Admission Open For 2025-2026

CAT 2025 Response Sheet & Answer Key to Be Released Soon for All Slots: What Aspirants Should Know

Staff Writer: Sweata Maiti

Last Updated: December 1, 2025

Synopsis: The conducting body IIM Kozhikode is set to release the official response sheets and provisional answer keys for Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025 within the first week of December — a few days after the exam held on November 30 across three slots. Once available, candidates will be able to download PDFs, cross-check their responses, estimate raw scores, and — if required — raise objections before the final key is issued.

For the thousands of students who appeared for CAT 2025 on 30 November, there’s soon to be clarity on their performance. IIM Kozhikode is expected to publish the response sheet and provisional answer key PDF within the first week of December.

What will be released

Slot-wise response sheets: These will show exactly how you answered each question — for the slot you appeared in (Slot 1, 2 or 3).
Provisional answer key: Contains the set of correct answers as determined by the exam authority.

Once released, each candidate can log in to the official portal — iimcat.ac.in — with their CAT credentials (user ID/password) to download their response sheet and the answer key.

Why this matters

Estimate your raw score and percentile: By comparing your responses with the answer key and applying the marking scheme (3 marks for correct MCQ, –1 for incorrect MCQ, no penalty for non-MCQs/unattempted), you can calculate a probable score and get a rough idea of your ranking before official results are out.
Option to raise objections: If you believe a correct answer is erroneously marked in the key, you’ll have an opportunity to challenge it. The provisional answer key will be followed by an objection window, after which a final answer key will be released.

What candidates should do now

Keep your CAT login credentials handy.
As soon as the response sheet & key are live, download and save PDF.
Compare your answers, calculate raw scores using the marking scheme.
If you spot any discrepancy in the answer key, be prepared to raise an objection (with supporting arguments) once the objection window opens.
Use your estimated score to shortlist preferred MBA/PGDM institutes — many begin shortlisting on the basis of expected percentile.

With CAT response sheets and keys around the corner, candidates can get an early sense of their performance — and possibly ease some of the pre-result anxiety while planning their next steps.