Done with CAT? Prepare yourself for the NMAT mode…

If you’ve already taken the CAT, then it’s time you focused your energies on the other big exams – starting with the NMAT. Here’s a video analysis that we at CL had done for NMAT ’13-14. This should answer all your questions on what exam looks like this year. If you’re still to take the CAT, then watch this video after you’re done.

Speed remains the big challenge in this exam. A few things to keep in mind to get you out of the CAT mode:
1) You get a section order choice which means you get to decide what section to attempt first.
2) There is no negative marking in NMAT ’13 – make sure you attempt and mark all 120 questions. Leaving out any questions is criminal!
3) Since each section is timed separately, make sure you leave atleast 2-3 minutes in the end to review incomplete questions and even mark the answers to them randomly if it comes to that. Remember, there is no possibility of going back to a section once it is finished.
4) Mission accomplished if you can balance maximum attempts with reasonable accuracy while capitalizing on your strong areas in each section

For more, read CL’s Exam Corner.

Watch the video analysis here.

119 Comments

  2. Sir i have taken nmat 2015 and my scores are
    QA – 70
    LR – 60
    VA – 61
    Overall – 191
    Can i expect a call from nmims mumbai?

  4. Sir is normalization done for every particular slot or for all the slots in a window taken together in nmat??
    Pls clarify this

  5. Sir,
    I have registered for the private exams of different colleges as well. What I am confused about is whether to register for IBSAT as well. Please give some of your insights on it. Is it advisable to register for the same?
    Regards
    Hriday Bajaj

  6. sir,
    i want to know what score in cl nmat mocks and flt are consider to be appropriate regarding the evaluation of original nmat 2014 exam…to get the correct synopsis of preparation level

    • Anirudh, this is an issue of personal preference. Taking it before CAT will give you some match practice for CAT but if you do not do well in it then it could impact you adversely.

  8. Sir, I have been reading and analyzing all your comments and guidance. I have been preparing for CAT and other exams which are supposed to begin by the end of next month. Coming to the point, I have today given a mock on NMAT is the sis account. The first mock which is NMAT FLT 1, 2014. My results were as follows:
    VA-42
    QA-87
    LR-66
    Overall-195
    The percentile showing in the analysis is 98
    And I have my 1st attempt of NMAT on 30th October, which is about a month later. Could you please analyze and advice me on how I performed in this test and how to improve my performance?
    Thanking you,
    Hriday Bajaj

    • Hriday, while you have a very good QA score and an acceptable LR score the VA score is below the desired level. The cutoffs for NM Mumbai in the last couple of years has been around 55 for VA, 65 for LR, 75 for QA and overall around 210. Had you scored 55 in VA you would have been close to the overall cutoff also. Start working on VA and target a score of 60 in this section. Similarly an extra 5 marks in LR will be helpful.

  10. Hello,

    Got shortlisted for the CD/PI process . Percentile 97.17 Score 214. Please tell me about the weightage of written test,cd,pi etc for final selection. Will it be difficult to convert the call @ this percentile.

    Thanks,

  11. Sir,
    my socres are as follows – qs 77, lr 72 ls 62 overall 211. work ex 28 months TCS. what are my chances for FT MBA in Capital market, Banking and HR.Please comment on final conversion.

    • AK, interview call from NM Mumbai should happen but final conversion is significantly a function of your performance in the GD and interviews. Many students with very high NMAT scores do not make it to the final list. In your case the 28 month work experience will be helpful in conversion.

  12. Sir,

    My NMAT score is 186 (QS-62, LS-57 and LR-67) …. Got 2 years work experience and good acads (consistently >77% in all)….Any chance for calls from Bangalore/ Hyd campuses ?….Please do reply….

  15. Sir, NMAT Window 5 results are out. I have scored: QS-95,LS-74,LR-67, TOTAL-236. Is LR score sufficient to clear cut-off sir? Should I keep hope for NMIMS-Mumbai call?

    • Abhirup, 236 is a very good score and your LR score of 67 is also above the last 3 year cutoffs so you will get a NM Mumbai FT MBA call. Hope you have started your PDP classes.

  17. Thank you for the reply sir! Could you please suggest how to improve on vocab questions as I am having a low accuracy here too, which is making me feel worried. Sometimes a lot of difficult words come up in the synonym,antonym and analogy questions which puzzle me.I am right now going through the Barron’s GRE book wordlist. Kindly suggest if there is any better material available in CL for this. Also, source for foreign words used in English, idioms,proverbs etc.

