GMAC (Graduate Management Admission Council)
NMAT 2026 by GMAC
Important Dates
Eligibility
Graduation in any discipline with minimum 50% marks from a recognized university. Final year students can apply. No upper age limit. Up to 3 attempts allowed in the same testing year.
Syllabus
Language Skills (Reading comprehension, verbal reasoning), Quantitative Skills (Arithmetic, Algebra, Data Sufficiency, DI), Logical Reasoning (Deductive, Inductive, Abductive reasoning, Critical reasoning).
Official Links
NMAT 2026 by GMAC — Complete Guide
NMAT is different from every other MBA entrance exam in India in a few very important ways — and once you understand those differences, you'll see why it's worth adding to your exam list.
First, there is no negative marking. Every question you attempt is either +3 or 0. This changes your strategy completely — you can attempt every single question without the fear of losing marks.
Second, you get up to three attempts within the same testing year. Took the exam and didn't do well? You can retake it after 15 days. Your best score is what gets reported to institutes.
Third, the exam is self-scheduled. You pick your own date and test centre (or opt for an online proctored test from home) within the exam window, which typically runs from October to December.
NMAT 2026 by GMAC registration is expected to open in August 2026 and close around October 15, 2026. The testing window runs from November through December 2026.
Important Dates (Expected)
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration Opens | August 1, 2026 (Expected) |
| Last Date to Register | October 15, 2026 (Expected) |
| Retake Registration Deadline | October – November 2026 |
| Exam Window | November – December 2026 |
| Score Reports | Within 48 hours of exam |
| Result / Score Card | December 2026 – January 2027 |
Dates are based on GMAC's consistent annual pattern across multiple credible sources. Official dates will be published at mba.com/exams/nmat.
Institutes That Accept NMAT Score
NMAT is accepted by over 30 B-schools in India. The most notable ones:
| Institute | Flagship Programme |
|---|---|
| NMIMS Mumbai | MBA (Finance, Marketing, HR, Operations) |
| NMIMS Bengaluru | MBA |
| NMIMS Hyderabad | MBA |
| VIT Business School | MBA |
| Alliance University | MBA |
| ICFAI Business School (IBS) | MBA |
| SRM University | MBA |
| Woxsen University | MBA |
NMIMS Mumbai's Vile Parle campus is the primary target for most NMAT aspirants. It's considered one of the top private B-schools in India for Finance and Banking, consistently placing students at leading firms.
Eligibility
Any graduate with at least 50% marks (aggregate) from a recognized university can apply. Students appearing in their final year of graduation are also eligible. There is no age restriction. You are allowed to attempt NMAT up to 3 times within the same testing cycle, but each attempt must be at least 15 days apart.
Exam Pattern
NMAT has 108 questions across three sections in 120 minutes. There is a time limit per section — you cannot go back to a previous section.
| Section | Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Language Skills | 36 | 28 minutes |
| Quantitative Skills | 36 | 52 minutes |
| Logical Reasoning | 36 | 40 minutes |
| Total | 108 | 120 minutes |
Scoring: +3 for every correct answer. No negative marking at all.
The total scaled score is reported on a scale of 12 to 120 (per section) and 36 to 360 overall. Different institutes have different cutoff scores.
You can choose the order in which you attempt the three sections at the start of the exam — a feature unique to NMAT.
Section-wise Guide
Language Skills (36 questions, 28 min): This is the tightest section in terms of time. It tests reading comprehension (typically 3 passages with 4–5 questions each), vocabulary-based questions, grammar, and verbal reasoning. Practice reading dense passages quickly — you barely have 45 seconds per question here.
Quantitative Skills (36 questions, 52 min): Covers Arithmetic (percentage, profit/loss, time/work, speed/distance), Algebra, Geometry, Number System, and Data Interpretation (tables, charts). You have 52 minutes for 36 questions — more comfortable than Language Skills. DI sets with 4–5 questions are common.
Logical Reasoning (36 questions, 40 min): This is where NMAT differs from CAT. It tests Critical Reasoning (strengthen/weaken arguments, assumptions, inferences), Analytical Puzzles, Direction Sense, Blood Relations, Input-Output, and Statement-Conclusion. Critical Reasoning is unique to NMAT among Indian MBA exams.
NMIMS Cutoffs (Approximate)
For NMIMS Mumbai's MBA programme, you typically need a scaled score of 210+ out of 360 to be in the safe zone for shortlisting. The actual cutoff varies each year. Other NMIMS campuses (Bengaluru, Hyderabad) have lower cutoffs — typically 170–185.
Attempt Strategy
If you're planning all 3 attempts:
- Attempt 1: Early November — gives you time to assess and improve.
- Attempt 2: Late November — after a 15-day gap.
- Attempt 3: December — final shot before the window closes.
Since only your best score is reported, there is no downside to retaking.
Application Fee
Around ₹2,300 for the first attempt. Each retake costs around ₹1,100 additional. Opting for online proctored (home-based) testing may have slightly different fees.
Official Website
mba.com/exams/nmat — Registration expected from August 1, 2026. Self-schedule your exam within the November–December 2026 window.