XAT Score vs Percentile 2026 (Expected), Previous Year Section-wise Analysis
Xavier Aptitude Test 2026 ( XAT )
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.
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.
- 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
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
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.
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.
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 |
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:
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.
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.
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 |
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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:
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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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 2 days ago
It might be difficult to get admission at XIME Kohchi with 88% in XAT. The institute accepts a 99.99% in XAT. However, these rules may change in the future; students are recommended to visit the Shiksha official page for the latest updates.
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 days ago
Candidates can apply by selecting the course and campus option while filling out the XAT application form. There is no separate application form for XLRI courses.
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 days ago
XLRI Jamshedpur officially releases the XAT registration and application form. It is made available online on their official exam website, xatonline.in. Candidates must register on this portal to apply for the exam and for XLRI admission
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 3 days ago
The XAT application process is facilitated online. Candidates must visit the official website to register, fill the form, upload scanned documents, and pay the exam fee.
R
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 3 days ago
Candidates holding a bachelor's degree in any stream from a recognised university can apply for XAT exam. Final year graduation students are also eligible to apply.
J
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 3 days ago
Candidates can complete the XAT registration by generating a XAT ID, filling academic and personal details, uploading scanned documents, selecting test cities, and successfully paying the application fee online.
L
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 3 days ago
Yes, candidates must separately fill the admission forms of other XAT accepting colleges. There is no option to choose multiple colleges other than XLRI in the XAT form.
V
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 3 days ago
No, candidates do not need to fill separate application form. The XAT application form has an optional field to select the preferred XLRI courses. Candidates have to pay an additional fee for the same.
D
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 3 days ago
Candidates cannot select a specific test centre for XAT exam, but they can choose two test city preferences from a drop-down menu during registration. Authorities allot XAT centres based on these preferences on a first-come, first-serve basis.
N
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 3 days ago
XAT is conducted in approximately 79 to 80 cities across India. Candidates can select up to two preferred cities for their exam centre allotment while filling XAT application form.
B
Contributor-Level 7
XAT cut off different for male and female candidates to promote diversity in the candidate pool. However, the difference in cut offs is not too big. There's usually a difference of 1 or 2 percentile between XAT cut offs for male candidate and female candidate. Infact, the difference is not limited to gender only. The XAT cut offs for engineering students and non-engineering students are also different.
MBA has traditionally seen to be dominated by candidates from Engineering graduates, a stream which has also been traditionally been dominated by male students. To increase diversity and encourage students from other streams of education, XLRI has different cut offs. However, low cut offs, does not ensure admission. Female candidates still need to meet other parameters of XLRI admission criteria.