
XAT 2026 answer key has been releesed today. Candidates can download it from xatonline website through login. The official answer keys carry correct options to every question. Canddidate can use the provisional XAT answer key 2026 to calculate their score. The option to raise objection has also beem provided to candidates. XAT exam result 2026 will be prepared on the basis of the outcome of the examination of objections. XAT 2026 exam was held on January 4, 2026 and the XAT response sheet was released on January 6, 2026.
- How to Download XAT Answer Key 2026?
- XAT Exam Dates & Schedule
- How to Challenge XAT Answer Key 2026?
- XAT 2026 Answer Keys - Sectional (Memory Based)
- How to Calculate XAT Percentile?
- XAT Cut Off for XLRI Admission
- XAT 2025 Answer Keys - Sectional (Memory Based)
- FAQs Related to XAT Answer Key 2026
How to Download XAT Answer Key 2026?
XLRI, Jamshedpur has uploaded the XAT 2026 answer key at xatonline website. Candidates are required to download it through login. Given below is the process:
- Open XATONLINE website
- Click on 'XAT key and objection'
- Log in with user ID and password
- Click on candidate response
- Check correct options marked in green and your responses mentioned after question IDs
Information Mentioned on XAT Response Sheet/Answer Key 2026
XAT 2026 response sheet cum answer key will contain the following:
- Candidate's name and ID
- XAT exam date and centre ID
- Section wise questions and their answers
- Candidate's response to each question
- Questions not attempted
Commonly asked questions
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
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 Exam Dates & Schedule
Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of XAT 2026 exam
| Dates | Past Exam Dates |
|---|---|
| 29 Jan ' 26 | XAT 2026 Cut Offs Release |
| 16 Jan ' 26 | XAT 2026 result |
| 09 Jan ' 26 | XAT 2026 answer key released |
How to Challenge XAT Answer Key 2026?
There is no fee for challenging provisional answer key of XAT. Candidates can raise objection against XAT answer key 2026 by following the process below:
- Go to XATonline.in website
- Click on XAT key and objection tab
- Enter XAT 2026 login and password
- Go to raise objection form
- Select question IDs
- Upload a document supporting claim
- Click on submit
Commonly asked questions
XAT provisional answer key of refers to official solutions of questions asked in the exam and final XAT answer key is the document containing updated answer keys post the analysis of objection raised against provisional XAT answer key by candidates.
The process to raise objection against XAT answer key earlier was through email, but from 2023 onwards the objection filing is through login. XLRI doesn’t charge money for challenging XAT answer key. To raise objection candidates, have to log in to their XAT account and fill the objection form. To claim objection, they need to upload a supporting document.
The candidates can also send an email mentioning the question ID and answer they have objection too and attach a proof to support their objection. The mail however is to be sent within a certain deadline.
The candidates will be informed via email if their objection to XAT answer key is accepted. In case of acceptance, the answer key will be revised and published again. In case, no objection is accepted, no revised answer key will be released.
XAT 2026 Answer Keys - Sectional (Memory Based)
Question: Jamshedpur to Kolkata question on time-distance and speed.
Answer: 21/11
Question: Blueberries and mangoes on profit and loss
Answer: 2115
Question: Circular pond. Speed of man and speed of water. Time calculation.
Answer: 4 min, 30 secs.
Question: Related to f (0, y)
Answer: 7
Question: Right attempt, wrong attempt, unanswered questions.
Answer 48.
Question: m+n2+x3 = 50
Answer: 16
Question on circles
Answer: 4
Question: Concentrix circle
Answer 1980
Question: Right angle triangle
Answer: 700000
Also Read:
Commonly asked questions
The XAT response sheet is the document which has answers marked by the candidates against every question and the answer key is a document carrying correct answers of those questions. XLRI sometimes releases the XAT response sheet and XAT answer key separately and sometimes is released together. Both the documents are important for candidates to analyse their performance.
The process to raise objection against XAT answer key earlier was through email, but from 2023 onwards the objection filing is through login. XLRI doesn’t charge money for challenging XAT answer key. To raise objection candidates, have to log in to their XAT account and fill the objection form. To claim objection, they need to upload a supporting document.
The candidates can also send an email mentioning the question ID and answer they have objection too and attach a proof to support their objection. The mail however is to be sent within a certain deadline.
The candidates will be informed via email if their objection to XAT answer key is accepted. In case of acceptance, the answer key will be revised and published again. In case, no objection is accepted, no revised answer key will be released.
How to Calculate XAT Percentile?
XAT percentile is calculated from raw score obtained by candidates. The formula is:
Number of candidates - Rank of a candidate x100
Number of candidates .
Here's an example:
Suppose, 100,000 people appeared for XAT exam and A got highest raw score. It means 99,999 candidates have scored less than A. Then XAT percentile of candidate A will be 99,999/100,000x100= 99.9.
