Which are the top colleges that accept XAT score for admission?

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

Are XAT cut offs same for all participating colleges?

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.

What is the difference between XAT response sheet and answer key?

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.

How to raise objection against XAT answer key?

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.

What is the process of XAT answer key download?

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.

When are XAT cut offs released?

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.

What is the difference between XAT provisional answer key and XAT final answer key?

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.

How to raise objection against XAT answer key?

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.

What is sectional cut off for XAT?

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

Can I challenge the final XAT answer key?

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.

What after XAT answer key release?

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.

Can I download provisional XAT answer key after result announcement?

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.

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

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.

Is there any negative marking in the XAT exam?

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 2026 Provisional Answer Key, Response Sheet (Released): Download PDF

1.6K Students Q&A

Updated on Jan 9, 2026 14:33 IST

By Vipra Shrivastava, Senior Manager - Content

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.

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