NMAT Exam Analysis: Check NMAT exam 2022 Analysis and Previous year NMAT Analysis
NMAT exam 2022 analysis will be released for different exam slots immediately after the NMAT 2022 exam is over for the particular slot. NMAT Exam Analysis is published by MBAUniverse.com periodically during the 75 days NMAT testing window.
NMAT by GMAC is an online test that is conducted by GMAC, after the ownership of NMAT has been acquired by GMAC and the name of NMAT has been changed to NMAT by GMAC. Apart from 4 campuses of NMIMS University, 30 more B-schools and Universities have joined NMAT by GMAC and will accept its scores for admission to their MBA/PGDM 2023-25 batch
NMAT 2022 Exam Analysis: Overview
Like NMAT, the NMAT by GMAC remains on the same test format during the 75+ days test window. NMAT 2022 is a computer based test with objective type multiple-choice questions, to be solved in 2 hours (120 minutes). The test taker has more than a minute per question to solve. No descriptive type questions are asked in NMAT by GMAC.
NMAT Exam Analysis
|
NMAT 2022 Exam Dates
|
October to December 2022
|
|
Total questions
|
108
|
|
Exam Format
|
1. Computer Based at Test centres; Or
2. Internet based Test from home
|
|
Exam duration
|
2 hours
|
|
Testing window
|
75 days
|
|
Retakes allowed
|
3
|
|
Number of sections
|
3
|
|
Name of sections with number of questions
|
Language Skills - 36
Quantitative Skills- 36
Logical Reasoning- 36
|
|
Types of questions
|
MCQs
|
|
Expected Difficulty level
|
Moderate to difficult
|
|
Maximum marks
|
108
|
|
Marks for each correct answer
|
+1
|
|
Negative Marking
|
No
|
NMAT Analysis: Key Points
The NMAT exam analysis reflects the ongoing NMAT exam pattern, key changes and ideal attempts to improve your scores. During the last three years since NMAT has changed its name to NMAT by GMAC, the NMAT exam analysis reveals that the test has gradually changed its difficulty level, type of questions among others.
NMAT Exam Analysis: Last 3 years
|
NMAT Exam year
|
2020 (Nov 4, 2020 to Feb 8, 2021)
|
2019 (Oct to Dec)
|
2018 (Oct to Dec)
|
|
Total questions
|
108
|
120
|
120
|
|
Exam Format
|
Computer Based at Test centres and Internet based from home
|
Computer based
|
Computer based
|
|
Exam duration
|
2 hours
|
2 hours
|
2 hours
|
|
Testing window
|
95 days
|
75 days
|
75 days
|
|
Retakes allowed
|
3
|
3
|
3
|
|
Number of sections
|
3
|
3
|
3
|
|
Name of sections with number of questions
|
Language Skills - 36
Quantitative Skills- 36
Logical Reasoning- 36
|
Language Skills - 32
Quantitative Skills- 40
Logical Reasoning- 48
|
Language Skills - 32
Quantitative Skills- 40
Logical Reasoning- 48
|
|
Types of questions
|
MCQs
|
MCQs
|
MCQs
|
|
Difficulty level
|
Moderate to difficult
|
Language skills difficult, Quant & LR Moderate. Overall Moderate
|
Easy to moderate with very few questions difficult
|
|
Maximum marks
|
108
|
120
|
120
|
|
Marks for each correct answer
|
+1
|
1
|
1
|
|
Negative Marking
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
NMAT Exam: Past Analysis in Detail
NMAT 2021 Analysis
NMAT 2021 was held from October 14 to December 27, 2021. The difficulty level of NMAT 2021 was easy to moderate except that a few questions were lengthy. Based on the candidates feed back, below is shared NMAT 2021 analysis in detail
The NMAT 2021 question paper had three sections- Language Skills, Quantitative Skills and Logical Reasoning. Each section had 36 questions making a total of 108 questions to be solved in 120 minutes. NMAT Exam 2021 was held in two testing modes –Computer-based tests at exam centres and Online Proctored Exam from Home.
- The NMAT 2021 Paper was of Easy to Moderate level.
- The cut-offs for NMIMS Mumbai is expected to be 222-228
NMAT 2021 Exam Pattern
For the NMAT 2021 Exam, the number of questions was reduced for all the sections to 36
|
Sections
|
No. of questions
|
Time
|
Scoring pattern
|
|
Language Skills
|
36
|
28 min
|
12-120
|
|
Quantitative Skills
|
36
|
60 min
|
12-120
|
|
Logical Reasoning
|
36
|
38 min
|
12-120
|
|
TOTAL
|
108
|
120 min
|
|
Section-1: Language Skills Analysis
The Language Skills section is the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension section. The Language Skills section was of moderate difficulty level. The section included 36 questions to be solved in 28 Minutes.
