NMAT 2026: Retake registration opens November 3; register by December 17

In short

The NMAT by GMAC 2026 examinations began on November 2, 2026, and will conclude on December 20, 2026.
The registration window for NMAT 2026 closed on October 10, 2026, and test scheduling ended on October 22, 2026.
Candidates can register for retakes from November 3 to December 17, 2026, with a minimum 15-day gap required between attempts.
The NMAT is an adaptive computer-based test with 108 questions across three sections, to be completed in 120 minutes.
Results are declared 48-72 hours post-exam, and candidates can make up to three attempts, with the best score considered for admission.

The NMAT by GMAC 2026 examination commenced today, November 2, 2026, marking the start of the test window for candidates seeking admission to MBA and PGDM programs across various institutions in India. The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) has also released last-minute instructions for candidates, with the retake registration window set to open tomorrow, November 3, 2026.

www.mba.com/exams/nmat homepage — Official website: www.mba.com/exams/nmat

The examination period will run for approximately seven weeks, concluding on December 20, 2026. This year’s NMAT cycle saw registrations close on October 10, 2026, followed by the test scheduling window, which remained open until October 22, 2026. Candidates who have successfully registered are advised to download their admit cards seven days prior to their scheduled examination date.

NMAT 2026 Examination Schedule and Retake Options

The NMAT 2026 examination window spans from November 2, 2026, to December 20, 2026. Candidates have the option to reschedule their examination, with the last date for rescheduling set for December 17, 2026. The retake registration window will be open from November 3 to December 17, 2026, allowing candidates to attempt the exam multiple times.

GMAC permits candidates up to three attempts for the NMAT, including the initial attempt and two retakes. A minimum gap of 15 days is required between any two NMAT attempts, and a separate exam fee is applicable for each retake. The best score among the three attempts is considered for admission purposes by participating institutions. Result declarations are typically made 48-72 hours after the examination.

Event	Important Dates
Registration Start Date	August 20, 2026
Registration Last Date	October 10, 2026 (Closed)
Test Scheduling Last Date	October 22, 2026
Exam Start Date	November 2, 2026
Exam End Date	December 20, 2026
Rescheduling Last Date	December 17, 2026
Retake Registration Window	November 3 – December 17, 2026

Exam Pattern and Eligibility Criteria

The NMAT is an adaptive computer-based test comprising 108 questions, to be completed within a total time limit of 120 minutes. The examination is divided into three individually timed sections: Language Skills, Quantitative Skills, and Logical Reasoning. There is no negative marking system in the NMAT exam.

Regarding eligibility, candidates must hold a Bachelor’s Degree (10+2+3/4) from a recognized university with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks, though specific college requirements may vary. There is no upper age limit for taking the NMAT exam, and both freshers and experienced professionals, including Indian and international candidates, are eligible. Institutions such as GIBS Business School, Bangalore, SDA Bocconi, and NMIMS Executive programs accept NMAT scores for their MBA and PGDM admissions.

Section	Number of Questions	Time Limit
Language Skills	36	28 minutes
Quantitative Skills	36	52 minutes
Logical Reasoning	36	40 minutes
Total	108	120 minutes

Preparation Advice and Application Process

GMAC advises candidates to focus on giving timed mock tests, revising past errors, and working on weaker topics to improve speed and accuracy. Given the absence of negative marking, candidates are encouraged to devise a proper strategy for attempting all questions. The NMAT scores are accepted by numerous institutions and universities in India for MBA and PGDM admissions, particularly in Mumbai.

It is important for candidates to note that participating institutions have their own specific eligibility criteria, application deadlines, NMAT score requirements, and selection processes. Therefore, candidates are required to apply separately to their chosen institutions after taking the NMAT exam. The official portal for the NMAT by GMAC is www.mba.com/exams/nmat.

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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