What gets released after the exam
In recent cycles, the IIMs have released two documents on iimcat.ac.in in the week or two after the exam:
- Your response sheet. A record of every question you saw, its question ID, the options shown, and the answer you marked or typed. It is specific to your session.
- The provisional answer key. The IIMs’ answer for each question, by session. Candidates who disagree can file an objection during a short window, usually a few days long.
The final answer key is applied when scores are computed. Dates for CAT 2026 will be announced on the CAT website after the 29 November test. Watch it daily from early December; the objection window has been short in past cycles.
Data as of: October 2026. Marking rules from the CAT 2026 FAQs.
The marking scheme you calculate against
From the 2026 FAQs:
| Question type | Correct | Wrong | Unattempted |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCQ | +3 | −1 | 0 |
| Non-MCQ (type the answer, often called TITA) | +3 | 0 | 0 |
Every question carries equal marks. Non-MCQs have no negative marking.
How to calculate your raw score
Work section by section, because IIM shortlists read sectional percentiles separately. A three-column sheet is enough.
For each section, count:
- C = correct answers (MCQ and non-MCQ together)
- W = wrong MCQ answers only (wrong non-MCQs cost nothing)
Then: section raw score = 3C − W
A worked example
Suppose your DILR response sheet, checked against the provisional key, shows:
| MCQ | Non-MCQ | |
|---|---|---|
| Correct | 9 | 4 |
| Wrong | 3 | 2 |
| Unattempted | 2 | 2 |
C = 9 + 4 = 13, and W = 3 (the two wrong non-MCQs are ignored).
DILR raw score = 3 × 13 − 3 = 36.
Repeat for VARC and QA, then add the three. With a 68-question paper like CAT 2025, the maximum raw score is 204 (CAT 2025 media release).
Common calculation errors
- Counting a wrong non-MCQ as −1. It scores zero.
- Using another session’s key. Each session has its own paper. Match question IDs, not question numbers.
- Trusting memory over the response sheet. If the sheet shows an answer you do not remember marking, the sheet wins. It is what the scoring system reads.
- Format slips on non-MCQs. For type-in answers, check that what you typed matches the key’s required format. A stray decimal or unit can make a correct calculation score zero.
Should you file an objection?
Objections cost a fee per question, refunded only if the objection is accepted. The amount is set each cycle; check the notice on iimcat.ac.in when the window opens.
We recommend filing only when all three are true:
- You can show the key is wrong with a clear argument: a calculation, a passage line, or an ambiguity that leaves two options defensible.
- The question is from your session.
- The marks would matter. A three-mark swing in a section where you are near a sectional floor matters. The same swing in your strongest section rarely does.
Recent cycles have seen many objections filed and very few accepted. When an objection is accepted, the IIMs can change the key or award marks to everyone for that question, so a successful challenge may not change your rank much.
Write each objection the way you would argue it to an examiner: the question ID, the provisional answer, your answer, and the reasoning in plain steps. Coaching-forum screenshots are weak evidence.
Raw score to percentile: why your estimate will be rough
Your raw score is only the first step. CAT runs in three sessions with different papers, so the IIMs normalise section-wise and overall raw scores into scaled scores before converting them into percentiles. Two candidates with the same raw score in different sessions can end up with different scaled scores and percentiles.
That is why every score-to-percentile table published in December is an estimate. Coaching institutes build them from their own students’ self-reported scores, which skews toward stronger takers. Use them as a band, not a number. We explain the mechanics in CAT score vs percentile.
What to do with your raw score in December
Use the estimate to plan, without treating it as a result.
- Comfortably above your target band: start WAT/PI preparation now. The interview season begins weeks after results, and the people who convert offers start early. See WAT/PI guide.
- Close to a cutoff band: prepare for both outcomes. Build a shortlist that includes campuses whose published policies your profile can clear on a slightly lower percentile. See how to shortlist IIMs and IIM cutoffs explained.
- Below where you need to be: wait for the official result before deciding anything. Normalisation can move you in either direction. Then decide between applying more widely this year and a second attempt.
Avoid making non-refundable decisions (resigning, paying deposits) on a December estimate.
Where to go next
Common questions
When will the CAT 2026 answer key be released?
The IIMs announce the date on iimcat.ac.in after the exam. In recent cycles, the response sheet and provisional key have come out within about a week of the test, with the objection window shortly after.
How do I calculate my CAT score from the response sheet?
For each section, score 3 for every correct answer and subtract 1 for every wrong MCQ. Wrong or skipped non-MCQs score zero. Add the three sections for your overall raw score.
Is there negative marking for TITA questions?
No. Non-MCQ (TITA) questions score +3 if correct and zero if wrong or skipped.
Can I convert my raw score to an exact percentile?
No. Scores are normalised across sessions and then converted to percentiles using the whole test-taking population. Pre-result predictors give a range at best.
Does the objection fee get refunded?
Only for objections the IIMs accept. Check the fee and refund terms in the notice for your year.
If an objection is accepted, do only I get the marks?
No. A change to the key applies to everyone in that session who answered that question. Some accepted objections have been resolved by giving all candidates full marks for the question.
Should I trust my response sheet if it differs from what I remember?
Yes. The response sheet is what the scoring system uses. If you believe it is technically wrong, raise it with the CAT helpdesk at once, with your user ID and the question ID.
What if my score is borderline?
Prepare for both outcomes. Start WAT/PI work and widen your shortlist with campuses whose cutoffs your profile can clear. Do not make irreversible decisions before the official result.
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