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Xavier Aptitude Test

Imported from Collegedunia.

Stream: General

Overview

The XAT 2026 cutoff for PGDM (BM and HRM) programs has been released by XLRI Jamshedpur on 30 January 2026 on its official website, this year the cutoff for PGDM BM male has been reduced to 94 percentile.

The shortlist and PI call letters were released on January 28, 2026, and the shortlisted candidates are required to complete the interview slot booking process by January 30, 2026.

The participating colleges have scheduled the GD-PI rounds for mid-February and March 2026, and the final merit list for XAT 2026 admissions will be prepared after the conclusion of the interview rounds.

The final selection will be based on a holistic evaluation, including XAT 2026 scores (60%), Analytical Essay Writing (AEW), and GD/PI, with the interview stage carrying a 25% weightage.

The XLRI expects to interview approximately 4,000–4,500candidates during the 2026–2027 admissions cycle - XLRI Jamshedpur

Related Links:

XAT College Predictor

Key Summary

  • The XAT 2026 response sheet was released on January 6, 2026 to help candidates check their responses and calculate raw scores.
  • The provisional answer key is expected around January 7–8, 2026, followed by a 2-3 day objection window.
  • Scores should be calculated out of 75 marks, as GK is excluded from percentile calculation.
  • Score vs percentile trends show that 40+ marks can place you in 99+ percentile, 36–39 to 97–98, 32–35 to 95–96, and 28–31 marks to 92–94 percentile.
  • XAT 2026 results are expected around 12th January 2026, followed by the next selection steps (GD/PI rounds) to admission into B-Schools.
  • The XAT 2026 Cutoffs are expected to drop slightly in 2026 due to the moderately difficult paper, especially in DM and QA.

What is the XAT Exam?

The XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) is a national-level management exam, conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur for admission to MBA, PGDM, and other Management programs in over 150+ top business schools across India.

What After the XAT Exam?

  • As the XAT exam is done, the XAT score will now become a primary criterion for shortlisting to the next process.
  • Your overall percentile, sectional cutoff, academic background, and work experience determine your shortlisting chances, especially for XLRI Jamshedpur and XLRI Delhi.

What it’s used for:

  • Admission to MBA/PGDM programs in XLRI and other top B-schools
  • Shortlisting candidates for group discussions, personal interviews, and final selection
  • Eligibility for scholarships in participating institutes.

Check: Is XAT tougher than CAT?

XAT 2026 Exam Important Dates

Date / Timeframe Event
30 January 2026 (Released) Cutoff
Feb – Apr 2026 (varies by institute) GD/PI & Admissions Rounds
Sunday, 4 January 2026 (Over) XAT 2026 Exam Day
2nd week of January 2026 (Released) Response Sheet & Answer Key
16th January 2026  Result (Released)

XAT Results 2026

The XAT 2026 results are expected to be announced on 12th January 2026 on its official website. As per the previous years' trends, XLRI releases the results around 18-20 days after the exam, along with individual scorecards on the official XAT website.

  • The candidates will be able to download their scorecards using their XAT ID and DOB.
  • The scorecard will display section-wise scores and percentiles, along with the overall percentile of Part 1.
  • The score of GK will also be mentioned, but separately, as it does not contribute to the overall percentile and is used only at later stages of selection by some institutes.

XAT Score vs Percentile 2026 (Expected)

The XAT score vs percentile data shows that even a small increase in marks can greatly improve your chances of getting into a top college.

  • A 40+ score in XAT usually means 99th percentile, placing candidates in the top 1% with a strong chance of XLRI selection.
  • Scores of 36–39 fall in the 97–98 percentile range, a key zone where crossing 36 significantly improves chances of XLRI and top private B-school calls.
  • A score of 32–35 places candidates in the 95–96 percentile range, considered safe for an XLRI interview call.
  • Those scoring 28–31 (92–94 percentile) often receive calls from XIMB, IMT, GIM, and TAPMI.
  • While 25–27 marks (90–91 percentile) can limit options to Tier-2 B-schools.
Total Score (VALR + QA&DI + DM) Expected Percentile Outcome / College Opportunities
40+ 99% High chance of XLRI selection; top-tier B-schools
36–39 97–98% XLRI interview highly likely; strong shot at IIM affiliates & XIMB
32–35 95–96% Safe XLRI interview call; strong chance with a good interview
28–31 92–94% XIMB, GIM, IMT, TAPMI type B-schools; interview call likely
25–27 90–91% Good B-schools; Tier-2 MBA options
<25 <90% Limited Tier-1 options; focus on alternative colleges & interviews

Ques. Is 24 marks in XAT vs percentile?

Ans. Yes, a 24 mark in XAT will place you in the 90–93 percentile range, depending on the exam difficulty level. This percentile is considered competitive for several Tier-1 and Tier-2 B-schools, though it may be borderline for XLRI programs.

Ques. Was XAT 2026 harder than 2025?

Ans. XAT 2026 is expected to be slightly difficult than XAT 2025, especially in the Decision Making and Quantitative Ability sections. As per the previous year's analysis, the XAT exam is considered moderate to difficult.

Ques. Is 27 a good score in XAT?

Ans. Yes, 27 marks is considered a good score in XAT and typically falls in the 95–97 percentile range. This will place you in the XLRI Jamshedpur and other top XAT-accepting institutes.

Check:

XAT 2026 Cutoff Analysis

Category Expected Overall Percentile Cut-Off Notes / Context
General 95-96 %ile Highest competition, lowest relaxation margin.
OBC / EWS 90-94 %ile Slightly lower threshold reflecting reserved category benefit.
SC 85-90 %ile Not officially published in all cases — estimated trend.
ST 80-85 %ile Typically toughest competition is even within the reserved slot.

XAT Cutoffs for XLRI BM and HRM in XAT 2026

XAT Cutoff 2026 for PGDM BM

XAT Cutoff 2026 for PGDM HRM

Source: Official XAT Cutoffs

Ques. Should I wait for the official results or start GD-PI preparation based on expected cutoffs?

Ans. You should start preparing for GD-PI immediately rather than waiting for the official XA 2026 results.

Based on past trends, the XAT percentile calculated using the response sheet is usually very close to the final results, with only minor variations.

  • In XAT 2024 and 2025, over 80% of candidates who received XLRI calls had already begun PI prep before results.
  • Even a 0.5–1 percentile drop rarely affects strong profiles with good academics or work experience.

Ques. What is a safe score for XLRI BM and HRM programs in XAT 2026?

Ans. A safe score for XLRI depends on the overall percentile, sectional percentile cutoffs (especially Decision Making), and profile strength. Based on previous years’ data:

  • BM: 38-42 marks
  • HRM: 32-35 marks
Program Safe Overall Percentile
XLRI BM (Business Management) 99–99.5+ percentile
XLRI HRM (Human Resource Management) 95–96+ percentile

Ques. Can XAT cutoffs be predicted from the response sheet?

Ans. Yes, XAT cutoffs can be predicted using the response sheet, but they are not exact.

With the help of the response sheet and provisional answer key, candidates can:

  • Calculate their raw score
  • Compare it with the previous years’ score vs percentile data
  • Estimate overall and sectional percentiles

Check:

XAT Admission Process 2026-2028

Once results are announced, the XLRI and B-schools will start releasing their cutoffs. Meanwhile, candidates should compare their percentiles with expected and previous-year cutoffs of top B-schools.

  • Top institutes, like XLRI Jamshedpur, usually shortlist candidates with scores above the 92–95 percentile range.
  • Mid-tier colleges often accept candidates in the 80–90 percentile band, while some institutes shortlist from the 70–75 percentile onwards.

Shortlisting for GD-PI / WAT

The Shortlisting round for GD-PI/WAT will start in February 2026. Only 10-15% of the XAT candidates are shortlisted for this round at the top B-Schools, making it a competitive process.

  • XAT score matters the most (60–70%), but candidates must clear all sectional cut-offs, as failing even one section leads to rejection.
  • Good academics and 1–2 years of work experience can improve chances, while gender and category diversity also provide some advantage.
  • Overall, colleges look at the complete profile, not just a high XAT percentile.
Shortlisting Parameter Expected Weightage Range
XAT Percentile (Overall + Sectional) 60–70%
Academic Performance (10th, 12th, Graduation) 10–15%
Work Experience 10–15%
Category & Gender Diversity 5–10%

GD / WAT / PI Rounds

The WAT/GD-PI round is the next stage after getting shortlisted on the basis of the academics and XAT scores. This round plays a crucial role in the final selection into the top schools

  • In this stage, shortlisted candidates attend Group Discussion, Writing Ability Test, and Personal Interview (PI), which will be held between February and March.
  • The Personal Interview carries the highest weightage (40–60%), making it the most crucial round as it evaluates the personality and suitability for the program.
  • GD (10–20%) tests communication, teamwork, and leadership skills, while WAT (10–15%) checks clarity of thought and writing ability.
Selection Round Weightage (%) Remarks
Group Discussion (GD) 10–20 Assesses communication, teamwork, leadership
Writing Ability Test (WAT) 10–15 Evaluates clarity of thought and writing skills
Personal Interview (PI) 40–60 Focuses on overall personality, academics, and fit for the program

XAT Selection Final Score

The final XAT selection stage is based on a combined score that includes the XAT percentile (50–60%), academic profile (10–15%), work experience (5–10%), and GD/WAT/PI performance (25–35%), with the personal interview playing a major role.

Component Weightage (%) Remarks
XAT / Entrance Exam Score 50–60 Normalized score / percentile from XAT / GMAT
Academic Profile 10–15 10th, 12th, Graduation performance
Work Experience 5–10 Relevant experience (if any)
GD / WAT / PI 25–35 GD: 10–20%, WAT: 10–15%, PI: 40–60% of this portion

Final Merit List & Admission Offers

Based on this overall score, institutes release the final merit list and admission offers. As per the previous year's analysis, only 2-5% XAT candidates were able to secure admission into top B-schools.

XAT Exam Accepted By Top MBA Colleges
XAT colleges XAT cut-off score XAT cut-off percentile
XLRI-Jamshedpur 35.5-38.5 94-92
XIMB-Bhubaneswar 30.5-32.5 90-93
SPJIMR-Mumbai 32.5-34.5 93.50-95
IMT-Ghaziabad 30.5-32 90-92
GIM-Goa 27.5-30.5 85-90
TAPMI-Manipal 26-27.5 80-85
IRMA-Anand 26-27.5 80-85
MICA-Ahmedabad 26-27.5 80-85
Great Lakes Institute of Management 26-27.5 80-85
LIBA-Chennai 26-27.5 80-85
KJ Somaiya-Mumbai 27.5-30.5 85-90

Ques. Do I need to apply to XAT-accepting colleges before or after the exam?

Ans. Most colleges require applications before or during the XAT registration window (July-December 2025 for 2026), whereas XLRIs require post exam updates.

  • It is advised to apply early to avoid missing deadlines, e.g., XLRI/XIMB forms close by mid-December.
  • Post-exam (January 2026), you can shortlist based on scores, but top colleges may have already processed initial applications.

Ques. What are good colleges for low XAT scores (e.g., 70-80 percentile)?

Ans. As per the experts and previous years' applicants, candidates who have low XAT scores around the 70-80th percentile can take admission in the following colleges:

  • BIMTECH Greater Noida (75-80).
  • LIBA Chennai (80+).
  • IFMR Chennai (80-85).
  • Lower options: Shiv Nadar, IILM, BML Munjal, or regional colleges like those in Greater Noida/Kanpur accepting low ranks.

Quora and X posts mention affordable alternatives with good placements (10-12 LPA), especially for those missing CAT cutoffs.

XAT 2026 FAQs

Ques. What are realistic good attempts and scores for calls (e.g., XLRI)?

Ans. For XLRI calls, a realistic target is 60–65 attempts in Part 1 with high accuracy, leading to a score of 30+ marks. This usually places you in a 97+ percentile, which is competitive for XLRI Jamshedpur, subject to sectional cut-offs.

Ques. Is 30 marks good in XAT?

Ans. Yes, 30 marks is an excellent score in XAT and typically falls in the 97–99 percentile range. You have a strong chance of getting an XLRI and other top B-school interview calls.

Ques. Does XLRI give 100% placement?

Ans. Yes, XLRI does give 100% placement for its flagship programs: BM & HRM, including both the Jamshedpur and Delhi NCR campuses, for the 2023–25 batch.

The XLRI final placements 2024 data show an exceptional placement across both Jamshedpur and Delhi NCR campuses.

  • A total of 591 students from XLRI Jamshedpur and Delhi NCR secured placements across both PGDM (BM) and PGDM (HRM) programs.
  • 172 recruiters participated, including 41 new companies, providing 600+ domestic and 2 international offers.
  • With an average salary of ₹31.08 LPA and a Median salary: ₹29 LPA. Highest offers of ₹1.10 crore (international) and ₹75 LPA (domestic).
  • Around 34.17% students have received Pre-Placement Offers (PPOs) while doing internships.
  • The data reflects 100% placement achievements along with the balanced salary distribution and increasing recruiter diversity.

Ques. Is GK Score Counted in XAT?

Ans. No, the General Knowledge (GK) score is not counted in the XAT percentile calculation. However, XLRI and some institutes consider GK performance during the final selection and interview stage.

Ques. Is the XAT response sheet 2026 out?

Ans. Yes, XLRI Jamshedpur has released the XAT Response Sheet 2026. You can download your response sheet by logging in to the official website xatonline.in using your XAT ID and password.

Ques. How was the XAT paper 2026?

Ans. The XAT 2026 paper was rated moderate to difficult overall.

  • Decision-making was lengthy and logic-intensive
  • Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning was moderate with tricky RCs
  • Quantitative Ability & DI was time-consuming, especially the arithmetic and DI sets
  • General Knowledge was moderate and slightly current-affairs oriented

Ques. Was XAT 2025 harder than 2024?

Ans. XAT 2025 was slightly difficult than XAT 2024.

  • Decision-making questions in 2025 were more analytical
  • The quantitative section had increased calculation intensity
  • Cutoff is expected to drop marginally in 2025 compared to 2024

Eligibility

XLRI Jamshedpur released the XAT Eligibility Criteria 2026 along with the official notification. The XAT eligibility includes age limit, minimum educational qualification, aggregate marks, and other criteria to apply for the exam.

