For all those MBA hopefuls out there, the wait's done! IIM Kozhikode dropped the CAT response sheet for the 2025 test today, December 4. This is a big deal because you get to see exactly what you answered on the exam. The official CAT answer key is out too, so you can check your answers against what they say is right.
Checking this stuff is the first thing to do to get an idea of your score before the official results come out. Log in, see how well you did, figure out where you messed up, and see how you stack up against everyone else. It's normal to be a little nervous and hyped at the same time, but you really need to check your answers ASAP so you can plan what to do next, like complain if you think something's wrong.
Here's How to Grab Your CAT Response Sheet and Answer Key
To see how you did, go to the official IIM CAT site. It's easy, just make sure you have your login info ready. Here's what to do:
➤Step 1: Head to the official IIM CAT website (iimcat.ac.in).
➤Step 2: Find the Candidate Login button on the main page.
➤Step 3: Type in the User ID and Password you made when you signed up.
➤Step 4: After you log in, find the Response tab on your page.
➤Step 5: Click the link that says Download CAT response sheet.
➤Step 6: A PDF will pop up with your test questions and your answers; save it so you can look at it later.
For a step-by-step guide to get around the site, check the latest updates on the CAT 2025 response sheet download guide to be sure you don't miss anything important.
Key Dates: CAT 2025 Schedule
Keeping up with the dates is key so you don't miss when you can object or when the final results come out. Here’s the schedule to remember:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| CAT 2025 Exam Date | November 30, 2025 |
| Response Sheet Release | December 4, 2025 |
| Objection Window Opens | December 8, 2025 (12:00 PM) |
| Objection Window Closes | December 10, 2025 (11:55 PM) |
| Final Result Declaration | Late December 2025 / Early January 2026 |
To get a better idea of the whole test process, check out the CAT exam 2025 schedule. Also, keep an eye out for the official CAT 2025 answer key release date.
How to Figure Out Your CAT Score
Once you have got your answers and the key, figure out your raw score. This isn't the same as your percentile, which comes later after scores are adjusted across all test times.
How the Test is Scored:
➤Right Answer (Multiple Choice & TITA): +3 points
➤Wrong Answer (Multiple Choice): -1 point
➤Wrong Answer (TITA): 0 points
➤Questions You Skipped: 0 points
Here's how to calculate your score:
➤Total Score = (3 x Number of Right Answers) - (1 x Number of Wrong Multiple Choice)
After you get your raw score, you might want to know where you stand. A CAT percentile estimator can help. To get a better understanding of scoring, read our guide on how to check your CAT 2025 score and percentile.
What About the Difficulty and Cutoffs?
The CAT 2025 test had three different times to take it, and the difficulty was a bit different each time.
➤Time 1: It was okay, but the DILR part was tricky.
➤Time 2: The Quant part was harder than in the morning.
➤Time 3: The VARC passages were balanced but long.
Your cutoff depends a lot on how well others did during your test time. If your time was hard, the score adjustment might help you. To really understand the test, check out our detailed CAT 2025 exam and paper review. Keep an eye on news sites for updates on the CAT 2025 answer key and how to object questions.
What Should You Do Next?
If you spot any issues with the official answers from IIM Kozhikode, you can argue against them.
➤Double-Check: Be sure you have good proof before you challenge a question.
➤Pay Up: It costs ₹1,200 per question to object (you get it back if you are right).
➤Use an Estimator: Use a CAT percentile estimator to help you pick which schools to apply to before the results come out.
If your estimated score is not great, don't freak out. Plenty of folks recover or get into good schools with decent scores. For a boost, here are 10 stories from CAT exam top scorers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. When was the CAT response sheet released?
Ans. It came out on December 4, 2025. You can download it from the official site.
Q2. Is this the final answer key?
Ans. Nope, it's just provisional. They'll put out the final one after they look at all the challenges people send in.
Q3. What score do I need for a 99 percentile?
Ans. It changes each year, depending on how hard the test was. Usually, getting around 98-105 raw score is enough to get you there, but it depends on how they normalize scores for your session.
Q4. Can I object to any question?
Ans. Sure, if you think the official answer is wrong. Just give a good reason why, and pay the fee. You'll get the fee back if they agree with you.
Q5. Will the cutoff be different for each category?
Ans. Yep. Cutoffs for IIMs are very different depending on your category (General, NC-OBC, SC, ST, EWS) and what the school is looking for.