OMET Exams

NMAT Syllabus 2026 : Know Section Wise Important Topics, Types of Questions;

26 Feb 2026

1. Introduction: What Is NMAT & Why Syllabus Knowledge Is Critical

NMAT by GMAC (formerly known as NMAT) is a standardized MBA entrance examination conducted by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), the same body that conducts the GMAT. NMAT is the primary gateway to NMIMS (Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies) School of Business Management – one of India's most reputed private business schools – and is also accepted by several other top B-schools across India and abroad.

Unlike most Indian MBA entrance exams, NMAT offers candidates up to three attempts per testing cycle, with NMIMS and other accepting institutions considering the best score. This retake policy makes understanding the NMAT syllabus and exam pattern critically important from a strategic standpoint – knowing what to prepare and how to pace attempts can significantly improve scores across retakes.

NMAT 2026 will test candidates across three sections: Language Skills (LS), Quantitative Skills (QS), and Logical Reasoning (LR). The exam is computer-adaptive in nature and is conducted in a designated testing window typically spanning October to December. This comprehensive guide presents the complete NMAT 2026 syllabus with section-wise topics, question types, weightage, scoring pattern, and a preparation strategy roadmap.

1.1 NMAT 2026 – Quick Overview

Parameter	Details
Exam Name	NMAT by GMAC 2026
Conducting Body	Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC)
Exam Mode	Computer-Based Test (CBT) at Pearson VUE test centers
Exam Frequency	Once a year (testing window spans ~10 weeks)
Testing Window	October – December 2025 (for 2026 admissions)
Registration Period	August – October 2025 (expected)
No. of Attempts	Up to 3 attempts per testing cycle
Score Considered	Best score across all attempts (by most institutions)
Total Duration	120 minutes (2 hours)
Total Sections	3 (Language Skills, Quantitative Skills, Logical Reasoning)
Total Questions	108
Score Range	36–360 (each section: 12–120)
Negative Marking	No negative marking
Section Order	Fixed: LS → QS → LR (cannot be changed)
Score Validity	1 year
Primary Accepting Institution	NMIMS School of Business Management (Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Indore)
Other Accepting Institutions	SBM NMIMS, SIBM Pune, Shiv Nadar University, VIT Vellore, Thapar Institute, and 30+ others
Official Website	nmat.org / mba.com

2. NMAT 2026 Exam Pattern – Complete Structure

NMAT 2026 follows a fixed three-section format with a strict time limit per section. Unlike CAT, NMAT does not have negative marking, which fundamentally changes the test-taking strategy – every question must be attempted regardless of confidence level. The computer-adaptive nature means question difficulty adjusts based on performance within the section.

2.1 Section-wise Exam Pattern

Section	Full Name	No. of Questions	Time Limit	Score Range	Marks per Question
Section 1	Language Skills (LS)	36	28 minutes	12–120	No fixed per-question marks; scaled score
Section 2	Quantitative Skills (QS)	36	52 minutes	12–120	No fixed per-question marks; scaled score
Section 3	Logical Reasoning (LR)	36	40 minutes	12–120	No fixed per-question marks; scaled score
Total	–	108	120 minutes	36–360	–

2.2 Marking Scheme & Scoring

Parameter	Details
Correct Answer	Marks awarded (scaled scoring; not simple +1 per question)
Wrong Answer	No negative marking – zero marks deducted
Unattempted	Zero marks; same as wrong answer but no penalty
Scoring Method	NMAT uses scaled scoring (similar to GMAT); raw score is converted to scaled score (12–120 per section)
Total Score Range	36 (minimum) to 360 (maximum); sum of all three section scaled scores
Section Scores	Each section independently scored on 12–120 scale
Strategy Implication	Attempt all 108 questions – no penalty for wrong answers; leaving questions unanswered wastes opportunity
Score Reporting	Section-wise and total scaled scores reported; percentile calculated separately

2.3 NMAT vs CAT – Key Differences

Parameter	NMAT 2026	CAT 2025
Conducting Body	GMAC (international)	IIM on rotation (India)
No. of Attempts	Up to 3 per cycle	1 per year
Total Questions	108	66
Total Duration	120 minutes	120 minutes
Negative Marking	No	Yes (–1 for wrong MCQs)
Sections	LS, QS, LR	VARC, DILR, QA
Difficulty Level	Moderate (lower than CAT)	High to Very High
Score Range	36–360 (scaled)	Variable raw score; percentile based
Section Order	Fixed (cannot change)	Fixed (cannot change)
Computer Adaptive	Yes (within section)	No
Primary Use	NMIMS + 30 other B-schools	IIMs + 1,200+ B-schools
Score Validity	1 year	1 year

2.4 Year-wise NMAT Exam Pattern History

Year	Total Questions	LS Questions	QS Questions	LR Questions	Duration	Score Range
2019	120	40	48	32	120 min	0–360
2020	108	36	36	36	120 min	36–360
2021	108	36	36	36	120 min	36–360
2022	108	36	36	36	120 min	36–360
2023	108	36	36	36	120 min	36–360
2024	108	36	36	36	120 min	36–360
2025 (for 2026 admissions)	108	36	36	36	120 min	36–360

Note: NMAT revised its format in 2020 – reducing total questions from 120 to 108 and equalizing all three sections at 36 questions each. This balanced 36-36-36 format has been maintained consistently through 2025 and is expected for 2026 as well.

