120 marks in ATMA 2026 is expected to correspond to approximately 75–82 percentile, based on previous years’ score trends — opening doors to a range of AICTE-approved MBA colleges across India.
ATMA (AIMS Test for Management Admissions) is conducted by AIMS multiple times a year, with the total paper carrying 180 marks. A score of 120 places you in a competitive mid-range band, eligible for Tier 2 management institutes across Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and other states. Knowing your expected percentile helps you shortlist B-schools and plan applications effectively.
- ATMA 2026 total marks: 180 (180 questions, +1 mark correct, –0.25 per wrong answer)
- Expected percentile for 120 marks: 75–82 percentile (based on 2024–2025 trends)
- 120 marks qualifies you for several reputed AICTE-approved MBA and PGDM colleges that accept ATMA scores
- Most B-schools consider the best ATMA score if you appear in multiple sessions
| Direct Link: ATMA 2026 Official Website — atmaaims.com |
ATMA 2026 Scoring Pattern
ATMA 2026 carries a total of 180 marks — 180 questions worth 1 mark each, with –0.25 marks deducted per wrong answer. The exam has six sections: two each of Analytical Reasoning Skills, Verbal Skills, and Quantitative Skills, with 30 questions per section. A raw score of 120 reflects correctly answered questions offset by any negative marking deductions across all six sections.
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Questions | 180 |
| Total Marks | 180 |
| Marks per Correct Answer | +1 |
| Negative Marking | –0.25 per wrong answer |
| Sections | 6 (Analytical Reasoning ×2, Verbal Skills ×2, Quantitative Skills ×2) |
| Exam Duration | 3 hours |
Expected Percentile for 120 Marks in ATMA 2026
A score of 120 in ATMA 2026 is expected to yield a percentile of approximately 75–82, based on historical ATMA score-percentile data from 2024 and 2025. ATMA percentile reflects your relative standing among all test-takers in a given session. Since ATMA is held across multiple sessions each year, the same raw score may produce slightly different percentiles in the February session versus the July session. A 120-mark score represents 66.7% of the total 180 marks, placing you in a competitive mid-tier band.
Students who score 120 typically sit comfortably above the median test-taker pool, which makes this range workable for a solid set of AIMS-affiliated and AICTE-approved institutes — particularly if your sectional scores are balanced across Verbal and Quantitative sections.
ATMA 2026 Score to Percentile Table
The table below gives expected percentile ranges for different ATMA score bands, derived from 2024–2025 trends. All figures are estimates; actual percentiles may vary by session and cohort size.
| ATMA Score (out of 180) | Expected Percentile | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 165–180 | 99+ | Exceptional |
| 150–164 | 96–99 | Very High |
| 140–149 | 91–95 | High |
| 130–139 | 85–90 | Above Average |
| 120–129 | 75–84 | Moderate (Your Band) |
| 110–119 | 63–74 | Below Average |
| 100–109 | 50–62 | Low |
| Below 100 | Below 50 | Very Low |
B-School Options for 120 Marks in ATMA 2026
Many AICTE-approved MBA and PGDM colleges accept ATMA scores in the 75–84 percentile range. The colleges below have historically shortlisted students in this score band. Final admission also depends on performance in Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI), academic record, and work experience where applicable. All cutoff figures are expected ranges based on 2024–2025 data.
| B-School | Location | Expected ATMA Cutoff (Percentile) | Programme |
|---|---|---|---|
| SIES College of Management Studies | Mumbai, Maharashtra | 70–80 | PGDM |
| Indus Business Academy | Bangalore, Karnataka | 65–78 | PGDM |
| Chetana’s Institute of Management and Research | Mumbai, Maharashtra | 70–80 | MMS / MBA |
| PSG Institute of Management | Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu | 72–82 | MBA |
| Thiagarajar School of Management | Madurai, Tamil Nadu | 70–80 | MBA |
| IIEBM Indus Business School | Pune, Maharashtra | 65–75 | PGDM |
| Acharya Institute of Management and Sciences | Bangalore, Karnataka | 65–75 | MBA |
| Alliance School of Business | Bangalore, Karnataka | 70–80 | MBA |
| Christ University Institute of Management | Bangalore, Karnataka | 75–85 | MBA |
| Bharati Vidyapeeth Institute of Management | Pune, Maharashtra | 65–78 | MBA |
Students scoring 120 in ATMA should apply to multiple AIMS-affiliated institutes through the ATMA application portal, as many conduct their own GD-PI rounds after shortlisting on ATMA scores.
Factors Affecting Your Percentile at 120 Marks
Your actual percentile at a raw score of 120 can shift based on the following:
- Session difficulty: ATMA runs in February, May, June, and July each year. A tougher session yields a higher percentile for the same raw score; an easier session may lower it slightly.
- Total test-takers in the session: A larger candidate pool can compress percentile differences in the mid-range band around 75–82.
- Normalisation across sessions: AIMS applies a session-specific percentile formula, meaning 120 in the February session may not equal 120 in the July session in percentile terms.
- Sectional scores: Several colleges shortlist on section-wise cutoffs in addition to the overall percentile, so strong performance in Verbal or Quantitative Skills sections can improve your chances even with a total of 120.
You can appear in multiple ATMA 2026 sessions — most B-schools accept your best ATMA score across all sessions for the same admission cycle, so a second attempt is always a valid option.
ATMA 2026 120 Marks FAQs
Ques. What percentile is 120 marks in ATMA 2026?
Ans. Based on 2024–2025 ATMA trends, 120 marks is expected to correspond to approximately 75–82 percentile. The exact percentile varies by session, difficulty level, and the total number of students who appeared in that session.
Ques. What is the total marks for ATMA 2026?
Ans. ATMA 2026 carries a total of 180 marks. The exam has 180 questions worth 1 mark each, with –0.25 negative marking for every wrong answer.
Ques. Which B-schools can I get with 120 marks in ATMA 2026?
Ans. With 120 marks (approximately 75–82 percentile) in ATMA 2026, you can apply to institutes such as SIES College of Management Studies (Mumbai), PSG Institute of Management (Coimbatore), Alliance School of Business (Bangalore), and Thiagarajar School of Management (Madurai). Final admission depends on GD-PI performance and your academic profile.
Ques. Is 120 a good score in ATMA 2026?
Ans. 120 out of 180 is a moderate score in ATMA 2026, placing you at approximately the 75–82 percentile range. It qualifies you for a range of Tier 2 AICTE-approved institutes. For top AIMS-affiliated colleges, a score of 140 or above (90+ percentile) is generally needed.
Ques. Can I improve my ATMA score by appearing in more sessions?
Ans. Yes. ATMA 2026 is conducted across multiple sessions — February, May, June, and July. You can appear in more than one session and most B-schools consider your best score across all sessions when shortlisting for admission.
Ques. How is ATMA percentile calculated?
Ans. ATMA percentile is calculated by AIMS based on your raw score relative to all students in the same test session. It represents the percentage of students who scored equal to or below your score. If you sat in multiple sessions, colleges typically use your highest percentile for shortlisting.
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