NMAT by GMAC Exam Pattern 2027
NMAT by GMAC Exam Pattern
NMAT Exam Pattern 2025
The NMAT exam pattern is released by GMAC on the official website. It includes the sections in the paper, the number of questions, the exam duration, and the marking scheme.
NMAT is a computer-based test conducted by GMAC. It contains multiple-choice questions (MCQs) from three sections: Quantitative Skills, Language Skills, and Logical Reasoning.
Key Details of NMAT Exam Pattern
There are 3 sections in the NMAT paper. Each section carries a weightage of 36 questions.
- Total number of questions asked in NMAT is 108.
- Students can score a maximum of 108 marks in each section.
- NMAT total marks are 324.
- Time allotted to solve the NMAT question paper is 2 hours (120 minutes).
NMAT Section-Wise Time Duration
The total time allotted to solve the NMAT question paper is 2 hours. The time is divided among the three sections.
| Section | Time Allotted |
|---|---|
| Language Skills | 28 minutes |
| Quantitative Skills | 52 minutes |
| Logical Reasoning | 40 minutes |
NMAT Marking Scheme
As per the NMAT exam pattern and marking scheme, each question in the NMAT question paper carries 3 marks. There is no negative marking for incorrect answers and unanswered questions.
- For each correct answer, 3 marks are awarded.
- Students can score a maximum of 324 marks in NMAT.
- Each section carries 108 marks.
What's Changed in NMAT Exam Pattern 2025?
As per the NMAT exam pattern 2025 and past years, there is no significant change in the NMAT exam structure. Like last year, 108 questions will be asked in the NMAT question paper across sections.
- Language Skills: 36 questions
- Quantitative Skills: 36 questions
- Logical Reasoning: 36 questions
The time limit of the NMAT exam is 120 minutes. The sectional time limits are 28 minutes for Language Skills, 40 minutes for Logical Reasoning, and 52 minutes for Quantitative Skills.
NMAT Exam Pattern 2025: Key Details
NMAT 2025 is a national-level, computer-based test with multiple-choice questions. The total exam duration is two hours.
- Each section carries 36 questions, and the total questions in NMAT is 108.
- Each section carries 108 marks, and the total marks in NMAT are 324.
- 3 marks are awarded for each correct answer, and no negative marking applies to incorrect answers.
| Particulars | NMAT 2025 Details |
|---|---|
| Level of NMAT 2025 exam | National |
| NMAT 2025 Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test, MCQ Type |
| NMAT Exam Time Duration | Two hours |
| NMAT Marking Scheme | No Negative Marking |
| Sections in NMAT exam | Quantitative Skills, Language Skills, Logical Reasoning |
| NMAT total questions | 108 questions |
| NMAT maximum marks | 324 marks |
| Language of the NMAT exam | English |
NMAT Exam Pattern: Section-Wise Weightage
NMAT has three sections: Language Skills, Quantitative Skills, and Logical Reasoning. Each section has 36 questions, all of which are MCQs.
| Section | Time Allotted | Number of Questions | Type of Questions | Important Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Language Skills | 28 minutes | 36 | MCQs | Fill in the blanks, Para Jumbles, Error Detection, Sentence Completion, Para Completion, RC Passages |
| Quantitative Skills | 52 minutes | 36 | MCQs | Mensuration, Arithmetic, Trigonometry, Algebra, Geometry, Data Interpretation (DI) |
| Logical Reasoning | 40 minutes | 36 | MCQs | Statements-Assumptions-Arguments, Critical Reasoning, Puzzles, Ranking, Seating Arrangement, Syllogisms, Blood Relations |
NMAT Exam Pattern: Sectional Time Limit
NMAT by GMAC has a sectional time limit. Candidates must complete each section within the given period.
| NMAT Sections | NMAT 2025 |
|---|---|
| Language Skills | 28 minutes |
| Logical Reasoning | 40 minutes |
| Quantitative Skills | 52 minutes |
| Total Duration | 120 minutes |
NMAT Exam Time Duration: Changes Over the Years
NMAT exam time duration changed in 2020. After that, there are no specific changes made to the duration of the exam.
| NMAT sections | NMAT 2022 | NMAT 2021/2020 | NMAT 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Language Skills | 28 minutes | 28 minutes | 22 minutes |
| Logical Reasoning | 40 minutes | 40 minutes | 38 minutes |
| Quantitative Skills | 52 minutes | 52 minutes | 60 minutes |
| Total Duration | 120 minutes | 120 minutes | 120 minutes |
NMAT Marking Scheme
As per the NMAT exam pattern released by GMAC, the following points are considered as the NMAT marking scheme.
- Aspirants will be awarded 3 marks for each correct answer.
