A few days after the exam, NIMCET releases a provisional answer key in your candidate login. It is your first real chance to estimate your score and the only chance to dispute an answer.
When it comes out
| Year | Exam | Answer key / challenge |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8 June | Key released 11 June (as reported at the time) |
| 2026 | 6 June | Challenge window 10 June, 10 AM – 11 June, 5 PM |
So expect it within a week of the exam, with a challenge window of only one or two days. In 2025 the question paper was released along with the provisional key in the candidate login.
How to check your answers
Step 1: Log in to the official portal and open the answer key section.
Step 2: Download both the answer key and your response sheet (the record of the options you chose).
Step 3: Go question by question and mark each as correct, wrong or not attempted. Keep the four sections separate, because they carry different marks.
Step 4: Use a simple table like this:
| Section | Correct | Wrong | Not attempted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | |||
| Reasoning | |||
| Computer Awareness | |||
| English |
Step 5: Apply the marking scheme to get an estimated score. Our worked examples of NIMCET score calculation show exactly how.
When to raise a challenge
Raise one only when you are confident the key is wrong, for example:
- The marked answer does not satisfy the question when you check it.
- Two options are correct, or none is.
- The question has a printing or translation error that changes its meaning.
How to make a good challenge
- Work the question fully and write out your solution.
- Cite a standard source if it is a factual question (for example, a Computer Awareness definition).
- Be precise: quote the question number and the option you believe is correct.
- Submit before the window closes. In 2026 the window closed at 5 PM on 11 June.
Any fee or procedural rules for challenges are announced on the portal with the key; follow them exactly.
What happens after
The challenges are reviewed, and the final answer key is used to prepare the result. If a challenge is accepted, your score will be calculated on the revised key, so recalculate once the result is out.
Common mistakes
- Comparing with a coaching institute's unofficial key instead of the official one.
- Using +4/−1 for every section when calculating the score.
- Missing the window because it lasts only a day or two.
- Challenging on a hunch without a worked solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the NIMCET answer key released?
Usually within a week of the exam. In 2026 the challenge window was 10–11 June.
Where can I download the NIMCET answer key?
From your candidate login on nimcet.admissions.nic.in.
Can I challenge the NIMCET answer key?
Yes, during the challenge window announced with the provisional key.
Is the question paper released with the answer key?
In 2025 it was released together with the provisional answer key in the candidate login.