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NMAT Exam Pattern 2025: Check Latest Pattern, Marking Scheme & Exam Duration

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Last Updated on June 4, 2025 by MBAUniverse.com News Desk

NMAT exam pattern consists of 108 questions, equally distributed across three sections: Language Skills, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Skills. NMAT exam duration is 120 mins. NMAT marking scheme awards +3 for correct answers, with no negative marking for wrong answers. Check section wise NMAT Exam Pattern 2025, question topics and more details. Note that based on previous year’s trends, NMAT 2025 exam will be held from November 5 till December 20, 2025. 

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NMAT 2025 Overview

NMAT (NMAT by GMAC) is an important national level MBA entrance test leading to admission in many top MBA colleges including NMIMS Mumbai, TAPMI, XIMB, KJ Somaiya and SDA Bocconi amongst others. NMAT exam is conducted by Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), the body that also conducts GMAT Exam across the world. Based on previous year’s trends, NMAT 2025 exam will be held from November 5 till December 20, 2025.

nmat 2025 exam pattern 

What is NMAT Exam Pattern?

NMAT exam pattern is similar to other exams like CAT and XAT, but NMAT has a lower difficulty level and does not have negative marking. NMAT exam paper has 3 sections covering Language Skills, Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Skills. Based on previous year’s trends, NMAT exam pattern 2025 will have 108 questions which are equally divided into three sections. NMAT 2025 exam duration is 120 mins only. Check details in the table below. 

NMAT 2025 Exam Pattern

Exam SectionsNumber of QuestionsAllotted time in Minutes
Language Skills3628
Quantitative Skills3652
Logical Reasoning3640
Total108120

NMAT EXAM PATTERN 2025

What is NMAT Marking Scheme 2025?

The NMAT 2025 exam pattern follows a simple marking scheme. NMAT exam awards +3 marks for each correct answer with no negative marking or penalty for unattempted questions. This allows candidates to attempt questions without fear of losing marks. NMAT Marking Scheme is summarized below: 

  • Marks awarded for Correct Answer: +3
  • Marks deducted for Incorrect Answer: None. There is no penalty for wrong answers.
  • Marks deducted for Un-attempted Question: None. There is no penalty for un-attempted questions.

NMAT Exam Pattern for Quantitative Skills

While the total number of questions that appear in a section are fixed, there are minor changes in the NMAT 2025 exam pattern for each day of the exam. Further, since NMAT is an “adaptive exam”, there are minor variation in the topic wise breakup of the questions asked to different students. Below is an overview of NMAT exam pattern 2024, as reported by students on day 1 of the exam. 

NMAT 2024 paper had 36 questions in the Quantitative Skills section. Out of these, 8 questions were on Data Interpretation and 28 questions were on Mathematics (4 questions on Data Sufficiency). Out of the 28 questions on Mathematics, 8 questions were on Modern Math, 4 questions were on Numbers, 2 questions were on Algebra and the rest were on Arithmetic. There were two sets on Data Interpretation. Both sets involved lengthy calculations. One set of 4 questions was on a caselet and the other set of 4 questions were on a combination of a bar graph and a line graph. 

NMAT Exam Pattern and Questions Topics for Quantitative Skills

Mathematics (28 questions)

TopicNumber of questionsQuestion Topics with Number of Questions
Arithmetic14Profit & Loss (3), Percentages (3), Ratio-Proportion (2), SICI (1), Averages (1), Calendars (1), Time & Work (1), Mixtures & Alligations (1), Time-Speed-Distance (1)
Modern Math8Permutation & Combination (3), Probability (3), Logarithms (2)
Algebra2Quadratic Equations
Numbers4Factors & Multiples

Data Interpretation (8 questions)

TopicNumber of questions
Caselet4
Bar graph + Line graph4

NMAT EXAM PATTERN 2025

NMAT Exam Pattern for Logical Reasoning

NMAT 2025 exam pattern for logical reasoning section includes questions on Verbal Reasoning and Nonverbal Reasoning. NMAT Verbal reasoning part included topics such as Statement Assumption, Statement Conclusion, Course of Action, Syllogisms and Critical reasoning questions such as Inference, Main Point, and Strengthen the Argument. NMAT Nonverbal reasoning past includes topics such as Puzzles, Arrangements, Coding, and Input-Output. 

NMAT Exam Pattern and Questions Topics for Logical Reasoning

Verbal Reasoning (20 Questions)

TopicsNo of Questions
Implicit Statements (Assumption/Conclusion)3
Strong argument/ Weak argument (1 paragraph – 3/4 arguments)2
Course of Action2
Decision Making2
Critical Reasoning (Strengthen, Weaken, Assumption, Conclusion /Inference)8
Syllogisms (3 statements)1
Miscellaneous2

Non-verbal Reasoning (16 Questions)

TopicsNo of Questions
Linear ArrangementTotal 4 (A set of 4 questions)
Sequential OutputTotal 8 (Two sets of 4 questions each)
Standalone questions (Logical Puzzles, Numerical puzzles, Venn Diagram)4

NMAT Exam Pattern for Language Skills

NMAT Exam Pattern for language skills section includes 3 passages with 4 questions each. The passages word length is about 450-500 words. Based on the contents of the passage, question types included inference, tone and attitude, specific detail questions, and central idea. The topics/themes of RC passages include gene silencing, modern communication, and circadian rhythm.