  • Candidates must have a 3 years bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university. 
  • No minimum aggregate marks are required to fill XAT application form.
  • Students in their final year of a bachelor's degree are also eligible to apply. 
  • There is no upper age limit to appear for XAT exam. 
  • NRI and Foreign nationals are also eligible to apply for XLRI admissions provided they have a valid GMAT score.
  • Candidates with backlogs in their bachelor's degree must clear them before the admission process. 
  • Degrees from universities not recognized by UGC or AIU will not be accepted. 

Candidates are advised to check the complete eligibility criteria given in this article before filling application forms. The XAT exam date is 4th January, 2026. The XAT registration last date is December 5th, 2025. You must pay XAT registration fee of INR 2200 for taking the test. 

Also Read

XAT Eligibility Criteria

Table of Contents

  1. XAT Eligibility Criteria Highlights
  2. XAT Eligibility Criteria 2026
  3. XAT Program-Wise Eligibility Criteria 2026
  4. XAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria for Admission to XLRI Jamshedpur
  5. XAT Eligibility Criteria 2026 for Foreign Nationals
  6. XAT 2026 Reservation Policy
  7. Frequently Asked Questions
XAT Eligibility Criteria

XAT Eligibility Criteria In a Nutshell

Particulars Details
 Conducting Body XLRI Jamshedpur
Minimum Educational Qualification 3 Years Bachelor’s Degree
 Minimum Marks Requirement in Graduation Not Applicable
Relaxation for Reserved Categories Not Applicable
 Age Limit No Limit
Number of Attempts No Limit

Also Read

Want to Know the Colleges Accepting XAT scores along with Eligibility Criteria?

To know the colleges accepting XAT scores along with their eligibility criteria is shared in this video by MBA Wallah. The video answers various questions asked by students, colleges along with their cut off and many more. 

XAT Eligibility Criteria 2026: A Brief Discussion

XAT is one of the most student friendly exam with minimum eligibility requirements. XAT Eligibility Criteria 2026 is different across nationality, age, education, and program chosen by the candidate. Let’s Check this Out:

XAT Eligibility Criteria: Does Nationality Matter?

Yes, in XAT Eligibility, the Nationality will matter. If you are a foreign national, you can also apply provided you have a valid GMAT score.

  • Candidates must be citizens of India.
  • NRI & foreign candidates are also eligible to apply for the exam. 
  • Foreign nationals can apply for XLRI admissions through GMAT scores.

XAT Eligibility Criteria: Is there any Age Limit?

  • There is no upper age limit for the exam.
  • Candidates need to complete their graduation before Applying

Note: Final Year Students are also eligible for the exam.

XAT Eligibility Criteria: Academic Qualification and Marks

  • A graduation degree of 3 years duration is the minimum requirement. There are no minimum marks criteria.
  • Candidates of any discipline can fill application form.
  • Candidates in their final year of graduation can also apply. However, they will be required to submit the graduation marksheet and degree before the admission year ends.
  • There is no limit on the number of attempts. 

XAT Eligibility Criteria: Documents Required for XAT Registration 2026

During the XAT exam application form, you'll need to submit the following documents: 

  • Class 10, 12 and graduation mark sheets
  • Email ID, mobile number, and address proof
  • Date of birth proof and Aadhaar card
  • Category certificate (if applicable)
  • A scanned photo and signature in JPG or JPEG format (20 KB-50 KB)
  • Debit/credit card for payment of the application fee.

Quick Links:

 Decision Making Preparation  VARC Preparation GK Preparation
XAT Mock Test
XAT Program-Wise Eligibility Criteria

XAT Eligibility Criteria: XLRI Program Points to Consider

To be eligible for XAT XLRI programs, you can check the points below. We have provided XAT Eligibility for different programs. 

Human Resource Management (PGDM HRM)

  • Minimum 3 years of bachelor’s degree from a recognized institute.
  • NRI and foreign candidates can apply through a valid GMAT score.
  • The program fee for HRM is INR 11.80 lakh per year.

Note: The above-mentioned fee may vary as per the university decision for the year 2024-25, the candidates can for the time being refer to it accordingly. 

XAT Eligibility Criteria for Business Management (PGDM BM)

  • A bachelor’s degree of 3 years duration in any stream.
  • NRI and foreign-origin students can apply through GMAT.
  • Work experience is not mandatory for this program.

General Management (PGDM GM)

  • Recognized bachelors from any Indian or foreign university with 3 years of duration.
  • Managerial/supervisory experience of 5 years of experience 
  • Job experience will be considered only for full-time employees. Internships/part-time employees are not qualified.
  • The organization must be a reputable private/public/government organization.
  • XAT 2024 score and GMAT score will be considered.
  • The yearly fee for this program is INR 20.95 lakh.

Part-Time Business Management Program 

  • A Bachelor’s degree in any discipline with a minimum duration of three years of education after completing higher secondary education (10 + 2) or equivalent.
  • The bachelor’s degree should be from any of the universities incorporated by an Act of the Central or State Legislature in India or possess an equivalent qualification from an institution approved by AICTE.
  • Work experience is not mandatory for this program.

Also Read

People Also Ask

Ques. I will be completing my graduation in June 2026 but I have a backlog. Am I eligible to apply for XAT 2026?

Ans. Yes, you can apply for XAT 2026 but you need to clear all backlogs before the admission cycle closes. However, candidates can apply for the exam provided they clear all their backlogs before June 2026.

Ques. Is work experience before graduation counted?

Ans. No, XLRI does not consider work experience before graduation. Only the full-time work experience after graduation is considered valid while filling the application forms.

Ques. I have done an internship, will that be counted as work experience?

Ans. According to XLRI, internships and articleships will not be counted as valid work experience for admission to PGDM courses.

Ques. How many times can I appear for the exam?

Ans. XLRI has not put any limit on the number of attempts a candidate can take at XAT exam. Hence, one can appear for XAT exam every year provided they meet all the minimum eligibility criteria.

Ques. I am from an Arts background, am I eligible to fill application form?

Ans. Yes, candidates from any discipline can apply for XAT 2024 provided they have completed their graduation (10+2+3) from a recognized university.

Ques. Are XAT eligibility criteria and XLRI eligibility criteria the same?

Ans. Yes, the basic eligibility criteria for taking XAT exam and XLRI admission criteria are the same. Although there are certain variations in XLRI admission criteria based on the choice of program, the overall basic criteria is the same.

XLRI Jamshedpur

Want Admission to XLRI Jamshedpur? Check the XAT Eligibility Criteria

To take admission to XLRI Jamshedpur, you must check the XAT Eligibility criteria below. We have provided various programs, their fees and their XAT eligibility. 

COURSE FEES ELIGIBILITY
PG Diploma ₹4.26 Lakhs (1st Year Fees) Graduation
Executive Diploma ₹4.1 Lakhs (Total Fees) Graduation
PGDM BM/ HRM ₹11.8 Lakhs (1st Year Fees) Graduation
PG Certificate ₹3 Lakhs (Total Fees) Graduation
Diploma ₹4 Lakhs (Total Fees) Graduation
EFPM ₹8.5 Lakhs (Total Fees) Post Graduation
Who is Not Eligible for XAT 2023

Who Is Not Eligible for XAT 2026?

XAT Eligibility Criteria 2026 defines the minimum basic requirements for applying for the exam. Check the points below: 

  • Graduates of the 1980s with a 2-year bachelor's degree.
  • Candidates who fail to pay their registration fees within the stipulated time.
  • Candidates whose final year of examination will not be over by June, 2026
  • Candidates who graduated from an unrecognized institution.

Quick Links:

Verbal Ability Syllabus & Pattern Decision Making Pattern & Syllabus  Quant Pattern & Syllabus
XAT Eligibility Criteria for International Candidates

XAT Eligibility Criteria 2026 for Foreign Nationals/ NRI/ PIO

Candidates belonging to the following categories are eligible to apply for XAT. They have the option of either applying via XAT or GMAT. 

  • NRI: A person is treated as "not ordinarily resident/ NRI" when any of the following conditions are satisfied:
    • If they have not been resident in India in nine out of ten preceding years; or
    • If they have not been in India for a period of 730 days or more during the preceding seven years.
  • Persons of Indian Origin: "Persons of Indian Origin" (PIO) means a person having foreign citizenship (except Pakistan and Bangladesh) without "NRI" status, but who holds a Foreign Passport at the time of sending application, consideration for admission and during the period of his study and he/she or anyone/ both of their parents or anyone / both of his /her grandparents is (or was) / are (or were) citizen (s) of India by virtue of the provisions of the Constitution of India.
  • Foreign National: "Foreign National" (FN) is an individual having citizenship of a foreign country (citizens of all countries other than India) and not having the status of "NRI" and/or "Persons of Indian Origin" (PIO).

​Reservation Policy

XLRI does not give any relaxations to candidates on the basis of caste or category for admission to its management courses through XAT exam.

  • However, other participating colleges may follow specific reservation criteria which the candidates must check on their respective websites before application.
  • Also, no concession is granted in XAT application fee for candidates belonging to the reserved categories (ST/ SC/ OBC/ PwD).
  • The application criteria and fee are the same for all candidates irrespective of their category, i.e., INR 1800.
Eligibility Criteria FAQs

XAT Eligibility Criteria 2026 FAQs

Ques. What factors are included in XAT Eligibility Criteria?

Ans. XAT Eligibility Criteria includes factors like age, academic qualification, marks acquired in graduation, course selected. You can check the highlight section above for further information.

Ques. I am a final year student, what to fill in the percentage field?

Ans. While filling in the academic details in XAT application form, add the aggregate percentage of marks obtained in the last semester.

Ques. Is there any reservation policy that is defined by the authority?

Ans. As per the conducting body, there are no defined  Reservation Criteria / Policies for any category.No caste-based reservations are provided.

Application Process

The XAT Registration for 2026 has started on 10th July 2025, on the official website xatonline.in.  The last date to register for XAT 2026 has been extended to December 11, 2025 for getting admission into XLRI and other 250+ B schools that accept XAT Scores.

The XAT Exam 2026 will be held on 4th January 2026, from 2:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. in more than 110 Exam Cities in India.

  • For XAT registration, interested candidates have to create a profile, fill in their personal and academic details and pay the XAT examination fees.
  • The XAT Registration fee is Rs. 2200, and an additional fee of Rs. 200 for XLRI Program selection.
  • To be eligible, candidates should have a minimum 3-year bachelor’s degree; final-year students can also apply.
  • There is no minimum percentage requirement or age limit as well.
Direct link to register for XAT 2026

In XAT, last year more than 1.35 lakh candidates registered, and it is expected to increase this year. After the registration, candidates can download the confirmation page for the future. On December 20, 2025, the XAT 2026 admit card is expected to be made available.

Also Read

XAT Registration Dates 2026

XAT Registration opened on July 10, 2025 with specific advantages for applicants who sign up in advance. The last date to register for XAT 2026 has been extended to December 11, 2025. 

XAT Registration 2026 Exam Schedule

The XAT exam has been scheduled for January 4th, 2026. You can check the key dates below:

Activity Date
Online Application Launch July 10, 2025 (10:00 AM IST)
Last Date to Apply December 11, 2025 (extended)
Admit Card Download Begins Around December 20, 2025
XAT Exam Date 2026 January 4, 2026 (Sunday)
Scorecard Release The third week of January 2026

XAT Registration Process

XAT Registration 2026 will be conducted only on the official website. The Candidate will have to register, fill in their details, select the course, upload documents and pay the required fees. The Candidates should keep the required documents ready to avoid any delay.

Also Read

Still Confused on How to Register for XAT 2026?

To check the step-by-step process for XAT Exam form filling, please check the video below. The video by CrackU explains step by step XAT registration process. 

XAT Registration Process Stages

Here, we have explained the XAT registration process and every step of it. This will help and guide you through XAT registration. 

Stages Description
Register Online Candidates are supposed to visit the official website xatonline.in, click on the “register” and create an account using their email ID and Mobile Number
Verify Email ID After registering, candidates have to verify their email using the link sent to their inbox.
Fill Application Form Then they have to log in and fill in their personal, academic details along with their work experience.
Choose Test City & XLRI Programs Candidates have to select at least 4 exam cities and can also opt for XLRI Programs if interested.
Upload Documents Then, have to upload scanned photographs, a signature, and a valid photo ID as per the format given.
Pay Application Fee Pay ₹2200 via debit/credit card, net banking, or UPI. Add ₹200 for each XLRI program selected.
Submit & Download Download the confirmation page for your records after submitting the form.
XAT Registration form

Who is eligible for the XAT exam 2026?

For appearing in XAT examination 2026, candidates should meet a few academic and general eligibility criteria. The Candidates from any graduate can apply with no age limit and number of attempts.

A Few Basic Eligibility criteria for XAT 2026 are:

  • Should have a bachelor’s degree of 3 years in any branch.
  • The Final Students with results till June 2026 are also eligible.
  • No Minimum Graduation Percentage is required.
  • No age limit for appearing in the exam.
  • No Work Experience required, except for XLRI’s GMP with more than 5 years of experience.
  • NRI or Foreign candidates have to apply with GMAT/GRE Scores.

Also Read

XAT Registration Statistics

Over, last 3 years, the XAT Exam has seen a high number of registrations and participation, which shows an increase in the growing popularity among the MBA Candidates.

XAT Registration & Attendance Data (2025-2023)

Year Registered Candidates % Growth vs Previous Year Estimated Appeared Candidates
2025 142,235 5.4% 1,24,000
2024 135,000 40% 88,000
2023 96,242 36% 80,000
CAT Registration Statistics

XAT Mock Test
XAT Registration Imp Documents

XAT Registration 2026: Important Documents

Before students fill up XAT Application Form, they must keep the following documents ready in the right form. These will be required to register for XAT examination. 

XAT 2026 Documents Required Details
Academic Documents

Marksheets of

  • Class X
  • Class XII
  • Graduation, and/or other equivalent exams.
Scanned Images
  • Scanned images of photograph and signature
  • Scanned copy of category certificate (if any)
Payment Details Bank details (credit card, debit card, or net banking) for payment of  application Fee
Work Experience Experience certificate from the employer or letter of recommendation to prove work experience if any (for programs where work experience is mandatory)
Contact Details
  • Valid email address
  • Valid mobile phone number

Important Terms Related to XAT Application Form

In order to understand each stage properly and avoid any possible errors, candidates must be familiar with the following terminologies:

  1. New User Registration: Applicable for first-time registrations. Name, email, mobile number, and password must be entered to start the application process.
  2. Registered Candidate Login: Candidates who have already provided the above data can log in and start applying anytime using their credentials.

