CAT 2025 Answer Key Released: Download Now and Result Date
The CAT 2025 Answer Key has been officially released today by IIM Kozhikode on the CAT portal, iimcat.ac.in. Candidates can now log in to their dashboards to download the provisional answer key and response sheet for their respective slots (Click Here). This release allows aspirants to verify their responses, calculate expected scores, and assess their chances of securing admission to top IIMs and leading B-schools. With the objection window opening shortly, the result is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
CAT Exam 2025 Overview
The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025 is a national-level entrance exam conducted by IIM Kozhikode for admission to postgraduate management programmes (MBA/PGP) across IIMs and other leading B-schools in India. The exam is computer-based and assesses candidates’ quantitative, verbal, and analytical skills. CAT 2025 was held in three slots on 30 November 2025, with registrations having started on 1 August 2025.
It remains the primary gateway for over 1,300 management institutes, evaluating logical reasoning, data interpretation, quantitative aptitude, and verbal ability.
CAT 2025 Overview
| Parameter | Details |
| Conducting Body | IIM Kozhikode |
| Exam Date | 30 November 2025 |
| Registration Start Date | 1 August 2025 |
| Registration End Date | 20 September 2025 |
| Admit Card Release | 5 November 2025 onwards |
| Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Number of Slots | 3 (Slot 1: 8:30–10:30 AM, Slot 2: 12:30–2:30 PM, Slot 3: 4:30–6:30 PM) |
| Sections | VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension), DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning), QA (Quantitative Ability) |
| Number of Questions | 66 (Approx.) |
| Marking Scheme | +3 for correct MCQ, 1 for incorrect MCQ, 0 for unattempted / TITA questions |
| Purpose | Admission to IIMs and top B-schools in India |
| Official Website | iimcat.ac.in |
CAT 2025 Latest Updates
Important Dates & Exam Overview
- The exam was conducted on 30 November 2025 by IIM Kozhikode.
- Registration had opened on 1 August 2025, and the deadline was extended to 20 September 2025.
- Admit cards were made available from 5 November 2025 till the exam date.
- The exam was conducted in three sessions/slots:
- Slot 1: 8:30 AM–10:30 AM
- Slot 2: 12:30 PM–2:30 PM
- Slot 3: 4:30 PM–6:30 PM
- The test remains a computer-based national-level exam, aimed primarily at admission to IIMs and various other leading B-schools across India (approx. 1,300+ institutes).
Response Sheet & Answer Key — Released
- The response sheets and provisional answer key for CAT 2025 have been released today (4 December 2025) on the official site (iimcat.ac.in).
- Candidates can log in with their credentials to download their slot-specific response sheet.
- Using the response sheet and answer key, candidates can compute their tentative raw score and estimate their percentile.
Objection Window & Next Steps
- If you find any discrepancies in the provisional answer key, you can raise objections. The objection window opens 8 December 2025 (noon) and closes 10 December 2025 (11:55 PM).
- After evaluation of objections (if any), the final answer key and result date will be announced. Based on prior years and current estimates, results are expected around late December 2025 to early January 2026.
CAT 2025 Answer Key
- The provisional answer key and candidate-specific response sheet for CAT 2025 have been released today, 4 December 2025, by IIM Kozhikode (via the official site IIM CAT — iimcat.ac.in).
- The release covers all exam slots (Slot 1, Slot 2, Slot 3).
Objection Window: If You Find Any Discrepancies
- If you believe there is an error in the provisional answer key, you can raise objections.
- The official objection-submission window will open on 8 December 2025 at 12:00 PM (noon) and close on 10 December 2025 at 11:55 PM.
- Objections must be accompanied by relevant supporting evidence/documentation; otherwise, they may be rejected.
CAT Result 2025
Expected Result Date
- There is no official result yet as of today.
- Various reputable sources estimate the release will be around late December 2025 — roughly between December 19–23, 2025.
- Some projections also suggest the result could slip to the first week of January 2026.
Because of this variation, it’s safest to treat the last week of December 2025 as the likely result window, with a fallback expectation of early January 2026 if there are delays.
What Result Will Contain
When released, the result (scorecard) will include:
- Section-wise (VARC, DILR, QA) scores
- Overall scaled score and percentile
- Candidate details (registration number, exam slot, date, etc.)
The exam results will take into account normalisation, since CAT 2025 was held in multiple slots.
How to Download the CAT Answer Key 2025
Steps to Download the CAT 2025 Answer Key / Response Sheet
- Go to the official CAT website: iimcat.ac.in
- Click on the “Candidate Login” tab.
- Enter your login credentials — your CAT registration ID and password.
- After logging in, find the tab/menu labelled “Candidate Response” or “Answer Key / Response Sheet” on the dashboard.
