The NMAT 2026 exam is a national-level test for students who want to study MBA or PGDM courses after graduation. It is conducted by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) and helps students gain admission into top management colleges, such as NMIMS and other B-schools in India. The application form for NMAT 2026 will be available in the first week of August 2025, and students can register until the second week of October 2025. The exam will be held online from the first week of November to the third week of December 2025. The test includes three sections: Language Skills, Quantitative Skills (Math), and Logical Reasoning. There are 108 multiple-choice questions, and students get 2 hours to finish the exam. The best part is that there is no negative marking, so students won’t lose marks for wrong answers. NMAT also allows students to take the exam more than once, giving them a chance to improve their score.
NMAT 2026 Highlights
This section provides a quick overview of the key details related to the NMAT 2026 exam, including exam pattern, number of attempts, and other essential information.
Particular | Highlights |
---|---|
Exam Name | NMAT by GMAC |
Attempts Allowed | Maximum of 3 per exam cycle |
Conducting Body | Graduate Management Admission Council |
Exam Mode | Computer-Based (Test Centre or Online Proctored) |
Total Sections | 3 (Language Skills, Quantitative Skills, Logical Reasoning) |
Total Questions | 108 |
Duration | 120 minutes |
Scoring Pattern | +3 per correct response; no negative marking |
Official Website | GMAC NMAT Portal |
NMAT 2026 Important Dates
This section outlines the key dates for NMAT 2026, including registration, exam schedule, result declaration, and other important events that candidates should be aware of when planning their preparation.
Events | Starting Tentative date | Ending Tentative date |
---|---|---|
NMAT 2026 Registration | 1st week of August 2025 | 2nd week of October 2025 |
Scheduling | 1st week of August 2025 | 3rd week of October 2025 |
Retake registration | 2nd week of November 2025 | 2nd week of December 2025 |
Rescheduling | 1st week of August 2025 | 3rd week of December 2025 |
NMAT 2026 exam date | 1st week of November 2025 | 3rd week of December 2025 |
Declaration of result | Within 48 Hours | – |
NMAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
This section explains who can apply for the NMAT 2026. Candidates must meet certain academic and other basic criteria to be eligible for the exam and admission to the MBA or PGDM programs.
Parameter | Eligibility Details |
---|---|
Academic Qualification | Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university; most institutes require a minimum of 50% aggregate marks. Final-year students can apply provisionally. |
Work Experience | Not mandatory. However, some top institutes prefer 1–2 years of relevant experience (e.g., NMIMS, K J Somaiya). |
Age Requirement | GMAC prescribes no lower or upper age limit for NMAT 2026. |
Nationality | Open to Indian nationals, NRIs, and foreign candidates; foreign applicants must provide valid identification documents. |
NMAT 2026 Application Process
The NMAT 2026 registration process will be conducted entirely online through the official portal at register.nmat.org. To apply, candidates must create an account, complete the application form, select their preferred colleges, choose a suitable exam date, and pay the registration fee of INR 2,800. Additional fees will be charged for retaking or rescheduling the exam. The NMAT exam will be held over a 70-day window, from the first week of November to the third week of December 2025. Candidates can attempt the exam up to three times during this period to improve their scores. They also have the flexibility to choose between appearing at one of the 76 test centres in 73 cities across India or taking the test from home through an online proctored mode. This ensures greater convenience for students, including those living in remote or rural areas.
How To Apply
The NMAT 2026 registration process must be completed carefully to avoid any mistakes or delays. Below are the simple steps to follow:
Step 1: Create an account by visiting the official NMAT portal at mba.com/nmat, entering a valid email ID, setting a password, and submitting your contact details.
Step 2: Complete the application form by logging in with your credentials and entering the personal details, academic background, work experience (if applicable), and preferred programs or Business Schools.
Step 3: Upload the required documents such as a recent passport-size photo and signature in JPEG or PNG format, making sure the file size is under 1 MB and the image is clear.
