For the 2024 cycle, the exam is conducted over a defined testing window (typically during the last quarter of the year). Within that window you can:

• Register and schedule your exam date

• Choose between test centre and at-home online mode (if offered that year)

• Plan your first attempt and retakes around other exams like CAT, XAT, SNAP, etc.

For many serious aspirants currently in college or early in their careers, 2025 is the main target year.

They want clarity on:

• NMAT exam date 2025

• What is NMAT exam date 2025?

• When NMAT exam held in 2025?

The pattern is similar: a long exam window, usually in the October–December band, with a structured registration and scheduling timeline.

Most students hear “NMAT” and think “NMIMS entrance exam.” That’s partly true, but the picture is bigger.

NMAT by GMAC is a computer-based aptitude test accepted by NMIMS and many other B-schools in India and abroad. It is used primarily for admission to MBA, PGDM and other management programs. Key features:

• Standardised test of Language Skills, Quantitative Skills and Logical Reasoning

• No negative marking, which encourages you to attempt more

• Multiple attempts in a single testing year

• A long testing window where you choose your own exam date and slot

There is also a different exam called NMAT in the Philippines, which is used for medical (MBBS/MD) admissions – we’ll come to that later.

At a high level, NMAT by GMAC currently has:

• 3 sections

  • Language Skills

  • Quantitative Skills

  • Logical Reasoning

• 108 questions in total

• 120 minutes (2 hours) to complete the paper

• No negative marking

• Computer-based adaptive test – the level adjusts based on how you’re performing

You normally get a fixed time for each section, and once that time is over, you cannot go back to that section. You also choose the order of sections at the beginning – a unique feature of NMAT.

Timing-wise, there are typically multiple slots across the day – morning, afternoon and evening – and you choose what works best when you book your slot.

The NMAT syllabus can be viewed as three buckets:

Language Skills

• Reading Comprehension (short and medium-length passages)

• Vocabulary – synonyms, antonyms, analogies, cloze tests

• Grammar and usage – error spotting, sentence correction

• Para jumbles, jumbled sentences, fill-in-the-blanks

Quantitative Skills

• Arithmetic – percentages, profit & loss, ratio, averages, mixtures, time & work, time–speed–distance

• Algebra – equations, inequalities, progressions

• Number systems and basic number properties

• Geometry and mensuration (conceptual, not JEE level)

• Modern Math – permutations & combinations, probability, set theory basics

• Data Interpretation – tables, graphs, charts, caselets

Logical Reasoning

• Analytical reasoning and puzzles

• Linear and circular arrangements

• Series and patterns

• Coding–decoding, input–output

• Syllogisms, assumptions, conclusions

• Data sufficiency

One NMAT score. Dozens of doors.

That’s really the story here. NMAT by GMAC doesn’t just unlock NMIMS – it opens access to 50+ B-schools in India and 25+ institutions abroad across South Africa, Nigeria, Philippines, Morocco and Hungary. 

But not all NMAT colleges are equal. Some are flagship MBA brands you’ve grown up hearing about; others are specialised, niche, or powerful “Plan B” options if CAT/XAT don’t go your way.

• In India, around 56–58 B-schools accept NMAT scores for MBA/PGDM admissions.

• Overall, 80+ colleges across six countries (India, South Africa, Nigeria, Philippines, Morocco, Hungary) are on the NMAT-accepting list.

Depending on the year’s policy, NMAT is typically offered in two modes:

1. Test Centre Mode

   • You appear at a designated test centre.

   • Strict invigilation, fixed environment.

   • Good option if your home environment or internet is unreliable.

2. Online Proctored Exam from Home (if available for that cycle)

   • You take the exam on your own system, monitored via webcam and screen share.

   • Requires a quiet room, stable internet, and hardware that meets the technical requirements.

In both cases, the pattern, duration and difficulty remain the same. Only the environment and logistics change.

If you’re already thinking about NMAT 2026, you’re playing the game ahead of the crowd.

Even though GMAC hasn’t yet released the official NMAT exam date 2026 window, we can accurately predict the pattern based on the last few years:

• A single testing year (July–June)

• A multi-week exam window (not one fixed day)

• Window usually falling in the October–December period

• Flexibility to choose your own exam date and slot, and even retake the exam within the same cycle

When we say “NMAT exam fees” for MBA aspirants, there are actually four different cost heads to think about:

1. Registration fee – for your first attempt

2. Retake fee – for each additional attempt

3. Rescheduling fee – to change your exam date/slot

4. Score-reporting fee – to send your score to more programs than the free quota

The actual amounts change slightly every cycle and are always listed on the official NMAT by GMAC page on mba.com, so treat the numbers here as approximate bands and always cross-check once you’re filling the form.

The NMAT syllabus can be viewed as three buckets:

Language Skills

• Reading Comprehension (short and medium-length passages)

• Vocabulary – synonyms, antonyms, analogies, cloze tests

• Grammar and usage – error spotting, sentence correction

• Para jumbles, jumbled sentences, fill-in-the-blanks

Quantitative Skills

• Arithmetic – percentages, profit & loss, ratio, averages, mixtures, time & work, time–speed–distance

• Algebra – equations, inequalities, progressions

• Number systems and basic number properties

• Geometry and mensuration (conceptual, not JEE level)

• Modern Math – permutations & combinations, probability, set theory basics

• Data Interpretation – tables, graphs, charts, caselets

Logical Reasoning

• Analytical reasoning and puzzles

• Linear and circular arrangements

• Series and patterns

• Coding–decoding, input–output

• Syllogisms, assumptions, conclusions

• Data sufficiency