Quick Links:

XAT 2026 GK Pattern & Syllabus  XAT 2026 Decision Making Pattern & Syllabus XAT 2026 Quant & DI Pattern & Syllabus
Important Instructions For XAT Registration 2026

Keep the following points in mind before filling XAT 2026 Application form online.

  • Use a good browser's latest version (Google Chrome, Firefox, or Microsoft Edge).
  • Clear cache before starting with the application process.
  • Use a desktop or laptop. Avoid using mobile phones or tablets to fill application form.
  • Make sure your internet is stable with optimum speed to complete registration 2025 without any hassles.
  • Do not fill out the form in a hurry as there will be no form correction facility.
  • Do not wait for the last moment to apply to avoid any technical failures.
XAT Application Process

 I did not recieve my XAT ID and Password. What to Do?

Check your spam folder in your email. In case of any emergency you can call call helpline numbers at + 91 657 665 3203 and +91 657 665 3204.

People Also Ask?

Ques. When will XAT 2026 Registration start?

Ans. XAT Registration 2026 begins from July 10, 2025 tentatively. XLRI has released the application forms on the official website- xatonline.in.

Ques. Does XLRI provide the option to edit the details entered in application form?

Ans. No, XLRI does not provide any separate form correction facility to edit the details entered in application form. However, in crucial circumstances, the authority may consider the request to change a few details. For this, the candidates need to raise a query on their login dashboard by clicking on the ‘Any Query/ Ask Us’ tab. 

Ques. I am in my final year of graduation, can I fill XAT 2026 application form?

Ans. Yes, final year students are eligible to fill XAT 2026 application form provided you complete your graduation by June 2025. In such cases, candidates will have to enter the details of the marks obtained in the last semester while filling  application form. However, such candidates will be required to provide their bachelor’s degree/ provisional certificate and mark sheet by the end of the admission year. 

Ques: What are the reasons for the rejection of application form?

Ans: Application Form might get rejected due to incomplete application in any of the following respects- not uploading photo and signature as per the correct specifications, failure to pay registration Fee, and candidate’s face being unclear in the uploaded photograph.

Ques. How do I apply for XLRI Delhi BM program?

Ans. To apply for XLRI Delhi BM program, you need to fill XAT application form and select the choice of the program as BM and the campus preference as Delhi. To apply for XLRI programs, you need to pay an additional fee of INR 200 per program.

Important Documents You Need to Upload:

Candidates will be required to upload the below-mentioned documents in the specified dimension and size during this step of filling XAT Application Form:

Document Dimension and Size Format Details
Photograph
  • 30 mm x 45 mm
  • 200 x 230 pixels
  • 1mb
 JPG/ JPEG
  • The photograph should be taken against a white background
  • The photograph should be recent and not older than 6 months
  • Photograph with accessories like caps, hats, and sunglasses should be avoided 
Signature
  • 30 mm x 45 mm
  • 140 x 60 pixels
  • 20kb-50kb
 JPG/ JPEG
  • The signature should be done with a black pen on a white paper
  • Candidates should use only one signature during the entire XAT Application process.

Educational Details Required for XAT Registration

You need to provide the aggregate %age of marks, marks obtained, maximum marks, board name, year of passing for

  • 10th standard
  • 12th standard
  • Graduation
  • Post-graduation, if any.
  • Details of other academic qualifications and professional degrees like CA, CS, etc. held by a candidate need to be provided.
  • Enter other mandatory fields and press Save and Continue.
  • Candidates can convert their CGPA into Percentages using this formula.
    • CGPA * 9.5 = %age of marks

Is Work Experience Details Mandatory?

It is not mandatory to provide work experience details. However, candidates possessing relevant work experience after graduation must add the same.

  • Only Full-time work experience after graduation will be considered valid.
  • Industrial Training, workshops, part-time jobs, etc will not be considered as relevant work experience.

Selection of Program: What You Should Know?

  • Select the program of your choice from the given options:
    • Business Management (BM)
    • Human Resource Management (HRM)
    • Fellow Management Programme.

Notes: If you are not interested in applying for XLRI programs, you can skip this step. Along with the selection of programs, candidates also need to choose the desired Campus for each selected program.

Selection of Test City preferences

  • You need to select their exam city preferences for XAT 2026.
  • You can choose 2 cities from the given list.
  • You must keep in mind that test city preference can be changed only once before the closure of registration process.

XAT Registration Fees 2026

The XAT regsitration fees and XAT application fee needs to be paid to appear for the XAT Exam 2026. 

  • Before making the online fee payment, you are advised to review their forms once.
  • you can select their preferred method for online payment viz. credit card, debit card, internet banking, etc.
  • After successful payment of XAT Application fee, candidates will get a confirmation regarding the successful submission of XAT Registration form.
  • Under no circumstances should a candidate press the back or refresh button during the online payment process.
Particulars XAT Application Fee
XAT Registration Fees INR 2200 (+200 for candidates interested in XLRI programs)
Indian Candidates applying for PGDM(GM) through GMAT/GRE INR 2500
NRI/Foreign Candidates applying for one or more programs through GMAT INR 5000
Note: If there is a payment failure then the candidate has to repeat the process but need not fill in the information again as it is saved previously.

Important Points to Remember Reagrding Fee Payment

  • When the successful payment of XAT 2026 application fee is made an e receipt will be generated. In case it is not generated then it indicates failure of application fee payment.
  • You will have to log in again using their credentials and make the fee payment again.
  • Print out of the fee receipt should be kept as proof along with the application form for XAT 2026.
  • Print out of confirmation page for future correspondence is necessary.

Acceptable Modes of Payment

RuPay Debit Card Internet Banking
Visa Debit Card IMPS
Master Card / Maestro Debit Cards Cash Cards
Credit Cards Mobile Wallets

Quick Links:

Document Upload Guidelines

XAT Registration Document Upload Guidelines (Photo & Signature)

Candidates will be required to upload all the documents in as per the guidelines provided by XLRI.

XAT applicationPhoto Upload Guidelines

We have provided the things that you must do and things that you must not do during photo uploading in XAT application form. 

Do’s Don’ts
The photo must be a recent passport-sized photograph in JPG/ JPEG format not older than 6 months.  Photos with Black or Dark backgrounds or landscape images must be avoided.
The photo must have a light-color background, preferably white-colored.  Ensure that there is no red-eyed photo or a photo with a flash.
 Look straight into the camera. The face should be clearly visible with all distinct features such as eyes, nose, hair, and forehead. Photographs with closed eyes will not be accepted. Also, there should be no reflection in the photo taken with eyeglasses.
The file size should be between 20kb to 50kb Black and white photographs should not be uploaded.
It is best to get the photo clicked in a studio by a professional. Photos with any type of accessories like hats, caps, sunglasses, etc., should be avoided. However, religious headwear can be worn.

XAT Application form Signature Upload Guidelines

Dos Don’ts
Sign on white paper with a black-ink pen The scanned image of the signature should not be blurred or pixelated.
The signature must be in the running hand and should be clearly visible in the uploaded image. Do not overwrite the signature.
The file size should be between 20kb to 50kb. The recommended dimensions are 140 x 60 pixels. The uploaded sign will be put on your admit card. So, do not make any errors while signing.

XAT Registration Document Scanning Guidelines

Guidelines for Scanning Documents:

  • Setup camera resolution to a minimum of 200 dpi (dots per inch). Colour should be set to True color’
  • The photo should be against a light-colored, preferably white background.
  • Crop images in the scanner to the edge of photograph/ signature- use the upload editor to crop the image to final size.
  • Images should be in JPG or JPEG format for example image01.jpg or image01.jpeg.
  • Candidates can easily get desired image size not exceeding 80kb by using MS Paint or MS Office Picture Manager. 
  • Scanned images can be saved using the “save as” option and cropped or resized using the specific options.

XAT Registration 2026: Don’t Miss Important Points

  • Only after successful registration candidates will be able to log in with the ID and Password generated.
  • XAT scores will help you in getting admission to the MBA program in XLRI, XIME, and in various other B Schools.
  • Before the final submission of the application form, carefully review it for any errors. No changes are possible once the form is submitted.
  • After online fee payment, an e-receipt will be generated for the reference of the candidate.
  • During the payment process do not press the back or refresh button.
  • The images should be as per the specifications mentioned by the authorities. If your image does not match the specifications then you will not be able to upload them.
  • Candidates are suggested to keep all the necessary information and documents ready beforehand.

XAMI Member Institutes

XLRI Jamshedpur XISS Ranchi
XIM Jabalpur XIMR Mumbai
XIME Bangalore XIM Bhubaneshwar
St. Aloysius Institute St. Joseph’s College of Business Administration
SFIMR Mumbai Xavier Business School (XBS), St.Xavier's University,  Kolkata
LIBA Chennai Loyola University, Chicago

XAT Exam Centres 2026

More than 110 exam cities in India will host the XAT Exam on January 4, 2026, guaranteeing a wider audience for applicants from both Tier-2 and metro areas.

XAT Test Cities by Region

Region / State Major Test Cities (examples)
North Delhi-NCR, Jaipur, Chandigarh/Mohali, Lucknow, Jodhpur
West Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara
South Bengaluru, Chennai, Coimbatore, Hyderabad, Thiruvananthapuram
East & North-East Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Guwahati, Shillong, Agartala/Naharlagun
Central & Central-East Bhopal, Raipur, Indore, Ranchi, Patna
Others Cities like Udaipur, Aurangabad, Mangalore, Salem, Kalyani

Top B-Schools Accepting XAT Exam Scores 2026

The XLRI Jamshedpur, which is the conducting body of the exam, and other 250+ B-Schools in India accept XAT 2026 Scores for admission in MBA/PGDM Programs.

Including the top private institutes known for high academic standards, industry connections and placements.

List of Top B-Schools Accepting XAT 2026

B-School Name Location Flagship Program Offered
XLRI – Xavier School of Management Jamshedpur/Delhi-NCR PGDM (BM), PGDM (HRM), GMP
XIM University Bhubaneswar MBA – Business Management
SPJIMR (for GMP applicants only) Mumbai Global Management Program
Institute of Management Tech Ghaziabad/Nagpur/Hyderabad PGDM
Goa Institute of Management Goa PGDM, PGDM-HCM
Loyola Institute of Business Administration Chennai PGDM
FORE School of Management New Delhi PGDM
K J Somaiya Institute of Management Mumbai MBA, MBA (HCM/FS/HR)
MICA (via XAT + MICAT) Ahmedabad PGDM – Communication
BIM – Bharathidasan Institute Tiruchirappalli PGDM
Great Lakes Institute of Management Chennai/Gurgaon PGPM, PGDM
IFMR GSB at Krea University Sri City (AP) MBA
Welingkar Institute (WeSchool) Mumbai/Bengaluru PGDM

Also, Read:

XAT Registration FAQs

XAT Registration 2026 FAQs

Ques. Can I get into XLRI without XAT?

Ans. No, you cannot get direct admission to XLRI. XLRI accepts XAT and GMAT scores for admission to master-level management courses. 

Ques. By registering and paying for XAT 2026, am I eligible for XLRI and other Associate Member Institutes?

Ans. Candidates interested in XLRI need to apply for the programs of their choice. Please note that each institution independently decides the weightage to be given for each of the test components on the basis of its needs. XLRI does not play any role in the selection of candidates in these institutes. For XAT Associate Member Institutes (refer XAT Associate Institutes website) XAT is a common test for admission into academic programs of XLRI.

Ques. I have done 5 years integrated course, so how will I enter my percentage?

Ans. Candidates who have done 5 years integrated course can fill up the same percentage for graduation and post-graduation.

Exam Pattern

The XAT Exam Pattern 2026 will include 95 MCQs, divided into 4 sections: Verbal & Logical Ability, Decision Making, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation and General Knowledge.

The XAT 2026 Exam will be conducted in a CBT Mode, in a duration of 180 minutes and divided into Part 1 of 170 minutes with 3 sections and Part 2 of 10 minutes for General Knowledge.

  • As per the XAT Exam Pattern, the total marks, including both Part 1 and Part 2 sections, are 95 marks, with +1 mark for each correct answer and -0.25 for an incorrect answer and -0.10 marks if more than 8 questions are unattempted.
  • The G.K. Section carries 20 marks; there will be no negative marking, and it will not affect the percentile score, and will be considered in the GD-PI Stage for the XLRI and other participating institutes.
XAT Exam Pattern & Syllabus

Also Check : XAT 2026 Question Paper with Solutions PDF

In XAT 2026, the Analytical Essay writing(AEW) section has been removed and is integrated into XLRI's GD/PI process.

You should be updated with the official website xatonline.in, for the latest exam pattern, along with the syllabus, marking scheme, schedule and test cities.

XAT Exam Pattern

Also Read

Key Summary:

In this article, we have discussed about XAT Exam Pattern 2026, including the Format, Marking Scheme, Total Sections, & Marks.

  • The XAT Exam Pattern 2026 has been released on the official website xatonline.in.
  • The XAT Exam will include 4 sections: Verbal & Logical Ability, Decision Making, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation and General Knowledge.
  • The XAT Exam will be of a duration of 180 minutes, Part 1 of 170 minutes, including 3 sections and Part 2 of 10 minutes of GK.
  • As per the XAT Exam Pattern, each correct answer will give +1 mark, -0.25 for an incorrect answer and -0.10 mark for more than 8 unattempted questions

What is the XAT Exam Pattern 2026?

XAT exam pattern is divided into two parts, including Part 1- Aptitude Test and Part 2- General Knowledge. Part 1 of the XAT exam pattern comprises sections such as Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VALR), Decision Making (DM), and Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation (QA & DI). XAT Exam Pattern Part 2 includes the General Knowledge section.

As per the XAT exam pattern, 75 questions will be asked from Part 1, with 26 questions from VALR, 21 questions from DM, and 28 from QA & DI. From the Part 2 or General Knowledge section, a total of 20 questions will be asked. Time allotted for Part 1 of the XAT exam pattern is 170 minutes, and for Part 2 is 10 minutes.

As per the XAT exam pattern and marking scheme, a total of 95 questions will be asked. For each question, 1 mark will be awarded, and for each incorrect answer in Part 1 of the XAT question paper, 0.25 mark will be deducted. For every question skipped after 8th skipped question 0.1 mark will be deducted.

There is no negative marking for the General Knowledge section of XAT exam. Students can score a total of 95 marks in XAT 2026.

