Do NMAT have Negative Marking? Section-Wise Marks, Total Marks, & Negative Marking

Preparing for the NMAT exam? One of the most common doubts among aspirants includes what the NMAT total marks are and whether NMAT has negative marking or not. Also, the NMAT marking scheme plays a crucial role in shaping your exam strategy. Therefore, it’s important to understand how marks are awarded, the section-wise distribution, and the overall scoring system. So, in this blog, we’ll clear the confusion around “Do NMAT have negative marking?” and break down the complete NMAT marking scheme.

NMAT Marking Scheme & Other Details

Talking of the NMAT marking scheme, there are a total of 108 questions in the NMAT exam. There are 3 sections carrying 36 questions each. This takes the NMAT total marks to 324. Also, the exam time is 2 hours, with sectional time limits. Here’s the summary table:

NMAT Total Marks & Section-Wise Marks Distribution

The NMAT exam is divided into three sections. They are: Language Skills, Quantitative Skills, and Logical Reasoning. Each section has a fixed number of questions with a sectional time limit.

Understanding the section-wise marks in NMAT will help you plan your time management and attempt strategy better.

NMAT Marking Scheme: Section-wise Changing Time Pattern Trend

Over the years, NMAT has made slight adjustments to the sectional timings. In the last 5 years, the Quant section has experienced the most significant fluctuation. Below is the table showing the changing sectional timing in the NMAT exam:

Do NMAT have Negative Marking?

The most asked question by candidates is: “Does NMAT have negative marking?” The answer is No. NMAT is one of the few MBA entrance exams in India that follows a student-friendly marking scheme. For every correct answer, you earn +3 marks. Whereas for every incorrect or unattempted question, you get 0 marks. This means you don’t lose any marks for wrong attempts.

Key Highlights of Negative Marking in NMAT:

• Correct Answer: +3 mark
• Incorrect Answer: 0 marks (no deduction)
• Unattempted Question: 0 marks

Because there is no negative marking in NMAT, candidates are encouraged to attempt all the questions. Even if you are unsure, making an educated guess can work in your favour.

This feature makes NMAT different from other popular exams like CAT, XAT, or SNAP. Since these exams usually have negative marking.

Why is there no NMAT Negative Marking? 

One of the unique aspects of this MBA entrance exam is that there is no NMAT negative marking. This makes the exam more student-friendly. Moreover, it gives aspirants the confidence to attempt every question without fear of losing marks.

Reasons Behind No Negative Marking in NMAT

• Encourages Maximum Attempts: Since there is no penalty for wrong answers. Therefore, candidates are motivated to attempt all 108 questions.
• Reduces Exam Pressure: Unlike CAT or XAT, where every incorrect attempt lowers your score, NMAT allows you to focus on attempting rather than overthinking.
• Levels the Playing Field: The absence of negative marking helps reduce the disadvantage for students. Students who may be weaker in one section but can compensate in others.
• Supports Guesswork: Even if you are unsure, making an educated guess can increase your scoring chances.

Strategy Benefits for Aspirants

• Attempt all questions; there’s nothing to lose.
• Focus on time management instead of worrying about penalties.
• Use the elimination method of guessing when you’re stuck or unsure.
• Improve your overall raw score, as it directly impacts your scaled score and percentile.

In short, the no negative marking in NMAT gives aspirants the freedom to maximise attempts. Therefore, take calculated risks and perform without fear of losing marks. This is a major reason why NMAT is considered one of the most flexible MBA entrance tests.