Choosing between NMAT vs SNAP exams is usually difficult for MBA aspirants as both exams offer admission into different colleges for MBA. NMAT is conducted by GMAC, and SNAP is conducted by SIU.
NMAT vs SNAP: The MBA program is unquestionably one of the most sought and renowned programs. While the Common Admission Test (CAT) is still a popular choice, other national and state-level entrance tests provide viable options for MBA candidates.
Two such important tests are the Symbiosis National Aptitude Test (SNAP) and the NMIMS Management Aptitude Test (NMAT), also called as NMAT by GMAC. This extensive comparison and analysis will assist you in deciding between SNAP and NMAT, allowing you to select the exam that best fits your goals.
NMAT vs SNAP Similarities
NMAT and SNAP are online examination held for MBA courses across the country. Candidates can go through the NMAT vs SNAP similarities stated below.
| Particulars | Details |
| Mode of Exam | Online (Computer-Based) |
| Exam Level | National |
| Medium of Exam | English |
| Frequency of Conduct | Once a year (3 attempts) |
| Number of Sections | 3 |
| Type of Questions | MCQs |
Read More: How to Check NMAT Percentile 2024?
NMAT vs SNAP Key Differences
Both NMAT and SNAP are MBA entrance exams conducted by GMAC and SIU, respectively. Let us now look at the major differences between NMAT vs SNAP.
| Point of Difference | NMAT | SNAP |
| Full Form | NMIMS Management Aptitude Test | Symbiosis National Aptitude Test |
| Conducting Authority | Graduate Management Aptitude Council (GMAC) | Symbiosis International (Deemed) University (SIU) |
| Exam Duration | 120 | 60 |
| Difficulty Level | Moderate to High | Moderate |
| Answer Options for MCQs | 5 | 4 |
| Marks per Question | 3 Marks | 1 Mark |
| Negative Marking | No | 25% |
| Sectional Time Limit | Yes | No |
| Top MBA Participating Colleges | NMIMS Mumbai, NMIMS Bangalore, Amity University, Noida, IMI Kolkata, etc. | SIBM Pune, SIBM Bangalore, SIBM Hyderabad, SCMHRD Pune, etc. |
SNAP vs NMAT Exam Dates
Students must go through upcoming events for NMAT vs SNAP in order to not miss any updates. Candidates can find the latest update for NMAT vs SNAP stated below.
| Events | NMAT | SNAP |
|---|---|---|
| Registration Opens | Aug 1, 2024 | Aug 25, 2024 |
| Registration Ends | Oct 13, 2024 | Nov 22, 2024 |
| Admit Card | Oct 29, 2024 | Dec 2-15, 2024 |
| Exam Date | Nov 5-Dec 20, 2024 |
Test 1: Dec 8, 2024 Test 2: Dec 15, 2024 Test 3: Dec 21, 2024 |
| Answer Key | January 2025 (Tentative) | January 2025 (Tentative) |
| Result | Within 48 hours of Exam Completion | January 10, 2025 |
Also Read: How to Strategically Plan 3 Attempts of NMAT?
NMAT vs SNAP Exam Pattern
NMAT and SNAP are speed-based tests; however, each requires different strategies. Therefore, read the exam pattern of NMAT vs SNAP mentioned here and prepare accordingly.
NMAT Exam Pattern 2025
NMAT includes 3 sections with 108 questions that candidates have to solve in a duration of 120 minutes. Additionally, candidates can select the order of sections in which they want to attempt the question paper.
However, it is not possible to move between sections. Note that each section in NMAT has an individual time limit. The details NMAT Exam Pattern has been shared below.
| Sections | Number of Questions | Sectional Time Limit |
| Logical Reasoning | 36 | 40 Minutes |
| Language Skills | 36 | 28 Minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation | 36 | 52 Minutes |
| Total | 108 | 120 Minutes |
SNAP Exam Pattern 2025
SNAP consists of three sections with a total of 60 questions that test-takers need to attempt in 60 minutes. There is no sectional limit involved in SNAP, and candidates can switch between sections and complete the exam within the overall time limit. The detailed SNAP Exam Pattern has been shared below.
| Sections | Number of Questions |
| General English | 15 |
| Analytical & Logical Reasoning | 25 |
| Quantitative, Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency | 20 |
| Total | 60 |
NMAT vs SNAP Syllabus
In this section, we have categorically divided the syllabus based on the subjects. Candidates can refer to the table to understand and learn more about the exams.
NMAT Syllabus
NMAT evaluates candidates on their quantitative abilities, language skills, and logical reasoning skills. Here we have provided the section-wise list of topics covered in the NMAT syllabus 2025:
| Language Skills | Logical Reasoning | Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation |
| Para-Jumbles | Line Charts and Bar Graphs | Profit and Loss |
| Reading Comprehension | Blood Relations | Number Systems |
| Verbal Reasoning | Pie Charts | Time and Work |
| Analogies | Numbers and Letter Series | Percentages |
| English Grammar and Usage | Syllogisms | Ratios and Proportions |
| Fill in the Blanks | Seating Arrangements | Simple and Compound Interest |
| Vocabulary questions (Antonyms & Synonyms) | Tables | Permutations and Combinations |
| Sentence Correction | Caselets | Mensuration |
| Cloze Test | Clocks’ Questions | Surds and Indices |
Also Read: How to Prepare for NMAT 2025?
