CMAT 2026: The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducted the CMAT 2026 exam on 25 January 2026. With the exam now concluded, candidates are eagerly waiting for the release of the official answer key and result. As per the latest updates, the CMAT 2026 answer key is expected to be released between 30 January 2026 and 1 February 2026 on the official website
According to the NTA notification, the CMAT 2026 application form was released on 17 October 2025, and the last date to apply was earlier 17 November 2025 (till 11:50 PM), but it has been extended to 24th November 2025. The fee payment deadline has also been extended, followed by the form correction window.
Table of Contents
CMAT 2026 Important Dates
Candidates appeared for CMAT exam 2026 must keep track of all the CMAT important dates for 2026.
| CMAT 2026 Events | Dates |
| Application form release | 17th October 2025 |
| Last date to apply | 24th November 2025 |
| Last date for fee payment | 24th November 2025 |
| Form correction window | 25-26th November |
| Exam City Intimation | 16th January 2026 |
| Admit card release | 21st January 2026 |
| CMAT Exam date 2026 | 25th January 2026 |
| Result declaration | 2nd week of February, 2026 (Expected) |
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CMAT 2026 Exam Pattern (Updated)
Understanding the CMAT 2026 exam structure helps candidates analyse the paper and plan their preparation strategy for future attempts.
CMAT 2026 Pattern Overview
- Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
- Duration: 3 hours (180 minutes)
- Total Questions: 100
- Total Marks: 400
- Sections: 5
- Marking Scheme: +4 for correct answer, -1 for wrong answer
Section-wise Breakup
| Section | Questions | Marks |
| Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation | 20 | 80 |
| Logical Reasoning | 20 | 80 |
| Language Comprehension | 20 | 80 |
| General Awareness | 20 | 80 |
| Innovation & Entrepreneurship | 20 | 80 |
CMAT 2026 Difficulty Level
Based on expert analysis, the overall difficulty level of the CMAT 2026 exam was moderate to difficult. The paper followed the usual CMAT structure, with questions evenly distributed across sections. While many questions were manageable, some required deeper conceptual understanding and careful time management, making the overall exam moderately challenging.
CMAT 2026 Section-Wise Difficulty Level
| Section | Difficulty Level |
| Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation (QA & DI) | Easy |
| Logical Reasoning (LR) | Easy to Moderate |
| Language Comprehension | Moderate |
| General Awareness (GA) | Moderate |
| Innovation & Entrepreneurship (I&E) | Moderate |
Key Insight: Overall, CMAT 2026 was a moderately challenging exam, with QA & DI being the easiest section, while Language Comprehension and GA required careful reading and conceptual clarity.
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CMAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
To appear for the CMAT 2026 exam, candidates were required to fulfil the eligibility criteria prescribed by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The key requirements were as follows:
Educational Qualification
- A Bachelor’s degree in any discipline.
- Final-year students who were completing their graduation in 2026 were also eligible to appear for CMAT 2026.
Age Limit
- No upper age limit to appear for CMAT.
Nationality
- Must be an Indian citizen.
CMAT Application Process (Step-by-Step)
The CMAT 2026 application process was conducted entirely online through the official NTA website – cmat.nta.nic.in. Candidates were required to complete registration, fill out the application form, upload documents, and pay the application fee within the prescribed timeline.
Although the CMAT 2026 application window has closed, the overall process remains largely similar every year. Aspirants appearing for future CMAT exams can follow the step-by-step procedure given below to understand how the application process works.
Step 1: Visit the Official Website
Go to cmat.nta.nic.in and click on the “CMAT Registration – New Candidate” button.
Before starting, read the Information Bulletin to understand eligibility, fees, and document requirements.
Step 2: Register as a New User
Enter the following details to create your CMAT Login ID:
- Candidate’s Name
- Date of Birth
- Mobile Number
- Email ID
- Security Question & Password
You will receive a system-generated Application Number, which must be saved for all future logins.
