NMAT 2025 Exam Pattern - Sections, Marking Scheme, Test Structure

Updated By Aarushi Jain on 05 May, 2025 22:09

The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) has prescribed the NMAT 2025 exam pattern. The exam pattern for NMAT by GMAC has undergone several revisions in the last few years. Learn more about the NMAT exam pattern 2025 right here!

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NMAT Exam Pattern 2025

The NMAT 2025 exam pattern is established by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). The NMAT 2025 will be conducted online for a duration of 2 hours between November and December 2025. You will receive a randomly generated test from a question pool, delivered one at a time to your computer. The number of questions, time limit, and difficulty level for each section are predetermined and consistent across all test locations and times.

The NMAT question paper has three sections - Language Skills, Quantitative Skills, and Logical Reasoning - each section is individually timed, requiring test takers to answer within the allotted time. Once a section ends, you cannot return to previous sections. However, you can choose the order in which the sections appear. The exam pattern underwent revisions last year, reducing the total number of questions and also adjusting the sectional time limits. For a comprehensive overview of the NMAT 2025 exam pattern, including the marking scheme and more, refer below.

Upcoming Management Exams :

  • CUCET

    Exam date: 18 May, 2025

NMAT 2025 Exam Pattern Highlights

Check the table below for the NMAT 2025 exam pattern highlights.

Features

Exam Pattern Details

Exam Duration

120 Minutes (2 Hours)

Total Questions

108

Type of Questions

Multiple-Choice Questions

Exam Mode

Computer-Based Test

Test Medium

English

Score Range

36 - 360

Section-Wise NMAT 2025 Exam Pattern

The following table shows the section-wise NMAT 2025 exam pattern:

Sections

No. of Questions

 Duration

Language Skills

36 Questions

28 Minutes

Quantitative Skills

36 Questions

52 Minutes

Logical Reasoning

36 Questions

40 Minutes

Total

108 Questions

120 Minutes

NMAT 2025 Marking Scheme

You must know the marking scheme of NMAT 2025 before appearing for the entrance exam. All the details regarding NMAT 2025 marking scheme have been provided in the table given below:

Type of Answer

Marks 

For the Correct answer

+3 

For the Incorrect answer

No Negative Marking 

Top Management Colleges :

NMAT 2025 Candidate Instructions

To ensure a smooth experience during the NMAT 2025 exam, you must adhere to the following instructions:

  • Arrival at Test Centre: It is imperative to arrive at the exam centre at least 45 minutes before the scheduled exam time.
  • Admit Card: Carry the NMAT 2025 Admit Card to the exam centre and ensure it is signed by the test administrator at the designated place on the day of the test.
  • Valid IDs: Bring at least one valid Photo ID and another Signature ID (in original) such as Passport, PAN Card, Driving License, Voter's ID, Aadhaar Card, etc.
  • Identity Verification: You must not possess any fake identity documents, as those found in violation will be disqualified from the examination.
  • Prohibited Items: Avoid bringing any prohibited items to the exam venue. If you are found in possession of these items, you will not be granted entry into the examination centre.
  • Admit Card Verification: Verify whether the printed photograph on the admit card is visible.
  • Admit Card Retention: Retain the duly signed admit card of NMAT by GMAC 2025 until the admission process is completed.

Key Features of NMAT 2025 Exam Pattern

Given below are the key features of the NMAT 2025 exam pattern

  • Candidates have the flexibility to select the date, time, and location for their NMAT by GMAC 2025 exam, allowing them to choose options that best suit their convenience and availability.
  • Each section of the exam is allocated different marks, contributing to the candidate's total score. The total marks earned encompass the cumulative score attained across all three sections of the entrance exam.
  • A specific time frame is allocated for each of the three sections of the exam. This enables candidates to manage their time effectively, ensuring they can answer and review their responses within the designated time for each section.
  • After each section, candidates have the opportunity to review their answers. This allows them to revisit and revise any responses they have provided in the question paper, ensuring thoroughness and accuracy in their submissions.

