CMAT 2026 Provisional Answer Key Released with Objection Facility on Official Portal

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has published the provisional answer key and recorded responses for the Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) 2026. Following the successful conduct of the exam on January 25, 2026, the portal was updated on January 31 to allow candidates to review the official solutions. This year, approximately 53,000 candidates appeared for the single-shift examination. The release of the key provides a transparent platform for students to calculate their raw scores and evaluate their performance before the final percentile results are compiled.

Challenge Process and Fee Requirements

Candidates who find errors in the provisional key can utilize the objection facility available on the official CMAT website. To submit a challenge, an applicant must log in using their application number and password. The NTA has set a non-refundable processing fee of ₹200 for each question contested. This fee is only refunded if the objection is validated by a panel of subject experts after a thorough review.

• Submission Deadline: The window for raising objections and paying the fee closes on February 2, 2026, at 11:50 PM.
• Documentary Proof: Candidates must upload supporting documents in a single PDF file for each contested question to substantiate their challenge.
• Review Cycle: Expert committees will evaluate all submitted grievances to finalize the CMAT Final Answer Key.

Calculation of Scores and Normalization

Since the CMAT 2026 was conducted in a single shift, the NTA has clarified that raw scores will be used directly to calculate the percentile without the need for a complex normalization process. The marking scheme awards 4 marks for every correct answer while deducting 1 mark for every incorrect entry. Once the objection window closes, the final results will be processed based on the verified solutions.

• Score Validity: CMAT scores are accepted by AICTE-approved institutions and university departments nationwide.
• Merit List: The final rank list will be published on the official NTA website following the resolution of all challenges.
• Transparency: Candidates can download their individual response sheets to compare their marked options against the official keys.

Conclusion

The release of the CMAT provisional answer key marks a critical step toward the final admission cycle for management programs. As the objection window has now concluded, the agency is in the process of finalizing the solutions for the official result declaration. Aspirants should regularly monitor the NTA-CMAT portal for the announcement of the final result and scorecard download links. This systematic approach ensures that the percentile awarded to each candidate is an accurate reflection of their performance across the five exam segments.