XAT Score vs Percentile 2026 (Expected), Previous Year Section-wise Analysis

Xavier Aptitude Test 2027 ( XAT )

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XAT Exam Date 2027

3 Jan '27

Vipra
Vipra Shrivastava
Senior Manager - Content
Updated on Jan 9, 2026 14:53 IST
XAT score vs percentile 2026 - Check here how to calculate XAT percentile from raw XAT score. The factors to be taken into account for XAT percentile calculation is number of test takers and difficulty level of the exam. XAT 2026 will be held on January 4, 2026 so check here how to calculate XAT 2026 score vs percentile.

XAT 2026 exam was held on anuary 4, 2026.  The provisional answer key has been released today So, after you download the XAT 2026 answer key, evaluate your performance by calculating XAT score vs percentile. 

XAT 2026 score vs percentile

How to calculate?

XAT score vs percentile 2026 – XLRI and other score accepting colleges shortlist candidates on the basis of XAT percentile. For PI shortlisting XAT cut offs will be released in percentiles. So, what is XAT percentile and how is it calculated from XAT score?

To understand XAT score vs percentile calculation, we must understand the difference between the two. XAT score is the total marks obtained by the candidate in the exam, whereas XAT percentile in their relative rank in comparison of rest of the test takers. Those who appeared for XAT 2026 on January 4, can download the official XAT answer key today and evaluate their performance with it. XAT 2026 result will be announced by the third week of January 2026. Candidates must know the difference between XAT score and percentile in order to know where will their exam performance take them - Tier 1 college, Tier 2 college or Tier 3 college.

Table of contents
  • Factors Determining XAT 2026 score vs percentile
  • XAT Score vs Percentile 2026 (Expected)
  • XAT Score vs Percentile 2026 - Sectional
  • XAT Marks vs Percentile 2026: Decision Making
  • XAT Score Calculator
  • XAT Percentile Calculator Formula?
  • XAT Score vs Percentile 2025
  • XAT Cut Off Percentiles for XLRI Admission
View More

Factors Determining XAT 2026 score vs percentile

Performance of a candidate in XAT exam is not independent. His/her percentile is related to the number of candidates and difficulty level of the exam. These two are the major factors that affect XAT percentile calculation. While estimating the XAT score vs percentile 2026, the formula is applied based on previous years' trend, here. 

Latest - XAT 2026 answer key out out, live updates - check objection dates and process

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Are XAT cut offs same for all participating colleges?
A: 

No, cut offs of XAT participating colleges are different from each other. These colleges fix cut off percentiles for admission individually basis certain criteria determined by their respective admission cells. XAT cut off for XIMB is different from XAT cut off for TAPMI. XAT cut off for XIMB is usually around 90-93 whereas XAT cut off for TAPMI is 80-85. On the other hand, XAT cut off for KJ Somaiya-Mumbai is 85-90. Most of the MBA colleges shortlist candidates for admission on the basis of overall XAT percentile. However, the candidates must aim to meet sectional XAT cut offs too in the exam to avoid an unwanted situation at the time of admission. Before applying for admission, candidates must check the selection criteria of their target colleges to be sure of requirements. 

Q:   My graduation score is less than 50% in aggregate. Am I eligible for XLRI admission?
A: 

Yes, candidates with less than 50 per cent in aggregate in graduation are eligible for admission to PGDM courses in XLRI. Candidates need to have minimum passing marks in Graduation. They must have however, completed their graduation from a recognised university only. Candidates planning to seek admission to an MBA college other than XLRI must check its eligibility criteria as the minimum score requirement of AICTE approved colleges is 50 percent (45 percent for Reserved categories). But having 50 per cent and above score is not a guarantee for getting selected for admission. You will need to clear the admission round which is based on XAT cut off percentile. If you do not meet the XAT cut off percentile you will not be selected for XAT personal interview round, which is the main parameter for MBA admission in XLRI.

