The wait is over for thousands of MBA aspirants across India. The IIM Kozhikode (IIM-K) has published the CAT 2025 response sheet along with the provisional answer key today, December 4, 2025.

If you took the CAT exam (on November 30, 2025), here’s what you need to know — how to download, check, challenge (if needed), and estimate your performance before the final results.

 

What exactly is the “response sheet”?

The response sheet is a PDF document specific to you. It contains all the answers you marked during the exam — question-by-question, along with your selected option.

The provisional answer key, released alongside, shows the “official correct answers” for each question.

By comparing your responses with the correct answers, you can calculate your raw score. Once the scoring and normalization is done, this will convert into a percentile estimate — giving you a rough idea of where you stand even before the official result.

So, in short — response sheet = your answers, answer-key = official correct answers.

 

How to download your CAT 2025 response sheet & answer key (step-by-step)

Follow the simple steps below to get your response sheet and key:

Click on the “Candidate Login / Response Sheet / Answer Key” section.

Download CAT 2025 Response Sheet here

  • Enter your CAT registration ID and password (the same credentials you used for the exam).
  • Once logged in, download the PDF corresponding to your slot (Slot 1 / Slot 2 / Slot 3) — both the answer key and your response sheet will be available.
  • Save the PDFs — it’s best to also take a printout (or keep a scanned copy) for records, especially if you plan to raise objections.

 Important: Make sure you download the PDF for the correct slot (the same slot in which you appeared), or your answers won’t match the key.

 

When is the objection window — and how to use it if needed

Good news for those who spot a discrepancy: the objection window for CAT 2025 is scheduled from December 8 to December 10, 2025.

 

 Here’s how to raise an objection:

 In the same candidate portal (after login), navigate to the “Objection Management / Answer Key Challenge” tab.

  •  Select the question number(s) you want to challenge. Provide a justification, and — if required — upload supporting documents or sources (especially for ambiguous or arguable questions).
  •  Pay the objection fee (as specified — usually per question) to make the objection valid.
  •  Submit within deadline (Dec 8–10). After that, no objections will be entertained.

 

This window gives a fair opportunity to correct any errors in the key before normalization and score calculation.

 

How to estimate your CAT 2025 score and percentile — quick calculator method

 Once you have both your response sheet and the provisional key:

  •  Mark correct answers — Add +3 for each correct answer.
  •  Mark incorrect answers — Deduct 1 mark for each wrong answer (standard CAT penalty; confirm with official marking scheme).

 

Compute section-wise and overall raw score.

  

Why this response-sheet & answer-key release matters — beyond just score estimation

 

Transparency: Publication of the response sheet ensures transparency. Every candidate can see exactly what they submitted.

Fairness: The objection mechanism gives a fair chance to challenge any potential mistakes, ambiguities or mis-keyed questions before final evaluation.

Psychological preparedness: Instead of guesswork based on memory or unofficial attempts, aspirants get their actual answers, reducing anxiety and speculation.

Planning next steps: Based on expected percentile, candidates can already begin short-listing B-schools, strategising backup plans (other MBA/ PGDM institutes), preparing SOPs, or arranging finances.

For many aspirants — especially those from non-metro cities, B-schools beyond IIM, or first-generation learners — this early clarity helps steer their next moves with realistic expectations.

 

What to do now (immediately after release) — a checklist

 

  •  Log in at iimcat.ac.in, download response sheet & answer key PDF for your slot
  •   Cross-check all answers carefully
  •  Compute raw score and estimate percentile using latest charts or calculators
  •  Review all questions for possible ambiguities or errors; select ones for objection (if any)
  •  Fill objection form (if needed) by Dec 10, pay fee and submit legitimate cases
  •  Save/ print the PDFs and keep proof of submission (in case of future reference)
  •  Make a rough shortlist of B-schools based on your expected percentile — start noting application timelines, fees, eligibility

 

What this release means for MBA aspirants outside metros — context & relevance

 India’s CAT aspirants come from all kinds of backgrounds: big metros (Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai), tier-2/3 cities, smaller towns, working professionals, first-generation aspirants, rural backgrounds.

 For many outside metro areas:

  •  An early score estimate helps decide whether to aim only for IIMs / top B-schools or keep options open with other institutes.
  •  Gives time to plan logistics — hostel admission, application fees, entrance exams for other colleges (since many PGDM/MBA institutes have later deadlines).
  •  Helps manage financial commitments: family support, loan planning, fee arrangements — especially if waiting for final results during holiday season.
  •  So this response-sheet release isn’t just a technical formality; it’s a critical “decision-point” for many aspirants navigating career planning, family aspirations, expectations, and resources.

 

 What you shouldn’t do — common mistakes to avoid

  • Don’t rely solely on memory or guesses — always use the official response sheet and answer key.
  •  Don’t raise an objection for every wrong-looking answer unless you have strong evidence or reasoning — frivolous objections may waste money (fee per question) and time.
  •  Don’t ignore normalization / scaling effects — raw score does not directly translate to percentile; expect variances depending on slot difficulty and normalization.
  •  Don’t take a single sectional high score as guarantee — B-schools look at overall percentile, sectional minimums, past academics, work-experience (if any), diversity, etc.

 

When to expect final result — and what comes after

After objections are reviewed and final answer key is published, the exam conducting body will normalise scores across slots, compile data and announce final results. For CAT 2025, many analysts predict results might come by last week of December 2025.

 

Once results are out — you’ll get your percentile, section-wise scores, and overall status. Then begins the next phase: shortlisting B-schools, filling admission forms, preparing for group discussions (GD), personal interviews (PI), and other entrance-level formalities.

 

Final thoughts:  

To all aspirants reading this from Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Pune, or smaller towns — congratulations on clearing this important milestone. The release of the CAT 2025 response sheet gives you a rare advantage: early clarity.

 Use this window wisely — calculate carefully, assess options critically, and plan your next steps calmly. Whether you aim for an IIM or any other B-school, whether you are confident or waiting for results — this is the moment to act with logic, care, and clarity.

 Wishing you all the very best — may your efforts translate into the future you dream of.