Step 4: Pay the application fee online using a debit or credit card, net banking, or digital wallet. Once the payment is done, download and save the confirmation page and receipt for future reference.
NMAT 2026 Syllabus
This section provides an overview of the NMAT 2026 syllabus, which is divided into three main sections: Language Skills, Quantitative Skills, and Logical Reasoning. Each section tests a candidate’s ability to solve real-world problems, analyse information, and communicate effectively. The topics are based on concepts commonly taught at the Class 10 or 12 level, making them accessible to candidates from various academic backgrounds.
Section | Key Topics Covered |
---|---|
Language Skills | - Reading Comprehension (short & medium passages)- Synonyms & Antonyms- Fill in the Blanks (Vocabulary-based) - Error Detection & Correction - Para Jumbles & Sentence Rearrangement- Analogies- Cloze Tests |
Quantitative Skills | - Arithmetic: Percentages, Profit & Loss, Ratio & Proportion, Time & Work, Time-Speed-Distance - Algebra: Linear & Quadratic Equations, Inequalities - Geometry & Mensuration - Modern Mathematics: Permutation & Combination, Probability, Set Theory - Number Systems- Data Interpretation: Tables, Charts, Graphs, Caselets |
Logical Reasoning | - Analytical Puzzles (Arrangements, Selection, Grouping) - Series & Sequences (Number, Alphabet, Mixed) - Coding -Decoding - Blood Relations - Syllogisms - Critical Reasoning: Assumptions, Conclusions, Strengthen/Weaken Arguments - Input-Output - Direction Sense & Clocks |
NMAT 2026 Exam Pattern
The NMAT 2026 exam pattern consists of three sections: Language Skills, Quantitative Skills, and Logical Reasoning, each comprising 36 multiple-choice questions. Candidates get a total of 120 minutes, with separate time limits for each section. The exam is computer-based and follows a computer-adaptive format. Each correct answer carries 3 marks, and there is no negative marking, making it easier to attempt all questions confidently.
Parameter | Language Skills | Quantitative Skills | Logical Reasoning | Overall Exam |
---|---|---|---|---|
No. of Questions | 36 | 36 | 36 | 108 |
Sectional Time Limit | 28 minutes | 52 minutes | 40 minutes | 120 minutes total |
Marks per Correct Answer | +3 | +3 | +3 | 324 marks maximum |
Negative Marking | None | None | None | No negative marking |
Key Topics | Vocabulary, Reading Comprehension, Grammar | Arithmetic, Algebra, Data Interpretation, Geometry | Analytical & Verbal Reasoning, Series, Critical Reasoning | N/A |
Question Type | Multiple Choice (MCQs) | Multiple Choice (MCQs) | Multiple Choice (MCQs) | Computer-Adaptive MCQs |
Mode of Exam | Computer-Based | Computer-Based | Computer-Based | Computer-Adaptive Test (CAT) |
NMAT 2026 Preparation Tips
- Understand the syllabus – Know what topics will be covered in each section, like maths, English, and reasoning.
- Create a study timetable – Plan your daily study time and follow it consistently.
- Practice daily – Solve questions and sample papers every day to get better at each topic.
- Work on weak areas – Focus more on subjects or topics you find difficult.
- Take mock tests – Give complete practice exams to check your speed and improve time management.
- Stay calm and confident – Believe in yourself, stay positive, and take short breaks while studying.
NMAT 2026 Admit Card
The NMAT 2026 admit card is a mandatory document for all candidates appearing for the exam. After completing the registration and scheduling your test, you can download the admit card from the official NMAT website. It will be available within 24 hours of booking your exam slot and can be downloaded at any time before the exam date. The admit card will include your name, photo, exam date and time, test centre address, and important instructions for the exam day. On the exam day, you must carry a printed copy of the NMAT 2026 admit card, a valid photo ID, and the confirmation email printout. Without these, you won’t be allowed to enter the exam hall.
Steps to Download the NMAT 2026 Admit Card
- Visit the official NMAT website: nmat.org.in
- Log in using the registered email ID and password.
