XAT- Xavier Aptitude Test 2026
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The Narsee Monjee Management Aptitude Test (NMAT) is a leading management entrance exam that opens doors to top business schools across India and five other countries. Many students wonder if they can prepare for the NMAT2025 in just 3 months, and the answer is yes. With its easy exam format, no negative marking, and multiple chances to take the test, NMAT 2025 can be cracked with the right 3-month study plan and consistent effort.
In this Careers360 article, you will learn about how and why preparing for NMAT in 3 months is achievable, a step-by-step NMAT 2025 study plan for 3 months, a daily NMAT preparation routine for 3 months, common mistakes to avoid during 3-month preparation, and the most reliable resources for NMAT 2025.
Understanding the NMAT 2025 registration process and exam details is important for effective preparation planning. The NMAT 2025 registration will begin in August 2025, giving candidates ample time to prepare and register for the exam. The exam window is scheduled from October 2025 to December 2025, providing a flexible 3-month testing period that allows students to choose their preferred exam date based on their preparation readiness.
The NMAT exam pattern is divided into three sections.
Language skills
Quantitative skills
This exam consists of 108 questions and has a 120-minute time limit. Each section contains an equal number of questions, specifically 36 questions. All questions will be objective-type multiple-choice questions with five options.
The allotment of time for each section is as follows:
SECTION | NO. OF QUESTIONS | TIME ALLOTTED |
VERBAL | 36 | 28 minutes |
QUANTITATIVE ABILITY | 36 | 52 minutes |
LOGICAL REASONING | 36 | 40 minutes |
TOTAL | 108 | 120 minutes |
Key Points:
No negative marking
Each section has a specific time limit
You can review your answer
Unique exam for each student with equal difficulty level
Single registration is allowed
Every question carries an equal value, and there is no negative marking for wrong answers or not attempting an answer.
Candidates are allowed a maximum of 3 attempts in the NMAT.
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Achieving preparation for the NMAT within 3 months is possible with a clear understanding of the syllabus, the exam pattern, and well-defined guidelines.
Here is a step-by-step guide for preparing for the NMAT over 3 months.
A month-by-month NMAT study plan helps you prepare step by step for all test sections without feeling stressed. This approach gives enough time to learn each topic well and practice before the actual exam.
Month | Focus | Key Activities |
First Month | Foundation Building & Syllabus Understanding |
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Second Month | Practice & Speed Development |
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Third Month | Full-Length Mock Tests & Time Management |
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Keeping short weekly targets will help you achieve them realistically.
Weeks | Focus | Key Activities |
Week 1-4 | Basics & Foundation in Key Areas |
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Week 5-8 | Practice & Improvement |
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Week 9-12 | Full-Length Mock Tests & Review |
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Conduct a SWOT analysis to identify areas of strength, weakness, opportunity, and threat for each section, and focus on these areas during your preparation.
In the Quantitative aptitude section, 10-12 questions from Arithmetic, 3-5 questions from Algebra, 7-8 questions from modern math, 7-8 questions from Data Interpretation, 3-5 questions from the number system, and 3-4 questions from Data sufficiency can be expected.
Key Topics to Focus on: Identities related to polynomials, Remainder theorem, Zeroes of polynomials, Linear equations, quadratic equations, and Inequalities.
Important points:
Learn all the identities.
Learn the concept of the degree of a polynomial.
Practice word problems.
Key Topics to Focus on: Percentage, Application of percentage, Ratio, and application in time and work, Time, speed, and distance, etc.
Important points:
Sharpen your mental calculation skills to increase your speed.
Learn the concept of converting percentages to fractions.
Memorise the multiplication tables, squares, cubes up to 20, and all the necessary formulas.
Practice word problems.
Key Topics to Focus on: Properties of a triangle, Similar and congruent triangles, Properties of a quadrilateral, Polygons, Area and perimeter of 2-D figures, Properties of a Circle, Surface area and Volume of 3-D figures, etc.
Important points:
Learn all the related formulas and concepts.
Make flashcards to learn the formulas.
Practice word problems.
Key Topics to Focus on: Properties of Numbers, Factors and multiples, Prime and Composite, Sequence and Series, etc.
Important points:
Understand the difference between the different types of sequence series.
Understand the properties of numbers in detail.
Key Topics to Focus on: Data representation in charts, graphs, and tables, as well as data sufficiency questions on various concepts.
Important points:
Use the concepts of percentage and average to solve data interpretation questions.
In DS questions, do not solve till the last. You just need to find out whether the given statements are sufficient to answer the question or not.
From the logical reasoning sections, 18-20 questions can be expected from verbal reasoning and 14-16 questions from analytical reasoning.
Develop a solid foundation in logical reasoning skills, encompassing both verbal and analytical approaches.
