Leading management institutes have commenced the NMAT 2025-26 score-based shortlisting process. NMIMS Mumbai and other participating colleges are currently releasing interview calls. Candidates must verify their scaled scores and download the official scorecard from the GMAC portal to proceed with the next selection stages.

The post-examination phase for the NMAT by GMAC 2025–26 testing cycle has gained significant momentum as participating-colleges begin releasing their initial shortlists. As of today, January 20, 2026, the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) has stabilized the final percentile scores for the main testing window, which concluded in late December. This allows premier business schools to evaluate the score-validity of thousands of applicants. While the primary exam window has shut, the current week marks the transition where high-scoring candidates are invited for subsequent personality and competency assessments.

Institutional Shortlisting and Cut-off Trends

The participating-colleges are utilizing a combination of sectional and overall scaled scores to filter candidates for the 2026-28 academic batch.

• NMIMS Mumbai Status: The flagship Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS) has tentatively activated its link for candidates to check their call status for the MBA Core and HR programs.
• Score Requirements: Early reports suggest that the score-validity for a call from the Mumbai campus remains competitive, with the cut-off hovering around the 232-235 marks range.
• Diverse B-Schools: Beyond NMIMS, other prominent entities like K J Somaiya, TAPMI, and XIM University are currently reviewing the candidate-profiles submitted through the GMAC portal.
• Ongoing Phase: For those who appeared in the recent "Additional Phase" held between January 13 and January 17, scorecards are expected to be integrated into the participating-colleges databases by the end of this week.

Second Stage Selection Components

Once a student appears on a candidate-profiles shortlist, they must prepare for a rigorous multi-stage evaluation process designed to test management potential.

• Competency Tests: Several institutes have replaced traditional group discussions with specialized competency tests or WAT (Written Analytical Test) rounds to better gauge logical thinking.
• Personal Interviews: The interview-window for top-tier schools is scheduled to open in the last week of January and continue through mid-February 2026.
• Composite Scoring: Final admission offers are not based solely on the entrance exam; instead, the score-validity is combined with academic consistency and work experience.
• Verification: Shortlisted individuals are required to upload their official transcripts and NMAT scorecards to the individual institute portals before the interview-window commences.

Score Ranges and Tiered Call Status

The following table illustrates the expected score bands and the corresponding categories of institutes currently initiating their shortlisting.

• Email Notifications: Candidates are advised to monitor their registered email IDs, as GMAC sends automated alerts once their scores are officially shared with participating-colleges.
• Profile-Based Calls: Some institutes may issue calls based on candidate-profiles even if the NMAT score is slightly below the traditional cut-off, provided the professional background is exceptional.
• Booking Slots: Upon receiving an invite, students must log in to the specific university portal to book their interview-window slot, as these are often allotted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Conclusion

As the participating-colleges move deeper into the selection cycle, the focus has shifted from test preparation to interview readiness. Applicants must ensure their score-validity is confirmed by downloading the final version of their scorecard from the official NMAT website today. With the candidate-profiles being actively screened, missing an email or a portal update could mean forfeiting a seat in a premier management program. The next fortnight remains the most critical period for NMAT test-takers to convert their competitive scores into final admission offers for the 2026 session. The formal interview-window for most campuses will be finalized by the end of January.