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NMAT Preparation Tips 2025: The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) conducts NMAT exam annually for admission to 40+ b-schools. NMAT exam is among the few popular exams conducted for MBA admission in India and abroad. However, it is comparatively easier than other top MBA entrance exams. Owing to its popularity and difficulty standards, NMAT attracts large number of applicants. Candidates can crack NMAT exam with a minimal preparation strategy and knowledge of NMAT exam pattern, syllabus, and question types. Candidates who prepare for any other MBA entrance exam have an added advantage as NMAT syllabus is similar to other MBA exams.
Candidates will be able to appear for NMAT exam three times within a testing window. The NMAT exam is conducted as a computer-based test from October to December. This article provides useful tips and tricks for NMAT exam preparation.
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You may be eligible for admission to the best management colleges in India and abroad based on your NMAT score. Therefore, performing well on this exam becomes essential. You can use the following expert strategy to clear the NMAT:
- Before beginning your preparation, familiarize yourself with the NMAT's syllabus and exam format.
- Create a schedule to finish the NMAT syllabus.
- Choosing the best books and study materials to cover the NMAT syllabus
- To prepare for the Language section, concentrate on vocabulary since it is a key element of this section.
- Develop reading habits and conceptual clarity in grammar to perform well on the language section.
- Basic concepts should be conceptually clear and practiced in order to prepare the quantitative section.
- You should practice a lot of questions on arrangements and puzzles in order to do well on the logical reasoning section.
- Before the exam, go over all crucial ideas, calculations, and theorems several times.
- Start practicing mock tests and previous year's questions one month before the exam.
- Analysing mock results will help you continuously raise your score over time.
The NMAT exam is conducted for MBA admission across multiple B -schools across India and abroad. Based on feedback from test takers of the past exam sessions, test takers found the exam to be moderate to tough in terms of difficulty standards. If compared with other MBA entrance exams, NMAT is comparatively easy as the candidates have the liberty to appear for the test three times and use the best scores for admission. Additionally, candidates can schedule the exam based on his/her convinience.
However, the level of difficulty can vary from year to year. Success in any entrance exam ultimately depends on the candidate's preparation and performance on the exam day.
Yes, preparation for NMAT and SNAP can be done together as most of the syllabus of both the exams are identical. Candidates are always recommended to appear for both the exams together if you are planning to give any one. Both NMAT and SNAP have four broad sections, that include Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Ability and Language skills. The names of these sections can change across different exams but are identical in relation to the MBA entrance exams.
Although one can prepare for all MBA entrance exams simultaneously, candidates must tweak the preparation strategy and fine tune a particular type of questions that are seen typically in each of the entrance exam. Some of the tips top prepare for both NMAT and SNAPT simultaneously are as follows:
- Begin by practicing conceptual questions with easy to moderate level difficulty.
- Learn about a lot of tips and tricks which can be used for both NMAT and SNAP. This saves a lot of time while attempting questions.
- Once the concept is clear, one must move on to moderate to tough questions. Transitioning from easy to difficult questions will help candidates preparing for different MBA entrance exams.
- Candidates must appear for mock tests of both NMAT and SNAP to get the clarity in terms of the pattern, difficulty standards, type of questions, and more.
- Start with NMAT mock tests as NMAT exam typically commences in the month of October, while the SNAP exam date lies around December.
Taking the mock tests for both SNAP and NMAT will provide a base to develop an exam day strategy for both the exams.
- How to Prepare for NMAT 2025?
- NMAT Section-Wise Preparation Tips
- NMAT 2025 Preparation in Limited Time
- NMAT Preparation Books by GMAC
- NMAT Mock Test: Why is it important to take mock tests?
- Strategising for NMAT exam day
How to Prepare for NMAT 2025?
To prepare for NMAT 2025, camdidates must start early. Candidates must create an exam preparation strategy and day-wise timetable focusing on NMAT exam. A good NMAT exam preparation plan must have following elements:
- NMAT preparation books and study material
- Timeline to complete the NMAT syllabus
- Official NMAT mock tests and sample papers
- Tips from past NMAT toppers and experts
- Strategy for the exam day
Also Read:
NMAT Exam Pattern: Key facts
The total number of questions were reduced from 120 to 108 and the sectional time limit revised.
