IIM Indore will tentatively release the CAT Answer Key and Response Sheet 2026 in the second week of December 2026. Before the CAT results are announced, candidates can verify their performance and estimate their marks by downloading their official answer key and response sheet. Candidates can compute raw scores, confirm accurate responses, and lodge objections in the event of inconsistencies by using the CAT answer key.
CAT answer key will be released in two phases by IIM Indore on the official website. Students must use the provisional answer key to check their scores and file objections, and after all the objections are resolved, the final answer key will be released probably in the third week of December 2026.
No requests for revision will be entertained after the final key is released since the results are based on this key.
The exam is set to take place on November 29, 2026. The CAT 2026 answer key release date, the URL to the CAT Answer Key 2026 PDF download, the score calculation procedure, the objection window, and the anticipated cut-offs are all covered in depth on this page.
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CAT Answer Key 2026 Dates
The preliminary CAT answer key 2026 date is expected to fall in the second week of December 2026, and the objection window will remain active for the next 3 days. Candidates must use this window on the CAT official website to voice complaints about any of the answers.
The final CAT answer key 2026 will be released after all the objections are resolved, tentatively in the third week of December 2026, followed by the announcement of CAT 2026 results.
Candidates will not be permitted to object following the announcement of the CAT result. Keep reading the article to learn more about how to get the IIM CAT response sheet slot-wise, the CAT response sheet 2026, the CAT answer key release date 2026, and other details.
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CAT Answer Key 2026 Slot-Wise
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CAT Answer Key 2026 PDF Download
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Final CAT Answer Key |
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CAT answer key 2026 Slot 1
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Second week of December 2026
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Third week of December 2026 |
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CAT answer key 2026 Slot 2
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Second week of December 2026
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Third week of December 2026 |
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CAT answer key 2026 Slot 3
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Second week of December 2026
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Third week of December 2026 |
What is the CAT Response Sheet 2026?
All of the answers that the applicant marked throughout the exam are included in the official CAT response sheet. For transparency and score computation, it is made available with the answer key.
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Displays every question the applicant has attempted.
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Shows the chosen responses for every question.
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Includes the right answers (using the answer key) and question IDs.
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Aids in precisely computing the raw score
The response sheet must be downloaded and saved by candidates for later use.
Download CAT Answer Key 2026
CAT Answer Key is a document that contains all the answers to the CAT exam. It allows candidates to estimate their scores before the exams are out. All of the correct answers to the questions given in the CAT exam 2026 can be found in the IIM CAT answer key PDF.
Candidates can use their CAT ID and password to download their preliminary answer key as well as the final answer key after they are released. The entrance exam will be followed by the release of the preliminary CAT answer key 2026.
Candidates also receive a response sheet from the authorities, enabling them to cross-reference the marked answers with the available answer key.
Candidates will be allowed to file objections on any given answer with supporting documentation if there is any disparity is found. Candidates can also download CAT answer key from the previous year for every slot for reference.
How to Download CAT Answer Key 2026?
Follow the instructions below for the CAT answer key 2026 PDF download for every slot, along with the question paper. A candidate must download CAT answer key for slot 3 if they appeared for it. In the same way, candidates can also download CAT answer key 2026 for slot 1 and slot 2.
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Step 1: Visit the CAT official website iimcat.ac.in.
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Step 2: Click on the tab "Candidate Login."
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Step 3: Click the "Submit" tab after entering the password and CAT registration ID.
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Step 4: Click the "Download PDF" tab to download CAT answer key PDF file.
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Step 5: Download the response sheet by selecting the "Candidate Response" option.
Note: In the CAT answer key 2026, the right answers are indicated in green, while the wrong answers are indicated in red and have a cross next to them.
