GPAT Cut-off 2026: Category-wise Qualifying Scores and Trends

The GPAT cut-off is the lowest score that qualified in each category in a given year. It is not a fixed pass mark. NBEMS works it out after the exam from two rules: a candidate must be in the top 10 percent of those who appeared, and must also reach the minimum percentile for their category.

This page lists the GPAT cut-off for 2026 and 2025 by category, explains why the numbers move, and helps you set a safe target score. All figures are indicative, taken from the NBEMS result notices as reported for each year. Use them as a benchmark, not as a promise of what will qualify in GPAT 2027.

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GPAT Cut-off 2026

GPAT 2026 was held on 7 March 2026. As reported from the NBEMS result notice, 53,617 candidates appeared and 5,362 qualified. Scores are out of 500.

GPAT Cut-off 2025

GPAT 2025 was held on 25 May 2025. As reported, 47,142 candidates appeared and 4,714 qualified.

The General cut-off stayed close to 215 in both years, while reserved-category cut-offs rose sharply in 2026. More candidates appeared in 2026, which widened the competition.

How the GPAT Cut-off Is Decided

• Top 10 percent rule: Only about one in ten candidates who appear can qualify, as reported from the bulletin and result notices.

• Category percentile floor: General and EWS candidates must reach the 50th percentile; OBC, SC, ST and PwBD candidates the 45th percentile.

• Reservation: Qualifying candidates are drawn according to the applicable reservation policy, which produces separate cut-offs by category.

What Affects the Cut-off

• Paper difficulty: A harder paper lowers raw scores across the board.

• Number of candidates: More candidates means more qualifiers, but also more competition at each score.

• Accuracy of the cohort: Negative marking separates careful candidates from guessers, which shapes where the line falls.

How to Set Your Target Score

Aim for a clear margin above the last cut-off rather than a bare pass. As a planning guide, not an official figure, General candidates whose mock scores sit steadily around 240 to 250 have a reasonable cushion over recent cut-offs, and a higher score improves your rank for admission and scholarship. Reserved-category candidates should plan around the 2026 figures, since the jump from 2025 shows how much the line can move.

• Track a rolling average: Judge yourself on the average of your last three full-length mocks, not your best single score.

• Cut wrong answers first: Ties are broken in favour of fewer negative responses, so accuracy protects both your score and your rank.

• Watch the heavy subjects: Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmaceutics carry 304 of 500 marks, so gains there move your total fastest.

Timed GPAT mock tests on Testkart, once listed, give you a score to compare with these benchmarks, and the GPAT study notes on Testkart help you revise the topics that pull your score down.

Cut-offs change every year with difficulty and the number of candidates. Treat these figures as indicative benchmarks only, and confirm the GPAT 2027 qualifying rules and result on the official GPAT page on natboard.edu.in.