NMIMS MBA Admission 2025: Guide to Competency Assessment, AI Personal Interview – NMIMS Vice Chancellor Reveals Exact Number of Candidates, Start & End Date, Other New Details

Table of Contents

1. NMIMS MBA Admission Process 2025 – Key Changes
2. Low NMAT Cut Off for NMIMS Admission 2025 
3. NMIMS MBA Admission Process 2025 gets negative reaction from spirants 
4. NMIMS Vice Chancellor Respond to Student Concerns 
5. NMIMS Competency Mock Test, Guides Released on January 28 
6. NMIMS Admission Process to Host THIS MANY Aspirants 
7. NMIMS Admission 2025 Final Admission Round Dates Revealed 
8. NMIMS Admission 2025 Final Selection Merit List Release Date
9. NMIMS MBA Fees, Placements, Rankings 

As shared in the introduction, NMIMS Vice Chancellor has confirmed to MBAUniverse.com the exact number of candidates participating in Round 2 process – which is much less than what is being speculated in social media. He has also confirmed start and end dates of the entire process. Read complete details in this article. 

But before we reveal these details, here is a quick review of key highlights of revised NMIMS MBA Admission 2025 round two process. 

1. NMIMS MBA Admission Process 2025 – Key Changes
NMAT cutoffs and PI shortlist calls for NMIMS MBA admissions were released around January 18, 2025. NMIMS call letter announced following major changes in NMIMS MBA Admission 2025 process, as below. 

1.1. Competency assessment Introduced: NMIMS has introduced a new component “Competency Assessment” for its MBA Admission 2025 process. It has a weightage of 50 per cent. NMIMS Competency Assessment Test has replaced “WATSON”, and WAT tests which were held last year. The table below mentions the weightage of different parameters for NMIMS MBA admissions 2025. 

1.2. Lower NMAT Weightage: This year’s NMIMS MBA selection procedure has given much more importance to the competency assessment than NMAT scores. NMAT 2024 score has a weightage of only 20 per cent in NMIMS MBA Admission 2025 process. 

1.3. Low NMAT Cut Offs Announced: NMIMS has announced Common NMAT Cut Offs 2025 for all the campuses. NMIMS Cut Off 2025 are extremely low at NMAT Score of just 209. In past NMIMS MBA Cut off for Mumbai Campus was about 225, and for rest of the campuses was 205-215. This low cut off will further reduce the importance of NMAT exam scores in NMIMS selection process. Check table below.  

1.4. Long 5 Hour Assessment Process: As per the NMIMS call letter, the personal interview and competency assessment procedure will take approximately five hours. NMIMS has announced four Competency Test slots on each day of the selection round, with two morning slots, starting 8 AM and 10 AM. Two afternoon slots are also available, starting 12 Noon and 2 PM. 

1.5. Paid Re-Registration for Final Selection Round Required: Candidates who have been shortlisted need to book slots for the PI and competency assessment by filling an online form. Shortlisted candidates are required to pay INR 1,100 for the selection rounds. Last date to register for NMIMS Competency Test was January 21.

1.6 NMIMS Artificial Intelligence (AI) Assisted Personal Interview: Another important change is the introduction of NMIMS Artificial Intelligence AI Assisted Personal Interview Process. Check details below. 

The table below mentions the weightage of different parameters for NMIMS MBA admissions 2025:

2. Low NMAT Cut Off for NMIMS Admission 2025 
As mentioned above, NMIMS has announced Common NMAT Cut Offs 2025 for all the campuses. NMIMS Cut Off 2025 are extremely low at NMAT Score of just 209. In past NMIMS MBA Cut off for Mumbai Campus was about 225, and for rest of the campuses was 205-215. Check details in table below:

3. NMIMS MBA Admission Process 2025 gets negative reaction from spirants 
Aspirants who have taken NMAT and were hoping for NMIMS Admission have express concerns over the changes made by NMIMS. The have voiced following key concerns on social media.
Students has expressed that they are new to “competency assessment” test and do not have time to prepare for it since they have other calls from IIMs and other institutions. 

There is discontent over the reduced NMAT cutoff scores, which some believe increases the applicant pool to increase the applications and additional fees for NMIMS Competency Test 2025.
Students are also upset about the need to travel to Mumbai for assessments, adding financial and logistical burdens.

Some students are reconsidering continuing with the NMIMS MBA Admission process due to the changes and additional financial burden.

