A safe score in ATMA July 2026 is 130 or above out of 180, placing you at approximately the 85th–90th percentile and making you eligible for shortlisting at several reputed MBA and PGDM colleges across India.
ATMA July 2026 is scheduled for July 12, 2026. Conducted by AIMS (Association of Indian Management Schools), ATMA is accepted by over 750 B-schools for MBA and PGDM admissions. Knowing the right score band before results are declared helps you shortlist colleges realistically and avoid missing application deadlines. All figures below are expected values based on ATMA 2025 session trends and may vary slightly for the July 2026 session.
- ATMA total marks: 180 (180 questions, +1 per correct answer, −0.25 per wrong answer)
- Safe score for good MBA colleges: 130+ marks (85th–90th percentile)
- Safe score for top ATMA colleges (WeSchool Mumbai, PUMBA): 148+ marks (93rd percentile and above)
- Results are typically declared within 24–48 hours of the exam on the official ATMA portal
- Most colleges accept your best ATMA score across all sessions held in the same year
| Direct Link to ATMA 2026 Official Portal (Registration Open) — atmaaims.com |
ATMA July 2026 Marking Scheme
ATMA is a computer-based test with 180 questions spread across 6 sections of 30 questions each. The maximum raw score is 180 marks. There is negative marking: each correct answer earns +1 mark and each wrong answer results in a deduction of 0.25 marks. Unanswered questions carry no penalty.
| Section | Questions | Max Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Analytical Reasoning Skills – I | 30 | 30 |
| Verbal Skills – I | 30 | 30 |
| Quantitative Skills – I | 30 | 30 |
| Analytical Reasoning Skills – II | 30 | 30 |
| Verbal Skills – II | 30 | 30 |
| Quantitative Skills – II | 30 | 30 |
| Total | 180 | 180 |
Alongside raw marks, ATMA reports a percentile score calculated relative to all test-takers in that session. Most participating B-schools use the percentile rather than raw marks for shortlisting. Students who appear in multiple ATMA sessions can benefit from colleges counting their best percentile across sessions.
ATMA July 2026 Score Bands and Percentile Ranges
The table below maps expected raw score ranges to approximate percentiles and the tier of B-schools you can realistically target with each band. These figures are expected estimates based on ATMA 2025 session trends; actual percentiles for the July 2026 session may differ based on difficulty level and the number of test-takers.
| Raw Score (out of 180) | Expected Percentile | College Tier |
|---|---|---|
| 155–180 | 97–99+ | Tier 1 – Premier ATMA colleges (WeSchool Mumbai, PUMBA Pune) |
| 140–154 | 91–97 | Tier 2 – Well-ranked PGDM colleges (IMS Ghaziabad, Jaipuria, Welingkar Bangalore) |
| 125–139 | 84–91 | Tier 3 – Good B-schools in metros and Tier 2 cities (SIES Mumbai, Christ University) |
| 110–124 | 74–84 | Tier 4 – Average MBA/PGDM colleges and state-level institutions |
| 90–109 | 58–74 | Tier 5 – Lower-ranked private MBA institutes |
| Below 90 | Below 58 | Very limited shortlisting options; consider the next ATMA session |
A score of 130 or above (84th–90th percentile) is the broadly accepted safe score benchmark for securing a shortlist call at a good ATMA-accepting B-school. For top-tier colleges, target 155+ marks.
College-wise Expected Safe Scores for ATMA July 2026
The table below shows the expected minimum ATMA scores required for a shortlist call from popular ATMA-accepting colleges, based on 2025 admission rounds. All figures are indicative and based on previous year trends. Verify the exact score requirements in each college’s official 2026–27 admission notification.
