Questions per Section |
|
|
Time Duration |
120 minutes |
|
Sectional Time Limit |
|
|
Marking Scheme |
+1 for each correct answer and no negative marking |
|
Medium |
English |
|
Frequency |
Once a year |
Also Read: Top 10 MBA Colleges Accepting NMAT by GMAC Score 2025: Check Courses Offered, Fees
NMAT Section-wise Exam Pattern 2025
To help you understand, the NMAT exam format for each of the three sections is detailed below:
|
Section |
Time Allotted |
MCQs |
|
Language Skills |
28 minutes |
36 |
|
Quantitative Skills |
52 minutes |
36 |
|
Logical Reasoning |
40 minutes |
36 |
|
Total |
120 minutes (2 hours) |
108 |
NMAT Exam Pattern for Language Skills
The language skills portion evaluates the candidate's spoken reasoning and comprehension abilities. The primary characteristics of the NMAT Language Skills exam pattern are:
|
Sections |
Details |
|
Number of Questions |
36 MCQs |
|
Time Duration |
28 Minutes |
|
Score Range |
12-120 |
|
Topics Weightage |
Para Jumbles Sentence Completion Analogies Reading Comprehension Error Identification Prepositions |
NMAT Quantitative Skills Exam Pattern
Check out the exam pattern for quantitative skills in the table below.
|
Sections |
Details |
|
Number of Questions |
36 MCQs |
|
Time Duration |
52 Minutes |
|
Score Range |
12-120 |
|
Topics Weightage |
Arithmetic Data Interpretation Charts, Graphs, Caselets, and Tables Number Properties Probability and Algebra Geometry and Mensuration Data Sufficiency |
NMAT Logical Reasoning Exam Pattern
Check out the exam pattern for logical reasoning in the table below.
|
Sections |
Details |
|
Number of Questions |
36 MCQs |
|
Time Duration |
40 Minutes |
|
Score Range |
12-120 |
|
Topics Weightage |
Blood Relations Direction and Ranking puzzles Critical Reasoning Logical Deductions Statements and Assumptions Syllogisms Seating Arrangements |
Also Read: How is the NMAT Exam Different from the CAT?
NMAT Exam Marking Scheme 2025
The NMAT total marks or total score range for the exam is 36 to 360. The NMAT minimum mark is 36, while the highest mark is 360. According to the GMAC exam format, the following details concerning the NMAT marking scheme are:
- A total of 120 minutes is allotted to answer 108 questions.
- Each right response to all objective questions is worth one mark.
- No negative markings are created.
- Marks are not deducted for unanswered questions.
Also Read: How to Strategically Plan 3 Attempts of NMAT?
NMAT Exam Marks Distribution 2025
The marks distribution for the NMAT by GMAC exam pattern 2025 is demonstrated below.
NMAT Exam Pattern vs Other MBA Exam Patterns
Many MBA applicants choose NMAT. NMAT 2025 has a lower test complexity and competition than other management examinations in India. It is beneficial for you to examine the differences between the NMAT and other examinations.
NMAT Exam Pattern vs CAT Exam Pattern
CAT 2025 is the most difficult exam among all the management examinations. An applicant who prefers a similar but easier exam might pick NMAT over CAT and still gain admission to one of India's top business schools. We have listed the differences below.
|
Particulars |
NMAT Exam Pattern |
CAT Exam Pattern |
|
Sections |
Verbal - 36 Logical Reasoning - 36 Quant - 36 |
Verbal & RC - 26 DI & LR - 24 Quant - 26 |
|
Option to Choose the Order of Exam |
Yes |
No |
|
Total Questions |
108 |
76 |
|
Total Duration |
2 hours |
2 hours |
|
Negative Marking |
No |
1 mark for incorrect answers |
|
Top B- Schools Accepting Scores |
NMIMS VIT XIMB |
IIMs FMS MDI SPJIMR IMI IITS XIMB |
Also Read: NMAT vs CAT Syllabus: Exam Pattern, Marking Scheme
NMAT Exam Pattern vs XAT Exam Pattern
Check out the difference between the NMAT and XAT exam patterns in the table below.
|
Particulars |
NMAT Exam Pattern |
XAT Exam Pattern |
|
Sections |
Verbal - 36 Logical Reasoning - 36 Quant - 36 |
Part 1: Verbal & Logical Reasoning - 26 Quant & DI - 28 Decision Making - 21 Part 2: General Knowledge - 25 |
|
Option to Choose the Order of Exam |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Total Questions |
108 |
100 |
|
Total Duration |
2 hours |
3 hours |
|
Negative Marking |
No |
1/4 of the marks for incorrect answers |
|
Top B- Schools Accepting Scores |
NMIMS, VIT, XIMB |
XLRI, SPJIMR, IMT, TAPMI XIMB |
NMAT Exam Pattern vs MAT Exam Pattern
Check out the difference between the NMAT and MAT exam patterns in the table below.
|
Particulars |
NMAT Exam Pattern |
MAT Exam Pattern |
|
Sections |
Verbal - 36 Logical Reasoning - 36 Quant - 36 |
Language Comprehension - 30 Data Analysis & Sufficiency - 30 Mathematical Skills - 30 Intelligence & Critical Reasoning - 30 Economic and Business Environment - 30 |
|
Option to Choose the Order of Exam |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Total Questions |
108 |
150 |
|
Total Duration |
2 Hours |
2 Hours |
|
Negative Marking |
No |
-0.25 for each incorrect entry, 0 for not attempting a question |
|
Top B- Schools Accepting Scores |
NMIMS, VIT, XIMB |
Indian Institutes of Management, Xavier Institute of Management and Entrepreneurship, and Institute of Public Enterprise |
Also Read: NMAT vs SNAP: Syllabus, Pattern, Which is Easier?
Conclusion
The NMAT exam pattern consists of three sections: Language Skills, Quantitative Skills, and Logical Reasoning, with a total of 108 questions. The candidates are given 120 minutes to take the exam. Each question carries one mark for each correct answer, and there is no negative marking. The order of the sections is flexible, allowing candidates more control during the examination.
