CAT Exam Answer Key 2024: How to Download, Raise Objections & Estimate Your CAT Score

Cycle update (May 2026): This guide covers the CAT 2024 answer key process — useful as a reference for the CAT 2026 cycle. The CAT 2025 provisional answer key was released by IIM Calcutta on 4 December 2025; the CAT 2025 result was announced on 24 December 2025 at iimcat.ac.in. CAT 2026 is expected on 29 November 2026 (the official notification is due in the last week of July 2026), with the provisional answer key typically released about a week after the exam.

The CAT Exam Answer Key 2024 was released provisionally for the nearly 2.93 lakh aspirants who appeared for the exam that year. 

With the CAT exam being the entrance to India’s leading management institutes like the IIMs, the answer key serves as a critical tool for candidates to evaluate their performance, identify potential errors, and estimate their percentile ranks.

If you’re wondering how to download the answer key, verify your answers, and raise objections, this blog is your one-stop guide. 

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How do you Download the CAT Exam Answer Key 2024?

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Released on December 3, 2024, the CAT 2024 provisional answer key is a crucial resource to assess performance and estimate admission chances at top management schools in India. The same login flow applies for the CAT 2025 and CAT 2026 cycles.

The process of accessing the answer key is straightforward and requires your CAT login credentials. Follow the below steps to download the CAT answer key PDF without any hassle.

1. Visit the Official CAT Website

Go to the official website at iimcat.ac.in. 

2. Click on the Login Option

Locate and click on the “Login” tab available on the homepage. 

3. Provide Your Login Credentials

Enter the registered CAT ID and password you used during the registration process. Double-check the details to avoid login errors.

4 Access the Answer Key

Once logged in, find the link labelled ‘Answer Key’ or ‘Response Sheet.’ Click on it to view the document.

5. Download and Save

After accessing the file, download it to your device for future reference. 

6. Print for Easy Review

To simplify your analysis, print out the downloaded document. This will help you better assess your responses and spot discrepancies.

Want to ensure you're eligible for the upcoming CAT exam and its top B-schools? Check out our blog: CAT Exam Eligibility Criteria for 2026-27 Admissions. 

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CAT Exam Answer Key 2024: Important Dates

Staying informed about the important dates associated with the answer key—such as its release, objection submission deadline, and final answer key publication—is essential for all aspirants.

Here is a table highlighting the important dates for the CAT exam answer key 2024 (with the CAT 2025 cycle for comparison).

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CAT Exam Answer Key 2024: How to Raise an Objection?

The objection process for the CAT Exam Answer Key 2024 was an essential step to ensure fairness and accuracy in evaluation. The same workflow is followed for every CAT cycle. Objections can only be submitted against the provisional answer key; no challenges are entertained once the final answer key is released. 

Here are the steps to submitting objections.

1. Visit the Official Website

Access the CAT portal at iimcat.ac.in

2. Login to Your Account

Click on the "Candidate Login" tab and enter your registered CAT ID and password.

3. Access the Objection Form

After logging in, go to the personal details section and locate the ‘Objection Form’ tab.

4. Select the Question and Type of Objection

1. Identify the specific question and section you wish to challenge.

2. Choose from the following options for the type of objection:

3. None of the options is correct.

4. More than one option is correct.

5. The answer key provided is incorrect.

5. Provide Supporting Remarks

Enter any remarks or explanations to substantiate your objection. You can write up to 500 words to clarify your reasoning.

6. Pay the Objection Fee

1. The fee is INR 1200 per objection, plus applicable GST and bank service charges.

2. Ensure all payment details are accurate before proceeding.

7. Submit the Form

Once you’ve reviewed all the details, submit the completed objection form.

Raising an Objection to CAT Exam Answer Key: Points to Remember

You should only submit objections if you are absolutely certain about an error in the provisional key. 

Here are some crucial points to keep in mind while raising objections.

1. Certainty in Errors

Ensure that you are 100% confident about the mistake in the provisional answer key before submitting an objection. 

2. Refund for Valid Objections Only

The objection fee will only be refunded to candidates whose grievances are deemed valid by the authorities.

3. Mandatory Fee Payment

The objection form cannot be submitted without paying a fee. 

4. Refund Timeline

For valid objections, the refund will typically be processed within five working days after the objections are evaluated.

5. No Edits After Submission

Once an objection has been submitted, it cannot be modified or withdrawn under any circumstances. Double-check all details before submission.

6. Unlimited Objections Allowed

There is no restriction on the number of objections a candidate can raise. 

7. Timing of Results

The CAT results are announced only after the conclusion of the objection process and subsequent evaluation. Candidates should monitor the timeline closely to stay updated.

8. The final Answer Key is Binding

No objections will be entertained once the final answer key is released. The results based on this final key will be considered final.

9. No Re-checking Allowed

The CAT question paper and individual responses will not be re-evaluated under any circumstance. Objections are the only method to address discrepancies.

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Information Mentioned on CAT Exam Answer Key 2024

The CAT Answer Key 2024 contained both candidate-specific information and test-related details to make the verification process straightforward. 

Here’s a table highlighting the information mentioned on the CAT Exam Answer Key 2024 (the same fields appear on every cycle’s key).

