SNAP and NMAT for Low CAT Scores: Best Colleges to Target Below 90 Percentile (2026 Cycle)
If your CAT score is stuck below 90 percentile, SNAP and NMAT are the two exams that can still get you into a good MBA programme. Both allow up to three attempts and count your best score, and both lead to colleges that call at percentiles where CAT calls dry up. Here are the exact dates, the college-wise cutoffs, and which colleges are worth targeting at which score.
The Short Answer
Use SNAP for the Symbiosis colleges: SIBM Pune and SCMHRD at the top, then SIIB, SIBM Bengaluru, SIDTM, SIOM and SIBM Hyderabad further down. Use NMAT for NMIMS Mumbai, Bangalore and Hyderabad, plus TAPMI, XIM Bhubaneswar, KJ Somaiya and many private universities. A 92+ SNAP or a 220+ NMAT can land colleges that an 85 to 90 CAT percentile would not. The sections below give the dates and the cutoff bands.
Key Dates for the 2026 Cycle
SNAP 2026
NMAT by GMAC 2026
If you missed the NMAT registration this cycle, SNAP is still open until 25 November, and NMAT registration for the next cycle opens in August 2027. For reference, CAT 2026 is on 29 November 2026.
SNAP vs NMAT at a Glance
SNAP is a speed test with a small number of questions, so one bad section hurts. NMAT has no negative marking, so you can attempt every question.
SNAP: Cutoffs by College
These are the percentile cutoffs for recent cycles, not guarantees, and the 2026 cutoffs are likely to fall in the same range.
Which SNAP Colleges Are Worth It?
- Best picks below 93 percentile: SIBM Bengaluru and SIIB Pune. They are the strongest brands you can reach without a top score.
- Middle options at 77 to 85: SIDTM for technology and SIOM for operations, if you have a clear plan for the first job.
- Weigh carefully at 50 to 75: Symbiosis programme fees run roughly ₹12 to ₹30 lakh depending on the campus, so check placements before you accept a seat.
NMAT: Score vs Percentile
NMAT is reported as a score out of 360. A rough guide from recent cycles:
NMAT: Estimated Cutoffs by College
Colleges do not publish safe cutoffs, so treat these as estimates. NMIMS also applies sectional cutoffs, so clear each of the three sections, not only the total.
Best Colleges for People With a Low CAT Score
This is our judgement.
Before you pay a deposit, compare the total fee with the median placement figure, and ask what the college does for students who are not in the top group.
How to Use SNAP and NMAT as a Backup Plan
- Register before CAT. SNAP's form closes on 25 November, four days before CAT on 29 November. Our calendar of MBA forms closing in November 2026 shows the full list.
- Use your extra attempts. Both exams count your best score, so a bad first test is not final.
- Fix your weakest section first. SNAP's short format and NMIMS's sectional cutoffs both punish a weak section.
- Prepare for the GE, PI and WAT. The final seat depends on them, and a strong profile can lift you above a close percentile. Our guide on who should apply to SPJIMR explains how a profile-first school reads your story.
- Build a list with stretch, target and safe colleges. Our guide to CAT percentile vs colleges for engineers and non-engineers shows how, and the same logic applies here.
If you have a gap year or a weak academic record, read our post on how colleges treat a gap year. If you are choosing a direction, our guide to top MBA specialisations by background can help.
What We Do Not Know Yet
- SNAP 2026 and NMAT 2026 cutoffs will be clear only after the results, and they move with the difficulty of each test.
- NMAT college cutoffs are estimates, and the figures quoted for NMIMS Mumbai range from about 209 to 235.
- Fees and placements change every year, so check each college's latest report before paying a deposit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, SNAP or NMAT? Neither. SNAP gets you into Symbiosis colleges, and NMAT gets you into NMIMS and many other colleges. Taking both widens your options.
How many attempts do SNAP and NMAT allow? Up to three each. The best score counts for both.
Is there negative marking? SNAP deducts one quarter mark per wrong answer. NMAT has none.
What is the SNAP 2026 registration deadline? 25 November 2026. The tests are on 13, 19 and 26 December, and the result is on 12 January 2027.
What is the NMAT 2026 test window? 2 November to 20 December 2026. Registration closes on 25 October 2026, and retakes can be booked from 3 November to 17 December.
What SNAP percentile do I need for SIBM Pune? About 98 or above, based on the 2024 and 2025 cutoffs.
Which colleges can I get with a low CAT score? SIBM Bengaluru, SIIB, SIDTM, NMIMS Bangalore and Hyderabad, TAPMI, KJ Somaiya and several private universities, depending on your SNAP or NMAT score.
Is a Symbiosis or NMIMS degree worth the fee? It depends on the campus. The top campuses are well regarded by recruiters, while lower-ranked programmes cost a similar amount for weaker placements, so compare fees with median placements before you pay.
Final Word
SNAP and NMAT are the fastest way to turn a weak CAT day into a good MBA seat, but only if you register early, use your extra attempts and pick colleges where the fee makes sense. Aim for SIBM Bengaluru, SIIB, NMIMS Bangalore and TAPMI if you can reach them, and treat lower-ranked programmes with care. Dates, fees and cutoffs change every year, so confirm the latest details on the official SNAP and NMAT websites before you register.
Kavya Kumar
Founder of GRADSCALE, which he architected and built from scratch — the daily drill engine, PYQ access, analytics and leaderboards behind the platform's daily execution system.