The ATMA exam is a Centre-Based Online Test that consists of 180 MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions) on the basis of the ATMA exam pattern 2026. Students should know that 3 skill sets sections (each divided into two) are covered in this exam which are Quantitative Skills, Verbal Skills, and Analytical Reasoning Skills. The ATMA pattern 2026 is released by the test conducting body which is AIMS (Association of Indian Management Schools).
In this article, students will get detailed information on the ATMA paper pattern 2026 including total number of questions, section-wise pattern, marking scheme, and other related aspects of the ATMA exam pattern.
ATMA Exam Pattern 2026: Overview
Aspirants must have a thorough understanding of the ATMA Exam Pattern 2026 so that they can make time management strategies accordingly. The ATMA exam pattern remains the same for all sessions of the entrance exam. Along with going through the exam pattern, candidates must follow the ATMA Syllabus 2026 to effectively solve the questions of the ATMA exam.
Candidates can go through the below-table to get an overview of ATMA exam 2026 pattern:
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Particular
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Details
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Exam Mode
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Centre - Based Online Test
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Exam Medium / Language
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English
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Sections
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6
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Time Duration
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180 Minutes (3 Hours)
* Each Section will have an allotted time of 30 minutes.
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ATMA 2026 Exam Date
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28th December 2025 (Between 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
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Total Marks
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180
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Marking Scheme
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- 1 mark for every correct answer
- -0.25 mark for each incorrect answer
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Type of Questions
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MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions)
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Number of Questions
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180
* 30 Questions in each Section.
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Number of Answer Choices
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4 Options (for each MCQ)
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ATMA Exam Pattern 2026: Section-Wise Pattern
Students appearing for ATMA 2026 must be informed that there are 3 skills set sections that are further divided which makes a total of 6 sections. Each of the 6 sections of ATMA pattern 2026 will have a duration of 30 minutes.
Students can refer to the below-given table to get an outline of the distribution of questions and marks as per the ATMA exam 2026 pattern:
|
Section
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Number of Questions
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Number of Marks
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Analytical Reasoning Skills - I
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30
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30
|
|
Verbal Skills - I
|
30
|
30
|
|
Quantitative Skills - I
|
30
|
30
|
|
Analytical Reasoning Skills - II
|
30
|
30
|
|
Verbal Skills - II
|
30
|
30
|
|
Quantitative Skills - II
|
30
|
30
|
|
Overall
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180
|
180
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* Applicants who meet the ATMA Eligibility Criteria 2026, & have successfully completed their ATMA Registration 2026 can go through the syllabus and exam pattern to make preparation strategies for qualifying the exams with good marks.
ATMA Exam Pattern 2026: Marking Scheme
A clear understanding of the ATMA marking scheme is crucial for the candidates to avoid any confusion. The marking scheme decided for the ATMA exam by the conducting body (AIMS) is given below:
- For each Correct Answer, 1 mark will be awarded to the candidate.
- For every Incorrect Answer, -0.25 mark will be deducted.
- There is no negative marking for unanswered questions.
ATMA Exam Pattern 2026: Special Points to Consider
Here are some points which students need to consider in regards to the ATMA exam pattern:
- Students must note that it is not mandatory for them to attempt the questions of ATMA in a particular serial order or to complete a particular section in the specified sectional-time frame.
- There are a total of 180 questions which students need to complete in 180 minutes according to the ATMA 2026 exam pattern. Therefore, on an average, the candidates will have 1 minute to answer each question.
- There is no compulsion to finish 1 section at a time. Students can solve the questions of ATMA 2026 according to their speed and skip the tough questions for the time being (if required). They can come back to solve the unanswered questions any time.
