NBSAT is management aptitude exam designed to test a candidates’ analytical skills, logical reasoning, data interpretation and communication ability. Since the entrance exam is for MBA programme, it also includes test of creativity, innovation, ethical reasoning, and real-world decision-making. The NBSAT exam pattern is prescribed by Narayana Business School, Sarkhej and is conducted in proctored online mode for two hours. NBSAT 2026 exam is a low difficulty level exam but it focuses on holistic skills of the candidates. Check below NBSAT exam pattern and syllabus 2026.
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- NBSAT Exam Pattern 2026: Highlights
- NBSAT Marking Scheme
- NBSAT Question Paper Break Up
- NBSAT 2026: Online Proctored Mode
- FAQs on NBSAT Pattern 2026
NBSAT Exam Pattern 2026: Highlights
Check the table below for key highlights of NBSAT exam pattern:
- Aptitude Skills (55%) – Quantitative ability, reasoning, language, and business awareness.
- Holistic Skills (45%) – Creativity, innovation, ethical reasoning, and real-world decision-making.
| NBSAT 2026 Features |
Details |
|---|---|
| NBSAT sections |
|
| Exam duration |
120 minutes |
| Exam mode |
Proctored online |
| Exam timing |
11:00 AM to 1:00 PM |
| Question type |
Objective (4 options to each question) |
| Total marks |
100 |
| Negative marking |
No |
Commonly asked questions
There are 100 questions in NBSAT. Time duration is 120 minutes. It is not mandatory to solve all questions, but candidates must aim to attempt as many questions as they can in every section. In a section having 30 questions, they must target nearly 20 questions and in a section having 20 questions they must target nearly 12-15 questions to get a good score.
There are no subjective type questions in NBSAT. All of the questions will be in MCQ format, having four options to choose the correct answer from. Candidates are required to select the correct option with the help of computer mouse. NBSAT is held in remote proctored mode.
For every question 1 mark will be awarded. There is no negative marking in exam, so for incorrect attempts, 0 marks will be awarded.
NBSAT Marking Scheme
Given below is the marking scheme for NBSAT:
- Total number of questions: 100
- Marks per question: 1
- Negative marking: No
It is not mandatory to attempt all the questions but candidates must aim to solve atleast 2/3 of the total questions in every section of the NBSAT exam.
Commonly asked questions
NBSAT test is mandatory for all MBA and PGDM programmes offered by Narayana Business School. Candidates can also use CAT, XAT, NMAT, CMAT and scores for admission.
The main topics of NBSAT include Quant & Data Interpretation, Logical & Analytical Reasoning, Business & Economic Awareness, Communication & Language Proficiency, Creativity & Innovation, and Decision-Making & Ethical Reasoning.
There is no sectional time limit in NBSAT. Candidates have to divide the time by themselves keeping in mind the section they find easy and tough.
NBSAT Question Paper Break Up
The question paper of NBSAT 2026 will have 100 MCQs. The difficulty level of the questions will be easy to moderate. Check the table below for section wise break up of NBSAT 2026:
| NBSAT sections | Number of questions |
|---|---|
| Quantitative Techniques | 20 |
| Logical Reasoning and Analytics | 20 |
| Business & Economic Awareness | 15 |
| Communication & Language Proficiency | 15 |
| Creativity & Innovation | 15 |
| Decision Making & Ethical Reasoning | 15 |
| Total | 100 |
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Commonly asked questions
The difficulty level of NBSAT is usually easy. There is no negative marking in the exam so there is no added pressure. With basic preparation and practice of Quantitative Techniques, Data Interpretation & Data Adequacy, Analytical Reasoning, Vocabulary and Reading Comprehension, one can crack NBSAT with good scores.
NBSAT is an easy exam. One can prepare for it with 3 to 6 months of preparation, depending upon their familiarity with NBSAT syllabus. Candidates from Engineering and Technical backgrounds will find it easy to cover Quantitative Techniques, Data Interpretation & Data Adequacy in less time than students from non-Engineering and non-Technical backgrounds.
