Today, Oct 25, Is the Last Day: NMAT 2026 Registration Closes Tonight for MBA Seats

If you want an MBA seat through NMAT this year, today is your last chance to register. The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) extended the NMAT by GMAC 2026 registration deadline from October 10 to October 25, and that extended window closes tonight. Students who missed the first deadline got 15 extra days, and those days run out today.

The NMAT 2026 score opens the door to MBA and PGDM programmes at NMIMS Mumbai, SPJIMR, XIM University, TAPMI, KJ Somaiya, VIT Vellore, and more than 40 other business schools across India. One exam, one score, and a long list of colleges that accept it. Missing it means waiting a full year for the next cycle.

The extended deadline: what changed and what it costs

GMAC first set October 10, 2026, as the last date to register. On October 11, it pushed the deadline to October 25, 2026, giving students who had not applied yet another 15 days. The fee is Rs 3,000 plus applicable taxes for a single attempt, payable through net banking, debit card, credit card, or UPI.

Do not leave the form for the evening. Portals slow down on the last day, so a failed payment at 11 pm leaves no time to fix it. Fill the form in the morning, pay the fee, and download the confirmation page the same day. Students who applied in the first window can check the same steps in our earlier NMAT 2026 registration guide.

When and where the exam happens

The NMAT 2026 exam window runs from November 2 to December 20, 2026. GMAC will conduct the test at nearly 64 test centres across 59 cities in India for this cycle, and slots are allotted on a first-come, first-served basis. Book your preferred date and city soon after you register, because popular centres fill up fast.

One point students often miss: registering for NMAT is only half the job. Each business school has its own application process and its own deadline. Applying for the exam does not count as applying to NMIMS, SPJIMR, or any other college. Submit those applications separately, before their own deadlines close.

The exam pattern: 108 questions, 120 minutes, no negative marking

NMAT 2026 is a computer-based test with 108 multiple-choice questions to be answered in 120 minutes. There is no negative marking, so a wrong answer costs nothing, and you should attempt every question. The instant score appears right after the test, and the official scorecard follows within 48 hours.

The paper has three sections, each with its own timer, and leftover time does not carry into the next section.

• Language Skills: 36 questions in 28 minutes. The fastest section, under a minute per question on average.
• Quantitative Skills: 36 questions in 52 minutes. Arithmetic, data interpretation, and algebra carry the most weight here.
• Logical Reasoning: 36 questions in 40 minutes. Puzzles, arrangements, and critical reasoning questions dominate this section.

You can choose the order of the sections when the test starts, so many students begin with their strongest section. Since each section is scored on a scaled range of 12 to 120, the total score runs from 36 to 360.

“This extension provides a critical window of opportunity for candidates who are eager to take control of their professional future and secure admission to premier management programs,” GMAC said in its official release announcing the extended deadline.

Three attempts, best score counts

NMAT lets you take the test up to three times in a single cycle: one main attempt and up to two retakes. Business schools consider your best score across attempts, so a bad day on the first attempt does not end your chances. Each retake costs Rs 3,000 plus taxes, the same as the first attempt.

This is a real advantage over one-shot entrance tests like the XAT 2027 mock test registration, which has a single exam day and no retakes.

How to apply on the official portal in 6 steps

1. Go to the official NMAT page on mba.com and click the register link.
2. Create a candidate account with your name, email, and mobile number.
3. Fill in your personal, academic, and work experience details carefully. The name must match your graduation records.
4. Upload a recent passport-size photograph and your signature in the format shown on the portal.
5. Pay the Rs 3,000 fee plus taxes through net banking, card, or UPI.
6. Book your test date, slot, and city, then download the confirmation page and keep it safe.

On eligibility: you need a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university with at least 50 percent aggregate marks. Final-year students can also apply, but must show proof of completion at admission. There is no upper age limit.

What to do after you register

Once your form is in, shift fully to preparation. The exam window opens on November 2, which leaves about a week from today for final revision if you pick an early slot, and more time if you pick a later one. Use the official mock tests to get used to the sectional timers.

NMIMS and SPJIMR open their shortlisting rounds shortly after the exam window, and each college asks for its own application on top of the NMAT score. A good score with a missed college deadline still means no seat. Keep checking the admissions section for dates and cut-offs through the counselling season.