NMAT Exam: Complete Guide on NMAT Entrance Exam & Registration

NMAT by GMAC, simply known as NMAT, is a national level entrance test conducted for MBA admissions at NMIMS (Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies) University and other reputed B-Schools in India as well as overseas. NMIMS conducted NMAT until the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) took over in 2015. This year, NMAT's format is designed keeping in mind the applicant's convenience. This time around, against the backdrop of a world coming to terms with Covid-19, you can choose the exam date and venue, as per your preference, during the exam window for NMAT 2021. This is to be done using the NMAT scheduling option.

Candidates can register for NMAT by GMAC until November 10.

Some of NMAT's features bear a resemblance to Gmat's format, wherein candidates are allowed to choose the date they would prefer during the window, apart from self-scheduling the timings, venue and appointment date, basis the availability of seats at the test centre of your choice. The national level entrance exam, NMAT, is conducted once a year during the test window of specified dates.

You can schedule your NMAT 2021 exam for any date between October 14 to December 27. Do bear in mind that every applicant has three attempts to clear NMAT. However, please note, the first attempt should be scheduled for November 24 or before. The second attempt can be scheduled only between November 25 and December 10. The third attempt for NMAT 2021 can be scheduled on or after December 11.

Unlike previous sessions, where an 88-day test window was the norm, NMAT 2021 will be conducted within a 74-day test window. In addition to a shorter test window, NMAT's application fee has also been revised. If you schedule your exam during the early registration window, you need to pay just Rs. 2,300, opposed to completing registration during the late registration window, when you would be required to pay Rs. 2,800.

NMAT Important Dates

NMAT Eligibility Criteria

The body conducting the exam authority has specified the following eligibility criteria for NMAT 2021. Please make sure that you fulfil the eligibility requirements before applying for the entrance test.

1. You should have completed graduation under 10+2+3 or four years of education pattern from any stream.
2. You should secure not less than 50 per cent aggregate during the final year of your graduation.
3. Those who are awaiting results or are in their final year of graduation can also apply for NMAT 2021. Admission, subject to your scorecard, is granted on a provisional basis until the mark sheet for the final year of graduation and certificate of the qualifying examination are submitted.

We highly recommend that you also check the eligibility criteria of NMAT's participating colleges individually, before registering for the examination. You would be required to select five institutes of your preference for admission while applying, and every institution has different eligibility criteria for admission.

NMAT Registration

NMAT's admission process can be summed up in six stages — filling of the NMAT 2021 application form, issuing of your NMAT 2021 admit card, the NMAT 2021 exam itself, declaration of NMAT 2021's results and if you are shortlisted, you will be among the lucky few to undergo the group discussion and personal interview stage for NMAT 2021.

Here is how you can register for the NMAT exam:

Stage 1: Filling of NMAT 2021 Application Form

The admission process starts with you filling the NMAT 2021 application form. You need to fill the NMAT application form within the stipulated time. Only those who do so are issued their admit cards for NMAT 2021. The application process is online and you would be required to create a login ID and password to complete the online registration process.

The application fee, as mentioned before, is Rs 2,300 (excluding GST). The fee can be paid online using:

1. Your debit card
2. Mobile wallet or
3. Other online payment options

Once you complete the registration process, the option to reschedule your test is enabled in your student account. In order to reschedule your NMAT 2021 test, you have to apply for the 'NMAT exam reschedule' option 72 hours prior to the scheduled time of the test. You are to reschedule using the same student account.

The fee for retaking the exam is Rs 2,300 and the rescheduling fee is Rs 1,200. Do note that registering during NMAT's late registration window will incur a fee of Rs 2,800.

Stage 2: Issuing of NMAT 2021 Admit Card

After you have paid the necessary fees and completed the application process for NMAT 2021, you can book your preferred exam slot and download your admit card for the exam at the same time.

Documents Required for NMAT 2021

NMAT Exam Pattern 2021

NMAT exam has three sections. Each section has an equal number of questions. Each section within the NMAT exam expects you to attempt the sectional questions within the allotted time limit, which is different for each section. Provided below are the key components, number of questions and allotted time for each section during NMAT 2021:

NMAT Syllabus

The syllabus for NMAT 2021 has been revised and updated due to the changes in the exam structure. With three major sections on the English language, quantitative skills and logical reasoning, NMAT 2021 is revamped with sectional changes and different types of questions appearing in each section. To prepare well for your exam, it is very important to follow the revised syllabus for NMAT 2021.   

NMAT by GMAC 2021 will give each candidate a randomly generated test from a question bank, which will be delivered one at a time. The number of questions, level of difficulty, and the time limit for each of the sections are predetermined. You can choose the order of the test sections and, once again, each section is individually timed. Do note that once you have chosen the order, it cannot be changed.

