ATMA 2026 safe score for OBC category is 140–155 marks (70–75 percentile), while SC students need 120–135 marks and ST students need 100–120 marks for a reasonable chance at MBA/PGDM admission.
AIMS (Association of Indian Management Schools) conducts ATMA multiple times a year. The July 2026 exam is scheduled for July 18, 2026. Over 300 B-schools across India accept ATMA scores for MBA and PGDM admissions. Reserved category students — OBC, SC, ST, and PwD — benefit from relaxed cutoffs compared to General category students. The figures below are expected based on 2024–2025 trends and will be updated once official results are announced.
- Total Marks: 180 (6 sections × 30 questions each, +1 for correct, −0.25 for wrong)
- OBC Safe Score: 140–155 marks (~70–75 percentile expected)
- SC Safe Score: 120–135 marks (~60–65 percentile expected)
- ST Safe Score: 100–120 marks (~50–60 percentile expected)
- OBC Relaxation vs General: Approximately 5–10 percentile points lower cutoff
- SC/ST Relaxation vs General: Approximately 15–20 percentile points lower cutoff
| Direct Link to ATMA 2026 Official Website (Active) — atmaaims.com |
What is ATMA 2026 Safe Score?
A safe score is the minimum score that gives a student a strong chance of securing admission in a good MBA or PGDM college. It is not a guaranteed cutoff but rather a benchmark based on previous years’ trends. For ATMA, scores are reported as percentiles. Each category — General, OBC, SC, ST, and PwD — has different safe score thresholds. Reserved category students benefit from relaxations set by government policy and individual college admission committees. The safe scores mentioned here are expected figures based on 2024–2025 admission trends and may vary for the July 2026 cycle.
ATMA 2026 July exam consists of 180 questions spread across 6 sections of 30 questions each. Students earn +1 for every correct answer and lose 0.25 marks for every wrong answer. The maximum raw score is 180. However, colleges use the percentile score rather than raw marks for shortlisting students.
ATMA 2026 Safe Score for OBC Category
OBC students receive a relaxation of approximately 5–10 percentile points compared to General category students. The table below shows expected safe scores for OBC students based on college tier.
| College Tier | Safe Score (Marks) | Safe Percentile (Expected) |
|---|---|---|
| Top Tier (Rank 1–30) | 155+ marks | 80+ percentile |
| Mid Tier (Rank 31–100) | 140–155 marks | 70–80 percentile |
| Lower Tier (Rank 100+) | 120–140 marks | 60–70 percentile |
OBC students targeting premier ATMA-accepting institutes should aim for at least 155 marks or 80 percentile. For mid-tier colleges, a score of 140–155 marks is considered a safe bet. These are expected figures based on 2024–2025 trends.
ATMA 2026 Safe Score for SC and ST Categories
SC and ST students receive a larger relaxation — approximately 15–20 percentile points below the General category cutoff. PwD students also have separate relaxed thresholds. The table below summarises expected safe scores for each category.
| Category | Safe Score (Marks) | Safe Percentile (Expected) | Minimum Qualifying Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| SC | 120–135 marks | 60–65 percentile | ~90–100 marks |
| ST | 100–120 marks | 50–60 percentile | ~80–90 marks |
| PwD | 90–110 marks | 45–55 percentile | ~80–85 marks |
SC students should aim for at least 120 marks to qualify for a good number of colleges. ST students can target admission with 100–120 marks, while those scoring above 120 marks significantly improve their options. All values are expected based on 2024–2025 admission trends.