3. NMAT 2026 – Language Skills (LS) Syllabus

Language Skills is Section 1 of NMAT and must be completed in 28 minutes – making it the most time-pressured section relative to question count. With 36 questions in 28 minutes, candidates have less than 47 seconds per question on average. The section tests English language proficiency across reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, and verbal reasoning. Unlike CAT's VARC which is dominated by RC, NMAT LS is more balanced across multiple question types.

3.1 Language Skills – Topic-wise Syllabus & Weightage

Topic	Sub-topics	Approx. No. of Questions	Question Type	Difficulty
Reading Comprehension (RC)	Short passages (200–400 words), main idea, inference, vocabulary in context, author's tone, specific detail	8–12 (2–3 passages x 3–4 Qs each)	MCQ	Moderate
Grammar & Sentence Correction	Subject-verb agreement, tense consistency, parallelism, modifiers, pronoun agreement, punctuation	6–8	MCQ	Low–Moderate
Fill in the Blanks (Vocabulary)	Single/double blanks; context-based word selection; synonyms/antonyms in context	6–8	MCQ	Moderate
Para Jumbles / Sentence Ordering	Rearranging 4–6 sentences to form a coherent paragraph	4–6	MCQ	Moderate–High
Cloze Test / Paragraph Completion	Fill multiple blanks in a paragraph; select from given options	3–5	MCQ	Moderate
Error Identification	Identify grammatically incorrect part of a sentence (4 underlined options)	3–5	MCQ	Low–Moderate
Analogies / Vocabulary	Word relationships, synonym-antonym pairs, word usage in context	2–4	MCQ	Moderate
Idioms & Phrases	Meaning of common idioms and phrases used in business/academic context	1–3	MCQ	Low–Moderate

3.2 Language Skills – Year-wise Topic Distribution (2020–2024)

Topic	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024	Avg. Qs	Trend
Reading Comprehension	10	10	10	10	10	10	Stable
Grammar / Sentence Correction	7	7	8	7	8	7.4	Stable
Fill in the Blanks	7	6	6	7	6	6.4	Stable
Para Jumbles	5	5	4	5	5	4.8	Stable
Cloze Test	4	4	4	4	4	4.0	Stable
Error Identification	3	4	4	3	3	3.4	Stable
Total LS Questions	36	36	36	36	36	36	–

3.3 RC Passage Profile – NMAT Language Skills

Parameter	CAT VARC	NMAT Language Skills
Passage Length	500–700 words (long)	200–400 words (short)
No. of Passages	4–5 per exam	2–3 per exam
Questions per Passage	3–4 per passage	3–4 per passage
Topic Complexity	High (philosophy, social science, economics)	Moderate (business, science, general)
Inference Questions	Heavy	Moderate
Vocabulary in Context	Moderate	High
Time per Passage	~8–10 minutes	~5–7 minutes
Difficulty Level	High	Moderate

3.4 Language Skills – High-frequency Vocabulary Topics

Vocabulary Area	Examples / Focus	Preparation Resource
Business Vocabulary	Fiscal, liquidity, amortization, arbitrage, leverage, conglomerate	The Economist, Business Standard
Academic Vocabulary	Hypothesis, paradigm, empirical, synthesis, proliferation, nuance	GRE word lists, Merriam-Webster
Synonyms & Antonyms	Common GRE-level word pairs tested in context	Norman Lewis Word Power Made Easy
Idioms & Phrases	Cut corners, bite the bullet, on the fence, break even, cash cow	MBA-level idiom lists
Contextual Word Usage	Words with multiple meanings; selecting correct meaning from context	Practice through RC passages

3.5 Language Skills – Preparation Strategy

Strategy	Details	Time Required
Speed Reading	Practice reading 200–300 word passages in under 90 seconds; focus on skimming for main idea	20 min/day
Grammar Rules	Master 15 core grammar rules (SVA, tenses, parallelism, modifiers); use error identification for practice	15 min/day
Vocabulary Building	Learn 10 contextual words daily; practice in sentence context, not rote memorization	10 min/day
Para Jumble Practice	Solve 5–6 para jumble questions daily; look for linking words, pronouns, and logical flow	15 min/day
Timed Practice	Simulate 28-minute LS section conditions; attempt all 36 questions within time	3x/week
Previous NMAT Papers	Solve LS sections from 2018–2024 NMAT papers for pattern familiarity	Weekend practice

4. NMAT 2026 – Quantitative Skills (QS) Syllabus

Quantitative Skills is Section 2 of NMAT with 36 questions and 52 minutes – the longest time allocation per section, reflecting the calculation-intensive nature of QS questions. The QS section tests mathematical ability at approximately Class 10–12 level, similar to CAT QA but at a lower difficulty level. Aspirants from non-engineering backgrounds often find QS more manageable than CAT's QA section. All QS questions are MCQs with 5 answer choices (unlike CAT which has 4 choices).