| College Name | City | Expected Min. Score (out of 180) | Expected Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| WeSchool – Welingkar Institute of Management | Mumbai | 152+ | 96–99 |
| PUMBA – Dept. of Management Sciences, Savitribai Phule Pune University | Pune | 148+ | 93–97 |
| Welingkar Institute of Management | Bangalore | 140+ | 91–94 |
| IMS Ghaziabad | Ghaziabad | 138+ | 90–93 |
| Jaipuria Institute of Management | Noida / Lucknow | 135+ | 88–92 |
| Christ University (MBA) | Bangalore | 132+ | 86–90 |
| SIES College of Management Studies | Mumbai | 130+ | 85–89 |
| XISS – Xavier Institute of Social Service | Ranchi | 128+ | 84–88 |
| JIMS Rohini | Delhi | 120+ | 80–84 |
| AIMS Institutes | Bangalore | 118+ | 78–82 |
Category-wise Score Relaxation in ATMA 2026
ATMA does not enforce category-wise cutoffs at the exam level. Each participating B-school sets its own reservation and relaxation policy. Government-aided and university-affiliated MBA programs typically offer score relaxation to SC, ST, and OBC students; most private PGDM institutes do not apply central reservation norms.
| Category | Typical Relaxation vs General (Marks) | Where Applicable |
|---|---|---|
| General / Open | No relaxation | All colleges |
| OBC / NC-OBC | 5–10 marks | Government-aided and university-run MBA programs |
| SC | 12–20 marks | Government-aided and university-run MBA programs |
| ST | 15–25 marks | Government-aided and university-run MBA programs |
| PWD / PH | Up to 10 marks | As per each institution’s individual policy |
Always verify category-wise score thresholds in each college’s official admission notification for the 2026–27 academic year, as policies differ significantly between private PGDM institutes and state-run MBA programs.
How to Maximise Your Admission Chances After ATMA July 2026
Your ATMA score triggers the shortlist, but final selection depends on several other factors. Here is how you can strengthen your position:
- Apply across multiple colleges: With over 750 B-schools accepting ATMA, apply to colleges at each tier matching your score to keep multiple options open simultaneously.
- Leverage your best score across sessions: If the July 2026 score falls short of your target, check whether an earlier 2026 ATMA session score is higher — most colleges count the best score across attempts.
- Prepare for GD-PI early: Almost all ATMA-accepting colleges conduct a Group Discussion and Personal Interview round. Strong GD-PI performance can offset a score that is 5–10 marks below the typical shortlisting threshold.
- Watch for sectional minimums: Several colleges impose minimum section-level scores in addition to overall cutoffs. A strong overall ATMA score with a weak Verbal or Quantitative section can still lead to rejection at these colleges.
- Strengthen your academic profile: Colleges such as WeSchool and IMS Ghaziabad factor in undergraduate marks and relevant work experience in their composite merit scores alongside the ATMA result.
ATMA July 2026 Safe Score FAQs
Ques. What is the safe score in ATMA July 2026?
Ans. A safe score in ATMA July 2026 is 130 or above out of 180, corresponding to approximately the 85th–90th percentile. For top ATMA-accepting colleges such as WeSchool Mumbai and PUMBA Pune, a safe score is 148+ marks (93rd percentile and above), based on 2025 trends.
Ques. What is the total marks in ATMA?
Ans. The total marks in ATMA is 180. The exam has 180 questions across 6 sections of 30 questions each. Each correct answer carries +1 mark, and each wrong answer results in a deduction of 0.25 marks. Unanswered questions do not attract any penalty.
Ques. Which colleges can I get with 90th percentile in ATMA July 2026?
Ans. With 90th percentile (approximately 135–143 marks out of 180) in ATMA July 2026, you can expect shortlist calls from colleges such as IMS Ghaziabad, Jaipuria Institute of Management, Christ University Bangalore, and SIES Mumbai, based on 2025 admission data. Actual thresholds may vary for the July 2026 session.
Ques. Is 95 percentile a good score in ATMA?
Ans. Yes, 95th percentile in ATMA (approximately 148–154 marks out of 180) is a strong score. At this level you are a competitive applicant for WeSchool Mumbai, PUMBA Pune, and Welingkar Bangalore, based on previous year trends. For 99th percentile programs, aim for 165+ marks.
Ques. Does ATMA have sectional cutoffs?
Ans. ATMA itself does not set centralised sectional cutoffs. However, individual B-schools may impose their own minimum sectional score requirements for shortlisting. Always check each college’s admission criteria, as a high overall ATMA score with a very low section score can still result in disqualification at those institutions.
Ques. When will ATMA July 2026 results be declared?
Ans. ATMA July 2026 results are expected within 24–48 hours of the exam on July 12, 2026. You can download your scorecard from the official ATMA portal at atmaaims.com once results are published and use it to apply to participating colleges.
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