Speaking to MBAUniverse.com, NMIMS Vice Chancellor Dr Ramesh Bhat has clarified most of these doubts and concerns. He reassured MBA aspirants that the actual duration of competency assessment test is just 45 mins, and it will be based on MCQ format. Read complete details below. 

4. NMIMS Vice Chancellor Respond to Student Concerns 
To seek clarifications on the concerns raised by MBA aspirants, MBAUniverse.com interviewed NMIMS Vice Chancellor Dr Ramesh Bhat. Responding to the concerns candidly, Dr Bhat cleared most of the doubts. Here are the salient highlights from his interview. 

4.1 NMIMS Competency Assessment Test is MCQ Based Test with 3 Sections 
Explaining the details of the new assessment process, Dr Bhat said: “NMIMS Competency Assessment test will be MCQ-based, evaluating the candidates on critical and analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and managerial skills,” 

The key components of the assessment will focus on three sections: 
(a) managerial ability
(b) cognitive ability to test assumptions and problem-solving 
(c) critical thinking, problem-solving and prioritising ideas

Shuffling within the section would be permitted. Navigation between sections will also be allowed. More details will be provided to candidates who have been shortlisted for PI. The candidates will also be provided a mock test before they come for PI. 

4.2 NMIMS Competency Assessment is a Short 45 Minute Test 
Another area of concern for students is that as per the NMIMS call letter, the personal interview and competency assessment procedure will take about five hours. Dr Bhat has clarified that this during is to keep a safety margin for the students travelling from outside. The actual assessment will take just about 75 mins or so.  
 
Clarifying student doubt, Dr Bhat told MBAUniverse.com, “The time required for stage 2 is the same as the last few years. After the assessment test, candidates will go for Personal Interview (PI). Each group has 10-12 candidates. Almost five hours are over by the time the last candidate finishes his PI. So, this instruction of 5-hour long assessment is to ensures that candidates do not book their return journey early.”

Dr Bhat further added, “As such, the competency test and PI duration are about 45 minutes and 30 minutes, respectively.” This clarification should certainly ease student concern over the duration of the test. 

4.3 Rationale for adding NMIMS Competency Assessment to the Final Selection Process 
Students are concerned why this assessment has been announced in the last minute, and how is it different from last year’s NMIMS Admission 2024 process which comprised of a Written Aptitude Test (WAT) and a Watson Glazer test followed by a Personal Interview. 

Explaining the rationale for the new approach, Dr Bhat said, “This year, NMIMS Competency Assessment test is conducted in place of the WAT and WATSON Glazer tests. The test assesses candidates for different skill sets compared to the stage 1 assessment. These skill-sets align more with the requirements of a management program.”

4.4 Reason for Reducing NMAT Exam Weightage to 20% and Lower Cut Offs
NMIMS applicants who scored well in NMAT 2024 were critical of the drop in NMAT Cut Off. Responding to their concerns Dr Bhat assured them that their performance in MBA entrance exam will give them a head-start in final selection. 

Dr Bhat said, “The NMIMS competency ability assessment shows the candidate’s fit for management programs, while the stage 1 tests assess the candidate’s general aptitude. IIMs also practice assigning lower weightage to CAT in the final selection process of candidates, and the weightage is as low as 30% in some cases.”

Clarifying the reason behind lower cut offs, Dr Bhat said, “The concept of low cut-off is being misinterpreted. Let me explain. In previous years, we announced a separate cut-off for different NMIMS Campuses. NMIMS, with the present stage 1 and stage 2 assessment, will assess the candidate’s performance and fit in a better manner across all the campuses. Therefore, the cut-off is maintained and is common to all campus programs moving from stage 1 to stage 2.”

He further added, “NMIMS has initiated one MBA program on all campuses, which implies one curriculum and similar delivery and assessments across all campuses.”

Assuring high NMAT scorers, Dr Bhat said, “Given their general aptitude and preparedness, candidates who have scored well in the earlier round are bound to do well in stage 2. Their higher scores will certainly give them an edge with the weights used. It will also test their overall competencies and skills, which will serve as a valuable guide for MBA programs, both for them and for NMIMS.”

