Tips and tricks to tackle the different sections of the NMAT examination

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world"-Nelson Mandela. I have always believed in this mantra. Since I was a kid, I have always considered my dad as my ideal. He has worked hard his entire life and has made sure that we get provided with every possible amenity. He started at a very young age as an executive officer with this company called 'Athena' when it was just a start-up and now, he is the regional head for the entire south division. He did his schooling in our town, Bhusawal, and came to the city of dreams, Mumbai after his 10th board exams for higher education. He has always said that his graduation and masters changed his life around. I was always inspired by him and his work and wanted to follow his path. He did his graduated and masters both from Narsee Monjee Institute of Management studies. He told me if I want to settle down with a good skill set and efficient career growth I need to look to get into Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies. Nobody had any clue how excited I was!

The procedure now is very different from back then. So, the process to get admission starts with the entrance test which is the most important thing. The entrance test is NMAT or NMIMS Management Aptitude Test. This test is for post-graduate programs. I am in my final year of graduation in BBA, right now and I found this test perfect for me. So, NMAT is conducted by GMAC, which is the Graduate Management Admission Council and is conducted in 46 cities all over India. Other than NMIMS, more than 30 colleges all over India accept the NMAT score for the admission of MBA programs like ISB, TAPMI, ICFAI University colleges, and Jindal Global University. Also, I was surprised to see that the NMAT test is conducted two ways, at the test Centre or the comfort of your homes via an Online Proctored Exam. I was all set to apply and just had to have one glance at the eligibility criteria which required a bachelor's degree with 50% or above of percentage from a recognized university. But as I said, I was in my final year and it was finely within the eligibility criteria. Though there was no limit on the number of attempts, I was quite determined on clearing it off in one go!

To understand the examination pattern, I researched a little about the exam pattern and syllabus. So, the NMAT test is of 108 questions which are to be solved in 2 hours. The complete paper has only 3 sections and in MCQ format and I found it so relieving. About the 3 sections of the test, let's look at those:

1. Language Skills Section – This is an English proficiency test that will have 36 questions and 28 minutes to solve them. The syllabus for this section seems a bit easy and would include Idioms and Phrases, Sentence error identification and correction, reading comprehension, fill in the blanks with articles and prepositions, synonyms and antonyms, and basic vocabulary questions. I was quite confident about this section as I did education in English medium so I found it easy to solve.
2. Quantitative Skills Sections – Trust me, I was a bit scared of this section as I was a bit weak in my mathematics since my school time. Anyways, this will have 36 questions and 52 minutes to solve them. And the questions will be based on school mathematics topics like Number system, Percentage, average, simple and compound interest, probability, geometry and statistics, time and speed, and algebra. Everything that I did in my school so I was on the normal side here and all set to prepare.
3. Logical Reasoning Section – This section is my personal favourite as it is so fun when we start to solve it. This section will have 36 questions and 40 minutes to solve them. The questions would be related to series, coding and decoding, critical reasoning, family tree, blood relations, puzzles, conclusions, and dimension-related questions.

That is all about the NMAT exam pattern. I feel it is really important to know a few tricks and tips to be able to prepare in a better way and to score good marks as NMAT has no negative marking. Also, for every correct answer, there will be +3 marks. So, I felt it is amazing that there is no negative marking and I knew I could score well. It is also important that you choose the section order correctly as this can be a time saver. So, let me help you with some tips and tricks that will help you in preparing and appearing for the NMAT test with complete confidence:

I started with making a schedule for my preparation. I decided to first practice the quantitative skills section as I thought I was weak in it. So, figure out what are your strong and weak sections and make a schedule accordingly.

After making a schedule I made sure that I have good guidance. Not only my dad, but I preferred talking to people who have recently appeared for the NMAT test to get advice as to how I can solve the paper with good accuracy.

I prefer studying by myself at home, so I did not choose any tutoring. But at any point, you feel that you need tuitions just go for it. It can be beneficial.

For the Language section, try reading more books and newspapers to improve vocabulary and writing also to improve grammar.

As I said earlier, Logical reasoning was my favourite section, I would suggest that you should practice this section as much as you can as it is interesting and very diverse. You can use the help of reference books for a broader idea.

And I also solved more than a hundred papers, last year papers, sample papers, and section-wise papers which are all available on the internet and helps a lot.

Appearing for mock tests helps a lot in identifying where you need to focus more and which part is easy for you. Make sure you keep your mind at peace and try to practice meditation as the test dates near. I felt quite the need to do, to keep myself calm and focused.

This is how you can prepare for NMAT and score amazing marks with consistency. I have cleared the test with good grades and now a proud alumnus of NMIMS, working for the Solitaire group of industries and walking on the paths that my dad led for me. Remember to think big and you will be destined to do big. Have good faith in yourself and keep working on yourself, success will be at the next door.