Top NMAT Colleges with Cutoffs Between 190 and 220 in 2026: Placements, Fees & ROI

Introduction

NMAT scores between 190 and 220 cover a wide band of MBA opportunities. This range is not average. It is competitive.

A score of 209 is the cutoff for NMIMS’s MBA program across all its campuses in 2024, representing approximately the 92nd to 93rd percentile nationally on NMAT. A score of 220 opens KJ Somaiya Institute of Management in Mumbai and makes you a competitive applicant for SPJIMR’s PGPM. These are not consolation options.

Understanding which colleges open at which score threshold within this 190 to 220 band is the practical challenge most NMAT scorers face. The data changes slightly every year, and different campuses of the same institution set different cutoffs.

This blog maps the 190 to 220 NMAT score band to specific colleges, with verified cutoff data, NIRF rankings, fees, and placement outcomes. It is organised by score band so you can identify your realistic options at a glance. [NMAT Official]

Understanding What 190 to 220 on NMAT Means

Before the college list, a quick calibration of what this score range actually represents.

NMAT scores range from 0 to 360 across three sections: Language Skills (96 marks), Quantitative Skills (144 marks), and Logical Reasoning (120 marks). The exam is computer-adaptive, and candidates can attempt it up to three times per cycle, with the best score used for admissions.

A score of 190 corresponds to approximately the 85th to 87th percentile. A score of 200 is approximately the 90th to 91st percentile. The score of 210 is approximately the 93rd to 95th percentile. A score of 220 is approximately the 96th to 97th percentile.

These are competitive percentiles. For context, CAT’s 90th percentile is the entry threshold for several strong Tier-2 B-schools. NMAT at equivalent percentiles opens a comparable range of institutions, including several with NIRF top-30 Management rankings.

There is one critical practical note. NMIMS, which is the primary NMAT-accepting institution, specifies that NMIMS only accepts scores from the first attempt in many cases. Aspirants should verify this directly on the official NMIMS NMAT admissions portal before scheduling their attempts. [NMIMS NMAT Official]

Score Band 190 to 200: Accessible but Credible

This band opens several legitimate MBA options. The institutions are not nationally top-ranked, but several hold NAAC accreditation and genuine regional recruiter relationships.

NMIMS MBA Pharmaceutical Management (190 cutoff): The MBA Pharmaceutical Management program at NMIMS Mumbai has a confirmed cutoff of 190, lower than all other NMIMS programs. This is a specialised program for aspirants targeting careers in pharmaceutical marketing, healthcare management, and biotech business development. It is the lowest NMAT threshold for any NMIMS Mumbai program and gives access to the NMIMS brand’s corporate recall.

IMT Ghaziabad (190 to 200): IMT Ghaziabad is ranked 30th in NIRF 2025 Management and accepts NMAT scores in the 190 to 200 range. Total fees are approximately Rs 16 to 18 lakh, with an average placement of Rs 16.25 LPA in 2025. IMT’s Delhi-NCR location and AACSB accreditation make it a strong option at this score band. [IMT Official]

SDA Bocconi Asia Center, Mumbai (190 to 200): SDA Bocconi Asia Center accepts NMAT scores in the 190 to 200 range for its one-year and two-year programs. SDA Bocconi is Italy’s highest-ranked business school and its Mumbai campus brings European management education credentials to Indian aspirants. The fee structure is premium, and the program suits aspirants targeting international careers.

Woxsen University, Hyderabad (190 to 200): Woxsen accepts NMAT in the 190 to 200 range and has been investing significantly in infrastructure and faculty. It holds NAAC A grade and is a newer institution with growing corporate connections in Hyderabad’s technology and pharmaceutical sectors.

Read More:- NMAT Accepting Colleges 2026: Complete List, Cutoffs, Fees & MBA Courses

Score Band 200 to 210: The Sweet Spot

This is the most strategically important band in this guide. A score between 200 and 210 opens all NMIMS campuses, making it the primary target for most NMAT aspirants.