Q:   When are XAT cut offs released?
A: 

XLRI Jamshedpur releases the XAT cut offs every year in the month of February after the result announcement. The XAT exam is held on the first Sunday of January and the result is announced in the last week of January. And within a week of result announcement, the XAT cut offs are released.

The XAT cut offs are released at the official website of XLRI Jamshedpur and are available for download without login. The XAT cut offs are released for PGDM-HRM and PGDM-BM gender and academic stream wise. The document contains sectional and overall cut off percentiles for male, female, male non engineering and female non-engineering categories. Selection of candidates for the Personal Interview and Group Discussion round of XLRI admission is done on the basis of these category wise cut offs.

Q:   What is sectional cut off for XAT?
A: 

Sectional cut off for XAT refers to the minimum percentile fixed for each section of the exam that candidates have to meet. For example, if the Quantitative Aptitude cut off is 85 percentile for XAT, students should score 85 percentile or more in the section of XAT to become eligible for group discussion and personal interview. Check the below tables for PGDM BM and PGDM HRM for XAT.

XAT Sectional cut offs for PGDM BM

General Engineers

VA

DM

QA

Overall

Males

75

75

85

95

Females

75

75

80

92

General Non-Engineers

VA

DM

QA

Overall

Males

75

75

85

95

Females

75

75

80

92

 

XAT Sectional cut offs for PGDM HRM

General Engineers

VA

DM

QA

Overall

Males

90

75

85

93

Females

90

75

65

91

General Non-Engineers

VA

DM

QA

Overall

Males

90

75

70

90

Females

75

75

60

88

 

XAT Score vs Percentile 2026 (Expected)

XAT scores and percentiles can be estimated basis the difficulty level of the exam. If the XAT question paper is easy, higher score will be required for high percentile and if the question paper is tough, lower score will convert into higher percentile. Given below is a table indicating estimated XAT marks vs percentile 2026.

XAT Score

XAT Percentile

38.7

99.17

34.7

97.67

33.8

97.11

33.5

96.89

32.4

96.03

29.4

92.75

27.1

89.24

20.5

73.15

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 XAT Score vs Percentile 2026 - Sectional

For making it to XLRI Jamshepdur, XAT sectional cut offs matte a lot. Infact, many other top MBA colleges accepting XAT score, consider both overall and sectional scores. While preparing for admission, do calculate XAT cut off marks vs percentile, for each section to make the exam strategy.

XAT percentile vs marks 2026: QADI

Check below expected XAT 2026 score vs percentile of Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation section.

XAT Score

XAT Percentile

14.7

98.51

13.3

97.38

12.6

96.55

10.1

91.32

9.6

89.88

9.6

89.83

9.1

87.77

8.2

84

XAT score vs percentile 2026: VALR

Check below XAT score vs percentile 2026 calculation for Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning section. This section has 26 questions and if a candidate gets nearly 17 correct, they can score 99+ percentile.

XAT Score

XAT Percentile

16.4

99.53

14.9

98.8

11.4

93.34

10.8

91.59

10.7

91

9.7

87.55

9.2

85.44

4.5

52.21

Also read:

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is the total cost of pursuing MBA from XLRI?
A: 

The total course fee of full time MBA at XLRI is INR 28 Lacs according to Shiksha. The fee is to be paid semester wise. The first installment is to be paid at the time of admission. The XLRI course fee includes tuition fees, hostel and mess charges, caution money, library chargers and other miscellaneous services.

Q:   What is XLRI MBA admission process through XAT?
A: 

XAT score is the only examination score accepted for domestic candidates for admission to full-time MBA programmes offered by XLRI Jamshedpur. Check below the stages of XLRI MBA admission through XAT.

