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NMAT (Philippines) study materials
NMAT (Philippines) study resources

NMAT (Philippines) practice questions

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Question 1Verbal

Choose the word closest in meaning to CANDID.

  1. deceptive
  2. ornate
  3. frank Correct answer.
  4. guarded

Explanation

Candid describes speech or behavior that is open, direct, and honest. The synonym must carry that same sense of openness. 'Frank' means openly straightforward, which matches.

Question 2Verbal

Choose the word most nearly opposite in meaning to FRUGAL.

  1. guarded
  2. wasteful Correct answer.
  3. thrifty
  4. miserly

Explanation

Someone who is frugal is economical and careful with money. The antonym must describe careless or excessive spending. 'Wasteful' means spending or using resources extravagantly, the direct opposite.

Question 3Verbal

BIRD : NEST :: ___: ___

  1. tree : leaf
  2. fish : water
  3. bee : hive Correct answer.
  4. horse : saddle

Explanation

The first term names an animal and the second names the dwelling it builds or occupies. Only one pair repeats that relationship of creature to constructed shelter.

Question 4Verbal

Each of the applicants ___ required to submit two letters of recommendation.

  1. are
  2. have been
  3. were
  4. is Correct answer.

Explanation

The subject is 'each,' an indefinite pronoun that is always singular, so the verb must be singular. The plural noun in the prepositional phrase ('applicants') does not change the number of the subject.

Question 5Verbal

Despite the heavy rain, the volunteers remained ___ and continued planting seedlings along the riverbank.

  1. exhausted
  2. confused
  3. undeterred Correct answer.
  4. indifferent

Explanation

The word 'despite' signals that the volunteers kept working in unfavorable conditions. The blank must describe persistence rather than a reaction like fatigue or boredom. 'Undeterred' means not discouraged from continuing.

Question 6Verbal

The new attendance policy will ___ every employee in the department.

  1. infect
  2. defect
  3. affect Correct answer.
  4. effect

Explanation

'Affect' is a verb meaning to influence or produce a change in something. The sentence needs a verb, so the noun 'effect' cannot fill the blank.

Question 7Verbal

Neither the manager nor the clerks submitted ___ reports on time.

  1. their Correct answer.
  2. her
  3. its
  4. his or her

Explanation

With 'neither...nor,' the pronoun agrees with the subject nearer to it, which is the plural 'clerks.' The possessive pronoun must therefore be plural.

Question 8Verbal

Read the passage: Coral reefs cover less than one percent of the ocean floor, yet they shelter roughly a quarter of all marine species. Rising water temperatures, however, cause corals to expel the algae that feed them and give them color, a process called bleaching. Without the algae, corals starve and reefs crumble into rubble. Which sentence best states the main idea?

  1. Reefs shelter most fish species.
  2. Algae harm coral reefs.
  3. Warming seas endanger reefs. Correct answer.
  4. Bleaching colors the corals.

Explanation

The main idea must cover the whole passage, not one detail. The passage moves from the ecological value of reefs to the damage caused by warming water. Only one option captures both the threat and what is threatened.

Question 9Verbal

The internship requires students to draft reports, to analyze data, and ___.

  1. attending meetings
  2. attendance at meetings
  3. meeting attendance
  4. to attend meetings Correct answer.

Explanation

Items in a series must share the same grammatical form. The first two items are infinitives ('to draft,' 'to analyze'), so the third must also be an infinitive.

Question 10Verbal

Walking through the museum, ___.

  1. the sculptures impressed the visitors
  2. the visitors were impressed by the sculptures Correct answer.
  3. the sculptures were impressive to the visitors
  4. impressing visitors were the sculptures

Explanation

An introductory participial phrase modifies the subject of the main clause, so the subject must be the one doing the walking. Only one option supplies people as the subject.

Question 11Verbal

Although the theory was once widely accepted, recent evidence has rendered it ___.

  1. influential
  2. comprehensive
  3. untenable Correct answer.
  4. redundant

Explanation

'Although' marks a contrast between past acceptance and the present effect of new evidence. The blank must name a state that contradicts prior acceptance. 'Untenable' means no longer defensible.

Question 12Verbal

AUTHOR : MANUSCRIPT :: ___: ___

  1. painter : gallery
  2. actor : audience
  3. judge : verdict
  4. composer : score Correct answer.

Explanation

The first term is a creator and the second is the work that person produces. The correct pair must repeat that creator-to-created-work link.

Question 13Verbal

By the time the researchers arrived, the storm ___ three of the monitoring stations.

  1. destroys
  2. will have destroyed
  3. had destroyed Correct answer.
  4. has destroyed

Explanation

The phrase 'by the time...arrived' establishes an event completed before a past moment. English uses the past perfect for the earlier of two past actions.

