Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Kozhikode has provisionally released the answer key and individual response sheets for the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025. Approximately 2.58 lakh candidates who appeared for the exam can now view and download these crucial documents. Access is available on the official website, iimcat.ac.in . The release occurred within four days following the examination.
A critical phase for candidates now begins with the answer key objection window. This window opens on December 8 at 12 noon . Candidates wishing to challenge any answer must pay a fee of Rs 1,200 per objection . It is essential to submit all challenges before the deadline to ensure consideration.
CAT 2025 Overview: Participants and Purpose
The CAT 2025 examination serves as a gateway for admission to prestigious MBA and management programs. This includes all 21 Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and over a thousand other B-schools across the country. Of the 2.95 lakh candidates who registered, 2.58 lakh appeared for the test, reflecting a strong 86% attendance rate .
The exam structure remained consistent with previous years. It comprised a total of 68 questions , divided into three distinct sections:
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC): This section contained 24 questions, testing English language comprehension and analytical skills.
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR): Candidates faced 22 questions designed to assess their ability to interpret data sets and solve logical puzzles.
- Quantitative Aptitude (QA): This section also had 22 questions, focusing on mathematical skills from arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and number systems.
Sectional Difficulty: Slot 3 Quant Toughest
Analysis of the CAT 2025 question papers revealed varying difficulty levels across the three examination slots. The Quantitative Aptitude (QA) section in CAT Slot 3 emerged as the most challenging among all shifts. This assessment comes from experts and candidate feedback following the exam.
Generally, the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) section was rated as moderate in difficulty. The Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) section was widely considered ‘doable’. These insights help candidates understand their performance relative to the overall exam landscape.
Slot-Wise Exam Difficulty Breakdown
| CAT 2025 Slot | Exam Paper Analysis Highlights |
|---|---|
| CAT Slot 1 | This slot was generally rated easy to moderate. Examiners found arithmetic questions particularly tricky. The VARC section presented a moderately difficult challenge compared to both DILR and Quant sections in this slot. |
| CAT Slot 2 | The overall difficulty for Slot 2 was moderately difficult. The Quantitative Aptitude section was tougher when compared to Slot 1. This slot also featured a higher number of questions from geometry. Arithmetic and number-related questions were frequently time-consuming for test-takers. |
| CAT Slot 3 | The Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) section was balanced. VARC remained moderate. However, the Quantitative Aptitude (QA) section in Slot 3 proved to be the most difficult across all three examination slots. |
What Candidates Should Do Next
Candidates must thoroughly review their downloaded response sheets alongside the provisional answer key. This comparison is vital to identify any discrepancies or incorrect answers. Challenging erroneous answers can lead to score adjustments, potentially impacting final percentiles. Timely submission of objections is crucial. Following the resolution of objections, IIM Kozhikode will announce the final CAT 2025 results and individual percentiles.