Quantitative Skills or the Mathematics and Data Interpretation section is one of the crucial areas of the NMAT exam. This article of Shiksha brings a detailed preparation strategy for the Quantitative Skills section of the NMAT exam.
NMAT Quantitative Skill Preparation: GMAC compiles questions from three sections, including the Quantitative Skill section, to design the NMAT exam. With more than 90,000 candidates taking NMAT exam every year, NMAT is among the most sought-after MBA entrance exam for admission in India. Although NMAT is a student-friendly exam, candidates must not take the preparation lightly. The difficulty standards of the NMAT exam is at par with some of the toughest MBA entrance exams. Therefore, candidates can not get away with minimal preparation.
Quantitative Skill section of the NMAT exam is among the toughest section. Therefore, candidates must provide extra effort while preparing for this section. Test takers find the NMAT Quantitative Skill section among the most time-consuming section. This article of Shiksha brings a detailed preparation plan for NMAT Quantitative Skills section.
- Components of Quantitative Skills
- Best Books for NMAT Quantitative Skills Preparation
- Preparation Tips for NMAT Quantitative Skills Section
Components of Quantitative Skills
In the old exam pattern of NMAT, the Quantitative Skills section carried the highest weightage, which was 48 out of 120 questions. From the previous examination session, all the sections of NMAT by GMAC has equal weightage of 36 questions each in all the sections. The quantitative Skills section carries questions from topics including Data Sufficiency and Data Interpretation as well. Following are the common topics of the Quantitative Skills section of the NMAT exam:
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Number System
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Algebra
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Percentage
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Profit & Loss
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Geometry
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Mensuration
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Permutation and Combination
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Simple and Compound Interest
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Ratio and Proportion
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Alligations and Mixtures
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Probability
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Logarithms
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Equations
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Venn Diagram
Also Read: NMAT 2025 Syllabus
Based on feedback from test takers, NMAT exam is moderate to tough in terms of difficulty standards. Compared top other exams like XAT, and CAT, NMAT is on an easier side. NMAT difficulty is considered similar to SNAP exam.
Candidates must focus on practising as many questions as possible. Quant section has questions from different topics, like Percentage, Profit and Loss, Discount, Compound Interest, Ration and Proportions, etc.
Best Books for NMAT Quantitative Skills Preparation
Some of the most commonly referred books for NMAT preparation for the Quantitative Skills section are as follows:
| Books |
Authors |
|---|---|
| Quantitative Aptitude for CAT |
Arun Sharma |
| Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations |
R.S. Aggarwal |
| How to prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT |
Arun Sharma |
| The Pearson Guide to Quantitative Aptitude |
Dinesh Khattar |
| Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT |
Sarvesh K Verma |
Also Read: Best Books For NMAT Preparation
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Preparation Tips for NMAT Quantitative Skills Section
Get familiar with questions and topics: First and foremost, it is important to get well abreast of the question types commonly asked in NMAT. For this, refer to past five to six years of NMAT question papers and solve the questions to analyse your present preparation level and decide the preparation strategy accordingly.
Select topics to go ahead with: By now, you must have realised your strengths and weaknesses. This is high time for you to zero down on the topics you are absolutely confident about in the Quantitative Skills section. Make sure that you prepare these topics in such a way that you are able to solve even the toughest questions from these areas with complete accuracy. For doing that, you need to combine your preparation with theoretical understanding as well as practice.
Mock tests and practice: Take at least two to three NMAT mock tests weekly and get them analysed by an expert or your mentor. Follow the expert advice to modify your preparation process. After completing each chapter, solve the practice papers to encounter each question types and difficulty level.
Smart Tricks and Shortcuts: Speed is crucial for a test like NMAT. Moreover, since there is no negative marking scheme, you may tend to attempt all 32 questions, but remember that you will get only 52 minutes for this section. Hence, manage your time effectively by spending as less time per question as possible. For this, work out on smart tricks and short cuts which will not only save your time but will also ensure accuracy. Focus on methods of approximations, mental calculations and eliminations.
Maintain Handbook of Formulae and Tricks: Quantitative Skills or Mathematics is all about applying the right formula and question-solving technique. After completing each chapter, make notes on the important points, formulae, tips and tricks. This will help you in last-minute revision.
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Abhishek is a content writer and editor with 7+ years of experience in education journalism. He completed his graduation from University of Delhi with a BA Degree. At Shiksha.com, he handles content for MBA, BBA, an
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered Yesterday
The maximum scaled score a candidate can achieve in the NMAT exam is 360 marks. Since there are 108 questions and each correct answer carries three marks, the total score ranges between 36 and 360.
V
Contributor-Level 7
Answered Yesterday
The NMAT exam consists of three distinct sections. These sections are Language Skills, Quantitative Skills, and Logical Reasoning. Each of these three sections has equal weightage and contains exactly 36 questions for candidates to solve.
D
Contributor-Level 7
Answered Yesterday
In the NMAT exam marking scheme, candidates are awarded three marks for each correct objective-type question. There is no negative marking for incorrect attempts, but zero marks are deducted for any unattempted questions during the online test.
N
Contributor-Level 7
Answered Yesterday
The total duration of the NMAT exam is 120 minutes. NMAY has a sectional time limit with 28 minutes for Language Skills, 40 minutes for Logical Reasoning, and 52 minutes for the Quantitative Skills section.
R
Contributor-Level 7
Answered Yesterday
The NMAT exam pattern features 108 objective-type questions to be completed in 120 minutes. It is a computer-based test divided into three equal sections: Language Skills, Quantitative Skills, and Logical Reasoning, each containing exactly 36 questions.
B
Contributor-Level 7
Answered Yesterday
Yes, candidates can efficiently prepare using the books recommended for CAT exam preparation or any other MBA entrance exam. The syllabus for these entrance exams is mostly similar, covering Language Skills, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Skills.
S
Contributor-Level 7
Answered Yesterday
Yes, candidates must refer to at least two books for each section while preparing for the NMAT exam. It is highly recommended to use the official GMAC guide along with other standard competitive exam preparation books.
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
Based on test-taker feedback, the NMAT exam is moderate to tough. It focuses heavily on speed, accuracy, and basic conceptual understanding. Almost all candidates find the NMAT exam easier than CAT, and its difficulty is comparable to SNAP
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered Yesterday
Yes, candidates can prepare for NMAY exam in one month by planning a focused approach. Practice the free NMAT question paper, analyse your weak areas, and divide your time to cover one section per week, leaving the final week for revision
J
Contributor-Level 7
Answered Yesterday
Divide your six months into three focused phases. Allot three months to thoroughly cover the NMAT syllabus. Dedicate two months to practice a minimum of 30 mock tests, and use the final month to revise formulas and concepts
R
Contributor-Level 7
A list of the best Books on Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT XAT NMAT MAT and SNAP exams is mentioned below:
I hope this will help you.