August 14, 2026
If you're preparing for NPAT, going through the NPAT 2024 question paper is one of the smartest ways to understand what the exam actually looks like. You don't need to memorise the questions—what matters is understanding the exam pattern, topic-wise weightage, difficulty level, and time pressure.
The NPAT 2024 question paper had 120 questions to be solved in 100 minutes. The questions were divided equally among:
Each correct answer carried +1 mark, and there was no negative marking. The paper was broadly rated easy to moderate, with Data Interpretation, Coding, Family Tree, and Reading Comprehension among the most important areas.
Here are the main points you should remember from the 2024 paper:
The overall NPAT 2024 paper was considered easy to moderate.
You had 120 questions and only 100 minutes. That's less than a minute per question on average.
That means NPAT preparation isn't simply about knowing the concepts. You need to know when to move on.
A question that takes three minutes may not be worth solving if you could answer three easier questions in the same time.
Here is the detailed exam pattern of NPAT 2024 Question Paper
| Features | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | SVKM's NMIMS |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test |
| Total Questions | 120 |
| Total Sections | 3 |
| Questions per Section | 40 |
| Total Duration | 100 minutes |
| Marking Scheme | +1 for every correct answer |
| Negative Marking | No |
| Sectional Time Limit: | No |
| Overall Difficulty | Easy to Moderate |
| Attempts | 1 main attempt + 2 retakes |
Note:
This pattern refers to the standard NPAT paper for BBA, B.Com (Hons.), B.Sc. Economics and B.Sc. Finance.
Candidates applying for programmes with a different paper structure should always check the current year's official NPAT information before planning their preparation.
Knowing that NPAT exam has three sections is useful, but knowing where the questions came from is even more valuable.
The 2024 paper gives you a good idea of which topics deserve more attention during preparation.
The Quantitative & Numerical Ability section had 40 questions and was broadly easy to moderate.
The biggest focus was on Data Interpretation, followed by Arithmetic, Trigonometry and several other fundamental topics.
Good attempt: 26–28 questions
Target score: Around 20
| Topic | Approx. Questions |
|---|---|
| Data Interpretation | 8 |
| Arithmetic | 6–7 |
| Trigonometry | 4–5 |
| Numbers | 3–4 |
| Data Comparison / Algebra | 3–4 |
| Set Theory | 3–4 |
| Sequence & Series | 3 |
| Functions | 2–3 |
| Probability | 2 |
| Statistics | 2 |
| Geometry | 1 |
What should you focus on?
If Quant isn't your strongest section, don't try to master every topic at once. Start with the areas that appeared more frequently, particularly Data Interpretation and Arithmetic.
The bigger challenge here was often time. DI sets can take longer than standalone questions, so practise solving them without getting stuck on a single set.
The NPAT's Reasoning section also had 40 questions. Compared with Quant, this section leaned more towards pattern recognition and logical thinking.
Coding and Family Tree questions were particularly prominent in the 2024 paper.
Good attempt: 32–34 questions
Target score: Around
| Topic | Approx. Questions |
|---|---|
| Coding | 10 |
| Family Tree | 10 |
| Data Sufficiency | 5–6 |
| Visual Reasoning | 5 |
| Syllogisms | 5 |
| Matrix Arrangement | 4 |
| Set Theory | 3–4 |
What should you focus on?
If you can quickly identify the pattern behind a reasoning question, this can become one of the faster sections to score in.
Spend extra practice time on Coding, Family Tree, Data Sufficiency, Visual Reasoning and Syllogisms.
NPAT's English Section had 40 questions, with Reading Comprehension accounting for the largest share.
This is important because preparing only grammar and vocabulary isn't enough. You also need to be comfortable reading a passage quickly and answering questions based on it.
Good attempt: 34–36 questions
Target score: Around 32
| Topic | Approx. Questions |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 12 |
| Para Completion | 8 |
| Para Jumbles | 5 |
| Antonyms/Synonyms – Sentence-based | 5 |
| Fill in the Blanks | 5 |
| Error Detection | 5 |
Give special attention to Reading Comprehension and Para Completion, while continuing regular practice in vocabulary and grammar.
If English is your strongest section, it can also be a good place to build momentum early in the test.
There isn't one perfect order for everyone, but a practical approach is:
English can be relatively quick for students who are comfortable with comprehension, vocabulary and grammar. Getting through familiar questions early can also help you settle into the exam.
Once you recognise the question type, many reasoning questions can be solved quickly. Coding and other pattern-based questions can be particularly useful for building momentum.
Quantitative questions—especially Data Interpretation—may require more calculation and reading time. Keep enough time available so that you're not forced to rush through the final questions.
Most importantly, don't spend too long on one question.
And because there was no negative marking in the NPAT 2024 pattern, make sure you don't leave questions unanswered unnecessarily.
A lot of students prepare hard but don't prepare in the right way. Here are some common mistakes to avoid.
Practising general aptitude is useful, but your preparation should eventually become NPAT-specific. The goal isn't just to solve difficult questions; it's to solve the right questions quickly.
Skipping Coding, Family Tree, Data Interpretation or Reading Comprehension can leave a significant number of questions untouched.
NPAT rewards efficient decision-making. If a question is taking too long, move on and return to it later if time allows.
Reading Comprehension made up a substantial portion of the English section in 2024. Don't treat it as an optional part of NPAT English preparation.
Being able to solve a question at home is one thing. Solving it under exam pressure is another.
Regularly practise with the 100-minute NPAT time limit.
Instead of simply solving the paper once and checking your score, use it as a diagnostic tool.
If you're just starting NPAT preparation
Study the section-wise topic distribution first. This helps you decide where to spend your initial preparation time.
If you're midway through your preparation
Attempt questions from each section and identify your weak areas. Then compare your performance with the approximate weightage from the 2024 paper.
If your exam is approaching
Focus on timed practice. Give extra attention to Data Interpretation, Coding, Family Tree and Reading Comprehension, as these were among the more heavily represented topics.
If you've already taken an attempt
Don't simply look at your total score. Analyse where you lost marks.
Were you:
Your answers will tell you what to change before the next attempt.
A useful way to structure your preparation is:
Concepts → Topic-wise practice → Timed sectional tests → Full-length mocks → Error analysis
Don't skip the final step.
Your error log can be more valuable than another random mock test because it shows you exactly where your preparation is breaking down.
For every mistake, ask yourself:
Was this a knowledge problem, an accuracy problem, or a time-management problem?
Then work on that specific issue.
Final Takeaway
The biggest lesson from the NPAT 2024 question paper is that NPAT isn't only a test of what you know. It's also a test of how quickly and accurately you can use what you know.
With 120 questions to solve in 100 minutes, every minute matters.
Use the 2024 paper to understand the exam's structure, prioritise high-weightage topics such as Data Interpretation, Coding, Family Tree and Reading Comprehension, and then build your preparation around timed practice.
Don't aim to become good at solving every possible aptitude question. Aim to become fast, accurate and comfortable with the kind of questions NPAT actually asks.
That shift in preparation can make your practice much more focused—and much more effective.
Frequently Asked Questions
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