NMIMS Competency Test 2026: Weightage, Dates, Process

Table of Contents

1. Why NMIMS Competency Test? Interview with NMIMS Vice Chancellor by MBAUniverse.com
2: NMIMS Competency Test Dates 2026
3. NMIMS Shortlist for Competency Test 2026
4. NMIMS MBA Cutoff 2026
5. NMIMS Competency Assessment 2026: Selection Criteria with Weightages
6: NMIMS Competency Test Pattern 2026
7. NMIMS Competency Assessment Test 2026 Preparation 
8. NMIMS AI Assisted Personal Interview

1. Why NMIMS Competency Test? Interview with NMIMS Vice Chancellor by MBAUniverse.com
Last year, NMIMS had announced major changes in its admission process by cutting down NMAT weightage, and introducing competency test. In an exclusive interview with MBAUniverse.com, NMIMS Vice Chancellor Dr Ramesh Bhat had shared many important details about NMIMS Competency Test. This year, for Admission 2026, NMIMS has further increased weightage for competency test, and made changes in pattern. Here are the key highlights of NMIMS Vice Chancellor’s Interview with MBAUniverse.com.

Q: What is NMIMS Competency Assessment Test? 
A: NMIMS Competency Assessment test is a multiple-choice type, assessing candidates' critical and analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and managerial skills. The key components of the assessment will concentrate on three sections: (a) managerial ability, (b) cognitive ability to test assumptions and problem-solving, and (c) critical thinking and prioritising ideas.

Q: What is the duration and process of NMIMS Competency Assessment Test? 
A: For the PI process, each batch comprises 10-12 candidates. After the competency assessment, the candidates proceed to their PI process. For each candidate, the competency assessment and PI duration are approximately 45 minutes and 30 minutes, respectively. By the time the last candidate in the group completes their PI, it will take approximately five hours of time.

Q: What Skills does NMIMS Competency Test Measure? 
A: While the entrance tests like CAT, XAT or NMAT measure the “cognitive abilities” of a candidate well, industry expects MBAs to have strong interpersonal and intrapersonal skills, broadly called as “behavioural managerial competencies”. NMIMS Competency Assessment Test shall measure these competencies with a new section titled “managerial ability”. Personal Interview shall assess candidate’s overall personality.

Q: Why NMIMS Competency Test has very high weightage? 
A: The competency ability assessment at the second stage shows the candidate's fit for management programs, while the first stage tests assess the candidate's general aptitude. While the first stage shortlists candidates based on their general aptitude, the second stage assessments, focus on assessing other key parameters that evaluate the candidate’s suitability for the MBA program. The selection process for management programs globally is typically a two-stage affair where the weights in the second stage are relatively higher. For example, post-CAT, the IIMs also practice assigning a lower weightage to the Common Admission Test in their final selection process, with the weightage being as low as 30% in some cases.

Q: What is NMIMS Artificial Intelligence (AI) Assisted Personal Interview?  
A: NMIMS will leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) assisted Personal Interview process. To facilitate faster and more incisive assessment of candidates appearing in the NMIMS final admission round, NMIMS has introduced Artificial Intelligence (AI) Assisted Personal Interview process. This is perhaps the first time such an initiative has been taken by an Indian B-School on a large scale.

Read full interview of NMIMS Vice Chancellor Dr Ramesh Bhat with MBAUniverse.com.

2: NMIMS Competency Test Dates 2026
NMIMS CTPI Dates 2026: Shortlisted candidates should book slots and submit SOP before the last date to appear for the NMIMS Competency Assessment and Personal Interview (CAPI) process. Last date to book slots for NMIMS CAPI was January 25, 2026.

Check important dates for NMIMS CTPI process in the table below:

3. NMIMS Shortlist for Competency Test 2026
NMIMS had released the CA PI calls for candidates to appear for the NMIMS CAPI rounds in-person at the Mumbai campus. Candidates can check their NMIMS shortlist on official website, nmat.nmims.edu. Shortlisted candidates were required to book a slot to select a preferred date and time. To book slot for the NMIMS competency test, candidates are required to pay NMIMS CAPI application fees.

4. NMIMS MBA Cutoff 2026
Same as last year, the overall NMAT cutoff for the MBA admission 2026 is set at 209. The sectional cutoffs are of 60 each for all sections. For the MBA in Pharmaceutical Management, the overall cutoff is 190 and sectional cutoff is at 55.

5. NMIMS Competency Assessment 2026: Selection Criteria with Weightages
NMIMS Competency Test 2026 weightage is 60 percent for Admission 2026. NMIMS CTPI 2026 process has 75% weightages for NMIMS MBA Admission 2026. The final NMIMS merit admission merit list will be prepared based on the following components:

6. NMIMS Competency Test Pattern 2026
The NMIMS Competency Assessment Test is a 45-minute, computer-based test of moderate difficulty that is conducted at the NMIMS Mumbai campus. Check exam pattern in the table below.

Table: NMIMS Competency Test Pattern 2026

Read detailed article on NMIMS competency test pattern 2026.

7. NMIMS Competency Assessment Test 2026 Preparation 
Experts recommend focusing on the following areas to do well:

• Verbal and Critical Reasoning: Since Verbal Ability is expected to have the most questions, candidates should practice CAT VA and GMAT Critical Reasoning questions. Read Preparation Tips for NMIMS CT Verbal and Critical Reasoning section.
• Mental Ability: Logical puzzles similar to those found in MAH MBA CET or other exams are good for practice. Read Preparation Tips for NMAT CT Mental Ability section.
• Managerial Ability: Revisiting past XAT Decision Making papers, particularly those related to business situations, is highly recommended. Read Preparation Tips for NMAT CT Managerial Ability section.
• Quantitative Ability: Candidates must go through Arithmetic and calculation-based problems that appear in other MBA exams. Read Preparation Tips for Quantitative Ability section.

Read detailed article on NMIMS Competency Test 2026 Preparation.

8. NMIMS AI Assisted Personal Interview
Along with the competency test, NMIMS is conducting Artificial Intelligence (AI) Assisted Personal Interview Process. Speaking with MBAUniverse.com, Dr Ramesh Bhat, VC, NMIMS shared following details: “NMIMS, a leader in higher education, is introducing an innovative and cutting-edge approach to candidate selection through its AI-assisted Interview process,” said Dr Bhat. This is perhaps the first time such an initiative has been taken by an Indian B-School on a large scale.”

NMIMS Vice Chancellor had revealed that the Personal Interview round will be conducted in two broad stages:

Stage 1: AI-driven Screening Phase
The advanced AI assisted PI method streamlines the evaluation process by first subjecting candidates' documents—such as statements of purpose, qualification records, and experience—to an AI system. Based on this initial assessment, along with the candidate's statement of purpose and a detailed form filled by the candidate, the questions may focus on academic performance, professional experience, and the data shared by the candidate.

Stage 2: In-depth Interview by Expert
Following this AI-driven screening phase, candidates are subjected to in-depth questioning by an expert, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation while maintaining transparency throughout the process.

Read more details about NMIMS AI Assisted Personal Interview 2026.

In summary, MIMS University is conducting NMIMS 2026 Competency Test for the MBA admissions process. NMIMS has allocated 60 percent weightage to NMIMS CT 2026 scores. NMIMS CTPI 2026 process has 75% weightages for NMIMS MBA Admission 2026. Read above article for latest updates on NMAT competency test dates, process and other details. Read comprehensive NMAT Competency Test Preparation 2026 guide to know pattern, syllabus, previous year’s question paper and preparation tips by top experts. Also read latest updates on MBA Admission 2026.