NMIMS Competency Test 2026: Preparation Tips, Pattern, Syllabus, Selection Process

SVKMs NMIMS released the MBA selection criteria 2026 with 60 per cent weightage for the competency test. The NMIMS competency test can make a significant shift in the composite score for final merit list preparation. Check complete details on the NMIMS competency assessment test here.

NMIMS Competency Test 2026

NMIMS Competency Test 2026: SVKMs NMIMS will conduct a competency test under the MBA selection process 2026. Candidates have been shortlisted for NMIMS competency test based on their NMAT scores. Appearing for NMAT is the first stage of the NMIMS admission process. The second stage of admission includes candidates to appear for PI and NMIMS competency test at the Mumbai campus. Shortlisted candidates have to book a slot to appear for NMIMS competency assessment test and personal interview.

NMIMS competency test will be conducted from January 31 to February 26 as a computer-based test. SVKMs NMIMS conducts the competency test and NMIMS personal interview on the same day. To calculate the composite score for NMIMS MBA admissions, 60 per cent weightage is allocated for the scores from the competency test.

Also Check: NMIMS PI Preparation Tips 2026: Know How to Prepare for NMIMS Interview

NMIMS Shortlist for Competency Test 2026

NMIMS releases the CA PI calls for candidates to appear for the selection rounds in-person at the Mumbai campus. Candidates can check NMIMS shortlist on its official website, nmat.nmims.edu. Shortlisted candidates have to book a slot to select a preferred date and time for the competency test. To book slot for the NMIMS competency test, candidates are required to pay a processing fee.

NMIMS Competency Test Pattern 2026

The NMIMS Competency Test (CT) is a 45-minute, computer-based test conducted at the NMIMS Mumbai campus. If the NMIMS competency test pattern remains the same as the last admission cycle, candidates will find a total of 20 questions to be answered within 45 minutes.

NMIMS provides a feature to navigate across the question paper; candidates are permitted to jump between sections and shuffle through questions within the allotted 45 minutes. The test interface is reported to be similar to the user interface seen in exams like CAT or those managed by TCS iON.

NMIMS Competency Test 2026 Syllabus

The Competency Test under NMIMS MBA admission is divided into three sections, each designed to evaluate specific traits of the candidate:

1. Verbal Ability (9 Questions): This is the largest section. It includes Reading Comprehension (RC) with approximately three questions, paragraph summaries, paragraph completion (CAT style), inference-based questions, and occasionally antonym or vocabulary-based questions.
2. Mental Ability (6 Questions): This section focuses on logical reasoning and cognitive skills. Common question types include arrangement-based puzzles (often involving one set of 3–4 questions) and critical reasoning topics such as assumptions, strengthening, and weakening arguments.
3. Managerial Ability (5 Questions): Drawing similarities to the Decision Making (DM) section of the XAT, this section presents business, ethical, or HR scenarios. Questions might cover ethical dilemmas in drug pricing, conflict resolution in teams, prioritizing tasks during supply chain disruptions, or data-driven decision-making following a sales decline. Some questions may also lean toward finance-heavy or commerce fundamentals.

NMIMS Competency Test 2026: Preparation Tips

Experts recommend focusing on the following areas to excel in the Stage 2 process:

• Verbal and Critical Reasoning: Since Verbal Ability has the most questions, candidates should practice CAT-level VA and GMAT Critical Reasoning questions.
• Mental Ability: Logical puzzles similar to those found in MAH MBA CET or banking exams are excellent practice for the arrangement sets.
• Managerial Ability: Revisiting past XAT Decision Making papers, particularly those related to business situations, is highly recommended.

NMIMS Competency Assessment 2026: Selection Criteria

For the 2026 admission cycle, the final merit list is calculated based on the following components:

NMIMS MBA Cutoff 2026

The overall cutoff for the MBA admission 2026 is set at 209, with sectional cutoffs of 60 each for Logical Reasoning (LR), Language Skills (LS), and Quantitative Skills (QS). For the MBA in Pharmaceutical Management, the overall cutoff is 190 and sectional cutoff is at 55 each for Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Skills. NMIMS sectional cutoff for the Language Skills section is 60.

In the past session, most of the test-takers reported that the Competency Test was “easy to moderate”. Some candidates also notified that the NMIMS competency test was simpler than the NMAT exam, a 60 per cent weightage means that even a small error can impact a candidate's final ranking.

Read More:

• NMIMS MBA Admission Process: Cutoff, Post NMAT Dates, Shortlist, Selection Process
• NMIMS MBA Cutoff: Check NMAT Sectional Cutoff, Previous Year's Cutoff