4.1 Quantitative Skills – Topic-wise Syllabus & Weightage

Topic	Sub-topics	Approx. Questions	Difficulty	Priority
Arithmetic	Percentages, Profit & Loss, Simple & Compound Interest, Ratio & Proportion, Mixtures & Alligation, Time-Speed-Distance, Time & Work, Averages, Partnerships	12–14	Low–Moderate	Very High
Algebra	Linear & Quadratic Equations, Inequalities, Functions, Logarithms, AP/GP/HP progressions, Polynomials	6–8	Moderate	High
Geometry & Mensuration	Lines & Angles, Triangles (area, similarity, Pythagoras), Circles, Quadrilaterals, 2D & 3D Mensuration	5–7	Moderate	High
Number Theory	LCM & HCF, Remainders, Divisibility, Factorials, Number properties, Units digit	3–5	Moderate	Moderate-High
Data Sufficiency	Two statements given; determine if data is sufficient to answer the question	3–5	Moderate–High	Moderate-High
Modern Math	Permutation & Combination, Probability, Set Theory	2–4	Moderate	Moderate
Data Interpretation	Tables, bar charts, pie charts, line graphs with calculations	2–4	Low–Moderate	Moderate
Coordinate Geometry	Distance formula, slope, equation of line, midpoint	1–2	Moderate	Low-Moderate

4.2 Quantitative Skills – Year-wise Topic Distribution (2020–2024)

Topic	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024	Avg. Qs	Trend
Arithmetic	13	13	13	13	13	13	Consistently highest
Algebra	7	7	7	7	7	7	Stable
Geometry & Mensuration	6	5	6	6	6	5.8	Stable
Number Theory	4	4	3	3	4	3.6	Stable
Data Sufficiency	3	4	4	4	3	3.6	Stable
Modern Math	3	3	3	3	3	3.0	Stable
Total QS Questions	36	36	36	36	36	36	–

4.3 Data Sufficiency – Unique to NMAT QS

Data Sufficiency questions are unique to NMAT (and GMAT) and rarely appear in CAT. Each DS question presents a problem and two statements. Candidates must determine whether Statement 1 alone, Statement 2 alone, both together, or neither is sufficient to answer the question. Understanding the DS framework is essential as it requires a different problem-solving approach than regular math questions.

DS Answer Choice	Meaning	When to Select
A – Statement 1 alone sufficient	Statement 1 gives enough info; Statement 2 is not needed	When S1 uniquely determines the answer regardless of S2
B – Statement 2 alone sufficient	Statement 2 gives enough info; Statement 1 is not needed	When S2 uniquely determines the answer regardless of S1
C – Both together sufficient	Neither alone is sufficient but together they give enough info	When you need both S1 AND S2 to determine a unique answer
D – Each alone sufficient	Both Statement 1 alone AND Statement 2 alone are each sufficient	When either statement independently gives a unique answer
E – Neither sufficient	Even both together don't give enough info	When combined S1+S2 still leave the answer undetermined

4.4 Quantitative Skills – Preparation Strategy

Strategy	Details	Time Required
Arithmetic First	Master all arithmetic sub-topics – they form 35–40% of QS; prioritize speed and accuracy	First 3–4 weeks
Daily Practice	Solve 20–25 QS questions daily covering mixed topics; focus on accuracy first, then speed	40–50 min/day
Data Sufficiency Mastery	Practice 10+ DS questions daily using process of elimination; understand DS logic separately	15 min/day
Time Management	52 minutes for 36 questions; aim for 80+ seconds per question; don't get stuck	Practice in timed conditions
5-Choice Awareness	NMAT has 5 MCQ options (not 4 like CAT); read all options carefully before selecting	Apply in every practice set
Formula Sheet	Maintain a personal sheet of formulas; revise twice a week	30 min/week

5. NMAT 2026 – Logical Reasoning (LR) Syllabus

Logical Reasoning is Section 3 of NMAT with 36 questions in 40 minutes. The LR section tests analytical and reasoning ability – pattern recognition, deductive reasoning, critical thinking, and data-based inference. Unlike CAT's DILR which features complex multi-question sets requiring 12–15 minutes each, NMAT LR questions are mostly standalone or in small groups (2–3 questions), making the section more manageable with proper time discipline. LR is often considered the easiest section to improve with targeted practice.