XAT Marking Scheme 2026
- One mark for every correct answer
- - 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer
- After eight consecutive unattempted questions, 0.10 marks are deducted for each
- GK score is counted for XAT percentile calculation
Also Read:
Commonly asked questions
Every candidate is informed by XLRI Jamshedpur about their selection via email. The interview round is held in February-March and the offer letter are sent to selected candidates in April-May. Those who would not receive the confirmation letter, may consider that they are not selected for admission. Candidates must keep a check on their emails. They must keep checking spam folders too. It is also very important use the correct and fully functional email ID for XAT registration as that is the main contact point for communication from the institute.
The admission authorities will consider both sectional and overall XAT score while shortlisting candidates for group discussion and personal interview round of XLRI admission. Candidates must perform well in all the sections of XAT exam as well as in the for group discussion and personal interview to be selected for admission.
Yes, the XAT exam has negative marking of -0.25 marks for wrong attempt. Unanswered questions have no negative marking but if there are 8 consecutive unanswered questions, 0.10 marks will be deducted.
Thus, the candidates must select questions to solve very carefully in the XAT exam. They should solve only those questions which they know they can solve accurately. The XAT exam has sectional time limit too, so you may not want to waste time on a question that you cannot solve accurately.
You stand to lose both time and marks. So be careful in selecting questions in the XAT exam. The sectional cut off for XAT is usually 80 percent accuracy. Practice a lot of mock tests to develop this skill.
XAT Cut Off for XLRI Admission
XLRI will release cut offs for 2026-2028 batch admission after the XAT 2026 result announcement. Check below, XAT 2025 cut offs for reference.
XAT 2025 Cut Offs for BM
Given below is the category wise sectional and overall XAT 2025 cut offs for PGDM BM (Business Management) programme:
| 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 for HRM
Given below is the category wise sectional and overall XAT 2025 cut offs for PGDM HRM (Human Resource Management) programme:
| 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 |
Commonly asked questions
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 |
There is no provision to challenge the final XAT answer key because it is prepared after examining the challenges raised by candidates against the provisional answer key. The answer key status mentioned on the final XAT answer key is final and XAT result is prepared on the basis of same.
XAT 2025 Answer Keys - Sectional (Memory Based)
XAT 2025 Quantitative Aptitude Questions and Answer Keys (memory based)
Coordinate geometry (rectangle) – Answer was y = 6
Square and circle question – Answer was x: 4
Single double bed – Answer was 77500
Question on phone – Answer was 120000
Question on square of length – Answer was 42.6% loss
Question on log – Answer is 2
Question on dustbin – Answer was 250
XAT 2025 GK Questions and Answer Keys (memory based)
INS Tushil – Russia’s Yantar Shipyard
World Chess Championship – Gukesh D
Nobel Peace Prize – Nihon Hidankyo
Samantha Harvey – Orbiter
Dhimsa – Andhra Pradesh
MGM- Amazon
AI app regional language –Bhasini
Mount Maripi – Indonesia
Commander-In- Chief of the Armed Forces – President of India
Asian Games TT – Ayhika Mukherjee and Sutirtha Mukherjee
Floating National Park – Keibul Lamjao, Manipur
Also Read:
XAT 2025 question paper and answer key (memory based) PDF download
Commonly asked questions
After XAT answer key is released, the examination body invites objection against it. Candidates can raise objection against preliminary answer key by filling an online form and submitting a document supporting their claim. Thereafter, examination body will examine all objections.
Provisional XAT answer key will be available for download for a limited period. It will not be available for download after objection window is closed. Thus, download it as soon as it is released.
FAQs Related to XAT Answer Key 2026
Check below Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) related to XAT answer key 2026.
Commonly asked questions
XAT answer key is released for candidates to know which of their answers were correct or incorrect and how much score they have obtained in each section. The answer key also helps them know the right answers to all the questions asked in the exam. With the help of XAT response sheet, candidates can calculate their raw scores and percentile. To download the XAT answer key, candidates have to follow the steps given below:
- Open xatonline website
- Click on 'candidate response'
- ·Enter user ID and password
- Click on candidate response to generate answer key and question paper
- XAT answer key will be displayed
- Download the answer key/response sheet
XAT response sheet and answer key has question-wise official answer and candidate’s response. Along with that, the name, registration number, exam date and other information will also be mentioned on the answer key.
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.
XAT Exam
Student Forum
Answered 6 days ago
Standard books useful across these exams include Quantitative Aptitude by Arun Sharma or R.S. Aggarwal, Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation by Nishit Sinha, and Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis for building a strong vocabulary.
L
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week 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 a week 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 a week 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 a week 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 a week 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 a week 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 a week 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 a week 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
What are some good books to study for MBA entrance exams such as CAT, TG ICET, MAT, XAT?