A score of 200 in NMAT is equivalent to the 49 percentile, whereas a score of 230 is equivalent to the 87 percentile.
If you increase the score to 235, the percentile jumps to 91. A score of 243 is at the 95 percentile, 250 is at the 98 percentile, and 255 is at the 99 percentile.
The data illustrates why asking yourself the question, “Is this a good NMAT score?” is not productive. Instead, you should be focusing on, “What percentile am I looking at with this score?”
The official NMAT score vs percentile data shows that percentile growth accelerates at a higher range of scores. From 220 to 250, you need 30 more marks to jump from 77 percentile to 98 percentile. Another 5 marks can take you from 98 percentile to 99 percentile.
MBA KARO experts have evaluated the score distribution to come up with the following ideal target scores for NMAT 2026:
- 223+ for around 80 percentile
- 235+ for around 90 percentile
- 243+ for around 95 percentile
- 250+ for around 98 percentile
- 255+ for around 99 percentile
The above figures are based on the official NMAT score vs percentile data and should be used as a preparation benchmark rather than an admission cutoff for NMAT 2026.
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NMAT 2026 Score vs Percentile: Complete Score Table
The official score percentile data covers scores from 36 to 360. The total marks for NMAT are derived from Quantitative Skills, Language Skills and Logical Reasoning. Each of the 3 sections carries equal weightage.
| Total Score | Percentile | Score | Percentile |
| 36–100 | < 1 | 199 | 48 |
| 101–120 | 1 | 200 | 49 |
| 121–130 | 2 | 201 | 51 |
| 131–137 | 3 | 202 | 52 |
| 138–141 | 4 | 203 | 54 |
| 142–145 | 5 | 204 | 55 |
| 146–149 | 6 | 205 | 56 |
| 150–152 | 7 | 206 | 58 |
| 153–154 | 8 | 207 | 59 |
| 155–157 | 9 | 208 | 61 |
| 158–159 | 10 | 209 | 62 |
| 160–161 | 11 | 210 | 64 |
| 162–163 | 12 | 211 | 65 |
| 164 | 13 | 212 | 67 |
| 165–166 | 14 | 213 | 68 |
| 167 | 15 | 214 | 69 |
| 168–169 | 16 | 215 | 71 |
| 170 | 17 | 216 | 72 |
| 171–172 | 18 | 217 | 73 |
| 173 | 19 | 218 | 74 |
| 174 | 20 | 219 | 76 |
| 175–176 | 21 | 220 | 77 |
| 177 | 22 | 221 | 78 |
| 178 | 23 | 222 | 79 |
| 179 | 24 | 223 | 80 |
| 180 | 25 | 224 | 82 |
| 181 | 26 | 225 | 83 |
| 182 | 27 | 226 | 84 |
| 183 | 28 | 227 | 85 |
| 184 | 29 | 228 | 86 |
| 185 | 30 | 229–230 | 87 |
| 186 | 31 | 231 | 88 |
| 187 | 32 | 232 | 89 |
| 188 | 33 | 233–234 | 90 |
| 189 | 35 | 235 | 91 |
| 190 | 36 | 236–237 | 92 |
| 191 | 37 | 238–239 | 93 |
| 192 | 38 | 240–241 | 94 |
| 193 | 40 | 242–243 | 95 |
| 194 | 41 | 244–245 | 96 |
| 195 | 42 | 246–249 | 97 |
| 196 | 44 | 250–254 | 98 |
| 197 | 45 | 255–265 | 99 |
| 198 | 46 | 266–360 | > 99 |
Source: Official NMAT score percentile data by GMAC
What Does the NMAT Score vs Percentile Data Tell Us?
The first observation from the data is that percentile growth is faster at higher scores.
| NMAT Score | Percentile |
| 200 | 49 |
| 210 | 64 |
| 220 | 77 |
| 230 | 87 |
| 235 | 91 |
| 240–241 | 94 |
| 242–243 | 95 |
| 250–254 | 98 |
| 255–265 | 99 |
| 266+ | >99 |
For instance, a jump from 200 to 220 marks leads to an increase in percentile from 49 to 77, a similar jump from 220 to 240 marks increases the percentile from 77 to 94, and finally, a jump from 240 to 255 marks increases the percentile from 94 to 99.