- There is no negative marking for incorrect answers.
- No marks will be awarded for unanswered questions.
| Section | No. of Questions | NMAT Marks per Question | Scaled Score Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Logical Reasoning | 36 | 3 | 12-120 |
| Language Skills | 36 | 3 | 12-120 |
| Quantitative Skills | 36 | 3 | 12-120 |
| Total | 108 | - | 36-360 |
NMAT Exam Pattern Negative Marking
There is no negative marking in the NMAT exam. Incorrect answers do not lead to a deduction of marks.
As per the NMAT official website, there is no negative marking applicable for incorrect responses made by candidates in NMAT 2025.

Source: mba.com/exams/nmat
NMAT Exam Pattern- Total Marks
NMAT exam is conducted for 324 marks. Each section, Quantitative Skills, Language Skills, and Logical Reasoning, consists of 36 questions, each for 108 marks. Students must qualify both the sectional and overall cut-offs to be eligible for the WAT/PI round.
| NMAT Section | NMAT Marks |
|---|---|
| Logical Reasoning | 108 |
| Language Skills | 108 |
| Quantitative Skills | 108 |
| Total | 324 |
How to attempt NMAT exam 2025?
While attempting NMAT exam 2025, aspirants must not leave questions blank. Leaving blank questions will make candidates lose marks, not because of negative marking, but because of not attempting the question. As there is no negative marking in the NMAT exam, students must go through each question and try to attempt the question in the least possible time.
Students can use the section-wise strategy to attempt questions in each section as mentioned in the table below. The strategy is most truncated and tested by candidates who appeared for NMAT exam.
| Section | Time Per Question |
|---|---|
| Verbal Ability | 30 seconds |
| Logical Reasoning | 45 seconds |
| Quantitative Ability | 60 seconds |
In case of puzzle, RC set, or input-output set, for all those questions, around 4-5, students have 5 minutes to complete. In case you did not finish all 4 or 5 questions in 5 minutes, mark those for review and move on to the next questions, and go through all 108 questions.

NMAT Syllabus 2025
NMAT exam syllabus is divided into 3 sections, including Language Skills, Quantitative Skills, and Logical Reasoning. NMAT syllabus for each section is discussed in the table below.
| Section | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Language Skills | Para Jumbles, Sentence Completion, Idioms & Phrases, Antonyms & Synonyms, Reading Comprehension, Error Identification, Preposition use in sentences |
| Quantitative Skills | Arithmetic, Data Interpretation, Caselets, Tabular DI, Number Properties, Probability, Algebra, Data Sufficiency, Data Interpretation based on Charts and Graphs, Trigonometry, Mensuration, Geometry |
| Logical Reasoning | Analytical Puzzles, Critical Reasoning, Logical Deductions, Syllogisms, Blood Relations, Statement & Assumption, Inference, Arrangement, Ranking, Direction Sense |

Also Read
NMAT by GMAC Official Guide
The NMAT by GMAC official guide is available on the official website. Students can use this guide to prepare for the examination.
NMAT Books for Language Skills
The following books are recommended for the Language Skills section of NMAT. These books cover vocabulary, grammar, and reading comprehension.
| Book Name | Author/Publisher |
|---|---|
| Word Power Made Easy | Norman Lewis |
| High School English Grammar & Composition | Wren & Martin |
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT | Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay |
| Objective General English | S.P. Bakshi |
| 30 Days to More Powerful Vocabulary | Norman Lewis |
NMAT Books for Quantitative Skills
These books are suggested for the Quantitative Skills section. They cover arithmetic, algebra, and data interpretation.
| Book Name | Author/Publisher |
|---|---|
| Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations | R. S. Aggarwal |
| How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT | Arun Sharma |
| Quantitative Aptitude for CAT | Arun Sharma |
| Quantitative Aptitude for CAT | Nishit K. Sinha |
| Hitbullseye’s MBA Math- 1 & 2 | Hitbullseye |
NMAT Books for Logical Reasoning
These books are recommended for the Logical Reasoning section. They cover both verbal and non-verbal reasoning topics.
| Book Name | Author/Publisher |
|---|---|
| A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning | R. S. Aggarwal |
| Analytical Reasoning | M.K. Pandey |
| Non-Verbal Reasoning | Arihant Publication |
| How to Crack Test of Reasoning | Arihant Experts |
NMAT Question Paper
Previous question papers are available for each subject. Solutions are also provided for download.
| Subject | Question Paper | Solutions |
|---|---|---|
| Quantitative | Download | Download |
| Language | Download | Download |
| Logical Reasoning | Download | Download |
NMAT Exam Pattern FAQs
What is the exam pattern of NMAT?
