NMAT 2026 Overview
NMAT by GMAC is a computer-adaptive management entrance exam used by participating business schools in India and other countries. For the 2026 cycle, the exam delivery window in India is November 2 to December 20.
Students can choose an available test date and, where offered, the delivery mode. The exam also allows up to three attempts in a testing cycle, including the first attempt and up to two retakes.
NMAT registration and B-school applications are separate. A student can register for NMAT but still needs to apply separately to the MBA programmes they want to join.
NMAT 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Start | Last date |
|---|---|---|
| Registration | 20 Aug 2026 | 10 Oct 2026 |
| Exam scheduling | 20 Aug 2026 | 22 Oct 2026 |
| Exam delivery | 2 Nov 2026 | 20 Dec 2026 |
| Retake registration | 3 Nov 2026 | 17 Dec 2026 |
| Retake scheduling | 3 Nov 2026 | 17 Dec 2026 |
| Rescheduling | 20 Aug 2026 | 17 Dec 2026 |
Exam slots are subject to availability, so scheduling early can help students get their preferred date, time and test centre.
NMAT 2026 Eligibility
GMAC allows test takers who complete registration, pay the fee and follow the published exam rules to sit for NMAT. However, admission eligibility is decided by each participating B-school.
| Requirement | What students should know |
|---|---|
| Graduation | Check the bachelor's degree requirement of each target programme. |
| Final-year students | Eligibility depends on the individual B-school/programme and its admission rules. |
| Age / work experience | There is no single NMAT-wide admission rule; verify the target institute. |
| Programme-specific rules | Some schools or programmes may have additional academic or experience requirements. |
Do not treat NMAT eligibility as admission eligibility. Check every target school's official programme page before applying.
NMAT 2026 Exam Pattern
| Section | Questions | Time | Score range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Language Skills | 36 | 28 min | 12–120 |
| Quantitative Skills | 36 | 52 min | 12–120 |
| Logical Reasoning | 36 | 40 min | 12–120 |
| Total | 108 | 120 min | 36–360 |
- Computer-adaptive format.
- Sections are individually timed.
- Students can choose the order of sections.
- Questions are delivered one at a time and cannot be reviewed after moving ahead.
- No negative marking.
NMAT 2026 Syllabus
Language Skills
Reading comprehension, para forming, error identification, prepositions, sentence completion, analogies and related verbal skills.
Quantitative Skills
Number properties, arithmetic, algebra, probability, data sufficiency and data interpretation through caselets, tables, graphs and charts.
Logical Reasoning
Critical reasoning, analytical puzzles, deductions and other logical reasoning areas.
Because the sections are individually timed, practise each section separately rather than relying only on full-length mocks.
NMAT 2026 Registration & Fees
| Component | Fee |
|---|---|
| Test registration | ₹3,000 + applicable taxes |
| Retake | ₹3,000 + applicable taxes |
| Rescheduling | ₹1,200 + applicable taxes |
| Additional score report beyond first 5 | ₹400 + applicable taxes per report |
- Create an NMAT account on mba.com.
- Complete your profile and application.
- Select schools for score reporting; five score reports are included in the registration fee.
- Upload the required recent photograph.
- Pay the exam fee.
- Book your exam slot from the candidate dashboard.
How Many Attempts Are Allowed in NMAT?
Students can take NMAT up to three times in a testing cycle: the first attempt plus up to two retakes. A valid-score retake must be scheduled with the required gap between attempts under the current GMAC rules.
Do not treat all three attempts as casual practice. Build a plan around the first attempt, review your score and use a retake when it fits your target-school strategy.
B-Schools Accepting NMAT Scores
GMAC currently lists 60+ accepting schools on its India list. Acceptance can be programme-specific, so students should verify the exact MBA/PGDM programme before applying.
The official GMAC list also includes schools such as SPJIMR (GMP), SDA Bocconi Asia Center, Amity University, UPES, Woxsen University, Jindal Global Business School and others.
View Official Accepting-School List →NMAT Cutoff: What Students Should Know
There is no single cutoff that applies to every NMAT-accepting B-school. Each institute and programme can set its own score or percentile requirement, and the requirement can change by admission cycle.
| What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| NMAT score requirement | Some schools publish a minimum score or use it as a screening criterion. |
| Programme | The same institute can have different requirements for different programmes. |
| Selection process | Shortlisting may also consider academics, work experience, interview or other components. |
| Application deadline | NMAT registration does not automatically submit your B-school application. |
NMAT Admission Process
- Register and schedule NMAT.
- Take the exam and receive your score.
- Send scores to selected schools.
- Submit separate applications to target B-schools wherever required.
- Meet the school's shortlist and programme requirements.
- Complete the institute's selection process, which may include interviews or other stages.
- Receive the admission decision and complete enrolment formalities.
NMAT is an entrance test, not a common counselling process. Each participating B-school controls its own admission rules and deadlines.
How to Prepare for NMAT 2026
1. Build section-wise speed
Language Skills has 28 minutes, Quantitative Skills 52 minutes and Logical Reasoning 40 minutes. Practise with the same section-level time limits.
2. Prioritise accuracy
There is no negative marking, but the adaptive format still requires disciplined question selection and time management.
3. Practise with official material
GMAC provides an Official Guide, study plan and practice exams to help students understand the actual test experience.
4. Plan your attempts
If you may use a retake, decide in advance what score improvement would justify another attempt and leave enough time between attempts.
NMAT 2026 FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
When is NMAT 2026 conducted?
The 2026 exam delivery window is November 2 to December 20, 2026.
What is the last date to register for NMAT 2026?
Registration closes on October 10, 2026. Scheduling closes on October 22, 2026.
How many questions are in NMAT?
NMAT has 108 questions: 36 each in Language Skills, Quantitative Skills and Logical Reasoning.
Is there negative marking in NMAT?
No. The current official NMAT information states that there is no negative marking.
How many times can I take NMAT?
Up to three times in a testing cycle, including the first attempt and up to two retakes.
Can I choose the order of NMAT sections?
Yes. Candidates can choose the section order at the beginning of the exam.
When do I get my NMAT score?
An unofficial score is shown after the exam, while the scorecard is generally available within 48 hours, subject to test-delivery/security checks.
Does registering for NMAT apply me to NMIMS or other colleges?
No. NMAT registration and B-school applications are separate. You must follow each school's application process and deadline.