Difference between XAT and NMAT Entrance Exam

NMAT conducted by GMAT and XAT are two of the most important entrance exams for MBA admissions in two of the oldest business schools including NMIMS and XLRI Jamshedpur. There are more than 150 XAT colleges and more than 30 NMAT-accepting colleges exist in India. However, the scores of XAT and NMAT are also accepted by top MBA colleges in Delhi NCR.

NMAT is comparatively much younger than XAT, which has been present at over 60 years by XLRI on a pan-India basis. The NMAT by GMAT is a computer-administered exam conducted by GMGC, a subsidiary of GMAC. Many students seeking admission in best MBA colleges in Delhi NCR appear for either XAT or NMAT exam on a national level.

Let’s discuss how XAT and NMAT entrance exams differ from each other:

XAT Exam

The Xavier Aptitude Test, often known as XAT exam, is a yearly national-level management entrance exam for enrollment in PGDM programs at its affiliated XAT colleges, including XIMB, IMT, IMI, and TAPMI.

XAT Exam Highlights

After the CAT, the Xavier Aptitude Test, or XAT, is one of the most competitive national-level entry tests for admission in XAT colleges and top MBA colleges in Delhi NCR. On December 26, the XAT 2023 admissions card was made available online. The release date for the XAT results was January 31, 2023. To learn more about the XAT exam, significant XAT events, the XAT application form, the XAT exam pattern, syllabus, and other topics, keep reading.

Exam name: XAT

XAT full form: Xavier Aptitude Test

Conducting body: XLRI, Jamshedpur

XAT exam level: National level

XAT exam frequency: Once a year

XAT exam mode: Computer-based test (online test)

XAT exam duration: 3 hours

Total Questions in XAT question paper: 101 questions in MCQ format

Medium of XAT 2023 question paper: English

XAT registration fees: Rs 2000 (General category)

XAT cut off 2023 for XLRI admission: 96 to 97 percentile

XAT exam cities: 80

XAT exam helpdesk no.: 18002674008

XAT official website: xatonline.in

XAT Eligibility Requirements

The XAT Colleges eligibility requirements include information about the educational requirement, necessary scores, and age restriction. The following are the prerequisites for taking the XAT as established by XLRI Jamshedpur:

· The applicant must hold a Bachelor's degree from an accredited university in any discipline that is at least three years long.

· Additionally eligible to apply are those in their last year of a bachelor's degree program and those awaiting their results.

· There is no minimum score requirements for attending the XAT exam.

· No age restriction applies to taking the XAT entrance exam or applying to any of the XAT colleges that recognize its results.

XAT Selection Process

The selection process for XAT colleges differs depending on the participating colleges. The XAT score will be used by the more than 160 participating best MBA colleges in Delhi NCR in their admissions procedure. Typically, the XAT selection process entails two steps: a group discussion and a personal interview.

For admission to their MBA/PGDM programs, XAT colleges have their own application and admissions procedures. While top MBA colleges in Delhi NCR open their registration period well in advance of the XAT exam, others begin the registration procedure following the release of the XAT results. The candidates' general aptitudes are examined during the group discussion and personal interview.

XAT Exam Pattern

Number of sections - Five

Sections Name - Decision Making

Verbal & Logical Ability - Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation and

General Knowledge - Essay Writing

Duration of exam - 190 minutes

Number of questions - 101

XAT exam total marks - 100 (Essay evaluation after shortlisting by XLRI)

Language of paper - English

Number of answer choices - Five

Mode of examination - Online

XAT marking scheme - +1 mark for a correct answer

- 0.25 marks for incorrect answer - 0.10 marks for more than 8 unattempted questions

No negative marking in the GK section

XAT Exam Structure

Part 1 - 75 MCQs

Verbal and Logical Ability - 26

Decision Making - 21

Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation - 28

Part 2 - 25 MCQs + 1 Descriptive question

General Knowledge - 25

Essay Writing Test - 1

Total questions (Part 1 + Part 2) - 101

NMAT Exam Description

For MBA admissions at NMIMS University and other top MBA colleges in Delhi NCR and in India, students must attempt and clear the NMAT or NMAT exam by GMAC, a national-level entrance exam. The conducting body of NMAT exam was Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies before it was taken over by GMAC. NMAT is designed to make easy for MBA aspirants. By visiting the NMAT official website, students can choose their preferred exam day and location to appear for the exam.

The NMAT exam includes 3 sections - language proficiency, quantitative aptitude, and logical reasoning. NMAT accepting colleges allow students to take admission in MBA programs with a focus on a range of specializations.

NMAT Highlights

Exam name - NMAT by GMAC

Conducting body - Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC)

Exam level - National level for PG admission

Frequency - Once a year

Mode - CBT from test center

Duration - 120 minutes

Syllabus - Language Skills, Quantitative Skills and Logical Reasoning

Pattern - 108 Questions

Language - English

Fees - INR 2,800

Exam purpose - Admission into top MBA colleges in Delhi NCR and in India.

Course offered - MBA/PGDM

Number of test centers and cities - 76 test centers, across 73 test cities

Exam helpdesk number - 0120 4397855

Exam website - https://www.mba.com/en-in/exams/nmat

NMAT Accepting Colleges Eligibility Criteria

The following qualifying requirements for NMAT have been set forward by the organization responsible for administering the exam. Candidates must meet the qualifying conditions prior to registering for the NMAT accepting colleges.

Candidate must have graduated from any stream using the 10+2+3 or four-year educational system.

Obtained an overall grade point average of at least 50% for the year before graduation.

Applicants for NMAT may also be awaiting results or in their final year of graduation. Provisional admission is provided up until the graduation transcript and qualifying examination certificate are turned in.

Before registering for the test, candidates must also review the specific qualifying requirements of each NMAT accepting colleges. When submitting an application, candidates must choose five top MBA colleges in Delhi NCR of their choice, each of which may have a distinct set of requirements for admission.

NMAT Exam pattern

The NMAT exam will have up to 108 questions spread across three sections. Equal questions and marks will be assigned to each segment. There is also a subsection time limit for each of the three sections of NMAT. The text below describes how the NMAT exam pattern has changed over the previous few sessions.

NMAT Exam: Section-Specific Question Weighting

The section-by-section question weighting for the NMAT exam is shown in the table below.

NMAT Sections

Number of Questions in NMAT 2023

Language Skills - 36

Logical Reasoning - 36

Quantitative Skills - 36

Total - 108

Marking Scheme for NMAT

GMAC will assess test takers' performance based on the scoring system listed below when evaluating their NMAT performance.

· The NMAT exam's objective-type questions each carry three marks.

· No points are deducted for incorrect attempts.

· Questions that are not attempted receive no points.

· Each section's answers are deemed complete after the contestant completes it.

Conclusion

Top MBA colleges in Delhi NCR that accept scores from both exams consider the better scores among the two. NMAT accepting colleges are few in number as compared to XAT colleges which is 150+. Therefore, most students prefer XAT or NMAT. Both exams have the same role of providing admission in MBA programs at various colleges. But deciding on which one is best for you is a tough choice. Do your research on NMAT accepting colleges and XAT colleges to get an idea of what might work best for you or which exam you should prepare for.