XAT Exam Pattern: Overview

Feature Details
Exam Name Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) 2026
Conducting Body XLRI Jamshedpur
Exam Mode Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Total Questions 95 + 20 (General Knowledge)
Total Marks 115 (95 Part 1 + 20 GK Part 2)
Duration 180 minutes (Part 1: 170 min, Part 2: 10 min)
Sections
  • Verbal & Logical Ability
  • Decision Making
  • Quantitative & DI
  • General Knowledge
Part 1 Time Limit 170 minutes (No sectional time limits)
Part 2 Time Limit 10 minutes (GK section)
Marking Scheme +1 for correct, –0.25 for incorrect, –0.10 for >8 unattempted in Part 1
Negative Marking in GK No negative marking
AEW / Essay Writing Removed from XAT 2025 onwards
GK Section Purpose Scored but not included in percentile; considered during GD-PI stage
Key Focus Areas Reasoning, Decision-Making, Quantitative Aptitude, Verbal Ability, Current Affairs

Also Read

XAT Selection Process

Ques. How long is the XAT exam?

Ans. The XAT exam is 3 hours long divided into 2 parts. Part 1 Aptitude section has a time limit of 170 minutes and part 2 has General knowledge which is 10 minutes long.

Ques. What is the maximum mark of XAT 2026?

Ans. Maximum marks for XAT 2026 is 115 marks. Part 1 worth 95 marks and General Knowledge carries 20 marks.

Ques. Is Essay writing part of XAT 2026?

Ans. No essay writing is no more part of XAT. Essay writing is now removed from the XAT 2025 onwards.

XAT Exam Pattern 2026: Section-Wise

The XAT Exam Pattern is divided into 4 sections: Verbal & Logical Ability, Decision Making, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, and General Knowledge.

  • Part 1 is 170 minutes long and covers the first 3 sections without any sectional time limit, and Part 2 will be 10 minutes and will include the G.K. Section.
  • Each section will test specific skills, and the General Knowledge section is scored but excluded from the percentile, being considered only at the GD-PI stage.

XAT Section-Wise Exam Pattern 2026

XAT Paper Pattern

XAT Exam Pattern: Verbal & Logical Ability (VALR)

  • It Includes Reading Comprehension, Para Jumbles, Analogies, Grammar and Critical Reasoning.
  • It includes language skills, Comprehension and logical reasoning.
  • It includes 26 marks and has 27% weightage in Paper 1.

XAT Exam Pattern: Decision Making (DM)

  • It Includes Caselets, Data Arrangement, Ethical Dilemmas, and situational Judgements.
  • It will test candidates' problem-solving skills, critical thinking and ethical reasoning.
  • The decision-making section will include a total of 21 questions with a weightage of 22%.

XAT Exam Pattern: Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation (QA & DI)

  • It Covers Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration, & Data Interpretation.
  • The Major focus will be on numerical reasoning and data analysis skills.
  • The Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation Section will include a total of 28 questions with a weightage of 29% in Part 1.

XAT Exam Pattern: General Knowledge (GK)

  • It Includes Current Affairs, Economics, Awards, Books & Authors, and Science & Technology.
  • The General Knowledge section in XAT will include 20 questions in 10 minutes and with no negative marking.
  • It will not be included in the percentile and will only be considered in the GD-PI evaluation.
Section No. of Questions Total Marks Duration Weightage Approx. Negative Marking
Verbal & Logical Ability (VALR) 26 26 Part 1: 170 min 27% –0.25 for wrong answers
Decision Making (DM) 21 21 Flexible 22%
Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation (QA & DI) 28 28 Flexible 29%
General Knowledge (GK) 20 20 Part 2: 10 min 21% No negative marking
Total 95 95 180 minutes 100% –0.10 for more than 8 unattempted questions in Part 1

Ques. Does XAT 2026 have logical reasoning?

Ans. Yes, XAT 2026 includes logical reasoning within the verbal and logical ability section. Verbal and logical ability section (VALR) consists of 26 questions, each question carries 1 mark. In case of wrong answer -0.25 gets deducted.

Ques. Is GK score counted in XAT?

Ans. No, GK score is not counted in the final XAT percentile. But it will be considered in the selection process.

Ques. What kind of topics are covered in the VALR section?

Ans. The VALR section in XAT covers reading comprehension, para jumbles, analogies, grammar and critical reasoning. It also includes language skills, comprehension and logical reasoning.

Ques. What ‌is the decision-making section in XAT?

Ans. The decision-making section tests the candidate's problem-solving skills, critical thinking and ethical reasoning. The decision-making section covers topics of caselets, data arrangement, ethical dilemmas, and situational judgements

Ques. Is there a sectional time limit in the XAT exam?

Ans. There is no sectional time limit for the 3 sections in Part 1 (VALR, decision making and quantitative ability). Part 1 totally has a 170 minutes time limit. For Part 2, there is a 10 minutes time limit.

XAT Exam Pattern & Syllabus 2026

The XAT Exam Pattern & Syllabus will include 95 questions in all 4 sections. The Exam will be of 180 minutes with no sectional time limit in part 1.

The G.K. is a scoring section, but is not counted in the percentile and will be considered at the GD-PI Stage.

XAT Pattern

Source: xatonline.in

XAT Section-Wise Syllabus

XAT syllabus is divided into sections such as VALR, DM, QA & DI, and General Knowledge. The syllabus for each section of the XAT question paper is discussed below.

Section Key Topics Covered
Verbal & Logical Ability (VALR) Reading Comprehension, Para Jumbles, Critical Reasoning, Grammar, Vocabulary, Analogies
Decision Making (DM) Caselets, Ethical Dilemmas, Business Scenarios, Data Arrangement, Situational Judgment
Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation (QA & DI) Arithmetic (Percentages, Time-Speed-Distance, Profit & Loss), Algebra, Geometry & Mensuration, Number Systems, Data Interpretation (tables, graphs, charts)
General Knowledge (GK) Current Affairs (National & International), Business & Economy, Awards, Books & Authors, Geography, History, Science & Technology

XAT Syllabus for VALR

XAT syllabus for VALR includes the topics as listed below.

  • Reading Comprehension: Understanding main ideas, inferences, vocabulary in context, tone, and purpose of passages. 
  • Verbal Ability
    • Vocabulary (synonyms, antonyms, analogies)
    • Para Jumbles
    • Sentence Completion
    • Fill in the Blanks
    • Grammar (sentence correction, error spotting) 
  • Logical Reasoning
    • Critical Reasoning
    • Analogies 
    • Logical Sequences 
    • Assumptions and Conclusions

XAT Syllabus for DM

Topics included in XAT syllabus fr Decision Making (DM) are listed below.

  • Analytical Reasoning (decision-making sets)
  • Situational Decision Making
  • Ethical Dilemmas
  • Business Issues
  • Social Dilemmas
  • Caselets
  • Assumptions
  • Premises and Conclusions

XAT Syllabus for QA & DI

The XAT syllabus for QA and DI is discussed below.

  • Quantitative Aptitude

    • Arithmetic: Percentages, Ratios and Proportions, Averages, Profit and Loss, Time-Speed-Distance, Time and Work
    • Algebra: Linear and Quadratic Equations, Inequalities
    • Geometry: Triangles, Circles, Mensuration, Coordinate Geometry
    • Number System: HCF, LCM, Surds and Indices
    • Modern Mathematics: Probability, Permutations and Combinations, Set Theory

  • Data Interpretation

    • Bar Graphs
    • Pie Charts
    • Tables
    • Line Graphs
    • Data Sufficiency
    • Mixed Graphs

Also Read

XAT Syllabus
Section Syllabus PDF
Decision Making Check Here
Quantitative Aptitude Check Here
General Knowledge Check Here

Ques. What is the scope of the general knowledge syllabus?

Ans. General knowledge is broad, which covers both static and current affairs. Such as Current Affairs (National & International), Business & Economy, Awards, Books & Authors, Geography, History, Science & Technology.

Ques. What are the topics I should focus on for the VALR section?

Ans. The VALR section covers both verbal ability and logical reasoning. Important topics of VALR sections are,

  • Reading comprehension: understanding main ideas, vocabulary in context, tone and purpose of passages.
  • Verbal Ability: Vocabulary (synonyms, antonyms, analogies), Para Jumbles, Sentence Completion
  • Fill in the blanks and grammar (sentence correction, error spotting).
  • Logical Reasoning: Critical Reasoning, Analogies , Logical Sequences, Assumptions and Conclusions

XAT Syllabus- Important Books

Some of the important books that meet the standards of the XAT exam pattern and syllabus are listed in the table below.

Book Name

Author/Publisher

How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT

Arun Sharma

Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT

Nitish K. Sinha

Quantitative Aptitude

Gautam Puri

Wiley's ExamXpert XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test)

Wiley India (Author)

Verbal Ability Comprehension for CAT/ XAT/ IIFT/ CMAT/ MAT

Bharta Patodi and Aditya Choudhary

How to Prepare for VARC for CAT

Arun Sharma

Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning

R.S. Aggarwal

Target XAT

Disha Experts

Jabbing the XAT

RK Jha

XAT Exam Pattern- Sectional Weightage

XAT question paper is divided into 2 parts, including Part 1 and Part 2. Part 1 includes sections like Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VALR), Decision Making (DM), and Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation (QA & DI). Part 2 of the XAT exam pattern includes General Knowledge.

As per the XAT exam Pattern, 26 questions will be from VALR, 21 questions from DM, 28 questions from QA & DI, and 20 questions from General Knowledge.

XAT Section

Number of Questions

Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VALR)

26

Decision Making (DM)

21

Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation (QA & DI)

28

General Knowledge

20

Total

95

XAT Exam Pattern: Marking Scheme

The XAT marking scheme is the same as it was last year. Candidates must make note of the following points:

  • There will be a total of 95 MCQs in the paper, carrying 1 mark each.
  • The GK section will not have negative marking for incorrect answers
  • The scores obtained in the GK section will not be counted for calculating the final score.
Number of Questions 95
Marks awarded for every correct answer +1
Marks are deducted for every wrong answer -0.25
Marks deducted for unattempted questions -0.10 per question for 8 unattempted questions

Ques. Should I attempt all questions in XAT?

Ans. answering in XAT should be balanced. It has negative marking for wrong answers as well as negative marking for unanswered questions as well. Wrong answer gets you -0.25 marks for each question, but for each unattempted question after 8 unattended questions will cost you -0.1 mark. So make sure you keep these in mind before answering.

Ques. Is there a negative marking in GK?

Ans. No, there is no negative marking for general knowledge. The score in the GK section does not add to the XAT percentile calculation, but it is used in the selection process.

XAT Previous Year Question Papers

To have an analysis of the XAT Exam pattern, you should also practice the XAT Previous Year question paper.

XAT Question Paper Question Paper PDF Solution PDF
XAT 2025 Question Paper with Solutions PDF Download PDF Check Solutions
XAT 2024 Question Paper with Solutions PDF Download PDF Check Solutions
XAT 2023 Question Paper with Solutions PDF Download PDF Check Solutions
XAT 2022 Question Paper with Solutions PDF Download PDF Check Solutions
XAT 2021 Question Paper with Solutions PDF Download PDF Check Solutions
XAT 2020 Question Paper with Solutions PDF Download PDF Check Solutions
XAT 2019 Question Paper with Solutions PDF Download PDF Check Solutions
XAT 2018 Question Paper with Solutions PDF Download PDF Check Solutions
XAT 2017 Question Paper with Solutions PDF Download PDF Check Solutions
XAT 2016 Question Paper with Solutions PDF Download PDF Check Solutions

Ques. Does XAT repeat questions from previous years' questions?

Ans. XAT does not repeat the same questions, but rather the concepts and structure of the questions get repeated.

Also Read

XAT Previous Year Question Paper

XAT Exam Pattern: Changes in the last 4 Years

In the last few years, the XAT Exam pattern has undergone certain changes. Such as removal of the essay writing components and changes in the total number of questions.

As the main topics remain the same, XLRI has changed the exam structure to balance the fairness and time distribution.

XAT Exam Pattern Changes (2025–2022)

  • The Essay writing section has been introduced again in the last few years, and has started again from 2024 and then removed in 2025 again.
  • The Total question count has changed between 75 and 101, which makes changes in the difficulty and balance sections.
  • It includes 25 to 21 questions, and is not included in the percentile, and makes an impact in the GD-PI Round.
Year Total Questions Sections Exam Duration Major Changes
2025 95 VALR, DM, QA & DI, GK 180 min (170+10) Essay Writing removed; GK remains scored but not in percentile
2024 100 VALR, DM, QA & DI, GK, Essay 210 min (190+20) Essay Writing reintroduced (evaluated only in PI shortlisting)
2023 100 VALR, DM, QA & DI, GK, Essay 205 min (195+10) Slight reduction in QA & DI; Essay Writing included
2022 100 VALR, DM, QA & DI, GK, Essay 205 min (195+10) Essay Writing brought back after years; GK continued without negative marking

XAT Exam Pattern: Time Duration & Number of Questions

XAT Exam Pattern

Source: xatonline.in

Check:

XAT Preparation Strategy 2026

The XAT is considered one of the toughest MBA exams because of its decision-making section, along with high-level QA-DI Difficulty and GK Section.

With a total of 95 questions, candidates have to follow a balanced preparation plan including accuracy, time management and decision-making skills.

Section Question Range Preparation Focus Time Allocation (Daily Avg.) Key Resources
Verbal & Logical Ability 26 Questions RCs, Critical Reasoning, Grammar 1.5–2 hrs Editorials, GMAT RC practice, Arun Sharma VARC
Decision Making 21 Questions Caselets, Ethical Dilemmas, Logical Scenarios 1 hr Previous XAT papers, JRS Sir material, XAT DM books
Quantitative Ability & DI 28 Questions Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, DI Sets 2–2.5 hrs Arun Sharma QA, Nishit Sinha DI-LR, mock drills
General Knowledge 20 Questions Current Affairs, Business Awareness, Static GK 30–40 mins Manorama Yearbook, GK Today, Business Standard
Mock Tests & Analysis – Full-length timed mocks + sectional tests 3–4 hrs (weekly) Official XAT mocks, IMS/SIMS, past year papers

Ques. Can I clear XAT with CAT preparation?

Ans. CAT preparation clears a strong foundation for the XAT, however, this might not be enough since XAT has unique sections like decision making and general knowledge. After preparing for XAT, you should focus on these unique sections, analyse previous years' papers and take XAT mock tests to improve.