Grammar and vocabulary questions in NMAT exam include questions on Spot the Error; Fill in the Blanks (single, double, prepositions-based); Sentence Completion, Jumbled Paragraphs; Word Analogies and similar topics.

NMAT Exam Pattern and Questions Topics for Language Skills

TopicsNo of Questions
Reading Comprehension
(3 passages with 4 questions each)
12
Paragraph Jumbles
(4/5 sentences)
4
Analogies5
Fill in the Blanks
(vocabulary-based, 2-blanks)
2
Fill in the blanks with 3 Prepositions5
Spot the error in the underlined parts5
Sentence Completion3

NMAT Exam Pattern 2025 Download PDF

NMAT Exam Pattern 2025 can be divided into three sections: Language Skills, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Skills. NMAT Quantitative Skills pattern covers Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Modern Math, and Data Interpretation, testing mathematical problem-solving abilities. NMAT Logical Reasoning pattern evaluates analytical and verbal reasoning skills through puzzles, seating arrangements, coding-decoding, and critical reasoning. NMAT Language Skills pattern assesses vocabulary, grammar, and reading comprehension. 

You can download the NMAT Exam Pattern 2025 PDF from MBAUniverse.com. Simply click the “Download PDF” button below, complete a quick free registration, and get your copy instantly.

NMAT EXAM PATTERN 2025

NMAT Test Taking Tips

  • Required Documents for NMAT Exam: Candidates must carry Primary ID, Secondary ID, Admit Card, and Confirmation Email. The admit card is stamped and must be retained for future attempts.
     
  • Test Navigation & Completion: Candidates can choose the order of sections. If time runs out, a pop-up appears. The test can be ended anytime in the final section by clicking ‘End Test.’
     
  • User Interface (UI): NMAT UI features three buttons – Help (instructions), Zoom (font size options), and Next (to proceed). No Flag for Review option is provided.
     
  • Scrolling Required: Test-takers must scroll to the bottom of long text questions. If not, a pop-up alert appears stating, “Unseen Content.”
     
  • Scorecard Display: At the end of the test, candidates receive a scorecard with Name, Test Date, GMAC ID, Registration ID, Section Scores (QS, LS, LR), and Total Score (36-360).

NMAT Exam Pattern Vs CAT & XAT: A Comparative Analysis

NMAT exam pattern as compared to CAT and XAT has many similarities. A comparative analysis of NMAT Vs CAT and NMAT Vs XAT is shared below:

NMAT V/s CAT Exam Pattern

ComponentNMAT Eam Pattern 2024CAT 2024
Total questions10868
Overall time limit to attempt the exam2 hours2 hours
Type of QuestionsAll MCQs48 questions are MCQs, Rest 18 Non-MCQs
Answer options for MCQs54
Marks awarded for each correct answer13
Negative markingNo negative markingMCQs with 1/3 negative marking; No negative marking for Non-MCQs
Name of section-1 with number of questionsLanguage Skills (36 Questions)Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (24 Questions)
Name of Section-2 with number of questionsLogical Reasoning (36 Questions)Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (20 Questions)
Name of Section-3 with number of questionsQuantitative Skills (36 Questions)Quantitative Ability (22 Questions)
Facility to choose order of sectionsYes, but once chosen has to followNo choice
Individual Sectional time limitYes, varying time limit of 28 minutes to 52 minutesEach section with 40 minutes time limit

NMAT Exam Pattern 2025 Vs XAT 2026

NMAT exam and XAT exam patterns have some similarities, and a few differences. Check details in the table below. 

ComponentNMAT Exam Pattern 2025XAT 2026
Total questions10895
Overall time limit to attempt the exam2 hours3 hours
Type of questionsAll MCQsAll MCQs
Answer options for each MCQ55
Marks awarded for each correct answer11
Negative markingNo negative marking75 MCQs with 1/4 negative marking; No negative marking for 25 MCQs on GK
Exam difficulty levelModerateHigh
Number of sections33 Main sections, 1 GK Sections
Section 1 and Number of questionsLanguage Skills-36Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VALR) – 26
Section 2 and Number of questionsLogical Reasoning-36Decision Making (DM) - 21
Section 3 and Number of questionsQuantitative Skills-36Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation (QA & DI) - 28
Section 4 and Number of questionsNoneGeneral Awareness - 20 MCQs
Facility to choose order of sectionsYes, but once chosen has to followAny question from any section within overall time limit of 170 mins for first 3 sections. Then attempt GK section
Individual Sectional time limitYes, varying time limit of 28 minutes to 52 minutesNo
Top MBA colleges accepting exam scoreNMIMS, VIT, XIMBXLRI, MICA, IMT, IMI, FORE, TAPMI, XIMB

NMAT EXAM PATTERN 2025

Conclusions

In conclusions, NMAT by GMAC Exam Pattern 2025 consists of 108 questions, equally distributed across three sections: Language Skills, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Skills. NMAT exam time duration is 120 mins. Check section wise NMAT Exam Pattern 2025, question topics and above article.

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