CAT Answer Key 2026: Release Date, Response Sheet, Direct Link, Final Answer Key

CAT Answer Key 2026: The examination authority, the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Indore, will release the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 Provisional Answer Key a few days after the CAT 2026 Exam is conducted, tentatively in December 2026. Candidates will be able to check their provisional answer key PDF on the official website, iimcat.ac.in. Registered candidates will also get an opportunity to challenge the answer key by submitting objections within the stipulated time frame. The CAT 2026 exam will be conducted on November 29, 2026.

The exam conducting body will also release the response sheet along with the provisional answer key. Candidates will be allowed to check their responses marked on the answer sheet and verify them through the official key and question paper.

Last year, the CAT provisional answer key was released on December 4 for candidates who appeared for the CAT exam on November 30, while the final CAT Answer key was released on December 17. The exam conducting body had received a total of 187 objections across three sections and three shifts. The panels of sectional review experts for the CAT exam reviewed all the objections that were received during this window, said IIM Kozhikode in a media release on December 16. The objection window link opened on December 8, with the last day for submitting objections set as December 10.

CAT Answer Key 2026: Download Slot 1, 2, 3 Response Sheet

CAT 2026 answer keys for slots 1, 2, and 3 will be released on the official website. Candidates can download their response sheets from the official CAT website, iimcat.ac.in, using their application login ID and password once released. 

CAT Answer Key 2026 Date

The CAT answer key date 2026 will be announced on the official CAT website. Candidates can check the dates in the table given below: 

CAT Answer Key 2026 - Slot 1, Slot 2, and Slot 3

IIM Indore will release the CAT 2026 answer key for Slot 1, Slot 2, and Slot 3 separately. Candidates can download the response sheet and the provisional key of the slot they will appear in once released. Students would require the registration number and password to access the answer key at iimcat.ac.in. Aspirants who appeared for the examination may get a notification on their registered email ID or contact number once the key is released.

CAT Answer Key 2026 Link

The direct link to download the CAT response sheet and answer key will be available on the official website. Students can check the official CAT website link below: 

CAT Answer Key 2026 - Steps to Download

Candidates who will appear for the CAT 2026 exam can download the answer key from the official website. Given below are the steps to download the CAT 2026 answer key: 

• Visit the official website - iimcat.ac.in
• Click on the ‘CAT Answer Key 2026’ link available on the homepage
• Enter your registration number and password
• The answer key and response sheet will appear on the screen after submitting the correct details
• Download the answer key and response sheet and match the answers marked
• Take a printout for your future reference

CAT Answer Key 2026 - How to Challenge?

In case candidates are not satisfied with the initial CAT answer key, they will be allowed to raise challenges against the answer key. The steps to challenge the CAT provisional answer key are as follows: 

• Visit the official CAT 2026 website. 
• Click on "Log in." Enter your CAT login ID and password. 
• Navigate to the "Objection" tab and click the "+" sign to object. 
• Refer to the question number from the question paper PDF available on the official website. 
• Enter the required details for the objection. 
• Upload any supporting documents. 
• Pay the objection fee of INR 1,200 per objection via credit/debit card or net banking.

CAT Answer Key 2026 - How to Calculate Scores?

To calculate scores, candidates must know the CAT marking scheme as per the official guidelines.

The CAT 2026 marking scheme awards +3 marks for each correct answer, -1 mark for each incorrect Multiple-Choice Question (MCQ), and no negative marking for Non-MCQ (TITA) questions.

CAT 2026 Final Answer Key Release Date

The Indian Institute of Management, Indore, will release the CAT 2026 Final Answer Key on the official website,iimcat.ac.in.

Explore Top MBA Colleges: