NMAT 2023 Analysis
NMAT 2023 Analysis: Day 1 – Test Analysis
Overview of the NMAT Exam Analysis
NMAT 2023 started on 10th October and will continue till 19th December 2023. NMAT allows three attempts for a candidate, subject to the candidate paying the necessary fees for each attempt.
This NMAT 2023 analysis is based on the feedback from the students and the IMS experts who appeared for the tests in the two slots on 10 October 2023.
Changes in the NMAT Exam Pattern
The structure of the NMAT changed in 2020 – from a computer-based test to an Adaptive Test. As a result, the weightage for difficult questions became higher than for easy questions. The test did not allow students to skip questions, and the next question’s difficulty level depended on whether the previous attempt was correct or incorrect. Students, therefore, are advised to ensure that the initial set of questions is attempted correctly. Clicking the Next button without selecting an option resulted in the prompt, ‘You must complete your answer to this question to continue’. The instructions for the test mentioned that unattempted questions at the close of the section would attract a penalty. The format thus made time management an essential aspect of the test. The adaptive format of the test also implied that the topic-wise break-up of questions that individual students faced (given in the analysis) could show some variation.
The overall difficulty level was slightly higher compared to last year’s test.
The structure of the test was as follows:
| Section Name | Number of Questions | Sectional Timing |
| Language Skills | 36 | 28 |
| Quantitative Skills | 36 | 52 |
| Logical Reasoning | 36 | 40 |
| Total | 108 | 120 |
NMAT 2023 Analysis – Quantitative Skills
As per our NMAT exam analysis, out of 36 questions in the Quantitative Skills section, 8 were on Data Interpretation, 4 on Data Sufficiency and 24 on Mathematics. Out of the 24 questions on Mathematics, 8 were on Modern Math, 3 were on Numbers, 2 were on Algebra, and the rest were on Arithmetic. There were two sets of Data Interpretation. As mentioned earlier, it is important to note that since the test was adaptive, there could be some variation in the topic-wise breakup of the questions asked to different students.
The two sets of DI involved somewhat complex and time-consuming calculations. The first set had four questions on Tables, and the other one had four questions on a combination of a bar graph and a line graph. Because of the nature of the presentation of the data, it required some effort to make sense of the data before the set could be attempted.
Additionally, there were four questions on Data Sufficiency on various topics.
Following was a representative break-up of the Quantitative Skills Section (as per student feedback):
| Mathematics (Total 18 questions) | ||
| Topic | Number of questions | Comments |
| Arithmetic | 11 | Questions on SICI(3), Profit and Loss(1), Percentages(4), Partnership (1), Time and Work(1) |
| Modern Math | 8 | Questions on Permutation & Combination(3), Probability(3), Logarithms(2) |
| Algebra | 2 | Cubic Equation, Algebraic Formulae |
| Numbers | 3 | Divisibility, Factors & Multiples |
| Data Interpretation (Total 8 questions) | ||
| Table | 4 | |
| Bar graph + Line graph | 4 | |
| Data Sufficiency (Total 6 questions) | ||
| Data Sufficiency | 4 | Questions on Numbers and Arithmetic |
Our NMAT 2023 analysis revealed that the Data Interpretation sets were somewhat calculation intensive.
NMAT 2023 Analysis – Logical Reasoning
Before 2020, the number of non-verbal reasoning questions usually exceeded that of verbal reasoning in the LR section of NMAT. Due to the adaptive nature of the NMAT (in practice since 2020), the structure can be different for different candidates. For instance, in the Logical Reasoning section, some students encountered around 21 questions (out of a total of 36) related to verbal reasoning, such as statement assumption, statement conclusion, course of action, syllogisms and critical reasoning questions such as inference, main point, strengthen the argument etc. The remaining 15 were related to nonverbal reasoning, such as puzzles, arrangements, coding, input-output, etc. Some students also reported a mix of 18 questions on Verbal and Non-Verbal reasoning each. The Non-Verbal Reasoning questions consisted of set-based questions as well as standalone questions.
