NMAT (Philippines) 2026: Exam Pattern, Eligibility & Study Plan

NMAT (NMIMS Management Aptitude Test) is conducted by GMAC (Graduate Management Admission Council) — the same body that conducts the GMAT — for admission to NMIMS (Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies) campuses in Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and other NMIMS campuses. It is also accepted by several other B-schools in India including SPJIMR (for their programmes), ISBR, and a few international universities. NMAT is taken by candidates who want a shot at NMIMS specifically without having to compete in CAT. The exam is known for being moderate in difficulty with a predictable structure.

NMAT consists of three sections: Language Skills (36 questions, 28 minutes), Quantitative Skills (36 questions, 52 minutes), and Logical Reasoning (36 questions, 40 minutes) — 108 questions total to be answered in 120 minutes. There is no negative marking in NMAT — a unique feature among major Indian MBA entrance exams. The exam is adaptive within sections (difficulty adjusts based on performance). NMAT can be taken up to 3 times per season (initial attempt + 2 retakes), and the best score is used for admission. The exam is conducted at designated test centres between October and December each year.

A NMAT score of 220+ out of 360 is generally considered competitive for NMIMS Mumbai (the flagship campus). For NMIMS Bangalore and Hyderabad, 200+ is typically sufficient. The NMAT score is reported as a scaled score (with section-wise and overall scores). Unlike CAT, there is no negative marking — candidates are encouraged to attempt all questions. Since there are 3 attempts available and the best score counts, candidates often take multiple attempts to improve their score. The NMAT percentile is prepared by GMAC based on the normalised scaled scores across all test takers.