Ques. How should I prepare for the general knowledge section?

Ans. The GK section in XAT tests general awareness about national and international affairs. Preparation for the GK should be broad.

  • For current affairs, focus on national and international events. grasp information from Newspaper, TV channels and from social media platforms. Focus on the events from the past 6 - 12 months. Cover business and economy, recent developments and innovations and major tournaments.
  • For Static GK, study history and geography, Indian politics and famous books and its authors.
  • Note that even though GK is not considered for the percentile calculation, it is used by B-schools during the final selection process.

Also Read

XAT Preparation Strategy

FAQs for XAT Exam Pattern 2026

XAT Exam Pattern FAQs

Ques. What is the pattern of XAT 2026?

Ans. The XAT Exam Pattern 2026 is expected to be the same as last year. It will be conducted in a CBT Mode and will include 2 parts.

Feature Details
Total Duration 180 minutes (Part 1: 170 min, Part 2: 10 min)
Total Questions 95
Sections VALR, Decision Making, QA & DI, GK
Marking Scheme +1 for correct, –0.25 for wrong, –0.10 for >8 unattempted
Essay Writing Removed from 2025 onwards

Ques. Was XAT 2025 harder than 2024?

Ans. XAT 2025 was comparatively easier than XAT 2024, mainly because of the decision-making and VALR Section.

Year Difficulty Level
XAT 2024 More lengthy, higher difficulty in QA & DI
XAT 2025 Reduced number of questions, shorter duration, QA still challenging but overall balanced

Ques. Is 27 a good score in XAT?

Ans. In XAT, a raw score of 27 on Part 1, excluding G.K., is considered moderate to good as per the difficulty level.

Score Percentile Remarks
27 93–94 percentile Good for tier-2 B-schools
32–35+ 95+ percentile Usually required for XLRI BM/HRM

Ques. Is XAT harder than CAT?

Ans. Yes, XAT is tougher as compared to CAT because of the following reasons:

Aspect XAT CAT
Decision Making Unique section requiring practice Not present
Quantitative Ability More advanced, higher-level Geometry & Algebra Moderate level
Reading Comprehension Lengthy RCs, adds time pressure Comparatively shorter
Competition Lower number of test-takers Higher number of test-takers, percentile competition tougher

Ques. What is a 99th percentile score in XAT?

Ans. The Score of the 99th percentile in XAT falls between 40 to 42 marks out of 95.

Percentile Approx. Score (out of 95)
99th 40–42
95th 32–34
90th 28–30
80th 23–25

Ques. Is the GK score counted in XAT?

Ans. No, the GK section is not counted in the XAT percentile.

Feature Details
Number of Questions 20 (to be answered in last 10 minutes)
Consideration Used only for GD-PI stage by XLRI and some institutions
Negative Marking No negative marking

Ques. What is the pattern of the XAT exam?

Ans. XAT exam pattern includes a total of 95 questions asked from 4 sections. From VALR section, 26 questions will be asked, from DM, a total of 21 questions will be asked. 28 questions will be asked from the QA & DI section of the XAT paper and 20 questions will be asked from General Knowledge section.

1 mark will be awarded for each correct answer.
-0.25 mark will be deducted for each incorrect answer.
-0.1 mark will be deducted for each unanswered question after 8th skipped question.

Syllabus

The XAT 2026 syllabus has been released by XLRI Jamshedpur on its official website, https://xatonline.in/ .

The XAT VALR section consists of topics such as critical analytical reasoning, reading comprehension, vocabulary, English grammar and other reasoning exercises such as para jumbles, cloze tests, etc.

 

Download the Official XAT VALR Syllabus 2026

Also Check : XAT 2026 Question Paper with Solutions PDF

The VALR section of the XAT exam has roughly 26 questions, and reading comprehension is given the most importance, with around 12 to 15 questions mostly featuring poems, cartoons and passages.

Questions in the VALR section test command over English language and logical structuring of thoughts.

Key Features of XAT VA and LR Section 2026

  • There are approximately 26 questions that will make up the VALR section, with each question carrying +1 mark.
  • As per the XAT marking scheme, every right answer gets +1 mark whereas 1 mark will be deducted for every wrong answer. The 0.10 mark will be deducted for every un-attempted question after the 8th un-attempted question.
  • There is no separate sectional time limit for the VALR section, but the time limit for part 1 is 170 minutes.
Features Details
Types of Questions MCQs with 5 options
Number of questions 26
Total Marks 26
Marks Awarded +1 mark for every correct answer
Negative marking -0.25 for every wrong answer
Unanswered questions -0.10 for every unanswered question after the 8th un-attempted question.
Sectional Time limit No separate time limit for the section inside Part 1. Duration of part 1: 170 minutes
Scores are considered for percentile calculations Yes

Related Links

XAT Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning Syllabus 2026

Key Summary

  • The XAT VALR section usually gets 26 questions, making it the second highest weightage in XAT after the Quantitative section.
  • XAT VALR sections consist of questions from the topics such as Reading comprehension, critical reasoning, error correction, grammar, vocabulary, para jumbles, etc.
  • Reading comprehension has the highest weightage in the VALR section with 12-15 questions while critical reasoning has the second highest weightage with 5 - 7 questions.
  • Error correction, jumbled paragraph and filling in the blanks have the equal weightage of 2 questions.
  • Taking mock tests regularly and solving previous year’s papers is the most important step to include in the XAT VALR preparation strategy.

Syllabus for XAT 2026 VALR

The syllabus of VALR section of XAT 2026 is said to have remained consistent with the previous years XAT syllabus. It mainly focuses on testing comprehension, critical thinking and logical deduction skills.

The VALR section typically consists of 26 questions, with a mix of Verbal ability (VA) and Logical Reasoning (LR).

XAT VALR syllabus overlaps with the CAT VARC/DILR section but is tougher because of

  • 5 options per each question
  • Abstract Passages
  • Integrated VA- LR topics
Section Key Topics Weightage Notes
Verbal Ability
  • Reading Comprehension: 2 - 3 passages on abstract, literary/social/economic themes.
  • Para Jumbles
  • Fill in the blanks
  • Grammar/Error correction
  • Vocabulary (Synonyms/Antonyms)
 15 - 17 questions RC passages are denser and inference heavy. This section emphasizes tone, assumptions, and weakening / strengthening arguments.
Logical Reasoning
  • Analogies
  • Series Completion
  • Clocks/Calenders
  • Blood Relations
  • Arrangements/Puzzles
  • Syllogisms
  • Odd one out
  • Critical reasoning
 9 - 11 questions LR section Integrates Verbal logic (statement - conclusion) with pure LR.

Ques. Does XAT ask a poem every year?

Ans. Yes, since 2019 XAT has consistently asked 2 questions on one short poem, which is usually based on a modern or 20th century poem.

Ques. Are there logical reasoning sets in XAT VALR?

Ans. XAT contains 1 or 2 small sets ( 3 - 4 questions) on arrangements, blood relations or coding - decoding.

Ques. Is vocabulary high level in VARC?

Ans. The level of vocabulary is moderate to high. Direct synonyms/antonyms usually never asked. Mostly used in context to fill in the blanks, odd word out type questions.

XAT 2026: Important Topics to Focus on in the VALR Section

  • Reading Comprehension is the highly weighted topic in the VALR section, with 12-15 questions appearing consistently throughout the years.
  • Critical reasoning is the second most important topic in VALR with 5-7 questions in XAT every year with approx weightage of 19- 27%.
  • Error correction, Jumbled paragraph and fill in the blank questions has the equal weightage with 2 questions.

Here is the expected detailed topic-wise weightage of the VALR section of the XAT 2026 paper.

Topic Number of questions Approx Weightage Important Level Marks per question
Reading Comprehension 12-15 ~45 - 58% Most Important 1
Critical Reasoning 5 - 7 ~19 - 27% Very Important 1
Error Correction 2 ~7.5% Moderately Important 1
Jumbled Paragraph 2 ~7.5% Moderately Important 1
Fill in the blanks 1 - 2 ~ 4 - 7.5% Less Important 1
Analogy 1 ~ 3.8 % Less Important 1
Antonyms 1 ~ 3.8% Less Important 1
Para Completion 1 ~3.8% Less Important 1
XAT 2026: Important Topics to Focus on in the VALR Section

Ques. How many questions come from reading comprehension?

Ans. Usually, there are about 12-15 questions (3 - 4 passages) that come from reading comprehension. RC dominates the XAT VALR section with 55- 65%.

Ques. Is grammar very important for XAT VALR?

Ans. The importance of grammar in XAT is moderate. 1- 3 grammar questions asked in the form of sentence correction. But grammar helps in para jumbles, fill in the blanks and spotting errors.

Previous Year Exam Analysis on XAT VALR Section.

  • The VALR section XAT has consistently tested candidates’ comprehension skills, critical thinking, and logical reasoning skills.
  • Based on the analysis of the previous year’s papers VALR section difficulty stayed moderate overall with little fluctuation over the years.
  • Reading comprehension questions have the highest weightage every year with 13 - 15 questions with heavier passages and often contain 2 conceptual poem questions.
  • Critical reasoning questions are more on the difficult side due to the 5 options.

Here is the detailed analysis on the XAT VALR section on its weightage and difficulty level.

Year Total Questions Topic Distribution Difficulty Level Good Attempts (for 90+ percentile) Analysis
XAT 2025 26 RC - 15 QuestionsPoem - 2 Critical reasoning: 4-5Grammar: 2Fill in the blanks:2Para Jumbles: 2 Moderate 15 - 18 ( with 80 - 90% efficiency) RCs were based on abstract themes, difficult poems with closed endings. More challenging
XAT 2024 26 RC: 13- 14 questionsPoem: 2 Critical reasoning: 5Grammar: 2Fill in the blanks: 2Para Jumbles: 2 Moderate to high Difficulty 14 - 17(with High accuracy needed) Easier than XAT 2023. Easier verbal ability but heavy passages.
XAT 2023 26 RC: 12 - 14 questionsPoem: 2 questionsGrammer/PJ/CR: 12 Moderate 13 - 16 Slightly tough RCsFewer DI setsFocused on grammar and vocabulary

XAT VALR Topic - Wise Preparation Strategy to score 95+ Percentile

The VALR section is the second highest weightage section after the quant. It is moderately difficult but difficult to prepare due to its variety of complex topics such as poem based questions, abstract passages and critical reasoning.

The most important strategy to include while preparing for VALR section is

Include the topic - wise preparation strategies given below to score 90+ percentile in XAT.

Topic Preparation Strategy User Insights
Reading Comprehension Read slowly for the first few weeks and then speed up. Focus on tone, author’s perspective. Focus on weakening/strengthening arguments. Go through previous year’s RCs from 2018 - 2025. Solve at least 10 of them in one go. Give more time to understand the RC and eliminate the options. If possible, try to spend more time on passages.
Poem Read 50+ English short poemsPractice 2020 - 2025 XAT question based on poems Poems are not literal, try to understand the meaning behind the poems before solving the questions. Questions are almost applicational type not direct. Try to read between the lines
Critical Reasoning Focus on understanding the core components of an argument (premise, conclusion, assumption) Use Venn diagrams for assumption questions to increase the accuracy.
Para Jumbles Focus on active reading, identifying opening and closing sentences and recognizing logical connectors and pronouns. Look for opening sentence, closing sentence and mandatory pairs. Opening sentence introduces to topic and may proper noun used in the sentence.
Grammar and sentence correction Study core grammar rules like subject verb agreement and tenses. Read editorials to improve comprehensionMaster 25 most common errors (subject-verb, parallelism, modifiers, etc) Focus on common error areas like subject verb agreemen, pronoun usage, adjective/adverb modification.
Vocabulary Consistently read diverse materials such as newspapers and novels.Actively note down and learn new words. Focus on usage, not just meaning. Vocabulary usually in the form of fill in the blanks. To solve FIBs, spot keywords (like conjunctions), tone (positive/negative) and part of the speech needed. Eliminate the mismatches by looking for grammar errors, semantic illogic.
Logical Reasoning Practice Syllogism, puzzles, and logical sequence to build a strong foundation. Solve problems on coding-decoding, blood relations. Always identify and understand the conclusion of the argument. Words like “always” “most” and “sometime” are very important. Look out for these words, these words can make or break an answer choice.

How to Crack Poem Based RCs in XAT 2026?

Poem based RCs are unique to the XAT exam. XAT consistently gives 1 passage with 2 questions from the poem every year. Poems are usually very short (50 - 100 words), metaphorical and questions are not straightforward.

Here is the tips and tricks to solve poem based RCs

  • Know that poems are not literal, they are metaphorical. You have to see beyond the sentences.
  • For the first time read the poem line by line without looking for the meaning, just determine the general tone of the poem.
  • Understand how the author feels, is the author angry, melancholic, sarcastic, hopeful?

Identify the trinity of the poem:

The subject: What is the poem literally about?

The Metaphor: What does the subject represent? (for e.g, loss of innocence, is it greed, youthfulness)

The Tone: The author’s attitude towards the subject.

  • Translates the poet’s English to Plain English.

For example poem: “Two roads diverged in a yellow wood” Plain English: “The Author had to make a choice between two different options in life.

  • Eliminate the options which relate to the poem’s physical meaning not metaphorical, and the options with tone’s mismatch.

XAT Previous Year’s Question Papers

Check out the XAT previous year’s question papers with the solution PDF of the last 10 years.

XAT 2025 XAT 2024
XAT 2023 XAT 2022
XAT 2021 XAT 2020
XAT 2019 XAT 2018
XAT 2017 XAT 2016

Check Out: XAT VALR Practice papers

Books to help Crack the VALR Section of XAT with High Percentile

Having the best resources is the first step to start preparing for the VALR section.

Minimum 4 resource combination used by toppers to get high score in VALR section

  • XAT Previous Papers
  • How to prepare for VARC by Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay
  • GMAT official Guide
  • Word Power by Norman Lewis

Here are the few best and recommended books to prepare for the VALR to get 90+ percentile.

