The long wait for over 2.58 lakh CAT aspirants has finally ended as the CAT 2025 answer key and response sheet have officially been released by IIM Kozhikode at the official portal iimcat.ac.in. With the response sheet now accessible, candidates can review their answers, estimate scores using the CAT 2025 score vs percentile tables, and prepare for the upcoming objection window.
This year’s CAT exam—conducted across 339 test centres in 170 cities—saw a strong 86% attendance, marking another significant turnout for India’s most prestigious MBA entrance exam.
What Is the CAT 2025 Answer Key?
The CAT 2025 Answer Key is a provisional document released by the conducting IIM. It contains:
- Questions asked in the exam
- Options marked by the candidate
- Official correct answers
- Question-wise status (correct/incorrect/unanswered)
- A downloadable CAT 2025 response sheet PDF
This answer key helps candidates estimate their performance using the official marking scheme:
- +3 marks → Correct answer
- –1 mark → Incorrect answer (MCQ only)
- 0 marks → TITA wrong or unattempted
The CAT 2025 final answer key will be released after reviewing objections.
How to Download CAT 2025 Response Sheet and Provisional Key
IIMCAT has activated the official link for the CAT 2025 response sheet download. Candidates must use their CAT user ID and password to access it.
Exact Steps to Access iimcat.ac.in Answer Key Login
Follow this verified process:
- Visit iimcat.ac.in
- Click on Candidate Login / Response Sheet / Objection Window
- Enter CAT ID + Password
- Click on the Response Sheet tab
- Download CAT Answer Key 2025 PDF
- Save and review your responses
The response sheet includes question-wise candidate responses and official answers.
CAT 2025 Score vs Percentile: Detailed Breakdown
Based on initial student inputs and expert analysis, here is the expected CAT 2025 score vs percentile distribution.
Slot 1 Score vs Percentile
| CAT Score | CAT Percentile |
|---|---|
| 122 | 99.9 |
| 103 | 99.5 |
| 90 | 99 |
| 81 | 98 |
| 70 | 95 |
| 53 | 90 |
| 45 | 85 |
| 40 | 80 |
| 34 | 75 |
Slot 2 Score vs Percentile
| CAT Score | Percentile |
|---|---|
| 115 | 99.9 |
| 97 | 99.5 |
| 83 | 99 |
| 75 | 98 |
| 65 | 95 |
| 51 | 90 |
| 41 | 85 |
| 37 | 80 |
| 33 | 75 |
Slot 3 Score vs Percentile
| CAT Score | Percentile |
|---|---|
| 119 | 99.9 |
| 101 | 99.5 |
| 87 | 99 |
| 77 | 98 |
| 66 | 95 |
| 52 | 90 |
| 43 | 85 |
| 37 | 80 |
| 33 | 75 |
CAT 2025 Objection Window: Dates, Fee & Rules
IIM Kozhikode has announced the official CAT 2025 answer key objection dates:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Objection Window Opens | 8 December 2025, 12:00 PM |
| Objection Window Closes | 10 December 2025, 11:55 PM |
| Objection Fee | ₹1200 per question |
Rules:
- Objection must include proof/documentation
- Wrong submissions will be rejected
- Fee refunded only if objection is valid
How to File Objection Against CAT Official Answer Key
Steps to raise objection:
- Log in at iimcat.ac.in
- Click Objection Management
- Choose the Question ID
- Select Objection Type
- Upload documentary evidence
- Pay ₹1200 per challenge
CAT 2025 Response Sheet: What It Contains
The response sheet includes:
- Candidate name
- Roll number
- Exam slot
- Exam date & time
- Test centre
- Marked options
- Official correct answers
- Answer status (Correct/Incorrect/Unanswered)
Some users reported missing TITA questions, but IIM has not yet commented.
CAT 2025 Difficulty Level and Test-Taker Statistics
Based on student feedback:
- Slot 1 → Moderately easy
- Slot 2 → Slightly harder
- Slot 3 → Moderate
- Overall → Easier than CAT 2024
Test-taker numbers:
- Registered: 2.95 lakh
- Appeared: 2.58 lakh
- Attendance: 86%
CAT 2025 Result Date & Final Answer Key Timeline
Expected result date: 19 December 2025 (tentative)
The final answer key will be released along with the result, only if objections are validated.
IIM + IIT MBA Cutoff Expectations
Expected CAT 2025 Cutoffs (General Category)
| Institute | Cutoff |
|---|---|
| IIT Bombay | 90 |
| IIT Delhi | 90 |
| IIT Kharagpur | 90 |
| IIT Kanpur | 85 |
| IIT Roorkee | 90 |
| IIT ISM Dhanbad | 80 |
| IIT Jodhpur | 98 |
Cutoffs may rise slightly, as exam difficulty was moderate.
Normalisation Process in CAT 2025
IIM uses the GATE-based normalisation formula, ensuring fairness across slots.
The scaled score forms the basis of:
- Percentile
- Shortlisting
- Composite score
For detailed formula:
https://iimcat.ac.in
FAQs
1. How can I download the CAT 2025 answer key?
Log in at iimcat.ac.in → Candidate Login → Response Sheet.
2. Is the CAT 2025 answer key released?
Yes. The provisional key and response sheet are now live.
3. What is the objection fee?
₹1200 per question.
4. Can I get a refund for objections?
Only if the objection is accepted.
5. When will CAT 2025 result be announced?
Expected around 19 December 2025.
6. Is the CAT answer key final?
No, the final version comes after objection evaluation.
Conclusion
The release of the CAT 2025 answer key and response sheet marks the beginning of the results phase for aspirants aiming at premier IIMs and IITs. With the objection window, score calculations, and cutoff trends now in motion, candidates must evaluate their performance carefully and prepare for the next steps—WAT, PI, and shortlisting.