XAT Result 2026: Steps, Calculation, Answer Key, Percentile, Expected Cutoff

XAT Result 2026 will tentatively be published in the third week of January 2026. Candidates can download their scorecards from the official XAT website by logging in with their XAT ID and password. The scorecard will include personal details, exam date, sectional scores and percentiles, as well as the overall score and percentile. Candidates must note that the XAT scorecard is valid for one year from the date of release.

By the fourth week of January 2026, the cutoff list of XAT 2026 Exam will be released. Candidates who match the cutoff percentile will be eligible to apply to MBA institutes. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to participate in a Personal Interview (PI) and a Group Discussion (GD) round. Find out the detailed information about the XAT Result 2026 in this article.

XAT Result 2026: Important Dates

XAT Answer Key 2026 will be released by the second week of January, 2026. From the same week, candidates will be able to raise objections against the answer key in case of any discrepancies. The final answer key and XAT Result 2026 Release Date are expected to be in the fourth week of January, 2026. Check below to learn about important events and dates of XAT Result 2026:

Also Read: XAT Syllabus 2026

XAT Result 2026: Steps To Download Scorecard

To download XAT Result 2026, candidates need to access xatonline.in and log in using their XAT ID and password. For better understanding, detailed steps for downloading the XAT Scorecard are given below:

• Candidates need to go to xatonline.in.
• The XAT homepage will be opened, and then they need to click on “XAT 2026 Scorecard”.
• The candidates’ login page will be opened where they need to put their XAT ID and Password and click on the “login” option.
• XAT Result 2026 will appear.
• Candidates can download it in PDF format and should print at least two copies for future reference.

Details Mentioned In XAT Result 2026

After downloading XAT Result 2026, candidates are advised to verify some important details. These details are as follows:

• Candidates name
• Gender and Date of birth
• Address details
• XAT ID
• XAT exam date
• The validity date of XAT Result
• Section-wise scores and percentiles
• Total score and percentile
• Signature of the XAT chairperson

Check More: XAT Application Process 2026

How To Calculate XAT 2026 Score?

XAT 2026 Score is calculated based on the total marks obtained across Verbal Ability, Decision Making & Quantitative Aptitude. The score of the General Knowledge section is not added to the total score or percentile. It is evaluated at the time of PI, GD, and essay rounds during the selection process.

XAT Marking Scheme

As per the XAT Marking Scheme, for each correct answer, candidates earn +1 mark. For each incorrect answer, 0.25 marks are deducted. Refer to the table below to understand the XAT Marking Scheme.

Know More About XAT Exam Pattern 2026

XAT Percentile Calculation

The percentile calculation for XAT 2026 Exam depends on the candidate’s rank and the total number of applicants. The XAT Score Calculator formula is as follows:

(Total number of applicants- Candidate’s rank)/ (Total number of applicants) *100

For example, if a candidate’s rank is 500 and the total number of XAT applications is 30000 in 2026, then the candidate’s percentile would be:

(30000-500)/ (30000)*100= 83.33%

XAT Answer Key

XAT Answer Key 2026 will be released by the second week of January 2026 in the form of a response sheet. Using the XAT Response Sheet, candidates can estimate their scores by tallying their answers with the answer key. It will be released by XLRI at xatonline.in. After logging in through the website, candidates can download the response sheet and challenge in case of any discrepancies found in the answers.

Steps To Check XAT Answer Key

To download the XAT Answer Key, candidates need to follow some simple steps, which are as follows:

• Candidates need to access xatonline.in.
• The homepage of XAT’s official website will appear.
• Candidates will have to click on “answer key and objection”.
• Followed by login using XAT ID, and a Password will be required.
• XAT Answer Key 2026 will be displayed.
• Candidates can download the answer key and verify the correct answers, which are marked in green.

How To Challenge XAT Answer Key 2026?

If candidates find any error in XAT Answer Key, they will be allowed to raise their objections against any questions through the objection window. Below are the steps to follow when raising objections to the answer key.

• Candidates need to go to the XAT official website
• They must click on the ‘answer key and objection’ tab
• Log in using XAT ID, and a Password is required
• Candidates need to go to the raise objection form and enter the question ID and the objection.
• Lastly, they must upload supporting documents to prove the accuracy of the claim.

Also Read: XAT Admit Card 2026

XAT 2026 Marks Vs Percentile

XAT Percentile depends on the number of applicants in a particular year and the rank of candidates. For example, if in 2026, the total number of test takers will be around 80,000 and a candidate’s rank is 500, then a raw score of 40 or higher will put candidates at the 99th percentile. Similarly, with a raw score of 30, candidates can achieve a percentile of 90 or higher. Candidates can refer to the table below to understand the expected marks versus percentiles for the XAT 2026 Exam.

What After XAT Result 2026?

After XAT Result 2026, candidates need to wait for the release of the cutoff list. Candidates who will meet the cutoff percentile need to fill out the forms through the institute’s website individually. After that, MBA colleges will shortlist candidates based on XAT scores, academic qualifications, and work experience (in the case of the GM Course). Shortlisted candidates will get an invitation to attend the Personal Interview, Group Discussion and Essay Writing rounds. After these rounds, institutes will proceed with the final selection process.

XAT Cutoff 2026

The cutoff for XAT 2026 will vary from institute to institute. For example, the cutoff percentile of XLRI Jamshedpur and SPJIMR Mumbai is expected to be at 97+ and 90+, respectively. For K.J. Somaiya, the cutoff percentile is expected to be 85 or higher, whereas for XIME Bangalore, the cutoff percentile may be 75 or higher. Candidates can refer to the table below to check the expected range of XAT Cutoff 2026:

Top MBA Colleges Accepting XAT 2026 Scores

Over 1,000 MBA colleges will accept XAT 2026 Scores, but in addition to scores, these colleges will also consider a candidate’s academic background and performance in the GD and PI rounds. Performance in analytical essays and general knowledge will also be prioritised by the top MBA colleges while offering admission. The following are some top MBA institutes that will accept the XAT 2026 Scores.

1. XLRI Jamshedpur
2. XIM University
3. MICA Ahmedabad
4. IMT Ghaziabad
5. IMI New Delhi
6. St. Joseph’s Institute of Management
7. Xavier Business School (XBS), St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata
8. K J Somaiya Institute of Management
9. FORE School of Management, New Delhi
10. Loyola Institute of Business Administration
11. Welingkar Mumbai
12. Birla Institute of Management Technology

XAT Result 2026 FAQs