XAT 2026 exam is being held tpday, January 4, 2026. So, as you complete the test, evaluate your performance by calculating XAT score vs percentile.
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 their response sheet today and check their answers, To evaluate their performance with the help of XAT response sheet 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
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 response sheet out, live updates
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 |
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 |
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:
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.