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CAT Exam Marking Scheme 2024

The marking scheme for CAT 2024 followed the same format used in CAT 2025 and expected for CAT 2026 — +3 / -1 for MCQs and +3 / 0 for TITA (Type-In-The-Answer) non-MCQs. 

Here’s a table showcasing the marking scheme.

Now that you are familiar with the CAT exam marking scheme, the next section will help you explore how to calculate the CAT Exam Score.

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How to Calculate the CAT Exam Score?

The CAT exam score is calculated using the raw scores (marks obtained based on the answers you select) and then converted into percentile scores (a scaled value that reflects your performance relative to other test-takers). 

You can follow this method to calculate the CAT raw score.

1. Each correct response earns 3 marks. For example, if a candidate answers 60 questions correctly, the total marks from correct attempts will be 60 correct answers × 3 marks = 180 marks.

2. For every incorrect answer, there is a penalty of 1 mark. If a candidate has 10 incorrect responses, the total marks deducted would be 10 incorrect answers × (-1) = -10 marks.

3. To find the raw score, subtract the penalties from the total marks for correct answers: 180 marks (correct answers) − 10 marks (penalty) = 170 raw score.

4. Raw CAT scores are normalised across all three exam slots to ensure fair assessment for every candidate, regardless of the timing of their exam.

5. The normalised CAT score is used to calculate the percentile.

6. B-schools use the percentile score to select candidates for admissions, not the raw score.

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Which IIM has the Lowest Cutoff? 

While the minimum CAT cutoff for most top IIMs (like IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta) is typically 99+ percentile for the General Category, some newer IIMs (such as IIM Ranchi, Rohtak, and Trichy) have lower cutoffs. For reserved category candidates, the cutoffs range between 85-95 percentile. ‍

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What is the 95 percentile in CAT? 

If CAT 2024 turned out to be easier than expected, the required score for the 95 percentile might have been slightly lower (around 76), while a more challenging paper could push the required score down to about 55 or even lower for the same percentile. 

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How much Percentile is a Good Score in the CAT exam? 

A CAT percentile of 90 or higher is generally considered a strong score, offering opportunities for admission to several top B-schools in India. However, a percentile score of 95 or above significantly enhances your chances of securing admission to the most prestigious institutions, such as the IIMs. 

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Was the CAT 2024 Response Sheet Released? 

Yes, IIM Calcutta officially released the CAT 2024 response sheet on November 29, 2024. Candidates can access and download response sheets from the official CAT website (iimcat.ac.in) using their CAT login. 

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CAT Score vs Percentile 2024

The CAT score and percentile are two essential metrics that you need to understand when preparing for the CAT exam.

The table below shows the overall CAT 2024 Score vs Percentile based on observed trends.

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Why is the CAT Exam Answer Key Important?

The CAT Answer Key provides the correct answers to the questions asked in the CAT exam, allowing you to compare your responses and estimate your scores before the official result announcement. 

Here’s why the CAT IIM answer key is significant.

1. Estimate Your Score Accurately

The most immediate benefit of the answer key is that it allows you to calculate your probable scores. This allows for an estimation of the raw score and a better understanding of your performance across different sections. 

2. Raise Objections to Incorrect Answers

The CAT Answer Key also serves as a tool for challenging any discrepancies or errors. You can raise objections if you believe that an answer in the provisional key is wrong.

3. Ensure Transparency in the Examination Process

The release of the CAT Answer Key is part of the examination body’s commitment to transparency. By making the answer key available, the authorities offer a chance for candidates to verify the accuracy of the answers and evaluate the fairness of the exam.

4. Facilitates Better Preparation for the Next Attempts

For candidates reappearing for CAT, analysing the answer key can provide valuable insights into the types of questions asked and the pattern of the exam. 

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What Happens After the CAT Exam Answer Key?

Once the objection window for the provisional CAT answer key closes, the convener IIM releases the final CAT answer key. Along with this, candidates can also access their CAT results on the official CAT website. 

Upon logging in, you will be able to download your CAT scorecard, which will display your performance, including the CAT percentile. This percentile score plays a crucial role in MBA admissions.

Curious about where you stand in the race to IIMs? Check out our blog CAT Cutoff Scores for IIMs and Popular MBA Colleges to see the marks you need to target! Don't miss out — click now and find out more!

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CAT Exam Cutoff Scores for IIMs and Other Colleges

The cutoff scores are an essential indicator of where you stand in the selection process of top IIMs and other leading B-schools in India.

Here’s a breakdown of typical CAT cutoff scores for some of the top IIMs and other colleges (broadly stable across recent cycles).

IIM Cutoff Scores

For the General Category, candidates are generally required to secure a 99+ percentile to be eligible for the flagship Post Graduate Program (PGP) in Top IIMs (Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow, Kozhikode, etc.)

The General Category candidates are generally expected to score between 95 and 97 percentile to have a chance of admission into the PGP programs of the Newer IIMs (IIM Ranchi, Rohtak, Trichy, etc.).

Other Leading MBA Colleges in India 

Looking to target the best institutes for your CAT journey? Don’t miss out on our curated list of the Best CAT Exam Colleges that can take your career to new heights.

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In conclusion, the release of the CAT Exam Answer Key (provisional) and response sheet offers you an important opportunity to review your performance. If any discrepancies are found, you can raise objections within the provided time frame. By checking your response sheet, you can also get a clearer understanding of your potential CAT scores. 

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