Get to Know Everything about ATMA
What is the ATMA Exam ?
The AIMS Test for Management Admissions (ATMA) is a national-level MBA entrance exam conducted by the Association of Indian Management Schools (AIMS). It is one of the six MBA exams in India recognized by the Ministry of Education (MoE) and AICTE for admission to postgraduate management programs.
ATMA is widely accepted by 500+ MBA/PGDM colleges in India, especially in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Delhi NCR, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh. It is known for its moderate difficulty level and student-friendly structure, making it a popular choice for MBA aspirants.
Key Highlights
| Conducting Body | Association of Indian Management Schools (AIMS) |
| Exam Level | National |
| Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Exam Frequency | 3–4 times a year |
| Duration | 3 hours (180 minutes) |
| Sections | 6 (Analytical Reasoning, Quantitative, Verbal – split into 2 parts each) |
| Question Type | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Total Questions | 180 |
| Accepting Colleges | 500+ MBA/PGDM colleges in India |
| Official Website | https://atmaaims.com/ |
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification:
Graduate in any discipline with 50% aggregate marks (45% for reserved categories).
Final-year students are also eligible.
Age Limit: No upper age limit.
Nationality: Indian citizens only.
Work Experience: Not mandatory, but candidates with work experience are also eligible.
Exam Pattern
| Section | No. of Questions | Duration | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Analytical Reasoning Skills – I | 30 | 30 min | Moderate |
| Analytical Reasoning Skills – II | 30 | 30 min | Moderate |
| Quantitative Skills – I | 30 | 30 min | Moderate–Difficult |
| Quantitative Skills – II | 30 | 30 min | Moderate–Difficult |
| Verbal Skills – I | 30 | 30 min | Easy–Moderate |
| Verbal Skills – II | 30 | 30 min | Easy–Moderate |
| Total | 180 | 180 min | Moderate |
Total Duration: 3 hours.
Negative Marking: -0.25 for wrong answers.
Question Distribution: Balanced across reasoning, quant, and verbal ability.
Syllabus Overview
Analytical Reasoning Skills
Coding-Decoding
Blood Relations
Input-Output
Arrangements (Linear, Circular)
Syllogisms
Cause-Effect, Statement-Assumption
Quantitative Skills
Arithmetic (Percentages, Ratios, Profit & Loss, Time-Speed-Distance)
Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration
Probability, Permutations & Combinations
Data Interpretation (Tables, Graphs, Charts)
Number Series
Verbal Skills
Reading Comprehension
Grammar & Sentence Correction
Synonyms & Antonyms
Para-Jumbles
Fill-in-the-Blanks
Vocabulary Usage
Exam Difficulty Level
Overall moderate compared to CAT/XAT.
The quantitative section may be slightly challenging for non-math students.
Verbal and reasoning sections are relatively easier.
Best for students looking for a balanced MBA entrance test.
Cut-Off Trends
| College | Expected Cut-Off (Percentile) |
|---|---|
| Welingkar Institute of Management (WeSchool), Mumbai | 85–90 |
| Christ University, Bangalore | 80–85 |
| Xavier Institute of Management & Research (XIMR), Mumbai | 75–80 |
| IMS Ghaziabad | 75–80 |
| JIMS Rohini, Delhi | 70–75 |
| PUMBA (MMS Program, Pune University) | 85+ (via DTE CAP) |
Application Process
Visit the official website – atmaaims.com.
Register with email ID and mobile number.
Fill in personal, academic, and test center details.
Upload photograph and signature.
Pay registration fees online.
Application Fees
₹2,000 per attempt (inclusive of GST).
Concessions available for women and Northeast candidates (as per notification).
Important Dates (Tentative 2025)
(ATMA is usually held in February, May, and July—3 to 4 times a year.)
Registration Start: December 2025 (for Feb attempt)
Registration End: February 2026
Admit Card Release: 3–4 days before exam
Exam Dates: February 2026 | May 2026 | July 2026
Result Declaration: Within 5 days of exam
Preparation Strategy
Preparation Time Needed: 3–5 months.
Reasoning: Practice 400–500 questions from previous years.
Quant: Revise basic formulas, focus on arithmetic and DI.
Verbal: Improve vocabulary and solve RCs daily.
Mocks: At least 10–12 ATMA mock tests for time management.
Best Books for ATMA
Quantitative Aptitude – R.S. Aggarwal
How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning – Arun Sharma
Word Power Made Easy – Norman Lewis
Previous Year ATMA Question Papers
Career Scope After ATMA
500+ AICTE-approved colleges accept ATMA scores.
Top recruiters: Deloitte, KPMG, Infosys, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, EY, Accenture.
Average salaries: Tier-1 colleges: ₹8–12 LPA, Tier-2 colleges: ₹5–7 LPA
Career options in marketing, finance, HR, operations, analytics, and consulting.
FAQs
Usually 3–4 times (Feb, May, July, and sometimes August).
Yes, ATMA is comparatively easier but requires strong time management.
Yes, -0.25 marks for each wrong answer.
More than 500 AICTE-approved MBA/PGDM colleges across India.
3 hours (180 minutes).
ATMA Mentor
20+ years in education, MBA preparation, and academic leadership.
Vinayak Kudva
Learning Leader | Career Strategist | Mentor MMS, NMIMS | BE Chemical Engineering