NMAT Cutoff 2025: Updated Selection Criteria and Competency Test

With more than 60,000 students opting to write the NMAT test every year, one can’t deny the fact that NMAT has grown to become one of India’s premier management entrance tests. Add to it the continuously evolving brand value of NMIMS, Mumbai (the best college to accept NMAT scores), and we can see why students flock for NMAT. If you are one such aspirant looking to study in the exalted NMIMS, Mumbai, or one of the other 50 colleges that accept NMAT scores (such as SP Jain, XIMB, IBS, UBS, Shiv Nadar, and Amity), then knowing the previous years’ NMAT cutoff for various colleges and programs is a critical step. 

Much like CAT, XAT, and SNAP, NMAT is another leading management test that acts as the gateway for admission to all NMIMS PG management programs across all their branches. A few other colleges also allow admissions on the basis of NMAT scores, assuming that you clear the NMAT cutoff for their programs. The NMAt cutoff for 2024 bucked the overall trend. It was dropped down to 209 with a common cutoff for all NMIMS MBA programs (except the MBA Pharmaceutical Management program, which had a cutoff of 190) across all campuses. The sectional cutoffs were dropped to 62, significantly lower than previous years. Additionally, NMIMS updated their entire admission criteria and composite score breakdown. Read on to see all the changes.

NMAT Cutoff 2025 

Based on the sweeping changes introduced by NMIMS in 2024, we expect the NMAT cutoff to remain stable for all its programs in Mumbai, Indore, Navi Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Bangalore. While these predicted cutoffs can change based on external factors, they will help you set the right target score for yourself.

NMAT cutoff 2024 – Updated selection criteria and composite score breakdown

Unlike previous years, NMIMS has entirely overhauled its selection criteria and composite score breakdown to better reflect the industry’s demands. They’ve reduced the NMAT cutoff to just 209, with a common cutoff for all campuses. A new Competency Test has also been introduced as part of the post-NMAT selection process apart from the existing personal interview. While there is no official syllabus for the competency test, we’ve compiled some first-hand experiences here to give you a better idea of what to expect. 

NMAT composite score breakdown (Updated)

As you can see, the weightage for the NMAT exam has been dropped significantly, with a much greater importance being placed on the Competency Test. 

We’ll be releasing detailed blogs on the new, updated NMAT selection process and the competency test.

NMIMS Competency Assessment Test

Based on firsthand accounts, we’ve concluded that the NMIMS competency test is a 45-minute test with three sections: Verbal Ability, Mental Ability, and Managerial Ability.

Shuffling between sections and within sections was allowed. According to the students who took the test, the questions were of a level lower than that of the CAT.

NMAT cutoff 2023 (Batch 24-26)

As expected, the highest NMAT cutoff 2023 was for the MBA Core program at the prestigious NMIMS Mumbai Campus. NMIMS Bangalore has also climbed the ranks in recent years and garnered popularity owing to its proximity to Bengaluru’s startup and tech hubs. The Business Analytics and Digital Transformation programs have also begun to gain steam.

Read More – MBA vs PGDM – Differences, salaries, jobs, higher education

Read More – Top MBA Colleges in India

NMAT cutoff 2022 (Batch 23-25)

For the year 2022, the NMAT cutoff for MBA Core at NMIMS Mumbai was 232, while NMIMS Bangalore’s was 224. A closer look at the cutoff data reveals that the quat section had reportedly been harder, causing the NMAT cutoff to decline by a couple of points.

Read More – Welingkar Cutoff

NMAT cutoff 2021 (Batch 22-24)

The NMAT cutoff for 2021 was quite a bit different from that of 2020. The cutoff dropped across the board, especially in Language Skills and Quantitative Skills. The overall NMAT cutoff for NMIMS Mumbai dropped by 3 points, while the cutoff for NMIMS Bangalore dropped by 6 points. 

Read More – CAT Cutoff

NMAT cutoff 2020 (Batch 21-23)

The 2020 NMAT cutoff for NMIMS Mumbai was 235 while NMIMS Bangalore and Navi Mumbai had a cutoff of 230 each. NMIMS Hyderabad boasted a cutoff of 200 for its core MBA program as did NMIMS Indore.

