CAT 2024 Answer Key: Official Release Date and Download Link The Common Admission Test (CAT) is one of the most competitive entrance exams in India, designed for candidates aspiring to pursue MBA and other management courses at top institutes such as the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). Every year, millions of aspirants appear for the exam, hoping to secure admission to their dream business school. After the exam, one of the most awaited events for candidates is the release of the CAT Answer Key.
This document holds significant value, as it allows candidates to compare their responses with the official answers and predict their scores ahead of the official results declaration.
What is the CAT Answer Key?
The CAT Answer Key is a crucial resource for every candidate who has taken the exam. It contains the correct answers to all the questions asked during the exam across various sections. The conducting body of the exam, which is one of the IIMs (Indian Institutes of Management), releases this key.
The CAT exam consists of three major sections:
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- Quantitative Ability (QA)
Importance of the CAT 2024 Answer Key
The CAT Answer Key is highly important for several reasons
| Score Prediction | By comparing your answers with the official answer key, you can calculate your expected score and get a rough idea of how well you performed. This can be crucial for determining whether you stand a chance of securing a high percentile. |
| Transparency in Evaluation | The release of the answer key helps ensure transparency in the evaluation process. It allows candidates to verify if their answers were marked correctly. |
| Raise Objections | If you believe that a question or its corresponding answer in the key is incorrect or ambiguous, the answer key provides an opportunity to raise objections. Candidates can challenge any discrepancies during the specified objection window. |
| Reduce Anxiety | Knowing your predicted score can help reduce the stress and anxiety while waiting for the official results. It provides clarity and helps you prepare for the next steps, such as applying for interviews. |
When be Will the CAT 2024 Answer Key Released?
While the precise date is subject to confirmation, based on previous years’ trends, here is a general timeline for the CAT 2024 Answer Key release:
| CAT Exam Date | The CAT exam for 2024 is expected to be held on November 24, 2024 (this date is provisional and should be confirmed closer to the exam). Rele |
| Release of Answer Key | The CAT Answer Key 2024 is typically released within 10-15 days after the exam. This means candidates can expect the answer key to be available sometime around early to mid-December 2024. |
| Objection Window | Once the answer key is released, there will be a window of about 3-5 days during which candidates can raise objections if they find any discrepancies in the key. |
| Final Answer Key | After reviewing all objections, the final answer key will be released, usually within a few days after the objection window closes. This is the definitive version of the answer key, and the final score calculation will be based on this version. |
Candidates should regularly check the official CAT website for announcements regarding the answer key release date and other important updates.
How to Download the CAT 2024 Answer Key
The official CAT Answer Key for 2024 will be available for download on the (CAT official website). Here are the steps you need to follow to download the answer key once it is released:
- Visit the Official CAT Website: Go to the official CAT website by typing iimcat.ac.in in your browser.
- Login to Your Account: On the homepage, you will find a login section. Use your CAT ID and password (which were provided during your CAT registration) to access your account.
- Navigate to the Answer Key Section: After logging in, you will be directed to your dashboard. Look for the link or tab that says “Answer Key” or “CAT 2024 Answer Key” in the latest updates section.
- Download the Answer Key: Click on the link to open the PDF of the answer key. Once the PDF opens, you can download it to your device for reference. Make sure to save it in a location where you can easily access it.
- Compare Your Answers: After downloading the answer key, compare it with your responses from the exam. You can mark the questions you answered correctly and incorrectly.
- Calculate Your Score: Using the CAT marking scheme, you can calculate your expected score based on your answers.
How to Calculate Your CAT 2024 Score Using the Answer Key
The CAT 2024 Answer Key will allow you to estimate your score before the official results are declared. To calculate your expected score, follow these steps:
- Understand the Marking Scheme:
- For each correct answer, you will be awarded 3 marks.
- For each incorrect answer, 1 mark will be deducted as negative marking.
- No marks will be awarded or deducted for Un attempted questions.
- There are no penalties for questions that are left unanswered.
- Match Your Answers: Once you have the answer key, match each question you attempted with the correct answers listed in the key.
- Calculate Correct and Incorrect Answers:
- Count the number of correct answers and multiply by 3.
- Count the number of incorrect answers and multiply by 1 for the penalty.
- Final Score Calculation:
- Add the marks for correct answers.
- Subtract the marks for incorrect answers.
- The result is your estimated total score.
Keep in mind that this score is just an estimate. The actual score may differ based on the final answer key and any updates made after candidates raise objections.
How to Challenge the CAT 2024 Answer Key
Here’s how you can challenge the answer key
| Objection Window | After the answer key is released, an objection window will be opened for a limited period (typically 3-5 days). During this time, candidates can submit challenges against the answer key. |
| Login to Your CAT Account | To challenge the answer key, log in to your CAT account using your CAT ID and password. |
| Raise an Objection | Select the specific question(s) that you want to challenge and provide a valid explanation or evidence to support your objection. You may be required to submit any relevant references or sources that justify why you believe the answer is incorrect. |
| Pay the Objection Fee | There is usually a fee of Rs. 1,000 per question for raising an objection. This fee is non-refundable, regardless of whether the objection is accepted or not. |
| Review of Challenges | The IIM authorities will review all the objections submitted by candidates. If the objection is found to be valid, the answer key will be updated accordingly. |
| Final Answer Key | Once all objections have been reviewed, the IIMs will release the final answer key, which will be used to calculate candidates’ scores. |
Conclusion
By using the answer key, candidates can quickly assess their performance, raise objections if needed, and prepare themselves for the next steps in the admission process. By following the instructions outlined in this article, you will be able to download the answer key, calculate your estimated score, and challenge any discrepancies in the answers.
Good luck with your CAT 2024 preparations, and may your hard work lead you to success!