5.1 Logical Reasoning – Topic-wise Syllabus & Weightage

Topic	Sub-topics	Approx. Questions	Difficulty	Priority
Critical Reasoning	Strengthen/weaken arguments, assumptions, conclusions, inference, paradox resolution, bold-face reasoning	8–10	Moderate–High	Very High
Deductive Reasoning / Syllogisms	Statements and conclusions; all/some/none type; Venn diagram-based	4–6	Low–Moderate	High
Analytical Puzzles / Arrangements	Linear/circular seating, scheduling, ordering with constraints	4–6	Moderate	High
Data Sufficiency (LR-based)	Logical statement-based DS; determine if data sufficient to draw conclusion	3–4	Moderate	Moderate-High
Number Series & Sequences	Find next/missing term in number/letter/mixed sequences; pattern-based	3–4	Low–Moderate	Moderate
Blood Relations	Family tree construction; determine relationships	2–3	Low–Moderate	Moderate
Direction Sense	Navigate grid/map-based problems; final position or direction	2–3	Low	Moderate
Coding-Decoding	Letter/number coding; pattern-based encoding-decoding	2–3	Low–Moderate	Moderate
Statement-Assumption / Statement-Conclusion	Identify implicit assumptions or logical conclusions from given statements	2–3	Moderate	Moderate
Input-Output / Machine Input	Series of operations applied to input; find output at given step	1–2	Moderate	Low-Moderate
Cause & Effect	Identify whether events have causal relationship or are independent	1–2	Moderate	Low-Moderate

5.2 Logical Reasoning – Year-wise Topic Distribution (2020–2024)

Topic	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024	Avg. Qs	Trend
Critical Reasoning	9	9	9	9	9	9	Stable – highest
Syllogisms / Deductive	5	5	5	5	5	5	Stable
Analytical Puzzles	5	5	5	5	5	5	Stable
Data Sufficiency (LR)	4	3	3	4	4	3.6	Stable
Number Series	4	4	4	3	4	3.8	Stable
Blood Relations	3	3	3	3	3	3	Stable
Direction Sense + Coding	3	4	4	4	3	3.6	Stable
Others (S-A, Cause-Effect, I/O)	3	3	3	3	3	3	Stable
Total LR Questions	36	36	36	36	36	36	–

5.3 Critical Reasoning – Deep Dive (Most Important LR Topic)

Critical Reasoning accounts for approximately 25% of the LR section (9 out of 36 questions) and is the single most important topic in NMAT LR. CR questions test ability to analyze arguments – identifying premises, conclusions, assumptions, and logical flaws. These questions are similar in style to GMAT CR questions, which makes official GMAT prep material directly useful for NMAT preparation.

CR Question Type	What It Tests	Approach
Strengthen the Argument	Find an answer that makes the conclusion more likely to be true	Identify conclusion first; find option that supports it with additional evidence
Weaken the Argument	Find an answer that makes the conclusion less likely to be true	Identify assumption; find option that attacks or disproves the assumption
Find the Assumption	Identify the unstated premise the argument depends on	Negate each option; if negating destroys the argument, that is the assumption
Draw a Conclusion / Inference	Identify what must be true based on given information	Select option that is supported by all given statements; avoid 'could be' vs 'must be' confusion
Resolve the Paradox	Find a fact that explains an apparent contradiction	Both parts of paradox must remain true; the answer explains WHY both can coexist
Evaluate the Argument	Find the question whose answer would be most helpful in assessing the argument's validity	Think about what information would either strengthen or weaken; the 'evaluator' hits both

5.4 Logical Reasoning – Preparation Strategy

Strategy	Details	Time Required
Critical Reasoning First	CR is 25% of LR; start with CR mastery using GMAT Official Guide CR questions	First 2–3 weeks
Syllogism Rules	Learn all-some-none Venn rules; practice 15+ syllogism questions daily for speed	10 min/day
Puzzle Practice	Solve 2 arrangement puzzles daily; practice constraint satisfaction methodically	20 min/day
Number Series Speed	Practice 10 series questions daily; identify arithmetic, geometric, and mixed patterns quickly	10 min/day
Timed LR Section	Simulate 40-minute LR section conditions 3x per week; prioritize easy questions first	3x/week
GMAT CR Material	Use GMAT Official Guide Critical Reasoning section for high-quality CR practice	Weekend practice