NMAT Admit Card

Your NMAT hall ticket is a mandatory document, and without it, you will not be allowed to appear in the test. 

After you have paid the necessary fees and completed the application process for NMAT 2021, you can book your preferred exam slot and download your admit card for the exam at the same time.

NMAT 2021 will be conducted over a period of 74 days, starting from October 14 to December 27, 2021. Each candidate has the option to appear for the exam from the test centre-based mode or from your home, as a remote proctored test.

NMAT Preparation Tips

Ways to structure your preparation strategy for NMAT

The best time to start with your preparation for NMAT was two months ago, the next best time is now. The first and foremost step to prepare for the exam is by having a clear-cut timetable. It goes without saying that you have to be consistent in whichever preparation technique you choose to pursue. Here are a few effective tips we compiled, to aid you as you prepare.

• Understand the pattern
  Before you commence your preparation, the first thing you should do is scrutinise the exam pattern and the detailed syllabus. The best option would be to write down the syllabus to solidify it in your memory. After writing it down, divide the syllabus into different portions. Each portion should contain some relevant topics. You can do the segregation based on your familiarity with the topics or the difficulty level.
• Cover all corners
  Choose your preparation mode, and stick by it. Self-studying is a great option if you are an experienced aspirant or well-versed with the important concepts. However, if you face frequent problems in tackling the questions, it would be best if you go for an online NMAT crash course, rather than sulking in confusion over the preparation.
• Devise a preparation strategy
  Being confused and messed up when it comes to preparing for NMAT is okay. But after a certain amount of time, it is necessary for you to move on. You need to draft a systematic strategy, depending on when to work on a subject, practice sample questions or take mock revision tests.
• Focus on your weak concepts
  It is natural to be an expert in solving questions related to one section and be completely unfamiliar with questions from other sections. Do not trip in the favour of overconfidence. It might backfire on the day of your examination. Try to foster all your attention towards your weak concepts. Ideally, you should begin with solved examples. Afterwards, go ahead and practice using the handout given at the end of every chapter. Solving the NMAT question papers from the last five years is always a nice idea. Take the help of your mentors, peers, fellow aspirants or even the internet, if it gets tough at any point in time.
• Strengthen your fundamentals
  Know that the toppers of every management examination are brilliant when it comes to the basics. Brush up your basics from eight-10th standard to score better. This is extremely important as you need to have a fundamental understanding of the core sections, as a base to build on. And analysing your performance is as important as your performance itself. Make it a point to practice 10 or more questions related to concepts you learnt the last time, before moving on to the next topics.
• Consult the right and relevant study material
  The right kind of books can help you split the disparity between what should be studied and what needs to be skipped. At times aspirants flip out while seeing the syllabus, knowing that there is not always a well-defined procedure to begin the NMAT preparation. You don't need us to tell you that you should never hit it somewhere in the middle and then go back and forth. Consulting the right guide will help you streamline your strategy, as per the syllabus.
• Refer to the official guide to chart your preparation
  Formulate the projections of your score by keeping a check on how far you have come in the preparation celluloid. NMAT by GMAC, the official guide, is one such tool that will help you keep track of your preparation, with respect to your preferred approach. The guide includes important dates, the registration guidelines, the syllabus, important concepts, some solved examples and NMAT-level mock questions.
• Learn the tricks of the trade
  Try to implement shortcut tricks and strategies to solve a question. Such a tactic will lend you some extra minutes to solve lengthy problems. You don't need to jot down each step to a problem. Train your mind well to perform mental calculations. Prepare a database of all the questions and important formulae that have been repeated for some years in NMAT. This will come in handy on D-day.
• Analyse your performance with mock tests
  As you reach the end of your preparation cycle, try devoting as much time as you can, to mock tests. Be in a relaxed state of mind while preparing for the examination through these mock tests as they help in building your stamina and lend the willpower to sit through a two-hour-long examination without losing your focus. Try to keep a stress-free mind while preparing for NMAT, your stress-free mind can work wonders.

NMAT Result

How to Check NMAT Result?

GMAC declares the results of the exam in the form of a scorecard on NMAT's official website, after the conclusion of the NMAT 2021 exam. As soon as the scores are available, you will be notified via email. You can view your NMAT result 2021 and download the scorecard by logging into your NMAT account.

NMAT Test Centres

GMAC is all set to conduct the NMAT 2021 entrance test in 73 exam centres spread across 68 cities in India and 4 international centres. You may choose your centre for NMAT 2021 at your convenience while filling the NMAT application form. Please note that if you wish to change your centre after registration, you would be required to pay an additional fee. Other countries which will have an NMAT centre are Nepal (Kathmandu), Bangladesh (Dhaka), Sri Lanka (Colombo) and Bhutan (Thimphu). Provided below is a list that mentions the names of the cities which will have an NMAT centre.

FAQs About NMAT Exam