Updated as on Apr 01, 2026 NMAT vs XAT Exam: These two different Entrance Exams – gateway to take admission in top Business Schools of the country NMAT by GMAC and XAT are conducted by two of the oldest Business Schools of the country – NMIMS (now the test is in association with GMAT) and XLRI Jamshedpur.
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NMAT is comparatively much younger than XAT which is being held for over 60 years by XLRI at all India level. The XAT score is being used by more than 250+ institutes for the MBA admission.
The NMAT by GMAC™ is a computer administered test owned by the Graduate Management Global Connection (India) Private Limited (GMGC), a subsidiary of Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). NMAT exam is conducted by GMAC since 2015.
Many students write to us asking generally whether they should appear for XAT or NMAT or both. Now, it is important for students to realise what each of the tests has to offer.
One who has appeared for XAT gets more number of options to apply for compared to NMAT. Check the list of colleges accepting XAT scores below.
XAT is a single day exam (Generally 1st Sunday of January Every year) whereas NMAT has a 75 day test window.
A long test window provides test takers with the convenience of choosing a test date since NMAT offers multiple dates for the test one can take a call at any given point of time during the session.
No Negative marking in NMAT.
VIT B School, SBM NMIMS & IFMR GSB top B Schools for NMAT as per ROI
Exam Pattern:
NMAT consists of 3 sections – Quantitative Skills, Logical Reasoning, and Language Skills. The total duration of the entrance test is 120 minutes for 120 question and 360 marks. No negative marking is a very good option for students.
XAT 2024 will be of 3 hours and 30 minutes duration. Candidates have to answer the first three sections- Quantitative Ability, English Language & Logical Reasoning and Decision Making within 10 minutes.
Negative marks: All questions in XAT 2022 paper will carry equal marks. One-fourth marks will be deducted for incorrect answer.
Participating B Schools:
- XAT: More than 90 Business School accept XAT score. Some of the top ones being – XLRI, XIMB, IMT, GIM, FORE School of Management etc.
- NMAT: More than 40 Business School accepting NMAT score. Few top names being – NMIMS, SPJIMR, ISB Hyderabad, XIMB.
Schools which accept both generally consider the better scores among the two. But few may also give weightage to XAT more. Check this out from the college.
