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

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 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 Exam Pattern 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.

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) 

Data Interpretation (8 questions)

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)

Non-verbal Reasoning (16 Questions)

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 

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.

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

NMAT Exam Pattern 2025 V/s CAT 
NMAT exam and CAT exam patterns have some similarities, and a few differences. Check details in the table below. 

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. 

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.