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NMAT by GMAC 2026, conducted by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), is a national-level computer-adaptive entrance exam for admission to MBA and PGDM programs at top business schools like NMIMS Mumbai, SPJIMR (specific programs), XIMB, KJ Somaiya, TAPMI, and others in India, Philippines, South Africa, and more. Over 50 institutes accept NMAT scores, with NMIMS being the primary user offering seats across its campuses. The exam features no negative marking, sectional time limits, and allows up to three attempts with the best score considered. Candidates can choose section order, making it flexible and candidate-friendly. With a scaled score range of 36-360, NMAT emphasizes speed, accuracy, and consistency across Language Skills, Quantitative Skills, and Logical Reasoning.
Table of Contents
NMAT 2026 Important Dates
GMAC follows consistent trends for NMAT scheduling. The official notification for NMAT 2026 is expected soon, with registrations starting in August 2026. Key tentative dates based on recent cycles include:
- Notification Release: Late July 2026
- Registration and Scheduling Start: August 1, 2026
- Last Date for Registration: October 2026
- Exam Window: November to mid-December 2026
- Retake Registration: After first attempt, up to December 2026
- Scorecard Availability: Within 48 hours of exam; final till March 2027
- Admission Process at Institutes: January to June 2027
Monitor mba.com/nmat for exact updates and slot availability.
NMAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must meet these basic requirements set by GMAC and participating institutes:
- Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized university.
- Minimum 50% aggregate marks (relaxations may apply for reserved categories per institute rules).
- Final year graduates can apply provisionally.
- No upper age limit.
- No work experience required, though preferred by some B-schools.
- International candidates eligible; specific institutes may have additional criteria.
NMIMS and other colleges verify eligibility during admission.
NMAT 2026 Registration and Fees
Registration is online at mba.com/nmat. Process includes:
- Create account with email and ID details.
- Fill personal, academic, and contact information.
- Choose test mode (centre-based or online proctored if available).
- Schedule exam date, time, and location.
- Pay fee and add preferred schools (5 free, additional charged).
Expected Fees:
- Registration: Rs. 2800-3000 + taxes
- Retake: Similar amount
- Rescheduling: Rs. 1200 + taxes
- Additional Schools: Rs. 300-400 each
Late registration may attract extra fees.
NMAT 2026 Exam Pattern
NMAT is a computer-adaptive test with fixed structure.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode | Online Computer-Adaptive |
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Total Questions | 108 MCQs |
| Sections | Language Skills (36Q, 28 min), Quantitative Skills (36Q, 52 min), Logical Reasoning (36Q, 40 min) |
| Scoring | Scaled 12-120 per section; Total 36-360 |
| Marking | +3 for correct; No negative marking |
| Section Order | Candidate's choice |
No skipping; adaptive difficulty based on performance.
NMAT 2026 Syllabus
Syllabus covers undergraduate-level aptitude.
- Language Skills: Reading Comprehension, Para Jumbles, Vocabulary (synonyms, antonyms), Grammar, Sentence Correction.
- Quantitative Skills: Arithmetic (percentages, ratios, profit-loss), Algebra, Number System, Geometry, Data Interpretation (charts, tables), Modern Math (P&C, probability).
- Logical Reasoning: Verbal Reasoning (assumptions, conclusions), Analytical Puzzles, Coding-Decoding, Series, Blood Relations, Critical Reasoning.
Official guide on mba.com provides detailed topics and samples.
NMAT 2026 Preparation Tips
Build speed and accuracy without negative marking—attempt all questions. Practice official mocks to adapt to timing and adaptive format. Prioritize weak sections; choose strong section first for confidence. Focus on Arithmetic and DI in Quant, RC and CR in Language/Logical. Use NMAT Official Guide, previous mocks, and sectional tests. Analyze performance for consistency across attempts.
NMAT 2026 Admit Card and Test Centres
Admit card available post-scheduling on dashboard. Download and carry with valid ID. Centres across major Indian cities; online proctored option may be available.
NMAT 2026 Result and Scoring
Scaled scores displayed immediately; official scorecard in 48 hours. Best of three attempts sent to chosen schools. Percentile based on pool.
NMAT Previous Year Cutoff Trends
Cutoffs vary by institute and program; NMIMS Mumbai highest. Recent trends show stabilization post-changes.
Understanding past cutoffs helps target scores. NMIMS uses common cutoff across campuses with sectional minima. Other colleges have varying requirements.
Approximate overall scaled score trends (NMIMS Core MBA):
| Institute/Program | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| NMIMS Mumbai (MBA Core/HR/Analytics) | 232-235 | 232 | 209 |
| NMIMS Bangalore/Navi Mumbai | 220-225 | 220+ | 209 |
| NMIMS Hyderabad/Indore | 200-210 | 200+ | 209 |
| XIMB/TAPMI/KJ Somaiya | 190-220 | Similar | 200-220 |
| SPJIMR (Specific Programs) | 90+ Percentile | Similar | High 90s |
Sectional cutoffs for NMIMS: Around 62-70 per section recently. Check institute websites for exacts.
NMAT Previous Year Question Papers and Mocks
GMAC provides official preparation guide with sample questions and practice exams on mba.com. Download free samples; purchase full mocks. Previous actual papers not released due to adaptive format, but official guide replicates patterns accurately.
NMAT 2026 Admission Process and Top Colleges
Post-NMAT, institutes shortlist based on scores. NMIMS conducts Competency Test/Case Discussion and PI. Other colleges use GD/PI/WAT. Top colleges: NMIMS (all campuses), SPJIMR, XIMB, TAPMI, KJ Somaiya, ISB (specific), VIT, SRM. 2025 trends: Higher competition for NMIMS Mumbai; stable cutoffs post-revisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Up to three, including first; best score considered.
- No; attempt all questions.
- 209+ overall with sectional balance; higher for core programs.
- Yes; strategic choice boosts performance.
- NMIMS Mumbai/Bangalore, SPJIMR, XIMB, TAPMI, KJ Somaiya, IFMR.
- No; freshers eligible.
- Adaptive, no negative marking, multiple attempts, sectional timing.
- Expected August 1, 2026.
- Yes, provisionally.
- Focus on Arithmetic, DI; practice speed.
- 36-360 total; adjusts for difficulty.
- Yes, in select schools in Philippines, South Africa, etc.
