ATMA February 2026 Exam Concludes; Students Describe Paper as Balanced

The ATMA February 2026 session concluded on February 22 with students reporting a moderate difficulty level across all six sections.

The February session of the AIMS Test for Management Admissions, popularly known as the ATMA Exam, successfully concluded on February 22, 2026. As of today, February 24, candidates across the country are eagerly waiting for the official answer keys and result notifications. Initial feedback from thousands of test-takers suggests that the paper was "balanced" and "student-friendly," though some found the time management aspect challenging. The exam was conducted in a single slot from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM in a computer-based format at various centers.

According to the Association of Indian Management Schools (AIMS), the primary conducting body, the test was held smoothly without any major technical glitches. This national-level entrance test is a gateway for students seeking admission into MBA, PGDM, MCA, and MMS programs offered by over 200 prominent business schools in India. Since the ATMA Exam is held multiple times a year, this February session is particularly important for students aiming for the 2026-2028 academic batch.

1. Section-wise Difficulty Level and Paper Pattern

The 2026 February paper followed the standard structure of 180 questions divided into six distinct sections, with a total duration of 180 minutes.

• Verbal Skills: Most students rated the two Verbal sections as "Easy to Moderate." Questions focused on reading comprehension, grammar, and sentence correction.
• Analytical Reasoning: These sections were described as "Moderate." While the puzzles were logical, they required significant time to solve, testing the candidate's patience.
• Quantitative Skills: As per tradition, the Quantitative Skills sections were the most challenging. Students noted a heavy focus on arithmetic, algebra, and data interpretation.
• Marking System: The exam continues to use a negative marking system where +1 mark is given for a correct answer and -0.25 is deducted for an incorrect response.
• Time Constraints: With only 30 minutes per section, candidates reported that speed was the biggest factor in determining their overall performance.

2. Result Date and Post-Exam Process

Now that the test is over, the focus shifts to the declaration of the Result 2026 and the subsequent counseling process for various institutes.

• Expected Result Date: The official Result 2026 for the February session is scheduled to be announced on February 28, 2026, as per the Official ATMA Portal.
• Downloading Scorecards: Candidates will need their Personal Identification Number (PID) and password to log in and download their official marksheet.
• Score Validity: The scores obtained in this session will remain valid for admission for one full academic year across all participating institutes.
• Score Normalization: Since the exam evaluates different skill sets across six sections, AIMS uses a scaling process to provide a fair percentile rank.

3. Top Colleges and Expected Cut-offs

Several high-ranking management institutes across India accept the scores of this exam, and students are already shortlisting their preferred choices.

• Prominent Institutes: Schools like PUMBA (Pune), Welingkar (Mumbai/Bangalore), and SIES (Navi Mumbai) are among the top choices for high scorers.
• Cut-off Trends: Experts predict that a percentile above 85-90 will be necessary for top-tier colleges, while mid-tier colleges may accept scores in the 70-80 range.
• Selection Criteria: After the Result 2026 is out, individual colleges will conduct their own Group Discussions (GD) and Personal Interviews (PI).
• Admission Updates: Students are advised to check the AIMS Participating Institutes List to verify the specific requirements of each college.

Conclusion

The successful completion of the ATMA Exam February session brings a mix of relief and anticipation for management aspirants. While the Quantitative Skills sections proved to be a hurdle for some, the overall balanced nature of the paper has kept hopes high for a good percentile. Candidates who feel they did not perform to their full potential still have the option to appear for the upcoming May or July sessions. For now, the next major milestone is February 28, when the Result 2026 will clear the path for the next generation of business leaders. Students should utilize this waiting period to prepare their documents and research the specialization programs offered by their target business schools.

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