NTA Releases CMAT 2026 Provisional Answer Key: Check, Challenge Details

National Testing Agency Releases CMAT 2026 Provisional Answer Key and Question Papers

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially released the provisional answer key and question papers for the Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) 2026. This significant announcement allows candidates who appeared for the examination to access and review their performance details on the official portal.

Accessing the CMAT 2026 Answer Key and Materials

Candidates can now visit the official website cmat.nta.nic.in to check the provisional answer key. Alongside this, NTA has made available the complete question papers and recorded responses of all participants. This transparency initiative enables aspirants to cross-verify their answers and assess their expected scores before the final results are declared.

CMAT 2026 Examination Overview

The CMAT 2026 examination was conducted by the National Testing Agency on 25 January 2026 in a single shift across the country. The test was administered through Computer Based Test (CBT) mode, with a total of 53,453 candidates appearing for this crucial management entrance exam.

Answer Key Challenge Window and Important Dates

Candidates who are dissatisfied with the provisional answer key have the opportunity to raise objections within a specified timeline. The answer key challenge window is open from 31 January 2026 to 2 February 2026, up to 11:50 PM. The last date for payment of the processing fee is also 2 February 2026, up to 11:50 PM.

Objection Fee and Payment Methods

To challenge the answer key, candidates need to pay Rs 200 per question. This fee is non-refundable regardless of the outcome of the challenge. Payment can be made conveniently through multiple digital channels including:

Credit Card
Debit Card
Net Banking
UPI

It is important to note that no challenge will be accepted without successful payment of the processing fee.

Step-by-Step Guide to Raise Objections

Candidates can follow these detailed steps to challenge the provisional answer key:

Visit the official website cmat.nta.nic.in
Click on the ‘Challenge(s) regarding Answer Key’ option
Log in using your Application Number, Password, and the Captcha code
Click on ‘View Question Paper’ to see marked responses and ‘Challenge’ to access answer keys
Select the specific Question ID you wish to challenge (note that Question IDs are not in sequential order, so careful verification is essential)
Under the ‘Correct Option(s)’ column, choose the option you believe is accurate
Upload supporting documents as a single PDF file using the ‘Choose File’ option
Click on ‘Submit and Review Claims’
If modifications are needed, use ‘Modify your Claims’, or proceed with ‘Final Submit’
Click on ‘Pay Now’ and complete the payment of Rs 200

Important: Claims will be saved only after successful payment confirmation.

Post-Objection Review Process

All challenges submitted by candidates will be meticulously reviewed by a panel of subject experts. If a challenge is found to be correct, the answer key will be revised accordingly. The revised answer key will then be used to prepare the final results. Candidates should note that they will not be informed individually about the acceptance or rejection of their objections.