XAT 2026 Exam Live Updates; Question Paper Analysis (Available), Answer Key, Difficulty Level, Expected Cut offs

XAT 2026 exam is done. Those who have registered for CMAT 2026 must focus on it, as the exam is scheduled on January 25, 2026. Candidates can also apply for MAT or ATMA. Registrations for February 2026 session is open.

Apart from XLRI, Jamshedpur, XIMB, SPJIMR, LIBA, GIM, KJ Somaiya, IMI, TAPMI, XAT score is accepted by nearly 800 MBA colleges in India.

XLRI XAT 2026 cut offs will be released at the institute website. Shiksha will share the XAT cut off 2026 as soon as it is released.

XAT 2026 cut offs are not expected to rise as the difficulty level of the exam was same as last year.

XAT 2026 answer key objection window will open for 2-3 days for candidates to submit objections against the preliminary answer key. The objections will be evaluated by a panel of experts. If found correct, revised XAT answer key 2026 will be published.

XLRI has not shared XAT 2026 response sheet date. However, it can be expected to be released by January 7 or 8, 2026.

Check below expected XAT cut off for admission to XIMB.

Check below expected XAT cut off for admission to KJ Somaiya.

Check below expected XAT cut off for admission to TAPMI.

Check below overall XAT cut off for XLRI MBA BM courses, for previous year.

XAT 2026 result date has not been notified by XLRI Jamshedpur. However, the scorecards can be expected to be released by the third week of January 2026.

XAT 2026 cut off will release most likely in the last week of January 2026. XLRI will release XAT sectional cut offs as well as overall cut offs, for BM and HRM courses for:

• Male engineer
• Female engineer
• Male non-engineer
• Female non-engineer

Here's an estimation of XAT score vs percentile:

This year, there were 16 quants questions and 12 DI questions.

Decision Making section of XAT 2026 had 7 passages with 3 questions each. A few of the questions were tricky but overall, the paper was doable. 

XAT 2026 response sheet will be released soon and candidates will get to know their performance. They can calculate the number of correct attempts to predict their XAT percentile.

XAT 2026 is over and as per the initial review, XAT 2026 question paper had overall moderate questions. A few Quants questions are reported to be lengthy. 

XAT 2026 exam will end at 5 pm. There is only single session in XAT so there will be no score nomalization. XAT percentile will be calculated from raw scores obtained by candidates.

XAT 2026 response sheet will be issued by XLRI in the next two three days. The XAT response sheet will be available through login.

XAT has 95 questions but attempting all is not mandatorry. For a nearly 99 percentile, candidates must aim to attempt about 40-45 questions.

XAT 2026 expected difficulty level for all 4 sections, basis previous year's paper. 

XAT 2026 exam has started. The test will be held from 2 pm to 3 pm. There is no break in between. Shiksha will share XAT 2026 question paper analysis after the exam.

Biometric details will be captured at the test center on the day of the exam, January 4, 2026, as part of candidate identification.

PwD candidates will get 20 minutes extra to complete the test. For completing Part 1 of the XAT 2026 question paper, they will get 226.67 minutes and for completing Part 2, they will get 13.33 minutes.

XAT 2026 reporting time is12:30 pm and candidates have started reaching their test centres. Identification process and entry will start soon. 

Candidates are allowed to shuffle between questions in Part 1 of the XAT 2026 question paper. However, after clicking Save & Next button on the last question of any section, the page will automatically move to first question of the next section.

In the XAT test form, candidates will get these options to mark their answers:

• 2 copies of the XAT 2026 admit card
• 2 passport size photo
• 1 photo ID card (Aadhaar, PAN, Voter ID, Passport or Driving License)

Wear simple cardigans or sweaters for the exam. Don’t wear jacket with pockets or hoodies. Do not wear caps or head gears as well as metal accessories.

• Don’t be late for the exam
• Don’t carry digital copy of documents
• Don’t carry electronic or metal items
• Don’t carry books or notebooks
• Don’t argue with XAT test centre staff
• Don’t disturb others during the exam

• Reach the exam centre on time
• Carry relevant document
• Cooperate with test centre staff
• Do a last minute revision in the morning
• Maintain silence during the exam
• Complete the test on time
• Keep 5 minutes aside for review

Gate closing time in 1:50 pm. Once the gates are closed, no candidate will be allowed entry under any circumstances.

All candidates have to report by 12:30 pm to their respective XAT 2026 test centres. Early reporting is required for candidate identification and document verification of all candidates.

XAT 2026 exam will start at 2 pm and end at 5 pm. There will be no breaks in between. In case of medical emergency, break will be allowed, but time lost in it will not be compensated.

XAT exam 2026 will be held today in about 109 cities. Every city has at least one examination centre where candidates can take the exam.

XAT exam 2026 will be held today in computer based test mode. The exam will be held at various test centres by XLRI, for admission to top MBA colleges in India.

Total time given to candidates will be 180 minutes. PwD candidates will get extra time to complete the test.

XAT 2026 question paper will be divided into two parts:

XAT marking scheme is as follows:
+1 mark for correct answer

- 0.25 marks for incorrect answer

- 0.10 marks for more than 8 consecutive un-attempted questions

No negative marking in GK section

The total number of questions in XAT 2026 will be 95. It will be divided into 4 sections:

There will be no essay writing in XAT 2026. The question paper will have only MCQs from VA-LR, QA-DI, Decision Making and GK.

Candidates will be provided rough sheets for calculation. If they don’t want to use on screen calculator, they can do rough work on the paper. They will, however, have to submit the rough paper before leaving the exam hall.

Use of onscreen calculator is allowed for XAT. Candidates cannot carry a scientific calculator in the exam centre.

XAT 2026 test centre cannot be changed now. Candidates will have to take the exam at the venue mentioned in their admit card.

Candidates can carry a blue/black ball point pen to the XAT exam centre for signing attendance sheet. They will be however, provided the same at exam centre too.

XAT 2026 candidate can appear for the exam at the test centre mentioned in their admit card. They cannot appear for it at any other examination centre.

XAT 2026 will be conducted from 2 pm to 5 pm, without break. There will be only 1 shift for the exam.

There is no specific dress code for XAT. However, candidates should avoid wearing jackets and hoodies. They can wear plain cardigan and sweater instead.

Digital copy of the XAT 2026 admit card will not be valid. Candidates will have to show the hard copy to gain entry.

XAT 2026 admit card download link will be active until tomorrow, but candidates should download it today only and get two print outs.

Candidates will undergo mandatory frisking before entry into the examination centre. The admit card and other documents will be verified too.

Jewellery, jacket, calculator, watches, phone, electronic devices or any item containing metal are not allowed inside the exam venue.

In case of any discrepancy in the photo on admit card, candidates must carry a recent passport size photo.

Candidates can carry any one of the following:

• Aadhaar card
• PAN card
• Voter ID card
• Passport
• Driving License

Candidates must carry two copies of the XAT admit card 2026 to the exam centre in A4 size sheet.