The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially released the provisional answer key for the Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) 2026. This much-awaited update comes shortly after the computer-based exam was held on January 25, 2026, with 53,453 registered candidates participating across various centers in India.
Along with the provisional answer key, the NTA has also made the original question papers and candidates’ individual recorded responses available on the official website, cmat.nta.nic.in. This allows test-takers to evaluate their performance before the final results are announced.
Challenging the Provisional Answer Key: A Step-by-Step Guide
Candidates who disagree with any of the answers provided in the provisional key have a limited window to challenge them. The online objection facility will be active from January 31, 2026, to February 2, 2026, up to 11:50 PM.
Here is the process for submitting a challenge:
- Access the Portal: Visit the official CMAT website and log in using your application number and password or date of birth.
- Navigate to Challenges: Find and click on the link labeled “Challenge(s) regarding Answer Key.”
- Review the Key: You will be presented with the Question IDs and the Option IDs that the NTA has marked as correct.
- Select Your Challenge: For the question(s) you wish to challenge, select the option you believe is correct by ticking the corresponding checkbox.
- Submit Supporting Evidence: You must upload a single PDF file containing valid supporting documents (like standard textbooks or official publications) to substantiate your claim. Without proof, the challenge will not be considered.
- Save and Proceed: Click on “Save your Claims and Pay Fee” to move to the payment step.
- Pay the Fee: A non-refundable processing fee of ₹200 per question challenged is applicable. Payment can be made via debit card, credit card, net banking, or UPI. Challenges are only considered valid after successful fee payment.
All submitted challenges will be reviewed by a panel of subject experts. If a challenge is found to be valid, the final answer key will be revised accordingly. The CMAT 2026 result will then be calculated based on this final, updated key.
Important Dates at a Glance
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Exam Date | 25 January 2026 |
| Release of Provisional Answer Key | 31 January 2026 |
| Window to Challenge Answer Key | 31 Jan 2026 – 2 Feb 2026 (up to 11:50 PM) |
| Result Declaration | To be announced soon |
Application Fee Structure (Per Candidate)
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General – UR | ₹ 2500/- |
| OBC / EWS / NCL | ₹ 1250/- |
| SC / ST / PH | ₹ 1250/- |
| Female Candidates | ₹ 1250/- |
| Payment Mode | Debit Card / Credit Card / UPI / Net Banking |
CMAT 2026 Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme
The CMAT is a 3-hour computer-based test comprising 100 questions, for a total of 400 marks.
| Section | Number of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation | 20 | 80 |
| Logical Reasoning | 20 | 80 |
| Language Comprehension | 20 | 80 |
| General Awareness | 20 | 80 |
| Innovation & Entrepreneurship | 20 | 80 |
| Total | 100 | 400 |
Marking Scheme:
- +4 marks for each correct answer.
- -1 mark for each incorrect answer.
- No marks are deducted for unattempted questions.
CMAT 2026: Expected Score vs. Percentile Projections
The table below provides an estimated correlation between raw scores and percentiles, offering a glimpse into potential college cut-offs. (Please note these are projections for guidance.)
| Percentile | Expected Score (Out of 400) | Probable Institution Tier |
|---|---|---|
| 99.99+ | 335+ | Top-tier: JBIMS, SIMSREE |
| 99.5+ | 295+ | Premier: PUMBA, GIM |
| 99.0+ | 265+ | Elite: Great Lakes, BIMTECH |
| 95.0+ | 240+ | Top B-Schools: K J Somaiya, Welingkar |
| 90.0+ | 200+ | Reputed Institutes: IMT Nagpur, XIME |
| 85.0+ | 185+ | Good Institutes: Jaipuria Noida, Christ |
| 80.0+ | 175+ | Regional Institutes: NDIM, Alliance University |
| 70.0+ | Below 170 | Tier-3 and Specialized Programs |
How to Download the CMAT 2026 Answer Key
- Go to the official NTA CMAT portal: cmat.nta.nic.in.
- Look for the latest link, likely titled “Display of Recorded Responses and Provisional Answer Key for CMAT 2026” , and click on it.
- Log in using your Application Number and Password (or Date of Birth).
- Once logged in, you will see links to view your recorded responses and the provisional answer key.
- Download both for your reference.
| Description | Direct Link |
|---|---|
| Download Answer Key | [Click Here] |
| Download Answer Key Notice | [Click Here] |
| Download Admit Card | [Click Here] |
| Check Exam City Details | [Click Here] |
| Apply Online | [Click Here] |
| Check Bulletin Information | [Click Here] |
| Check Official Notification | [Click Here] |
| NTA Official Website | [Click Here] |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When was the CMAT 2026 provisional answer key released?
It was released on January 31, 2026.
What is the last date to challenge the CMAT answer key?
Objections can be submitted online until February 2, 2026, at 11:50 PM.
How much does it cost to challenge a question in the CMAT answer key?
The challenge fee is ₹200 per question.
What happens after I submit a challenge?
A team of subject experts will review your challenge along with the supporting documents. The final answer key will be updated if the challenge is found to be valid.
Where can I download the CMAT answer key and my response sheet?
You can download them from the official website by logging in at cmat.nta.nic.in.