  18. Sir, is it advisable to attempt RCs in LS section of NMAT? I have appeared for 2-3 mocks in NMAT and found that time was too short (just 22 minutes for whole section!!) to go through the RCs and answer the questions. Also questions appeared to be of CAT level.

    • Pamaly, complete the other questions and then go for RC passages. In the 22 minutes you need to score at least 55 marks to be sure of clear the NMAT cutoff in this section. There is no negative marking so in the last couple of minutes mark an answer to all the remaining questions.

      • Sir I am expecting around 69 correct overall. Chances? Also quite many people in my slot had tough I/O questions, but I felt my LR paper was very much on the easier side, except the 6 variable distribution (which took some time). Missed an easy i/o set due to lack of time. If normalization comes in play will my scores come down? Thought of it is freaking me out!

        • AB, NMAT has not given any information to comment on the normalisation and other issues. Your NMAT result should be out in a couple of weeks, till then just focus on SNAP and XAT.

  20. Hello Sir , My nmat scores are :
    NMAT 1 – Overall – 207 , QA 83 , LS 57 , LR 67
    NMAT 2 – Overall – 207 , QA 81 , LS 63 , LR 63
    Wil i get a call from Nmims mumbai ? or should i go for a third attempt ?

    • Arushi, you will need to go for a 3rd attempt, the cutoff in the last 2-3 years for FT-MBA Mumbai has been a coupe of marks above your overall score. Your QS is good and you can possibly target a score of 90 in this section. The target score in other sections should be LS 60, LR 65.

  21. Sir,
    QS 68
    LS 57
    LR 45
    TOTAL 170
    This is how i did on my 1st attempt. through the paper i forgot that there wasnt any -ve marking hence did not attempt every question. A terrible mistake. I am giving my retake on 3rd December. I wanted to know can this score be maximized to 215 plus? Also are the RCs worth reading?

    • Varun, to reach a score of 215 you will have to focus on QA and LR. Your will need to increase your scores in QS to around 80 and LR to 65-70, your LS score is acceptable.

  22. Sir, my NMAT-2014 (first attempt) is scheduled on Dec,1. However I am still not adequately prepared for the LR and English to score above 220 in aggregate. I feel I need some more time and need to reschedule my exam to around 9th. Is there some penalty in final score and selection if I appear for a rescheduled test?

  23. Sir, is NMAT 2014 also having no negative marks for wrong answers? Can I be confident that I can safely mark every answer with no risk of a negative? Also, sir, what is the marks per question in each section?

  24. Hi Sir, I have got 233 in NMAT, with the following breakup:
    QA- 89, LS – 71, LR-73.
    I also have work ex of 18 months till December,2013. Please advice on the chances of GD/PI conversion to the flagship MBA core program at NMIMS,Mumbai? Thanks in advance

    • Shashank, you are above the sectional and overall cutoff of last two years and should get a call from FTMBA of NM Mumbai.

  25. Sir, I scored 78 in QS, 70 in LS., 62 in LR with 210 overall score. Am I likely to receive call for NM mumbai? I am a bit skeptical about LR cutoff’s. What do you think sir?

  26. Sir,
    My NMAT scores for the first slot are as follows:
    QA- 76
    LS-72
    LR-70
    Overall-218
    I took my second attempt yesterday but it was not at par with the previous attempt. Should i go for a third attempt or is my score a safe score to get a call from NMIMS Mumbai MBA Core?

    • Adi, your overall, LS and LR scores are very good. The only point of concern can be the QS score since it is close to the QS cut off for NM Mumbai of the last two years – 72 in 2012 and 74 in 2011. However I do not think that the QS cutoff will increase beyond 75, so while you might be taking a chance, a 3rd attempt is not required.

    • Anuja, there is no data with me to support this contention. I have seen students increase/decrease their scores in the retake.

  29. Hello Sir
    My score in NMAT is 215
    QA 76, LS 56 and LR 83
    Is it good enough to get a call from Mumbai ( considering sectional cut offs as well) ?
    Also one doubt in my mind, If in my second attempt I score more than 215 but couldn’t clear a particular section’s cut off, then which score will be considered?
    Thanks

    • Shubhanker, you are above the sectional and overall cut off for FTMBA NMIMS Mumbai and hence you need not go for a retake.
      I am not sure which score will NM go by in case you score over 215 in the second attempt but do not clear a section. My feeling is they will go by 215, the score that has cleared all the sections.

  30. sir,
    my score in my first nmat attempt is 203.QS-83,LS-56,LR-64.what are my chances of getting a call from nmims mumbai and nmims bangalore.my retake is scheduled on november 16.