- Total questions - 108
- Number of sections - 3
- Time allotted - 120 Minutes
Three marks are awarded for each right answer and there is no negative marking for incorrect answers. Check below, section-wise break-up and the time limit of the NMAT question paper:
| Section Name |
Total Questions |
Time Limit (in minutes) |
|---|---|---|
| 36 |
28 |
|
| 36 |
52 |
|
| 36 |
40 |
|
| Total |
108 |
120 |
NMAT College Predictor
NMAT Syllabus 2025
The NMAT 2025 syllabus consists of essential topics from the English Language, Quantitative Aptitude and Logical Reasoning. Given below are broad topics from each of these sections.
- Language Skills: Grammar, Vocabulary, Reading Comprehension
- Quantitative Aptitude: Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration, Trigonometry and a few others
- Logical Reasoning: Verbal Reasoning, Analytical Reasoning
Commonly asked questions
One may require more than 150 days to complete the NMAT syllabus thoroughly. The NMAT syllabus typically covers a wide range of topics in various sections, including Language Skills, Quantitative Skills, and Logical Reasoning. The duration required to complete the syllabus depends on numerous factors, such as your proficiency in these subjects, the amount of time one can dedicate each day to study, and the study plan. Additionally, candidates who have prepared for CAT exam or any other MBA entrance exam, they might require less number of days to complete the topics under NMAT syllabus.
The 150+ day duration must include the entire study plan, from covering the topics in syllabus to revision of those topics. Additionally, one must include the practice papers and mock tests within the preparation phase of the 1560+ days discussed above.
The sections in CAT and NMAT exam are on similar lines. The space below mentions the similarities in the syllabus and exam sections:
- Quantitative Aptitude in CAT and Quantitative Skills in NMAT: The Quantitative Aptitude section of the CAT and the Quantitative Skills section of the NMIMS Management Aptitude Test are both based on very similar topics. If the candidates prepare for the Quantitative Aptitude section of the Common Admission Test, which requires knowledge of higher-level topics, they can easily solve the Quantitative Skills section of the NMIMS Management Aptitude Test since the same foundation topics are covered thoroughly in the Common Admission Test preparation.
- DILR in CAT and logical reasoning in NMAT: The DILR section in the Common Admission Test exam is a combination of data interpretation and logical reasoning, whereas, in the NMIMS Management Aptitude Test, the section is solely logical reasoning. These two sections of the respective exams are different from the other sections. As a result, anyone hoping to pass the NMAT by GMAC should devote enough time to studying for the reasoning section of the exam, as the syllabus covered in the CAT-D section will not suffice.
- VARC in CAT and Language Skills in NMAT: The VARC section of the Common Admission Test combined verbal ability and reading comprehension. Reading comprehension in Common Admission Test usually comes with tricky passages, whereas the passages in NMAT are relatively straightforward. Vocabulary- and grammar-based questions have more weight in the Language Skills section of the NMIMS Management Aptitude Test. However, the CAT VA will include reasoning-based questions. Students who want to prepare for NMIMS Management Aptitude Test and Common Admission Test at the same time must pay close attention to the Language Skills section of the NMIMS Management Aptitude Test after the Logical Reasoning section.
The NMAT Official Guide is a one-stop solution for NMAT preparation. It comprises topics from all three sections of the NMAT exam. It can help users gain fundamental knowledge and conceptual clarity on all the topics included in the NMAT syllabus. Such knowledge when combined with the rigorous practice of NMAT mock tests and question papers helps any test taker to score high marks in the exam. The key advantage of the Official Guide is that it not only comprises the answers to the questions but also the solution of the same.
NMAT Section-Wise Preparation Tips
As per the new exam pattern of NMAT 2025, each section carries equal weightage, albeit with differential duration. Hence, candidates should put equal importance on each section. Here, we bring to you a section-wise preparation strategy.