The topics that were asked in the Language Skills section are:
- Reading Comprehension passages
- Para jumbles
- Analogy
- Fill in the blanks (Grammar and Vocabulary)
- Fill in the blanks (Prepositions)
- Spot the error/ Identify the correct usage
Section-2: Quantitative Skills Analysis
- The NMAT Quantitative Skills section was of moderate difficulty level
- More questions were based on Data Interpretation
- The section included questions from Arithmetic, Modern Maths, Algebra, Geometry
Key Topics
The key question topics were
- Percentage
- Ratio and Proportion/ Average
- Time Speed and Distance
- Time and Work
- Profit Loss
- Number System
- Data Interpretation
- Data Sufficiency
- Algebra
- Mensuration
- Permutation and Combination
- Probability
Section-3: Logical Reasoning Analysis
The NMAT Logical Reasoning Section included Logical Reasoning and Critical Reasoning. The section had 36 questions to be solved in 28 min.
Key Topics
The topics that were included are:
- Analytical Reasoning
- Input-Output
- Arrangement
- Grouping
- Based on Venn Diagram
- Non Verbal figure based
- Statement – Assumption – Conclusion
- The course of Action – Decision Making
- Strong Argument / Weak Argument
- Critical Reasoning
- Syllogisms
NMAT 2020 Exam Analysis
NMAT Exam 2020 was conducted from 04 November 2020 to 30 January 2021. NMAT 2020 saw the updated exam pattern with a reduced number of questions.
- NMAT 2020 was an adaptive computer test.
- A total of 108 Questions were asked in the time duration of 120 Minutes.
- No Negative Marking.
- Language Skills, Quantitative Skills, and Logical Reasoning are three sections of the NMAT 2020 exam paper The three sections of the NMAT Exam 2020 could be completed in any of the six possible orders by the test taker (the order must be chosen a few minutes before the test begins).
- Each section is timed separately and has a time limit.
- Test takers should review their answers before moving on to the next section, as once a section is submitted, all responses are final, i.e., you cannot go back and amend a question's answer once it has been submitted.
- In NMAT 2020, candidates were not able to switch between parts.
NMAT 2020 Exam: Analysis at a Glance
|
Sections
|
Difficulty Level
|
Topics Asked
|
|
Language skills
|
Moderately Difficult
|
|
|
Quantitative skills
|
Moderate
|
|
|
Logical reasoning
|
Easy To Moderate
|
|
NMAT 2019 Exam Analysis
The NMAT exam analysis reflects the ongoing NMAT exam pattern, key changes and ideal attempts to improve your scores. As in the previous NMAT exam slots, the NMAT exam pattern has remained similar with the type of questions in each section.
Technical Glitches
At some NMAT exam centers technical glitches also came up and the exam slot which supposed to start at 11:30 AM could be started after 12 noon.
LR: More Difficult
The Logical Reasoning section was found more difficult. Questions on Analytical Reasoning were slightly more difficult than the Verbal Reasoning part.
Language Skills: Moderate
The Language Skills section was moderate. Vocabulary questions were not difficult.
Quantitative Skills: Easy
Quantitative Skills has remained an easier section. There were 5 DI sets out of them 4 were easy.
NMIMS Cut Offs
An NMAT 2019 test taker who could attempt 75-85 questions overall in 2 hours, could score high. Despite the fact that NMAT exam difficulty level of overall exam has gone up a little, the likely cut-offs would be 206-210 for NMIMS Mumbai. While choosing the order of sections, beginning with Quantitative skills and closing with LR would be a good idea.
NMAT 2019 Paper pattern
|
S. no
|
Section
|
Total Questions
|
Sectional Time (in Minutes)
|
Lev el of Difficulty
|
Good
Attempts |
|
1
|
Language Skills
|
32
|
22
|
Easy-Moderate
|
24-26
|
|
2
|
Quantitative Skills
|
48
|
60
|
Easy
|
28-30
|
|
3
|
Logical Reasoning
|
40
|
38
|
Easy-Moderate
|
25-27
|
|
|
Total
|
120
|
120
|
Moderate
|
77-83
|
Section Wise NMAT 2019 Analysis
Quantitative Skills: Easy Section
While making choice for order of sections, it would be good to choose the Quantitative Skills as the first section to solve. The Quant has remained an easy section among the three NMAT exam sections. The source of question topics are mostly from Arithmetic, Numbers,Modern Math. There have been fe questions on Geometry and Algebra as well. The questions on Permutation-combination and Probability have remained of moderate difficulty level. The Time and Work questions have been easy.