- After scheduling your exam, a download link for the admit card will appear on your dashboard or be sent to your email.
- Click the link and download the admit card as a PDF file.
- Take a printout and ensure the photo and details are clearly visible.
NMAT 2026 Exam Centres
NMAT 2026 will be conducted in various cities across India. Candidates can choose their preferred test center from the list of exam cities grouped by region.
Region | NMAT Exam Cities |
---|---|
East | Jamshedpur, Guwahati, Patna, Kolkata, Shillong, Siliguri, Rourkela, Ranchi and Bhubaneswar, Durgapur, Dhanbad, |
North | Allahabad, Agra, Alwar, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gorakhpur, Jammu, Jhansi, Panipat, Delhi, Gurugram, Kanpur, Lucknow, Ludhiana, Varanasi, Noida, Patiala |
West | Aurangabad, Ajmer, Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Jodhpur, Jalgaon, Jaipur, Mumbai, Kota, Kolhapur, Nasik, Nagpur, Udaipur, Pune, Vadodara, and Surat |
Central | Bhopal, Bhilai, Jabalpur, Raipur, Gwalior, Ujjain, Bilaspur, and Indore |
South | Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Chennai, Mangalore, Madurai, Vizag, Kochi, Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Mysore, Manipal, Vijayawada, Thiruvananthapuram, and Tiruchirapalli |
NMAT 2026 Result
Candidates can download their NMAT 2026 result within 48 hours after taking the exam. The result will be available online only—there is no offline option. Once the result is ready, candidates will receive an email notification. To check the result, they must log in using their registered details.
The result will be shown as a scorecard on the official website. It will include the total score, percentile rank, and scaled scores for each section. After the final percentile is declared, the scores will be sent to the B-schools selected by the candidate during registration.
NMAT 2026 Cutoff
The NMAT 2026 cut-off will be released online only. Candidates can check the results on the official website after they are announced.
Each MBA specialisation will have a separate cut-off, and every participating college will publish its own NMAT 2026 cut-off on its official website.
NMAT 2026 Counselling
NMAT 2026 counselling will be held online and is the final step for admission to various campuses. It may include rounds like Group Discussion (GD), Personal Interview (PI), or in some cases, a Writing Ability Test (WAT) or Case Discussion (CDI).
Final admission will be based on NMAT 2026 scores and performance in these rounds. Candidates must also bring their documents for verification during the counselling process.
NMAT 2026 FAQs
Ques. When will the NMAT 2026 application form be released?
Ans. The NMAT 2026 application form will be released in the first week of August 2025.
Ques. How many times can I take the NMAT 2026 exam?
Ans. You can attempt the NMAT 2026 exam up to three times during the exam window.
Ques. What is the mode of the NMAT 2026 exam?
Ans. The NMAT 2026 exam will be conducted in online mode, either at a test centre or through an online proctored test from home.
Ques. Is there any negative marking in the NMAT 2026 exam?
Ans. No, there is no negative marking for incorrect answers in NMAT 2026.
Ques. What is the duration and number of questions in NMAT 2026?
Ans. The exam has 108 multiple-choice questions and a total duration of 120 minutes.
Ques. What are the subjects covered in the NMAT 2026 syllabus?
Ans. The NMAT 2026 syllabus includes Language Skills, Quantitative Skills, and Logical Reasoning.
Ques. How can I download the NMAT 2026 admit card?
Ans. After scheduling the exam, log in to your NMAT account at nmat.org.in and download the admit card as a PDF.
Ques. When will the NMAT 2026 result be declared?
Ans. The NMAT 2026 result will be available within 48 hours of taking the exam.
Ques. What happens after the NMAT 2026 results are declared?
Ans. After the result, participating institutes will release their individual cut-offs and conduct counselling rounds like GD, PI, or WAT/CDI.
Ques. What is the registration fee for NMAT 2026?
Ans. The NMAT 2026 registration fee is INR 2,800, with additional charges for rescheduling or retaking the exam.