Do not misinterpret questions in this section. Take your time to read the questions and solve them.
Attempt the easier questions first and skip the complex ones for later.
Practice a variety of questions from every topic to become familiar with different scenarios.
Allow 1 minute per question and 4 minutes for revision.
Consistent practice of mock tests will increase the speed and accuracy.
In this section, 2-3 RC passages with 4 questions each and 24-28 questions will be included, covering both grammar and vocabulary.
To improve English language proficiency, read newspapers, articles, and magazines. Underline the words which you don't know and search for them in a dictionary or on the internet.
Practice antonyms, synonyms, idioms and analogies daily to familiarise yourself with the words.
In the Reading Comprehension section, try to understand the core meaning of the passage. Sometimes, skimming is an option to go through the passage in quicker succession.
A monthly NMAT preparation plan helps aspirants study in an organised way without feeling overwhelmed. Following a monthly plan also gives aspirants enough time to practice and find their weak areas during the preparation.
Month 1 is dedicated to laying the foundation for every subject. Review the syllabus thoroughly and make a study plan accordingly.
Subject | Key topics |
Quantitative skills |
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Logical reasoning |
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Language skills |
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This approach helps NMAT students in several ways. Learning basic concepts first makes solving questions easier and faster during the actual exam day.
Algebra: Equations, Inequalities, Linear equations, Quadratic equations
Arithmetic: Profit & loss, percentage, average, time-speed-distance, mixture & alligation, simple & compound interests, ratio & proportion
Geometry: Triangles, circles, lines, quadrilaterals, polygons
Mensuration: Cylinder, cone, cube
Number system: HCF & LCM, factorisation, divisibility rules
Modern math: Permutations & combinations, Probability, Series and sequences, Set theory, Venn diagrams, Logarithms
Data interpretation: Pie charts, Line charts, Tables, Bar graphs
Verbal reasoning: Seating arrangements, Blood relations, Coding-Decoding, Number series, Puzzles, Calendars, Clocks
Analytical reasoning: Statements & Conclusions, Syllogisms, Decision-making, Critical reasoning, course of action
Comprehension: RC passages, Jumbled sentences, Para jumbles, Odd one out, Paragraph summary
Vocabulary: Synonyms, Antonyms, Analogies, Fill in the blanks, Idioms, Cloze test
Grammar: Identify the error, Sentence correction, Tenses, Parts of speech, Phrasal verbs
After building the basics in month 1, month 2 is for practising those topics, attempting moderate to difficult questions, learning new topics, analysing the mistakes after sectional tests, and improving them.
In the 2nd month, stress on topic-wise tests. It is essential to identify the weaker sections during the 2nd week and rectify them. Topic-wise, the tests are perfect for that scenario. If you score high marks in any topic, that means you are ready for that topic. If you score low in any topic, you still have time to improve it. This approach ensures that you leave no section underprepared.
Mistakes can occur for three main reasons.
Conceptual mistakes
Calculation error
Misinterpretation of the questions
After topic-wise tests, analyse which kinds of mistakes are frequent.
If it is conceptual, then focus on that topic more and develop it further.
Calculation errors are mainly due to time pressure. Be attentive when answering questions to reduce calculation errors. Rushing through questions often leads to misinterpretation of questions. So, stay calm and read the questions carefully before answering them.
Mock tests are carefully prepared to follow the exam patterns and syllabus closely. It also replicates the real exam environment, allowing you to become accustomed to the exam pressure and anxiety.
Devising a proper time management strategy while taking these tests is crucial for adequate exam preparation.
For the quant section, you get almost 1.5 minutes per question, for logical reasoning 1 minute per question, and 45 seconds for English questions.
Try to attempt easier questions before the allotted time so that you can get more time to solve complex problems.
Mock tests help you to test these strategies and fine-tune them.
The third month of preparation involves revision, attempting 3-4 mock tests every week, and reviewing them.
Like the real exam, you can also attempt the sections in your preferred order. First, tackle your strongest section, then the weaker section, and finally the moderate section. Check if this strategy works or not. If not, then change it accordingly.
Full-length NMAT mock tests will prepare you better for the exam and make you familiar with the exam settings.
You can review the solutions after the mock tests and note down important points and the shortcut methods. Consistent improvement in scores on mock tests will increase your confidence and mentally prepare you for the actual test.
Here are some tips to follow in the final month before the exam.
Take 3-4 mock tests every week and review their solutions.
Revise key topics and areas where you still need improvement.
Avoid learning new topics.
Practice previous years’ papers to understand the recruiting patterns of the questions.
Test the shortcut methods and tricks in practice tests.
Sharpen your mental calculation skills.
Allocate time for every section in a day for revision.
A proper timetable balancing practice, mock tests, and revision are required for NMAT preparation in 3 months.
