CMAT 2026 Exam Phase Concludes; Answer Key and Response Sheet Timeline Awaited

The CMAT 2026 exam phase has officially concluded as of January 30, 2026. National Testing Agency (NTA) is expected to release the provisional answer keys and candidate response sheets on the official portal within the next 24 to 48 hours. Candidates are advised to keep their login credentials ready to access the documents and prepare for the upcoming objection window and final result declaration in February.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has successfully completed the conduct of the Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) 2026 across various centers in India. With the final shift of the computer-based test having taken place on January 25, the focus of thousands of management aspirants has now shifted toward the release of the official answer keys and their individual response sheets. As of today, January 30, the NTA portal is being monitored closely for the activation of the download links.

Successful Examination Conduct and Initial Feedback

The CMAT 2026 was administered in a multi-shift format to accommodate the high volume of applicants seeking admission to AICTE-approved management programs. Preliminary reports from examination centers indicate a smooth process with high student attendance.

• Exam Structure: The test maintained its standard five-section format, covering Quantitative Techniques, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness, and Innovation & Entrepreneurship.
• Student Sentiment: Most candidates reported that the Quantitative and Logical Reasoning sections were moderate, while the General Awareness section continued its trend of being the most unpredictable, featuring a mix of static knowledge and current affairs.
• Innovation Section: The specialized section on Innovation & Entrepreneurship focused heavily on the evolving Indian startup ecosystem and recent policy shifts, which were well-received by candidates who followed business news.
• Technical Execution: No significant technical disruptions were reported during the shifts on January 25, marking a successful administrative cycle for the NTA.

Expected Timeline for Answer Key and Objections

The release of the CMAT 2026 provisional answer key is a vital step in the admission cycle, as it allows candidates to calculate their estimated scores and identify any potential discrepancies in the official marking.

• Release Date: Historically, the NTA releases the provisional answer key within 5-7 days of the exam. Experts suggest the link will likely go live by the evening of January 30 or early January 31.
• Response Sheets: Alongside the key, candidates will be able to download their specific response sheets, which show the options they marked during the actual test.
• Objection Process: Once the provisional key is out, a short window of 2-3 days will be provided for candidates to raise objections. Each challenge typically requires a non-refundable processing fee of ₹200 per question.
• Login Requirements: Aspirants will need their application number and date of birth or password to access the portal at exams.nta.ac.in/CMAT.

CMAT 2026 Post-Exam Schedule and Marking System

The table below outlines the expected dates for the remaining events in the CMAT 2026 cycle and the marking scheme used for evaluation.

Conclusion

The completion of the CMAT 2026 examination marks the end of the first major phase for MBA aspirants this season. The National Testing Agency is currently in the process of validating the question papers across shifts to ensure a fair evaluation through the normalization process. With the provisional answer key expected imminently, the window for challenges will soon follow, leading to the final result declaration by mid-February. This timeline remains consistent with previous years, ensuring that participating B-schools can proceed with their individual selection rounds, including group discussions and personal interviews, without delay.