All NMIMS MBA Campuses (209 overall cutoff)

The 2025 NMAT cutoff for NMIMS’s two-year MBA program was 209 across all campuses: Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Indore, and Navi Mumbai. The sectional cutoffs were 62 each for Language Skills, Quantitative Skills, and Logical Reasoning. A score of 209 overall with 62 in each section shortlists candidates for NMIMS’s Competency Test and Personal Interview round.

Here is the campus-wise placement picture for aspirants who clear the cutoff at 200 to 209:

• NMIMS Mumbai: NIRF 24th Management, avg Rs 25.13 LPA, highest Rs 67.70 LPA, 168 recruiters (2024)
• NMIMS Bengaluru: Tech-ecosystem campus, avg Rs 14 to 16 LPA, strong technology recruiter base
• NMIMS Hyderabad: BFSI and pharma sector focus, avg Rs 12 to 15 LPA
• NMIMS Indore: Central India base, avg Rs 10 to 12 LPA
• NMIMS Navi Mumbai: Emerging campus, lower fees than Mumbai

[NMIMS Official Placement Report 2024]

Clearing 209 is the single most important threshold in the NMAT ecosystem. It does not guarantee NMIMS Mumbai. It shortlists you for the next stage. The Competency Test and PI carry 50% and 10% of the final selection weightage respectively, meaning exam score alone is 20% of the final composite.

TAPMI Manipal (200 to 205)

TAPMI is ranked 39th in NIRF 2025 Management and accepts NMAT in the 200 to 205 range. Total fees are approximately Rs 16 to 18 lakh, with an average placement of Rs 13.99 LPA and highest Rs 32.77 LPA in 2025. TAPMI’s AACSB and AMBA dual accreditation makes its credential internationally portable.

XIM University Bhubaneswar (200 to 210)

 XIM University accepts NMAT alongside CAT and XAT. Its NIRF rank is 45th in Management 2025, with an average placement of Rs 18.25 LPA and a highest package of Rs 32.80 LPA. The NMAT route is a lesser-known pathway to one of Odisha’s strongest MBA programs. [XIM University Official]

Score Band 210 to 220: Competitive Territory

This score band opens the strongest NMAT-pathway options available outside IIMs.

NMIMS Mumbai MBA (208 to 209 threshold, with 210 to 220 strongly competitive): While the official NMIMS cutoff was 209 in 2024, scores in the 210 to 220 range significantly improve shortlist probability for NMIMS Mumbai specifically, given the competitive applicant pool for the flagship campus. A score of 215 in this competitive pool is materially different from a score of 209 in terms of shortlist confidence.

KJ Somaiya Institute of Management, Mumbai (222 to 225): KJ Somaiya is ranked 65th in NIRF 2025 Management and accepts NMAT with a cutoff of approximately 222 to 225. It holds AACSB accreditation and is one of Mumbai’s strongest Tier-2 private B-schools. Average placement in 2025 was Rs 12.69 LPA, with 204 recruiters and a 10% PPO rate. [KJ Somaiya Official]

IFMR Chennai (220 to 222): IFMR, the Institute for Financial Management and Research, accepts NMAT with a cutoff of approximately 220 to 222. It is a Finance-focused institution in Chennai with strong BFSI and financial analytics recruiter relationships. For aspirants targeting finance careers in South India, IFMR is one of the strongest NMAT-pathway options in this score band.

SPJIMR GMP (220 plus): SPJIMR’s General Management Programme for Working Executives accepts NMAT scores in the 220-plus range. This is a one-year program requiring work experience, distinct from the two-year PGDM. For working professionals with 220-plus NMAT scores, SPJIMR’s GMP is one of India’s strongest one-year MBA options accessible without CAT.

Quick Reference Table

Why Sectional Cutoffs Matter as Much as the Overall Score

Most aspirants focus only on the total NMAT score. Sectional cutoffs are equally important and equally consequential.

