NMAT 2023 Analysis by CL
Below is shared the NMAT by GMAC 2023 exam analysis by Career Launcher
NMAT 2023 comprised of 3 sections – each containing 36 questions. The option to skip to the next question without answering the current question was disabled, making it mandatory for the students to attempt all the questions. As the exam is Adaptive, students will be rewarded more for answering tougher questions correctly as compared to easier questions. The topic – wise questions served to the students in each of the sections shows variation for each of the students.
| Section | No. of questions | Time allotted (minutes) |
|---|---|---|
| Language Skills | 36 | 28 |
| Logical Reasoning | 36 | 40 |
| Quantitative Skills | 36 | 52 |
| Total | 108 | 120 |
Let’s take a look at the individual section-wise analysis of NMAT 2023 based on the feedback given by our students
Language Skills (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension)
Overview: The Language Skills section was balanced with questions from Reading Comprehension (2 passages), Parajumbles, Grammar and Vocabulary based questions, each of the topics being equally stressed upon.
Complexity Level –Easy to Moderate
No of questions – 36
The Section Division is tabulated below:
| Topic | No. of questions |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 8 |
| Parajumbles | 5-6 |
| Analogy | 7-8 |
| Fill in the blanks | 8-9 |
| Spot the error/ Identify the correct usage | 8-9 |
Quantitative Skills (Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation)
Overview: The Quantitative Skills section of NMAT 2023 contained 1-2 sets of Data Interpretation amounting to 22 percent of the section. The rest of the section was Arithmetic and Modern Math (PNC and Probability) heavy. The number of questions from Algebra, Number System and Geometry was abysmal.
Complexity Level –Moderate to Difficult
No of questions – 36
The section division is tabulated below:
| Topic | No. of questions |
|---|---|
| Percentages, Profit & Loss, Simple & Compound Interest | 8 |
| Ratio & Proportion & Remaining Arithmetic | 2-3 |
| Number Systems | 4-5 |
| Algebra | 3 |
| Probability & Permutation-Combination | 7-8 |
| Data Interpretation | 4-8 |
| Data Sufficiency | 4 |
Logical Reasoning (Logical Reasoning and Critical Reasoning)
Overview: Verbal reasoning comprised of more than 50 percent of the Logical Reasoning section in NMAT 2023. However, the overall level of difficulty of the questions was easy to moderate.
Complexity Level –Easy to Moderate
No of questions – 36
The section division is tabulated below:
| Topic | No. of questions |
|---|---|
| Syllogisms | 0-1 |
| Puzzle | 2-3 |
| Digit Sequence/ Series | 1-2 |
| Direction Sense | 1-2 |
| Unitary Method | 1-2 |
| Input-Output | 8 |
| Arrangements | 4 |
| CR: Inference | 5-6 |
| CR: Assumptions | 1-2 |
| CR: Weakening | 1-2 |
| Decision Making | 1-2 |
| Course of Action | 1-2 |
| Statement/ Argument | 1-2 |
| Statement/ Conclusion | 1-2 |
| Statement/ Assumption | 1-2 |
Overall, the difficulty level of NMAT 2023 is moderate in terms of questions asked. However, it also depends on the ability of the candidate as NMAT 2023 is a “Computer Adaptive” exam. All these sections have been modified on many aspects.
NMAT 2023 Analysis by IMS
Below is shared the NMAT by GMAC 2023 analysis by IMS Learning
NMAT 2023 started on 10th October and will continue till 19th December 2023. NMAT allows 3 attempts to a candidate subject to the candidate paying the necessary fees for each attempt.
This analysis is based on the feedback received from the students and the IMS experts who appeared for the tests in the two slots on 10th October 2023.
The structure of the NMAT had 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 level of difficulty of the next question depended on whether the previous attempt was correct or incorrect. Students, therefore, are advised to ensure that the initial set of questions are 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 important 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 |
Quantitative Skills
As per the feedback from students, 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 questions were on Modern Math, 3 questions were on Numbers, 2 questions were on Algebra and the rest were on Arithmetic. There were two sets on 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.
There were two sets on Data Interpretation. Both sets involved somewhat complex and time consuming calculations. One set of 4 questions on Tables and the other set of 4 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.
There were 4 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)
| Topic | Number of questions | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Table | 4 | - |
| Bar graph + Line graph | 4 | - |
Data Sufficiency (Total 6 questions)
| Topic | Number of questions | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Data Sufficiency | 4 | Questions on Numbers and Arithmetic |
Data Interpretation sets were somewhat calculation intensive.
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 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, and 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):
NON VERBAL REASONING (15 Questions)
| Topic | No. of 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)
| Topic | No. of 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 |
Language Skills
The Language Skills section of NMAT on Day 1 was easy to moderate.
In today’s slots, there were 2 passages each. In the first slot, the passages were on “Japanese economy from WW II to present”’ and “Challenges in implementing solar energy.” In the other slot, one was about “Visual Art” and the other one was about “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 4 questions each.
Grammar and Vocabulary questions included: Spotting the error in the underlined parts of a sentence, fill in the blanks (single, double, prepositions-based); Jumbled paragraphs, and Word Analogies.
Following is a representative break-up of the Language Skills section:
| Topic | 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. In case 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.”
Miscellaneous
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.
Students are given the option to 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 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. Make sure that you retain the same because you will have to carry the same 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.