NMAT 2025 Language Skills Preparation
Some of the topics in Language Skills section mentioned below:
-
Reading Comprehension
-
Vocabulary
-
Grammar- Error Spotting
-
Sentence Correction
-
Fill in the blanks (Grammar-based)
-
Antonyms & Synonyms
-
Sentence Completion
-
Analogies
To prepare for NMAT Language Skills section, candidates can use the strategies below:
Vocabulary has more weightage in the NMAT language skills section. Practice more questions to improve both speed as well as accuracy. Grammar is another area in which candidates must be well prepared.
Also Read: How to Prepare for NMAT 2025 Language Skills Section?
NMAT 2025 Quantitative Skills Preparation
The Quantitative Skills section has questions from Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation areas. Some of the topics asked in this section are as follows:
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Algebra
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Profit & Loss
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Geometry
-
Mensuration
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Simple and Compound Interest
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Ratio and Proportion
-
Alligations and Mixtures
-
Probability
-
Logarithms
-
Equations
Conceptual clarity and practice are the two major pillars of preparing for the Quantitative Skills section. Some of the handy tips for acing this section are as follows:
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Identify strong and weak areas
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Zero down on topics to go ahead with
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Take regular mock tests and analyse the performance
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Work out on short cuts and tricks to solve questions quicker
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Maintain handbook of formulas and short cut tricks for quick revision
Also Read: How to Prepare for NMAT 2025 Quantitative Skills?
NMAT 2025 Logical Reasoning Preparation
The Logical Reasoning section consists of two major areas, Verbal Reasoning and Analytical Reasoning areas. To crack this section, candidates should practice a number of questions on arrangement and puzzles. “Fair knowledge on Statement Assumption/ Conclusion is required and one must be prepared to solve some syllogisms in this section,” states Parasharan Chari, COO, Endeavor Careers. Some other preparation tips for the Logical Reasoning section are as follows:
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Practice as many questions as possible from all the topics.
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Identify the conclusion within the question.
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Visualise the question by drawing diagrams, charts or table to deduce the answer accurately.
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Utilise elimination theory to deduce the answers without having to spend much time.
Also Read: How to Prepare for NMAT 2025 Logical Reasoning Section?
Commonly asked questions
Yes, questions under each section of NMAT exam are to be answered within a specified time limit. NMAT exam has three sections. The total time to answer all questions across sections in the NMAT exam is 120 minutes. The 120 minutes of NMAT exam is divided as mentioned below:
NMAT Section | NMAT Sectional Time Limit |
|---|---|
Language Skills | 28 minutes |
Logical Reasoning | 40 minutes |
Quantitative Skills | 52 minutes |
Total | 120 minutes |
Candidates need to adhere to the time-limit as the responses marked within the specified time-frame will be submitted automatically once the time is over.
All sections of NMAT exam hold equal importance as the weighatge in terms of number of questions, and marks are similar across sections. Therefore, no particular section out of three sections hold additional importance. Candidates must prepare for all three sections based on the NMAT syllabus. However, candidates must work on theIr speed as the NMAT exam will have sectional weightage. Although all three sections have equal number of questions, each section has an unidentical time limit to answer these questions.
NMAT by GMAC is among the major MBA exams conducted for admission in India and abroad. Candidates planning to pursue MBA typically appear for NMAT exam besides XAT, MAT, CAT, SNAP and more. Owing to its popularity, candidates preparing for the NMAT exam can find numerous books on exam preparation available at major book stores and online retailers. Candidates can also find the NMAT preparation books at a few libraries. In cases when the NMAT books cannot be found in the nearest store, one can use CAT exam books for NMAT preparation.
NMAT 2025 Preparation in Limited Time
MBA aspirants planning to take NMAT may plan to appear for the exam at different point of time before the exam. The NMAT preparation strategy will vary for all candidates based on the months left for the exam. The space below mentions the NMAT preparation plan for candidates planning to prepare within six months, three months and one month respectively.
NMAT Preparation Tips for 6 Months
Six months is a good enough time to prepare for the NMAT exam. All one needs is a smart exam preparation strategy. Divide the six months into three phases:
Phase 1: Covering NMAT syllabus
Phase 2: Practicing mock tests and sample papers
Phase 3: Revision
In the first phase, allot three months to cover the NMAT syllabus completely. Be thorough with all the topics of each of the NMAT sections and gain control over them. Allot more time to topics that you find tough, but do not leave a topic incomplete to move to another one. Also, do not study more than one topic from the same section at the same time. Meaning, approach each topic one by one. Get complete clarity on one and then move on to the next one.
