With the SNAP 2025 results now released, Symbiosis International University has moved into the second phase of MBA admissions. Shortlisted candidates are preparing for Group Exercise (GE) and Personal Interaction (PI) rounds scheduled for February 2026. Aspirants must book their slots on individual institute portals to secure their place in the final merit list for the 2026-28 academic batch.

Following the declaration of the Symbiosis National Aptitude Test (SNAP) results on January 9, the focus for thousands of management aspirants has shifted toward the next stage of the selection process. Constituent institutes of Symbiosis International (Deemed University), including SIBM Pune and SCMHRD, have begun identifying candidates for the second phase of the 2026-28 admission cycle. This transition marks the end of the entrance test phase and the beginning of a personality-driven assessment designed to evaluate leadership and communication skills.

Shortlisting Trends and Cutoff Analysis

As of today, several institutes have activated their shortlisting links, allowing students to check if they have met the required percentile for the Group Exercise (GE) and Personal Interaction (PI) rounds. Early data from the 2026 selection cycle indicates that the flagship MBA program at SIBM Pune continues to maintain a high cutoff, hovering around the 98.5 percentile. Similarly, SCMHRD is expected to shortlist candidates who have secured 97 percentile or above, while specialized institutes like SIIB and SIBM Bengaluru are identifying talent in the 90–93 percentile bracket.

• SIBM Pune: Flagship MBA shortlisting is currently active on their official website.
• SCMHRD: Candidates for the General and HR programs are being notified of their status today.
• Decentralized Process: Aspirants must log in to each specific institute portal they applied for to verify their shortlist status.
• Slot Booking: Shortlisted students are required to book their preferred date and time for the GE-PI rounds on a first-come, first-served basis.

The GE-PI-WAT Assessment Structure

The 2026 assessment structure remains comprehensive, ensuring that candidates are evaluated beyond their raw aptitude scores. The Group Exercise (GE) typically involves a case-based discussion or a problem-solving activity, while the Personal Interaction (PI) involves a one-on-one deep dive with a panel of faculty and industry alumni. Unlike previous years where the Written Ability Test (WAT) was conducted at the center, some institutes have integrated it into the online selection rounds to streamline the experience for outstation candidates.

• Group Exercise (GE): Focuses on team dynamics, logical contribution, and collaborative problem-solving.
• Personal Interaction (PI): Evaluates the candidate’s clarity of goals, work experience, and suitability for the chosen specialization.
• Mandatory Attendance: Symbiosis has reiterated that missing any component of the GE-PI rounds will lead to automatic disqualification from the shortlist.
• Document Verification: Candidates must have digital copies of their SNAP scorecard and academic transcripts ready for the online verification step.

Final Merit List Weightage

The final admission offer is not based solely on the entrance score. The university uses a composite scoring system where the SNAP performance is scaled down to a 50% weightage. The following table provides a breakdown of how the final merit list will be calculated for the 2026 selection rounds across most Symbiosis institutes.

Conclusion

With the release of the first shortlist calls today, the race for a seat in a premier Symbiosis institute has entered its most critical phase. Candidates are now shifting their preparation toward current affairs, business ethics, and mock interviews to excel in the upcoming February sessions. As the university moves closer to finalizing its 2026-28 intake, students are encouraged to monitor their registered email addresses and the official portal for specific instructions regarding their allotted assessment slots and venue details.

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