NPAT 2027: Exam Pattern, Expected Dates, Eligibility and How It Fits with IPMAT
Key Takeaways
- NPAT 2027 is the entrance test for NMIMS undergraduate programmes such as the BBA and B.Com (Hons). It is not an IIM exam.
- The format is expected to stay the same: 120 MCQs, 100 minutes, three sections of 40, +1 per correct answer and no negative marking.
- Candidates can reportedly sit up to three times in a cycle, and the best score counts.
- The 2027 schedule is not official yet. The 2026 cycle ran exams from 10 February to 1 June.
- NPAT tests skills IPMAT also tests, so it works as a backup, not a substitute.
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Table of Contents
- What Is NPAT 2027?
- NPAT 2027 Exam Pattern
- NPAT 2027 Expected Dates
- Eligibility and Fees
- NPAT vs IPMAT
- Who Should Write NPAT 2027?
- How to Prepare for NPAT 2027
- FAQs
What Is NPAT 2027?
NPAT, the National Test for Programs After Twelfth, is the computer-based entrance exam NMIMS uses to admit students to its undergraduate programmes, including the BBA, B.Com (Hons) and finance-focused degrees, across campuses such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Indore and Chandigarh. NPAT 2027 is for students completing Class 12 in 2027. The official brochure had not been released at the time of writing, so details below follow the 2026 cycle.
NPAT 2027 Exam Pattern
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode | Computer-based test |
| Duration | 100 minutes |
| Total questions | 120 MCQs |
| Sections | Quantitative and Numerical Ability, Reasoning and General Intelligence, English Proficiency |
| Questions per section | 40 each |
| Marking | +1 per correct answer |
| Negative marking | None |
| Attempts | Up to 3 sittings, best score counted |
All three sections carry equal weight, so a weak English section costs exactly as much as a weak Quant section. Most sources report no sectional time limit, which lets you move across sections freely. One older source mentions sectional limits, so confirm this in the brochure.
Future IIMer tip: No negative marking means you should never leave a question blank. Eliminate two options and guess.
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NPAT 2027 Expected Dates
NMIMS has not published the 2027 calendar. The 2026 cycle is the best reference.
| Event | NPAT 2026 (as reported) | NPAT 2027 (expected) |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 registration | 28 January to 22 March 2026 | Early 2027 |
| Phase 1 exams | 10 February to 31 March 2026 | February to March 2027 |
| Phase 2 registration | 23 March to 26 May 2026 | Spring 2027 |
| Phase 2 exams | 1 April to 1 June 2026 | April to June 2027 |
| Results | Phase 1 mid-April, Phase 2 early June | Similar |
Sources disagree on the 2027 timeline, with some projecting registration as early as December 2026 and others as late as February 2027. Treat all of it as provisional until NMIMS announces it.
NMIMS NPAT official brochure, dates and fees
Eligibility and Fees
| Criterion | Reported detail |
|---|---|
| Qualification | Class 12 or equivalent, appearing or passed |
| Minimum marks | 50% for most programmes; 60% for BBA (International Business) |
| Subjects | Mathematics or Statistics required for some commerce and finance programmes |
| Upper age limit | 25 years, according to one source |
| Application fee | Reported as Rs. 2,000 for one school, rising with more schools |
You can apply to several NMIMS programmes with a single registration.
NPAT vs IPMAT: What Is Actually Different?
| Factor | NPAT | IPMAT (Indore) |
|---|---|---|
| Conducted by | NMIMS | IIM Indore |
| Leads to | NMIMS undergraduate degrees | Five-year IIM Integrated Programme in Management |
| Sections | Quant, Reasoning, English | Quant MCQ, Quant short-answer, Verbal |
| Negative marking | None | On MCQs |
| Attempts per cycle | Up to 3 | One sitting per year |
| Selection after the test | Merit-based | Interview round after the written test |
The honest trade-off: NPAT is more forgiving. You can retake it, you can guess freely, and the paper is shorter. IPMAT is harder and has a single sitting, but it leads to an IIM degree. Choosing between them is a career decision, not just a difficulty decision.
Who Should Write NPAT 2027?
