ATMA Preparation Tips 2026: Know Best Books, Important Topics & Tricks
AIMS Test for Management Admissions 2026 ( ATMA )
Registration - 1 Dec '25 - 10 Feb '26
ATMA 2026 exam will likely be conducted in the third week of February 2026. Here are a few tips on how to prepare for ATMA 2026.
ATMA Preparation Tips 2026: It is important to understand the ATMA exam in order to have a good ATMA preparation plan. ATMA is a popular national-level management entrance test in the country. Various MBA colleges accept ATMA scores across the country. ATMA is conducted online four to five times a year. The ATMA exam for the February session will likely be conducted in the third week of February 2026. Candidates must focus on studying all the topics within a limited time to score better. The best approach to prepare for the ATMA exam is by solving previous years’ question papers and attempting mock tests after completing the syllabus, as much as you can. Candidates should follow a focused approach by covering the important topics and those repeatedly asked in the previous year's papers.
Shiksha brings to you how to prepare for ATMA 2026 which includes subject-wise tips and strategies that can help students to prepare for the exam smartly.
- Section-wise ATMA Preparation Tips 2026
- Some General Tips for ATMA Preparation 2026
- ATMA 2026 Important Topics
- Books for ATMA Preparation 2026
Section-wise ATMA Preparation Tips 2026
Take a look below to know the section-wise preparation tips for ATMA 2026:
Analytical Reasoning
Questions in this section are moderate in terms of difficulty. This section comprises questions from both Analytical Reasoning and Critical Reasoning. Candidates should understand the concepts and practice previous question papers and mocks. Analytical Reasoning questions test a candidate’s ability to comprehend and analyse the given statement and reach a conclusion based on their understanding. Preparation for Analytical Reasoning can be done by solving puzzles and riddles.
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Also Read: Detailed ATMA Analytical Reasoning Preparation Plan
Quantitative Ability
Quantitative questions are of moderate difficulty. For this section, preparation can be done by solving the questions from NCERT or Secondary and Higher Secondary level Mathematics textbooks. Candidates should learn the shortcut tricks for solving questions quickly. Candidates should also give mock tests and solve the past years’ ATMA question papers.
Verbal Ability
This section is divided between Reading Comprehension and Verbal Ability/English Usage. Questions in the Verbal Ability section are moderate. Candidates must have sound knowledge of grammar and vocabulary. Candidates must read newspapers, magazines and books and also refer to Class 8 and Class 9 grammar books to clear basics and learn the fundamentals.
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Also Read: Detailed Verbal Skills preparation strategy for ATMA 2026
Some General Tips for ATMA Preparation 2026
- Candidates should go through the ATMA exam pattern in order to understand the marking scheme, overall and section-wise duration of exam, distribution of questions and sections.
- Read thoroughly ATMA syllabus 2026 to know the topics they need to cover for the exam.
- Identify your strong and weak areas in all the sections.
- Buy the best study material for ATMA 2026 preparation.
- Improve your weak areas and monitor their improvement regularly.
- Solve ATMA question papers or sample papers to improve your question-solving ability.
- Take ATMA mock tests regularly and analyse your performance after every mock test.
- Learn the shortcut tricks of solving questions.
- Note down the new words that you read in the newspaper as it will help in Verbal Ability.
ATMA 2026 Important Topics
Check out some of the important topics for ATMA 2026 exam.
| Sections |
Important Topics |
|---|---|
| Quantitative |
Equations, Ratio & Proportion, Variation, Percentage, Profit & Loss, Partnership, Numbers, Simple Interest and Compound Interest, Average, Mixture and Alligation, Time & Distance, Geometry & Mensuration, Time & Work, Number Series, Quantitative Comparison, Permutation & Combination, Probability, Statistics, Pie Charts |
| Analytical Reasoning |
Circular Arrangement, Deduction, Distribution, Data Sufficiency, Input-Output, Coding and Decoding, Statements and Conclusions, Cause & Effect, Strong & Weak Arguments, Course of Action, Cause & Effect, Inference |
| Verbal Ability |
Synonyms, Fill in the blanks, Para Jumbles, Idioms, Error Identification, Sentence Completion |
Also Read: ATMA six months preparation
Books for ATMA Preparation 2026
Here is a list of the best books to read for ATMA preparation 2026.