CAT Answer Key: Details mentioned
Details mentioned in the CAT Answer Key are as follows:
CAT Answer Key 2026: Important Dates
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CAT Events
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CAT 2026 Exam Dates
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CAT 2026 notification release date
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July 26, 2026
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CAT 2026 Registration Start Date
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August 03, 2026 (10:00 am)
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CAT 2026 Registration Last Date
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September 15, 2026 (5:00 pm)
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CAT 2026 Form Correction Window
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September 24 – 27, 2026 (Expected)
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CAT Admit Card 2026 Release Date
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November 4, 2026
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CAT Exam Date 2026
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November 29, 2026
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CAT Provisional Answer Key 2026 Release Date
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Second Week of December 2026
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CAT Final Answer Key 2026 Release Date |
Third Week of December 2026 |
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CAT 2026 results date
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Third Week of December 2026
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Key Distinctions between the CAT Response Sheet and the CAT Answer Key 2026
Here are the significant changes between the CAT response sheet and the CAT answer key 2026:
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Feature
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CAT Response Sheet
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CAT Answer Key
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Definition
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Shows the answers marked by an individual candidate for each question during the exam.
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Contains the officially correct answers to all the questions in the CAT exam.
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Purpose
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Allows applicants to examine their own performance and recall their thought process.
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Enables candidates to verify the validity of their answers and estimate their raw score.
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Content
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Includes: Candidate's chosen option, Question ID, Status of the question (answered, not answered)
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Includes: A single officially correct answer for each question and the Question ID.
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Release Timing
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Released following the CAT exam, usually together with the provisional answer key.
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Provisional Answer Key: Available for challenges, released soon after the test. Final Answer Key: Released after considering objections, utilized for final score computation.
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Individualised
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Yes, it varies from candidate to candidate.
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No, it applies to every applicant who ran for a specific position.
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Actionable For Candidates
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To determine the possible score, compare it with the answer key; object to any differences.
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Use to estimate scores and confirm responses. The official outcome is based on the final key.
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Format
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Usually, a candidate can access a PDF document by logging into the official CAT website.
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A PDF document can usually be accessed from the official CAT website.
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Objections
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Candidates utilize their response sheet in conjunction with the preliminary answer key to choose questions they want to challenge.
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Instead of directly challenging their own response sheet, candidates contest the answers given in the tentative answer key.
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How Can the CAT Answer Key 2026 Be Used to Calculate the Score?
One advantage of having access to the official CAT answer key 2026 is being able to estimate one's likely CAT score before the results are announced. The CAT marking scheme is attached to determine this likely score.
CAT Marking Scheme 2026
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Marking scheme
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Non-MCQs
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MCQs
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Correct answer
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3 marks will be awarded
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3 marks will be awarded
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Incorrect answer
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No negative marking
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1 mark will be deducted
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Unattempted questions
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No marks will be given
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No marks will be given
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Candidates can assess their chances of admission to the top MBA colleges in India after they receive their CAT score. A CAT percentile predictor might also help to simplify the calculation. When deciding to apply, review the list of MBA programs in India.
Raising Objection to CAT Answer Key 2026:
Candidates will be allowed to file objections to the official CAT answer key PDF by following the guidelines outlined below. Objections cannot be raised by candidates on the final CAT answer key 2026. You can file an objection against the interim CAT answer key 2026 by following the easy steps listed below.
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Go to the CAT official website 2026.
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Click on the tab "Candidate Login."
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Enter your login information.
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Complete the applicant's personal information page, then select the "Objection Form" tab.
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Select the question number, objection type, and section. Choose one of the next three options.
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There isn't a right response among the choices.
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There are multiple acceptable answers.
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The solution key is not accurate.
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If you have any remarks, please enter them here (up to 500 words).
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Each question costs Rs.1,200. GST and bank service fees are not included.
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Send in the form.
Candidates can raise as many objections as they want because there are no restrictions on the number of objections.
Points to Remember When Raising Objections to the IIM CAT 2026 Answer Key
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Objection fees are returned only for genuine objections.
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Objections cannot be changed once they are lodged.
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There's no limit to the number of objections that can be raised.
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The CAT 2026 result will be revealed after the objection process closes.
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No objections are allowed after the final CAT 2026 answer key is released.
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It is not acceptable to recheck the CAT question paper.
What Are the Typical Mistakes in the CAT Answer Key 2026, and How Can You Find Them?
Errors in the CAT 2026 answer key can occasionally be difficult to identify. So, we have supplied the list of likely faults that you can verify in the CAT 2026 answer key:
1. Calculation Errors
There is a possibility that the QA and DILR sections include calculation errors. Therefore, it is best to double-check your own calculations and, if possible, try to solve the question using a different approach to see if you arrive at the official answer.
