Updated on 21st September 2026 | 16:55 PM | #TopNMATColleges
NMAT accepting colleges are B-schools that shortlist candidates for MBA/PGDM admission using NMAT by GMAC scores. NMAT is a computer-adaptive MBA entrance test owned and administered by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), and its scores are accepted by 50+ business schools in India. The best-known are NMIMS (Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Navi Mumbai and Indore), TAPMI Manipal, KJ Somaiya, IFMR GSB and SDA Bocconi Asia Center.
NMAT 2026 quick facts
Below is the list of top NMAT colleges with each college's NMAT cutoff, 2-year tuition fees, and average and highest CTC, so you can pick the 5 colleges to send your score to.
The registrations for NMAT 2026 are ongoing and will continue till October 10th. The table below showcases the important dates for NMAT exam for the academic year 2026 for your reference:
|
NMAT Events |
Start Date |
End Date |
|
Registration |
August 20, 2026 |
October 10, 2026 |
|
Scheduling |
August 20, 2026 |
October 22, 2026 |
|
NMAT exam dates |
November 2, 2026 |
December 20, 2026 |
|
Retake registration |
November 3, 2026 |
December 17, 2026 |
|
Release of NMAT unofficial scorecard |
Immediately after submitting test responses |
|
|
Release of NMAT official scorecard |
Within 48 hours of the exam slot |
|
In order to stay updated with all the latest announcements on NMAT 2026, you must visit: NMAT Notifications 2026
The NMAT examination opens doors to numerous top B-schools with varying percentile cutoffs for admission, accompanied by program fees and average placement records for each institution. This information helps aspiring candidates make informed decisions about their educational and professional pursuits.
The following are the top-listed B-schools and their percentile cutoffs, along with program fees and average placement records:
|
B-School |
NMAT score / cutoff basis |
Tuition |
Avg CTC (LPA) |
Highest CTC (LPA) |
|
NMIMS Mumbai |
209 marks |
27L |
24.6 |
41.28 |
|
KJ Somaiya (KJSIM) |
88 |
22.32L |
- |
27.25 |
|
NMIMS Bangalore |
209 marks |
22L |
13.5 |
30 |
|
IFMR GSB |
75 |
16L |
12.69 |
17.22 |
|
NMIMS Hyderabad |
209 marks |
22L |
12.00 |
26.00 |
|
TAPMI |
83 |
19.5L |
13.99 |
32.77 |
|
SDA Bocconi |
78 |
20.75L |
14.10 |
36.50 |
|
NMIMS Indore |
209 marks |
19L |
12.5 |
16.8 |
|
SRM University (SRMIST) |
- |
4.5L (4.5–5.75L by specialisation) |
7.75 |
14 |
|
NMIMS Navi Mumbai |
209 marks |
22L |
13.07 |
20 |
|
ISB AMPBA |
- |
11L + GST (12-month part-time) |
- |
- |
|
School of Petroleum Mgmt, PDPU |
- |
- |
9.45 |
21 |
|
ICFAI Business School (Hyderabad) |
65 |
17.01L |
10.42 |
21.00 |
|
XIMB-HR |
85 |
24.7L |
19.53 |
30 |
|
SOIL Institute |
65 |
16.2L |
11.17 |
20.7 |
|
BML Munjal |
60 |
14.6L |
- |
17 |
*The data above has been taken from the official websites of the respective colleges and is subject to change based on the results and analysis of NMAT 2026.
Also Read: NMAT Syllabus | NMAT Exam Pattern
As the number of NMAT Colleges increases, it becomes essential for the candidate to keep track of the NMAT Colleges to which they might be eligible. While there are several colleges that accept the NMAT Score, there are only a few NMAT Colleges that almost all aspirants will be looking to get into. These colleges are focused on in this section:
Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, popularly known as NMIMS Mumbai, is one of the best colleges accepting NMAT scores for its MBA programs. The university is recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Distance Education Council (DEC). NMIMS is ranked among the top 10 private business schools in India and has a strong reputation for its academic excellence and industry connections. NMAT 2026 aspirants may set a target of 230+ to meet the cut-off for admission to NMIMS, Mumbai.
SPJIMR Mumbai accepts NMAT scores for admission to its Global Management Programme (GMP). Candidates can apply to GMP with a valid NMAT, CAT, XAT, GMAT, or GRE score. The programme includes six months of study at SPJIMR Mumbai, followed by further study at an international partner school to complete an MBA/MS degree.
Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneshwar, or XIMB, is one of the top B-schools accepting NMAT scores at XIM University. Yes, you can apply for XIMB via your NMAT score for its prime HR and other programs. The NMAT cut-off and the selection for the same would be as per the XIMB structure, which aspirants need to have regular updates on as it changes over the years. The nominal cut-off of your NMAT score for admission to XIMB would range from 225 and around 85%ile and above.
T.A. Pai Management Institute (TAPMI) is another B-school accepting NMAT scores that offers a full-time MBA program with various specialisations, including Marketing, HRM, etc. It is accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE) and has received numerous awards for its academic excellence. You can make it through TAPMI even using your NMAT scores with a minimum mark of 220 and above.