4.5. NMIMS to conduct Artificial Intelligence (AI) Assisted Personal Interviews
Speaking with MBAUniverse.com, Dr Ramesh Bhat, VC, NMIMS has revealed that NMIMS will leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) assisted Personal Interview process. “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.  In an exclusive conversation with MBAUniverse.com on January 28, NMIMS Vice Chancellor has revealed that the Personal Interview round will be conducted in two broad stages. NMIMS Artificial Intelligence (AI) Assisted Personal Interviews will be conducted as follows: 

Stage 1: AI-driven Screening Phase
Dr Bhat has shared that 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. 
For more details, read this article on NMIMS Artificial Intelligence (AI) Assisted Personal Interviews

5. NMIMS Competency Mock Test, Guides Released on January 28 
A detailed guide on the entire NMIMS MBA Admission 2025 selection procedure was released on January 28 on candidate dashboard. Following material was shared by NMIMS:

1. Competency Assessment Mock Test, which will allow students to familiarise themselves with the assessment
2. Welcome Video, offering an introductory overview of NMIMS University and the School of Business Management
3. Competency Test Process Video, providing a comprehensive explanation of the overall process and details of the competency test and
4. AI-assisted personal Interview Video demonstrating the AI-assisted interview process.

6. NMIMS Admission Process to Host THIS MANY Aspirants 
Ever since NMIMS decided to reduce the NMAT Cut Off to 209, social media is abuzz that NMIMS has taken this step with a motive to increase application revenues. 

Dispelling some social media posts which suggest that more than 30,000 candidates will appear in NMIMS Admission 2025, Dr Ramesh Bhat, Vice Chancellor, NMIMS told MBAUniverse.com on January 29, “We are expecting around 13,500 candidates to appear for Competency Assessment and Personal Interview Round”. 
 
MBAUniverse.com has learnt that last year about 12,000 candidates had appeared in the NMIMS final round in Mumbai campus. 

7. NMIMS Admission 2025 Final Admission Round Dates Revealed 
Again, ever since NMIMS decided to reduce the NMAT Cut Off, social media is abuzz that NMIMS will extend the second round by many weeks to accommodate additional students. 

Negating these rumours, Dr Ramesh Bhat, Vice Chancellor, NMIMS told MBAUniverse.com on January 29, “We are starting the NMIMS Admission 2025 round two process on January 30. We will end the process on February 28, 2025.”

So, the NMIMS Admission 2025 Final Admission Round Begins at NMIMS Mumbai from January 30, and last date is February 28, 2025. 

8. NMIMS Admission 2025 Final Selection Merit List Release Date
Once the analysis of all candidates who appeared in NMIMS Admission 2025 Final Admission Round ends by early March, the final admission will be announced by mid-March.

Speaking with MBAuniverse.com, Dr Ramesh Bhat said, “Shortlisted candidates will receive information on their dashboards in the first half of March 2025.”
 
9. NMIMS MBA Fees, Placements, Rankings 
To conclude the article, check key details of NMIMS Mumbai MBA program. 

Established in 1981, Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS) Mumbai, is one of the top ranked B-school of India. In January 2003, NMIMS, Mumbai was conferred the status of Deemed-to-be-University. AACSB Accredited, NMIMS Mumbai is Ranked # 21 in the GoI NIRF Ranking 2024 Management. Check NMIMS Mumbai placements and other highlights below. 

• NMIMS MBA Fees: Mumbai MBA fees is Rs. 25.00 Lakhs. Other programs and campuses have different fees structure. 
• NMIMS MBA Placements: NMIMS Average Package was Rs.25.13 LPA and the highest package was Rs. 67.60 LPA. 37% batch was placed through PPOs in NMIMS Mumbai Placements 2024. 168 marquee companies participated in NMIMS Mumbai Placements 2024. 
• NMIMS MBA Rankings: NMIMS Mumbai is Ranked # 21 in the GoI NIRF Ranking 2024 Management among top 125 B-schools.
• NMIMS MBA Admission 2025 is Closed for New Applications.

Also read these important articles on NMIMS MBA Admission 2025.

• NMIMS Admission 2025 & Competency Assessment Queries: Vice Chancellor Dr. Ramesh Bhat Clears Aspirants' Doubts and Concerns in Exclusive MBAUniverse.com Interview
• NMIMS Competency Assessment Test: Mock, AI-assisted Interview & Other Updates Releasing Today (January 28) | NMIMS Vice Chancellor Confirms to MBAUniverse.com
• NMIMS Artificial Intelligence (AI) Assisted Personal Interview Process: What is it, How will it be conducted? NMIMS Vice Chancellor Reveals Key Details - MBAUniverse.com Exclusive