XAT 2026: Pro tips to score above 95 percentile by Previous years' XAT Toppers

Good performance in XAT 2026 exam will majorly depend on how you utilize the 180 minutes. It is all about the balance between theory and practice. Here are some pro tips to score above 95 percentile in XAT 2026 by previous years' XAT toppers.

XAT topper tips to score above 95 percentile

XAT 2026 exam will be moderate to high in terms of difficulty level, but that doesn’t mean it is impossible to score high. Most of the candidates feel that XAT is a tough nut to crack because of Decision Making and Essay Writing. It is not true. If you have your basics in place and you’ve done enough practice, scoring above 95 percentile is not difficult in XAT. The best part about XAT is that XLRI cut offs usually hover between 94-95 percentile. Thus, there is no pressure of 100 or 99.99 percentile to make it to this top tier B-school. The key here is to, prepare like a pro. Have a definite target. Set deadlines and utilize the time in the right direction.

In XAT, both Quantitative Aptitude as well as Data Interpretation questions are slightly tougher as compared to that of CAT questions. So, make sure you have clear understanding of basics. You should pay special attention to Decision Making. In XAT 2026, there is no pressure of Essay Writing as it has been removed from the test. It will be conducted along with XLRI PI. English and Verbal Ability will have typical questions including a poem. XAT 2026 preparation should have a good scope of practice, XAT mock tests and self analysis, apart from covering the syllabus.

In the XAT 2026 exam, time your attempts well. There is sectional time limit in XAT, so you need to be mindful of completing a certain number of questions in every section in the given time limit. The first section of the XAT question paper is of 170 minutes in which one has to attempt Decision Making, Verbal Ability and Quants questions. Time yourself well. It shouldn’t happen that all a major part of the time is consumed in one section and you’re left with less than desired time for other sections. Sectional cut offs are very important in XAT.

Pro Tips to Score Above 95 Percentile by Previous years' XAT Toppers

With XAT 2026 date being January 4, 2026. It is now time to get done with the syllabus and start practicing mock tests. As the exam gets closer, you will need to increase the number and frequency of XAT mock tests. Check below some pro tips to score above 95 percentile in XAT by previous years’ toppers:

Siddharth Lilani, XAT 2023, 99.64 percentile

“I believe that every candidate is different and there is no formula to crack any exam or interview. Working hard is definitely essential and so is consistency. But in the end, results matter and how they come becomes less relevant (unless they come from unfair means). So, every candidate must work on developing a process that works well for them - physically, psychologically, and intellectually.” Read full interview

Lavisha Taneja, XAT 2023, 98.66 percentile

“To prepare for the exam, I had taken regular mock tests and analysed them thoroughly, even though it was demotivating to see my scores not improving initially. However, I learned to trust the process and be patient. I experimented with different methods and found what worked best for me. Therefore, I suggest MBA aspirants do not avoid taking mocks regularly and analyse them in-depth. Remember, it's not just about taking the tests, but also about learning from them and adapting your strategies accordingly.” Read full interview

Farzan Shaikh, XAT 2021, 99.94 percentile

“I Actively read and summarised articles, books and essays from Aeon, The Economist, WSJ etc. in my own language to improve my reading comprehension. Basic preparation of Quantitative Aptitude was being covered by my coaching material and randomised practice and revision by solving doubts for others. Mock analysis and all the practice helped my scores and percentiles go up as my rank went down, started being in top 200 consistently with 98.5+ percentile in most of my mocks.” Read full interview

Read More:

• How to prepare for XAT 2026: Tips from toppers
• XAT Preparation Plan for Decision Making
• XAT Preparation Plan for Verbal & Logical Ability
• XAT Preparation Plan for Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation
• Last minute tips and XAT exam day guidelines
• XAT Revision tips for final week