Following is a representative break-up of the Logical Reasoning section (as per student feedback):
| TOPIC / SUBTOPIC | NO. OF QUESTIONS |
| NON-VERBAL REASONING (15 Questions) | |
| Linear Arrangement | Total 4 (A set of 4 questions) |
| Grouping and Conditionalities | Total 4 (A set of 4 questions) |
| Sequential Output | Total 4 (Two sets of 4 questions each) |
| Standalone questions (Logical Puzzles, Numerical puzzles, Venn Diagram) | 3 |
| VERBAL REASONING (21 Questions) | |
| Implicit Statements (Assumption/Conclusion) | 3 |
| Strong argument/ Weak argument (1 paragraph – 3/4 arguments) | 2 |
| Course of Action | 2 |
| Decision Making | 2 |
| Critical Reasoning (Strengthen, Weaken, Assumption, Conclusion /Inference) | 7-9 |
| Facts/Statements | 1 |
| Syllogisms (3 statements) | 1 |
| Reverse Syllogism | 1 |
| TOTAL | 36 Questions |
NMAT 2023 Analysis – Language Skills
According to our NMAT exam analysis, the Language Skills section of NMAT on Day 1 was easy to moderate.
In today’s slots, there were two passages each. The first slot had passages on “Japanese economy from WW II to present”’ and “Challenges in implementing solar energy.” While the other slot had passages on “Visual Art”, and “Social Cinema”. The passages were about 450-550 words long. Question types from the passages included inference, tone and attitude, specific detail questions, suitable title and central idea. The two passages had four questions each.
Grammar and Vocabulary questions included spotting the error in the underlined parts of a sentence, filling in the blanks (single, double, prepositions-based), jumbled paragraphs, and word analogies.
Following is a representative break-up of the Language Skills section:
| TOPIC / SUBTOPIC | NO. OF QUESTIONS |
| Reading Comprehension (2 passages with 4 questions each) | 8 |
| Paragraph Jumbles (4/5 sentences) | 6 |
| Analogies | 6-7 |
| Fill in the Blanks (vocabulary-based, 1-blank, 2-blanks) | 6 |
| Fill in the blanks with 3 Prepositions | 2-4 |
| Spot the error in the underlined parts | 6-7 |
Students are advised to drag the slider of the vertical scroll bar to the bottom of the scroll box while attempting questions with a lot of text to read. If the slider is not touching the bottom of the scroll box, the test-taker is prompted with a pop-up notification stating, “You have not viewed the entire screen. Make sure you scroll to every corner of the screen.”
NMAT 2023 Analysis – Miscellaneous Pointers
The User Interface of the test was the same as in 2022. The UI had three buttons at the bottom:
- Help: To read the instructions
- Zoom: To select a view of Default Font, Large Font and Larger Font (approximate changes in font sizes)
- Next: To go to the next question.
There was no Flag for Review button since this was an adaptive test.
Test-takers were presented with a scorecard at the end of the test.
| Name: Date of Test: GMAC ID: Registration ID | ||
| Section Name | Score Range | Score Obtained |
| QS | 12-120 | |
| LS | 12-120 | |
| LR | 12-120 | |
| Total | 36-360 | |
Students can choose the order in which they want to take the three sections of the exam.
If any questions were left unattempted at the close of the section, there would be a popup on the screen stating, ‘You have run out of time for this section. However, if all questions were attempted, the interface would show another message: ‘This completes the LS/LR/QS section’.
The test can be ended anytime by clicking the ‘End Test’ button in the final section.
When you go for your exam, ensure that you carry the following with you:
- Primary ID
- Secondary ID
- Admit card
- Confirmation email
The test centre staff will return the copy of your admit card after signing and affixing the stamp. Ensure you retain the same because you must carry the exact copy for later attempts in NMAT. You are allowed three attempts in NMAT after paying the necessary fees for each attempt. However, as per the Admission Handout for Management Programs – 2023, NMIMS accepts scores of the first NMAT examination attempted by the candidate.
Ref: https://nmat.nmims.edu/assests/Handout_Admission_NMAT_01082024.pdf
Conclusion of the NMAT Exam Analysis
For aspirants seeking admission to the prestigious NMIMS program, scoring well on the first go itself is necessary. Students who have yet to write their paper will find great value from this blog on the NMAT 2023 analysis. We’ll continue to update this blog with additional details as exam details for the forthcoming days start pouring out. Make sure you read the NMAT exam analysis thoroughly before you attempt your paper. It will help you make informed decisions and focus your attention on the right topics.
(IMS mocks have been designed considering the range of difficulty that students can experience on the actual test.)