There are5 DI sets in each slot of NMAT exam. Out of them 3-4 have remained easy over the NMAT exam sessions. The questions were asked in sets. Type of DI sets include 2 table-based DI sets, 2 bar-graph based set and 1 pie-chart based set.
The DI set based on bar graph was about a power-grid. Another DI set based on Pie chart was about the revenue generated by various sectors like Natural Gas, Oil and Petroleum with data given for two. The data of one year was in the form of a pie-chart and the other was in the form of a table. Test taker had to determine the revenue and growth of the sectors across the years.
27-30 good attempts could fetch a high score in this section.
|
Important Question Topics in the Section
|
Number of Questions
|
|
Profit & Loss
|
5
|
|
Percentages
|
2
|
|
Ratio & Mixture, Proportion
|
2
|
|
SI & CI
|
2
|
|
Averages
|
1
|
|
Work & Time
|
2
|
|
Number System (HCF/LCM and units digit based)
|
4
|
|
Progression
|
2
|
|
Logarithm
|
2
|
|
Polygon
|
1
|
|
Geometry
|
1
|
|
Permutation and Combination
|
2
|
|
Probability
|
2
|
|
Data Sufficiency (already included above)
|
5
|
|
DI
|
20 (5 sets, 4 questions each)
|
|
Total
|
48
|
Language Skills: Moderate
The language Skills section has remained on moderate difficulty level. while some questions were a bit difficult, others were easy. Overall the section has remained moderate. Vocabulary words used in most of the questions were moderate like Despite, Bound, although the vocabulary in the Cloze test questions was slightly more difficult.
According to CL experts, ‘In the error spotting questions, the errors were no longer just grammatical but were slightly more nuanced (e.g. errors in the position of the apostrophe etc.)’ The two Reading Comprehension passages included the first passage on impact of media on teenagers while the second one was on the discovery of new species underwater. NMAT placed four para-jumble questions of moderate difficulty in this section with short sentences in paragraphs. Other questions in the section were based on grammar. The fgill in the blanks based on preposition were moderate.
Overall, the section was moderate to difficult due to the time factor. A candidate could not go beyond 24-26 questions. If you could attempt the section with 90% accuracy, you could get high score.
|
Question Topics in the section
|
Number of Questions
|
|
Reading Comprehension Passages
|
8 (2 passages of 4 questions each)
|
|
Para Jumble
|
2 (4 sentences each), 2 (5 sentences each)
|
|
Error Spotting
|
3
|
|
FIBs (Prepositions)
|
2 (1 blank each – 3 sentences)
|
|
FIBs (Common Confusables)
|
0
|
|
FIBs (Vocabulary)
|
3
|
|
Synonyms & Antonyms
|
4
|
|
Analogy
|
4
|
|
Cloze Test
|
4
|
|
Total
|
32
|
Logical Reasoning: Moderate to Difficult
The LR section in NMAT 2019 has remained moderate to difficult. There were 25 questions based on Analytical and Logical reasoning. 15 questions were on Verbal Reasoning. The questions were based on two sets of machine input/output questions - one was number based while the other one was word based. These sets were slightly difficult.2 questions were basedon Blood relation.
There were LR sets on arrangement-basedquestions. One easy set had 5 friend A, B. C, D, E and there were 4 statements about them. 15 questions were from Verbal Logic. Number of questionswere asked on statement-conclusion, strengthening and weakening arguments, statement-inference and statement-assumption. The questions were of moderate difficulty level.
