Following the conclusion of CMAT 2026 on January 27, candidates have shared their initial feedback on the five testing sections. Most test-takers reported a moderate difficulty level, with specific challenges in the General Awareness and Innovation segments. The National Testing Agency has now initiated the result processing phase, starting with the compilation of response data. Official scorecards and the final merit list are expected to be available on the NTA portal by the second week of February.

With the CMAT 2026 examination concluding on January 25, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially moved into the post-exam evaluation phase. Thousands of candidates who appeared for the single-shift test have begun sharing their experiences, providing a glimpse into the year's competitive landscape. Preliminary reports suggest that while the core aptitude sections remained approachable, the specialized subjects introduced unique hurdles. As the feedback from various centers is compiled, the NTA has simultaneously triggered the technical process required to generate accurate scorecards for over 70,000 aspirants.

Section-Wise Difficulty and Student Reactions

The CMAT 2026 analysis reveals a diverse range of opinions regarding the paper's complexity. Most candidates noted that the 180-minute duration was sufficient, though the distribution of difficulty was uneven across the five mandatory sections.

• Quantitative Techniques: Rated as easy-to-moderate, with a heavy focus on Arithmetic and Data Interpretation. Many students found the calculations time-consuming but straightforward.
• General Awareness: This section received mixed feedback, with many describing it as the most challenging due to a high volume of static GK questions compared to current affairs.
• Innovation & Entrepreneurship: A significant number of test-takers reported that this section was surprisingly student-friendly, focusing on basic business concepts and government schemes.
• Logical Reasoning: This area was generally considered the highest-scoring part of the test, featuring standard patterns in arrangements and series.

Internal Result Processing and Data Verification

Following the exam's end, the NTA enters a rigorous internal process to ensure the integrity of the final scores. This involves cross-referencing digital logs from hundreds of computer-based testing centers.

• Raw Score Calculation: The system first calculates the raw scores based on the +4 and -1 marking scheme.
• Normalization: If any discrepancies are found in shift-wise difficulty (though 2026 was a single-shift model), a normalization process is applied to maintain a level playing field.
• Response Management: The agency is currently preparing the provisional answer keys, which will allow students to provide their own feedback on potential errors in the question paper.
• Verification: Every individual test response is verified against the master key before the final percentile is generated.

Anticipated Timeline for Scorecards

As the evaluation process gains momentum, students are closely monitoring the official schedule for the release of their performance metrics. The NTA typically follows a standardized timeline for management entrances.

Conclusion

The initial feedback from the 2026 cycle indicates a stable exam environment with few technical glitches reported at the centers. As the result process transitions from data collection to active scoring, candidates are advised to keep their login credentials ready for the upcoming answer key challenge window. The final merit list, derived from this comprehensive evaluation test, will ultimately determine the admission prospects for over 1,300 B-schools nationwide.