XAT Answer Key 2026: Download XAT 2025 & Previous Years Answer Key PDFs

Xavier Aptitude Test 2026 ( XAT )

DeskCalelnderAdmit Card - 20 Dec '25

Vipra Shrivastava
Updated on Nov 3, 2025 18:35 IST

By Vipra Shrivastava, Senior Manager - Content

XAT answer key 2026 will be released as response sheet. Candidates will be able to download it from the XAT 2026 website through login. XAT response sheet 2026 will help candidates to analyse and assess their performance. The option to challenge official XAT answer key will also be provided to candidates. XAT exam result 2026 will be  prepared on the basis of the outcome of the examination of objections. XAT 2026 exam will be conducted on January 4, 2026 and the response sheet will be released by January 7-8, 2026. 

 

Table of contents
  • How to Download XAT Answer Key and Response Sheet 2026?
  • XAT Exam Dates & Schedule
  • How to Challenge XAT Answer Key 2026?
  • How to Calculate XAT Percentile?
  • XAT 2025 Answer Keys - Sectional (Memory Based)
  • XAT Cut Off for XLRI Admission
  • FAQs Related to XAT Answer Key 2026
View More
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How to Download XAT Answer Key and Response Sheet 2026?

XLRI, Jamshedpur wil upload the XAT answer key 2026 at xatonline website. Candidates will be required to download it through login. Given below is the process:

  • Open XAT exam website
  • Click on 'answer 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
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
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:   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. 

XAT Exam Dates & Schedule

Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of XAT 2026 exam

DatesUpcoming Exam Dates
Jan ' 26

XAT 2026 answer key out

TENTATIVE
Jan ' 26

XAT 2026 result

TENTATIVE
Jan ' 26

XAT 2026 Cut Offs Release

TENTATIVE
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How to Challenge XAT Answer Key 2026?

Candidates can raise objection against XAT answer key by filling an online form. To raise objection against the official XAT answer key, they will have to:

  • Go to XAT online website
  • Click on 'answer key and objection' tab
  • Enter XAT ID and password
  • Go to raise objection form and enter question ID, nature of question, objection
  • Upload the document supporting your claim
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is the difference between XAT provisional answer key and XAT final answer key?
A: 

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.

Q:   How to raise objection against XAT answer key?
A: 

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.

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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: 

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Is there any negative marking in the XAT exam?
A: 

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.

 

Q:   How will I know if I have converted the XLRI interview call or not?
A: 

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.

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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

XAT 2025 exam analysis and expected cut offs

XAT 2025 response sheet PDF download

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Can I challenge the final XAT answer key?
A: 

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.

Q:   What after XAT answer key release?
A: 

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.

Q:   Can I download provisional XAT answer key after result announcement?
A: 

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.

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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

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:

Predict XAT Admission Calls
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FAQs Related to XAT Answer Key 2026

Check below Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) related to XAT answer key 2026.

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is the process of XAT answer key download?
A: 

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.

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:   How to raise objection against XAT answer key?
A: 

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.

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XAT Exam

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Hi.

For PGDM and MBA admissions at GIBS Business School, Bangalore, the following entrance exams are accepted:

Accepted Entrance Exams

ExamType / Level
CAT – Common Admission TestNational-level MBA entrance exam
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MAT – Management Aptitude TestNational-level MBA entrance exam
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ATMA – AIMS Test for Management AdmissionsNational-level MBA entrance exam
State CET (e.g., Karnataka PGCET)State-level MBA entrance exam for Karnataka candidates

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Scholar-Level 17

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GIBS considers any one valid score from these exams for shortlisting candidates.

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heena agrawal

Scholar-Level 17

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ABHINAV SRIVASTAVA

Contributor-Level 10

1129 Institutes accepting XAT

XLRI Xavier School of Management

Jamshedpur Private

XLRI Xavie
  • 30.60 Lakh
  • 2 years
  • |
  • Full Time

Guwahati University - GU

Guwahati Public

Guwahati U
    • 2 years
    • |
    • Full Time
      • 2 years
      • |
      • Full Time

      University of Mumbai [MU]

      Fort, Mumbai Public

      University
        • 2 years
        • |
        • Full Time

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