Morning: Morning is a good time to practice Quant and DI sections. Study for 1.5-2 hours
Break: Take a 1-1.30 hour break
Daytime: Study language skills for 1 hour.
Break: Break for 1 hour
Noon/Afternoon: Practice logical reasoning for 1-1.30 hours
Evening: Practice mock tests at this time (topic-wise / full-length)
Night: Analyse mock test solutions for 30 minutes and sleep. Do not stay awake late.
If you have work or college commitments and want to prepare for the NMAT 2025 exam, then these tips will help you.
Use early mornings and late evenings to focus on your NMAT preparation.
Weekends are very useful for these kinds of students. Utilise those days for extensive preparation.
Make a realistic and flexible routine for the next day before going to bed at night, and try to follow that routine.
If you have a long commute, then use that time to review notes, practice vocabulary or listen to educational podcasts.
Here are some time management tips that will help students prepare for the exam effectively.
In NMAT 2025, you can choose the order of the sections which you want to attempt first. Always select your strong section first and boost your confidence by securing good attempts in that section. Then choose your weaker section when your attention level is at its peak. At the end, attempt the remaining section.
Maintaining a steady balance between practice, mock tests, and revision will ensure that your preparation is thorough, strategic, and effective.
NMAT 2025 mock tests also allow you to choose the order of the tests. So these are very helpful for preparing for the NMAT.
Quantitative aptitude: Daily 1.5-2 hours
Language skills: Daily 1-1.30 hours
Logical reasoning: Daily 1-1.30 hours
During the initial weeks, allocate evening time for topic-wise mock tests and analyse the solutions at night for 30-45 minutes.
During the last month of the preparation, practice full-length mock tests in the evening and review them afterwards.
Here are some important tips that aspirants can follow during these three months to excel in NMAT preparation.
Three months is adequate for preparing for the NMAT; avoid procrastination during the initial phase of preparation.
Students often need to pay more attention to the beginning of the preparation and then rush through the chapters at the end. This will hamper the preparation.
On the first day of the preparation phase, establish a routine for the first month and strictly adhere to it. Leniency often leads to inadequate preparation.
Try techniques like the Pomodoro method (25 minutes of study, 5 minutes break) to stay energised and focused during preparation.
While speed is important for time-based exams, students often rush through questions and answers. This hampers accuracy and increases silly mistakes, which can be avoided.
During the first week of practising mock tests, focus more on accuracy and solving the questions correctly. Your speed will gradually increase with consistent practice.
Good preparation needs top NMAT books and online resources. Here are some names of the top books and websites to use for mock tests.
Subject | Best books |
Quantitative skills |
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Logical reasoning |
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Language skills |
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Below are the NMAT resources that will help you to prepare for the exam in a better way to boost your overall score.
Online resources to study | |
Here are some tips from the toppers that will help you to crack the NMAT 2025 in 3 months.
At the beginning of the preparation, take a test to assess your current understanding of the subjects. Then start building on from that.
Build strong foundations in language skills, quantitative aptitude, and logical reasoning. This will help you tackle complex problems.
Review previous years' solved papers thoroughly and identify the most frequent topics from which questions come. Also, check the solution methods and learn from them.
Always attempt your strong section first, followed by the weaker section. The confidence you will build after attempting your stronger section will help you deal with your weaker section better.
Regular practice of mock tests will help you to increase your speed and accuracy.
In the language skills section, try to solve the vocabulary questions in 10-15 seconds so that you can focus more on the RC passages.
Here are some of the time management tips that toppers suggest.
Toppers emphasise making proper time management strategies and allotting time limits for every question. They recommend that you practice an ideal amount of topic-wise and full-length mock tests.
Toppers always suggest attempting your stronger section first to maximise your marks. Do not hesitate to skip difficult questions.
According to the toppers, maintaining consistency in preparation is the key to success.
Many toppers recommend dedicating the first 60 days to subject-wise preparation and short tests, and the last 30 days to full-length mock tests.
Having the right mindset will ensure that students are not only academically ready but also mentally prepared for the exam.
Handling Stress and Staying Positive During Preparation
Preparation for the NMAT 2025 in 3 months can be stressful at times. But staying calm and positive will help you to overcome that stress.
Here are some tips to help you manage stress during the preparation process.
Break down the syllabus into smaller halves and make a routine. Set realistic goals which can be achieved within a month.
Long study sessions can often be boring and irritating. Take breaks after studying for 45 minutes or 1 hour. These breaks can help manage study fatigue.
Regular exercise and meditation will calm your nerves. Also, avoid staying awake late at night.
Avoid comparing your preparation with others. Everyone has a unique learning style and pace. Focus on your strategies.
Plan everything beforehand and strictly follow it. Staying consistent is the key to success.