SNAP Syllabus 2025
SNAP also tests students on their English, logical reasoning, and qualitative abilities. More or less, the syllabus for SNAP and NMAT is the same. However, the SNAP syllabus consists of a few topics that are unique to each test.
Check out the section-wise list of topics involved in the SNAP syllabus so that you can prepare for the exam accordingly:
| Quantitative Ability | Logical Reasoning | General English |
| Arithmetic | Seating Arrangement | Sentence Correction |
| Number System | Direction Sense | Active/Passive Voice |
| Algebra | Critical Reasoning | Vocabulary |
| Set Theory | Visual Reasoning | Odd One Out |
| Mensuration | Syllogisms | Fill in the Blanks |
| Mixtures and Alligations | Analogy and Series | One Word Substitution |
| Surds and Indices | Mathematical Reasoning | Jumbled Paragraphs |
| Geometry | Verbal and Miscellaneous | Sentence Completion |
| Trigonometry | Blood Relations | Contextual Usage |
Also Read: How to Prepare for SNAP?
NMAT vs SNAP Marking Scheme and Number of Attempts
The marking scheme and number of attempts for NMAT and SNAP are different. Nonetheless, both exam has MCQ-type questions. However, the details are discussed here.
NMAT Marking Scheme
NMAT question paper contains MCQ-based questions, wherein for every correct response, the test-taker will get 3 marks. Also, the exam format does not include negative marking for incorrect attempts. The final score in NMAT will be released by the authorities based on the scaled score (sectional range- 12 to 120 and overall range- 36 to 360).
One can appear for NMAT thrice in a particular year within the 75-day test window. However, note that there should be a gap of 15 days between two consecutive attempts of NMAT. Candidates have to schedule their exam at their convenience within this time period keeping in mind the gap aspect.
Additionally, NMAT exam is a computer-adaptive test. This means the candidate’s performance on the first attempt will determine the difficulty level of questions on the 2nd/3rd attempts. For instance, if the test-taker performs well on the first attempt, he/she will get a difficult set of questions on the next attempt.
SNAP Marking Scheme
SNAP exam also consists of MCQ-type questions, wherein for every correct response, the test-taker will get one mark. However, the negative marking system is followed in SNAP. For every incorrect response, 0.25 marks will be deducted. Moreover, there will be no negative marking for unanswered questions.
Similar to NMAT, SNAP can also be taken 3 times. If a candidate appears for the SNAP exam more than once, the highest score will be taken into consideration for the final result without normalisation.
SNAP vs NMAT- Expected Cutoff for Top Universities
To decide between NMAT vs SNAP, the choice of university is another consideration. However, each institution has its own cutoff on the basis of which it admits students.
NMAT Cutoff
Refer to the table below to know the top colleges in India accepting NMAT scores and their expected cutoffs for 2024. Note that the data provided below is based on previous years’ trends and must only be used for reference.
| College | Expected NMAT Cutoff 2024 |
| NMIMS Mumbai | 200+ |
| BSE Institute Limited | 200+ |
| Xavier Institute of Management (XIMB), Bhubaneswar | 200+ |
| Amity University | 200+ |
| NMIMS Bangalore | 180+ |
| NMIMS Hyderabad | 180+ |
| Bennett University | 180+ |
| ITM Business School | 200+ |
| GITAM School of International Business | 200+ |
| BML Munjal University | 200+ |
| ISBR Business School | 170+ |
| University of Petroleum & Energy Studies (UPES) | 160+ |
| Thapar School of Management | 150+ |
| Woxsen Business School | 160+ |
| Alliance University | 100+ |
SNAP Cutoff
Following is the list of SNAP 2024 participating institutes in India. The SNAP cutoff 2024 will be released after the declaration of the result. Therefore, here we have provided the institute-wise expected cutoff below based on the previous year’s trends.
| Institute | Expected SNAP Cutoff Percentile |
| SIBM Pune | 98.50% |
| SCMHRD Pune | 96% |
| SIIB Pune | 93% |
| SIBM Bangalore | 90% |
| SIBM Hyderabad | 58% |
| SIOM Nashik | 87% |
| SICSR Pune | 82% |
| SITM Pune | 83% |
| SSBF | 60% |
| SSMC Bangalore | 75% |
| SSSS Pune | 55% |
| SIBM Nagpur | - |
Competition Level and Scope for NMAT vs SNAP
NMAT attracts a higher level of competition because it is extended to some of the most prestigious B-Schools in India, including SVKM's Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, the ICFAI Business School (IBS), Xavier's University, and ITM Business School.
Meanwhile, SNAP's scope is limited to SIU and a few other institutions, but it includes SIBM, SIOM, SIIB, and SCMHRD as well.