Book / Resources Why is it the best? How to use it?
Previous XAT Papers The Most important resource for the preparation. XAT usually repeats question types, Critical reasoning Logics and tones of the poem. Solving PYQs 4 - 5 times is must to get 90+ percentile Solve 1 full VALR section daily with timed conditions using alarm to practice speed and accuracy
How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT - Arun Sharma & Meenakshi Upadhyay The best Indian book for RC, Critical reasoning, Para Jumbles and Grammar Do all questions LOD -2 and LOD-3 questions of RC, Critical reasoning, para jumbles, Grammar. LOD (Level of Difficulty)
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT - Nishita Sinha Excellent books for philosophical RCs and tough critical reasoning Focus on RC and Critical reasoning
GMAT official Guide (2025 - 2026) This is the gold standard for critical reasoning. XAT critical reasoning questions are 90% similar to GMAT critical reasoning. Do 300-400 CR questions
Word Power made easy - Norman Lewis Best vocabulary builder for XAT fill in the blanks, odd one out, and contextual usage Use it daily to learn to 50+ words daily and revise everyday.
Logical Reasoning for CAT - Arun Sharma Covers Logical reasoning sets (arrangements, blood relations and coding) Do selected topics such as Arrangements, blood relations, coding - decoding.

Also Read:Best Books for XAT 2026 Preparation

XAT VALR Syllabus FAQs

Ques. Is the XAT VALR syllabus exactly the same as CAT VARC?

Ans. No, the syllabus is not exactly the same; they overlap about 60-70% of the syllabus. CAT VARC emphasis on verbal ability and reading comprehension, while XAT VALR focuses on both verbal ability and logical reasoning. There is heavy critical reasoning involved in XAT VALR but not in VARC.

Ques. Is it true that XAT has a negative marking of -0.10 if you leave questions unanswered?

Ans. Yes, as per the XAT marking scheme, the correct answer gets +1 mark, the wrong answer gets -0.25 marks and -0.10 marks for each unanswered question beyond 8 un-answered questions.

Cut-offs

The XLRI Jamshedpur has released the XAT 2026 cutoffs for its PGDM (BM and HRM) programs on 30 January 2026 on its official website. XAT Cutoff 2026 is the minimum percentile required for admission into XLRI and other top B-schools like XIM and IMT. 

Direct Link to download XAT 2026 Category-wise Cutoff – (Out)

In the XAT 2026, the cutoff for PGDM BM has been reduced to 94 percentile, as in previous years it was 96 percentile. 

  • PGDM BM: XAT 2026 overall cutoff is 94 percentile (male) and 88 percentile (female/third gender) with sectional cutoffs in QADI, VALR, and DM.
  • PGDM HRM: Overall cutoff ranges from 90–92 percentile (male) and 84–87 percentile (female/third gender), with higher emphasis on VALR and DM.

Female and non-engineering candidates have a lower cutoff, with the overall percentile dropping to 88 for PGDM-BM and as low as 84–87 for PGDM-HRM, as specified in the official XAT 2026 cutoff notification.

XAT 2025 Cutoff Percentile

Here are the college-wise cutoff PDFs for different XAT 2025 percentile ranges below. Each PDF provides a detailed breakdown of cutoffs across the specified percentile range.

Title Download PDF Link
XAT 2025 Cutoff: 85+ Percentile Download PDF
XAT 2025 Cutoff: 75 - 85 Percentile Download PDF
XAT 2025 Cutoff: 65 - 75 Percentile Download PDF
XAT 2025 Cutoff: 55 - 65 Percentile Download PDF
XAT 2025 Cutoff: 45 - 55 Percentile Download PDF

XAT Cutoff PDF Year-wise

XAT Cutoff Download PDF
XAT Cutoff 2025 Download PDF
XAT Cutoff 2024 Download PDF
XAT Cutoff 2023 Download PDF
XAT Cutoff 2026

Key Summary

  • XAT cutoffs are percentile-based, with top colleges requiring 80–96 percentile.
  • 35 marks in XAT is a strong score, usually translating to 95–99 percentile.
  • XLRI BM cutoff is expected around 96 percentile, and HRM around 95 percentile.
  • Female and non-engineering candidates get a 3–6 percentile relaxation.
  • 95 percentile can fetch XLRI calls, especially for HRM, if sectionals are cleared.
  • Sectional cutoffs are mandatory for XLRI in QA-DI, VALR, and DM
  • IITs do not accept XAT scores; they consider CAT only
  • 40+ marks: 99+ percentile, 30+ marks: 95 percentile, 23–24 marks: 90 percentile
  • HRM focuses more on VALR and DM, while BM emphasizes QA-DI

Also Read

What is the Cutoff for XAT?

The XAT Cutoff is the minimum percentile required by an MBA institute to shortlist candidates for the next stage of admission like WAT, GD/PI. Many top colleges also consider sectional cutoff along with the overall.

How XAT Cutoffs are decided?

The XAT cutoffs vary on the basis of:

  • Difficulty level of the paper - XAT 2026 was similar to XAT 2025
  • Number of test-takers - Around 1.35–1.4 lakh candidates
  • Seat intake of institutes
  • Past year cutoff trends

“The PGDM-HRM course will focus on verbal and decision-making skills more than quantitative skills.”

XAT Cutoff Category-wise

The XAT Cutoff 2026 for XLRI varies across different categories based on the gender and academic background, and sections

  • For the PGDM-BM, the male (engineering) and non-engineering candidates are expected to require a 96th percentile overall, while females will require a relaxed cutoff of 91 percentile and slightly lower sectional cutoffs.
  • In PGDM-HRM, the cutoff of VALR is expected to be the highest 90 for males, 85 for females, while QA-DI cutoffs are lower, especially for non-engineer females around 68 percentile.

“The PGDM-HRM course will focus on verbal and decision-making skills more than quantitative.”

XAT Cutoff 2026 for PGDM (BM) & PGDM (BM–International)

Stream Gender Total Percentile QADI VALR DM
Engineer / Tech Male ≥94 ≥85 ≥82 ≥82
Engineer / Tech Female ≥88 ≥78 ≥78 ≥78
Engineer / Tech Third Gender ≥88 ≥78 ≥78 ≥78
Non-Engineer Male ≥94 ≥85 ≥82 ≥82
Non-Engineer Female ≥88 ≥78 ≥78 ≥78
Non-Engineer Third Gender ≥88 ≥78 ≥78 ≥78
XAT 2026 Cutoff for PGDM BM

XAT Cutoff 2026 PGDM–Human Resource Management (HRM)

Stream Gender Total Percentile QADI VALR DM
Engineer / Tech Male ≥92 ≥80 ≥87 ≥85
Engineer / Tech Female ≥87 ≥70 ≥82 ≥78
Engineer / Tech Third Gender ≥87 ≥70 ≥82 ≥78
Non-Engineer Male ≥90 ≥73 ≥87 ≥85
Non-Engineer Female ≥84 ≥65 ≥82 ≥78
Non-Engineer Third Gender ≥84 ≥65 ≥82 ≥78
XAT 2026 Cutoff for PGDM HRM

Also Check:

8 Marks in XAT Percentile
15 Marks in XAT Percentile
24 Marks in XAT Percentile
17 Marks in XAT Percentile
12 Marks in XAT Percentile

XAT Cutoff 2026 for Top College-wise (Expected)

The expected XAT cutoff 2026 for top B-schools shows a slight increase in cutoff as compared to the previous years, reflecting rising competition.

  • The XLRI Jamshedpur remains the most competitive with around 98% percentile, while SPJIMR, IMT, and XIMB will require around 92% percentile.
  • The Mid-tier colleges like GIM, KJ Somaiya, and FORE are expected to have the cutoff around 86-87% and institutes like MICA, XLRI Delhi, Great Lakes, IRMA, TAPMI, and LIBA are around 81–82%.
  • The Lower-tier colleges like BIMTECH, XIME, and Welingkar have cutoffs near 77–78%.
Institutes Expected XAT 2026 Cutoff (Percentile) XAT 2025 Cutoff (Percentile)
XLRI Jamshedpur 97.92% 96
SPJIMR Mumbai 91.8% 90+
IMT Ghaziabad 91.8% 90+
IMT Hyderabad 91.8% 90
XIMB 91.8% 90+
GIM Goa 86.7% 85+
KJ Somaiya 86.7% 85+
FORE School of Management, New Delhi 86.7% 85+
MICA Ahmedabad 81.6% 80+
XLRI Delhi 81.6% 80+
Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai 81.6% 80+
IRMA Anand 81.6% 80+
TAPMI Manipal 81.6% 80+
LIBA Chennai 81.6% 80+
BIMTECH Greater Noida 77.6% 75+
XIME Bangalore 77.6% 75+
Welingkar Mumbai 77.6% 75+
XAT College wise Cutoff (2026 vs 2025)

Top MBA Colleges Accepting XAT Cut off 80-90 Percentile

XAT College XAT Percentile
IMI, New Delhi 88-90
Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai 80-85
Goa Institute of Management, Goa 85-90
KJ Somaiya 85-90
FORE School of Management 85-88
IRMA Anand 80-85
LIBA Chennai 80-85
TAPMI Institute 80-85
Amrita School of Business, Coimbatore 80-85
MICA, Ahmedabad 80-85

Top MBA Colleges Accepting XAT Cut off 70-80 Percentile

XAT College XAT Percentile
Welingkar Mumbai 75-76
Great Lakes Gurgaon 75-76
XIME Bangalore 75-76
BIMTECH Greater Noida 75-76
KIIT Bhubaneswar 75-76
VIT Vellore Business School 75-76
IMI Kolkata 75-76
SIES Navi Mumbai 75-76
IMT Nagpur 75-76
WE School Bangalore 73-74
Woxsen University 73-74
Jaipuria Institute of Management 74-75

Also Read

List of Top MBA Colleges Accepting XAT Score

Ques. What is XLRI Delhi cutoff?

Ans. XAT cutoff 2026 for XLRI Delhi will be biased towards academics, with stream-based and gender-based flexibility.

  • For PGDM-BM, male applicants (engineering/non-engineering) will require an above ~96 percentile band, with a greater sectional cut-off of ~86–88 in QA–DI, whereas female applicants (Engg/Non‑Engg) will be expected to require ~91percentile overall, the sectional cut-off will be nearly ~81–83 in QA/DI.
  • For PGDM-HRM, XAT cutoff 2026 will focus on the verbal and decision-making abilities, with male (engineering) cutoff will be required an overall ~95 percentile, whereas female engineers are anticipated to be around ~90 percentile. Female non-engineers will have the lowest overall cutoff of ~87 percentile.

XLRI Delhi aims for a diverse, balanced intake without compromising standards.

Program Candidate Category QA/DI%ile VALR %ile DM %ile Overall %ile
BM Male (Engg/Non‑Engg) ~86–88 ~83–85 ~85–87 ~96
BM Female (Engg/Non‑Engg) ~81–83 ~80–82 ~80–82 ~91
HRM Male Engineer ~83–85 ~90–92 ~85–87 ~95
HRM Female Engineer ~73–75 ~85–87 ~78–80 ~90
HRM Male Non‑Engineer ~75–76 ~90 ~87 ~93
HRM Female Non‑Engineer ~68–70 ~85 ~78–80 ~87

Ques. Does IIT accept XAT score?

Ans. No, IITs do not accept the XAT score for their MBA or any other management programs. Their admission is based on the CAT exam.

  • The XAT scores for MBA admission are not accepted by the Department of Management Studies.
  • The CAT exam is conducted by the IIMs and many top management programs in India, like IIMs, IIT MBA, use CAT as their admission test.
  • The IITs want to maintain comparability with the other top B-schools, relying on the CAT exam as the benchmark for admission.
  • As XAT is conducted by XLRI/XAMI and used by institutions aligned with it (XAT’s associate institutes).

Ques. What is the cutoff for XIMB XAT?

Ans. The cutoff for the XIMB XAT is the minimum score or percentile (overall and sometimes sectional) in the XAT exam that you must achieve to get admission into MBA programs at XIMB.

  • Expected XAT Cutoff 2025 (MBA): General category – 90–93 percentile
  • Expecetd XAT cutoff 2026 (MBA): General category – 88–91 percentile.
  • MBA BM (General) 2024 Cutoff: Domicile engineering male – 88 percentile; non-engineering – 87 percentile
  • MBA BM (General) 2024 Cutoff: Non-domicile engineering – 91–92 percentile; non-engineering – ~91 percentile
  • MBA HRM 2024 Cutoff: General category – ~81 percentile for both engineering and non-engineering backgrounds
  • Gender & Domicile Breakdown 2024: Domicile (Engg) – Male 88, Female 87; Non-Engg – Male 87, Female 86.
  • Gender & Domicile Breakdown 2024: Non-domicile (Engg) – Male 92, Female 91; Non-Engg – Male 91, Female 90.
Year Stream / Category Overall XAT Cutoff (Percentile)
2026 (expected) ~ 88-91 Based on trend analysis, the expected overall cutoff range.
2025 ~ 90-93 Predictions for general category.
2024, MBA BM (General, domicile, engineering) ~ 88 For male, domicile, engineering background.
2024, MBA BM (General, domicile, non-engineering) ~ 87 Slightly lower, for non-engineering background.
2024, MBA BM (non-domicile) ~ 91-92 For applicants from outside the domicile region.
2024, MBA HRM (General) ~ 81 For domicile, engineering / non-engineering backgrounds.

Sectional Cutoffs (Approximate):

  • For MBA BM (Domicile Engineering, 2024): VA – 50, DM – 40, QA – 40 percentile.
  • For Non-domicile candidates: Sectional thresholds slightly higher (VA ~70, DM ~60, QA ~60).
  • XAT 2026 Expected: VA = 50, DM = 40, QA = 40

XAT Cutoff Marks vs Percentile 2026

The XAT Score vs Percentile 2026 provides the analysis of the estimated percentile range as per the raw scores in the XAT exam. It also shows that a small change in the raw score can lead to a big shift in the percentile.

  • A score of ≥40 can provide the candidates 99+ percentile, while a raw score ranging from 35–36 can place the candidate in 99 percentile.
  • A 30–31 score can result in the ~95 percentile, which is required by the Top B-schools like XLRI.
  • The mid-tier colleges accept the XAT marks ranging from 23–28 marks with ~90–95 percentile.
  • Even a minimal raw score, like a 14–15 mark, can provide the ~65 percentile, reflecting the XAT exam’s difficulty level and strict scoring.
Raw Score Approx. Percentile
≥ 40 99 + %ile
37‑39 ~99.5 %ile
35‑36 ~99 %ile
30‑31 ~95 %ile
27‑28 ~95 %ile
23‑24 ~90 %ile
21‑22 ~85 %ile
19‑20 ~80 %ile
17‑18 ~75 %ile
~14‑15 ~65 %ile
~14 ~60 %ile

XAT Marks vs Percentile 2026 of Top MBA colleges

To get into the top MBA colleges through XAT 2026, a raw score of ~32–34 will be required for XLRI BM and SPJIMR (~96 percentile), whereas ~31–32 will be sufficient for XLRI HRM (~95 percentile).

