NMAT 2018 exam is scheduled from October 4 to December 17, 2018 as an online computer based test. So far, NMAT exam has remained moderate and on the expected exam pattern without any changes. NMAT test takers can expect a good score. However, there is the facility to retake the NMAT exam in case the NMAT exam score in first attempt is not satisfactory. You can view your results and then decide to apply to business school or retake the test depending on your comfort with the results you’ve obtained. 

NMAT exam pattern is similar to other leading national level MBA entrance exams like CAT and XAT. NMAT by GMAC 2018 exam pattern has remained on past 3 years trends. NMAT by GMAC 2018 Exam Pattern has remained computer based with MCQ question types. The NMAT 2018 exam pattern is divided in 3 sections namely Language Skills, Quantitative Skills and Logical Reasoning. The NMAT Exam Pattern also prescribes that all the three sections in NMAT exam are individually timed. Besides there is no negative marking in NMAT by GMAC exam pattern.         

NMAT by GMAC Exam Pattern 2018: Sectional composition

NMAT Exam Pattern: Salient Points

• Online CBT: NMAT 2018 exam is online computer based test
• MCQ format: All the questions in NMAT 2018 exam pattern are of Multiple Choice type (MCQs).
• 120 questions: NMAT 2018 exam pattern as revealed so far and in the past notification also consists of 120 questions divided in 3 sections and are to be attempted in 120 minutes (2 hours)
• Choice of order of sections: One of the unique features in NMAT 2018 exam pattern is that Test taker can choose order of sections in NMAT by GMAC. However, once order of the sections is selected, the NMAT test taker should follow this order.
• Individually timed sections: In the revised NMAT exam pattern 2018, each section in NMAT 2018 exam is individually timed and the candidates have to attempt the questions in the respective section within the sectional time limit.
• No negative marking: The NMAT 2018 exam pattern is without any penalty of negative marking. So, instead of skipping a question in the question paper,  you can use your calculated guess and mark the answer without the fear of a penalty for a wrong answer as there is no negative marking.
• Moderate difficulty exam: The difficulty level is not so high as of IIMs-CAT and XLRI-XAT exams  in NMAT by GMAC exam pattern
• Uniform Marking scheme: Another important feature of NMAT exam pattern is uniform marking system. Each correct answer is awarded +1 mark and there is zero marking for unattempted question
• Facility to review answers: NMAT Test takers must review answers of each section within the allotted time before moving to another section of the exam, as once the candidate closes out of a section, he/she may not come back to the section
• 3 Attempts allowed:  This is the biggest benefit of NMAT by GMAC exam pattern. You can take the NMAT by GMAC three times in a given admissions cycle. This gives you the opportunity to improve your score
• Choice of Self-scheduling NMAT by GMAC: NMAT by GMAC is one of the few national exams which offer you the liberty to choose your test appointment date, time and test center location 

NMAT V/s CAT
NMAT by GMAC exam pattern and IIMs CAT have many similarities which give the opportunity to the candidates to synchronise their sectional and overall exam preparation. Still NMAT has a few dissimilarities as compared to CAT:

NMAT Vs XAT
Similarities and dissimilarities in NMAT by GMAC exam pattern and XLRI XAT exam are more yet many similar points in both the exam pattern help the test takers to prepare for them simultaneously:

NMAT by GMAC Exam from October 4 to December 17, 2018 has an updated Syllabus. To prepare well for NMAT this year, the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) has released the preparation guides with previous test papers also.

NMAT Syllabus with three major sections on English Language, Quant and Logical Reasoning is revamped with different type of questions appearing in each NMAT exam. GMAC releases every year the changes in test taking strategy and expected type of questions in the exam as per the NMAT syllabus.

Accordingly, the topics for NMAT Exam syllabus go on changing and there are many topics in NMAT syllabus 2018 on which questions, which did not appear earlier, may appear again this year. With effect from 2015 the NMAT exam syllabus has seen consistent changes. Recently, GMAC has also released the NMAT preparation guide in accordance with the changed NMAT by GMAC exam syllabus 2018.