A good attempt of 23 to 25 questions with 90% accuracy could fetch high score in NMAT 2019
|
Topic
|
No. of Questions
|
|
Coding
|
5
|
|
Blood Relation
|
2
|
|
Statement-Argument
|
3
|
|
Statement Conclusion
|
3
|
|
Course of Action / Decision making
|
2
|
|
Statement-Assumption
|
4
|
|
Statement – Inference
|
3
|
|
Syllogism
|
2
|
|
Input/output
|
2 sets (4 Qs)
|
|
Missing number and Visual reasoning
|
1 sets (3 Qs)
|
|
Direction
|
0
|
|
Singlets (Contained Set theory-based diagram)
|
5
|
|
Total
|
40
|
NMAT Analysis 2018
There are 3 sections in NMAT exam. Each section is individually timed. NMAT exam takers have to answer questions and review answers of each section within the allotted time and before moving to another section of the exam, as once the candidate closes out of a section, all answers are final.
|
Sections
|
Number of questions
|
Time limit to solve in minutes
|
Difficulty level
|
Type of questions
|
|
Language skills
|
32
|
22
|
Moderate
|
MCQ
|
|
Quantitative skills
|
48
|
60
|
Moderate
|
MCQ
|
|
Logical Reasoning
|
40
|
38
|
Moderate
|
MCQ
|
|
Total
|
120
|
120
|
Moderate overall
|
All questions of MCQ type
|
Technical glitches in the exam
The exam has remained glitch free barring a few minor instances at the NMAT exam centres.
Facility to choose order of sections
NMAT 2018 test takers were given the option to choose the order in which they want to attempt the three sections of the exam. Students are advised to immediately click ‘OK’ once a section’s timing is over and load the next section on the screen as the timer does not stop till the time ‘OK’ button is clicked.
No negative marking
NMAT by GMAC doesn’t believe in negative marking system and therefore a high score to stand in merit was needed. The test had been throwing before you a few questions in each of the 3 sections that are a bit surprising for those who didn’t prepare well. Rest of the exam is found doable during all the test days although some of the questions are formed and placed in a different and tricky manner.
The difficulty level of NMAT so far can be rated as moderate although some of the questions had higher difficulty level.
Section-wise analysis
Logical Reasoning
LR in NMAT by GMAC had a mix of Verbal and Critical Reasoning as well as Decision making questions. The question emerged from topics like family tree, numerical grid, coding, series, direction sense, syllogism, arrangements. Time allotted to all the 40 questions in this section is 38 minutes.
There were 12 questions on Verbal Reasoning and 28 were on Non-Verbal Reasoning. Most of the questions were of Moderate to medium difficulty level, still the LoD in LR section was higher than last year NMAT exam. In Non-Verbal Reasoning, questions on Matrix, Sequential Output were set based apart from other questions which were individual ones.
As shared by the NMAT test takers, the composition of the section remained as under:
|
Topic/Subtopic
|
Number of questions
|
Level of Difficulty
|
|
Non-Verbal Reasoning
|
28
|
Easy to Medium
|
|
Matrix Arrangement
|
8 (2 sets of 4 questions each)
|
Medium
|
|
Sequential Output
|
4 (1 set of 4 questions)
|
Medium
|
|
Coding
|
4
|
Easy to Medium
|
|
Miscellaneous*
|
3
|
Medium
|
|
Venn Diagram
|
2
|
Easy to Medium
|
|
Family Tree
|
2
|
Easy
|
|
Puzzle
|
2
|
Easy to Medium
|
|
Number Series
|
1
|
Easy
|
|
Question involving intersecting geometric diagrams representing different groups of people
|
1
|
Easy
|
|
Directions
|
1
|
Easy
|
|
Verbal Reasoning
|
12
|
|
|
Critical Reasoning
|
2
|
1 medium
1 easy |
|
Course of Action/Decision Making
|
3
|
1 medium
2easy |
|
Strong Arguments/ Weak Arguments
|
3
|
2 easy
1 difficult |
|
Implicit Assumptions
|
1
|
Medium
|
|
Inference/Conclusion based questions
|
2
|
1 easy
1 medium |
|
Syllogism
|
1
|
Easy
|
A genuine attempt of about 28 questions with about 85% accuracy was considered good. However for attempting 28 questions, it was important to select the right sets (especially in Matrix Arrangement).
Language Skills
Questions in this section appear from core grammar topics like usage on Parts of speech, tenses, conditionals, modifiers. The 2 RC passages of around 600 words followed by 4 questions each were challenging but were still doable. Jumbled paragraphs, synonyms-antonyms also appeared in this section. This section with 32 questions has to be solved in 22 minutes.