Building Confidence Through Regular Progress Assessment
Regularly assess your progress based on the results of topic-wise tests and full-length mock tests. Constant improvement in the scores will give you confidence that you are on the right track.
Mistakes are part of the learning process. Learn from your mistakes and ensure you don't repeat them.
Celebrate small successes in the mock tests and stay positive.
If you ever feel demotivated, talk to your family members or close friends. Their fresh perspective or encouraging words will boost your morale, and you can refocus on your goals.
The set of eBooks designed by Careers360 for candidates to practice and prepare for is given below. Each eBook is designed to provide the maximum possible support to candidates, helping them improve their NMAT 2025 preparation.
TITLE | DOWNLOAD LINK |
NMAT 2025 Sample Paper and Mock Test | |
NMAT Syllabus 2025 | |
NMAT Sample Paper with Answer Key |
Yes, three months is enough to prepare and score high marks in the NMAT if you study and prepare for the exam strategically. Devise a plan for these three months with a proper routine, and devote time practising, taking mock tests and revision.
A balanced approach to both types of tests will help you to prepare better. For the first two months, take topic-wise tests to strengthen your concepts. In the last month of the preparation, prioritise full-length mock tests to improve your time management skills.
Daily invest 1.5-2 hours in the Quant and DI section, 1 hour in the language section, and 1-1.5 hours for logical reasoning.
If you are at work or college, aim to study at least 2.5-3 hours per day and study extensively during weekends.
Focus on early morning and evening study sessions.
Study extensively on the weekends.
Set achievable goals daily before going to bed for the next day and try to follow that.
During a long commute, revise important topics and vocabulary.
A student can attempt the NMAT exam for a maximum of 3 times.
The highest score out of all three attempts will be counted for admissions.
If you are not satisfied with your first attempt, analyze your weaknesses and use the next two attempts to score higher.
Aim for 4-6 hours of focused study daily. Break this into: 1.5-2 hours for Quantitative Skills, 1-1.5 hours for Logical Reasoning, and 1-1.5 hours for Language Skills, plus mock test practice.
Take 2-3 sectional tests weekly in Month 2, and 3-4 full-length mock tests weekly in Month 3. Total: 35-40 mock tests over 3 months.
Read the passage once, understand the main idea, and then answer questions. Don't spend more than 6-7 minutes per RC passage.
Focus on revision, take 1-2 mock tests, avoid learning new topics, practice time management, and maintain a positive mindset. Get adequate sleep and stay calm.
Aim for 4-6 hours of focused study daily. Break this into: 1.5-2 hours for Quantitative Skills, 1-1.5 hours for Logical Reasoning, and 1-1.5 hours for Language Skills, plus mock test practice.
Take 2-3 sectional tests weekly in Month 2, and 3-4 full-length mock tests weekly in Month 3. Total: 35-40 mock tests over 3 months.
Read the passage once, understand the main idea, and then answer questions. Don't spend more than 6-7 minutes per RC passage.
Focus on revision, take 1-2 mock tests, avoid learning new topics, practice time management, and maintain a positive mindset. Get adequate sleep and stay calm.
dear aditi,
lsit of college known accepting NMAT score"-
1. XIM University, Bhubaneshwar
2. SPJIMR, Mumbai
3. IFMR Graduate School of Business, Krea University
4. Woxsen University, Hyderabad
5. VIT, Vellore
6. SRM University, Chennai
more..
thanks
Hello Ishita,
With an NMAT score of 180 and 55 percentile, you can target tier-2 and tier-3 management colleges. Here are some options with decent average placements:
Consider applying to colleges with good industry exposure and placement records.
I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries, then feel free to share your questions with us, we will be happy to assist you.
Thank you, and I wish you all the best in your bright future.
Hello aspirant,
It is anticipated that the Shiv Nadar NMAT cutoff score for the MBA program will be higher than 200. Applicants at Shiv Nadar University who have an NMAT score of 200 or higher (after normalization) should anticipate receiving an invitation to the Personal Interview phase.
So with 182 marks in NMAT, it is very difficult to get a call from Shiv Nadar University.
Thank you
Top MBA colleges based on CAT, XAT, SNAP, and NMAT scores include some of India’s best institutions. For CAT, the IIMs (Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta) and FMS Delhi are highly regarded. XAT results in prestigious colleges like XLRI Jamshedpur and XIMB. SNAP is known for Symbiosis Institutes, such as SIBM Pune and SCMHRD. NMAT scores open doors to NMIMS Mumbai, SPJIMR Mumbai, and ISB Hyderabad. Each exam has unique eligibility requirements, and their cutoffs vary, so it's important to research the specific criteria and select based on your preferences and strengths.
Hi,
Based on the previous year analysis, According to your NMAT score some of the colleges in which you have chances to get admission are the following
With your NMAT score you can predict the colleges in which you can get a seat using the NMAT college predictor tool
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