NMAT slot booking 2026 deadline is October 22: schedule your exam date

The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) has announced that the NMAT slot booking 2026 window will close on October 22, 2026. This process allows candidates to schedule their NMAT by GMAC exam, selecting their preferred date, test timing, and exam delivery mode for the upcoming testing cycle.

The NMAT by GMAC exam, a computer-adaptive entrance test, is crucial for admission to MBA and other management programmes in 56 business schools across India. The scheduling operates on a first-come, first-served basis, with early booking recommended to secure desired slots.

NMAT 2026 Registration and Scheduling Process

The NMAT 2026 registration window began on August 20, 2026, and will conclude on October 10, 2026. Candidates cannot access slot booking without first submitting their application form and paying the test fee. Registration involves creating a user profile, entering personal and educational details, choosing colleges, uploading a photograph, and paying the test fee.

Once registration is complete, candidates can proceed with exam scheduling. This second action allows them to select when and where they will take the test. Both registration and scheduling are mandatory to receive the NMAT admit card and appear for the exam. The exam delivery window for NMAT 2026 is from November 2, 2026, to December 20, 2026.

To book a slot, candidates must log in to their NMAT candidate account on mba.com, navigate to the exam application section, and click ‘Book Exam’. They then select their preferred test state, city/center, date, and time, review the details, and confirm the booking. A confirmation screen and email are sent upon successful completion.

Key Dates for NMAT 2026

GMAC has outlined specific dates for various NMAT 2026 events, including registration, scheduling, and the exam delivery period. Candidates should adhere to these timelines to ensure their participation in the examination process.

The admit card can be downloaded from the Candidate Dashboard seven days before the exam date. An unofficial scorecard is available immediately after the test, with the official scorecard released within 48 hours.

NMAT Exam Structure and Fees

The NMAT by GMAC exam consists of three equally weighted sections: Language Skills, Quantitative Skills, and Logical Reasoning. Each section comprises 36 questions, contributing to a total of 108 questions. The total exam duration is 120 minutes, and there is no negative marking. Candidates can choose the order in which they attempt the three sections.

Candidates can take the NMAT by GMAC exam a maximum of three times in a testing cycle, which runs from July 1 to June 30, with the best score considered for admission. A minimum gap of 15 days is required between valid attempts. If a scorecard shows ‘No Show’, ‘NDA Refused’, or ‘Exam Incomplete’, a new exam slot can be scheduled 24 hours later.

The registration fee includes sending scores to five schools; additional schools cost INR 400 plus taxes each. The exam is conducted in test centers in over 80 cities in India and online proctored for international locations.

Eligibility Criteria for NMAT 2026

To be eligible for NMAT 2026, candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university. A minimum of 50% marks is required for General, OBC, PWD, NRI, and OCI categories, while SC/ST candidates need a minimum of 45% marks. Final-year students are also eligible to apply, though their admission remains provisional until the final mark sheet is submitted.

There is no upper or lower age limit specified for NMAT 2026. While work experience is not mandatory, 2-3 years of experience can be an advantage during the selection process.

Further reading

• NMAT 2026 exam scheduling closes October 22; book your slot now
• MBA Entrance Exams 2026-27: CAT, XAT, NMAT, SNAP Registration and Dates Announced Today
• NMAT exam pattern: sections, marking and duration Next step
• TANCET/CAT 2026: Apply for MBA admissions in Tamil Nadu colleges now
• XAT 2027 registration extended: apply by December 6 for January 3 exam
• NMAT: complete exam guide

Written by Nishit Kumar

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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