For ATMA July 2026, a safe Verbal Skills score requires 44 to 50 good attempts across both sections combined, with 22 to 25 attempts per section and 80 to 85 percent accuracy yielding an expected net score of 36 to 42.
ATMA July 2026 is scheduled for July 9, 2026 and is conducted by AIMS (Association of Indian Management Schools) in online mode. Verbal Skills appears twice in the ATMA exam pattern, making it the most heavily weighted skill area in the exam. Understanding the right attempt count and accuracy target helps you protect your score from negative marking while maximising your net marks.
- ATMA July 2026 Exam Date: July 9, 2026 (online, computer-based mode)
- Verbal Skills I and Verbal Skills II each carry 30 questions with 30 minutes per section
- Recommended combined attempts: 44 to 50 out of 60 Verbal Skills questions
- Negative marking: -0.25 marks per wrong answer; no penalty for skipped questions
- A combined net Verbal Skills score of 36 to 42 is considered safe based on previous years’ trends
ATMA July 2026 Verbal Skills Exam Pattern
ATMA has six sections in total with Verbal Skills appearing twice as Verbal Skills I and Verbal Skills II. Each section has 30 questions and a strict 30-minute limit. Every correct answer earns 1 mark and every wrong answer deducts 0.25 marks. Questions left unattempted carry no penalty.
| Section | Questions | Duration | Max Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Analytical Reasoning Skills I | 30 | 30 min | 30 |
| Verbal Skills I | 30 | 30 min | 30 |
| Quantitative Skills I | 30 | 30 min | 30 |
| Verbal Skills II | 30 | 30 min | 30 |
| Analytical Reasoning Skills II | 30 | 30 min | 30 |
| Quantitative Skills II | 30 | 30 min | 30 |
| Total | 180 | 180 min | 180 |
With exactly 1 minute per question in each section, time management is a key differentiator. Spending more than 90 seconds on any single question puts your good attempt target at risk.
Good Attempts in ATMA Verbal Skills I
Verbal Skills I is typically the second section of ATMA. Based on previous years’ trends, this section carries moderate to moderately high difficulty with Reading Comprehension and Verbal Reasoning making up the bulk of questions. A good attempt count for Verbal Skills I is 22 to 25 out of 30 questions.
| Difficulty (Expected) | Recommended Attempts | Target Accuracy | Expected Net Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Easy | 26-28 | 85-90% | 21-24 |
| Moderate | 22-25 | 80-85% | 17-21 |
| Difficult | 18-22 | 75-80% | 13-17 |
Attempting 22 to 25 questions with 80 to 85 percent accuracy gives an expected net score of 17 to 21 marks in Verbal Skills I. Do not attempt uncertain questions just to raise your attempt count — a wrong answer costs 0.25 marks and those penalties compound across 30 questions.
Good Attempts in ATMA Verbal Skills II
Verbal Skills II is the fourth section in ATMA. By this stage, fatigue can reduce accuracy so a slightly conservative strategy is advisable. Target 22 to 25 attempts in Verbal Skills II maintaining the same accuracy threshold as Verbal Skills I.
| Difficulty (Expected) | Recommended Attempts | Target Accuracy | Expected Net Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Easy | 26-28 | 85-90% | 21-24 |
| Moderate | 22-25 | 80-85% | 17-21 |
| Difficult | 18-22 | 75-80% | 13-17 |
Combined, aim for 44 to 50 total Verbal Skills attempts across both sections. This translates to a combined expected net score of 34 to 42 marks based on previous years’ trends, placing you in a competitive position for AIMS-affiliated MBA and PGDM programmes.
Topic-wise Distribution in ATMA Verbal Skills
Each Verbal Skills section in ATMA covers the same broad topic areas. The question distribution below is based on previous years’ trends and is expected to be similar for ATMA July 2026.
| Topic | Expected Questions (per section) | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 8-10 | Moderate to High |
| Verbal Reasoning (Para Jumbles, Critical Reasoning) | 6-8 | Moderate |
| Grammar and Sentence Correction | 5-7 | Easy to Moderate |
| Vocabulary (Synonyms, Antonyms, Analogies) | 5-7 | Easy to Moderate |
| Fill in the Blanks and Cloze Test | 3-5 | Easy |
Attempt Grammar, Vocabulary and Fill-in-the-Blanks first as these are the fastest to solve and carry the highest accuracy rates. Move to Verbal Reasoning next and tackle Reading Comprehension passages last if you are short on time.
