Candidates who appeared for the CMAT 2026 on January 25 are now awaiting the release of the provisional answer key and response sheets. The National Testing Agency is expected to activate the download link on the official portal by the end of January or the first week of February. Aspirants will have a window of two to three days to submit challenges against any discrepancies found in the provisional key for a nominal fee. Once the objection window closes, the NTA will evaluate the claims to prepare the final answer key and the subsequent merit list for MBA admissions. Ensure you have your application number and date of birth ready to access the recorded responses and calculate your estimated scores accurately.

As of January 29, 2026, the National Testing Agency (NTA) is in the final stages of preparing the response sheets and provisional answer keys for the Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) 2026. Following the successful conduct of the entrance examination on January 25, thousands of MBA aspirants are frequently checking the official portal for updates. The release of these documents is a critical step in the post-exam process, providing transparency by allowing students to view their recorded answers alongside the official correct options. Historical trends suggest that the NTA typically activates these links within five to seven days post-examination, placing the expected release date in the immediate coming days.

Accessing the NTA CMAT Dashboard

The NTA will provide a dedicated login window for candidates to retrieve their individual exam data and the provisional key.

• Login Requirements: To view the documents, candidates must navigate to the official CMAT website and enter their application number along with their date of birth or password.
• Response Sheet Details: The individual response sheet will display every question presented during the three-hour test, the option selected by the student, and the unique Question ID assigned by the agency.
• Downloadable PDF: It is recommended that students save a PDF copy of both the recorded responses and the provisional key for their records, as these links are only active for a limited duration.

Provisional Answer Key Challenge Process

Once the provisional key is made public, the NTA opens a brief window for students to contest any answers they believe are incorrect.

• Objection Fee: A non-refundable processing fee, typically around ₹200 per challenged question, must be paid online.
• Submission of Evidence: For a challenge to be considered, aspirants must upload supporting documents, such as references from standard textbooks or academic journals, in a single PDF file.
• Expert Review: A panel of subject matter experts will review all submitted objections. If a challenge is found valid, the key will be revised for all students, and the final result will be calculated based on the updated data.

Score Calculation and Marking Scheme

Using the response sheet and the provisional key, students can estimate their raw scores before the official results are declared in mid-February.

Conclusion

The National Testing Agency is expected to release the CMAT 2026 provisional answer key and candidate response sheets shortly, marking the beginning of the result-processing phase. Aspirants should remain vigilant and keep their login credentials ready to utilize the brief objection window. This transparency ensures that the final merit list, which determines admission into over 1,300 B-schools, is based on a verified and accurate set of data.