NMAT Exam Syllabus

Updated on 27 August, 2024

The  Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) conducts the Narsee Monjee Management Aptitude Test (NMAT). Based on my conversations with successful applicants, being well-versed in the NMAT syllabus and using the right approach is crucial to cracking the exam.

Accepted by 50+ business schools, the exam is highly competitive and requires rigorous preparation. It is an MBA entrance exam for students in India, the Philippines, South Africa, Morocco, and Nigeria. 

To define a winning strategy for the exam, read this article that covers the NMAT syllabus and expert tips to fast-track your preparation. 

NMAT Syllabus: Section-Wise Topics

The NMAT exam is computer-based and includes three sections, i.e., language skills, quantitative skills, and logical reasoning. Each section of the exam evaluates different aspects of candidates necessary to succeed in business school. Reviewing the NMAT exam syllabus to streamline your preparation thoroughly is essential. 

The syllabus of NMAT comprises the following sections and topics:

Language Skills

This section tests both your English language and verbal skills. It also assesses grammar, reading comprehension, and vocabulary. There are three sections included in this part, as outlined below. 

Grammar

  • Parts of Speech
  • Tenses
  • Phrasal Verbs
  • Sentence Correction
  • Identify the Error
  • Choose the Correct Preposition

Comprehension

  • Para Jumbles
  • Paragraph Summary
  • RC Passages
  • Jumbled Sentences
  • Odd One Out

Vocabulary

  • Analogies
  • Antonyms
  • Synonyms
  • Fill in the blanks
  • Idioms
  • Cloze test

Quantitative Skills

In the quantitative section,  your skills in mathematics, numerics, data interpretation, and data sufficiency are tested. Students need to prepare primarily for five subjects as outlined below.

Arithmetic

  • Numbers
  • Ratio and Proportions
  • Percentages
  • Averages
  • Time, Work, and Partnership
  • Integers
  • Simple and Compound Interest
  • Highest Common Factor (HCF) and Lowest Common Multiple (LCM)

Modern Math

  • Permutation and Combination
  • Set Theory
  • Coordinate Geometry
  • Probability
  • Arithmetic, Geometric, and  Harmonic Progression
  • Venn Diagrams

Algebra

  • Equations
  • Quadratic Equations
  • Linear Equations
  • Logarithm
  • Inequalities
  • Absolute Value

Geometry & Mensuration

  • Circles
  • Lines, Angles, and Triangles
  • Polygons
  • Cylinder, Cones, and Spheres
  • Quadrilaterals
  • Square and Rectangles
  • Cubes and Cuboids
  • Rhombus
  • Pythagoras Theorem
  • Base Angle Theorem
  • Longest Side Theorem
  • Trapezium
  • Parallelogram
  • 3D Figures

Data Interpretation

  • Line Graphs
  • Tables
  • Bar Charts
  • Pie Charts

Logical Reasoning

Your critical and analytical skills are analyzed in this section. For this, you will be given arguments to analyze and conclude with your thinking skills. There are two sub-sections included in this part, as outlined below.

Analytical Reasoning

  • Classification
  • Symbol-Based Questions
  • Blood Relation Questions
  • Syllogisms
  • Coding and Decoding
  • Matrix Type Questions
  • Series and Direction Questions
  • Linear and Circular Arrangements
  • Alphabet Questions

Verbal Reasoning

  • Critical Reasoning
  • Statement and Inference Questions
  • Course of Action
  • Statement and Assumption Questions
  • Decision-Making
  • Statement and Argument Questions

NMAT Exam Pattern

The NMAT exam includes a  series of multiple-choice questions (MCQs). Here is a brief overview of the exam pattern, including section-wise time limit, weightage, total number of questions, and more. 

Aspect

Details

Total Number of Questions

108

Total Duration 

2 hours

Number of Questions Included in Each Section

Language Skills: 36

Quantitative Skills: 36

Logical Reasoning: 36 

Time Limit for Each Section

Language Skills: 28 minutes

Quantitative Skills: 52 minutes

Logical Reasoning: 40 minutes

Marks per Question

Scaled Score Range

12–120

Total Score Range

36–360

Negative Marking

No

Source: Graduate Management Admission Council™

Preparing yourself within the given time limits will help you score better. For this, you can refer to various practice books for NMAT.