Write it as a backup if: you are targeting IPMAT but want a second option, you are comfortable with Quant, Reasoning and English at Class 12 level, and you can fit a sitting around your IPMAT mocks.
Skip it if: you are fully committed to IIM IPM and need every hour for IPMAT-specific preparation, which includes short-answer Quant and the interview round.
Honest note: NPAT is a good safety net. It is not a replacement for an IIM seat, and preparing only for NPAT will leave IPMAT under-prepared.
How to Prepare for NPAT 2027
- Budget 50 seconds per question. 120 questions in 100 minutes leaves little room for slow reading.
- Start with the section you solve fastest. There is no sectional limit, so bank marks early.
- Take Data Interpretation sets early. A single table can unlock four or five questions.
- Use your three sittings as a diagnostic. Treat the first as a live check of weak sections, then fix them for the retake.
- Read daily. Twenty minutes of editorial reading helps NPAT English and IPMAT Verbal together.
- Reuse your IPMAT mocks. The Quant and Verbal skills overlap strongly, so one routine can serve both exams.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is there negative marking in NPAT 2027?
No. Each correct answer earns one mark, and wrong or unattempted answers earn zero. Attempt every question.
How many times can I write NPAT 2027?
Reportedly up to three times in one cycle, with the best score counted. Confirm the retake rules in the official brochure.
Is NPAT an IIM entrance exam?
No. NPAT is conducted by NMIMS for its own undergraduate programmes. IIM integrated programmes use IPMAT and JIPMAT.
Can I prepare for NPAT and IPMAT together?
Yes. Both test Quant and English, and NPAT adds Reasoning. IPMAT is harder, so preparing for it covers most of NPAT.
When will NPAT 2027 dates be announced?
NMIMS has not announced them yet. In the 2026 cycle, registration opened on 28 January and exams began on 10 February. Watch the official NPAT website.
Conclusion
NPAT 2027 is a manageable, forgiving test with no negative marking and multiple attempts. For an IPMAT aspirant, it is a sensible backup that costs little extra preparation, as long as it does not take time from IPMAT-specific practice. Know the pattern, watch for the official dates, and keep your main focus on the exam that leads to your first-choice seat.
Ready to prepare with a plan? Talk to an IIM-alumni mentor through IPM Careers courses.
NPAT 2027 Syllabus: Section-Wise Topics
NPAT questions are pitched at Class 11 and 12 level. These are the topics each 40-question section draws on:
| Section (40 questions each) | Main topics |
|---|---|
| Quantitative and Numerical Ability | Number system, arithmetic (percentages, ratios, profit and loss, time and work, interest), algebra, sets and functions, basic statistics and probability, trigonometry |
| Reasoning and General Intelligence | Critical thinking, verbal-logical reasoning, data sufficiency, numerical reasoning, data interpretation, spatial reasoning |
| English Proficiency | Reading comprehension, applied grammar, error recognition, vocabulary, contextual usage, sequencing of ideas |
Arithmetic, Data Interpretation and Reading Comprehension carry the most questions, so spend the most practice time there.
How to Register for NPAT 2027
NMIMS has not opened NPAT 2027 registration yet. Based on the 2026 cycle, the process runs like this on the official site, npat.nmims.edu:
- Register with your email address and mobile number to create an NPAT account.
- Fill in the application form: personal details, Class 10 and 12 details, and the NMIMS programmes and campuses you want.
- Upload documents: a photograph, signature and identity proof, as listed in the brochure.
- Pay the application fee online. The fee rises with the number of NMIMS schools you choose.
- Book your test slot: pick a date, time and test centre within the phase you registered for.
- Download your admit card before the test and carry a valid photo ID.
You can reportedly take NPAT up to three times in a cycle, and your best score counts, so book your first sitting early and keep time for a retake.
Practise on the real NPAT pattern. Start with a free full-length mock, then move to 10 full-length mocks with section-wise analysis.
Take the free NPAT mock → NPAT Test Series, ₹1,999 →Planning your mocks? Read how many NPAT mocks to take and how to review them. Interested in NMIMS's five-year integrated programme? See the NMIMS IPM (Integrated BBA-MBA) guide.