XAT Answer Key 2026: Release Date, How to Download, Raising Objections, Score Calculation

XAT Answer Key 2026: XLRI is expected to release the XAT 2026 answer key in January 2026, before the declaration of the XAT Result 2026. Candidates can view and download the answer key with the response sheet from the official website at xatonline.in. Both documents can be used to tally the number of correct and incorrect answers and estimate the total score.

XAT candidates can also raise objections to any questions in the answer key from the main website. The window to raise challenges is estimated to open from the second week of January and remain open till the third week of January.

XAT Answer Key 2026 Important Dates

XLRI released the official XAT notification on July 9, 2025, and opened the registration portal the following day, on July 10, 2025. Although the release date of the admit card is not yet known, the examination is scheduled to take place on January 5, 2026. The table below shows all the dates for XAT 2026:

How to Download the XAT Answer Key 2026?

XLRI has not announced the release date for the XAT 2026 answer key. The document is released a few weeks before the results are declared. It can be viewed and downloaded from the official XAT website after logging in with XAT credentials. Follow the step-by-step process below to access the XAT 2026 answer key.

Step 1: Visit the official XAT website at xatonline.in.

Step 2: Log in to the website using the XAT credentials: XAT ID and password.

Step 3: Find the link “XAT 2026 Answer Key.” Click on it.

Step 4: The next page will display a PDF document of the answer key. Download it for reference.

Details in XAT Answer Key 2026

XAT answer key contains more information besides the examination questions and their correct answers. It also includes the candidate’s name and registration ID, along with the answers marked by the candidates. The document also states the number of unattempted questions. Here is the list of details the XAT 2026 answer key will contain:

• Candidate name and registration ID
• List of section-wise questions
• Correct answers to the questions
• The candidate’s marked response to each question
• Unattempted questions

How to Raise Objections Against XAT Answer Key 2026?

XLRI allows candidates to raise challenges or objections for any discrepancies they find in the answer key. Raised objections against specific questions will need supporting proof or evidence at the XAT website. Here is how candidates can raise objections for the XAT 2026 answer key.

Step 1: Visit the XAT website at xatonline.in.

Step 2: Log in to the portal using the XAT ID and password.

Step 3: Find the “Candidate Response/Raise Objection” link. Click on it.

Step 4: On the next page, enter the question number, question ID, nature of the question and the objection.

Step 5: Upload any supporting evidence or documents against the objection.

Step 6: Review and click on “Submit”.

Check XAT Cutoff 2026

XAT 2025 Answer Key: Section-Wise (Memory-Based)

For XAT 2025 examination, a list of section-wise questions for the quant and GK sections has been prepared as recalled by the candidates. Here is the list of questions for XAT 2025:

Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation

• Coordinate geometry (rectangle) - Answer: y = 6
• Square and circle question - Answer: x: 4
• Single double bed - Answer: 77500
• Question on phone - Answer: 120000
• Question on square of length - Answer: 42.6% loss
• Question on log - Answer: 2
• Question on dustbin - Answer: 250

General Knowledge

• 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 - The President of India
• Asian Games Table Tennis - Ayhika Mukherjee and Sutirtha Mukherjee
• Floating National Park - Keibul Lamjao, Manipur

XAT Answer Key 2026 Marking Scheme

XAT’s marking scheme awards one mark for right answers and deducts 0.25 marks for wrong answers. There are no marks deducted for wrong answers in part 2. Candidates who do not attempt more than eight questions will have a deduction of 0.10 marks. Here is how answers are marked on the XAT 2026.

Read XAT Exam Pattern 2026

Calculating Scores Using XAT Answer Key 2026

After calculating the number of right answers and wrong answers from the XAT answer key, candidates can calculate their estimated total score by subtracting the number of wrong answers from the number of right answers. This score will help candidates to estimate their eligibility for their target institute. To calculate the scores for XAT 2026 using the answer key, use the following formula:

XAT Estimated Score = Number of Correct Answers - Number of Wrong Answers - Unattempted Questions

For instance, if a candidate attempts 86 questions out of 95 questions, out of which 78 are correct and 8 are wrong. The total estimated score in this case will be: 78 - (8 x 0.15) - (9 x 0.10) = 75.1.

XAT Answer Key 2026 FAQs