It is this observation that makes MBA KARO experts recommend score-based milestones rather than a generic goal of “I want a high score in NMAT.”
NMAT Score Needed for 80, 90, 95, 98 and 99 Percentile
For an aspirant, the most useful part of the table is the target-score range.
| Target Percentile | NMAT Score |
| 80 percentile | 223 |
| 90 percentile | 233–234 |
| 95 percentile | 242–243 |
| 98 percentile | 250–254 |
| 99 percentile | 255–265 |
| Above 99 percentile | 266+ |
If you are preparing for NMAT 2026, the data can help you set more realistic preparation goals than simply aiming for the 360 maximum score.
For instance, if you want to target 95 percentile, your preparation should be geared towards achieving 243+ rather than 200 or 210. Similarly, an aspirant targeting 99 percentile should prepare to score 255+.
Why 230 Is an Important NMAT Score
The 230 mark is an interesting observation from the score percentile data. A score of 230 falls at 87 percentile. With just a few more marks,
- 231 = 88 percentile
- 232 = 89 percentile
- 233–234 = 90 percentile
- 235 = 91 percentile
So, an aspirant scoring 230 is almost at the 90 percentile range. This can also be used as a useful analysis tool for mock tests. If your scores have been fluctuating between 215, 225 and 230, you can view these as 3 consecutive stages rather than random numbers. MBA KARO experts would recommend 230+ as an important milestone for aspirants targeting 90+ percentile.
243 Is the Key Score for 95 Percentile
The next important observation from the data is that a score of 242–243 falls at the 95 percentile. Looking at the scores around this range,
- 240–241 → 94 percentile
- 242–243 → 95 percentile
- 244–245 → 96 percentile
- 246–249 → 97 percentile
It means that if you are targeting 95 percentile, you should not randomly aim for 245 or 250. Instead, you should prepare to consistently score 243+ as a preparation benchmark. However, for mock tests, MBA KARO experts would recommend that you try to consistently score higher than the cut-off rather than aiming for the exact score.
250 to 255: Five Marks, One Major Percentile Change
Looking at the higher end of the score range, you will notice that the jump from 250–254 marks falls at 98 percentile, whereas a score of 255–265 falls at 99 percentile.
It means that at the lower end of the 99 percentile range, you only need 5 extra marks to jump from 98 to 99 percentile.
This makes the 250 mark preparation benchmark equally important for aspirants targeting 99 percentile. If you are consistently scoring 250, you already fall at the 98 percentile range.
Your next target should be to push your score beyond 255 and make it a consistent mock score.
For aspirants targeting 99 percentile, it means that you should treat 255 as the minimum score rather than the ultimate target.
NMAT Score vs Percentile: Where Does the 2025 Cutoff Fit?
You can use MBA KARO’s NMAT 2025 cutoff analysis as a reference point for the discussion. The overall cutoff for most of the programmes was 209, whereas the cutoff for the MBA Pharmaceutical Management was 190.
However, you should not confuse the cutoff with the score percentile data discussed in this article. According to the official score percentile data,
- 190 = 36 percentile
- 209 = 62 percentile
- 230 = 87 percentile
- 243 = 95 percentile
- 250 = 98 percentile
- 255 = 99 percentile
So, the 2025 cutoff can be used as a programme-specific benchmark, whereas the score percentile data can be used to understand your standing among other NMAT test-takers.
For NMAT 2026 preparation, the second piece of information is more useful when you are trying to set mock-test preparation goals.
NMAT 2025 Cutoff: What Was the Previous Benchmark?
MBA KARO’s analysis of the NMAT 2025 cutoffs gives an additional reference point for NMAT 2026 aspirants. The overall cutoff was 209 for several programmes, while MBA Pharmaceutical Management had a lower overall cutoff of 190.