  • Institutes like XIMB, IMT, MICA, and IMI Delhi need ~30–32 marks (~90–92 percentile).
  • Mid-range colleges like GIM, TAPMI, and Great Lakes accept scores ranging from ~26–30 marks (85–90 percentile).
  • Lower-tier institutes like LIBA and FORE consider ~25–27 marks (~80–85 percentile), showing how small score differences impact admissions significantly.
Institute Expected Overall Cutoff %ile Raw Mark Estimate
XLRI Jamshedpur BM ~96 ~32–34
XLRI Jamshedpur HRM ~95 ~31–32
SPJIMR (XAT route) ~93.5–95 ~32–34
XIM Bhubaneswar (XIM University) 90–92 ~30–32
IMT Ghaziabad 90–91 ~30–32
MICA Ahmedabad 90–91 ~30–32
GIM Goa 85–90 ~26–30
TAPMI Manipal 85–87 ~26–28
Great Lakes Chennai 85–86 ~26–28
LIBA Chennai 80–85 ~25–27
IMI Delhi ~90+ ~30–32
FORE Delhi / KJ Somaiya / IRMA ~80–87 ~27–32
XAT Marks vs Percentille 2026 of Top MBA colleges


Also Read

XAT GD and PI Preparation 2026

Ques. Is 35 a good score in XAT?

Ans. A score of 35 out of 75 is an excellent score in XAT, this will place the candidate in the percentile range of 95+, which make the candidate qualified for top Tier 1 and Tier 2 XAT colleges like MICA, IMT, IMI, and XIMB.

Top Colleges with 35 score in XAT

College Tier Expected Percentile Fit for a 35-Mark Score?
XLRI BM / SPJIMR / XIMB ~95–96 Very competitive—likely to clear strict cutoffs
MICA / IMT / IMI / XIMB ~90–95 Seats you comfortably in shortlist range
TAPMI / GIM / Great Lakes ~85–90 Strong advantage; well above their cutoff
Other XAT-accepting B‑schools ~80–90+ Counts as excellent performance

Ques. Can I get XLRI at the 95 percentile?

Ans. As per the previous years’ analysis, the cutoff of the XLRI for PGDM BM, the Male (Engineering or Non‑Engineering) candidates required a cut‑off of 96 percentile, whereas the cutoff for female candidates was 91 percentile.

The cutoff of XLRI for PGDM HRM, the male (engineer) candidates required the cutoff of 96 percentile, whereas female engineers required only 90 percentile and the non-engineer Male and female candidates, the cutoff was 93 percentile and 87 percentile.

Programme Your Gender/Background Cutoff Overall 95 Percentile?
BM General Male (Engg or Non‑Engg) 96 percentile Short
General Female 91 percentile Yes (if female)
HRM General Male (Engineering) 95 percentile Yes
General Male (Non‑Engineering) 93 percentile Yes
Female (Engineering) 90 percentile Yes
Female (Non‑Engineering) 87 percentile Yes

Ques. Is 27 a good score in XAT?

Ans. A score of 27 marks in XAT is considered moderate and will place you in the 89th percentile, which is very competitive, but this score is not sufficient for admission into Top-tier institutions like XLRI Jamshedpur. This score can get you admission into mid-tier colleges like FORE, KJ Somaiya, and GIM.

Ques. What percentile is 30 marks in XAT?

Ans. A score of 30 marks in XAT places you in the approximate 90-95 percentile, considered a strong performance. This score is competitive for admission into tier-1 and tier-2 colleges like FORE, KJ Somaiya, and GIM.

What is the cut-off of XAT for XLRI?

The XAT cutoff for XLRI 2026 will be highly competitive, with PGDM-BM expected to require a cutoff of around 96 percentile for general males and around 91 percentile for females.

  • PGDM-HRM will need the XAT cutoff percentile around 95 and 90, respectively.
  • The PGDM-BM will have the highest sectional percentile of QA-DI up to 88 percentile, while HRM will have 92 percentile for VALR, and DM will have up to 87 percentile.
Program Candidate Profile Expected Overall Percentile Sectional Cutoff (VALR) Sectional Cutoff (DM) Sectional Cutoff (QA–DI)
PGDM – BM General (Male) ~96 ~84 ~84 ~88
PGDM – BM General (Female) ~91 ~80 ~80 ~85
PGDM – HRM General (Male) ~95 ~90–92 ~85–87 ~83–85
PGDM – HRM General (Female) ~90 ~88–90 ~82–84 ~80–82

XAT 2026 Section‑Wise Cutoff

As per the previous years’ analysis, to score in the 99.9th percentile in XAT 2026, a candidate will need to secure ~20–21 marks in QA-DI, around 18 marks in VALR, and DM.

  • A percentile range of 99.5 will require the sectional scores of around 19.25 in QA-DI, 16 in VALR, and DM.
  • To achieve the cutoff ranging between 90–95 percentile, the candidate needs to score around 9–11.25 in QA, 9-11 in VALR and 9-10.75 in DM.
  • Even a score of around ~7–8 in each section can secure an 80–85 percentile.

This shows that a small difference in score can lead to a major shift in the percentile, especially in higher ranges.

Percentile QA‑DI Score VALR Score DM Score
99.9 20–21 18 18
99.5 19.25 16 16
99 15.25 14 14.25
95 11.25 11 10.75
90 9.25 9 9
85 8.25 8 8
80 7.25 7 7

What is a good score for XAT?

A score range of 25-34 marks out of 75 is considered a good score in XAT, which can place the candidate in the percentile range of 90–94 percentile, providing the opportunity to get admission into mid tier institutes like XIMB, MICA, IMT, IMI.

Percentile Raw Marks (Approx.) Notes
99 %ile 39–40+ Elite benchmark │ for top institutes & XLRI shortlist
96 %ile 37–38+ Strong contender for XLRI HRM/BM, SPJIMR, etc.
95 %ile 35 A solid score for most Tier‑1 colleges
90 %ile 25–34 Entry-level for schools like XIMB, MICA, IMT
85 %ile ~21–22 Opens doors to colleges in 80–90 percentile band

Ques. What is a good XAT score for XLRI?

Ans. The candidates set different goals depending on their scores in the XAT exam and college prefernce.

For XLRI (Jamshedpur/Delhi):

  • 95–97 percentile (~35–38 marks): Ideal to meet shortlist criteria.
  • 39–40+ marks — likely results in ≥96–97 percentile, strengthening your application for an interview call

Tier‑1 B‑Schools (XIM, MICA, IMT, IMI, SPJIMR)

  • 90–96 percentile (~30–35 marks): Competitive for these colleges where overall percentile is key. Sectional cutoffs are typically waived

Other Reputable Institutes (TAPMI, GIM, GLIM, LIBA, KJSomaiya, IRMA, FORE, etc.):

  • 85–90 percentile (~25–30 marks): Solid for admissions into this batch of institutes
  • Even 80 percentile (~21–23 marks) can be enough for some emerging or niche programs.

Ques. Is 72 percentile good in XAT?

Ans.The 72 percentile is considered an average percentile, which can provide the opportunity to get admission into several recognized B-schools like Woxsen University, Alliance School of Business (Bangalore), Rajagiri Business School, WeSchool (Mumbai), Amrita School of Business, and IBA Bangalore.

Also Read

Previous Year XAT Cutoff

An analysis of XAT cut-offs from 2021 to 2025 for XLRI’s BM and HRM programs shows the consistent focus on high aptitude, controlled competition, and strong diversity policies.

XAT 2025 Cut-off

XLRI has designed these thresholds to ensure a very diverse and highly competent pool of students while promoting inclusivity and gender diversity.

The cut-offs are the same for both engineering and non-engineering candidates, meaning that XLRI values diversity in education backgrounds as well and rather looks for aptitude.

XAT 2025 Cutoffs for Business Management (BM) Program

Engineering Male candidates: 96 % and Non-Engineering Male candidates: 96 %. Female candidates are at 91%.

It shows a relatively strong benchmark for males so that a better balance can be maintained with respect to admission.

Stream Gender Total QA VALR DM
Engineer/Tech Male >=96 >=88 >=84 >=84
Engineer/Tech Female >=91 >=82 >=80 >=80
Non-Engineer Male >=96 >=88 >=84 >=84
Non-Engineer Female >=91 >=82 >=80 >=80

XAT 2025 Cutoffs for Human Resource Management (HRM) Program

The overall percentile cut-off for male engineering candidates is 95% and is marginally lower for non-engineering candidates at 93%.

Female Candidates have a lower cutoffs: 90% for engineers and 87% for non-engineers, thatXLRI has been upholding gender-diversity.

Stream Gender Total QA VALR DM
Engineer/Tech Male >=95 >=83 >=90 >=87
Engineer/Tech Female >=90 >=73 >=85 >=80
Non-Engineer Male >=93 >=76 >=90 >=87
Non-Engineer Female >=87 >=68 >=85 >=8

Also Read

XAT Counselling Process 2026

XAT Cut Off 2024 for BM

Candidates can review the XAT cutoff for the BM course categorized for candidates belonging to engineering and non-engineering backgrounds:

Candidates Category Overall VARC QA DM
Male Engineers 96 83 86 85
Female Engineers 91 80 81 80
Male Non-Engineers 95 83 85 86
Female Non-Engineers 90 80 80 81

XAT Cut Off 2024 for HRM

XAT cut off 2024 for the HRM program ranged between 88 and 95. Candidates can check the XAT cut off for the HRM course in the following table:

Candidates Category Overall VARC QA DM
Male Engineers 95 90 80 85
Female Engineers 90 85 73 78
Male Non-Engineers 93 90 75 85
Female Non-Engineers 88 85 68 78

XAT CutOff 2023 for BM

XAT BM cut off in 2023 ranged between 92 and 95.

Candidates Category QA VA DM Overall
Male Engineers 85 75 75 95
Female Engineers 80 75 75 92
Male Non-Engineers 85 75 75 95
Female Non-Engineers 80 75 75 92

XAT CutOff 2023 for HRM

Candidates Category QA VA DM Overall
Male Engineers 75 90 75 93
Female Engineers 65 90 75 91
Male Non-Engineers 70 90 75 90
Female Non-Engineers 60 90 75 88

XAT Cutoff 2022 for PGDM HRM

Category VALR DM QA Overall
Male Engineering 80 70 75 92
Female Engineering 80 70 64 90
Male Non-Engineering 80 70 70 90
Female Non-Engineering 80 70 60 87

XAT Cutoff 2022 for PGDM BM

Section Male Female
VALR 75 72
DM 72 72
QA 80 75
Overall 93 90

XAT Cutoff 2021 for Business Management (BM)

Section Male Female
Overall 94 92
VALR 76 70
DM 74 75
QA 83 75

XAT Cutoff 2021 for HRM

Category VALR DM QA Overall
Male Engineering 80 75 80 93
Female Engineering 75 68 74 90
Male Non-Engineering 80 75 73 90
Female Non-Engineering 75 68 64 87
SC 55 55 55 65
ST 50 50 50 55

Also Read

XAT Cutoff Marks vs Percentile

Understanding the comparison between XAT score and percentile helps candidates determine the marks required to achieve a specific score in XAT exam. We have provided last 3 years XAT cutoff vs Percentile to estimate the cut off for 2025.

XAT Percentile XAT 2024 Score XAT 2023 Score XAT 2022 Score XAT 2021 Score
99+ 40+ 43 40.5 39.5
95 35+ 37.5 34 35
93 32+ 35.5 32 31
90+ 30+ 32 30 29
89 28+ 30.5 28 26
85 25+ 27+ 25-26 24

Also Read

XLRI Jamshedpur Placement, Salary, and Fees for XAT

How to Calculate XAT Percentile?

The percentile is used in XAT which can be calculated using the following formula:

  • Your XAT Rank/Total candidates x 100

For example, if your rank is 100 in XAT and 100,000 students participated, your percentile would be 90.

Does XLRI have a Sectional Cutoff?

Yes, XLRI has a sectional cutoff for XAT 2025. The cutoffs are not only based on the various sections of the exam but also on the gender of the candidate and their stream (Engineer or Non-Engineer). The B-school interviewed 2200-2800 students in 2024 based on the same sectional and overall cutoffs, which are released officially in the form of a PDF.

Which MBA colleges can I get with 85 percentile in XAT?

With 85 percentile in XAT, you can get into top-ranked MBA colleges such as XIMB, SPJIMR, IMT-Ghaziabad, GIM, TAPMI, IRMA- Anand, MICA, Great Lakes Institute of Management, LIBA-Chennai, KJ Somaiya, and others. Candidates must check the official website of their preferred college before applying for admission.

XAT Cut off: College-wise Score vs Percentile Analysis

Name of the College XAT Score XAT Cut Off Percentile
XIMB Bhubaneswar 30.5-32.5 90-93
SPJIMR Mumbai 32.5-34.5 93.50-95
IMT Ghaziabad 30.5-32 90-92
Great Lakes Institute of Management 26-27.5 80-85
LIBA Chennai 26-27.5 80-85
KJ Somaiya Mumbai 27.5-30.5 85-90
GIM Goa 27.5-30.5 85-90
TAPMI Manipal 26-27.5 80-85
IRMA Anand 26-27.5 80-85
MICA Ahmedabad 26-27.5 80-85

Verbal & Logical Ability

XAT Raw score XAT Percentile score
9.5 85
10.5 90+
13.5 95+

Decision Making

XAT Raw score XAT Percentile score
9.0 85
10 90
11.5 95+

Quant & DI

XAT Raw score XAT Percentile score
10.5 85
12.5 90
15 95+

XAT Cutoff 2026 FAQs

Ques. How much to score in XAT for 90 percentile?

