NMAT 2026 Score vs Percentile: Section-Wise Scaled Score and Percentile Predictor

NMAT 2026 uses a scaled score system with a total range of 0–360; a score of 230 and above is expected to place students in the 93rd percentile or higher based on previous years’ trends.

NMAT by GMAC 2026 is conducted in a multi-window format across October–December 2026. The exam converts correct answers into a scaled score to ensure fair comparison across different test windows and dates. Understanding how your scaled score maps to a percentile helps you shortlist MBA colleges and decide whether to use your remaining retake attempts.

• Total scaled score range: 0–360 (three sections, each scaled 0–120)
• Sections: Language Skills, Quantitative Skills, and Logical Reasoning — 36 questions each
• No negative marking — unattempted and incorrect answers both score 0
• A score of 240 and above is expected to fetch 97th percentile or above based on previous years’ trends
• NMIMS Mumbai, the top NMAT-accepting college, typically requires 225 and above for shortlisting
• Section percentile cut-offs apply at several colleges — aim for a balanced score across all three sections

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NMAT 2026 Scaled Scoring System Explained

NMAT by GMAC does not report raw marks. The exam applies a scaling algorithm to your responses to account for difficulty variation across test windows, so students who attempted harder windows are not penalised compared to those who appeared on easier dates.

Your NMAT percentile is published after the full test window closes. It compares your scaled score against all students who appeared in the same cycle. Colleges use both the overall percentile and individual section percentile for shortlisting, so a low section score can disqualify you even with a strong overall score.

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NMAT 2026 Score vs Overall Percentile

The table below maps NMAT 2026 scaled score bands to expected percentile ranges, based on previous years’ score distributions. These are predictions and actual percentiles will be available once official results are declared.

Most NMAT-accepting MBA programs shortlist students with an overall percentile of 85 and above. A scaled score in the 220–230 range is generally the minimum needed for a competitive application to premier NMAT institutes.

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Section-Wise Score vs Percentile

NMAT reports a scaled score and percentile for each section separately. Many colleges apply individual section cut-offs alongside the overall score requirement, making a balanced section performance as important as a high aggregate scaled score.

Language Skills (Scaled Score: 0–120)

Quantitative Skills (Scaled Score: 0–120)

Logical Reasoning (Scaled Score: 0–120)

Language Skills typically produces higher scores for students from English-medium backgrounds. Quantitative Skills shows the widest score variation across test-takers. Targeting 75 or above in each section keeps you competitive across the majority of NMAT-accepting programs.

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What is a Good NMAT Score for 2026?

A good NMAT score depends on the colleges you are targeting. The table below classifies scaled score ranges and their expected impact on your admission prospects, based on previous years’ trends.

NMAT allows up to three attempts per cycle and uses your best scaled score for admissions. If your first attempt falls below 210, review your section-wise performance and consider a retake before the registration window closes.

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NMAT 2026 Score Range for Top Colleges

The table below lists expected NMAT 2026 score cut-offs for shortlisting at leading MBA colleges that accept NMAT scores, based on previous years’ admission data. Actual cut-offs for the 2026 cycle will be published individually by each college.

These figures are based on previous years’ trends. Always check the official admission bulletins of individual colleges for NMAT 2026 cut-offs. Some institutes also set a minimum section-wise percentile alongside the overall score threshold.