2. Ambiguous Options or Question Stem
Occasionally, the question itself may be inadequately phrased, giving rise to many plausible, valid answers or interpretations.
The supplied solution might be based on a specific interpretation you didn't examine. If you think the question is unclear, make a list of all the possible interpretations and check to see if any of them suit another reasonable interpretation.
3. Misuse of Concepts
The official response may be predicated on linguistic aptitude, logical reasoning, or a faulty comprehension or application of a basic mathematical idea. Review the relevant concepts and regulations to verify if the official answer complies with them.
4. Inaccurate Responses (Technical Problems)
This is less about the quality of the answer itself and more about whether the option designated as correct in the key genuinely matches the intended correct answer based on the question.
How Can the Error Spots Be Found?
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Cross-referencing various sources: If you can clearly recall a question and are certain of your response based on trustworthy study materials or professional advice, even if it deviates from the official key.
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Look for patterns: There may be a technical problem with mapping the proper options if you observe a sequence of answers in the key that appear to be consistently incorrect in a certain section or slot.
Check discussions with other candidates: An error in the key is more likely if a large number of other test takers believe a certain response is incorrect.
CAT Results 2026
Candidates can view their CAT results 2026 on the CAT official website when the results are announced, probably in the fourth week of December 2026. The final answer key will be released tentatively in the third week of December, on which the results will be based. To download their CAT scorecard, they need to provide their login credentials. MBA admissions in 2026 will be based on the CAT percentile score.
CAT Cut-off 2026
All IIMs and top B-schools will publish the CAT cut-off on their respective websites following the publication of the CAT results 2026. Applicants who meet the CAT cut-off will receive additional calls for the Group Discussion (GD), Personal Interview (PI), and Written Ability Test (WAT) rounds of the selection process.
The Significance of CAT Answer Keys from Prior Years
Analysing your performance with prior years' CAT papers is vital to identifying your strengths and shortcomings. Here’s why prior CAT answer keys are important:
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They shed light on the patterns of questions.
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They assist in discovering areas of strength and weakness.
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They make it possible to better prepare and plan for the impending test.
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They allow for self-evaluation and benchmarking progress.
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They provide an opportunity to learn from mistakes and enhance performance.
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They aid in comprehending the marking system and mark distribution.
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They assist with good time management during the exam.
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They boost confidence and lessen worry by familiarizing you with question types and difficulty levels.
CAT Answer Key 2026: Coaching Institutes
Since the CAT 2026 exam is set to take place on November 29, 2026, certain recognized coaching schools are looking forward to starting new batches for CAT aspirants. They also release their own answer key that students can use to check their answers with those of the experts and determine their approximate score. Candidates can download the unofficial answer key using the URL provided by coaching centres.
The applicants will be able to evaluate their performance on the CAT 2026 exam with the use of these unofficial answer keys.
FAQs for CAT Answer Key
Q1. When will the CAT answer key 2026 be available?
The IIM Indore will make the provisional CAT answer key release date for 2026 available on the IIM CAT official website, probably in the second week of December 2026, and the final answer key will be tentatively released in the third week of December 2026.
Q2. How can I access the online CAT answer key 2026?
Candidates can view the CAT answer key 2026 by signing in with their CAT login information.
Q3. Will there be a chance for the candidates to contest the CAT answer key 2026?
Sure. Candidates will have the opportunity to voice concerns about any CAT answer key that they are unhappy with or that they believe is questionable during the CAT answer key challenge window, which begins simultaneously with the release of the provisional answer key.
Q4. Is it possible to receive a refund of the fee for the answers I contested?
The fee is non-refundable, and you won't get your money back unless the objections turn out to be valid.
Q5. When will the official CAT answer key 2026 be made available?
The final CAT answer key is expected to be published in the third week of December 2026, while the CAT results 2026 are expected to be released the very next day.
Q6. How challenging is CAT? How do I check my CAT score?
CAT is one of the hardest MBA admission tests in the country. Candidates can view their CAT results by going to the CAT official website.