As of January 25, 2026, leading management institutes have accelerated their shortlisting process based on NMAT by GMAC scores Participating colleges like KJ Somaiya, TAPMI, and XIMB are now identifying eligible candidates for the next evaluation phase. The focus has shifted to profile-based assessments and individual competency rounds across various campuses. Shortlisted students are currently receiving formal invitations to participate in the second stage of the admission cycle.

With the final scorecards for the NMAT 2025-26 session now accessible to all test-takers, the admission landscape has moved into a high-intensity phase. As of January 25, 2026, various participating institutes are actively screening candidates who have successfully cleared both the sectional and overall cut-offs. Unlike the single-window results of other competitive exams, the NMAT follows a rolling shortlisting model, allowing institutes to initiate their selection rounds shortly after the conclusion of the testing window in December.

Shortlisting Trends and Cut-off Benchmarks

Participating institutes are currently analyzing the scaled scores of applicants to determine the merit list for the 2026-28 academic session. The competitive nature of the exam this year has resulted in stable yet rigorous requirements across flagship programs.

• Premier Category Scores: Flagship programs at NMIMS Mumbai and XIMB are seeing cut-offs remain in the high 230s, necessitating strong performance in all three sections.
• Sectional Performance: Top-tier participating institutes continue to enforce sectional cut-offs, particularly in Language Skills and Logical Reasoning, ensuring a well-rounded cohort of students.
• Profile-Based Calls: Certain participating institutes, such as SDA Bocconi and TAPMI, have begun issuing calls based on a combination of NMAT scores and academic profiles, even for those slightly below the highest marks.
• Diversification of Scores: The scaling process implemented by GMAC has ensured that candidates from different test slots are evaluated on a level playing field before being shortlisted by the participating institutes.

The Evolution of the Second Selection Stage

Once the shortlisting is completed, candidates transition into the qualitative assessment rounds. These rounds are designed to look beyond the raw scores and evaluate the managerial aptitude of the potential students.

• Competency Assessments: Several participating institutes have introduced digital competency tests that evaluate analytical reasoning and situational judgment.
• Personal Interviews: The interview panels at these participating institutes focus on a candidate's alignment with the program’s values, their work experience, and their understanding of current global business trends.
• Group Assessments: Collaborative exercises remain a staple at many campuses, testing how effectively students can solve business problems in a team setting.
• Weighted Merit: The final selection is a composite of the NMAT score, which typically holds a 20-30% weightage, and the performance in these individual interaction rounds.

Current Admission Status and Expectations

The timeline for the current admission cycle is progressing as scheduled, with most campuses expected to conclude their physical or virtual interviews by mid-March.

• Administrative Deadlines: Candidates who have been shortlisted are now required to upload their official scorecards to the respective portals of the participating institutes to verify their credentials.
• Seat Availability: With over 1,700 seats across major campuses, the shortlisting process remains extensive to ensure that the most qualified individuals are selected for the final stage.

Conclusion

The current progress in the NMAT 2025-26 admission cycle reflects a shift toward holistic candidate evaluation. As participating institutes move through their respective shortlists, the emphasis is clearly on identifying students who possess both technical proficiency and interpersonal skills. The ongoing activity across B-school portals indicates that the selection rounds are on track to define the next generation of management professionals by the start of the next academic term.