As per the NMAT exam pattern, questions will be based on three sections: Language Skills, Quantitative Skills, and Logical Reasoning. NMAT 2025 test-takers will be given 2 hours or 120 minutes to complete a total of 108 questions. NMAT total marks will be 324 with no negative marking. Each section will have 36 questions, each carrying 1 mark.
Is there any negative marking in NMAT?
No, according to the NMAT exam pattern by GMAC, candidates will be given 1 mark for each right response. No marks will be deducted for wrong answers.
How many attempts are there in NMAT?
GMAC permits students to take the NMAT exam thrice, with one attempt and two retakes. Candidates can schedule a retake with a 15-day interval from their last attempt. A retake fee must also be paid for each retake attempt.
NMAT Passing Marks and Cut Off
The passing marks depend on the NMAT cut off. Candidates need to qualify the cut off score to be eligible for the WAT/PI round.
The expected NMAT cut off ranges between 210-250.
NMAT Sectional Time Limit
Yes, there is a sectional time limit for NMAT 2025 exam. No extra time would be given to complete the test.
- Language Skills: 28 minutes
- Quantitative Skills: 52 minutes
- Logical Reasoning: 40 minutes
NMAT Total Marks and Questions
Total marks for NMAT 2025 is 324. The total number of questions to be answered is 108 within 120 minutes.
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Language Skills | 36 | 108 |
| Quantitative Skills | 36 | 108 |
| Logical Reasoning | 36 | 108 |
NMAT Marks Per Question
As per NMAT exam pattern 2025, per question has 3 marks. NMAT question paper will have a total of 108 questions for 324 marks.
NMAT Difficulty Level
Difficulty level of NMAT exam is not fixed by the conducting authority. It can be approximated based on the NMAT paper analysis from previous years.
Previous years' NMAT question papers reveal that NMAT exam difficulty level is easy to moderate when compared to similar entrance exams like CAT, XAT, etc.
Skipping Questions in NMAT
Yes, students can skip questions in NMAT exam without any penalty. There is no negative marking in the examination.
Candidates are advised to not skip questions in NMAT. Students must go through all 108 questions asked in NMAT question paper.
NMAT Exam Pattern 2025
NMAT paper structure is released by GMAC on the official website at mba.com. As per the NMAT exam pattern, there will be 108 questions in NMAT question paper to be attempted in 120 minutes.
- Each section will carry 36 questions
- Sectional time: 28 minutes for language skills, 52 minutes for quantitative skills, and 40 minutes for logical reasoning
- Total marks in NMAT exam are 324
Questions to Attempt for 240 Score
As per the NMAT exam pattern 2025, each question of NMAT exam carries 3 marks. To score 240 marks in NMAT, students must attempt 80 questions in NMAT question paper 2025.
NMAT Exam Pattern 2025
NMAT 2025 has 108 questions in total, and the test duration is 120 minutes (2 hours). The total marks for the exam are 324, with no negative marking.
The paper is divided into three sections: Language Skills, Quantitative Skills, and Logical Reasoning. Each section has 36 questions, and each question carries 1 mark.
| Section | Number of Questions | Time Allotted |
|---|---|---|
| Language Skills | 36 | 28 minutes |
| Quantitative Skills | 36 | 52 minutes |
| Logical Reasoning | 36 | 40 minutes |
| Total | 108 | 120 minutes |
There is a sectional time limit for each part of the NMAT 2025 exam. No extra time is given to complete the test.
Marking Scheme and Negative Marking
There is no negative marking in NMAT. Candidates receive 1 mark for each correct response, and no marks are deducted for wrong answers.
Each question in the NMAT question paper carries 3 marks. The total of 108 questions adds up to 324 marks.
Number of Attempts
GMAC allows students to take the NMAT exam three times. This includes one main attempt and two retakes.
Candidates can schedule a retake after a 15-day interval from their last attempt. A retake fee must be paid for each retake attempt.
NMAT Cut Off and Passing Marks
There are no fixed passing marks for NMAT. Candidates need to qualify the NMAT cut off score to be eligible for the WAT/PI round.
The expected NMAT cut off ranges between 210 and 250.
Difficulty Level
The difficulty level of the NMAT exam is not fixed by the conducting authority. It can be approximated based on the NMAT paper analysis from previous years.
Previous years' NMAT question papers show that the difficulty level is easy to moderate when compared to similar entrance exams like CAT and XAT.
Skipping Questions
Students can skip questions in the NMAT exam without any penalty. Since there is no negative marking, candidates are advised to go through all 108 questions in the paper.
Score Calculation Example
To score 240 marks in NMAT, a student must attempt 80 questions. This is based on the 3 marks given for each question in the NMAT exam pattern 2025.