Students who score 80 percentile in ATMA 2026 can expect a raw score in the range of 120 to 138 out of 180, based on 2024-25 trends, and are eligible for MBA and PGDM admission at colleges such as IMT Nagpur, Christ University Bangalore, SDMIMD Mangalore and Welingkar Institute of Management.

ATMA (AIMS Test for Management Admissions) 2026 is conducted multiple times a year by AIMS (Association of Indian Management Schools), in February, May and July. The July 2026 session is scheduled for July 21, 2026. The exam has 180 questions across 6 sections: Analytical Reasoning Skills (two sections), Verbal Skills (two sections) and Quantitative Skills (two sections). Each correct answer carries +1 mark and each incorrect answer carries a -0.25 penalty, making the total marks 180. An 80 percentile score places students above 80 percent of all test takers in that session.

  • ATMA 2026 July session is scheduled for July 21, 2026
  • 80 percentile in ATMA 2026 is expected to correspond to a raw score of 120 to 138 out of 180 (based on 2024-25 trends)
  • Over 12 MBA and PGDM colleges across India are expected to accept students with 80 percentile in ATMA 2026
  • Students can use the same ATMA 2026 score to apply to multiple colleges simultaneously
  • Shortlisted students must clear GD, WAT and PI rounds at each college before final admission

What Does 80 Percentile Mean in ATMA 2026

A percentile score in ATMA 2026 indicates the percentage of students who scored below a given student in that session. An 80 percentile in ATMA 2026 means the student performed better than 80 percent of all students who appeared in that session. Percentile is not the same as percentage. An 80 percentile does not mean 80 percent of total marks scored.

Based on 2024-25 ATMA trends, an 80 percentile is expected to correspond to a raw score of 120 to 138 out of 180. The exact figure varies by session difficulty and the number of students who appeared in each attempt.

Percentile Range Expected Raw Score (Out of 180) College Tier
90 and above 150 to 180 Top-tier AIMS colleges
85 to 90 139 to 149 Reputed B-schools
80 to 85 120 to 138 Good mid-tier colleges
70 to 80 95 to 119 Mid-tier private B-schools
Below 70 Below 95 Regional and lower-tier colleges

All raw score ranges are expected and based on 2024-25 ATMA trends.


MBA Colleges Accepting 80 Percentile in ATMA 2026

Several well-regarded MBA and PGDM colleges accept ATMA 2026 scores in the 78 to 85 percentile range. The table below lists colleges expected to shortlist students at the 80 percentile mark, based on 2024-25 admission trends.

College Name Location Expected Cutoff (Percentile) Programme Approx Total Fees
IMT Nagpur Nagpur, Maharashtra 80 and above PGDM Rs 6 to 8 lakh
IMT Hyderabad Hyderabad, Telangana 78 and above PGDM Rs 6 to 7 lakh
Christ University School of Business Bangalore, Karnataka 80 and above MBA Rs 5 to 7 lakh
SDMIMD Mangalore Mangalore, Karnataka 80 and above PGDM Rs 5 to 6 lakh
Welingkar Institute of Management Mumbai and Bangalore 80 and above PGDM Rs 7 to 9 lakh
KIIT School of Management Bhubaneswar, Odisha 75 and above MBA Rs 4 to 6 lakh
Amrita School of Business Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 75 and above MBA Rs 4 to 5 lakh
ITM Business School Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra 75 and above MBA / PGDM Rs 5 to 7 lakh
New Delhi Institute of Management New Delhi 70 and above PGDM Rs 4 to 6 lakh
Alliance School of Business Bangalore, Karnataka 70 and above MBA Rs 5 to 7 lakh
Jain University School of Management Bangalore, Karnataka 70 and above MBA Rs 4 to 6 lakh
Presidency University School of Management Bangalore, Karnataka 70 and above MBA Rs 3 to 5 lakh

All cutoff percentiles and fee ranges are expected and based on 2024-25 trends.


Expected Cutoffs for 80 Percentile in ATMA 2026

Cutoffs in ATMA 2026 vary by college and by student category. General category students typically face higher cutoffs compared to students from OBC, SC and ST categories. The table below shows expected category-wise cutoffs for select colleges, based on 2024-25 trends.