Other questions were based on spotting out the error in sentences; Fill in the blanks; Jumbled paragraphs; Analogies; Antonyms/synonyms. The composition of the section remained as under:
|
Topics
|
Questions
|
Difficulty level
|
|
2 RC passages with 4 questions each
|
8
|
Moderate to difficult
|
|
Jumbled paragraphs
|
4
|
Easy to moderate
|
|
Word Analogies
|
1
|
Moderate
|
|
Cloze Passage
|
4
|
Moderate
|
|
Synonyms
|
2
|
Moderate to difficult
|
|
Antonyms
|
3
|
Easy to difficult
|
|
Fill in the Blanks
|
2
|
Moderate
|
|
Question on use of Prepositions (Fill in the blanks)
|
3
|
Moderate
|
|
Correction of error in sentences
|
5
|
Moderate to difficult
|
Ideal attempts: An attempt of 25 questions with 90% accuracy was good to get high score.
Quantitative Skills
Quantitative skills section in NMAT contained questions not only on Quant but also on Data Interpretation and Data Sufficiency. Major part in this section remained moderate however a few questions were asked in a different manner and are rated as more time consuming if not very difficult. Number system, PnC, Algebra, Mensuration, Geometry are the prominent topics in this section. This section has 48 questions and has to be solved in 60 minutes.
The composition of questions in the section was as under:
|
Topics
|
Questions
|
Difficulty level
|
|
Time & Work
|
2
|
Moderate
|
|
Simple & Compound Interest
|
2
|
Moderate
|
|
Ratio-Proportions
|
2
|
Difficult
|
|
Percentages
|
1
|
Moderate
|
|
AP-GP
|
3
|
Moderate
|
|
Permutation & Combination
|
1
|
Moderate
|
|
Probability
|
1
|
Moderate
|
|
Logarithms
|
1
|
Difficult
|
|
HCF-LCM
|
2
|
Moderate
|
|
Conversion of recurring numbers to fractions
|
2
|
Moderate
|
|
Divisibility
|
1
|
Moderate
|
|
Mensuration
|
2
|
Difficult
|
|
Quadrilaterals
|
1
|
Moderate
|
|
Simple equations
|
1
|
Moderate
|
|
Linear equations-Algebra
|
3
|
Moderate to difficult
|
|
Numbers
|
1
|
Moderate
|
|
Other questions on Arithmetic
|
1
|
Moderate
|
|
Other questions on Geometry
|
1
|
Moderate
|
|
DI- Tables (2 sets of 4 questions)
|
8
|
Difficult
|
|
DI-Bar Chart (1 set with 4 questions)
|
4
|
Difficult
|
|
DI-Line Graph (1 set with 4 questions)
|
4
|
Moderate
|
|
DI-Pie Chart + Bar Graph (1 set with 4 questions)
|
4
|
Moderate
|
Ideal attempts: Good attempt of 30 questions with 90% accuracy was considered good.
Expected cut off percentile scores
Career Launcher predicted NMAT 2018 exam cut offs as below:
- NMAT has had a very standardized pattern in the last few years which has very low chances of changing drastically.
- With respect to pattern and structure of the exam, candidates can heave a sigh of relief. The overall difficulty level too, will be along the similar lines.
- The overall cut-off is expected to be around 208-210, which is the range around which the last few years' cut offs have hovered.
- We can expect a little ambiguity from the sectional difficulty levels and sectional cutoffs can fluctuate by small margins.
- This shows that there can be varying difficulty levels even within a single section. A candidate should try to attempt around 75-80 questions to make it to a safe score of between 210-230, after accounting for a few errors.
IMS has predicted NMAT exam cut offs as under:
- Overall cut-off to remain more of less the same as previous years i.e. around 208-212
- The sectional cut-offs to remain at 70-75 for Quantitative Ability, 65-70 for Logical Reasoning and 55-58 for Language Skills.
The exam has sectional as well as overall cut offs. Test takers have the facility to reschedule the exam, retake the exam by making 3 attempts to improve their score. The necessity is to perform well relative to other candidates in each of the three sections to get shortlisted for final admission round.
NMAT 2018 cut offs for MBA 2019-21 at NMIMS Mumbai and PGDM 2019-21 at NMIMS Bangalore and Hyderabad
|
MBA college/University
|
NMIMS Mumbai
|
NMIMS Bangalore
|
NMIMS Hyderabad
|
|
Programme offered
|
MBA
|
PGDM
|
PGDM
|
|
Overall NMAT Cut off scores
|
209
|
198
|
197
|
|
Sectional cut off scores for Language skills
|
56
|
54
|
54
|
|
Sectional cut off scores for Quantitative Techniques
|
75
|
71
|
70
|
|
Sectional cut off scores for Logical Reasoning
|
60
|
53
|
52
|
Read More: NMAT 2022 - Exam Date, Registration, Application Form, Syllabus and Pattern