The overall structure of the NMAT 2018 syllabus covers following major topics in each of the three sections:

Language Skills Syllabus

The Language Skills section in NMAT by GMAC exam covers the topics to test Reading Comprehension, Verbal Ability and  English Language Skills. The Language Skills section in NMAT by GMAC exam will test you on the following major topics spread in three broad segments:

1. Vocabulary
2. Grammar
3. Comprehension

The question types that you can expect in the NMAT by GMAC exam within each of these areas are:

Syllabus for Vocabulary

1. Synonyms
2. Antonyms
3. Analogies
4. Fill in the Blanks
5. Cloze Test

Syllabus for Grammar

1. Identify the Error
2. Choose the Correct Preposition

Syllabus for Comprehension

1. Reading Comprehension
2. Parajumbles

Cover well the Language Skills Syllabus and attempt the exam – Key Tips

• There will be 32 questions in the Language Skills section on the NMAT by GMAC exam. You need to attempt this section in 22 minutes.
• Language Skills section will have the syllabus on all three areas of English—vocabulary, grammar and comprehension.
• Manage your time carefully. You have an average of 40 seconds per question, but you will need some more time while attempting Reading Comprehension questions. Your target should be 30 seconds each for the rest of the questions, which will give you around 10-11 minutes to attempt the 7-8 Reading Comprehension questions that will appear on the test.
• Ensure that you practice variety of questions in sufficient number to get your timing correct. It is particularly important for grammar questions as you will need to remember the important grammar rules.
• Identify and strengthen your weak areas by maintaining an error sheet.
• Improve your Reading comprehension as well as vocabulary. To cover this, start reading well-written books, or a good newspaper, every day. Ensure special attention to the Editorial section of newspapers as it has the most enriching vocabulary.
• Improve your vocabulary and write down any new word you come across while reading the newspaper and go through it every day. Learn the word usage.
• Do not assume the things and avoida using the real-world knowledge on RC based questions.

Logical Reasoning Syllabus
Questions in this section are based on Analytical reasoning, logical reasoning, critical reasoning, series completion in NMAT by GMAC. Logical Reasoning section measures your ability to comprehend and synthesise the information given in the question, without looking for or checking the truth or accuracy of that information. You  will be asked to draw inferences from the statements, choose between strong and weak arguments, identify assumptions implicit within innocuous-looking statements and even arrive at decisions in light of the given information.

You are also required to use your logical thinking skills on questions that require you to decode both numerical and visual patterns and series; make sense of relationships and understand directions. To crack Logical Reasoning questions, you should focus only on the information given to you and should not use any of your own knowledge, experiences or presumptions to impact your judgment.

The Logical Reasoning section on the NMAT by GMAC Exam tests you on the two broad areas of reasoning:

• Verbal Reasoning
• Analytical Reasoning

Syllabus for Verbal Reasoning
Verbal Reasoning includes the following topics:

• Statement and Argument Questions
• Statement and Assumption Questions
• Statement and Inference Questions
• Decision making and Course of Action
• Critical Reasoning

Syllabus for Analytical Reasoning
Analytical Reasoning syllabus for NMAT by GMAC includes following major topics:

• Linear and Circular Arrangements
• Classification
• Syllogisms
• Blood Relation Questions
• Coding Questions
• Series Questions
• Direction Questions
• Alphabet Test Questions
• Input Output questions
• Matrix Type Questions
• Symbol Based Questions
• Other Reasoning Questions

Important Tips to Cover the Syllabus for Logical Reasoning

• There will be 40 questions in the Logical Reasoning section on the NMAT by GMAC exam. You need to attempt them in 38 minutes, so you have about 1 minute to solve each question.
• You need to cover the syllabus on two areas of Reasoning—Verbal Reasoning and Analytical Reasoning.
• You must read every part of the question carefully and make sure that you have looked at each answer choice before selecting your final answer.
• While attempting the exercises, do not assume or use any information that is not provided in the question. Please note that LR section is not trying to assess your general knowledge, so use only the information given in each statement to arrive at right answer.
• You should pay special attention to words like ‘all’, ‘some’ or ‘none’ when you read the factual information provided in each question. Besides, other words like ‘other than’, ‘only’ or ‘unless’ are also important. These words can play important role in specifying the facts.
• Try to represent the given information pictorially, especially in arrangement questions, or as a Venn diagram in syllogism questions.
• Please not that Logical Reasoning skills cannot be developed overnight, so make sure you spend sufficient time to cover variety of questions while practising on Logical Reasoning questions and analysing your mistakes.