Overview: When preparing for the NPAT, it’s essential to consider both long-term and last-minute strategies. Check out our NPAT Last-Minute Preparation Tips 2026 from experts to excel in the exam!
Your NPAT exam score will decide whether you get into the Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies.
So make sure you put your best foot forward.
Here are some NPAT last-minute preparation tips for 2026 to boost your score.
Here are some NPAT Last-Minute Prep Tips for 2026-
1 - Practice makes a man perfect
I. Daily Practice
Regular practice is the way to master the NMIMS NPAT exam.
It should be your habit to solve mock tests regularly to become accustomed to the exam pattern and improve your speed and accuracy.
Taking full-length mock tests helps you to simulate actual test conditions, which in turn will assist you in managing time during the actual exam.
II. Quantitative & Numerical Ability
The Quantitative and Numerical Ability section is challenging, as it tests your understanding of concepts in various mathematical topics.
Pay special attention to the following topics:
Arithmetic: Percentages, profit & loss, ratio & proportion, averages, time & work, time & distance.
Algebra: Equations, inequalities, logarithms, and properties of numbers.
Geometry: Circles, triangles, coordinate geometry, and mensuration.
Data Interpretation: Graphs, tables, pie charts, and bar charts.
To perform well in this section, solve many problems and comprehend the reasoning behind every concept instead of memorizing formulas.
III. Analyse Performance
After each mock test, take some time to carefully review your performance.
Look at the areas where you went wrong and work on rectifying them.
Monitor:
The kind of errors you commit (calculation errors, conceptual errors, misreading questions, etc.).
Time taken on every question and whether you should work on your speed.
Strengths and weaknesses—improve on weak points while enhancing your strengths.
Performance analysis is the most essential NPAT last-minute preparation tips as it prevent you from repeating errors and boost your overall performance.
IV. Previous Year Papers
Solving previous year's NPAT question papers will give you a good idea about the questions being asked in the exam. This will:
Help you understand the pattern and difficulty level of the exam.
Acquaint you with the types of frequently asked questions.
Enable you to practice under actual exam conditions, thereby enhancing your confidence and time management skills.
Take special care to attempt at least 5-10 papers from the previous year before the exam.
V. Precision and Accuracy
Time management is crucial in NPAT; however, accuracy should always take priority over speed. To maximize your score:
Read each question carefully before answering to avoid misinterpretation.
Avoid guesswork when there's no negative marking, but play strategically if there is one.
Time-manage by spending time per section according to your strengths.
If you are having trouble with a difficult question, skip it and return later if time permits.
By keeping a middle course between speed and precision, you can enhance your overall efficiency and increase the probability of scoring well in the NMIMS NPAT exam.
2 - Aim for an overall good score
As one of your NPAT Last-Minute Preparation Tips, you should have a plan that scores the highest total score possible without concentrating too much on each section.
Here's how you can do it:
I. No Sectional Time Limit
One of the main benefits of the NMIMS NPAT is that, unlike the IPMAT Indore, there is no sectional time limit.
This means you can handle time across sections of your choice.
To maximize the benefit of this:
Begin with the section you feel most at ease with to gain confidence.
Watch the clock to ensure you don't spend too long on any section.
If the question is too long, skip it and return to it if time allows.
II. No Sectional Cut-off Marks
Another advantage of NPAT is that there are no sectional cut-off marks. Your overall score in all sections decides your rank.
With this in mind:
If one section is tricky, balance it by scoring well in other sections.
Concentrate on optimizing your overall performance instead of worrying about a weak spot.
Nevertheless, balance is the goal—a very low mark in one section can affect your overall ranking.
With these NPAT Last-Minute Preparation Tips, you can enhance your productivity, gain confidence, and better secure admission to NMIMS.
III. Equal Focus on All Sections
Although no sectional cut-offs exist, a well-balanced performance across all three sections is crucial.
Here's how you can plan for each
Quantitative & Numerical Ability
Reinforce fundamental math concepts, including arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data interpretation.
Enhance speed without compromising accuracy by practicing time-limited mock tests.
Practice mind calculations and shortcut techniques for rapid problem-solving.
Reasoning & General Intelligence
Build sound logical reasoning and pattern recognition abilities.
Recall many types of reasoning puzzles, such as coding-decoding, syllogisms, and series.
Enhance analytical reasoning and time-based problem-solving.
Proficiency in the English Language
Improve your grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension.
Read newspapers and do para-jumbles, synonyms-antonyms, and sentence corrections.
Work on improving comprehension speed to tackle passage-based questions efficiently.
IV. Strive for an Overall High Score
Since NMIMS NPAT ranks candidates based on their overall score, your priority should be to score the maximum total marks across all sections.
Here's how:
First, try easy and moderate questions, then proceed to the more challenging ones.
Prioritize accuracy to minimize unnecessary errors.
Employ the no sectional time limit judiciously—spend more time on sections where you can score the most marks.
Attempt full-length mock tests to refine your strategy and identify areas for improvement.
3 - Time Management
Good time management is essential to succeed in NMIMS NPAT. With 120 questions to answer within 100 minutes, a strategic approach is necessary to achieve high accuracy and efficiency.
Following are essential NPAT Last-Minute Preparation Tips to assist you in effective time management during the exam.
I. 120 Questions to Solve
NPAT test has 120 multiple-choice questions and tests Quantitative & Numerical Ability, Reasoning & General Intelligence, and English Proficiency.
Time being restricted, you must adopt a balanced strategy for all the sections without wasting time over one question.
II. 100 Minutes for the Exam
Try to answer simple questions first and leave time for difficult ones.
Don't spend more than one minute answering questions in the initial round.
Keep track of time by glancing at the clock after every 15-20 questions to maintain a steady pace.
III. No Negative Marking – Attempt All Questions
Attempt all 120 questions, even if you have to make an educated guess.
If you’re unsure about an answer, eliminate the wrong options and choose the most probable one.
Never leave questions unanswered—each attempt increases your chances of a higher score.
IV. Prioritize and Play to Your Strengths
Start strongly and build confidence in the early part of the test.
Save time for more challenging sections without feeling pressured.
Don't waste precious time on a tricky question early in the test.
V. Smart Time Allocation Strategy
Devote around 30-35 minutes to Quantitative & Numerical Ability.
Spend 30-35 minutes on Reasoning & General Intelligence.
Take 25-30 minutes for Proficiency in English.
Save 5-10 minutes at the end to go through marked or omitted questions.
VI. Skip Strategically and Revisit Later
Mark it for review and proceed to the next.
Once all more straightforward questions are answered, return to the omitted questions if time permits.
This allows you to spend a reasonable amount of time on each question while still allowing for a maximum number of attempts.
4 - Practice Smart
One of the key NPAT last-minute preparation tips are:
Avoid rushing: Do not try to solve countless practice questions in a hurry.
Focus on quality: The quality of practice is more important than the quantity.
Choose representative questions: Select a few representative questions from each section.
Concentrate and be accurate: Solve the chosen questions with utmost concentration and accuracy.
5 - Re-attempting a section is not allowed
While attempting this crucial exam, always remember that you cannot reattempt a section.
6 - Speed and accuracy matter
In NPAT, speed and accuracy are crucial.
Accuracy can be achieved by thoroughly understanding all concepts under proper guidance.
Extensive practice is recommended to improve speed.
Practicing with NPAT Sample Papers (available for download as PDF) can be beneficial.
7 - Aim for a score of 70+/80+
Aim for a score of 70% or higher in all scenarios. You may get a question paper that is very easy or on the strenuous or moderate side.
Be prepared to score well by setting a high goal.
The first trick is to memorize all the essential basic formulas and revise them daily.
Daily English Quiz to improve your grammar and vocabulary skills.
Practice Daily: Regularly solve mock tests and previous year's papers to familiarize yourself with the NPAT exam pattern and improve performance.
Focus on Core Topics: Emphasize arithmetic, algebra, geometry, data interpretation, logical reasoning, and English proficiency.
Time Management: Allocate time wisely during the exam, prioritizing accuracy and avoiding careless errors as per the NPAT last-minute preparation tips.
Strategic Practice: Concentrate on quality over quantity by solving representative questions with focus and accuracy.
Use Resources Wisely: Utilize NPAT sample papers, mock tests, and quality study materials for adequate preparation.
Stay Calm and Confident: Maintain your composure and confidence during the exam to optimize your performance.
Review and Revise: Regularly review essential formulas, grammar rules, and vocabulary to ensure retention and quick recall during the exam.