6. Complete NMAT 2026 Topic-wise Syllabus – Master Reference Table

Section	Topic	Sub-topics / Key Areas	Approx. Qs	Priority
Language Skills	Reading Comprehension	Main idea, inference, vocabulary in context, tone, specific detail	10	Must Do
Language Skills	Grammar & Sentence Correction	SVA, tenses, parallelism, modifiers, pronoun agreement	7–8	Must Do
Language Skills	Fill in the Blanks (Vocabulary)	Context-based word selection, synonyms/antonyms	6–8	Must Do
Language Skills	Para Jumbles	4–6 sentence rearrangement; logical flow and connectors	5	High
Language Skills	Cloze Test / Para Completion	Multiple blanks in paragraph; coherent selection	4	High
Language Skills	Error Identification	4-part sentence; identify grammatically wrong part	3–5	Moderate-High
Language Skills	Analogies / Idioms	Word relationships, idiom meaning in context	2–3	Moderate
Quantitative Skills	Arithmetic	% , P&L, SI/CI, Ratio, Mixtures, TSD, T&W, Averages	13	Must Do
Quantitative Skills	Algebra	Equations, Inequalities, Functions, Log, AP/GP/HP	7	Must Do
Quantitative Skills	Geometry & Mensuration	Triangles, Circles, Quadrilaterals, 2D & 3D shapes	6	High
Quantitative Skills	Number Theory	LCM/HCF, Remainders, Factorials, Divisibility	4	High
Quantitative Skills	Data Sufficiency (QS)	Two-statement DS; determine data sufficiency for math	4	Moderate-High
Quantitative Skills	Modern Math	P&C, Probability, Set Theory	3	Moderate
Quantitative Skills	Data Interpretation	Tables, bar/pie/line graphs with calculations	3	Moderate
Logical Reasoning	Critical Reasoning	Strengthen, weaken, assumption, conclusion, paradox	9	Must Do
Logical Reasoning	Syllogisms / Deductive Reasoning	All/some/none; Venn diagram logic	5	Must Do
Logical Reasoning	Analytical Puzzles	Linear/circular arrangements, scheduling, ordering	5	High
Logical Reasoning	Data Sufficiency (LR)	Statement-based DS; logical sufficiency	4	Moderate-High
Logical Reasoning	Number Series & Sequences	Next term; pattern recognition (arithmetic, geometric)	4	Moderate
Logical Reasoning	Blood Relations	Family trees; relationship mapping	3	Moderate
Logical Reasoning	Direction Sense & Coding-Decoding	Grid navigation; letter/number encoding	3	Moderate
Logical Reasoning	Statement-Assumption / Cause-Effect	Implicit assumptions; causal reasoning	3	Moderate

7. NMAT 2026 Score Interpretation & NMIMS Campus Eligibility

NMAT uses a scaled scoring system ranging from 36 to 360. Each section is scored on a 12–120 scale. Unlike CAT, NMAT does not publish percentile-based cutoffs as a primary criterion. NMIMS publishes minimum score thresholds for shortlisting to the CDPI (Case Discussion + Personal Interview) round. The following tables present score-to-eligibility mapping for NMIMS campuses based on historical data.

7.1 NMAT Score vs Approximate Percentile (2024 Reference)

NMAT Score Range	Approx. Percentile	Interpretation
330–360	99th+	Exceptional; all NMIMS campuses + other top B-schools comfortably
310–329	97th–98th	Excellent; NMIMS Mumbai SBM strong contender
295–309	94th–96th	Very Good; NMIMS Mumbai call highly likely with strong profile
280–294	90th–93rd	Good; NMIMS Mumbai borderline; Navi Mumbai, Bengaluru strong
260–279	84th–89th	Above Average; Navi Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad likely
240–259	76th–83rd	Average; Hyderabad, Indore, Chandigarh realistic targets
220–239	65th–75th	Below Average for top campuses; smaller NMIMS campuses only
Below 220	Below 65th	Difficult for any NMIMS campus; retake strongly recommended

7.2 NMIMS Campus-wise Minimum NMAT Score (Historical Data 2022–2025)

NMIMS Campus	2022 Min Score	2023 Min Score	2024 Min Score	2025 Min Score	Safe Target Score
Mumbai – SBM	212	215	212	215	225+
Navi Mumbai	200	202	200	202	215+
Bengaluru	194	196	194	196	207+
Hyderabad	190	192	190	192	202+
Indore	185	188	186	188	198+
Chandigarh	180	182	180	182	192+
Dhule	175	175	175	175	185+

7.3 Section-wise Score Target for NMIMS Mumbai (General Category)

Section	Max Score	Min Score (Qualifying)	Safe Target Score	Ideal Target Score
Language Skills (LS)	120	67–68	74–78	82–90
Quantitative Skills (QS)	120	70–72	76–80	84–92
Logical Reasoning (LR)	120	73–75	78–82	86–94
Total Score	360	212–215	228–240	252–276

7.4 Category-wise NMAT Score Relaxation (NMIMS)

Category	NMIMS Mumbai Min Score	Gap from General	Approx. Percentile
General	212–215	–	~80th–82nd
EWS	198–200	~14–15 points lower	~76th
OBC-NCL	192–195	~18–20 points lower	~73rd
SC	172–175	~38–40 points lower	~63rd
ST	152–155	~58–60 points lower	~55th

8. Top Colleges Accepting NMAT 2026 Score

Beyond NMIMS, NMAT scores are accepted by several reputed B-schools across India. The following table presents the major institutions accepting NMAT 2026 scores along with their minimum score requirements and program details.