Scoring Strategy to Maximise Net Score in ATMA Verbal Skills
A higher attempt count does not always translate to a higher net score. Use the strategy below to stay within the safe good attempt window for ATMA July 2026.
- First-pass rule: Solve easy and medium questions on the first pass and flag difficult ones to revisit only if time permits.
- Accuracy over volume: 24 attempts at 83% accuracy (net ~19) beats 30 attempts at 70% accuracy (net ~18.75).
- Skip when uncertain: Leaving a question blank costs zero; a wrong answer costs 0.25 marks.
- Cap Reading Comprehension time: Skim each passage in under 2 minutes then spend no more than 90 seconds on each question from it.
- Grammar and Vocabulary in 30 to 45 seconds each: Clear these first to build an early marks buffer before tackling longer question types.
Based on previous years’ trends, students scoring 17 to 22 marks in a single Verbal Skills section typically fall in the 70th to 85th percentile band for that section, which is a strong position for AIMS-affiliated MBA admissions.
Expected Net Score from Good Attempts in ATMA Verbal Skills
The table below shows the expected net score per Verbal Skills section at different attempt counts and accuracy levels. These figures are based on previous years’ trends and may vary for ATMA July 2026.
| Attempts | Accuracy | Correct | Wrong | Expected Net Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | 90% | 18 | 2 | 17.5 |
| 22 | 85% | 18-19 | 3-4 | 17.25-18.25 |
| 24 | 83% | 20 | 4 | 19 |
| 25 | 80% | 20 | 5 | 18.75 |
| 28 | 75% | 21 | 7 | 19.25 |
| 30 | 70% | 21 | 9 | 18.75 |
A combined expected net Verbal Skills score of 36 to 42 out of 60, achieved through 44 to 50 attempts with 80 to 85 percent accuracy, is considered a safe target for ATMA July 2026 based on previous years’ trends.
ATMA July 2026 Verbal Skills FAQs
Ques. How many questions should I attempt in ATMA July 2026 Verbal Skills for a safe score?
Ans. Aim for 22 to 25 attempts per Verbal Skills section and 44 to 50 combined across both sections, with 80 to 85 percent accuracy. Based on previous years’ trends, this yields a combined net score of 36 to 42 out of 60, which is considered safe for most AIMS-affiliated MBA and PGDM programmes.
Ques. How many Verbal Skills questions are there in ATMA July 2026?
Ans. ATMA has two Verbal Skills sections, Verbal Skills I and Verbal Skills II, with 30 questions each totalling 60 Verbal Skills questions. Each section carries a strict 30-minute time limit.
Ques. Does ATMA July 2026 have negative marking in Verbal Skills?
Ans. Yes. ATMA deducts 0.25 marks for each wrong answer in all sections including Verbal Skills. Questions left unattempted carry no penalty so skip questions you are not confident about rather than guessing.
Ques. Which Verbal Skills topics should I attempt first in ATMA July 2026?
Ans. Attempt Grammar, Vocabulary and Fill-in-the-Blanks first as these carry high accuracy rates and take the least time per question. Follow with Verbal Reasoning then Reading Comprehension. This order helps you secure easy marks before moving to time-consuming passages.
Ques. What is the total marks for ATMA July 2026?
Ans. ATMA July 2026 carries a total of 180 marks across six sections with 30 questions each, earning 1 mark per correct answer. Verbal Skills I and Verbal Skills II together account for 60 of these 180 marks.
Ques. When is the ATMA July 2026 exam?
Ans. ATMA July 2026 is scheduled for July 9, 2026. The exam is conducted in online computer-based mode by AIMS (Association of Indian Management Schools). Visit atmaaims.com for the latest information on admit cards and registration.








Comments