CAT Answer Key 2026: Download Answer Key, Response Sheet & Calculate Score

After the CAT exam, you may want to know how well you performed, whether your answers were correct and what score you can expect. Checking every response and estimating your marks can be difficult without knowing the correct answers and marking scheme.

The CAT Answer Key helps you compare your responses with the correct answers and calculate your expected raw score. Along with the response sheet, it also allows you to check your recorded responses and raise objections against any discrepancies. You can use these details to estimate your performance before the CAT result is announced.

When Will the CAT Answer Key 2026 Be Released?

The CAT Answer Key 2026 and CAT Response Sheet 2026 are expected to be released by IIM Indore in early December 2026. Based on the expected timeline, you can expect them within 7–10 days after the CAT 2026 exam, which is scheduled for 29 November 2026.

The answer key is expected to be available through the official CAT website for all three exam slots.

How to Download the CAT Answer Key 2026?

You can download the CAT Answer Key and Response Sheet by logging in to the official CAT website. Follow these steps:

1. Visit the official CAT website.

2. Click on Login.

3. Enter your CAT User ID and password.

4. Open your candidate dashboard.

5. Click on Download Response Sheet / Answer Key.

6. Download and save the document for future reference.

What Details Are Mentioned in the CAT Answer Key?

The CAT Answer Key and Response Sheet are expected to contain details such as:

• Candidate's name

• CAT registration number

• Exam centre

• Test date and time

• Question ID

• Question

• Question type

• Attempted or not attempted status

• Candidate's response

• Correct answer or option

What Is the CAT Response Sheet 2026?

The CAT Response Sheet 2026 records the answers you selected during the exam. It is expected to be released along with the CAT Answer Key.

You can use the response sheet to:

• Check the questions you attempted.

• Verify the answers you selected.

• Compare your responses with the correct answers.

• Calculate your expected raw score.

• Check whether your responses were recorded correctly.

• Save your responses for future reference.

CAT Answer Key vs Response Sheet

The CAT Answer Key and Response Sheet serve different purposes, but both help you verify your responses and estimate your CAT score.

How to Calculate CAT Score Using the Answer Key?

You can calculate your expected CAT raw score by matching your responses with the official answer key.

Steps to Calculate Your CAT Raw Score

1. Match your responses with the official answer key.

2. Count your correct answers.

3. Multiply the number of correct answers by 3.

4. Count your incorrect MCQs and subtract 1 mark for each.

5. Do not deduct marks for incorrect Non-MCQs.

6. Add the marks to get your expected raw score.

Formula:

CAT Raw Score = (Correct Answers × 3) − (Incorrect MCQs × 1)

For example, if you have 40 correct answers and 8 incorrect MCQs:

(40 × 3) − (8 × 1) = 112 marks

Your raw score is only an estimate of your performance. CAT scores are normalised across different exam slots, and scaled scores are used for percentile calculation.

How to Raise Objections Against the CAT Answer Key 2026?

If you find an incorrect answer or discrepancy in the CAT Answer Key, you can raise an objection during the specified objection window. The window is expected to remain open for 2–3 days after the answer key is released.

Steps to Raise an Objection

1. Log in to the official CAT website.

2. Open the answer key or response sheet.

3. Select the question you want to challenge.

4. Choose the relevant objection option.

5. Enter the required details or supporting information.

6. Submit the objection before the deadline.

The conducting IIM will review the submitted objections before releasing the final CAT Answer Key. No further objections can be raised after the final answer key is released.

The CAT Answer Key 2026 will help you verify responses, calculate your expected raw score and raise objections against discrepancies. After objections are reviewed, the final answer key will be released, followed by score normalisation and the CAT result. You can then compare your percentile with CAT cut-offs to assess your shortlisting chances.

Also Check 

• CAT Result 2026

• CAT Analysis 2026

• CAT Cut Off 2026

• CAT Selection Process 2026