Everything about NMAT 2026
— updated for this cycle.
Dates, pattern, syllabus, eligibility, and the colleges that accept it. All updated for this admission cycle.
READ ON7 MIN READ
- CONDUCTED BYGMACGraduate Management Admission Council
- MODEComputer-adaptiveTest centre or online · at-home
- DURATION2 hoursSectional timers · choose order
- FREQUENCY45-day windowUp to 3 attempts · book any date
- APPLICATION FEE₹3,000+ taxes · retake ₹3,000
- 01234567890123456789days to goNov-Dec 2026
READ ON7 MIN READ
SECTIONS3LS · QS · LR
QUESTIONS10836 per section · all MCQ
TOTAL MARKS36-360Scaled · 12-120 per section
ASPIRANTS~75kAnnual test-takers across the window
IIM SEATSNMIMS MumbaiFlagship NMAT-only intake
JUMP STRAIGHT TO
01 OVERVIEW
What NMAT actually is.
Background context, in two paragraphs. Skip ahead if you've already taken it before.
NMAT is conducted by GMAC — the same body behind the GMAT — over a 45-day window from early November to mid-December. Scores are accepted by NMIMS Mumbai, K J Somaiya, TAPMI, XIM University, and SDA Bocconi Asia Center, among 70+ B-schools in India and abroad.
It's the most candidate-friendly major exam: you pick your own date, choose the order of sections, and there's no negative marking. You can attempt it up to three times in a single cycle and only the best score counts — which makes NMAT a low-risk score to bank early in the season.
THE APPLYO FRAMEOne profile, multiple NMAT-accepting colleges.
That's what Applyo is built for.
That's what Applyo is built for.
02 TIMELINE
Important dates
— 2026 cycle.
Indicative dates, anchored against the 2025 calendar. Notification confirms the actual schedule.
Last cycle (NMAT 2025)For reference / pattern continuity
Nov-Dec 2025
Registration & scheduling opensCreate account, select 5 B-schools, book a slot
~1 Aug 2026
Registration closesLate window typically extended into mid-Oct
~10 Oct 2026
Exam window opensBook any date · test centre or online
~5 Nov 2026
Exam window closesLast bookable date for the main phase
~19 Dec 2026
Scorecard releaseProvisional score on screen · official within 48 hours
48 hrs per attempt
Official score reporting to schoolsSent to selected B-schools · score valid 1 year
Through Dec 2026
03 ELIGIBILITY
Eligibility &
exam pattern.
The two questions every aspirant lands on first: am I eligible? and what does the paper look like?
Eligibility · Who can apply
Three conditions. That's it.
- Bachelor's degree in any disciplineThree-year degree minimum · NMIMS and most schools expect 50% aggregate
- Final-year students are eligibleProvisional certificate accepted at the time of admission
- Up to 3 attempts per cycle · no age limitOne main attempt + two retakes · 15-day gap between attempts
Exam Pattern · Structure
Three sections. Your order. Strict sectional timers.
| SECTION | QUES | MARKS | TIME |
|---|---|---|---|
| LSLanguage Skills | 36 | 120 | 28 min |
| QSQuantitative Skills | 36 | 120 | 52 min |
| LRLogical Reasoning | 36 | 120 | 40 min |
| Total | 108 | 360 | 120 min |
Correct+3 marks
IncorrectNo negative
UnattemptedNo penalty
ScoringScaled 12-120 / section
04 SYLLABUS
What's actually tested.
Broken down by section, with the topic weights we observed in the last three CAT papers.
LS
Language Skills
Grammar, vocabulary, and short comprehension. Easier than CAT verbal, but the 28-minute timer is the real pressure.
Reading Comprehension
~8Q
Para-jumbles
~4Q
Fill in the blanks
~5Q
Synonyms & antonyms
~4Q
Error identification
~4Q
QS
Quantitative Skills
Arithmetic-heavy with a dedicated DI/DS load. The longest section at 52 minutes — and where most scores are made.
Arithmetic
~10Q
Data Interpretation
~8Q
Algebra
~6Q
Number System
~4Q
Data Sufficiency
~4Q
LR
Logical Reasoning
A mix of verbal and analytical reasoning. Direct, single-question formats more than long caselets.
Arrangements & puzzles
~8Q
Critical reasoning
~6Q
Coding-decoding
~4Q
Series & analogies
~4Q
Blood relations & directions
~3Q
05 APPLICATION
How to apply for NMAT 2026.
Registration on mba.com/exams/nmat takes about 20 minutes, and you schedule your slot in the same flow once you've paid.
01
Create a GMAC account on mba.comSign up with your email and verify. Use the exact name on your government photo ID — it must match on test day.
02
Fill personal & academic details10th, 12th, graduation marks; work experience if any. Upload a recent passport-size photograph in the specified format.
03
Select up to 5 B-schoolsYour score is sent free to five schools chosen at registration. Additional score reports can be sent later for a fee.
04
Pay the registration fee₹3,000 + applicable taxes. UPI, net-banking, debit and credit cards accepted. Retakes and reschedules are charged separately.
05
Schedule your exam date & modePick any date in the window and choose test centre or online at-home. Slots fill fast in the final fortnight — book early.
06
Download admit card & sit the examAdmit card is available on your dashboard within 24 hours of scheduling. Score appears on screen; official report follows in 48 hours.
Colleges that use
NMAT score.
Where a NMAT score can take you.
06 FAQ
Things aspirants
ask us about NMAT.
Can't find what you're looking for?
Up to three times — one main attempt plus two retakes — within the same exam window, with a mandatory 15-day gap between attempts. Only your best score counts.
Still have questions?
Can't find what you're looking for? Please chat to our friendly team.