More than 60 colleges across India accept NMAT scores for PGDM admissions. Most of these institutes, including NMIMS have a sectional NMAT cutoff requirement to shortlist candidates for selection. Check details on NMAT sectional cutoff below.
NMAT Sectional Cutoff: The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) reports NMAT scores to participating colleges. However, the conducting body does not specify the NMAT cutoff, sectional or overall. Each participating business school determines its own admission criteria, based on NMAT exam. Most of the colleges accepting NMAT scores only release an overall qualifying cutoff.
Read this article to know how NMAT sectional cutoffs work, how participating institutes apply them during MBA admissions, and what steps candidates can take if a single section score falls behind. Candidates seeking total score requirements across institutes can review the NMAT cutoff scores.
- What Is NMAT Sectional Cutoff?
- NMAT Sections and Score Structure
- NMAT Sectional Cutoff for Colleges
- NMAT Overall Cutoff vs Sectional Cutoff
- How Colleges Use Sectional Cutoffs for Admissions via NMAT?
What Is NMAT Sectional Cutoff?
An NMAT sectional cutoff is the minimum scaled score one must obtain in an individual section of the exam to remain eligible for MBA admissions. The official NMAT scorecard includes scaled scores for all three sections as well as n overall scaled score.
While an NMAT sectional cutoff is evaluated during internal profile screening of a participating b-school, most business schools choose not to publish the cutoffs publicly. Understanding the NMAT total marks helps candidates know the scoring criteria.
Commonly asked questions
No, GMAC reports section-wise and total scores but does not set a sectional cutoff. Any minimum section score is decided by the individual participating colleges.
There is no mandatory minimum score for qualifying for admissions via NMAT. Some colleges may expect minimum scores in specific sections.
For colleges that use only the total score, a strong section can makup for a weaker one. For colleges that apply a sectional minimum cutoff, a high score elsewhere may not compensate.
A retake can help if your target colleges clearly apply sectional minimums and you have attempts remaining. Confirm the retake rules and which score the college considers before deciding.
NMAT Sections and Score Structure
The NMAT exam evaluates candidates across three sections, namely Language Skills, Quantitative Skills, and Logical Reasoning. The scaled scores from these three sections are summed together to generate the composite total score.
| Section | Questions | Time | Section Score Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Language Skills | 36 | 28 minutes | 12-120 |
| Quantitative Skills | 36 | 52 minutes | 12-120 |
| Logical Reasoning | 36 | 40 minutes | 12-120 |
| Total | 108 | 120 minutes | 36-360 |
Terms such as language skills cutoff, quantitative skills cutoff, or logical reasoning cutoff refer strictly to a minimum score requirement. For a detailed breakdown of question types and test delivery rules, candidates must refer to the NMAT exam pattern.
Also Check: NMAT Score vs Percentile
NMAT Sectional Cutoff for Colleges
Most institutions accepting NMAT scores do not publish official section-wise minimum cutoffs, relying primarily on composite scores for public reporting. The following table reflects the verified sectional cutoff status across prominent participating institutes based on official admission releases.
| College | Overall NMAT Cutoff (Expected) | Sectional Cutoff Status (Expected) |
|---|---|---|
| NMIMS Mumbai | 209+ | 60+ |
| MBA Pharmaceutical Management at NMIMS campuses | 190+ | 55+ |
| K J Somaiya Institute of Management, Mumbai | 220+ | Not publicly disclosed |
| XIM University, Bhubaneswar | 200+ | Mentioned as a selection criterion (no figure) |
| SDA Bocconi Asia Center, Mumbai | 200+ | Not publicly disclosed |
| TAPMI, Manipal | 210+ | Not publicly disclosed |
| SPJIMR, Mumbai (GMP) | Profile-based | Not publicly disclosed |
NOTE: Cutoff values and selection criteria vary across admission cycles. Candidates must go through the each institute's admission policy before applying. The cutoff above for NMAT accepting colleges are based on past trends and may change.
Also Check: How to Score 240+ in NMAT: Section-Wise Strategy
NMAT Overall Cutoff vs Sectional Cutoff
An overall cutoff represents the aggregate score required across all sections combined, whereas a sectional cutoff is a section specific cutoff requirement.
| Parameter | Overall Cutoff | Sectional Cutoff |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Minimum aggregate scaled score across all three sections | Minimum scaled score required in a specific section |
| Compared against | Total composite score (36-360) | Individual section score (12-120) |
| Public availability | Published by most participating colleges | Often kept as an internal metric |
How Colleges Use Sectional Cutoffs for Admissions via NMAT?
Business schools evaluate applicants in multiple stages, typically beginning with score-based shortlisting before screening candidates for personal interviews, case discussions, or written assessments. Since each institute can have a separate selectionn criteria, these institutes can use the NMAT sectional cutoffs in the following ways:
- Initial screening: An institute may use the minimum cutoff requirement across all three sections before shortlisting a candidate for further evaluation.
- Tie-breaking mechanism: When several candidates hold identical total scores, admission committees can use the sectional scores to shortlist candidates.
NOTE: Candidates must review the specific NMAT admission process specified by each participating colleges.
Read More:
Commonly asked questions
Cutoffs, including any sectional criteria, can change from year to year based on applicant volume, seats and the college's policy. Always rely on the latest admission cycle's official information.
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Student Forum
Answered a week ago
NMAT admit card is released on your candidate dashboard 7 days before your scheduled exam date. You can download and print it after logging in to your account.
J
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
If you fail to schedule your exam by October 22, 2026, your registration expires. You will not be allocated an exam slot, you will not receive an admit card, and the registration fee is non-refundable.
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
No. Registration involves filling the application form and paying the application fee. Scheduling is a separate step where you select your exam date, time slot, and test centre
L
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
The last date for NMAT 2026 slot booking is October 22, 2026. Candidates must schedule their exam on or before this date through their dashboard.
V
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 weeks ago
NMAT form last date 2026 is set as October 10. Candidates who fill the form before NMAT last date to apply 2026 will be able to book slot until October 22.
R
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months ago
No, you cannot get direct admission into Amity University, Noida for the MBA/PGDM course. Students have to either attempt the CAT or the NMAT exam for admission and then sit for the selection process (if qualified), which involves GD (Group Discussion) and PI (Personal Interview).
For the CAT exam,
N
Contributor-Level 10
When will I get my NMAT admit card 2026?