Good news for students planning to pursue MBA or PGDM courses! The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) is expected to hold an additional exam phase for NMAT 2025 in January 2026 . This extra chance is for those who could not use all their exam attempts or missed the main registration period. GMAC has conducted the main NMAT 2025 exams from November 5 to December 19 , 2025.
The NMAT exam, officially known as the NMAT by GMAC, is a popular entrance test for admission to MBA and PGDM programs in top business schools across India. This exam is known for giving candidates multiple chances to improve their scores. Students can take the NMAT exam up to three times during its main exam period. This flexibility helps many students perform their best.
For the past few years, GMAC has offered an additional exam phase in January. This phase mainly helps two types of students:
- Those who did not use all three of their allowed NMAT attempts during the November-December window.
- Those who missed the deadline to register for the NMAT exam completely.
This additional phase acts as a lifeline for many, allowing them to still aim for their desired management programs.
Expected Dates for NMAT 2025 Additional Phase
GMAC usually announces the exact dates for the additional phase around the last week of December 2025 . Based on past trends, here are the expected dates for the NMAT 2025 additional phase:
| Registration Start Date | First week of January 2026 |
| Last Date for NMAT Registration | Second week of January 2026 |
| NMAT Scheduling Starts | First week of January 2026 |
| Last Date for NMAT Scheduling | Second week of January 2026 |
| NMAT Additional Phase Exam Window | Third week of January 2026 |
How to Apply for the Additional Phase
If GMAC confirms the additional phase, the application process will be similar to the main exam. Students need to:
- Visit the official NMAT by GMAC website.
- Complete the registration form with correct details.
- Pay the application fee.
- Book an exam slot, choosing their preferred date and time within the exam window.
It is important to complete all steps before the deadlines to secure a chance to appear for the exam.
Important Point for Students
While the additional phase offers a great opportunity, students must remember one key detail: not all colleges that accept NMAT scores will accept scores from this additional January phase . Before applying for the additional exam, students should check the admission criteria of their preferred colleges. This step is crucial to ensure their NMAT score from the January phase will be considered for admission to their desired program.
Students who are thinking about taking the NMAT in January 2026 should start preparing now. Even if the official announcement is yet to come, historical data shows a high chance of this phase taking place. Preparing early will help secure a better score and increase chances of getting into a good business school.
