Students targeting NMIMS Bengaluru or NMIMS Hyderabad through NMAT 2026 should aim for a scaled score of at least 195, based on 2025 admission trends.
NMAT by GMAC uses a scaled scoring model ranging from 36 to 360, and NMIMS evaluates shortlisting on both the overall score and individual section scores. NMIMS Bengaluru and NMIMS Hyderabad are two of the most accessible non-Mumbai campuses for students who score in the 190–205 band. Both campuses run two-year MBA programmes with an annual intake of 120 students each.
- NMAT 2026 expected cutoff for NMIMS Bengaluru: 195–205 (based on 2025 trends).
- NMAT 2026 expected cutoff for NMIMS Hyderabad: 192–200 (based on 2025 trends).
- NMAT total scaled score ranges from 36 to 360; each section is scored on a 12–120 scale.
- Both campuses enforce section-wise minimums — a high overall score does not compensate for a weak section.
- NMIMS Bengaluru MBA intake: 120 seats; NMIMS Hyderabad MBA intake: 120 seats.
- Final admission uses a composite of NMAT score, Personal Interview, and Written Ability Test.
| Direct Link to NMAT 2026 Official Portal (Active) — mba.com/exams/nmat |
NMAT 2026 Scoring System
NMAT by GMAC is a computer-based adaptive test with three sections. Each section is scored on a scale of 12 to 120 and the total scaled score runs from 36 to 360. The test carries no negative marking and students can attempt it up to three times in a single testing window, with the best score used for shortlisting.
| Section | Questions | Duration (minutes) | Score Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Language Skills | 36 | 28 | 12–120 |
| Quantitative Skills | 36 | 52 | 12–120 |
| Logical Reasoning | 36 | 40 | 12–120 |
| Total | 108 | 120 | 36–360 |
NMIMS shortlists students based on both the total NMAT score and individual section scores. A strong overall score does not guarantee a call if any section falls below the minimum threshold set by the campus.
Expected Cutoff for NMIMS Bengaluru 2026
The expected NMAT 2026 cutoff for NMIMS Bengaluru is 195–205, based on 2025 admission trends. The cutoff at the Bengaluru campus has remained stable over the past two cycles, tracking a modest upward trend as competition for non-Mumbai NMIMS seats has grown.
| Admission Year | Overall Cutoff (approx.) | Language Skills | Quantitative Skills | Logical Reasoning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 (NMAT 2023) | 192–198 | 67+ | 63+ | 63+ |
| 2025 (NMAT 2024) | 195–200 | 68+ | 65+ | 65+ |
| 2026 (NMAT 2025) — Expected | 195–205 | 70+ | 65+ | 65+ |
Students scoring 200 or above in NMAT 2025 have a strong chance of receiving a shortlist call from NMIMS Bengaluru. Shortlisted students then appear for a Personal Interview and Written Ability Test, after which a composite score determines the final merit list.
Expected Cutoff for NMIMS Hyderabad 2026
The expected NMAT 2026 cutoff for NMIMS Hyderabad is 192–200, based on 2025 trends. The Hyderabad campus has historically set a cutoff 3–5 points below Bengaluru, making it a strong backup choice for students who score in the 190–200 range.
| Admission Year | Overall Cutoff (approx.) | Language Skills | Quantitative Skills | Logical Reasoning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 (NMAT 2023) | 188–196 | 65+ | 62+ | 62+ |
| 2025 (NMAT 2024) | 190–198 | 66+ | 63+ | 63+ |
| 2026 (NMAT 2025) — Expected | 192–200 | 68+ | 63+ | 63+ |
A score of 195 or above gives you a high probability of a shortlist call from NMIMS Hyderabad. The selection process after shortlisting is the same as at Bengaluru — PI and WAT scores combine with the NMAT score to determine final admission.