- Select the correct slot (Slot 1 / Slot 2 / Slot 3) — corresponding to the slot in which you took the exam.
- Download the PDF of the answer key and/or response sheet. Save it for reference.
What You’ll Get — Response Sheet vs Answer Key
- The response sheet shows your answers marked during the exam (which questions you attempted, left blank, etc.).
- The answer key provides the official correct answers for each question, released by IIM Kozhikode.
- Together, these let you compare your answers vs the correct ones, and estimate your raw score using the CAT marking scheme.
What to do after the CAT Answer Key is Released?
Once the CAT 2025 answer key is released, candidates should follow a structured approach to analyse their performance, estimate their percentile, and prepare for the upcoming admission rounds. Here are the essential steps:
- Download the Answer Key & Response Sheet
Log in to the official CAT portal and download:
- Provisional Answer Key
- Candidate Response Sheet
- Question Paper PDF (slot-wise)
Keep copies for reference.
- Verify Your Responses
Compare:
- Your marked answers (from the response sheet)
vs. - Official correct answers (from the answer key)
This helps determine accuracy section-wise (VARC, DILR, QA).
- Calculate Your Expected Raw Score
Use the CAT marking scheme:
- +3 marks for each correct answer
- –1 mark for each incorrect MCQ
- 0 mark for TITA questions
This gives a reliable estimate of your raw score.
- Estimate Your Percentile
After calculating your raw score, you can:
- Use percentile predictors from top institutes
- Compare with last year's slot-wise score–percentile trends
- Check analysis from IMS, TIME, Career Launcher, etc.
This helps you understand where you stand for IIM and non-IIM admissions.
- Raise Objections (If Necessary)
If you find any discrepancies:
- Submit objections during the official objection window.
- Attach evidence/justification.
- Pay the prescribed fee (refundable if the objection is accepted).
- Start Preparing for the Next Stages
Depending on your expected percentile:
If expecting above 95–99%ile
Prepare for:
- WAT (Written Ability Test)
- PI (Personal Interview)
- GD (Group Discussion) — for institutes that conduct it
Focus areas:
- Current affairs
- Academics & work experience topics
- Personal profile answers
- SOP drafting (for some IIMs)
If expecting 80–95%ile
Shortlist colleges where this range is competitive:
- New IIMs
- Baby IIMs
- Tier-1 private B-Schools
Start preparing for interviews and documentation.
If expecting below the 80%ile
Consider:
- Non-IIM colleges with good ROI
- Other exams (XAT, CMAT, NMAT, SNAP, MAT), if still upcoming
- Track the Final Answer Key & Result Date
The final answer key will be released after reviewing objections, followed by the CAT result.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Was 2025 CAT tough?
Ans: The CAT 2025 exam was generally reported as moderate to slightly challenging, with difficulty varying across slots. Slot 2 was considered tougher than Slot 1, particularly in the DILR and QA sections, while VARC remained manageable. Questions tested logical reasoning, quantitative ability, and comprehension skills, with a few tricky puzzles and data interpretation sets. Time management was crucial, as many candidates found certain sets time-consuming. Overall, the exam maintained the traditional CAT pattern, rewarding accuracy and strategic attempts.
Q2: Is IIM tougher than IIT?
Ans: Comparing IIMs and IITs is not straightforward, as they test different skill sets. IITs focus on technical knowledge, problem-solving, and engineering aptitude, making JEE extremely competitive. IIMs, on the other hand, assess analytical, verbal, and quantitative abilities through CAT, along with aptitude for management, decision-making, and communication. While both are highly selective, IIT admission demands mastery of mathematics and science concepts, whereas IIM selection emphasises overall reasoning, percentile, and profile. Each has its unique challenges and rigour.
Q3: Can I clear my CAT in 3 months?
Ans: Yes, it is possible to clear CAT in 3 months, but it requires a focused and disciplined strategy. Prioritise concept clarity in VARC, DILR, and QA sections, practise mock tests regularly, and analyse them to identify weak areas. Time management and accuracy are crucial. Use quality study material, solve previous years’ papers, and maintain a strict daily schedule. With consistent effort, targeted preparation, and strategic practice, aspirants can achieve a high percentile even within a 3-month timeframe.
Q4: Which is no 1 IIM in India?
Ans: The Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) is widely regarded as the number one IIM in India. Consistently ranked at the top in national and international B-school rankings, IIMA is renowned for its rigorous academic curriculum, distinguished faculty, strong alumni network, and excellent placement records. It offers flagship programmes like the Post Graduate Programme (PGP) in Management, Executive MBA, and Ph.D., attracting top talent from across the country. Its reputation for quality education and industry linkage makes it the most sought-after IIM.