For AMPBA, ISB lists GMAT, GRE, CAT, or NMAT scores as options for requesting an exemption from ISB’s online admissions test. Candidates who do not receive an exemption must appear for the ISB admissions test, and shortlisted applicants are then called for an interview.
There are 45+ colleges accepting NMAT scores for admission to their MBA programs in India. Here is a list of top NMAT colleges as per the official list for your reference:
|
Top NMAT Accepting Colleges |
Location |
|
Mumbai |
|
|
Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS) |
Bangalore |
|
Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS) |
Hyderabad |
|
Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS) |
Navi Mumbai |
|
Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS) |
Indore |
|
Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS) |
Shirpur |
|
Ghaziabad |
|
|
Mumbai |
|
|
T. A. Pai Management Institute (TAPMI) |
Karnataka |
|
Bhubaneswar |
|
|
SDA Bocconi Asia Center |
Mumbai |
|
Hyderabad |
|
|
Great Lakes Institute of Management |
Chennai |
|
ICFAI Business School |
Hyderabad |
|
Shiv Nadar Institute of Management Studies |
Greater Noida |
|
FLAME University |
Pune |
|
Athena School of Management |
Mumbai |
|
Thapar School of Management |
Chandigarh |
|
SOIL Institute of Management |
Gurugram |
|
BML Munjal University |
Delhi NCR |
|
Bennett University |
Noida |
|
Universal Business School |
Mumbai |
|
SRM University |
Chennai |
|
Alliance University |
Bangalore |
|
Amity University |
Noida |
|
Jindal Global Business School |
Delhi NCR |
|
VIT University |
Vellore |
|
Lovely Professional University |
Punjab |
|
Chitkara University |
Chandigarh |
|
Jindal Global Business School |
Delhi NCR |
|
International School Of Business & Research |
Bangalore |
|
Woxsen School of Business Management |
Hyderabad |
NMAT scores are accepted not only in India but also in South Africa, Morocco, Nigeria, Philippines, and Hungary, with over 25 universities. Here is a country-wise list of a few institutes:
Deciding on the right program is just as important as choosing a top B-school with great MBA courses and promising career options. Please refer to the table below for details on the courses available through the NMAT exam:
|
Particular |
Details |
|
Number of NMAT Accepting Colleges |
NMAT is accepted by 85+ leading B-schools globally. Its current India page lists dozens of participating schools. |
|
College Fees |
4 - 25 LPA (Varies from College to College) |
|
Specialisations Offered |
|
|
NMAT Admission Process |
Each B-school sets its own admission process and may use interviews, assessments, academics, work experience, or other criteria. Applicants to check individual school requirements. |
Candidates can select up to five NMAT-accepting B-schools during NMAT registration under the “School Preferences” section. The NMAT registration fee includes score reports to these five schools. Candidates can add more schools later by paying an additional fee of 400 plus applicable taxes per school.
GMAC sends the NMAT report to the preferred universities after the declaration of the result. The colleges set a minimum cut-off as an admission barrier to sift the candidates based on various parameters, including 10th, 12th, and graduation grades, gender diversity, and work experience.
While the names of the top NMAT colleges seem to be extremely alluring, the choices should not be made on reputation alone. Numerous factors, including program offered, location, placements, and fees, come into play as per an individual’s requirements.
NMIMS Mumbai remains the top choice for MBA admissions through the NMAT Exam. On the other hand, ISB is a good opportunity for working professionals looking to upgrade themselves or someone who is extremely interested in the field of Machine Learning.
NMAT has the longest testing window of 45 days, and candidates can make a maximum of 3 attempts per year. Candidates can apply for the exam by completing the NMAT 2026 registration process online, which is available on the official website now that registrations are open.
A score of around 200 in NMAT is considered decent and can help you target colleges like K J Somaiya, TAPMI, SDA Bocconi Asia Center, and XIMB (for specific programs like HRM). Top NMIMS campuses, especially Mumbai, typically require higher scores.
Yes, NMAT by GMAC scores are accepted by select international B-schools, particularly in countries like South Africa and the Philippines. However, acceptance varies by institute, so always check the official admission criteria of each college.
You can take the NMAT exam up to three times within a testing window of around 45 days, one main attempt and up to two retakes.
Many NMAT-accepting colleges consider your best score across attempts. However, some institutes like NMIMS consider only the first attempt score, so it's important to plan your first attempt carefully.
A score of around 195 is considered moderate. While it may not be sufficient for top campuses like NMIMS Mumbai, it can still make you eligible for colleges like NMIMS Hyderabad, NMIMS Indore, and other NMAT-accepting institutes depending on their cutoffs.
A score of 230+ is generally considered strong, especially for top colleges like NMIMS Mumbai. Scores in the 200-220 range are also competitive for several good B-schools.
Some of the top NMAT-accepting colleges include NMIMS (Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad), K J Somaiya, TAPMI, SDA Bocconi Asia Center, and XIMB (for specific programs). Each institute has its own sectional and overall cutoff criteria.
If you're aiming for top-tier colleges like NMIMS Mumbai, target a score of 230+. For a wider range of good B-schools, a score of 200-220+ can still give you strong options.