NMAT by GMAC 2016 exam analysis by MBA expert Anisha Mukhija

NMAT 2016

NMAT by GMAC is conducting entrance exam for admission of India's top-notch B-schools between October 7-December 20, 2016. With a few more days to go for the exam window to close, we bring you an analysis of the question paper by MBA expert Anisha Mukhija from CATking, to help you get an understanding of this year's test pattern.

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According to the students, exam paper was moderate and went smoothly. Analysing the last two months of the paper, as expected it was a more speed-based test than a knowledge-based test similar to the last year. Before we start with the analysis and strategy for NMAT let’s take a quick overview of the exam pattern.

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Exam Overview:

Sectional analysis:

Quantitative skills:

Overall this was a moderate section with DI being calculation intensive. This section consisted of Data Interpretation, Data Sufficiency and Quantitative Aptitude questions. Almost 20 -25 of the questions were Quantitative maths split across the major chapters.

Questions on QA varied between ‘easy’ and ‘moderate’ while a few were tricky. One question was True and False type. TTFF for a set of 4 statements.

As expected, there were slightly more questions from arithmetic & numbers. DI was calculation intensive and hence time consuming. “Rejection Strategy” played a crucial role here. 3 DI sets had four questions and each and were based on bar charts, case lets, pie charts and tables. Some questions on DI had a tinge of Logical Reasoning while some others required knowledge of mathematical concepts.

Inspired by GMAT we did see an increase in the number of GMAT type DS questions (6-9) which were based on numbers, algebra, modern math, geometry and arithmetic.

Ensure to do the Official Guide to help you secure your spot!

As the average time available to solve each question is quite less, you should not get stuck on questions and instead try to attempt the easier questions first to maximize your score.

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Considering the difficulty level of this slot, an attempt of around 36-38 questions would be good for this section. If the DI sets seem calculation intensive, we advise attempting DI sets after attempting the standalone QA questions.

How to Prepare:

• Revise your core formulas and concepts
• DI do the shortcuts
• Practice Data Sufficiency 

Logical Reasoning:

This was on the higher difficulty level as compared to Quants. Almost 30% of the questions were on verbal reasoning (statement-conclusion, critical reasoning, strong & weak arguments, statement-assumption, course of action etc.)

Many students said there were no decision making questions in this section. Which reduces your panic points!

The remaining Logical Reasoning questions were from sequential output, arrangements, family tree, numerical grid, coding, series, alphanumeric series, symbol based logic etc.

On the whole, this section seemed on par with last year’s, with 3 lengthy analytical puzzles that once done bag you around 10-12 questions.

Considering the difficulty level of this slot, an attempt of around 25-28 questions would be good for this section.

How to Prepare:

• Practice Critical Reasoning and Course of action type of verbal reasoning questions
• Puzzles still dominate the paper so revise your strategies for the same
• Stay Calm!

Language skills:

An overall moderate section.

Considering the limited time, one should leave the RC passages to the end as at least one of them is expected to be moderately challenging.

Having a good vocabulary set, from Norman Lewis and the Official Guide would help score high in the exam.  On the whole, about 7-8 questions were a bit challenging. This section was quite on par as compared to last year’s.

Expected from students to get 22 to 25 questions correct.

How to Prepare:

• Revisit the Norman Lewis Vocabulary
• Review the NMAT word list shared by us
• Practice with the Clock to Save Time Issue

Expected Cut Off and strategy to meet that:

Various strategies are possible; what I recommend is to go ahead with Strategy 1 where you start with your strongest section bag as much as you can and then move to the weakest section and last end with the moderate section.

NMAT by GMAC 2017 Late Registration Closing on 14th Oct 2017; Apply now!

About the author: Anisha Mukhija is a Strategic Mentor at CATKing and also the co-founder at Sounds Of Silence. She pursued MBA at NMIMS (MBA Core 2013-15) and PMNO at Harvard Business School. She has also been a key speaker at IIM Indore and has been awarded with Global Champions at NUS, Singapore and was o25 winnerPepsico Digital Strategist-India Challenge.