The National Testing Agency (NTA) is set to release the official answer key for CMAT 2026 shortly on the official CMAT website. Aspirants who appeared in the Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) 2026 can use the answer key to cross-check their responses and estimate expected scores ahead of the result declaration. CMAT 2026 was conducted on 25 January 2026, and shortly after the exam, unofficial memory-based keys started circulating for early evaluation. The official answer key PDF will provide the correct answers to all questions from the exam and will be accessible through the NTA portal via candidate login.
How to Download CMAT 2026 Answer Key PDF?
Once released on the official portal, the CMAT 2026 answer key PDF can be downloaded by following these steps:
- Visit the CMAT official portal – cmat.nta.nic.in.
- Click on the ‘CMAT 2026 Answer Key’ link.
- Log in using your Application ID and password/date of birth.
- The answer key and response sheet will be displayed.
- Click Download PDF to save it for further use.
Downloading the answer key as soon as it is available is recommended, as it assists in early performance assessment and preparation for subsequent admission stages.
What does the CMAT Answer Key include?
The official CMAT answer key PDF is expected to include:
- All questions from the CMAT 2026 exam
- Correct answers for each question
- Candidate’s marked responses (response sheet)
- Section-wise distribution of answers
Candidates can use this information to calculate their score before the official result release. The marking scheme in CMAT grants +4 marks for each correct answer and -1 mark for each incorrect answer, with no negative marking for unanswered questions.
CMAT Exam Objection and Final Answer Key Process
After the release of the provisional answer key, NTA will open an objection window for a limited period. Candidates who find discrepancies or errors in the official provisional key may submit challenges through the portal by paying a prescribed fee per question challenged. Once the objections are reviewed, a final answer key will be published and used to prepare the official CMAT 2026 results.
CMAT Exam Expected Timeline and Next Steps
Based on past CMAT exam patterns and official data, the answer key is expected to be made available about 5–7 days after the exam, potentially around 31 January 2026. Candidates should regularly check the official CMAT portal after the exam for updates on release and objection submission timelines. Once the official answer key and response sheets are out, candidates can accurately calculate their scores, anticipate cutoffs, and plan for MBA admissions ahead of the CMAT result declaration in February 2026.