1. Apply for XAT exam

2. Appear for XAT exam

3. Participate in AEW/PI round

3. Final selection list released

6. Accept admission offer

Q:   Which are the top colleges that accept XAT score for admission?
A: 

Over 800 MBA colleges in India accept XAT score for admission apart from XLRI Jamshedpur. Some of the top colleges are mentioned here: IRMA Anand, IMT Ghaziabad, XIM Bhubaneswar, IMI New Delhi, Great Lakes Chennai, Great Lakes Gurgaon, TAPMI Manipal, GIM Goa, FORE New Delhi, K J Somaiya Mumbai, LBSIM New Delhi, LIBA Chennai, IFMR Chennai, BITS Pilani, IMI Bhubaneswar, IMI Kolkata, IMT Nagpur, Sri Balaji University Pune, Woxsen University, ISBM Pune, VIT Business School (VIT) Vellore, ISBM Pune, KIIT Bhubaneswar, Alliance School of Business Bangalore, Jaipuria Lucknow, IBA Bangalore, SIES Navi Mumbai, Rajagiri Business School, EDII Ahmedabad, IIMS Pune, NDIM New Delhi, IFIM Colleges, JIMS Rohini Delhi, IMT Hyderabad, SOIL Institute of Management, Vivekanand Business School (VBS), IMS Ghaziabad, Sri University, LM Thapar School of Management, Pune Business School

Q:   How important is XAT cut off for selection to XLRI's PI round?
A: 

XAT cut off is the most important factor in selection of candidates for XLRI Jamshedpur’s Personal Interview or PI round. Those who do not meet the cut off are not even taken into consideration for PI shortlisting. The two main parameters upon which candidates are short listed for the PI round are academic scores (class 10,12 and graduation) and XAT cut off.

Aspirants must note that they need to score as much or above the XAT cut off and should have a consistent academic record of high score to have greater chances of getting selected. It is not necessary that they will be called for the PI round if their XAT score matches the cut off. If any candidate with the same score has a better academic record, he/she will be selected over the other.

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XAT Marks vs Percentile 2026: Decision Making

Check below XAT marks vs percentile calculation of Decision Making section. This section has 21 questions and if a candidate attempt 13-14 questions correctly, they will get around 97 percentile.

XAT Score

XAT Percentile

13.2

96.75

11.9

93.4

9.7

82.94

9.7

82.46

9.7

82.39

9.2

79.14

6.4

51.14

5.6

45.44

XAT Score Calculator

XAT exam score can be calculated from the number of correct and incorrect attempts made by a candidate. Check XAT marking scheme below:

  • One mark for every correct attempt
  • - 0.25 marks for every incorrect attempt
  • After eight consecutive unattempted questions, 0.10 marks is deducted
  • Total number of questions in 95
  • GK scores are included in XAT percentile calculation

Based on the above marking scheme, XAT score calculator formula can be understood with the following example:

A candidate attempts about 70 questions out of 95, out of which he solves 60 questions correctly and 10 questions incorrectly.

Then his overall XAT score will be 60-2.5 = 57.5

Also Read: XAT Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme 2026

XAT Percentile Calculator Formula?

The formula to calculate XAT percentile is same as that of other MBA entrance exams, i.e. Number of candidates – Rank of a candidate/Number of candidates x 100. Here’s an example:

If 1000 candidates appeared for XAT and candidate A gets the highest score, it means 999 candidates scored less than A. So, the XAT percentile calculation will be 999/1000x100= 99.9.

Also Read:

XAT Score vs Percentile 2025

Given below is the table indicating XAT marks vs percentile comparison of last year. If you look at this XAT 2025 score vs percentile comparison, you will note that getting 47 questions correct can fetch you 99 percentile.

XAT score 2025

XAT percentile 2025

47 and above

99

42 and above

96

40 and above

94

36 and above

85

32 and above

80

24 and above

75

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XAT Cut Off Percentiles for XLRI Admission

XLRI releases the XAT cut offs, a week after result declaration dismissing every speculation about how much score is needed for its MBA programmes. The XAT cut offs, usually remain between 92-96 percentile.