NMAT vs CAT Exam Pattern 2025

The exam patterns of NMAT 2025 and CAT 2025 are very similar. However, there are a few differences between them. In the table given below, we have provided the similarities and differences between the two exam patterns.

Features 

NMAT 2025 Exam Pattern

CAT 2025 Exam Pattern

Type of Questions

All MCQs

48 questions are MCQs, rest Non-MCQs

Total Questions

108 

66

Overall time limit to attempt the exam

2 hours

2 hours

Answer options for MCQs

5

4

Negative marking

No negative marking

MCQs with 1/3 negative marking
No negative marking for Non-MCQs

Marks awarded for each correct answer

1

3

Number of sections

3

3

Exam difficulty level

Moderate

Comparatively high

Individual Sectional time limit

Yes, varying time limit of 22 minutes to 60 minute

Each section with 1-hour time limit

Name of Section-1 + number of questions

Language Skills - 36

Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension - 24

Name of Section-2 + number of questions

Logical Reasoning - 36

Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning - 20

Name of Section-3 + number of questions

Quantitative Skills - 36

Quantitative Ability-22

Facility to choose the order of sections

Yes

No

NMAT by GMAC vs XAT Exam Pattern 2025

In the table given below, you can take a look at the similarities and differences between the exam patterns of NMAT by GMAC 2025 and XAT 2025.

Features 

NMAT by GMAC 2025 Exam Pattern

XAT 2025 Exam Pattern

Type of questions

All MCQs

MCQs (1 is essay writing test)

Total questions

120

102

Overall time limit to attempt the exam

2 hours

3.5 hours

Answer options for MCQs

5

5

Negative marking

No negative marking

0.25 marks or 1/4 negative marking;
0.10 marks for every unattempted questions after 8 unattempted questions

Marks awarded for each correct answer

1

1

Number of sections

3

3 Main sections

2 Other Sections: GK & Essay (score not counted)

Exam difficulty level

Moderate

High

Individual Sectional time limit

Yes

No

Name of Section-1 + number of questions

Language Skills - 36

English Language & Logical Reasoning - 26

Name of Section-2 + number of questions

Logical Reasoning - 36

Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation - 28

Name of Section-3 + number of questions

Quantitative Skills - 36

Decision Making - 22

Facility to choose the order of sections

Yes

Attempt questions from any section in any order

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FAQs about NMAT by GMAC Exam Pattern

Is the exam pattern of NMAT similar to CAT?

Somewhat. Both NMAT and CAT have 3 similar sections but the total questions, time duration and other details vary quite a bit.

Are there any subjective questions in NMAT?

No. NMAT only has MCQs or multiple-choice questions.

What are the total marks in the NMAT exam?

360. The NMAT exam has 120 total questions and 3 marks are awarded for each correct answer.

Can the NMAT exam pattern be changed?

Yes. There can be changes in the NMAT exam pattern. Candidates must stay updated with any changes in the NMAT exam pattern before they start preparing for the exam.

Who sets the exam pattern for NMAT?

The exam pattern for NMAT is set by the Graduate Management Admission Council.

Does NMAT have negative marking?

No. There is no negative marking in the NMAT exam.

Does NMAT have any sectional time limit?

Yes. You get a limited time to solve each section of NMAT. The sectional time limit is 28 minutes, 40 minutes and 52 minutes for the Language Skills, Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Skills sections respectively.

How many sections are there in the NMAT exam?

The NMAT exam has a total of 3 sections namely Language Skills, Quantitative Skills and Logical Reasoning.

What is the total exam duration of NMAT?

The time duration of the NMAT exam is 120 minutes or 2 hours.

How many questions are there in the NMAT 2024 question paper?

The NMAT 2024 question paper will contain a total of 120 questions. These questions will be divided into three sections namely Language Skills, Quantitative Skills, and Logical Reasoning.

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