Institution	Program	Approx. Min NMAT Score	Location
NMIMS – SBM Mumbai	MBA	212–215	Mumbai, Maharashtra
NMIMS – Navi Mumbai	MBA	200–202	Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra
NMIMS – Bengaluru	MBA	194–196	Bengaluru, Karnataka
NMIMS – Hyderabad	MBA	190–192	Hyderabad, Telangana
NMIMS – Indore	MBA	185–188	Indore, Madhya Pradesh
NMIMS – Chandigarh	MBA	180–182	Chandigarh
NMIMS – Dhule	MBA	175	Dhule, Maharashtra
SPJIMR Mumbai	PGDM	200+	Mumbai (also uses CAT/GMAT)
Shiv Nadar University	MBA	210+	Greater Noida, UP
SBM NMIMS Shirpur	MBA	170+	Shirpur, Maharashtra
Thapar Institute of Engineering	MBA	180+	Patiala, Punjab
VIT Vellore	MBA	180+	Vellore, Tamil Nadu
UPES Dehradun	MBA	175+	Dehradun, Uttarakhand
Alliance University Bengaluru	MBA	170+	Bengaluru, Karnataka
Xavier Institute of Management (XIMB)	MBA	190+ (also uses CAT/XAT)	Bhubaneswar, Odisha

9. NMAT 2026 Preparation Roadmap – Month-wise Plan

Phase	Months	Focus	Key Activities
Phase 1 – Foundation	Apr–Jun 2025 (3 months)	Concept Building	Complete all QS topics (Arithmetic first); LR basics (syllogisms, series); LS grammar rules and reading habit
Phase 2 – Practice	Jul–Aug 2025 (2 months)	Topic-wise Practice	50+ QS problems/week; 3 RC passages/day; 10 CR questions/day; 2 puzzle sets/day; attempt 1 and
Phase 3 – Mocks	Sep–Oct 2025 (2 months)	Full-length Mock Tests	2 full NMAT mocks per week; analyze each section; identify weak topics; retake improvement plan
Phase 4 – Attempt 1	Oct 2025	First Attempt	Schedule first NMAT attempt; aim for 260+ to have strong base; analyze score report
Phase 5 – Improvement	Oct–Nov 2025	Second Attempt Prep	Focus on weakest section (typically 6–8 weeks between attempts); targeted practice
Phase 6 – Attempt 2	Nov 2025	Second Attempt	Apply lessons from Attempt 1; improved accuracy in weak section
Phase 7 – Final	Nov–Dec 2025	Third Attempt (if needed)	Last chance improvement; focus on highest-impact topics; maintain accuracy

9.1 Section-wise Daily Time Allocation (Recommended)

Phase	LS (min/day)	QS (min/day)	LR (min/day)	Mocks & Analysis	Total Daily
Phase 1 (Foundation)	25	45	30	0	1.5–2 hrs
Phase 2 (Practice)	30	40	35	20	2–2.5 hrs
Phase 3 (Mocks)	25	30	25	80 (mock+analysis)	2.5–3 hrs
Between Attempts	30	40	30	60 (sectional analysis)	2.5–3 hrs

9.2 NMAT Retake Strategy (3 Attempts)

Attempt	Timing	Target Score	Strategy
Attempt 1	Early–Mid October 2025	260+ (stretch target 280+)	Appear with full preparation; treat as real exam; full-length mocks done
Attempt 2	Late October – Mid November 2025	Score higher than Attempt 1 by 15–20 points	Analyze Attempt 1 section report; focus on weakest section for 6 weeks
Attempt 3	Late November – December 2025	Best possible score	Use only if Attempt 2 < target; highest-impact improvement only; no new topics
Score Reported	All 3 scores reported; institutions consider best	NMIMS considers best overall score	Always attempt all 3 if below target; no penalty for multiple attempts

10. Best Books & Resources for NMAT 2026 Preparation

Section	Book / Resource	Author / Publisher	Best For
Language Skills	How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT	Arun Sharma & Meenakshi Upadhyay (McGraw Hill)	RC and VA foundation
Language Skills	Word Power Made Easy	Norman Lewis	Vocabulary building
Language Skills	NMAT Official Practice Tests	GMAC (mba.com)	Most accurate LS question types
Language Skills	The Economist, Business Standard	Online publications	RC practice with relevant passages
Quantitative Skills	Quantitative Aptitude for CAT	Arun Sharma (McGraw Hill)	Comprehensive QS topic coverage
Quantitative Skills	GMAT Official Guide – Quantitative Review	GMAC (official)	Data Sufficiency questions (closest to NMAT DS)
Quantitative Skills	NMAT Official Practice Tests	GMAC (mba.com)	Most accurate QS question types and format
Logical Reasoning	GMAT Official Guide – Verbal Review	GMAC (official)	Critical Reasoning (closest to NMAT CR)
Logical Reasoning	Logical Reasoning for CAT	Nishit Sinha (Pearson)	Analytical puzzles and arrangements
Logical Reasoning	NMAT Official Practice Tests	GMAC (mba.com)	Most accurate LR question types
All Sections	NMAT Previous Year Papers (2018–2024)	Education portals	Pattern familiarity and realistic practice
All Sections	2IIM, Cracku, Testfunda	Online platforms	Sectional tests, topic-wise practice

11. NMAT 2026 Syllabus – PDF Download Guide

GMAC does not publish a formal NMAT syllabus PDF. However, aspirants can access the NMAT Official Guide and practice tests directly from the official website, which serve as the best proxy for the actual syllabus. The following table lists resources where NMAT-related syllabus guides and practice material can be accessed.