It is not mandatory to attempt all the questions in NBSAT. Candidates can choose to answer only those questions that they can answer correctly. Overall, they must aim to attempt 2/3 of the total questions.
NBSAT 2026: Online Proctored Mode
Check below important guidelines to follow at the time of NBSAT exam:
- The NBSAT form will open at 11 am and close at 2 pm.
- Candidates will have to login at 10:45 am.
- Sit in a well lit room with no disturbance
- Do not leave your seat or turn off the camera during the exam
- Ensure there is no disruption to internet connectivity
- Do not indulge in cheating or any malpratice.
Commonly asked questions
For NBSAT remote proctoring test, candidates will need a functional laptop/desktop with camera and mic. The internet connection should be fast and uninterrupted.
Candidates must sit in a well lit room for the NBSAT. There must be no disturbance during the exam. Candidates are not supposed to move away from their seat or switch off the camera at any point of time. They should not use any secondary material to attempt the questions.
NBSAT syllabus includes Quant & Data Interpretation, Logical & Analytical Reasoning, Business & Economic Awareness, Communication & Language Proficiency, Creativity & Innovation and Decision-Making & Ethical Reasoning. To cover the syllabus, candidates might require 2-3 months if they haven't studied the subjects before.
FAQs on NBSAT Pattern 2026
Check below some of the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on NBSAT pattern:
MBA entrance exams other than NBSAT accepted for MBA are CAT, XAT, CMAT and NMAT. Cut offs for these are:
- CAT < 75 percentile
- XAT < 70 percentile
- CMAT < 80 percentile
- NMAT < 180 score
It is not mandatory to attempt all the questions in NBSAT. Candidates can choose to answer only those questions that they can answer correctly. Overall, they must aim to attempt 2/3 of the total questions.
There is no provision of application form correction in NBSAT. Candidates have to fill a fresh form if they make any error. Thus, it is advised that candidates fill the application form carefully and correctly.
NBSAT application fee can be paid online through net banking, UPI payment and credit/debit card transaction.
NBSAT application fee is non-refundable. Candidates cannot ask for fee refund in case you have made error in the form and fill a new one, or even if you choose to not appear for the exam.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered a month ago
NBSAT application fee is non-refundable. Candidates cannot ask for fee refund in case you have made error in the form and fill a new one, or even if you choose to not appear for the exam.
J
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
Candidates must sit in a well lit room for the NBSAT. There must be no disturbance during the exam. Candidates are not supposed to move away from their seat or switch off the camera at any point of time. They should not use any secondary material to attempt the questions.
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
NBSAT syllabus includes Quant & Data Interpretation, Logical & Analytical Reasoning, Business & Economic Awareness, Communication & Language Proficiency, Creativity & Innovation and Decision-Making & Ethical Reasoning. To cover the syllabus, candidates might require 2-3 months if they haven't studie
E
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
MBA entrance exams other than NBSAT accepted for MBA are CAT, XAT, CMAT and NMAT. Cut offs for these are:
- CAT < 75 percentile
- XAT < 70 percentile
- CMAT < 80 percentile
- NMAT < 180 score
M
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
NBSAT application fee can be paid online through net banking, UPI payment and credit/debit card transaction.
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
There is no provision of application form correction in NBSAT. Candidates have to fill a fresh form if they make any error. Thus, it is advised that candidates fill the application form carefully and correctly.
P
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
It is not mandatory to attempt all the questions in NBSAT. Candidates can choose to answer only those questions that they can answer correctly. Overall, they must aim to attempt 2/3 of the total questions.
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
There is no sectional time limit in NBSAT. Candidates have to divide the time by themselves keeping in mind the section they find easy and tough.
N
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
For NBSAT remote proctoring test, candidates will need a functional laptop/desktop with camera and mic. The internet connection should be fast and uninterrupted.
S
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
For every question 1 mark will be awarded. There is no negative marking in exam, so for incorrect attempts, 0 marks will be awarded.
A
Contributor-Level 7
1 Institutes accepting NBSAT
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Is NBSAT application fee refundable?