NMAT Vs the GMAT: What Are The Key Differences

Similar to the US and Europe, entry to business school in India is typically reliant on you having taken an entrance exam. If you're looking to land a place at any top b school in India, you need an exam score on which they can assess your application.

There are a number of options available to you, depending on the university you apply for. Two key options highly valued by b schools in India are administered by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). They are the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) and the NMAT by GMAC.

Here's everything you need to know about how to use these tests to apply for business school in India.

What is the 'NMAT by GMAC' exam?

The NMAT by GMAC exam is an entrance test designed specifically for applicants to MBA degrees in India and other emerging markets.

While it was originally launched as an entrance test for the Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS), the NMAT exam is now accepted by various top privately-owned institutions in India, as well as some in Nigeria, South Africa, the Philippines, and one in Morocco.

In total, there are over 50 institutions accepting the NMAT, primarily in India. Top accepting schools in India include the likes of NMIMS (exclusive), TAPMI, K J Somaiya ISB (for AMPBA), SPJIMR (for PGMPW and GMP), and XIM University.

Business schools in India value the NMAT exam as a standardized means of assessing your language skills, quantitative ability, and logical reasoning.

What is the GMAT exam?

The GMAT exam is the world's premier business school entrance exam, accepted by business schools across the globe for applications to MBA programs and other business master’s degrees.

The exam tests elements including your quantitative skills, verbal and data insights skills. All GMAT test takers receive a score between 205 and 805 which becomes a key part of the criteria that schools assess during the application process.

While the NMAT exam is widely accepted in India, Africa and the Philippines, the GMAT exam is globally accepted by 2400+ b-schools. The GMAT is an alternative to the NMAT exam if you're looking to attend business school in these countries. If you have applied unsuccessfully to Indian business schools after taking the NMAT, you might try the GMAT as an alternative route.

Over 140 Indian institutions would be happy to accept a GMAT score as part of your application. That includes the likes of ISB Hyderabad, MDI Gurgaon, IMT Ghaziabad, IIMs (executive programs).

What is the difference between NMAT and GMAT exam structure?

As key entrance exams for business schools in India, it's no surprise that the GMAT and NMAT exams share some similarities. But there are variations in elements such as the test length, the number of questions, and the score range.

Both the NMAT and GMAT are computer-based exams, which you can either take at a test center or at home. However, the GMAT is a longer exam, with a run time of 135 minutes, versus the shorter 120 minutes for the NMAT.

The GMAT assesses you via a mixture of multiple choice and non-multiple-choice questions. It is computer adaptive, meaning that each question that comes up is dependent on your previous answer and subject to change. There are 64 questions in total.

The numbers of questions in each section are split between the Quantitative Reasoning (21), Verbal Reasoning (23), and Data Insights (20).

For the NMAT, you'll need to answer 108 multiple choice questions, divided between three sections, each containing 36 questions. The absence of an essay-style question is key to the shorter length of the NMAT test.

For NMAT takers, your maximum score is 360. The GMAT on the other hand will award you a score ranging from 205 to 805.

Both of the exams will provide you with an unofficial score soon after completing the exam. For the NMAT, you'll have an unofficial score available immediately after taking the test, while your official score becomes available in the next 48 hours.

GMAT test-takers can preview their unofficial score on-screen immediately after completing the exam. Their Official Score Report will be available in their mba.com account typically within 48 hours of completing your exam.

The NMAT exam is valid for one-year, which is something to consider as your GMAT score is valid for 5 years after taking the test. You can also take the GMAT five times in one year, as opposed to the NMAT which allows three attempts per year. Each reattempt for the NMAT must take place within the allotted exam dates – this is a 70-day test window in 2024.

Cost is one of the main differences between the two exams. The NMAT test requires a fee of INR 2,800, plus whatever taxes apply to you. That amounts to around a minimum of $35, which is substantially cheaper than the GMAT cost which sits at $275 (INR 21,850).

GMAT Exam: How to register?

You can take the GMAT at any point throughout the year, so a key thing to consider is how much time you need to prepare. Typically it can take anywhere between three and six months to be fully prepared for the GMAT. 

To register, you will need a form of ID – usually a passport. Registering also requires you to provide key information, including your name, address, phone number, date of birth, nationality, email address, and any other relevant information.

You can complete the registration process online, via phone or using mail. The simplest way is to sign up for an MBA.com account, which will allow you to register for the GMAT as soon as your account is verified.

NMAT exam: How to register?

You can register for the NMAT online via mba.com/nmat. This requires you to create an account and supply your key information after your account is verified.

Once your account is up and running, you will be able to schedule your exam and choose the five preferred colleges where you'd like to send your NMAT score to be sent – additional choices are available for a fee.

Unlike the GMAT, the NMAT takes place over a specific exam period.

NMAT exam vs GMAT: Either or both?

If you're aspiring to join a business school in India, it's worth considering both the NMAT exam and the GMAT. Each provides similar opportunities, and you may even find that taking both exams gives you the best chance of securing a place.

Both the NMAT and GMAT will require you to set aside significant time to study and they test many similar skills, though it is worth bearing in mind that there is some content variation if you plan to take both.

Of the two tests, the NMAT is cheaper, which may lead you to make it your first choice if your target school accepts the NMAT. If you have taken the NMAT and haven't secured a place at your target business school, the GMAT offers another chance to gain a competitive score, particularly if you are outside of the NMAT exam window.

Similarly, if you've decided to change your plans or would like added flexibility with your application, it's worth remembering that your GMAT score remains valid for five years.

Before deciding, it's important that you take time to consider your options. Whichever exam you eventually choose could be the next step in successfully applying to business school and launching the next step in your career.