Source	What It Contains	Access / URL
NMAT Official Website (mba.com)	Official exam guide, sample questions, practice tests – most authentic source	mba.com/exams/nmat
nmat.org	Registration, admit card, score reporting, official notifications	nmat.org
Cracku NMAT	Section-wise syllabus guide + free mock tests + previous year analysis	cracku.in/nmat
2IIM NMAT Preparation	Free topic-wise syllabus guide + practice questions	2iim.com/nmat-syllabus
MBAUniverse	NMAT syllabus PDF + preparation strategy guides	mbauniverse.com
Career Launcher NMAT	Syllabus + coaching material + mock tests	careerlauncher.com
Testfunda NMAT	NMAT mock series + sectional tests	testfunda.com
PaGaLGuY	NMAT experience threads + score analysis by aspirants	pagalguy.com

Important: The official NMAT exam guide available on mba.com is the single most reliable source for question types and format. Always verify any syllabus information against the official NMAT 2026 exam notification released on nmat.org or mba.com (expected August 2025).

12. Frequently Asked Questions – NMAT Syllabus 2026

#	Question	Answer
1	What is the NMAT 2026 syllabus?	NMAT 2026 tests three sections: Language Skills (36 questions, 28 min), Quantitative Skills (36 questions, 52 min), and Logical Reasoning (36 questions, 40 min). Total: 108 questions in 120 minutes. GMAC does not publish a formal syllabus; the de facto syllabus is based on historical exam analysis.
2	How many times can I take NMAT 2026?	Up to 3 times per testing cycle. You must wait at least 15 days between attempts. NMIMS and most other accepting institutions consider your best score across all attempts. There is no penalty for taking multiple attempts.
3	Is there negative marking in NMAT 2026?	No. NMAT has no negative marking. Every question should be attempted regardless of confidence level. An unattempted question scores zero, same as a wrong answer – so there is no reason to leave any question blank.
4	What is the score range for NMAT 2026?	Each section is scored on a 12–120 scale using scaled/normalized scoring. Total score range is 36–360 (sum of all three section scores). NMIMS Mumbai requires approximately 212–215+ for General category shortlisting.
5	What is the minimum NMAT score for NMIMS Mumbai?	Based on historical data (2022–2025), the minimum NMAT score for NMIMS Mumbai SBM for General category ranges from 212 to 215. A safe preparation target is 225+. Category-wise relaxations apply for EWS, OBC, SC, and ST candidates.
6	Which section of NMAT is hardest?	Most aspirants find Language Skills the most time-pressured (36 questions in only 28 minutes). Quantitative Skills is most calculation-intensive. Logical Reasoning is generally considered the most improvable with targeted practice. Overall, NMAT difficulty is significantly lower than CAT.
7	Is NMAT harder than CAT?	No. NMAT is significantly easier than CAT in terms of question complexity. CAT tests advanced concepts at higher difficulty, while NMAT tests similar topics at a moderate level. NMAT's time pressure in LS (28 min) is the primary challenge, not conceptual difficulty.
8	What is Data Sufficiency in NMAT?	Data Sufficiency (DS) questions appear in both QS and LR sections. Each DS question presents a problem and two statements. Candidates choose whether Statement 1 alone, Statement 2 alone, both together, or neither is sufficient to answer the question. DS format is borrowed from GMAT.
9	What is Critical Reasoning in NMAT LR?	Critical Reasoning (CR) questions test argument analysis – strengthen/weaken arguments, identify assumptions, draw conclusions, resolve paradoxes. CR forms approximately 25% of the LR section (~9 questions) and is the single most important LR topic. GMAT Official CR material is excellent preparation.
10	How is NMAT score calculated?	NMAT uses scaled scoring. Raw scores (number of correct answers) are converted to scaled scores (12–120) per section using statistical equating methods to account for slight difficulty variations across test forms. The three section scores are summed for the total score (36–360).
11	What is the best preparation strategy for NMAT LS?	For Language Skills (28 minutes, 36 questions): Prioritize speed. Practice timed RC passages (target 5–6 minutes per passage). Master 10–12 core grammar rules. Learn vocabulary contextually. Practice para jumbles daily. Simulate the full 28-minute section at least 3 times per week.
12	Can non-engineers do well in NMAT?	Yes. NMAT QS difficulty is moderate (lower than CAT QA), making it more accessible to non-engineers. The LS section is actually easier for commerce and arts students. Non-engineers typically need 4–6 additional weeks of QS preparation compared to engineers but can achieve competitive scores with consistent practice.
13	What NMAT score is good for NMIMS Bengaluru?	Based on historical data, NMIMS Bengaluru requires a minimum of approximately 194–196 for General category shortlisting. A safe target is 207+. This corresponds to roughly the 73rd–75th percentile of NMAT test-takers.
14	Is NMAT computer adaptive?	Yes. NMAT uses a computer-adaptive testing format where question difficulty adjusts based on your performance within each section. This is similar to GMAT's adaptive format. Correct answers bring harder questions; wrong answers bring easier ones. However, unlike GMAT, you can skip and return to questions within the section's time limit.
15	When does NMAT 2026 registration open?	NMAT 2026 registration is expected to open in August 2025 (for MBA admissions starting 2026). The testing window typically runs October through December. Check nmat.org for official dates and registration links.

