SNAP or NMAT: Know the Key Differences

It has become a compulsory element to pass an entrance test when it comes to post-graduation and pursuing MBA. But most often, the dilemma is shortlisting exams from the numerous available options like CAT, XAT, CMAT, SNAP, MAT, NMAT and IIFT, each carrying their own weightage of importance.

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Difference Between SNAP Vs NMAT

These exams have various similarities as well as the differences and the choice of attempting the test depends upon which B-school does the candidate want to join.

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When it comes to SNAP and NMAT, both are speed based test and have potentially the same difficulty level. Usually preferred by most candidates, SNAP and NMAT have a comparatively similar syllabus and can help one to get into top business schools for their MBA programme.

1] SNAP & NMAT: About the exams

SNAP, an abbreviation for Symbiosis National Aptitude Test is a mandatory test one has to clear if he/she wishes to carry a management degree from any of the 15 Symbiosis institutes.

Whereas, NMAT (NMIMS Management Aptitude Test) is conducted by GMAC which is a computer test whose registration is done through online medium only.

2] Test Detailing

SNAP is a 150 mark online test of 120 minutes and can be attempted once a year. The paper is divided into 4 sub sections that are: General English (40 questions), Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation and Data Sufficiency (40 questions), Current Affairs (30 questions) and Analytical and Logical reasoning (40 questions).

Similarly, NMAT is a 120 mark time based test which allots 2 hours to a student and can be attempted thrice a year. It has the following three sub-sections: Language Skills (32 questions- 22 minutes), Quantitative Skills (48 questions-60 minutes) and Logical Reasoning (40 questions-38 minutes).

Questions are MCQ type for both SNAP and NMAT, where in SNAP, 1 mark is allotted to each correct answer while it also has a negative marking system that deducts 0.25 marks with every wrong answer. And in case of NMAT, 1 mark is allotted for every correct answer and does not follow any negative marking system.

Clearing both SNAP and NMAT entrance, the shortlisted candidates further go through the General Exercise, Personal Interview and Writing Ability Test round.

SNAP is affiliated to colleges like SIBM Pune, SCMHRD Pune, SIIB Pune, SIBM Bangalore & other Symbiosis institutes. Same way, clearing NMAT can make it possible to be a part of top colleges like NMIMS Mumbai, IBS Business School Hyderabad, Alliance School of Business Bangalore, Amity Noida and more.

3] SNAP or NMAT: Which one to opt for?

The similarity in syllabus is usually the main reason why students don’t mind attempting for both these exams simultaneously. It is like killing two birds with a single stone. You just have to prepare one syllabus and that can help you ace two exams.

The difference between both are the number of questions and the marking system. The syllabus differs at a small scale with section 1, section 2 and section 3 almost remaining the same. SNAP has a section 4 of current affairs while NMAT doesn’t have the same.

There are many institutes offering help to students aiming to get excellent scores in these competitive exams and make a place in best B-schools, but the curriculum is so simple and manageable that it is also possible for one to prepare at home and score excellent grades.