College Name General (Expected) OBC (Expected) SC/ST (Expected)
IMT Nagpur 80 percentile 75 percentile 65 percentile
IMT Hyderabad 78 percentile 73 percentile 63 percentile
Christ University Bangalore 80 percentile 75 percentile 65 percentile
SDMIMD Mangalore 80 percentile 74 percentile 64 percentile
Welingkar Institute 80 percentile 75 percentile 65 percentile
KIIT School of Management 75 percentile 70 percentile 60 percentile

All category-wise cutoffs are expected and based on 2024-25 ATMA trends.


Factors Affecting ATMA 2026 Cutoffs

ATMA 2026 cutoffs are not fixed and change every year based on several variables. Students should keep these in mind when planning college applications:

  • Number of students appearing: A higher volume of test takers in a session raises competition and pushes cutoffs upward.
  • Paper difficulty: An easier ATMA 2026 paper typically results in higher raw scores across the board, which increases effective cutoffs.
  • Number of seats available: Colleges with fewer MBA seats set higher cutoffs due to limited intake.
  • Student category: Reserved category students (OBC, SC and ST) generally face lower cutoffs than General category students.
  • College ranking and reputation: Higher-ranked colleges attract more applicants and therefore maintain higher cutoffs.
  • Programme specialisation: High-demand specialisations like Finance and Marketing tend to have higher cutoffs than less competitive streams.
  • GD, PI and WAT weightage: Colleges that weight selection rounds heavily may effectively lower the ATMA score threshold while raising overall profile standards.

How to Apply with 80 Percentile in ATMA 2026

Students who score 80 percentile in ATMA 2026 can apply to multiple colleges simultaneously using their single scorecard. Follow these steps after your ATMA July 2026 result is declared:

  1. Download your scorecard: Log in to atmaaims.com and download your official ATMA 2026 scorecard once the July 2026 result is announced.
  2. Shortlist colleges: Use the expected cutoff table above to identify colleges where your score meets or exceeds the minimum threshold.
  3. Apply on college portals: Visit each shortlisted college’s official admissions page and complete the online application for the 2026-27 MBA or PGDM batch.
  4. Upload required documents: Submit your academic marksheets, ATMA scorecard and work experience certificates (if applicable) as part of the application.
  5. Pay the application fee: Most colleges charge Rs 500 to Rs 2,000, payable online via net banking, UPI or card.
  6. Appear for GD, WAT and PI rounds: After initial shortlisting, attend each college’s Group Discussion, Written Ability Test and Personal Interview as scheduled.
  7. Accept your seat: Once merit lists are released, accept the offer from your preferred college and complete fee payment within the stipulated deadline.

ATMA 2026 80 Percentile FAQs

Ques. What raw score is equal to 80 percentile in ATMA 2026?

Ans. Based on 2024-25 ATMA trends, an 80 percentile in ATMA 2026 is expected to correspond to a raw score of approximately 120 to 138 out of 180. The exact figure may vary depending on the difficulty of the specific session and the total number of students who appeared.

Ques. Which MBA colleges can I get with 80 percentile in ATMA 2026?

Ans. With 80 percentile in ATMA 2026, students can apply to colleges such as IMT Nagpur, IMT Hyderabad, Christ University Bangalore, SDMIMD Mangalore and Welingkar Institute of Management. A list of 12 colleges with expected cutoffs based on 2024-25 trends is provided in this article.

Ques. Is 80 percentile in ATMA 2026 a good score?

Ans. Yes, 80 percentile is a competitive score in ATMA 2026. It makes students eligible for a wide range of MBA and PGDM programmes at reputed B-schools across India. It is particularly strong for mid-tier colleges and opens shortlisting opportunities at a large number of AIMS-affiliated institutions.

Ques. How many times is ATMA conducted in 2026?

Ans. ATMA 2026 is conducted multiple times in a year by AIMS, typically in February, May and July. The July 2026 session is scheduled for July 21, 2026. Students can appear in more than one session and use their best score when applying to colleges.

Ques. Do all colleges have the same ATMA 2026 cutoff?

Ans. No. Cutoffs vary by college, programme and student category. General category students typically face higher cutoffs than OBC, SC and ST students. Colleges with higher rankings or fewer seats also tend to maintain higher cutoffs. All cutoffs in this article are expected figures based on 2024-25 trends.

Ques. What is the exam pattern of ATMA 2026?

Ans. ATMA 2026 has 180 questions across 6 sections: Analytical Reasoning Skills (two sections), Verbal Skills (two sections) and Quantitative Skills (two sections). Total marks are 180, with +1 for each correct answer and -0.25 for each incorrect answer. There is no deduction for unattempted questions.