Available Seats at NMIMS Bengaluru and Hyderabad
Both NMIMS Bengaluru and NMIMS Hyderabad offer the two-year MBA programme with an annual intake of 120 seats each. NMIMS is a private deemed university and does not apply a government-mandated category-wise reservation matrix to its MBA intake. Seats are allotted based on composite merit across NMAT score, PI, and WAT.
| Campus | Programme | Annual Intake | Duration | Selection Components |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NMIMS Bengaluru | MBA | 120 seats | 2 years | NMAT + PI + WAT |
| NMIMS Hyderabad | MBA | 120 seats | 2 years | NMAT + PI + WAT |
With 120 seats at each campus and thousands of NMAT test-takers applying each cycle, competition for a seat remains high even at these non-Mumbai campuses.
Section-wise Score Requirements
Clearing the overall cutoff is a necessary but not sufficient condition. NMIMS Bengaluru and Hyderabad both require students to exceed minimum section-wise scores. The table below lists the expected section minimums for NMAT 2025 (2026 intake).
| Section | NMIMS Bengaluru (Expected) | NMIMS Hyderabad (Expected) |
|---|---|---|
| Language Skills | 70+ | 68+ |
| Quantitative Skills | 65+ | 63+ |
| Logical Reasoning | 65+ | 63+ |
| Overall | 195–205 | 192–200 |
A student who scores 210 overall but only 60 in Quantitative Skills will likely not clear the NMIMS Bengaluru shortlist. Balanced preparation across all three NMAT sections is essential, not just chasing a high total score.
Factors Affecting the NMIMS NMAT Cutoff
The NMAT cutoff for NMIMS Bengaluru and Hyderabad is not fixed — it shifts each year based on several variables.
- Number of applicants: More students applying for the same 120 seats pushes the effective cutoff upward.
- Paper difficulty: A harder NMAT paper results in lower scaled scores across the board and may bring the cutoff down marginally.
- Three-attempt policy: Because students can take NMAT up to three times and NMIMS considers the best score, more students reach higher score bands — raising competition at the upper end.
- PI and WAT performance: Students who cross the NMAT threshold but perform exceptionally well in PI or WAT can offset a borderline NMAT score in the composite merit list.
- Campus preference trends: Shifts in student preference between NMIMS campuses can affect how competitive a specific campus becomes in a given cycle.
NMAT 2026 NMIMS Cutoff FAQs
Ques. What is the expected NMAT 2026 cutoff for NMIMS Bengaluru?
Ans. The expected NMAT 2026 cutoff for NMIMS Bengaluru is 195–205, based on 2025 admission trends. Students must also clear section-wise minimums of approximately 70 in Language Skills and 65 each in Quantitative Skills and Logical Reasoning.
Ques. What is the expected NMAT 2026 cutoff for NMIMS Hyderabad?
Ans. The expected NMAT 2026 cutoff for NMIMS Hyderabad is 192–200, based on 2025 trends. Section-wise minimums are approximately 68 in Language Skills and 63 each in Quantitative Skills and Logical Reasoning.
Ques. How many MBA seats are available at NMIMS Bengaluru and Hyderabad?
Ans. Both NMIMS Bengaluru and NMIMS Hyderabad offer 120 seats each in their two-year MBA programmes. Admission is based on a composite of NMAT score, Personal Interview, and Written Ability Test.
Ques. What is the total score range in NMAT by GMAC?
Ans. The total NMAT scaled score ranges from 36 to 360. Each of the three sections — Language Skills, Quantitative Skills, and Logical Reasoning — is scored on a scale of 12 to 120 with 36 questions per section.
Ques. Can a student with a score of 190 get admission to NMIMS Bengaluru?
Ans. A score of 190 is below the expected cutoff range of 195–205 for NMIMS Bengaluru. It may not be sufficient for a shortlist call at Bengaluru, though it falls within the expected range for NMIMS Hyderabad. Students near the cutoff should also consider retaking NMAT, since up to three attempts are allowed per cycle.
Ques. Does NMIMS consider the best of three NMAT attempts?
Ans. Yes. NMIMS considers the best valid NMAT score among all attempts made in a single testing cycle. Students can take NMAT up to three times per cycle, which allows them to improve their score before the shortlisting deadline.








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