CAT 2025 Response Sheet: How to Download and Analyze Your Answers

Latest Updates
- CAT 2025 Registration Start - 1 August, 2025; 10:00 AM
- CAT 2025 Registration End - 20 September, 2025: 5:00 PM
- CAT 2025 Admit Card - 05 November, 2025
- CAT 2025 Exam Date - 30 November, 2025
The CAT Response Sheet 2025 has a central role to play this year among the 342,000 registered candidates. In two to five days after examination, the IIMs will assess and publish these sheets giving candidates in detail a breakdown of all questions being attempted by them showing their answers, the correct answers and the outcome of their answer. In 2024, 329000 candidates registered to take the exam, and 293000 individuals showed up, which indicates the increasing size and competitiveness of CAT Exam.
With the response sheet in hand, the candidates will be able to figure out their rough scores with accuracy using the official marking scheme: +3 in the case of correct, -1 in the case of incorrect, 0 in the case of TITA, and 0 in the case of unattempted. This will help them to anticipate their marks and determine their percentiles far earlier than the actual results are released.
The response sheet also provides fairness and clarity in the evaluation process as well as performance analysis. It also gives the candidates a chance to rebut the official answer key by objection, where they pay 1200 rupees per objection- refundable if the objection is proved to be true.
CAT 2025 Response Sheet: Understanding the Response Sheet
The CAT response sheet is available as a downloadable PDF on the website (iimcat.ac.in). It provides a detailed report on how a candidate performed on each question during the exam. The response sheet contains:
- Candidate details like name and registration number.
- Details of the test such as exam slot, date, time, and test centre.
- The IDs of all the questions as well as their type (MCQ or TITA: Type In The Answer).
- The status of each question as it was during the exam (attempted, not attempted, correct, or incorrect).
- The answer option the candidate selected.
The official answer according to the IIMs.
Overall, response sheets provide ASPIRANTS with excellent exam performance analysis numbers and performance analysis for each section of the exam.
CAT 2025 Response Sheet: Important Dates
Usually, the response sheet is available 2 to 5 days post-examination. After that, the official answer key is released, and then the objection window opens.
Event | Tentative Dates |
CAT 2025 Exam Date | 30 November 2025 |
CAT Response Sheet Release | 1st week of December 2025 |
Answer Key Release | 2nd week of December 2025 |
Objection Window Opening | 2nd week of December 2025 |
Result Declaration | 1st week of January 2026 |
CAT 2025 Response Sheet: How to Download
Obtaining the response sheet is quick and easy. Follow these steps:
- Go to the official CAT website, iimcat.ac.in.
- Select the ‘Registered Candidate Login’ option.
- Type in your user ID and password.
- Find the link that says ‘Response Sheet’ or ‘Answer Key’.
- Download the PDF and save it for further analysis.
Since the response sheet will likely only be accessible for a finite amount of time, it is advisable to keep a printed as well as a digital version.
CAT 2025 Response Sheet: Benefits
- Performance Analysis: The candidates are advised to match their answers with the official answer key so that they can be able to guess their marks before the final results are announced.
- Transparency and Fairness: The response sheet is used to ensure every aspirant has the right to verify his or her evaluation as well as challenge any discrepancies that might occur.
- Admission Strategy: Since most business schools do not open up their applications until well after CAT scores are actually available, an early calculation of the scores helps to ensure that applications are submitted in time.
- Preparation Feedback: Candidates learn substantive information as they scrutinize their mistakes and demarcate their strengths, which will influence their current admissions as well as future CAT attempts.
CAT 2025 Response Sheet: Registration and Participation Trends
In the case of CAT 2025 cohort, the number of registered candidates has dropped by around 12 percent compared to 2024, and the number of registered candidates was around 342,000 on September 20, 2025. This tendency highlights changing dynamics in the field of management education, and it also testifies to the long-term popularity of the exam as a key point of entry to the Indian Institutes of Management and other top MBA programs.
Year | Email Registrations | Successful Registrations | Actual Test Takers |
2025 | ~₹3.42 lakhs | – | – |
2024 | ~₹3.75 lakhs | ₹3.29 lakhs | ₹2.93 lakhs |
2023 | ~₹3.60 lakhs | ₹3.28 lakhs | ₹2.88 lakhs |
CAT 2025 Response Sheet: How to Calculate Your Score
The CAT exam follows a predefined marking scheme:
Question Type | Correct Answer | Incorrect Answer | Unattempted |
MCQ | +3 | -1 | 0 |
Non-MCQ (TITA) | +3 | 0 | 0 |
Step-by-step process:
- Count the number of correct answers (MCQ + TITA) and multiply each by 3.
- Count incorrect MCQs and multiply them by -1.
- Add the totals from all three sections to get the overall raw score.
Example:
If a candidate answers 50 questions correctly (all MCQs) and 10 incorrectly:
- Correct = 50 × 3 = 50×3=15050 \times 3 = 150.
- Incorrect = 10×−1=−1010 \times -1 = -1010×−1=−10
- Total Score = 140
CAT 2025 Response Sheet: Objection Process: Challenging the Answer Key
If you believe there is an error in the official key, the IIMs provide an objection window. The process is:
- Log in to the official website with your credentials.
- Open the ‘Objection Form’.
- Submit the question details, your justification, and valid proof.
- Pay the objection fee (₹1200 per objection).
If the objection is found valid, IIMs will make corrections and release a revised answer key before the results.
Must Check: CAT College Predictor 2025
CAT 2025 Response Sheet: Using the Response Sheet for Admission Planning
The CAT response sheet is not just about marks—it is a strategic tool. By estimating scores early, candidates can:
- Shortlist MBA colleges according to their expected percentile.
- Apply to non-IIM B-schools whose deadlines close before official results.
- Use percentile predictor tools offered by educational portals to fine-tune admission planning.
- This proactive approach prevents a last-minute rush and increases admission chances at top institutes.
CAT 2025 Response Sheet: Conclusion
The CAT response sheet is much more than an answer record—it is a powerful planning tool for aspirants. From performance analysis to admission strategy, it equips candidates with the clarity needed to make informed decisions during the competitive MBA admissions process. Knowing how to download, analyze, and utilize the response sheet effectively can give candidates a significant edge.
For all official updates, always refer to the CAT 2025 portal (iimcat.ac.in)[
CAT 2025 Response Sheet: Frequently Asked Questions
Ques: Is it possible to download the CAT response sheet more than once?
Ans: Yes. As long as the response sheet is available on the official portal, the candidate is allowed to log in using his or her credentials and download it as many times as they wish. A digital copy and a physical print version should also be archived to use in the future, since access to the sheet can also be limited by time.
Ques: Are there any charges to object?
Ans: Yes. Indian institutions of management usually charge ₹1200 per objection. This is a refundable fee in case the objection is found valid and the authorities concerned accept it. The electronic payment is made in parallel to the submission of the objection.
Ques: Is my response sheet going to be shared with B-schools?
Ans: No. The response sheet is not supposed to be passed on to anyone other than the individual candidate. It is not spread to IIMs, non-IIM business schools, or any other admission authorities. The candidate can only view and download it through the official portal.
Ques: Is it possible to do corrections on my response sheet?
Ans: No. It is not allowed to make any direct changes to the response sheet after it has been issued. In case a candidate recognizes some discrepancy, the only option he or she has is to make an official objection, which should be submitted within the designated objection period.
Ques: What will happen once I place an objection?
Ans: When submitted, the IIMs take a careful look at the objection and its supporting paperwork. In case the objection is certified, the proper official answer key is revised and reprinted. Then the candidates are assessed against the revised key, and the corrected version is considered when preparing final results.