Question 14Verbal

Read the passage: When the city converted two downtown lanes into a bus-only corridor, merchants along the avenue predicted a collapse in foot traffic. Two years later, retail sales on those blocks had risen slightly, and the transit authority reported a fifteen percent increase in bus ridership. Which statement is best supported by the passage?

  1. All lanes should become bus-only.
  2. Bus riders spend more than drivers.
  3. Business was not harmed as feared. Correct answer.
  4. Merchants were right about losing customers.

Explanation

A supported inference must follow from the stated facts without going beyond them. The passage reports that the predicted collapse did not occur and sales actually rose slightly. That supports only the limited claim that the feared harm did not materialize.

Question 15Verbal

Which sentence is written most clearly?

  1. Speaking to the committee, the proposal was explained by her.
  2. When speaking to the committee, the proposal was explained.
  3. She explained the proposal to the committee. Correct answer.
  4. The proposal was explained by her speaking to the committee.

Explanation

The clearest sentence has an explicit agent as its subject and needs no dangling modifier or awkward passive construction. Only one option states directly who did what.

Question 16Verbal

Read the sentence: The senator's remarks were so equivocal that reporters left the briefing unsure of what he had actually promised. In context, EQUIVOCAL most nearly means ___.

  1. rehearsed
  2. hostile
  3. ambiguous Correct answer.
  4. brief

Explanation

The clause after 'that' explains the effect of the remarks on reporters: they were left unsure of what was promised. Word meaning must be inferred from that context clue, which points to uncertainty of meaning.

Question 17Verbal

Arrange the sentences into a coherent paragraph. (1) The seeds germinate only after the first heavy rains. (2) Desert wildflowers complete their entire life cycle in a few weeks. (3) Within days, the bare ground is covered with blossoms. (4) By the time the soil dries, they have already scattered their seeds.

  1. 2-3-1-4
  2. 1-2-4-3
  3. 2-1-3-4 Correct answer.
  4. 4-1-2-3

Explanation

A coherent paragraph opens with the general statement that frames the topic, then follows chronological order. The life-cycle claim (2) is the topic sentence, germination follows the rains (1), blossoming follows germination (3), and seed dispersal closes the cycle (4).

Question 18Verbal

The salary of a nurse is lower than ___.

  1. a doctor
  2. those of doctors
  3. doctors
  4. that of a doctor Correct answer.

Explanation

Comparisons must place like elements side by side. The sentence compares one salary with another salary, so a substitute word for 'the salary' is needed. The singular 'that of' supplies it.

Question 19Verbal

The professor's lecture was ___; students left with a far clearer picture of the topic than they had before.

  1. monotonous
  2. abrupt
  3. lucid Correct answer.
  4. superficial

Explanation

The second clause names the effect of the lecture: students understood the topic better. The blank must name a quality that produces understanding. 'Lucid' means clear and easy to follow.

Question 20Verbal

Read the passage: It is difficult to read the ministry's latest report without a measure of disbelief. The document promises sweeping reforms while quietly cutting the very budget on which those reforms depend. The author's tone toward the report is best described as ___.

  1. approving
  2. neutral
  3. skeptical Correct answer.
  4. nostalgic

Explanation

Tone is revealed by evaluative wording and by what the author chooses to point out. Phrases such as 'a measure of disbelief' and the contrast between promises and budget cuts signal doubt about the report's credibility.

Question 21Verbal

Choose the word most nearly opposite in meaning to PROFLIGATE.

  1. thrifty Correct answer.
  2. extravagant
  3. reckless
  4. generous

Explanation

Profligate describes someone who spends or uses resources recklessly and wastefully. Its antonym must denote careful management of resources. 'Thrifty' means economical and prudent in spending.

Question 22Verbal

EPHEMERAL : PERMANENCE :: ___: ___

  1. generous : giving
  2. fragile : glass
  3. rapid : speed
  4. candid : deceit Correct answer.

Explanation

The first word names a quality that is the opposite of the second noun, so the pair expresses contrariety. Only one option pairs a quality with the concept it contradicts.

Question 23Verbal

Although the critic praised the novel's ambition, she found its execution ___, marred by loose plotting and ___ prose.

  1. concise ... intricate
  2. uneven ... turgid Correct answer.
  3. flawless ... luminous
  4. bold ... dazzling

Explanation

'Although' signals that praise for ambition is offset by criticism in the second half. The two blanks must therefore be negative in tone, and the second must suit 'marred,' which introduces faults in the writing itself.

Question 24Verbal

Read the argument: Since the museum began offering free admission on Sundays, attendance has doubled. Clearly, waiving the entrance fee is the most effective way to increase public interest in the museum. Which assumption does the argument depend on?

  1. Most visitors come for special shows.
  2. The museum can afford free Sundays.
  3. High attendance means real interest. Correct answer.
  4. Attendance on other days has fallen.

