CMAT 2026 (Common Management Admission Test) exam was conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on January 25, 2026, in a single shift (9:00 AM to 12:00 PM) in computer-based test (CBT) mode across multiple cities in India.
As of now (late January 2026), the official provisional answer key has not yet been released by NTA. Here's the latest status and what to expect:
Current Status of CMAT 2026 Answer Key
Official Provisional Answer Key & Response Sheet: Expected to be released soon, likely around January 31, 2026 (based on trends from previous years and expert predictions from sources like Shiksha, KollegeApply, and others). Some reports suggest it could come as early as late January or early February 2026.
Why the delay? NTA typically releases the provisional answer key, candidate response sheet (your recorded answers), and question paper a few days to about a week after the exam for transparency and to allow challenges/objections.
Memory-Based / Unofficial Answer Keys: These are already available from coaching institutes and platforms (e.g., on Shiksha.com and other education sites). They include section-wise memory-based questions and answers from candidates who appeared. The exam was reported as easy to moderate overall, with no major surprises in pattern (100 MCQs: 20 each in Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness, and Innovation & Entrepreneurship).
Good attempts: Around 70–75+ with high accuracy for a competitive score.
Use these for tentative score estimation (+4 for correct, -1 for incorrect; total 400 marks).
How to Download the Official CMAT 2026 Answer Key (When Released)
- Visit the official NTA CMAT website
- Look for the link: "Release of Provisional Answer Key for CMAT 2026" or similar notification.
- Log in using your Application Number / ID and Password / Date of Birth.
- Download the provisional answer key PDF, response sheet (your answers), and question paper (if provided).
Save them for reference.
Objection / Challenge Window
- After provisional key release, NTA usually opens a short window (2–3 days) for candidates to raise objections against any answers.
- Process: Submit challenges online with supporting evidence and pay a fee per question (if applicable).
- Final answer key (after reviewing objections) will be used to prepare results.
Expected Timeline
- Provisional Answer Key: January 31, 2026 (tentative; check site daily).
- Objection Window: Likely opens same day or shortly after.
- Final Answer Key & Result: Expected in the second week of February 2026 (scorecard with percentile).
- No email notifications; everything is online via login.