Ans. To achieve 90 percentile in XAT 2026, the candidate needs to secure 23–26 raw marks, which can provide the opportunity to take admission into reputed B-schools like IMT Ghaziabad, MICA, and IMI

Top MBA Colleges accepting 90 percentile

College/Institute Expected Percentile Range Estimated Raw Score Sources
XIM Bhubaneswar (XIMB) 90–92%ile 23–26 marks MBAUniverse, IMS India, Careers360
IMT Ghaziabad 90–92%ile 23–26 marks MBAUniverse, IMS India, Careers360
MICA Ahmedabad 90–92%ile 23–26 marks MBAUniverse, IMS India, Careers360
IMI Delhi 90–92%ile 23–26 marks MBAUniverse, IMS India, Careers360
SPJIMR (via XAT route) 93–95%ile 24–26 marks InsideIIM, IMS India, Careers360
GIM Goa 85–90%ile 20–23 marks CollegeDekho
TAPMI Manipal 85–87%ile 20–23 marks CollegeDekho
Great Lakes Institute, Chennai 85–86%ile 20–23 marks CollegeDekho
KJ Somaiya, Mumbai 80–82%ile 20–23 marks CollegeDekho
LIBA, Chennai 80–85%ile 20–23 marks CollegeDekho
IRMA, Anand 80–85%ile 20–23 marks CollegeDekho
FORE School of Management, Delhi 80–87%ile 20–23 marks CollegeDekho

Ques. Do IIT accept XAT score?

Ans. No, IITs do not accept the XAT score for admission to their MBA programs, as they only consider the CAT score for their Department of Management Studies and related programs.

Ques. What is the TAPMI XAT cut off?

Ans. The TAPMI Manipal accepts XAT cutoff around 80-85+ percentile for the general category. This means candidates generally need to score at least in the 80s percentile in XAT to be considered for shortlisting and further selection rounds at TAPMI.

Ques. Is 74 percentile good in XAT?

Ans. The 74 percentile is considered the below-average percentile in the XAT overall ranking, as this percentile can be achieved with the 17–18 marks overall.

This percentile range is not sufficient for the XLRI or any top -tier Bschool, but the candidate can get admission into BIMTECH Greater Noida, IFMR GSB, Great Lakes Gurgaon, Welingkar, XIME, BIM Trichy.

Percentile Range Interpretation / Possible Outcomes
80–90 percentile Eligible for many strong institutes such as FORE, TAPMI, Great Lakes, GIM, etc.
70–80 percentile Possible admission to mid-tier MBA colleges; placements around ₹10–12 LPA
~74 percentile Too low for XLRI; OK for some mid-tier business schools that shortlist within 70–80 percentile

Results

The XAT Result 2026 has been released today, on 16th January 2026, on the official website, xatonline.in. You can download your XAT 2026 Scorecard by logging in with the XAT ID and Password. The Scorecard will be valid till December 31, 2026. 

Now, as the results are out the XLRI will release its section and overall cutoffs for MBA-BM and MBA-HRM programmes till next week. 

Direct link to Download the XAT Result 2026 - (OUT)
  • The XAT 2026 scorecard will show both overall and sectional raw scores along with the percentile.
  • The raw score is your marks in Part 1 of the XAT exam, calculated after applying negative marking.

As the XAT Results are out, you can start your planning for admission in MBA/PGDM Course of your choice. 

xat scorecard

Source: xatonline.in

The percentile is calculated only from Part 1 scores, as GK and Essay Writing are not considered for percentile calculation.

As in previous years, only 2-3% candidates score above the 95 percentile, and a 40+ score is usually needed for the 99 percentile.

Related Links

XAT Result 2026

Key Summary

  • XAT results will be valid for only 1 year.
  • XAT results 2026 include sectional percentages and percentiles along with overall percentages and percentiles.
  • XAT 2026's highest mark is expected to be 40 marks and around the 97-99 percentile.
  • XLRI Jamshedpur is expected to get the highest cutoff at the 97th percentile.
  • A score above 30 is considered a good mark in XAT 2026.
  • XAT results 2026 serve as a screening tool to shortlist the candidates for further rounds.
  • Shortlisted candidates go through a WAT, GD-PI.

What is the XAT Result?

The XAT Result is the official score report of the XAT, released for candidates who appeared in the exam to determine their eligibility for XLRI and other B-Schools in India.

The XAT scorecard contains the candidate’ section-wise scores, the overall score, and the percentile, which reflects their ranking among all the test takers.

Candidates use their results to predict their chances in the top MBA colleges in India. The XAT results are usually released in 2-3 weeks after the exam, and candidates must log in using their XAT ID and password to download the scorecard.

Understanding the XAT result helps the candidates plan their next steps for MBA admission and prepare for the interview or other selection process.

“XAT results are valid for only one year; the XAT Results 2026 are only valid for admissions for the academic year of 2026-28.”

How to Download the XAT Result?

XAT Result Login Problems and Errors

Error Type Main Cause Data Insight How to Fix
Incorrect Login Credentials Mistyped XAT ID/password, extra spaces, wrong case ~40–50% of login issues during result release are due to wrong credentials Double-check credentials, use “Forgot Password” to reset if needed
Session Timeout / Refresh Loop High server load due to many users, slow/unstable internet Website traffic spikes 3–4x during the first few hours after result release Use stable internet, try off-peak hours, avoid multiple refreshes
Captcha Not Loading / Fails Browser blocking scripts, extensions/ad-blockers, server delay Common with high traffic; causes ~15–20% of login issues Disable extensions/ad-blockers, try another browser, clear cache
Website Not Responding / 502/503 Server overload during peak access High traffic on the result day can slow the response by ~50% Wait 10–15 mins, retry later, use a different device/network
Scorecard Download Error Temporary backend glitch, browser download permission issues Occurs in ~5–10% cases Right-click “Save link as…”, try a different browser/device, retry after minutes

XAT Scorecard 2026

Below is a sample scorecard of XAT 2026:

xat scorecard

XAT Result 2026 Date and Time

The XAT 2026 Result has been declared today, on 16th January 2026, on the official website. The XAT Answer key and response sheet were already released earlier on the basis of which the result has been released. 

XAT 2026 Result Expected Schedule

Dates Event
16th January 2026 Result  (Released)
XAT 2026 Result Expected Schedule

Source - Official XAT Bulletin 2026

XAT Result Date: Past Years’ Trend

The past years’ XAT Result trend shows that XLRI usually declares the results within 11-20 days after the exam, with an average gap of around 14-15 days.

The longest delay was seen in XAT 2023, i.e., 20 days, while the quickest was XAT 2020 in just 11 days. As in the XAT 2024 and 2025 results were declared in just 12-13 days.

Overall, this pattern suggests that the XAT 2026 results will be declared in the mid to third week of January.

XAT Year Exam Date Result Date Days Between Exam & Result
2025 Jan 5, 2025 Jan 17 (actual) ~12 days*
2024 Jan 7, 2024 Jan 20, 2024 13 days
2023 Jan 8, 2023 Jan 28, 2023 20 days
2022 Jan 2, 2022 Jan 17, 2022 15 days
2021 Jan 3, 2021 Jan 18, 2021 15 days
2020 Jan 5, 2020 Jan 16, 2020 11 days

XAT Score vs Percentile 2026

The XAT Score vs Percentile 2026 shows a slight rise in the percentile with a difference in the scores, especially at the higher scores, as the XAT 2026 exam was slightly difficult than XAT 2025.

  • Candidates scoring 40+ can now expect the 97–99 percentile range, while 31–36 marks will provide you with 95–97 percentile, which is considered competitive for top B-schools.
  • Scores in the 25-30 range will place you in the 90-95 percentile, whereas 23-24 range will get you 85–90 percentile, and 21–22 range will get you 80–85 percentile.
XAT Score XAT estimated percentile
40+ 97-99
37-38 96
31-36 95-97
25-30 90-95
23-24 85-90
21-22 80-85

Also Read:

Ques. How much to score in XAT for 90%

Ans. Candidates must score approximately 23-26 marks to get a percentile of 90. Scoring 90 percentile may get you a seat in IMT Ghaziabad, MICA, and IMI colleges.

Ques. 8 marks in XAT percentile?

Ans. 8 marks in XAT approximately fall in the 30-35% percentile. This score is considered very low, and it's not sufficient to get a seat with this score.

Ques. What score is 70 percentile in XAT?

Ans. A score in the range of 21-23 marks is expected to fall in the 70 percentile in XAT 2026. Approximate sectional marks also affect this percentile. The approximate sectional score to achieve 70 marks is

  • VALR: 7 - 7.5 marks
  • DM: 7.5 - 8 marks
  • QA&DI: 6.5 - 7 marks

XAT 2026 College Predictor

The Collegedunia’s XAT College predictor will help you estimate your MBA/PGDM admission chances based on your expected XAT scores and percentile.

XAT 2026 College Predictor

The XAT percentile is not the only criterion for shortlisting; there are multiple factors influencing the selection process of XAT - accepting colleges, like XLRI and other top B schools.

Before using the XAT College predictor, you must know that shortlisting depends on the following factors:

  • XAT percentile (overall + sectional, especially Decision Making)
  • Academic profile (Class 10, Class 12, and Graduation)
  • Academic diversity & gender diversity
  • Work experience (quality and duration)
  • Category (GEN / EWS / OBC / SC / ST / PwD)

Ques. What should I do after the XAT results are announced?

Ans. Once the results are out, the cutoff for the colleges will be announced by the respective colleges.

  • Do check if you meet the cutoff percentile of your desired college
  • After the results, prepare for the next rounds of the interview, which include group discussions, written ability tests, and the personal interview.

Check out:

XAT Helpdesk for Result Errors

Contact Type Details
Exam Conducting Body XLRI – Xavier School of Management, Jamshedpur
Official Website xatonline.in
Official Helpdesk Phone +91 919513630765 (Mon–Sat, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM)
Toll-Free Helpline 1800 209 0835 (Mon–Sat, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM)
XLRI Admissions Office Phones +91-657-665-3203 / 3204 / 3205
Email (Result / Scorecard Issues) xat2026@xlri.ac.in
Email (General Admissions Queries) admis@xlri.ac.in
Alternate Official Email xatadministration@xlri.ac.in
Fax +91-657-2227814
Official Contact Page xatonline.in/contactus
Address XLRI – Xavier School of Management, C.H. Area (East), Jamshedpur – 831001, Jharkhand

XAT Cutoff 2026

Colleges will release the individual cutoff for their various programmes. XAT cutoff will vary across categories based on gender and academic background.

XAT 2026 PGDM BM Cutoff:

  • Overall: Males (Eng/Non-Eng) ≥96, Females ≥91.
  • Toughest section: QA-DI (Males ≥88, Females ≥82).
  • VALR & DM cutoffs slightly lower, with males ≥84 and females ≥80.
  • Cutoffs are consistent across engineering and non-engineering backgrounds.

XAT 2026 PGDM HRM Cutoff:

  • Overall: Males 93–95, Females 87–90.
  • Sectional focus lower in QA-DI (Females ≥68–73), reflecting HRM focus.
  • VALR and DM cutoffs still significant (Males ≥87–90, Females ≥80–85).
  • An engineering background slightly favors higher cutoffs than a non-engineering.

XAT Cutoff 2026 PGDM BM (Business Management)

Category VALR DM QA-DI Overall
Male (Engineering) ≥84 ≥84 ≥88 ≥96
Female (Engineering) ≥80 ≥80 ≥82 ≥91
Male (Non-Engineering) ≥84 ≥84 ≥88 ≥96
Female (Non-Engineering) ≥80 ≥80 ≥82 ≥91
XAT Cutoff 2026 PGDM BM

XAT Cutoff 2026 PGDM HRM

Category VALR DM QA-DI Overall
Male (Engineering) ≥90 ≥87 ≥83 ≥95
Female (Engineering) ≥85 ≥80 ≥73 ≥90
Male (Non-Engineering) ≥90 ≥87 ≥76 ≥93
Female (Non-Engineering) ≥85 ≥80 ≥68 ≥87
XAT Cutoff 2026 PGDM HRM

XAT Cutoff 2026 for Top Institutes

Institutes Expected Cutoff 2026
XLRI Jamshedpur (BM) 94–96%
XLRI Jamshedpur (HRM) 92–95%
XIM Bhubaneswar 91–92%
XIM Jabalpur 91–92%
IMT Ghaziabad 90–91%
MICA Ahmedabad 90–91%
Great Lakes Institute, Chennai 85–86%
TAPMI, Manipal 85–87%
GIM Goa 85–86%
LIBA, Chennai 80–85%
IFMR/IFMR GSB, Chennai 75–80%
K J Somaiya, Mumbai 80–82%
FORE School of Management, Delhi 77–87% (varies by program)
Welingkar, Mumbai 70–75%

XAT Cutoff 2026 for Top Institutes

Also Read:

Ques. Can I get XLRI at the percentile?

Ans. As per the previous year’s analysis,

  • The cutoff for the XLRI - BM program is 96th percentile (For Male engineering or non-engineering), and the cutoff for female candidates is 91 percentile.
  • For XLRI - HRM, 95 and 93 percentiles are the cutoff for male engineering and male non-engineering candidates, respectively.
  • For female engineers, the cutoff is 90 percentile, while for female non-engineers it is 87 percentile.

Ques. What is the expected cutoff for FORE through XAT 2026?

Ans. As per the previous year’s trends, the cutoff for FORE is approximately ~77 - 87 percentile. To meet the cutoff of FORE, candidates need to score 20 - 22 marks in XAT 2026

XAT Results 2026 FAQs

Ques. Does IIT accept XAT scores?

Ans. No, IITs do not accept XAT scores. IIT accepts CAT scores for their MBA or any management programs.

Ques. How is the XAT percentile calculated?

Ans. The XAT percentile is calculated based on the total number of candidates who appeared for the exam and your XAT raw score. Your percentile indicates how much better you did than the rest of the candidates.

Ques. Is 35 a good score in XAT?

Ans. A score of 35 out of 75 is excellent in XAT. A 35 score will place you in above 95%, which makes you qualify for top-tier colleges such as XIMB, IMT, and IMI.

Colleges for 35 XAT scores

Colleges Expected Percentile Fit for 35 XAT score
XLRI BM/SPJIMR/XIMB 95-96 Likely to clear cutoff
MICA/IMT/IMI/XIMB 90-95 Can easily get shortlisted
TAPMI/GIM/Great lakes 85-90 Can get a seat, well above cutoff range
Other XAT-accepting B-schools 80-90+ Can easily clear the cutoff

Ques. What is a good score for XAT?

Ans. For XAT, a score range of 25 to 35 marks is considered a good score, which can place the candidates in the 90-95 percentile range. This score can easily get you admission in XIMB, MICA, IMT, IMI.

Ques. What is a good XAT score for XLRI?

Ans. For XLRI (Delhi / Jamshedpur), the ideal score to meet the shortlisting criteria is 35-38 marks (95-97 percentile). But scoring 40+ marks (~97% )can get you an interview call.

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