XAT 2025 Cut Offs: MBA BM

Check below XAT 2025 cut offs for MBA BM programme. XAT 2026 cut offs are expected to be in the same range.

Category

QA

VALR

DM

Overall

Engineer/Tech Male

88

84

84

96

Engineer/Tech Female

82

80

80

91

Non-Engineer Male

88

84

84

96

Non-Engineer Female

82

80

80

91

XAT 2025 Cut Offs: MBA HRM

Check below XAT 2025 cut offs for MBA HRM programme. XAT 2026 cut offs are expected to be in the same range.

Category

QA

VALR

DM

Overall

Engineer/Tech Male

83

90

87

95

Engineer/Tech Female

73

85

80

90

Non-Engineer Male

76

90

87

93

Non-Engineer Female

78

85

80

87

Read more:

Check XAT cut offs and predict calls from XLRI and other colleges accepting XAT score for admission. Check Fees, Placement Reviews, Admission, Shortlist Criteria and Eligibility of all XAT participating colleges by clicking the link below:

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Vipra Shrivastava
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Vipra Shrivastava is MA in English Literature from Delhi University with extensive experience in content writing of over 14 years. She has been handling content for Management, Accounting and Commerce streams for 8

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Answered a week ago

Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham accepts the CAT, MAT or the XAT exam for admission to the MBA course. Students can attempt any one of the aforementioned exams. After taking part in the exam, students have to attain a valid percentile.

Based on previous year trends, a percentile of at least 40 would be nee

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Neerja Rohatgi

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 weeks ago

GIBS Business School situated in Bangalore acknowledges CAT, MAT, and XAT as authorized admission tests for both undergraduate and postgraduate programs.

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Additionally to these Three Tests, GI

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Mohammed Maqsood

Beginner-Level 4

Answered 3 weeks ago

No, you cannot join Jindal Global Business School without an entrance exam if you want admission to the MBA course. For admission to the management courses, the institute accepts various national-level exams, like

  • CAT
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Students who attain qualifying percentiles for these exams are

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Neerja Rohatgi

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 weeks ago

OP Jindal Global University XAT cutoff 2026 was released for admission to the MBA course offered by the Jindal Global Business School. The cutoff was released for various All India categories. 

For the General AI category, the XAT percentile was 50 for the General AI categories. Hence, students who w

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Neerja Rohatgi

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 4 weeks ago

No, you cannot join UPES Dehradun for its MBA programme without appearing for the accepted entrance examination. To gain admission to this institute, students would need to take one of the following exams after they clear the basic eligibility rules. 

  • NMAT, XAT and MAT

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Neerja Rohatgi

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

After XAT exam is conducted successfully, XLRI releases XAT answer keys with response sheet. However, candidates need to login to download XAT answer keys.

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Shruti Shukla

Contributor-Level 7

Answered a month ago

The percentile needed for admission would depend on the category you belong to. JAGSoM accepts various entrance examinations for admission to the MBA/PGDM course, like CAT, XAT, MAT, etc.

As per the estimated XAT cutoff in 2026, a percentile of 70 would be good enough to secure a chance at admission

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Neerja Rohatgi

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

XIM University XAT cutoff 2026 was released for admission to the MBA course and its specialisations, namely MBA in Rural Management and MBA in Sustainability Management. 

 General AI category students need to have a percentile of at least 90 to be considered eligible for admission.

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Neerja Rohatgi

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

IMT Ghaziabad official cutoff information are not released on a public platform, and students can view the cutoff using their registered login ID and password. Based on the past years' trend, the XAT 2026 estimated cutoff is in the range of 90 to 92 for the General AI category students. 

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Rashmi Sinha

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

Yes, apart from CAT, the International Management Institute, New Delhi, also accepts the XAT score for admission to its PGDM courses. Only the shortlisted candidates are invited to the Individual Assessment Process (Essay Writing and Personal Interview, etc.) for final admission. The institute also

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Rashmi Sinha

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