For the programmes with a 209 overall cutoff, the sectional benchmark was 60 each in Logical Reasoning, Language Skills and Quantitative Skills.
| Programme | Overall NMAT Cutoff 2025 | LR | LS | QS |
| MBA Mumbai | 209 | 60 | 60 | 60 |
| MBA HR | 209 | 60 | 60 | 60 |
| MBA Business Analytics | 209 | 60 | 60 | 60 |
| MBA Digital Transformation | 209 | 60 | 60 | 60 |
| MBA Pharmaceutical Management | 190 | 55 | 60 | 55 |
| MBA Bangalore | 209 | 60 | 60 | 60 |
| MBA Navi Mumbai | 209 | 60 | 60 | 60 |
| MBA Hyderabad | 209 | 60 | 60 | 60 |
| MBA Indore | 209 | 60 | 60 | 60 |
NMAT 2026 Ideal Target Score: MBA KARO Analysis
Having discussed the complete score percentile data, MBA KARO experts can now recommend the following preparation targets:
| Your Goal | Score Target |
| Reach 80 percentile | 223+ |
| Reach 90 percentile | 235+ |
| Reach 95 percentile | 243+ |
| Reach 98 percentile | 250+ |
| Reach 99 percentile | 255+ |
| Push beyond 99 percentile | 266+ |
The rationale for using the “+” is important. If you are targeting 95 percentile, you should not prepare to score 243 once. Instead, you need to make 243+ a consistent mock-test score.
The same applies to every other percentile range. A candidate scoring 250 once is not in the same position as a candidate who consistently scores 250–255.
How to Use This NMAT Score vs Percentile Data in Your NMAT Preparation
You can also use the data to track your own progress in mock tests more effectively. Let’s say your average score has been 215. The next logical question is, “How can I improve my score from 215?”
Rather than immediately aiming to touch 255, your first target should be 220–223. Once you are consistently scoring 220–223, you can push yourself to touch 230–235.
If you are already averaging 235, your next target should be 243. Finally, if you are consistently scoring 243–245, you can push yourself to 250+.
So, your preparation path would look something like this: 215 → 223 → 230 → 235 → 243 → 250 → 255+
Each of these scores has a corresponding percentile in the score percentile data. It is much easier to track progress using this data rather than randomly taking a mock test, seeing your total score and deciding whether it is a “good” or “bad” score.
NMAT 2026 Score vs Percentile: Final Verdict
The official score percentile data provides fairly clear guidance on the ideal preparation benchmarks for NMAT 2026 aspirants.
- 223 = 80 percentile
- 233–234 = 90 percentile
- 242–243 = 95 percentile
- 250–254 = 98 percentile
- 255–265 = 99 percentile
- 266+ = above 99 percentile
The most important takeaway from the data is that the required score increase is incremental, but the jump in percentile is exponential at a higher range. Therefore, do not use the 360 maximum score as a preparation target.
Similarly, do not use the 2025 cutoff as a preparation benchmark for NMAT 2026. Instead, think in terms of percentiles. Decide what percentile you want and then work backwards to calculate the score you need to achieve that percentile.
- Want 90? → Target 235+
- Want 95? → Target 243+
- Want 98? → Target 250+
- Want 99? → Target 255+
This way, you can have a realistic preparation target for your NMAT 2026 preparation.
Conclusion
MBA KARO’s NMAT Online Coaching can help you achieve these score milestones through a structured preparation plan that includes practice and mock-test analysis.
The idea is to know exactly where you stand, understand the gap between your score and the target percentile and finally, close the gap. Instead of asking, “What is a good NMAT score?” you should be asking, “What score do I need for the percentile I want?” That is the question that should drive your NMAT 2026 preparation.
FAQs
Q. What score is 90 percentile in NMAT?
A. According to the official data, a score of 233–234 is equal to 90 percentile. A score of 235 falls at 91 percentile.
Q. What score is 95 percentile in NMAT?
A. A score of 242–243 is equal to 95 percentile.
Q. What score is 98 percentile in NMAT?
A. The score range of 250–254 falls at 98 percentile.
Q. What score is 99 percentile in NMAT?
A. A score of 255–265 is equal to 99 percentile, whereas a score of 266+ falls above 99 percentile.
Q. Is 230 a good NMAT score?
A. According to the official data, a score of 230 falls at 87 percentile. It is a fairly decent score, but you should use it as an intermediate target if you want to aim for 90+ percentile.
Q. Is the NMAT 2025 cutoff the same as the NMAT 2026 target?
A. No. The cutoff and target are not the same. The cutoff can be used as a reference, but your NMAT 2026 target should be based on the percentile you want to achieve.