Explanation

An argument assumes a link between the evidence offered and the conclusion drawn. Here the evidence is higher attendance and the conclusion concerns interest, so the reasoning requires that attendance measure interest rather than mere free entertainment.

Question 25Verbal

Which sentence most clearly states that the announcement was made last week?

  1. Last week, the firm announced it would stop making the device. Correct answer.
  2. The firm announced that last week it would stop making the device.
  3. The firm announced it would stop last week making the device.
  4. The firm announced it would stop making the device last week.

Explanation

Adverb placement determines which event the time phrase modifies. Placing 'last week' at the front of the sentence attaches it unmistakably to the announcing.

Question 26Inductive Reasoning

What number comes next in the series? 3, 6, 12, 24, ___

  1. 48 Correct answer.
  2. 36
  3. 42
  4. 30

Explanation

Each term is obtained by doubling the term before it: 3×2=6, 6×2=12, 12×2=24. Applying the same rule gives 24×2=48.

Question 27Inductive Reasoning

Complete the letter series: A, C, F, J, ___

  1. M
  2. O Correct answer.
  3. P
  4. N

Explanation

The gaps between consecutive letters grow by one each time: +2, +3, +4, so the next gap is +5. Counting five letters forward from J gives O.

Question 28Inductive Reasoning

Three of the following numbers share a common property. Which one does not belong?

  1. 42 Correct answer.
  2. 36
  3. 16
  4. 25

Explanation

16, 25 and 36 are all perfect squares (4², 5², 6²). The number 42 lies between 36 and 49 and is not a perfect square.

Question 29Inductive Reasoning

Complete the analogy: 4 is to 16 as 7 is to ___

  1. 49 Correct answer.
  2. 28
  3. 42
  4. 56

Explanation

The second number is the square of the first: 4²=16. Applying the same relation to 7 gives 7²=49.

Question 30Inductive Reasoning

What is the next term? 2, 5, 8, 11, ___

  1. 12
  2. 14 Correct answer.
  3. 13
  4. 15

Explanation

Each term increases by a constant difference of 3: 2+3=5, 5+3=8, 8+3=11. Continuing the pattern gives 11+3=14.

Question 31Inductive Reasoning

Complete the series: B, D, G, K, ___

  1. P Correct answer.
  2. N
  3. Q
  4. O

Explanation

The letters advance by increasing gaps of 2, 3 and 4 positions: B to D (+2), D to G (+3), G to K (+4). The next gap is +5, and five positions after K is P.

Question 32Inductive Reasoning

A row of shapes is drawn so that each shape has exactly one more side than the shape before it, beginning with a triangle. Which shape is fourth in the row?

  1. heptagon
  2. hexagon Correct answer.
  3. pentagon
  4. octagon

Explanation

The side counts run 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, corresponding to triangle, square, pentagon, hexagon and heptagon. The fourth shape therefore has six sides, which is a hexagon.

Question 33Inductive Reasoning

Complete the word analogy: puppy is to dog as kitten is to ___

  1. puppy
  2. foal
  3. cat Correct answer.
  4. lamb

Explanation

A puppy is the young of a dog, so the second word must be the adult animal whose young is a kitten. The adult animal for a kitten is a cat.

Question 34Inductive Reasoning

Find the next term: 1, 2, 6, 24, 120, ___

  1. 360
  2. 720 Correct answer.
  3. 600
  4. 240

Explanation

Each term is multiplied by a factor that increases by one: ×2, ×3, ×4, ×5. The next factor is ×6, and 120×6=720.

Question 35Inductive Reasoning

Determine the next number: 5, 10, 8, 16, 14, 28, ___

  1. 22
  2. 30
  3. 24
  4. 26 Correct answer.

Explanation

The series alternates two operations: multiply by 2, then subtract 2 (5→10→8→16→14→28). After the doubling step that produced 28, the next operation is subtracting 2, giving 26.

Question 36Inductive Reasoning

Complete the series: Z, X, U, Q, ___

  1. N
  2. M
  3. K
  4. L Correct answer.

Explanation

The letters move backward by increasing gaps: −2 (Z to X), −3 (X to U), −4 (U to Q). The next gap is −5, and five letters back from Q is L.

Question 37Inductive Reasoning

In a three-row grid, the third number in each row equals the product of the first two numbers minus one. Row 1 is 2, 3, 5; Row 2 is 4, 2, 7; Row 3 is 3, 5, ___. What number completes Row 3?

  1. 15
  2. 14 Correct answer.
  3. 12
  4. 16

Explanation

Checking the rule: 2×3−1=5 and 4×2−1=7, so the rule holds for both complete rows. Applying it to Row 3 gives 3×5−1=14.