ATMA 2026 Score vs Percentile — Category-Wise
The table below maps raw score ranges to approximate percentile bands and shows how each score range translates for General, OBC, SC, and ST students. These are expected figures based on 2024–2025 trends.
| Score Range (out of 180) | Approx. Percentile | General | OBC | SC/ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 165–180 | 90+ | Top colleges | Top colleges | Top colleges |
| 155–164 | 80–90 | Mid to top colleges | Top colleges | Top colleges |
| 140–154 | 70–80 | Borderline | Mid-tier colleges | Top colleges |
| 120–139 | 60–70 | Low chances | Borderline | Mid-tier colleges |
| 100–119 | 50–60 | No chance | Low chances | Borderline for ST |
| Below 100 | Below 50 | No chance | No chance | Low chances |
Top Colleges Accepting ATMA 2026 for Reserved Category Students
Several well-known MBA and PGDM institutes accept ATMA scores and maintain separate cutoffs for reserved category students. The percentile cutoffs listed below are expected based on 2025 admissions data.
| College | OBC Cutoff Percentile (Expected) | SC/ST Cutoff Percentile (Expected) |
|---|---|---|
| PUMBA, Pune | 65–70 | 55–60 |
| Welingkar Institute, Mumbai | 70–75 | 60–65 |
| BIMM, Pune | 62–68 | 52–58 |
| Indus Business Academy, Bangalore | 60–65 | 50–55 |
| AIMS Institute, Bangalore | 65–70 | 55–60 |
| Chetana’s Institute, Mumbai | 60–65 | 50–55 |
Students should check individual college websites for updated cutoff information after results are declared. Shortlisting also depends on academic profile, work experience, and performance in GD/PI rounds.
Factors Affecting ATMA Safe Score for OBC and SC/ST
The safe score for reserved category students is not a fixed number. Several factors influence what score a student needs to secure admission.
- Exam Difficulty Level: A tougher paper lowers the average score and shifts the percentile curve, benefiting students with moderate scores.
- Number of Students Appearing: A higher number of test-takers increases competition and may raise effective cutoffs.
- College-Specific Policies: Each institute sets its own category-wise relaxation. Some offer 5 percentile points relaxation; others offer up to 20.
- Seat Availability: The number of reserved category seats directly affects how competitive the cutoff is for OBC, SC, and ST students.
- Multiple Attempts: ATMA allows students to appear multiple times in a year. Colleges usually consider the best score, improving a student’s chances.
- GD/PI Performance: Many colleges shortlist students at a lower percentile for reserved categories but evaluate overall merit through interview rounds.
- Academic Background: Graduation percentage and specialisation also play a role in final selection alongside ATMA scores.
ATMA 2026 Safe Score FAQs
Ques. What is the safe score in ATMA 2026 for OBC students?
Ans. The expected safe score for OBC students in ATMA 2026 is 140–155 marks, which corresponds to approximately 70–80 percentile. Students targeting top-tier colleges should aim for 155+ marks or 80+ percentile. These are expected figures based on 2024–2025 trends.
Ques. What is the minimum qualifying score for SC/ST students in ATMA 2026?
Ans. Based on 2024–2025 trends, the expected minimum qualifying score for SC students is approximately 90–100 marks and for ST students it is approximately 80–90 marks. However, a higher score significantly improves admission prospects.
Ques. How much relaxation do OBC students get in ATMA 2026 cutoffs?
Ans. OBC students generally receive a relaxation of approximately 5–10 percentile points compared to General category cutoffs. The exact relaxation varies by college and is decided by individual institutions.
Ques. Can ST students get into a good MBA college with 100 marks in ATMA 2026?
Ans. Yes, ST students scoring around 100–120 marks (50–60 percentile expected) have a reasonable chance at several ATMA-accepting colleges. Scores above 120 marks open up more options, including mid-tier institutes with a strong reputation.
Ques. Is ATMA score valid for all MBA colleges in India?
Ans. ATMA scores are accepted by over 300 B-schools across India for MBA and PGDM admissions. Students should check the official list of participating institutes on the AIMS website at atmaaims.com.
Ques. When is the ATMA July 2026 exam and when will results be declared?
Ans. The ATMA July 2026 exam is scheduled for July 18, 2026. Results are typically declared within a few days of the exam. Students should check the official AIMS website for the exact result date and score download process.
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