NMAT Preparation 2024: Study Plan, Books, Preparation Guide

Preparing for the NMAT involves a few key strategies. First, understand the exam pattern and syllabus thoroughly. Start by focusing on your strong areas to build confidence, then move to weaker sections. Practice regularly with mock tests and sample papers to improve your speed and accuracy. Use good quality study materials, and make sure to revise regularly. Read the article to get some more preparation Tips for the exam.

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Preparation Strategy

It is time to shed out all your apprehensions and have a clear blueprint of the preparation strategy. 

1. Practice Mock Tests

It is not the time to pick up new topics or new study material. Now the focus is required on NMAT Mock Tests. Practice as many mock tests as you can, for it will not only let you know your weak area, but will give you an idea of the ratio of time you are devoting and the time required for each section.

2. Get knowledge of your weaker side

It is common among test takers to be weak in one or the other section of the paper. A candidate good in quantitative ability may not be well-versed with language skills. However, non-awareness of you weaker areas can prove to be disastrous while attempting paper. So, make a point of getting to know your weak areas and start working on it. You can do so by going through good question examples and attempting mock tests available over the internet, or solving previous year question papers for better self analysis.

3. Revise the basics

How difficult the paper is, depends upon how well you are prepared for the test. Brushing up basics is the most important task to be performed in the last few days of exam. Get out all your notes of basics, and revise. It will help a lot.

4. Know and use shortcut tricks

NMAT depends upon how fast and accurately can you solve the questions. Familiarity with shortcut tricks is required. Attempting questions using shortcuts will leave you will extra time that you can invest in other questions or devote for section-revision.

Sections like Language Skills, which involves Reading Comprehension can be time consuming. Speed plays a major role. Keep practising RC’s examples for speedy reading.

5. Manage your time

The biggest advantage of NMAT is the absence of negative marking. If you get stuck on a question, it is advisable to skip and jump to the next question. That’s how you can manage and save time for questions you can attempt. NMAT is not a test that examines your ability to solve hard questions- it tests your ability to solve maximum questions in the time allotted. Thus, skimming questions can prove to be of great help.

6. Choose the right coaching center

Preparation for any competitive MBA exam can be tedious and confusing. But the right choice makes a lot of difference in the long run. While so many options can be overwhelming for us, there are a few tricks to make an informed decision. Look up their review, qualification of teacher, classroom facility, success in previous years before joining one. Keeping the current pandemic situation in mind, consider online coaching centers over traditional classroom types.

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Strategy to Score 100+

• Remember that there is no option to skip any question in NMAT unlike other MBA Exams where candidates are allowed to mark an option to solve later or review if there is time. So it is advisable to select an option by guessing, preferably between B and D (most answers are between this range).
• Attmpt all questions. Since there is no negative marking, candidates don't have to worry about it being wrong. If you have not studied a chapter before, there is no point in wasting time reading the question.
• Solve at least 5 mock papers when the exam is close. Strategise your attempts in the same way you would in the exam hall. 
• Choose your section wisely. Go for the section in which your preparation is strong. This will help you keep your confidence high throughout the exam.
• For RC section, practice solving with a timer. The essays are of about 600 to 700 words in length which can consume a considerable amount of time during the exam. For this read newspapers and magazines on a regular basis. For Arithmatic, concentrate on HCF and LCM from which maximum questions come.

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Preparation 2024: Last-Minute Tips

Here are some last-minute preparation tips -

• Revise - With the exam right around the corner it is important to start revising the topics that you've completed. When you start something new with limited time, your brain can suffer from information overload which can become problematic for you at the time of the exam. Prioritise topics that you're well versed in, and finish any easier topics.
• Practise Mock Tests - Instead of sticking to individual topics try to practice completing Mock Tests and Sample papers for revision. You might have solved several already, but solving papers is the best way to process information and make sure it remains in long term memory as opposed to short term memory. Studies have shown that solving problems is the most efficient way to learn. Moreover, this will help you time yourself for the paper and you will be able to learn how to prioritise the topics that you can attempt easily.
• Make sure your Basics are covered - A silly mistake can cost you a lot, so make sure your basics are very well done. Go through basics tables, cubes/squares and roots, and formulas again for Quantitative Aptitude. For Language Skills, go through the basics of grammar (Tenses, Prepositions, Punctuation, adjectives, direct/indirect speech etc.) and your word lists again. As for Logical Reasoning, you have to make sure that you're well versed with the methods and shortcuts for all the questions you're comfortable with.
• How much to aim for? Aim to solve at least 100 questions with accuracy. Do not be discouraged if the first few questions are difficult or if you had to skip them. Most importantly, do not judge the difficulty of the whole exam on the basis of one difficult section. Focus on the bigger picture and aim to solve as many questions as you can with accuracy.
• Take Care of Yourself - Get at least 8 hours of sleep everyday until the exam. Being sleep deprived can severely affect your memory, arithmetic and reasoning ability. Lack of sleep will have a very negative impact on your performance. Drink plenty of water and healthy food items while preparing for the exam.

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Free Official Practice Test by GMAC

GMAC provides free practice test to NMAT aspirants which has the same structure as actual NMAT exam. This free feature is known as official practice exam 1. 2 attempts will be provided to candidates with 108 questions each. 

An essential feature newly introduced is providing Scaled scores on the attempts which can help candidates have an insight on the level of preparedness. Candidates are required to register for the free practice set. Steps for which are entering first name, last name, email address, mobile number, country code.

Direct link to Register for NMAT by GMAC Free Practice Test

Practice Test by GMAC

If candidates have appeared for the free NMAT practice test, they can appear for the paid test available on the official website nmat.org/official-prep.

• 216 questions from past NMAT question paper form part of the practice test.
• 108 never before seen questions are posed with 2 attempts each.
• This practice test is known as exam 2 and 3.
• All practice tests follow the structure of the actual exam.
• Scaled scores are provided to analyze the performance at the end and prepare accordingly.
• INR 799 excluding taxes is the fee to register for NMAT by GMAC practice test. 

Read More on NMAT Official Preparation Guide