CMAT Answer Key 2026 (OUT): Direct Link, Response Sheet, Scorecard, Result

CMAT Answer Key 2026: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the final answer key for the Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) 2026 on February 17, 2026. The provisional answer key for the CMAT exam was released on its official website on January 31, 2026. Candidates who took the exam can download their answer key from the official website of NTA, cmat.nta.nic.in. Candidates can challenge the CMAT provisional answer key if they are not satisfied with the answers provided. Students must pay a non-refundable fee of Rs. 200 to challenge the answer key.

The CMAT exam was conducted on January 25, 2026, and the answer key has been released on January 31, 206. Along with the answer key, NTA has also released the response sheet. It contains the answers marked by the candidates. Students must match the answers they marked with the answers provided in the CMAT answer key. There is also a negative marking of one (1) mark for each incorrect answer. Hence, candidates must consider it while calculating their final CMAT score.

NTA releases the final CMAT answer key after the challenges are filed by candidates. It will be released along with the CMAT result 2026. Students must note that they cannot challenge the final answer key. 

CMAT Answer Key 2026 Release Date

The National Testing Agency has issued the provisional answer key for the CMAT exam 2026. Candidates can expect the final answer key to be issued shortly after. 

CMAT Answer Key 2026 Download

The NTA publishes the answer key for CMAT aspirants who appeared for the exam. This key allows candidates to compute their scores and verify the accuracy of their answers. In case of any discrepancies, aspirants also retain the option to challenge the discrepancies. Check the image of the official website for CMAT 2026 below:

CMAT Answer Key 2026: Steps to Download

The answer key for CMAT 2026 will be released online at cmat.nta.nic.in. Interested candidates can find the steps to download the CMAT answer key below:

• Visit the official website of NTA, cmat.nta.nic.in
• Click on the CMAT 2026 answer key link available on the homepage
• Enter the details like Application Number, Date of Birth, and Security Pin
• Upon entering the required information, click on the Submit button
• The answer key along with the response sheet will appear on the screen
• Download the PDF and save it for future reference.

CMAT Answer Key 2026: Score Calculation 

The score for CMAT can be calculated by using the response sheet and the CMAT marking scheme. To calculate the CMAT score using the answer key, candidates must:

• Check the answers provided in the answer key with the answers marked in the response sheet
• If the answer matches, then award 4 marks for each correct answer
• If the answer does not match, then deduct 1 mark for each incorrect answer
• Add 4 marks for all correct answers and subtract 1 mark for all incorrect answers.

For Example, There are 100 questions in CMAT 2026 exam. Let’s say the candidate attempted 90 questions out of which 80 are correct and 10 are incorrect. Then the total score of the candidate would be:

Total Score = Correct Answers x 4 - Incorrect Answers x 1

                   = 80 x 4 - 10 x 1

                   = 320 - 10

                   = 310 Marks

CMAT Answer Key 2026: How to challenge?

To challenge the CMAT 2026 answer key, students must follow the following steps:

Login: Log in to the official website using the credentials that were provided during the examination registration.

Access Answer Key: Find and access the CMAT 2026 answer key section on the website.

Choose Questions: Select the questions for which you believe there might be an error in the answer key.

Provide Explanation: For each chosen question, provide a clear and concise explanation as to why you believe the given answer is incorrect. You may refer to relevant sources if needed.

Supporting Documents: If possible, attach supporting documents, references, or any other evidence that can back your claim of discrepancy.

Review and Submit: Review all the details you've entered, including your explanations and supporting documents. Once you're satisfied, submit your challenge.

Pay Fee: A nominal fee of INR 200 is required to challenge the answer key. Ensure that you make the payment to proceed with your challenge.

Confirmation: After submitting your challenge and payment, you will receive a confirmation of your challenge submission along with a reference number.

Review Process: The examination authority will review your challenge along with the evidence provided. They will make a decision based on the merits of your challenge.

Final Answer Key: If your challenge is accepted and the answer key is updated, a final corrected answer key will be released.

CMAT Final Answer Key 2026

After the answer key challenge process is over, NTA releases the final answer key and CMAT result 2026. Candidates who took the CMAT 2026 exam will be able to check their results on the official website using their registration number and date of birth. After the result is announced, participating colleges separately call candidates for GD/PI round and conduct CMAT counselling.