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CAT Answer Key 2025: Release Date, Downloading Answer Key, Raising Objections

Ankita Banerjee's profile picture

Updated on Jul 28, 2025

Ankita Banerjee

CAT Answer Key 2025 is released on the official website, iimcat.ac.in, before the release of the final CAT Results 2025. Based on past years’ release dates, the CAT 2025 answer key can be expected to be released in December 2025, a month after the examination concludes, i.e., 30th November, 2025.

 

The CAT answer key contains the answers marked by the candidates along with the correct answers. Candidates can use it to calculate the raw score and estimate the percentile for admission to the target institute.

 

Candidates can raise objections to the answer key within a specified timeframe after it is released. Using the dedicated link on the CAT website, an objection can be raised against a specific question along with the reasoning. A fee of INR 1,200 must also be paid, which will be refunded if the objection is accepted. After incorporating the objection, the final results are declared.

 

Table of Contents

  1. CAT Answer Key 2025: Important Dates
  2. How to Download the CAT Answer Key 2025?
  3. Details Provided in the CAT Answer Key 2025
  4. How to Raise Objections Against CAT Answer Key 2025?
  5. Marking Scheme of CAT Answer Key 2025
  6. CAT Answer Key 2025 FAQs

 

CAT Answer Key 2025: Important Dates

The dates for CAT 2025 have been released. However, the authorities have yet to declare the answer, response sheet, and result dates. The examination of CAT 2025 will be held on 30th November, 2025, and the answer key is estimated to be released in December 2025. Here are CAT 2025 Dates given below.

Particular

Dates

CAT 2025 Notification Release

27th July, 2025

CAT 2025 Registration Window

1st August 2025 to 13th September 2025

CAT 2025 Examination Day

30th November, 2025

CAT 2025 Answer Key Release

December 2025

CAT 2025 Answer Key Objection Window

December 2025

CAT 2025 Results Declaration

1st week of January 2026

 

How to Download the CAT Answer Key 2025?

Candidates can access the CAT answer key before the results are declared by using their CAT ID and password. The answer key is displayed on the screen, which can be downloaded. The step-by-step process to download the CAT 2025 answer key is as follows.

 

Step 1: Visit the official IIM CAT 2025 website: iimcat.ac.in.

 

Step 2: On the homepage, click the “Candidate Login for Raising Objection” link.

 

Step 3: Enter the CAT ID, password, and click “Submit” to log in.

 

Step 4: The next page will display the answer key. Click the “Download PDF” link to save to device.

 

Details Provided in the CAT Answer Key 2025

The CAT answer key 2025 provides the correct answers for the exam. It also includes the response sheet, which displays the candidate’s information and marked answers, enabling them to compare their responses and estimate their scores. Here is the complete list of details that the CAT answer key contains:

  • Candidate’s name
  • Registration number
  • Examination centre
  • Test date and time
  • Question type
  • Question ID
  • Status (attempted/not attempted)
  • Right answer
  • Candidate response

Check CAT Cutoff 2025

 

How to Raise Objections Against CAT Answer Key 2025?

The IIMs allow candidates to raise objections to any discrepancies found in the CAT answer key. Objections can be raised along with a payment of a fee and supporting reasoning for the objection. Individuals who have downloaded the CAT answer key and the response sheet can raise an objection during the given window in the following way.

 

Step 1: Visit the official IIM CAT website at iimcat.ac.in.

 

Step 2: Use the CAT ID and password to log in to the portal.

 

Step 3: Open the link directing to the CAT answer key. Look for the “Raise Objections” or the “Objection Management System” link and click on it.

 

Step 4: The portal will display the exam questions. Click the question with the objection.

 

Step 5: State valid reasoning and provide proof, if available, for each objection.

 

Step 6: Pay a fee of INR 1,200 per question. If the objection is accepted, the fee is refunded.

 

Step 7: Complete all the details in the form and submit it.

 

Marking Scheme of CAT Answer Key 2025

The CAT examination employs a scaled marking system, where candidates are assigned percentiles based on their scores. For every correct answer, CAT awards three marks (MCQs and Non-MCQs) and deducts one mark for wrong MCQ answers. No marks are deducted for unattempted questions and wrong non-MCQ answers. Here is how candidates can use the CAT answer key to calculate scores and how it relates to percentiles:

 

Calculating Score

  • For 30 correct answers, the CAT score would be 30 x 3 = 90 marks.
  • If there are 10 wrong answers, deduct 10 x 1 = 10 marks.
  • Deduct the correct answer score from the wrong answer score to arrive at the raw score: 90 - 10 = 80 marks.
  • The IIMs take the raw score and normalise it to ensure candidates from all three slots are assessed on the same level.
  • The normalised scores are then used to arrive at the percentile.

 

Score vs. Percentile

MBA course admissions are made based on the percentile. The raw scores are used to determine the percentiles by comparing a candidate’s score against the scores of all other CAT candidates. This means that candidates need to perform well and outperform their peers.

 

Attempting 30-35 questions with an accuracy rate over 80% will likely result in a score in the 99th percentile for CAT 2025. For reference, the table below lists the estimated CAT 2024 score and corresponding percentile.

CAT 2024 Percentile

CAT 2024 Slot 3

CAT 2024 Slot 2

CAT 2024 Slot 1

99

90-92

87-89

90-92

95

68-70

65-67

68-70

90

56-58

53-55

56-58

85

47-49

44-46

47-49

80

41-43

38-40

41-43

Check CAT Exam Pattern 2025

 

CAT Answer Key 2025 FAQs

When will the CAT answer key 2025 be released?

The CAT answer key is released a few days before the result is declared. Based on previous years, the 2025 CAT answer key is expected to be released in December 2025.

What will the CAT answer key 2025 contain?

The CAT answer key contains the correct answers to the questions along with the answers marked by the candidate. The answer key also includes the candidate’s information, such as their name, registration number, examination centre, and the test date and time.

How can candidates predict CAT 2025 scores using the score vs percentile analysis?

Candidates can calculate their scores after the answer key is released by multiplying each correct response by three and subtracting one mark for each incorrect answer. Thereafter, use previous trends to estimate the percentile corresponding to the raw score.

Where can the CAT 2025 answer key be downloaded?

The CAT 2025 answer key will be available on the official IIM website, iimcat.ac.in. Candidates would have to log in to the portal and download the answer key from the dedicated link.

How can candidates raise objections to the CAT 2025 answer key?

Objections to the CAT answer key 2025 can be raised on the IIM website at iimcat.ac.in. Upon logging in and clicking the “Raise Objections” link from the “Answer Key” link, candidates will be allowed to select the question to object to. Additionally, a reasoning for the objection must be submitted along with the payment of a fee of INR 1,200.

Will the CAT 2025 answer key objection fee be refunded if the objection is rejected?

No. The IIMS pays the refunds for objections only when the objection is accepted. Rejected objections are not refunded.

What is the CAT 2025 marking scheme?

CAT awards three marks for each correct answer in MCQs and non-MCQs. One mark is deducted for incorrect MCQ answers, while no marks are deducted for incorrect non-MCQs.

Are marks deducted for incorrect answers to non-MCQs in CAT 2025?

No. IIM deducts one mark only for wrong answers in multiple-choice questions (MCQs).

When will the CAT 2025 result be declared?

The CAT results are declared after the release of the answer key. For CAT 2025, the results are estimated to be released in January 2026.

How will candidates be notified when the CAT 2025 answer key is released?

An official notification is released when the CAT answer key is about to be released. Updates and news can be viewed on the official website: iimcat.ac.in.

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