NMAT Sectional Cutoff: Section-Wise Minimum Scores for NMAT Participating Colleges

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Abhishek
Abhishek Dhawan
Deputy Manager - MBA & BBA Content
Updated on Oct 8, 2026 09:46 IST
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. The conducting body does not specify the NMAT cutoff, sectional or overall. Check details on NMAT sectional cutoff below.

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

NMAT Sectional Cutoff

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.

Table of contents
  • 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.

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Commonly asked questions
Q:   Does GMAC set a sectional cutoff for NMAT?
A: 

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.

Q:   Is there a minimum score required in each NMAT section to qualify?
A: 

There is no mandatory minimum score for qualifying for admissions via NMAT. Some colleges may expect minimum scores in specific sections.

Q:   Can a high Quantitative Skills score make up for a low Language Skills score for admissions via NMAT?
A: 

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.

Q:   Should I retake NMAT if I missed a sectional requirement at one college?
A: 

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:

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Commonly asked questions
Q:   Do NMAT sectional cutoffs change every year?
A: 

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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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.

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Jaya Katariya

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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.

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Akansha Goyal

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Answered a week ago

Yes. Candidates can reschedule the exam date, time, or test centre up to 72 hours before your scheduled appointment time. Rescheduling requires an additional fee of INR 1,200 plus applicable taxes, and depends on seat availability.

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Abhishek Dhawan

Contributor-Level 10

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

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Loveleen Sharma

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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.

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Vikram Tyagi

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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.

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Rupali Shukla

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Answered 3 weeks ago

Students who are registering for the NMAT by GMAC exam need to pay INR 3,000 as the registration fee. This fee is to be paid by the student directly online while completing Step 1 of the NMAT application process.

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Divya Shakti Shukla

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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,

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Neerja Rohatgi

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