Best Books for NMAT

You can get help from various books to learn basic concepts and practice questions for the exam. These resources will help you identify topics from the NMAT syllabus that require more attention. Some of these are given below:

For Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension:

  • How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension by Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay
  • Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis

For Quantitative Aptitude:

  • Quantitative Aptitude Numerical Ability (Fully Solved) 7000 + Objective Question by Pratiyogita Kiran & KICX Think Tank of Kiran Prakashan
  • Quantitative Aptitude by R.S. Aggarwal

For Logical Reasoning:

  • Logical Reasoning by Arihant
  • Logical and Analytical Reasoning by Ashok Gupta

NMAT 2024 Preparation Tips

Taking NMAT exams can be challenging if you do not strategize your plan as per the syllabus and exam pattern. If you know the NMAT exam pattern, you can start preparing for the test by following the discussed tips. 

Steps to Prepare for the NMAT Exam

After familiarizing yourself with the NMAT syllabus and question pattern, you can follow a few tips to score optimally in the NMAT exam. 

Create a Study Plan

You must start with designing a study plan to prepare for the NMAT exam. Form a structured timetable and work on each topic. Observe your weaknesses and dedicate more time to those areas. 

Make Your Concepts Clear

When you’re preparing for the NMAT exam, make sure you have clarity about the topics. This will boost your confidence, and you can take the test with full potential. It is, therefore, important that you practice the topics as given in the NMAT exam syllabus and revise them regularly. With more and more practice, you can find shortcuts to solve time-consuming questions, increasing your chances of scoring well. 

Know Time Management

Time management is everything in the NMAT exam. Since the exam sets a sectional time frame, candidates must attempt maximum answers (preferably all) in the given timeline. While practising for the exam, keep track of time and check how long it takes to answer the questions. Re-strategize your plan if you are lagging behind. 

NMAT by GMAC™ Exam Official Guide Ninth Edition: This is the official information source for the test, containing a structured study plan. It also includes 264 questions from previous NMAT by GMAC™ exams and 475 latest questions with their answer keys & explanations. 

By following the correct NMAT syllabus and designing a proper strategy, you will be well-prepared to tackle various questions in the exam. 

FAQs

How many times can I take the NMAT exam?

You can take the NMAT exam thrice every year. 

Can I choose the order of sections in the NMAT exam?

Yes, the NMAT exam allows you to choose the order of answering the sections as per your preference.

Is there any negative marking in the NMAT exam?

You will not be penalized if you answer incorrectly, as the exam has no negative marking.

When can I receive the NMAT exam results?

You will need to wait for 48 hours after taking the exam for the results. Your downloadable scorecard will be mailed to you by then.

How many questions are asked in the NMAT exam?

The NMAT syllabus comprises 108 questions, which are further segregated into three sections with equal weightage. 

Which is the most important section in the NMAT exam?

The score range for all the sections in the NMAT is 12-120. Since equal weightage is given to all three sections, all of them are important.

Is there any sectional time limit for the NMAT exam?

Yes. The time limit in NMAT is different for every section. For the quantitative skills part, the test window is 52 minutes. For logical reasoning, it is 40 minutes and for language skills, it is 36 minutes.

What is the NMAT exam for?

The NMAT exam is designed by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), which gives MBA entrance examinations to candidates from South Africa, India, Nigeria, Morocco, and the Philippines. 

What is the test window in NMAT?

The test window in NMAT starts from 1st July of the current year to 30th June of next year. 

How many times is the NMAT exam conducted in a year?

The NMAT exam is conducted once a year, and the testing cycle starts on 1st July of the current year and continues till 30th June of the next year. In this long time frame, you can choose a date to appear for the exam. Furthermore, you can retake the exam twice within the same cycle to improve your NMAT score. 
 

Urvi Agrawal

Urvi has 3 years of experience as a content writer and marketer. Over years, she has established herself as a study-abroad expert and is adept at crafting compelling and engaging content for students. Self-driven and passionate professional, she likes writing poetry and has authored a poetry book ‘Thoughts of a Wallflower’.

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Disclaimer

The above tips are the Author's experiences. upGrad does not guarantee scores or admissions.