NMIMS sets sectional minimums at 62 each for all three sections. A candidate scoring 220 overall but only 58 in Logical Reasoning fails the sectional cutoff and is not shortlisted, regardless of the overall score. This is a specific NMAT preparation trap that many candidates fall into.

Balanced preparation across all three sections is not optional. The Language Skills section rewards consistent reading practice and vocabulary breadth. Quantitative Skills require speed at Class 10 to 12 arithmetic. Logical Reasoning rewards pattern recognition through repeated practice with arrangement, coding, and series questions. A score of 62 in each section on a 360-point scale is approximately 51% accuracy per section, which is achievable with focused preparation and mock test practice.

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Strategy for the 190 to 220 Band

The practical strategy for aspirants in this score band follows from three decisions.

First, identify whether you are targeting NMIMS Mumbai or a different institution. If NMIMS Mumbai is the goal, 209 is the minimum and 215-plus is the realistic competitive threshold, with sectional minimums non-negotiable. If TAPMI, IMT, or XIM University are the goal, lower overall scores in the 200 to 210 range are genuinely sufficient.

Second, use all three NMAT attempts if your score is in the 190 to 205 range. The improvement from one attempt to the next can be significant with targeted practice between attempts. Each attempt costs an additional scheduling fee but gives you a materially better chance at your target institution.

Third, apply to multiple institutions simultaneously. NMAT scores can be sent to up to five institutions per cycle at a nominal fee. Applying to NMIMS Mumbai, TAPMI, XIM University, and IMT Ghaziabad in the same cycle from a single 210 score is a low-cost, high-access strategy that maximises your admission options. 

How Career Plan B Helps

Navigating NMAT’s score band to college mapping requires strategic clarity about your target institution, sectional preparation, and application timing. 

Career Plan B’s Personalized Career Counselling helps NMAT aspirants identify which college and which MBA specialisation genuinely aligns with their score, career goals, and budget. 

Psycheintel Career Assessment Tests surface your natural aptitudes, helping you choose between NMIMS’s Finance and Marketing tracks, TAPMI’s BFSI specialisation, and XIM University’s management options. 

Admission and Academic Profile Guidance supports your NMIMS Competency Test and PI preparation, while Career Roadmapping gives you a structured plan from NMAT score to your first placement offer.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is 209 enough for NMIMS Mumbai MBA admission? 

Yes, 209 meets the official cutoff, but the Competency Test and PI carry 60% of total selection weightage, making post-exam performance critical.

Q2. Which NMIMS campus is easiest to get into with a 200 score? 

NMIMS Hyderabad and Indore campuses are more accessible than Mumbai with a 200 score, as competition is lower.

Q3. Does TAPMI accept NMAT? 

Yes. TAPMI Manipal accepts NMAT in the 200 to 205 range, alongside CAT, XAT, GMAT, and CMAT.

Q4. What is the NMAT sectional cutoff for NMIMS? 

NMIMS sets sectional minimums at 62 each for Language Skills, Quantitative Skills, and Logical Reasoning in 2024.

Q5. Can I apply to multiple colleges with one NMAT score? 

Yes. NMAT allows score reports to be sent to up to five institutions per cycle at additional fees per institution.

Conclusion

A score between 190 and 220 on NMAT is not a narrow band. It covers institutions ranging from NMIMS Mumbai at NIRF 24th Management to IMT Ghaziabad at NIRF 30th to XIM University at NIRF 45th to TAPMI at NIRF 39th.

The key insight is not which score is needed, but which score opens which campus of which institution at what selectivity level. NMIMS’s 209 threshold opened all its campuses in 2024. KJ Somaiya’s 222 to 225 threshold is higher, not because the program is better, but because Mumbai-city competition for that specific institution is more intense.

Clear the sectional minimums. Aim for 215-plus if NMIMS Mumbai is the goal. Apply to multiple institutions simultaneously. And remember that the Competency Test and PI at NMIMS carry more weight in the final selection than the NMAT score itself.

The score gets you in the room. What you do in that room determines the outcome.