NMAT 2025–26 scores are now being utilized by top B-schools for the next phase of MBA admissions. With the exam window having concluded in late December, NMIMS Mumbai and other participating institutes have started releasing their shortlists for the 2026-28 batch. Shortlisted candidates must now prepare for the mandatory Competency Assessment and Personal Interview rounds scheduled for February and March. Check your status on the official NMIMS portal using your NMAT ID to confirm eligibility for the final selection rounds and centralized counseling

The admission landscape for premier management programs has entered a decisive phase as the shortlisting process based on NMAT 2025–26 scores gains momentum. Following the conclusion of the main testing window on December 19, 2025, and the subsequent retake periods in early January, Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS) and several other top-tier B-schools have begun identifying candidates for their flagship MBA programs. The official portal at nmims.edu has seen a significant surge in activity as aspirants log in to verify their qualifying status for the upcoming second stage of selection.

Revised Weightage and Selection Parameters

The 2026–28 admission cycle has introduced one of the most significant structural changes in recent years. NMIMS has notably reduced the reliance on the raw NMAT score, which now accounts for only 20% of the final merit calculation. Instead, a newly introduced Competency Assessment has been given a staggering 50% weightage, emphasizing a candidate’s holistic potential over standardized test performance alone. This shift aims to evaluate critical thinking and managerial aptitude through a more interactive and comprehensive testing environment.

• NMAT Score Weightage: Reduced to 20% to allow for a more diverse candidate profile.
• Competency Assessment: A mandatory 45-minute test covering Verbal, Mental, and Managerial Ability.
• Academic Record: Consistency in 10th, 12th, and Graduation marks now holds a combined 10–12% weight.
• Work Experience: Verifiable professional experience (12-24 months) provides a strategic advantage in the final shortlisting process.

Cutoff Trends and Participating Institutes

Early reports from the shortlisting process suggest that the overall cutoff for the NMIMS Mumbai campus has standardized around the 209-212 mark, a slight dip compared to previous years’ highs of 235+. This strategic adjustment by the participating B-schools is intended to invite a larger pool of candidates for the high-weightage competency rounds. Beyond NMIMS, other prominent institutions such as XIMB, KJ Somaiya, and SDA Bocconi are also utilizing the NMAT scores to finalize their respective interview lists.

• NMIMS Mumbai: Standardized cutoff at 209 for MBA (Core) and HR programs.
• XIMB (Bhubaneswar): Expected cutoff for non-domicile candidates remains high at 90+ percentile.
• SDA Bocconi Asia Center: Shortlisting candidates with an average score of 200+ for the IMB program.
• Other Schools: Institutions like VIT, SRM, and Alliance University are accepting scores ranging from 160 to 180 on their official portal.

Conclusion

The current shortlisting process marks the transition from a test-centric approach to a more personality-driven evaluation. For thousands of aspirants, the focus has now shifted to mastering the Competency Assessment, which will serve as the primary tie-breaker for the 2026-28 batch. As participating B-schools continue to release their specific merit lists, candidates are advised to keep their documentation ready for the digital verification stage. Successfully navigating the official portal alerts and preparing for the intensified interview rounds will be the final hurdle for students seeking a seat in India’s leading private management institutes this year.