CAT 2026 Response Sheet & Answer Key: Download, Check & Calculate Your Score
Updated: 7 hours ago
By Headache Tutorials, Indore — Expert Coaching for CAT, CMAT, IPMAT & CUET. After the CAT exam, two documents decide your next move: the response sheet and the answer key. Together they let you calculate your expected score and percentile before the official result. CAT 2026 is held on the last Sunday of November. Here's when the response sheet and answer key release, how to download them, how to calculate your score, and how to raise objections.
CAT 2026 Response Sheet & Answer Key — Expected Dates
The IIMs release the candidate response sheet and the provisional answer key about a week after the exam, in early December, with an objection window of 2–3 days. Exact dates are announced on iimcat.ac.in. We will update this page the moment they are live.
How to Download Your CAT 2026 Response Sheet
Step 1: Visit the official CAT website — iimcat.ac.in.
Step 2: Log in with your CAT User ID and password.
Step 3: Click the “Response Sheet / Answer Key” link.
Step 4: Your question-wise responses (and the correct answers, once released) appear.
Step 5: Download and save both the response sheet and the answer key.
How to Calculate Your CAT Score
Match your responses against the answer key and apply the CAT marking scheme:
+3 marks for every correct answer
−1 mark for every wrong MCQ (no negative marking for TITA / non-MCQ questions)
0 for unattempted questions
Add it up section-wise (VARC, DILR, QA) and overall to get your raw score. Remember: the final percentile is based on a normalised score across slots, so treat this as an estimate. Use our CAT score-vs-percentile guide to convert your score to an expected percentile.
How to Raise an Objection
If you believe an answer-key answer is wrong, you can challenge it during the official objection window by paying a per-question fee on iimcat.ac.in. If your objection is accepted, the fee is refunded and the key is corrected for everyone. Keep screenshots and your reasoning ready.
What to Do After Checking Your Score
Once you have an estimated score and percentile, start shortlisting B-schools and preparing for the WAT-GD-PI rounds — IIM interview calls begin soon after the result. See the full CAT guide for next steps and percentile cutoffs.
Frequently Asked Questions — CAT 2026 Response Sheet & Answer Key
When will the CAT 2026 response sheet be released?
The CAT 2026 response sheet and provisional answer key are expected about a week after the exam, in early December 2026. The IIMs confirm the exact date on iimcat.ac.in.
How do I calculate my CAT score from the response sheet?
Match your responses with the answer key: +3 for each correct answer, −1 for each wrong MCQ, and 0 for unattempted or TITA questions. Total it section-wise and overall.
Can I challenge the CAT answer key?
Yes. During the official objection window you can challenge any answer by paying a per-question fee on iimcat.ac.in. Accepted objections are refunded and the key is revised.
Is the CAT response sheet score the same as the final score?
No. Your raw score from the response sheet is an estimate. The final CAT score and percentile are based on normalisation across the three slots.
About the Author
Written by Jitesh Gupta, founder of Headache Tutorials, Indore. With 18+ years of coaching experience in IPMAT, CAT, CMAT and CUET, Jitesh has mentored students to AIR 1 in JIPMAT and admissions to IIM Indore, IIM Rohtak and other top B-schools. Headache Tutorials runs small-batch, IIM-alumni-led coaching from its centre near 56 Dukan, Indore.
Preparing for CAT or planning your next attempt? Join the best CAT coaching in Indore — Headache Tutorials. IIM alumni faculty, small batches and 30+ mocks. Call +91 90390 34903 for a free demo class.
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