NMAT cutoff 2025 (expected) for all other colleges

Many other premier management colleges, such as TAPMI, XIMB, and KJ Somaiya, also accept the NMAT exam. Generally, these colleges require a score of 220+ to secure admission. 

NMAT exam pattern

To get a better idea of the sectional cutoffs for NMAT, it is also crucial to understand the NMAT exam pattern. The NMAT is an adaptive test, much like the GMAT. It gets progressively harder based on your ability to deal with the questions it shows you. With a maximum score of 360, students are awarded a +3 for all correct attempts. There is no negative marking. Due to the adaptive nature of the test, students cannot go back and change their answers once they have submitted a particular section. The one benefit students do have is that of choosing the order of attempting the 3 sections. Students should also keep in mind that they can attempt the test 3 times to maximise their score, although NMIMS only accepts scores from the first attempt.

For more details, refer to the table below:

Highlights about the NMAT cutoff 2024

1. Over 42 BSchools in India and 24 abroad accept NMAT scores.
2. There are no minimum passing marks in the NMAT. However, each college releases its own NMAT cutoff, which is the minimum score students need to have in order to get a PI call.
3. The usual cutoff for NMAT ranges from 150 – 240, depending on the selectivity of the college, the reputation and quality of the program, and the number of students applying. We’ll discuss the factors affecting the NMIMS MBA cutoff in detail below.
4. Many colleges also set sectional cutoffs for NMAT that need to be adhered to. Not clearing the cutoff for even one section, despite clearing the overall cutoff, can keep you from getting a call.
5. While many colleges don’t release an official cutoff for the NMAT, it is safe to assume that a good score ranges from 190 to 230.
6. NMAT allows students to take up to 3 attempts to improve their scores. However, you should check with the college individually since colleges like NMIMS only accept scores from the first attempt.

Factors affecting NMAT cutoff 2024 scores

As is the case for other management exams, cutoffs aren’t consistent for NMAT either. They fluctuate from year to year, depending on many factors:

1. Number of students—The number of students is directly proportional to the NMAT cutoff 2024. As the number of aspirants taking the NMAT increases, so does the cutoff score.
2. Difficulty level of the paper – Trends indicate that the cutoff tends to fall during the years when the difficulty level of the exam has been ramped up.
3. Selectivity of the program – Highly selective programs, usually the ones that are regarded highly by students and employers alike, such as NMIMS Mumbai, have higher cutoffs. 
4. Number of seats available – When colleges add more seats to their annual intake, the overall cutoff reduces. 

NMIMS Mumbai cutoff 2024 (Batch 25-27)

The NMAT cutoff for NMIMS Mumbai varies according to the program you choose. For instance, the core MBA program has a relatively high cutoff of 234, while the Pharmaceutical Management program has a cutoff of just 185.

NMIMS Bangalore cutoff 2024 (Batch 25-27)

The NMIMS Bangalore core MBA is the second most popular NMIMS program due to its proximity to Bengaluru’s business hub.

NMIMS Navi Mumbai cutoff 2024 (Batch 25-27)

The cutoff for NMIMS Navi Mumbai is pretty much the same as NMIMS Bangalore.

NMIMS Hyderabad cutoff 2024 (Batch 25-27)

To get into NMIMS Hyderabad for their core MBA program, students need to score 206+.

NMIMS Indore cutoff 2024 (Batch 25-27)

NMIMS Indore set a cutoff of 206 for the year 2024 to get into the core MBA program.

The NMAT is not a hard exam; strategic preparation coupled with regular mock tests will ensure you ace the test. But your preparation needs to start early and under the right tutelage. Consider signing up for the IMS NMAT-SNAP-CET program. This program covers all major management tests, right from NMAT and SNAP to MICAT and IBSAT to CET and CMAT. With structured classroom lessons, concept videos, area-wise tests, mock tests, and GDPI support, you’ll be well-equipped to score 250+ on the NMAT.