Question 38Inductive Reasoning

Find the next term: 2, 5, 10, 17, 26, ___

  1. 35
  2. 37 Correct answer.
  3. 38
  4. 36

Explanation

The differences between successive terms are the consecutive odd numbers 3, 5, 7 and 9. The next difference is 11, and 26+11=37.

Question 39Inductive Reasoning

In a code, every letter is replaced by the letter three places after it in the alphabet, wrapping around from Z to A. Using this code, what does CAB become?

  1. FCE
  2. EDF
  3. FDE Correct answer.
  4. GDE

Explanation

Each letter shifts forward by three: C becomes F, A becomes D, and B becomes E. The coded word is therefore FDE.

Question 40Inductive Reasoning

Figures in a sequence contain dots arranged in perfect squares: the first figure has 1 dot, the second has 4, the third has 9, the fourth has 16, and so on. How many dots are in the seventh figure?

  1. 49 Correct answer.
  2. 64
  3. 36
  4. 42

Explanation

The dot counts are 1², 2², 3², 4², and so on, so the nth figure has n² dots. The seventh figure therefore contains 7²=49 dots.

Question 41Inductive Reasoning

Complete the analogy: 8 is to 2 as 27 is to ___

  1. 4
  2. 6
  3. 9
  4. 3 Correct answer.

Explanation

The first pair links a perfect cube with its cube root, since 2³=8. Taking the cube root of 27 gives 3, because 3³=27.

Question 42Inductive Reasoning

Complete the mixed series: A1, C4, F9, J16, ___

  1. O36
  2. P25
  3. O25 Correct answer.
  4. N25

Explanation

The letters advance by gaps of 2, 3 and 4 (A, C, F, J), so the next gap is 5, giving O. The numbers are consecutive squares 1, 4, 9, 16, so the next is 25, and O is the 15th letter, matching 5².

Question 43Inductive Reasoning

Three of the following numbers are prime. Which one is not?

  1. 33 Correct answer.
  2. 17
  3. 23
  4. 29

Explanation

A prime number has exactly two factors, 1 and itself. The numbers 17, 23 and 29 have no other factors, but 33 equals 3×11, so it has more than two factors.

Question 44Inductive Reasoning

Find the next term: 3, 7, 6, 14, 9, 21, ___

  1. 13
  2. 10
  3. 12 Correct answer.
  4. 11

Explanation

The series interleaves two patterns: the odd-positioned terms are 3, 6, 9, increasing by 3, while the even-positioned terms are 7, 14, 21, increasing by 7. The seventh term belongs to the first pattern, so it is 9+3=12.

Question 45Inductive Reasoning

A sequence begins 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, and each later term is the sum of the two terms before it. What is the next term?

  1. 21 Correct answer.
  2. 19
  3. 24
  4. 20

Explanation

The rule states that each term equals the sum of the two preceding terms: 2+3=5, 3+5=8, 5+8=13. The next term is therefore 8+13=21.

Question 46Inductive Reasoning

Complete the analogy: B is to E as H is to ___

  1. M
  2. J
  3. K Correct answer.
  4. L

Explanation

Moving from B to E means advancing three letters. Advancing three letters from H gives K.

Question 47Inductive Reasoning

Find the next term: 1, 4, 27, 256, ___

  1. 3125 Correct answer.
  2. 2500
  3. 1024
  4. 625

Explanation

Each term follows the form n^n: 1¹, 2², 3³, 4⁴. The fifth term is therefore 5⁵, which equals 3125.

Question 48Inductive Reasoning

Complete the series: A, Z, B, Y, C, X, ___

  1. E
  2. W
  3. V
  4. D Correct answer.

Explanation

The series interleaves two movements: the odd positions run forward from the start of the alphabet (A, B, C, D) while the even positions run backward from the end (Z, Y, X). The seventh term continues the forward sequence, giving D.

Question 49Inductive Reasoning

A sequence of values follows the pattern 2, 6, 12, 20, 30, 42 arranged so that the differences between successive values are 4, 6, 8, 10, 12. Extending this rule, what is the next value after 42?

  1. 44
  2. 36
  3. 40
  4. 56 Correct answer.

Explanation

The successive differences grow by 2 each time: 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, so the next difference is 14. Adding 14 to 42 gives 56, which also matches the rule n(n+1) for n=7.

Question 50Inductive Reasoning

In a 3×3 grid, the third entry of each row follows the same rule applied to the first two entries of that row: Row 1: 4, 8, 6 Row 2: 10, 2, 6 Row 3: 14, 6, ? What number belongs in place of the question mark?

  1. 10 Correct answer.
  2. 40
  3. 8
  4. 20

Explanation

In each row the third entry is the average of the first two entries: (4 + 8)/2 = 6 and (10 + 2)/2 = 6. Applying the same rule to the third row gives (14 + 6)/2 = 10.