CAT Answer Key 2026: Date, Download Link & Objection Window

CAT Answer Key 2026

The CAT 2026 answer key will be released after the exam, which is scheduled to be conducted on 29 November 2026. The CAT answer key 2026 will be released in the first week of December 2026 by IIM Indore at the official website, and the applicants can also download it here with the solution once it is released. Following the release of the provisional key, candidates can cross-check their answers and raise objections while the challenge window is still open. Once the objections are recorded, the final answer key will be released. It will contain all the officially accepted responses for each question, along with the particular answers given by the candidate.

The CAT 2026 answer key provides the correct answers, allowing students to self-correct their answers. An answer key enables accurate marking by examiners, promoting an impartial and open evaluation process. With the availability of correct answers, students can compare their answers against the correct ones, identify their mistakes, and understand which responses went wrong. Moreover, this way, students will be able to calculate their approximate marks for the CAT 2026 exam.

CAT Answer Key 2026 Release Dates

The CAT Answer Key 2026 will be released in the first week of December 2026 (tentative). Candidates who appear for the CAT 2026 exam can download the provisional answer key from the official website iimcat.ac.in. This answer key helps students verify their responses and estimate their probable scores before the official results are declared.

How to Download the CAT Answer Key 2026?

Downloading the CAT 2026 answer key is simple. Candidates just need to have their CAT user ID and password ready. To download the answer key for the CAT 2026 exam, candidates are required to follow these steps:

Step 1: Visit the official website of IIM CAT. @iimcat.ac.in

Step 2: Navigate to the ‘Registered Candidate Login’ and click on the ‘Login’ button. 

Step 3: Now, log in with the CAT user ID and password. 

Step 4: Upon successful login, the CAT 2026 answer key will be displayed on the screen. 

Step 5: Download and save the CAT answer key 2026.

Step 6: Take the CAT response sheet along with the printout of the answer key to cross-check. 

CAT 2026 Answer Key PDF Download Link

The CAT 2026 answer key will be released officially on the IIM CAT website, and the students can check it on iimcat.ac.in. Candidates can gain access to the answer key by logging in with their respective user IDs and passwords, and can download the answer key in PDF format. Take the printout and cross-check with the individual response sheet provided. Students can then check their answers and calculate their approximate scores for the exam.

CAT Answer Key 2026 Marking Scheme

The CAT 2026 exams duration will be 2 hours and will be conducted in English language. The exam will be conducted in 3 sections, and the mode of the exam will be a computer-based test format. The total number of questions would be in the range of 66-68, consisting of 24 VARC, 22 in DILR, and 22 in QA questions. Each question carries 3 marks and for each wrong answer, there will be a -1 negative marking.

How to Object CAT 2026 Answer Key?

The answer key objection window will be available after the release of the provisional answer key for approximately 3 days. During this time, candidates will be able to raise objections to the answers they find wrong or incorrect. The objections can be raised on the official website of IIM CAT, iimcat.ac.in. Here are the steps to object to the CAT 2026 answer key:

Step 1: Candidates must first visit the official website of the IIM CAT. @iimcat.ac.in.

Step 2: There, candidates should navigate to the ‘Registered Candidate Login’ section and click on the ‘Login’ button.

Step 3: After logging in with the login credentials, students can view the answer sheet for the CAT 2025 exam on their screen.

Step 4: From there, navigate to the object column and raise objections for the answers you find wrong or incorrect.

Step 5: Along with the objections, mention your reasons with appropriate supporting documents as to why the particular answer seems incorrect.

Step 6: Students must note that there will be an objection fee for every answer they raise objections to.

Step 7: Pay the objection fee per answer and make sure to raise objections within the open time window.

How to Calculate Your Score

In order to calculate the CAT 2026 scores using the answer key, candidates must first download the answer key along with their response sheet. Upon downloading both the answer key and response sheet, candidates can compare their answers with the correct ones. This is how they can calculate the approximate CAT 2026 scores with reference to the marking scheme mentioned below.

• Each question carries 3 marks.
• For each wrong answer, there will be a -1 negative marking.

CAT Answer Key 2026: Common Errors and How to Identify Them

The CAT Answer Key 2026 helps candidates evaluate their performance before the official results are announced. It includes the correct answers to all questions and allows test-takers to compare them with their own responses. However, minor mistakes or discrepancies can sometimes occur in the provisional answer key. Identifying these errors is important so candidates can raise objections within the given time frame.

1. Incorrect Answers Marked as Correct

• Sometimes, an incorrect option is mistakenly shown as correct in the provisional key.
• How to Identify: Verify each answer using trusted CAT preparation guides, coaching institute solutions, or standard reference materials.

2. Ambiguous Questions or Multiple Correct Options

• A few questions may be confusing or have more than one possible correct answer.
• How to Identify: Read the question carefully and confirm the logic behind each option with reliable sources or expert reviews.

3. Typographical or Technical Errors

• Errors such as misplaced options, missing data, or misalignment in the answer key can happen due to formatting issues.
•  How to Identify: Compare your response sheet with the answer key to ensure all options match correctly.

4. Mismatch Between Question and Answer Options

• Occasionally, the question displayed may not align with the given options due to upload issues.
• How to Identify: Cross-check your response sheet with the question paper to ensure consistency.

5. Missing or Unrecorded Responses

• Technical glitches may sometimes cause an answer to go unrecorded.
• How to Identify: Review your response sheet carefully to confirm that all attempted answers are visible.

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