13. SEO Keywords – High Volume & Relevant (100+ Keywords)

Primary Keywords

Keyword	Est. Monthly Volume	Difficulty
NMAT syllabus 2026	60,000–90,000	High
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NMAT syllabus section wise	15,000–25,000	Medium-High
NMAT 2025 2026 exam date	80,000–120,000	Very High
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NMAT by GMAC syllabus	12,000–18,000	Medium
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Secondary Keywords

Keyword	Est. Monthly Volume	Difficulty
NMAT preparation tips 2026	15,000–25,000	Medium-High
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NMAT total questions 2026	8,000–12,000	Low-Medium
NMAT marking scheme 2026	6,000–9,000	Low-Medium
NMAT mock test free 2026	20,000–30,000	High
NMAT critical reasoning topics	5,000–8,000	Low-Medium
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NMAT vs CAT difficulty comparison	8,000–12,000	Medium
NMAT 3 attempts strategy	5,000–8,000	Low-Medium
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Long-tail Keywords

Long-tail Keyword	Est. Monthly Volume	Difficulty
NMAT 2026 section wise syllabus with topics PDF	8,000–12,000	Medium
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NMIMS Bengaluru NMAT minimum score cutoff 2025	4,000–6,000	Low-Medium
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NMAT syllabus for non engineers preparation	3,000–5,000	Low
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Question-Based / PAA Keywords (People Also Ask)

Search Query	Type	Est. Volume
What is the syllabus of NMAT 2026?	Informational	30,000–50,000
How many questions are in NMAT 2026?	Informational	12,000–18,000
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How many attempts are allowed in NMAT?	Informational	12,000–18,000
What is a good NMAT score for NMIMS?	Informational	10,000–15,000
Which section is hardest in NMAT?	Informational	5,000–8,000
Is NMAT harder than CAT?	Comparison	8,000–12,000
What is data sufficiency in NMAT?	Informational	5,000–8,000
How is NMAT score calculated?	Informational	8,000–12,000
When does NMAT 2026 registration open?	Transactional	25,000–40,000
Can non-engineers do well in NMAT?	Informational	4,000–6,000
What books to use for NMAT 2026?	How-to	8,000–12,000
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What NMAT score is needed for NMIMS Mumbai?	Informational	8,000–12,000
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Topic-specific & Comparison Keywords

Keyword	Type	Est. Volume
NMAT 2026 vs NMAT 2025 pattern changes	Comparison	4,000–6,000
NMAT critical reasoning GMAT material use	Topic-specific	3,000–5,000
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NMAT QS algebra topics preparation	Topic-specific	2,000–3,000
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NMAT cut off NMIMS 2026 category wise	Informational	8,000–12,000
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NMIMS Navi Mumbai NMAT score required	Informational	4,000–6,000
NMAT free mock test 2026 online practice	Transactional	12,000–18,000

Data Disclaimer & Sources

Item	Details
Exam Pattern Source	Based on official NMAT notifications and GMAC exam guides (2019–2024); mba.com official content
Syllabus Source	Compiled from analysis of NMAT 2018–2024 papers and GMAC official guides; GMAC does not publish a formal syllabus
Score vs Percentile	Approximate estimates based on NMAT test-taker reports and historical score distributions; not official GMAC data
NMIMS Cutoff Data	Based on NMIMS official notifications and historical admission data; approximate minimums
Book Recommendations	Based on expert consensus and aspirant feedback; not sponsored by any publisher
Monthly Search Volumes	Approximate estimates; peak volumes during Aug–Dec (NMAT testing season)
No Affiliation	This article is not affiliated with GMAC, NMIMS, nmat.org, or any coaching institute
Verify Annually	Check official NMAT 2026 notification on nmat.org and mba.com for latest exam pattern and any format changes

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Last updated: 26 Feb 2026

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