The National Testing Agency has officially released the CMAT 2026 admit cards on the official portal. Candidates appearing for the management entrance exam on January 25 must download their hall tickets using their application number and date of birth. Review the mandatory reporting times and center-specific guidelines to ensure a smooth examination process.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially made the hall-ticket for the Common Management Admission Test (Aptitude-Exam) 2026 available for download. As of today, January 20, 2026, thousands of MBA and PGDM aspirants are accessing the official website to retrieve their mandatory documents for the upcoming test. This release follows the recent city intimation phase, providing candidates with the final details of their assigned venues. The hall-ticket is a non-negotiable requirement for entry, and students are urged to verify all printed personal information against their original registration records.

Essential Examination Schedule and Reporting Times

The Aptitude-Exam is scheduled to take place on January 25, 2026, in a single-shift format as per the latest official-briefing from the NTA.

• Testing Window: The examination will be conducted from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, spanning a total duration of 180 minutes.
• Reporting Protocol: Candidates are expected to arrive at their respective venues by 7:00 AM to facilitate a smooth biometric and security screening process.
• Gate Closure: The entry gates will strictly close at 8:30 AM; no candidate will be allowed inside the premises after this time under any circumstances.
• Shift Confirmation: While the official-briefing confirms a primary morning shift, candidates must check their individual hall-ticket to confirm their specific slot and center address.

Mandatory Centre Guidelines and Security Protocols

To maintain the integrity of the Aptitude-Exam, the NTA has enforced a strict set of conduct-rules that must be followed at all testing locations.

• Identity Proof: Along with a color printout of the hall-ticket, aspirants must carry a valid government-issued photo ID, such as an Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, or Passport.
• Prohibited Items: Electronic gadgets, including mobile phones, smartwatches, and calculators, are completely banned. Stationery is also limited to a transparent blue or black ballpoint pen.
• Photography: Candidates are required to bring two additional passport-sized photographs (identical to those uploaded in the application) to be affixed to the attendance sheet.
• Dress Code: Simple clothing without large buttons or hidden pockets is recommended to expedite the frisking process according to the conduct-rules.

Scoring Pattern and Sectional Breakdown

The 2026 session of the Aptitude-Exam continues with its comprehensive evaluation across five distinct segments, as detailed in the recent official-briefing.

• Marking Scheme: Each correct answer earns 4 marks, while a negative marking of 1 mark is applied for every incorrect response.
• Non-Sectional Timing: There are no sectional time limits, allowing students to navigate between the 100 questions freely during the three-hour period.
• Helpdesk Access: In case of any discrepancy in the hall-ticket download or data errors, students should contact the NTA helpline immediately before the January 25 test date.

Conclusion

As the final countdown to the Aptitude-Exam begins, the NTA has reiterated the importance of a thorough review of the conduct-rules. Candidates must ensure they have downloaded their hall-ticket and organized their identification documents well in advance of the weekend. Following the official-briefing instructions regarding reporting times will prevent last-minute anxiety and ensure that the focus remains entirely on performance across the five scoring sections. With the portal now live, early retrieval of the hall ticket is the most critical task for every 2026 management aspirant today.