The CAT Exam is one of the most competitive entrance exams in India, opening doors to prestigious IIMs and top B-schools across the country. Every year, more than two lakh aspirants appear for the CAT Exam with the dream of pursuing an MBA in India from a top-ranked institute. One of the most awaited events after the examination is the release of the CAT Answer Key, which allows candidates to estimate their scores and predict their chances for admission.
The CAT Answer Key 2025 will be released soon by the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) on the official website. This blog provides you with a complete, step-by-step guide on checking the answer key, downloading your response sheet, calculating your expected percentile, raising objections, and understanding the importance of the answer key in your MBA admission journey.
This detailed article is perfect for students, parents, and MBA aspirants researching about the CAT Exam and the MBA admission process in India.
What is CAT Response Sheet?
A response sheet for CAT 2025 is a PDF document that is available on the official website. Every candidate will have a separate response sheet. The CAT response sheet will demonstrate your response to the 68 questions and other types of additional information. For every CAT exam slot, there will be a different response sheet. You need to check your slot and then download the CAT 2025 response sheet, which will contain your response for the entire CAT Question paper with 3 different sections.
In the response sheet, you can review your response for questions in Quantitative Aptitude, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning. Please note that you can download the response sheet only as per your slot. For Example, if you give the CAT 2025 in Slot 1, you will be unable to download the CAT 2025 response sheet for Slot 2 and Slot 3.
When Will CAT Answer Key 2025 Be Released?
Based on previous trends:
- CAT Answer Key is usually released 5–7 days after the exam.
- The CAT Answer Key 2025 is expected to release in the first week of December 2025.
Once released, students will get:
- Official Answer Key PDF
- Response Sheet
- Objection Window
Importance of CAT Answer Key 2025
Checking the answer key is crucial because:
It helps predict your percentile
- Knowing your answers helps you estimate your score and predict your expected percentile.
You can assess your performance section-wise
- Students can identify strengths and weaknesses across VARC, DILR, and QA.
It provides transparency
- IIMs maintain transparency by showing your exact responses.
You can raise objections
- If you believe a question was incorrect or ambiguous, you can challenge it.
Helpful for MBA in India admissions
- You can shortlist colleges based on your expected score.
How to Download CAT Answer Key 2025? (Step-by-Step Guide)
Follow these steps carefully:
Step 1: Visit the Official CAT Website
Go to: www.iimcat.ac.in
Step 2: Login Using Credentials
Use your:
- CAT User ID
- Password
- Captcha Verification
Step 3: Find the Link
Check for the floating link:
“Download Answer Key and Response Sheet”
or “Objection Management”
Step 4: Open the Answer Key PDF
The key contains:
- Question Paper
- Correct Answers
- Solutions
Step 5: Download Response Sheet
Your response sheet will show:
- Questions attempted
- Options marked
- Correct/incorrect status
Step 6: Save Both Files
Keep them safe for:
- Score calculation
- Objection filing
- Future reference
How to Calculate CAT Exam Score Using Answer Key?
The CAT marking scheme is:
MCQ Questions
- +3 for correct answer
- –1 for incorrect answer
TITA Questions
- +3 for correct answer
- No negative marking
Formula to Calculate Score:
Total Score = (Correct MCQs × 3) – (Wrong MCQs × 1) + (Correct TITA × 3)
For example:
- Correct MCQs: 40 → 40 × 3 = 120
- Wrong MCQs: 10 → 10 × 1 = 10
- Correct TITA: 6 → 6 × 3 = 18
Final Score = 120 – 10 + 18 = 128
How Can I Raise an Objection Against the CAT Response Sheet?
IIMs follow a score normalisation process to ensure that fairness and equity are maintained throughout while evaluating all the candidates. Still, if you encounter any discrepancy, you can challenge the CAT Answer key. Candidates challenge the answer key of the CAT exam when it doesn’t match their CAT Response Sheet. The right steps to file an objection against the answer key are below:
- Step 1: Go to the CAT 2025 official website.
- Step 2: Navigate to enter your CAT registration ID and password.
- Step 3: Log in to your CAT account.
- Step 4: Tap on the “Answer Key Challenge” link.
- Step 5: Select the question and the relevant answer that you believe is incorrect.
- Step 6: Next, tap on the “Objection” button.
- Step 7: Submit your objection for the CAT Answer Key 2025 by clicking on the “+” icon.
