Guide
NMAT scoring is different from CAT in two important ways: the test is computer-adaptive and the score is scaled, so there is no simple ‘3 marks for this, −1 for that’ raw-score calculation that you can reproduce after the exam. The total score range is 36–360, with each of the three sections reported on a 12–120 scale.
What adaptive scoring changes
The exam adjusts question difficulty as you respond. A correct answer can lead to a harder next question, while an incorrect response can lead to an easier one. That means two candidates who both answer, say, 80 questions correctly do not necessarily finish with the same scaled score if the difficulty paths differed.
Do not try to reverse-engineer your score from whether questions ‘felt hard’. The useful preparation response is to keep solving accurately and on time rather than using perceived difficulty as feedback during the test.
No negative marking does not mean careless guessing
There is no CAT-style negative mark for a wrong answer, so you should not leave questions unanswered merely to protect marks. But the three sections have fixed clocks—Language Skills 28 minutes, Quantitative Skills 52 minutes and Logical Reasoning 40 minutes for 36 questions each. Spending four minutes on one problem can still damage the section because it prevents you from reaching later questions.
How percentile should be read
GMAC publishes an official percentile-ranking table for NMAT scores. Use that table instead of third-party ‘expected percentile’ charts when you want percentile context. For admissions, however, the school-specific total and sectional score requirement matters more than the generic percentile.
What to track in mocks
Track section completion, accuracy by question family, time left at Q12/Q24/Q30 and your scaled-score trend. Your goal is not a theoretical raw score; it is a stable scaled score with no timed section collapse. Test different section orders in mocks, then keep the order that gives the best total and most reliable section scores.
Preparing for CAT?
See where you actually stand before changing your shortlist or study plan.
Why On Your Mocks?
A mock score tells you what happened. OYM helps you understand what went wrong and what to work on next.