The National Testing Agency (NTA) is likely to release the Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) 2026 Answer Key on the official website. Candidates will be able to find the direct link to download the provisional answer key at exams.nta.ac.in once it is live. Along with the answer key, NTA will release the response sheet as well. Candidates can download their answer key as well as the response sheet by entering the required login credentials in the login window. Those who are not satisfied with the answers provided in the answer key can challenge the CMAT 2026 provisional answer key.
The CMAT 2026, conducted by the NTA, was held on January 25, 2026, in a single shift from 09:00 AM to 12: 00 PM. The exam is conducted in a computer-based test (CBT) format. The CMAT 2026 Answer Key is expected to be released by the end of January 2026, as per speculations. Candidates must consider the answer key while calculating their final CMAT score. They must pay a non-refundable fee of Rs. 200 to challenge the answer key. NTA releases the final CMAT answer key after the challenges are filed by candidates. It will be released along with the CMAT result 2026. Candidates must note that they cannot challenge the final answer key.
CMAT 2026 Answer Key: Past years’ provisional answer key announcement dates
As per some reports and speculations, the CMAT 2026 Answer Key will be released by the end of January 2026. However, candidates can check out the previous years’ trends with regard to the announcement dates of the provisional answer key below.
| CMAT Exam Year | CMAT Exam Date | CMAT Answer Key Release Date (Provisional) |
| CMAT 2025 | January 25, 2025 | January 31, 2025 |
| CMAT 2024 | May 15, 2024 | May 23, 2024 |
| CMAT 2023 | May 4, 2023 | May 12, 2023 |
| CMAT 2022 | April 9, 2022 | April 19, 2022 |
| CMAT 2021 | March 31, 2021 | April 3, 2021 |
As mentioned above, 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.
CMAT Answer Key 2026: How to calculate score?
Candidates must check the answers provided in the answer key with the answers marked in the response sheet. If the answer matches, then award four (4) marks for each correct answer. If the answer does not match, then deduct one (1) mark for each incorrect answer. Add four (4) marks for all correct answers and subtract one (1) mark for all incorrect answers.
For further updates, candidates must visit the official website regularly.