- Step 8: Instantly, you will be redirected to a new window. Choose the specific section, type of question and question number.
- Step 9: On the screen, you will come across three different options,i.e, More than one option is a correct answer, None of the options is a correct answer, The answer key is incorrect.
- Step 10: Enter your remarks in a word limit of 500 words.
- Step 11: Pay the CAT objection fee through a suitable mode of payment.
- Step 12: Lastly, submit the objection form for the CAT 2025.
How much is the fee to challenge the CAT Answer Key?
Rs 1200 is the cost for the CAT objection. This amount is applicable per question. It means it’s mandatory to make a payment of Rs 1200 for every objection. This amount is refundable if the objection made by the candidate is found to be correct. Acceptable modes of payment are debit/credit card, UPI, net banking, etc.
Cut Off for CAT 2025: Score vs Percentile
| CAT Percentile | Expected Marks (CAT 2025) |
| 99.9% | 120 – 125 |
| 99.5% | 105 – 110 |
| 99% | 95 – 100 |
| 97% | 80 – 85 |
| 95% | 70 – 75 |
| 90% | 58 – 62 |
CAT Result Date 2025 (Expected)
CAT results are typically released:
- Within 3–4 weeks after the exam
- Expected: Late December 2025 or Early January 2026
Results will include:
- Scaled Scores
- Sectional Percentiles
- Overall Percentile
What After CAT Answer Key? (MBA Admission Process)
Once you calculate your expected CAT percentile, you can shortlist colleges for MBA in India.
Shortlisting for IIMs
IIMs call candidates for:
- WA
- PI
- GD (in some cases)
Apply to Non-IIM Colleges
Top institutes accepting CAT include:
- FMS Delhi
- MDI Gurgaon
- SPJIMR
- IMI Delhi
- NMIMS (some courses)
- TAPMI
- IMT Ghaziabad
Prepare for WAT-PI
Work on:
- Communication skills
- Current affairs
- SOP writing
Track college deadlines
- Most forms start closing soon after CAT results.
Tips for Using CAT Answer Key Effectively
- Compare your score with last year’s cutoffs
- Shortlist realistic colleges
- Work on your interview preparation early
- Identify your weak areas for future exams
- Avoid unnecessary stress by relying on official data
CAT Exam: Key Points for Future Aspirants
Even if the CAT Answer Key is released, students preparing for the next attempt should note:
- CAT is about smart preparation, not just hard preparation
- Consistency in VARC, DILR, and QA is essential
- Mock tests and sectional analysis play a huge role
- Working professionals must plan time management
Why CAT Exam Is Crucial for MBA in India?
CAT is the most recognized entrance test for MBA in India because:
- It ensures merit-based admission
- Over 1000+ colleges accept CAT score
- Corporate companies prefer CAT-qualified MBA graduate
- IIMs rank among the world’s top business schools
Doing an MBA in India through CAT can help build careers in:
- Finance
- Marketing
- HR
- Business Analytics
- Operations
- Consulting
- Entrepreneurship
Conclusion
The CAT Answer Key 2025 is a very important resource for candidates who want to analyse their performance and estimate their chances of securing admission to the top B-schools in India. Once the answer key is released, students can download their response sheets, calculate their raw scores, raise objections if needed, and get clarity on where they stand.
For students aspiring for MBA in India, the CAT Exam remains the most crucial step in achieving their career goals. With the release of CAT Answer Key 2025 around the corner, this is the perfect time to evaluate your performance and begin preparing for the next stages—WAT, PI, GD, and college applications.
Stay calm, stay focused, and trust your preparation.
Your MBA dream is closer than you think!
FAQs on CAT Answer Key 2025
Q1. When will CAT Answer Key 2025 be released?
Expected in the first week of December 2025.
Q2. Where can I download the CAT Answer Key?
From the official website: www.iimcat.ac.in.
Q3. Can I challenge any question in the answer key?
Yes, through the objection window.
Q4. Will the objection fee be refunded?
Yes, if your challenge is found valid.
Q5. Is the final answer key important?
Yes, CAT results are calculated using the final answer key.
Q6. What is included in the CAT response sheet?
Your marked answers and question-wise solutions.
Q7. Can I predict my percentile using the answer key?
Yes, using the marking scheme and score vs percentile analysis.
Q8. Is CAT compulsory for MBA in India?
No, but it is the most accepted and prestigious MBA entrance exam.