Step 3: Fill the CMAT Application Form
Log in using your Application Number and Password and fill in:
Personal Details
- Gender, Category, Nationality
- Permanent & Present Address
- Parent’s details
Academic Details
- Class 10th and 12th details
- Graduation status (Completed/Final Year)
- University name, passing year
Exam Centre Preferences
Choose 4 preferred exam cities in order of priority. Selecting nearby cities early helps because allocation is first-come, first-served.
Step 4: Upload Scanned Documents
Upload the following as per NTA’s required formats:
| Document | Format | Size |
| Passport-size Photograph | JPG/JPEG | 10–200 KB |
| Candidate Signature | JPG/JPEG | 4–30 KB |
Ensure the photograph has a white/light background and is not older than 6 months.
Step 5: Pay the CMAT Application Fee
The fee must be paid online using UPI, Net Banking, Debit/Credit Card.
| Category | Fee |
| General (Male) | ₹2,500 |
| General (Female), EWS, OBC-NCL | ₹1,250 |
| SC/ST/PwD | ₹1,250 |
Once the fee is paid, you will receive a confirmation page. Download and save it.
Step 6: Use the Correction Window
NTA allows you to correct specific details like:
- Personal details
- Academic information
- Exam city preferences
- Uploaded documents
Tip: You cannot change your registered mobile number, email ID, or category.
CMAT 2026 Answer Key
The National Testing Agency (NTA) is expected to release the CMAT 2026 answer key between 30 January 2026 and 1 February 2026 on the official website. The answer key will help candidates estimate their scores before the declaration of the final result.
Along with the provisional answer key, NTA will also release the candidate response sheet and question paper. Candidates can download these using their application number and date of birth.
How to Download CMAT 2026 Answer Key
Candidates can follow the steps below to download the CMAT answer key:
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Visit the official website- cmat.nta.nic.in
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Click on the “CMAT 2026 Answer Key” link
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Log in using application number and password/date of birth
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Download the answer key and response sheet
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Calculate the probable score using the marking scheme
CMAT 2026 Answer Key Challenge Process
NTA will provide a window to challenge the provisional answer key. If candidates find any discrepancies, they can raise objections by paying a non-refundable fee per question. After reviewing the challenges, NTA will release the final answer key.
CMAT 2026 Result
The CMAT 2026 result is expected to be announced in second week of February 2026 by NTA on the official website. The result will include the candidate’s score, percentile, and qualifying status.
Candidates will be able to download their CMAT 2026 scorecard by logging in with their credentials.
Details Mentioned on CMAT 2026 Scorecard
The CMAT scorecard will contain the following information:
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Candidate’s Name and Roll Number
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Section-wise and overall scores
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Percentile score
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All India Rank (if applicable)
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Category and qualifying status
What Happens After CMAT 2026 Result?
After the declaration of the result, participating institutes will release their cutoff lists and begin the admission process. Candidates meeting the cutoff criteria can apply to MBA/PGDM programs offered by various colleges accepting CMAT scores.
Conclusion
The CMAT 2026 exam was conducted on 25 January 2026, and candidates are now awaiting the answer key and result declaration. With the exam cycle completed, aspirants should analyse their performance, track cutoff trends, and prepare for the MBA admission process. Staying updated with official announcements and understanding CMAT trends will help candidates make informed decisions for their management career.
Also Read: Are you late for CAT 2026 Prep? | How CAT PYQs are Important?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What was the overall difficulty level of CMAT 2026?
A: The overall difficulty level of CMAT 2026 was considered moderate to difficult. Most sections were manageable, but some questions required strong conceptual clarity and time management.
Q: When will the CMAT 2026 answer key be released?
A: The CMAT 2026 answer key is expected to be released between 30 January 2026 and 1 February 2026 on the official website, cmat.nta.nic.in.
Q: When will the CMAT 2026 result be announced?
A: The CMAT 2026 result is expected to be announced in the second week of February 2026 by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
Q: Can I use the CMAT 2026 exam pattern for future preparation?
A: Yes, the CMAT exam pattern remains largely similar every year. Candidates preparing for future CMAT exams can use the CMAT 2026 exam pattern and difficulty level as a reference for their preparation strategy.
