NMAT 2026: Exam Dates, Registration, Syllabus PDF, Preparation, Colleges, Cutoff

Graduate Management Admission council conducts NMAT exam for admission to more than 50 b-schools in India and abroad. Check complete details on NMAT by GMAC, including exam dates, syllabus, pattern, sample papers and more.

NMAT 2026 Exam

NMAT 2026: Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) will conduct NMAT within a test window of around 45 to 50 days. Candidates are allowed to appear for NMAT 2026 thrice within the test window. GMAC is expected to start NMAT 2026 registration in the first week of August. Reputed b-schools, like NMIMS, TAPMI, SP Jain, KJ Somaiya, among others accept NMAT scores for MBA admissions. Candidates find 108 questions in NMAT exam from three different sections. All questions in NMAT exam are objective type, to be answered within 120 minutes. GMAC will also have a sectional timelimit for all three sections of NMAT 2026 exam. Scroll down for more details on NMAT 2026 exam, including dates, eligibility conditions, application process, pattern, syllabus and preparation tips.

NMAT 2026 Dates

Typically, NMAT registrations begin in the first week of August. The table below mentions the important dates related to NMAT by GMAC.

NMAT 2026 Exam Schedule

NMAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Before filling the application form, candidates need to check the NMAT eligibility criteria. Ineligible candidates will get their candidature rejected in later stages of the examination process. The space below mentions the NMAT eligibility conditions.

1. Age limit: There is no age limit to apply for NMAT by GMAC
2. Qualification: Candidates scoring at least 50% aggregate in graduation level examination are eligible for the exam.
3. Work Experience: Candidates having work experience are also eligible to apply

Key Information: 

• Candidates found ineligible at any stage of the admission process will be disqualified from the examination process.
• Appearing candidates are also eligible to apply for the exam.
• Participating institutes will have separate eligibility conditions for MBA/PGDM admission through NMAT by GMAC

Also Read: NMAT Eligibility Criteria 2026

NMAT 2026 Registration Process

Eligible candidates can proceed to fill the NMAT application form. NMAT registration is administered in an online mode.

Steps to complete the NMAT 2026 registration are as follows.

1st Step: Create an account by visiting register.nmat.org by providing name, email ID, mobile number and the country to take the test

2nd Step: Hitting the ‘Create an Account’ button will lead to the generation of verification email. Access dashboard using the verification link.

3rd Step: Click the ‘Register Now’ button from the dashboard and proceed to fill in details as mentioned in the image below

Key Information:

1. Carry the same identity card at the test centre as uploaded during the application process. 
2. For schools preference, choose five institutes accepting NMAT scores in order of preference.
3. You might face an additional step of choosing the exam mode in case the exam is held in remote proctored mode as well. 

4th Step: Accept the declaration and click on ‘I Agree’

5th Step: Pay the application fee using the preferred mode of payment.

NMAT 2026 Registration Process

NMAT Registration Fees 2026

NOTE: There is no additional fee for choosing five B-Schools while filling the NMAT application form.

Also Read: NMAT 2026 Registration

NMAT Exam Scheduling

NMAT by GMAC dashboard provides an option to schedule the exam. The ‘Schedule Exam’ option shall be activated soon after payment of the NMAT exam fee. Applicants can choose the following details while NMAT scheduling

1. Test centre
2. NMAT exam date
3. NMAT exam slot

After scheduling, candidates will receive an email containing NMAT details. After completing the NMAT scheduling, you will find the ‘Download Admit Card’ button activated on the dashboard. Download the NMAT 2026 admit card using the activated option. 

NMAT 2026 Rescheduling

NMAT by GMAC dashboard will host the exam reschedule option. Candidates who have scheduled the exam can reschedule the same by paying an additional fee. After rescheduling, candidates can download the NMAT admit card again with the updated details.

NMAT Exam Retake

Graduate Management Academic Council provides an option to retake NMAT two times along with the first attempt. NMAT dashboard will host the exam retake option after the exam date. Candidates can pay the fee to retake the exam during the test window. GMAC will send the best of three score reports to the selected B-Schools.

NMAT Exam Pattern 2026

Applicants preparing for the exam as per the NMAT exam pattern are likely to score better. The Graduate Management Admission Council prescribes the NMAT by GMAC exam pattern. The table below mentions the exam pattern of NMAT 2026.

NMAT by GMAC Exam Pattern 2026

NMAT 2026 Syllabus

The Graduate Management Academic Council does not prescribe NMAT exam syllabus. However, candidates can study topics under the following sections for an enhanced preparation.

• Language Skills: This section have questions from Vocabulary, Grammar, Para Jumble, Syntax, Synonyms, Antonyms, Reading Comprehension, etc.
• Quantitative Skill: This section will include questions from quantitative topics including Coordinate Geometry, Probability, Mensuration, Mixture and Solution, Average, Profit and Loss, Percentage, Number System, Pie Chart, etc.
• Logical Reasoning: This section will include questions from topics such as Syllogism, Blood Relation, Critical Reasoning, Puzzles, Course of Actions, etc.

NMAT Preparation 2026

Some of the top B-Schools will accept scores of NMAT 2026. Therefore, candidates must have top-notch NMAT preparation. The table below mentions direct links to the NMAT study material, tips and tricks, and a complete preparation guide for NMAT 2026.

NMAT Scorecard 2026

Candidates who appear for the exam will find their NMAT score immediately after they submit their responses. However, GMAC releases official NMAT scorecard within 48 hours of the exam attempt. Candidates can download NMAT scorecard from the official exam website, mba.com. NMAT scorecard will be required during the MBA selection process at participating colleges. NMAT participating colleges shortlist candidates based on the overall performance and the sectional scores.

NMAT Participating Colleges

Some of the NMAT participating colleges include:

• SVKM's Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS): Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Navi Mumbai, Indore
• K J Somaiya Institute of Management: Mumbai
• SDA Bocconi Asia Center: Mumbai
• XIM University: Bhubaneswar
• T.A. Pai Management Institute (TAPMI): Manipal
• SPJIMR: Mumbai (Global Management Programme)
• Great Lakes Institute of Management: Chennai/Gurgaon
• IFMR Graduate School of Business (Krea University): Chennai
• FLAME University: Pune
• SOIL Institute of Management: Gurgaon

NMAT Selection Process 2026

Participating institutes will shortlist candidates based on NMAT by GMAC score. All the colleges accepting NMAT scores will have a separate selection process. The typical MBA admission process after the entrance exam includes Group Discussion and Personal Interview rounds. Some institutes might also conduct Written Ability Test for MBA/PGDM admission process.

Read More:

• Colleges Accepting NMAT Score
• Why NMAT by GMAC?
• How is NMAT by GMAC different from CAT exam?
• NMAT Vs CAT Syllabus
• NMAT by GMAC Cutoffs
• Top MBA Entrance Exams in India