In the second phase, allot two months to solving NMAT mock test and sample papers. Practice a minimum of 30 mock tests and sample papers. Candidates must analyse their performance after each mock test to assess their preparation level and decide the next steps.
In the third phase of NMAT preparation, candidates must revise all the chapters, concepts, formulae and theorems, so that they are prepared on the exam day.
Also Read: How to Prepare NMAT in 6 Months?
| DILR Question-Answers for Practice | Quantitative Aptitude Question-Answers for Practice | VARC Question-Answers for Practice |
NMAT Preparation Tips for 3 Months
Candidates who start preparing for NMAT later in the year, should not worry about it. They can prepare well for the exam if they dedicate even three months to NMAT preparation. So, what should be the strategy to crack the NMAT 2025 exam and come out with flying colours? Let’s have a look:
- Make your basic concepts clear in all three subjects and keep updated on current events of the world.
- Apart from recommended books for NMAT preparation, refer to online NMAT preparation guides
- Take 20-30 NMAT mock tests, assess your weak points and work on them
- Solve NMAT previous year question papers to understand the test structure, pattern and topic-wise weightage
- Be a part of an online study group for NMAT preparation
Also Read: How to Prepare for NMAT in 3 Months?
NMAT Preparation Tips for One Month
Candidates having only one month for the NMAT exam must plan their preparation. Candidates need to practise the free question paper they received after NMAT registration. They must also analyse the weak areas for focused appraoch. After completing the syllabus, candidates must prepare using the additional question papers available to purchase on the website. Candidates can divide the one month of NMAT preparation into four equal parts for one section in one week and the last week for revision.
Also Read: How to prepare for NMAT in One Month?
NMAT Preparation Books by GMAC
Check subject wise reference books in the table below to crack the NMAT 2025 exam with high scores.
| Books |
Authors/ Publishers |
|---|---|
| Quantitative Aptitude |
R.S. Aggarwal |
| How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT |
Arun Sharma |
| Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for CAT |
Nishit K. Sinha |
| How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for CAT |
Arun Sharma |
| Word Power Made Easy |
Norman Lewis |
| Analytical Reasoning |
M.K Pandey |
Also Read: List of NMAT Preparation Books and Study Material
NMAT Mock Test: Why is it important to take mock tests?
The reasons are plenty. It prepares candidates for the battle called the NMAT exam. They would be able to know the pattern and the variety of questions. This would help them become accustomed to handling such tough situations wherein they are meant to make use of two hours effectively with maximum efficiency. There could be nothing better than sitting for an NMAT mock test to analyse candidate’s capability and progress in the topics which are their weak areas.
Strategising for NMAT exam day
All the preparations would prove fruitless if you don’t perform as expected. Read below three key tips for optimum performance on the NMAT exam day:
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Read topper interviews to know how they dealt with the exam anxiety
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Avoid last-minute revision, do it one day prior to the exam
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Reach exam centre an hour before the exam
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Stay calm and avoid unhealthy junk food
Read More:
Explore subject-wise topics asked in NMAT
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NMAT Exam
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered a month ago
The NMAT logical reasoning syllabus covers a mix of analytical and critical thinking topics. Candidates must prepare for the following topics:
- Coding and Decoding
- Puzzles
- Series
- Arrangement
- Multi-dimensional arrangements
- Family Tree
In addition to the above topcis, questions from Numeric Grid, Syllogisms,
R
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 2 months ago
No, NMAT is not compulsory to get admission into the PGPM course at Athena School of Management, because the school also accepts several other entrance examination scores for admission to this management course, such as NMAT/ GMAT/ CAT/ ASAT - Athena Scholastic Ability Test. Therefore, NMAT is one o
R
Contributor-Level 10
169 Institutes accepting NMAT
4.5NMIMS School of Business Management, Mumbai
Vile Parle West, Mumbai • Private
S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research, Mumbai
Andheri West, Mumbai • Private
MU BAAT 2026 Round 1 Registration 1 Aug '25 - 12 Oct '25
What type of topics are included in NMAT logical reasoning syllabus?