CAT 2017 Answer keys by IIMs: Know the key facts

Candidates who appeared in CAT 2017 exam on November 26, 2017 either in Slot-1 or Slot-2 are consistently clicking on the websites to get access to CAT answer keys for CAT questions. It is neither possible nor feasible by the CAT convening IIM Lucknow or the testing agency TCS to release and publish the CAT exam answer keys due to one of the key reasons that CAT 2017 remains a computer based test and is also not considered an online test by IIMs.

Besides, number of sets and question delivery process in CAT 2017 exam remains different from a paper based test due to which it may not be possible to get access to CAT exam answer keys.
Register for CAT 2017 Percentile Predictor.

Difficult to determine order of questions
Another important fact in CAT exam is that it is difficult to determine the order of questions in the computerised format of CAT 2017 pattern. No candidate can ascertain which was the 5th, 9th, or 34th question.

Important links:

• Couldnt do well in CAT 2017 exam? Apply to XAT, CMAT, MAT; Exam Dates, Test Pattern, MBA colleges accepting exam score
• CAT 2017 Analysis by IMS, TIME, CL, BE: Likely Scores, Cut offs for 99 & 95 percentile

The computerised CAT question sets are not numbered as A, B, C, D, so even if you get only answers from some source you may not be able to understand which answer corresponds to which question unless the question itself is posted along with the answer. But this is not possible also.

Why CAT 2017 questions with answers cant be published
IIMs prohibit one and all from publishing or copying the content of CAT exam. Legal action can be initiated against those violate the instructions.
Clarifying the stand IIMs have said Disclosing, publishing, reproducing, transmitting, storing, or facilitating transmission and storage of the contents of the CAT or any information therein in whole or part thereof in any form or by any means, verbal or written, electronically or mechanically for any purpose, shall be in violation of the Indian Contract Act, 1872 and/or the Copyright Act, 1957 and/or the Information Technology Act, 2000. Such actions and/or abetment thereof as aforementioned may constitute a cognizable offence punishable with imprisonment for a term up to three years and fine up to Rs. two lakhs. Candidates who want to appear for CAT have to agree to a Non-Disclosure Agreement at the time of the test. Computer based testing is a proven and reliable process that is administered to tens of millions of people each year. As with paper and pencil testing, or virtually every other human endeavour, a very small number of problems could occur that might prevent a test from being delivered and/or a result from being generated. In the unlikely event this does occur, every effort will be made to correct the problem, up to and including the administration of another test.

How to get the CAT answer keys then?
Usually the students of good coaching centres like CL, IMS, T.I.M.E. take CAT exam in good number. On the basis of their memory if they recall the CAT questions they would be able the have the answers for them from the CAT experts to arrive at the CAT percentile. Officially, it is not possible to get the CAT answer keys from IIMs.

CAT answer keys: Know the scoring pattern
Each correct answer in CAT 2017 will carry +3 marks and each wrong answer will impose a negative penalty of -1 mark. Non-MCQs are not imposed with any penalty of negative marking, so you can be assured of no deduction of marks for wrong answers in non-MCQs.

What you attempted 2 days back and if you remember a good part of it, you may arrive at your near raw scores and on its basis check what percentile you could get. Following table will guide you about your expected percentile of 95% as per your core marks in CAT 2017.

Section
No. of MCQs
No. of non-MCQs
Total Questions
Total Marks
Score Cut off for 95%

Section I Verbal & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
27
7
34
102
58-60

Section II Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
24
8
32
96
30-32

Section III Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
23
11
34
102
57-59

Total
74
26
100
300
142-145

To summarize, well prepared students who took CAT 2017 Slot 2 exam, if attempted 24 in VARC, 14 in DILR, 24 in Quant with around 90% accuracy can score around 95 percentile. As compared to last year CAT, the overall paper of CAT 2017, considering Slot-1 and Slot-2 is that it is slightly easier without any surprises. The only surprise is much easier Quant section.

Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more updates on CAT 2017