    • Vinayak, at 203 you are unlikely to get a call from NM Mumbai FTMBA due to low overall score. Last year the cut offs were – QS 72, LS 55, LR 61, Overall 209. Your target score should be 215.

  31. Hello sir, I am a student of cl. I just read ur blog (unfortunately after registerinv for nmat) and I am unable to recall what I have mentioned for ‘break in educatiin’ in the application form. Most probably I have written no, as I didn’t understand that while I had taken a drop after 12th…but that was allowed! I am v. Terrified now…..I have my nmat on 21st! What should I do?

  32. Hi Sir,
    I had a score of 210 at first NMAT attempt, QA-88 LR-65 VA-57…
    My scores in Mock NMAT-71, NMAT-FLT-1 81 NMAT-FLT3-82.. What should be my strategy for the retake that is scheduled 2 weeks henceforth. Thanks in advance!

    • Ivanshu, you are likely to get a call from NM Mumbai based on your first attempt. Your target in the second attempt should be to take your overall score to above 220. So practice the two areas in which your can increase your score by 5-6 marks each.

  34. SIR PLZ TELL WHETHER THE FLTS AND MOCKS OF NMAT ON CL SIS ACCOUNT ARE OF ORIGINAL NMAT LEVEL OR EASIER THAN THAT.
    PLZ REPLY SOON SIR AS I HAVE MY NMAT ON 8 NOV

  35. hi, i had ordered e resource solved papers book i received it today and tried to register for mock test with the code given in the book but some java error comes as i click on submit button.
    CL TEAM help … its urgent.

  36. sir,
    i have scored 225 in my 1st attempt(qs-90,ls-62,lr-73)and as of now i’m a bit confused whether i should take a retake and try to score above 235 or is 225 a safe score for call conversion??? given the fact that i am a fresher with no work experience….sir i would be grateful for a suggestion from u…..
    thanks in advance

    • Sanskriti, NM call is unlikely at a score below 200 so you could go for a retake if you are confident of increasing your score by at least 20 marks. If not, focus on SNAP and CMAT as these are easier to manage than NMAT.

  38. sir i hav done nmat flt mock 1,2 and 3..my score was 56,60 and 62 respectively.is it good or bad?plz rply..thank u sir..

  39. sir, i’ve a doubt in a syllogism question
    Statements:
    (i) All watermelons are cucumbers.
    (ii) Some grapes are pickles.
    (iii) Some pickles are watermelons.
    Conclusions:
    (i) No grape is a watermelon.
    (ii) Some watermelons are grapes.
    (iii) Some cucumbers are pickles.

    a Only (i) follows
    b Only (ii) follows
    c Only (iii) follows
    d Either (i) or (ii) follows /*confused with either*/
    e Either (i) or (ii) but (iii) definitely follows
    Sir, i want to know what does the options d and e signify… does it mean that in case of (d), one of the conclusions (i) or (ii) must be true… and can satisfaction of both (i) and (ii) at the same time make (d) correct..

  41. Dear Sir,

    My NMAT Overall Score is 204.

    QA – 74
    LS – 56
    LR – 74

    I was expecting somewhere near 220 but I under performed. I have 2 years of work-ex in IT. Please tell if I can expect call from NMIMS Mumbai.

    Regards,
    Deepti

    • Deepti, based on the last two years data, 204 is unlikely to convert into a call from the flagship program. You need to increase your QA score to 80 and the total to around 210-215

  43. GP Sir, I hav scored 210 in NMAT.
    QA : 76
    LA : 62
    LR : 72

    Would u suggest me to go for a retake or will I be able to get a call with this mark?

  44. GP Sir, is it wrong if I want to give only one attempt for NMAT?
    I booked 6th dec as the date but everyone is saying I should have booked before to give atleast 2 attempts.
    Cant I confidently give only one attempt?

    • Neeyati, One attempt is good enough, multiple attempts is NMAT’s sales strategy. My personal belief is prepare well and attempt once. Typically if you plan to attempt 2 or 3 times then you are likely to treat the first attempt as a trial and not prepare for it. Go ahead with your plan, it needs only one good attempt to get a call. All the best.

  45. Sir i have got 83,81 and 79 marks in the 3 NMAT mocks in CL. but in all these 3 i have missed clearing the cut off in verbal section by 2 or 3 marks.. i have given my nmat last week.. i feel i have kind of done better in the verbal section compared to my mocks and overall i have little bit done bad compared to my mocks.. am in a dilemma whether to retake the exam.. pls guide me sir

  47. Sir,
    as to what shubham mentioned, i have no idea about that what are input-output questions?
    since i have my nmat on 8th november. I could do some questions like that.could you please tell me about such questions?