- The Pearson Guide to Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning for the CAT with CD by Nishit K. Sinha
- How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT by Arun Sharma
- Fast Track Objective Arithmetic by Rajesh Verma
- Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
- How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for the CAT by Arun Sharma
Read More:
Saumya Jain is an English Literature graduate from the University of Delhi. She has over 8 years of editorial and content writing experience. At Shiksha.com, she has spent more than six years creating research, stud
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 2 days ago
GIBS (GIBS Business School) encourages people who have completed either the National Level Entrance Exam (or all of these exams) and taken other state-level exams - such as the CAT, XAT, MAT, CMAT, GMAT, ATMA, and the State CET exam - to apply for PGDM (Post Graduate Diploma in Management) and MBA (
M
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 weeks ago
ATMA is commonly used name for AIMS Test for Management Admissions. ATMA Eligibility criteria for this test is:
- Candidate should be an Indian citizen
- Candidate should have graduation degree from a recognised university
- Minimum percentage required is 50% in qualifying exam.
- Students in final year of grad
N
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 4 weeks ago
No, a good percentile does not guarantee direct admission to colleges accepting ATMA scores. Colleges conduct different selection rounds before providing admissions. Many colleges conduct rounds such as Group Discussion, Written Ability Test and Personal Interview. Students who match the ATMA cutoff
V
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 4 weeks ago
No, IIMs do not accept ATMA test scores for admission. IIMs conduct Common Admission Test (CAT) for admission to MBA programmes. ATMA scores are accepted by some of the best BSchools in the country. These include institutes such as PUMBA, Xavier Institute of Management and Research, PSG College of T
S
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 4 weeks ago
There is a good chance of receiving an interview call from Christ University with a score of 95 percentile in ATMA exam, but, admission is not guaranteed. Overall criteria includes academic profile, i.e. Class 12, Class 10 and Graduation marks. Other selection rounds at Christ University includes Mi
R
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 4 weeks ago
ATMA exam is a nation level MBA entrance exam conducted by Association of Indian Management Schools. Courses such as MS and PGDM are also offered through ATMA exam. The exam is conducted in the CBT test format multiple times a year. The exam checks numerical, verbal and logical abilities of students
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 4 weeks ago
ATMA is a national level entrance exam conducted by Association of Indian Management Schools. ATMA is conducted for admission to MBA, MMS, PGDM programmes at over 700 B Schools in the country. ATMA exam judges skills and basic aptitude of students needed for an MBA or PGDM course.
R
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 4 weeks ago
Check the table below to know the weightage of ATMA selection rounds:
Components | Details |
|---|---|
ATMA score | 50% |
Group Discussion | 10% to 15% |
Personal Interview | 15% |
Work experience | 5% |
Academic performance in Class 10, Class 12, Graduation/ Post Graduation Degree, Sports/ Extra-Curricular activities, Academic diversity and gender diversity | 15% to 20% |
S
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 4 weeks ago
The qualifying marks for ATMA eligibility is different for each category. Check the table below to know more:
Category | Qualifying marks |
|---|---|
General category | 50% |
SC/ST | 45% |
PWD | 45% |
R
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 4 weeks ago
ATMA exam eligibility criteria does not include work experience. Both working and non working candidates can apply for ATMA exam. But, students should fulfil other ATMA eligibility requirements to appear for ATMA exam.
M
Beginner-Level 5
There is a range of books to read for ATMA preparation. Here is a list of section wise best books for the ATMA exam:
Verbal Skills section
Analytical Reasoning section
Quantitative Skills section