CMAT 2026 Answer Key Likely to Be Released Soon on NTA Portal — Response Sheets Also Expected.
The National Testing Agency is expected to release the CMAT 2026 answer key and candidate response sheets shortly on the official NTA portal. Aspirants who appeared for the exam on January 25 can soon verify their marked responses against the provisional keys. This release is a crucial step for candidates to calculate their raw scores and predict their percentile before the final results. Stay tuned to the official website for the live download link and objection window details. The National Testing Agency (NTA) is moving closer to releasing the provisional answer key for the Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) 2026 today, January 29, 2026. Following the successful conduct of the entrance examination on January 25, thousands of aspirants are now awaiting the official upload on the official CMAT portal. Along with the keys, the agency will also provide the individual response sheets, which contain the specific answers marked by each candidate during the computer-based test. This dual release allows for a high degree of transparency in the evaluation process.

Once the link is activated, candidates will be able to log in using their application number and date of birth to view their recorded responses. The CMAT 2026 answer key is initially released as a provisional document, meaning it is open to scrutiny by the test-takers. If a candidate finds a discrepancy in the provided solutions, the NTA provides a dedicated window, typically lasting two to three days, to raise objections. Each challenge generally requires a non-refundable processing fee of 200 INR, and valid claims lead to a revised final key used for result preparation.
Significance of the Provisional Key for Score Estimation
The release of the answer key is the first concrete opportunity for students to estimate their performance. By comparing their response sheets with the provisional keys, aspirants can calculate their raw scores using the CMAT marking scheme, which awards four marks for every correct answer and deducts one mark for every incorrect response. This estimated score is vital for shortlisting colleges, as the CMAT result is accepted by over 1,300 AICTE-approved management institutes across India.
| Event | Expected Date |
| CMAT 2026 Exam Date | January 25, 2026 |
| Provisional Answer Key Release | January 31, 2026 (Expected) |
| Objection Window | 2-3 Days Post Release |
| Final Result Declaration | February 13, 2026 (Expected) |
Conclusion
The upcoming release of the CMAT 2026 answer key and the corresponding response sheets marks the beginning of the post-exam phase for MBA hopefuls. Candidates should remain vigilant and check the official CMAT portal frequently for the latest updates. Once the download facility is live, the focus will shift to verifying accuracy and preparing for the subsequent selection rounds in various business schools.
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