Steps to estimate your CAT 2025 score using unofficial answer keys

The first shift of the Common Admission Test (CAT 2025) took place recently, and many students are now trying to understand their possible scores. The morning session of CAT 2025 was considered moderately difficult, according to experts. One of the experts, Ramnath Kanakadandi from T.I.M.E Institute, said that the quantitative ability section felt slightly tougher this year. He explained that many questions required long calculations, which increased the difficulty level compared to last year’s exam.

As the official answer key has not yet been released, candidates are turning to the unofficial answer keys available online. Several private websites have published shift-wise answer keys to help students check their performance and calculate their probable marks. These answer keys are not official, but they offer a simple way for students to understand how they performed in the exam before the official results are announced.

Students usually feel anxious after the test, and checking unofficial answer keys gives them some clarity. Although these keys may not be completely accurate, they provide a close idea of the score range a candidate might fall into. This helps students plan their next steps, especially those aiming for top business schools under the Indian Institutes of Management.

Steps to download and use the unofficial CAT answer key

The process to download the CAT 2025 unofficial answer key is simple. Candidates need to visit any private website that offers the shift-wise answer key. These portals usually provide a direct link to download the PDF. Once the link is clicked, the CAT shift one answer key PDF appears on the screen. Students can save the file on their device and also take a printout for convenience.

After downloading the PDF, candidates should begin analysing it carefully. The first step is to match each question they attempted with the answer mentioned in the key. They should mark whether their attempt was correct, incorrect or left unattempted. This is important because the CAT exam follows a marking system that includes both positive and negative marks.

By counting the number of correct and incorrect responses, students can calculate their approximate score. This method is helpful for getting an early idea of performance, even though the official key might show slight differences later. Many candidates also discuss answers with friends or coaching institutes to verify the unofficial key.

Here is a simple way for candidates to know their possible marks using the unofficial answer key:

1. Visit any private website that has uploaded the CAT 2025 answer key.

2. Click on the link for the slot one unofficial answer key PDF.

3. The PDF will open on the screen.

4. Save the document and take a printout if needed.

5. Compare your answers with the key and calculate your probable score.

Candidates should remember that these marks are only estimates. The final marks will depend on the official answer key released by the examination authority. Still, this method helps students understand where they stand and how they may perform in the final result.

Official CAT answer key, objection process and expected result date

The official answer key for CAT 2025 is expected to be released in the first week of December. The official answer key will be uploaded on the website of IIM CAT. Candidates will be able to download the document by visiting the website and clicking on the answer key link. Once opened, the official answer key will appear on the screen and candidates can save or print it for their reference.

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The official answer key is important because it is used to calculate final marks and determine percentiles. If candidates believe that any answer in the official key is incorrect, they will have the option to raise objections. The process for raising objections involves a few steps:

1. Visit the official CAT website — iimcat.ac.in.

2. Click on the link for the answer key objection window.

3. Select the questions you wish to challenge.

4. Upload your supporting documents or explanation in PDF format.

5. Pay the fee required for submitting objections.

6. Submit your objection and save the acknowledgment.

The examination authority will review all objections submitted by candidates. After checking the challenges thoroughly, the final answer key will be released. This final version will not change further and will be used for preparing the CAT result. Once the final key is declared, candidates can expect the result soon after.

As per the usual process, the CAT 2025 result is likely to be announced in the first week of January. Candidates will be able to download their scorecards from the official website by logging in with their credentials. The scorecard will display the overall score, sectional scores and percentiles.

Students are advised to check the official CAT portal regularly for updates related to the answer key, objections and result dates. While unofficial answer keys help in early evaluation, the official key is the final and most reliable source for score calculation.

By following these steps and using the answer keys carefully, candidates can stay informed and prepared as they wait for their official CAT 2025 results. If they want more details or updates, they should visit the official website — iimcat.ac.in.