    • Hemanshi, Please go thru the IIFT 2010-12 paper, Q31-33 are Input-Output questions. Similar questions will be available in the study material and/or mock NMATs. These are usually time consuming and prone to mistakes. Should be attempted only if everything else has been attempted.

  49. Hi GP Sir,

    I gave my CAT yesterday. Sir i have my NMAT on the 8th of november.I read ur blog and also the Nmat analysis.But still it would be better if you give my some tips and strategy as to how to study for NMAT .I have only 7 days in hand.What should i do apart from the papers sir available in sis? Please guide me sir..So i am depending on your suggestion on Nmat as well.Hope you reply soon sir.

    • Priyam, please go thru the article at http://www.careerlauncher.com/examcorner/eresources.html it has been updated with tips on how to attempt the NMAT paper.

      Coming to you other question on what to do apart from the NMAT papers provided to you. If you have prepared well for CAT then the four papers are sufficient but you can also practice the question types that are important from NMAT point of view.
      Language Skills: It has Vocabulary, Para Jumbles, Grammar and RC. Focus on Vocab and do vocabulary (synonym, antonym, fill in the blanks, analogies etc) exercises from the study material and from Test Gym. You should do a bit of PJ but nnot be unduly worried about RC because it is difficult in NMAT and has infrential questions, you could go thru CAT 2002-08 EURC papers again for RC.
      Quantitatiive Ability: Focus on Arithmetic, No System and Algebra from Test Gym. Go for level 1 and 2 questions only.
      Reasoning: Mathematical reasoning has variety and no one question type monopolises this area so go back to your DI-LR books and do the relevent question types from here as well as test gym. For Verbal Reasoning go back to what you did for CAT.

    • Apurva, start with the section you are most comfortable with, follow it up with your weakest section and then the last one again should be something that you are comfortable with.

  51. Hi G.P. Sir,
    I have completed my CAT exam and am ready to prepare for other big entrance exams like IRMA, IIFT, SNAP and XAT (I haven.t applied for CMAT, MAT, AND NMAT). I request you to guide me the preparation strategies for IRMA and IIFT (Since these are in the month of Nov’12), so that it will be really helpful to me. Also is G.K. book given by CL is sufficient for IRMA’s and XAT general awareness section?

    Thank you sir in advance.

  52. Sir,
    your guidance has been immensely useful always.my question is regarding IIFT.
    Is there any sectional cutoff in IIFT ? because it’s not clearly mentioned by IIFT anywhere.so i am in very confusing state whether to go for clearing the sectional cutoff first or to maximize the score by attempting QA/LR/DI first.

    • Arjun, IIFT has never clarified this but since the paper has differnt marks per question for different sections so my assumption is that sectional cutoffs are not there. However as a strategy, every section has a few easy questions so you could spend a minimum time in each section and doing a few questions (the easiest ones) and then go back to maximising your score in QA/LR

  53. sir, there are just four practice papers for nmat on sis a/c.would that be enough?pls suggest me which other tests i can practice from sis account..

  55. Sir in that analysis of NMAT there is no discussion on input/output question
    but in my paper i got 15 I/O questions 🙁 and 0(zero) LR questions
    rest well decision making/series/venn diagram(and also no matrix)
    sir i am bit worried about that how normalization will come into play in my case

  56. Sir,
    I have just given NMAT FLT 3 ( CL’s MOCK TEST for NMAT ).
    NO ANALYSIS is given. SCORE is also given in the form of no of ques correct and no of ques wrong. How do i check my performance ??

  58. sir in the analysis there is no mention of Input/output question
    but in my slot i had 15 input/output questions and 0(zero) LR question 🙁

    • Shubham, unfortunately input-output questions have made your paper difficult but I am sure everyone in your slot would have faced problems with them and hence the paper is likely to be classified as difficult. What are your attempts in both the sections?

      • extremely sorry sir for late reply
        my paper had
        1.)VA-5 antonym-synonym(3 would be correct)
        2RC(1easy/direct and other one was difficult (8question {5correct})
        5 FIB(almost correct)
        3-4 PJ(correct)
        4-5 SC(can’t say anything on accuracy)

        QA-out of 4 DI set 2 are correct
        actually i have attempted 38-40 question and rest are flukes(2 di sets which were un solvable)

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