Xavier Aptitude Test

XAT 2026 cutoff is the minimum score required to get admission into top MBA colleges in India. It depends on several factors like the number of candidates appearing, how difficult the exam is, the number of available seats and trends from previous years. Higher competition or fewer seats usually increase the cutoff, while a tougher exam may slightly lower it.

The cutoff is different for each category, such as General, OBC, SC and EWS, and also varies for engineers, non-engineers, males, and females. For example, at XLRI Jamshedpur, the expected cutoff for male engineers in Business Management is around the 96th percentile, while female engineers may need around the 91st percentile. Other top colleges like XIMB Bhubaneshwar, IMT Ghaziabad, and IRMA have slightly lower cutoff percentiles.

Candidates can check the cutoff by logging into their XAT account on the official website. The cutoff is used to shortlist students for Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI) rounds before final admission.

XAT 2026 Cutoff: Important Dates

XAT 2026 has important dates that every student should know. The exam, answer keys, results, and cutoff dates are planned in January 2026. The table below shows these events and their expected dates clearly, so you can keep track of them easily.

Factors Determining XAT 2026 Cutoff

Several factors affect the XAT 2026 cutoff. These include the number of candidates, exam difficulty, available seats, and past trends.

• Number of candidates: More students taking the exam can raise the cutoff.
• Difficulty of the exam: Harder questions may lower the scores needed to meet the cutoff.
• Number of seats: Programs with fewer seats usually have higher cutoffs.
• Previous years’ trends: Last year, XAT cutoff ranged from the 91st to 96th percentile. In 2026, the cutoff may be slightly higher.

XAT 2026 Cutoff: Steps To Check

To check the XAT 2026 cutoff, candidates need to log in to their XAT account.

• Visit the XAT website at xatonline.in and click on XLRI Cutoff 2026.
• Log in using the XAT ID and password.
• View the cutoff list and shortlist status.
• Download and print the cutoff list for future reference.

XAT 2026 Cutoff: Category-wise Expected Cutoff

The XAT 2026 cutoff varies for different categories, courses, and colleges. It shows the minimum percentile required to get admission. The table below lists the expected cutoff percentiles for top MBA colleges in India, helping candidates understand the likely scores needed for each category and program.

XAT 2026 Cutoff: Marks Vs Percentiles

XAT 2026 marks and percentiles help students know how their score compares to others. The table below shows the expected percentiles for different score ranges, helping to understand how many candidates scored lower or higher in the exam.

XAT 2026 Section-wise Cutoff Marks Vs Percentiles

XAT 2026 also looks at scores in each section, not just the total marks. The table below shows how many marks in Verbal, Decision Making, and Quantitative sections match different percentiles, helping to understand performance in each part of the exam.

XAT Previous Year Cutoff: Top MBA Colleges

In 2025, XIM University, MICA Ahmedabad, and IMT Ghaziabad had cutoffs between the 90–92 percentile. Colleges like TAPMI Manipal, Great Lakes Chennai, and GIM Goa needed scores around the 85–87 percentile. The table below shows the cutoff percentiles of top MBA colleges in 2025.

XAT 2026 Cutoff: XLRI Selection Process

XLRI selects candidates based on XAT scores, academic records, and work experience. Shortlisted candidates are invited to Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI) rounds.

• In GD sessions, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills are assessed.
• In PI rounds, academic background and career goals are evaluated.
• Final selection considers XAT scores, GD and PI performance, academic record and work experience.

Selected candidates receive an offer letter with program details, start dates, fees, and admission instructions.

XAT 2026 Cutoff FAQs

What are the important dates for XAT 2026?

XAT 2026 will be held on 4th January 2026. The provisional answer key will release in the 3rd week of January, results and final answer key in the 4th week, and the cutoff will also be released in the 4th week of January 2026.

What factors determine the XAT 2026 cutoff?

The cutoff is determined by the number of candidates, difficulty level of the exam, number of seats available, and previous years’ cutoff trends.

How can the XAT 2026 cutoff be checked?

Candidates can log in to their XAT account at xatonline.in, click on XLRI Cutoff 2026, view the list, and download it for future reference.

What is the expected category-wise cutoff for XLRI Jamshedpur in XAT 2026?

For BM, the General Category engineer male is expected at 96th percentile, engineer female 91st percentile, non-engineer male 95th percentile, and non-engineer female 90th percentile.

What is the expected XAT 2026 cutoff for XIMB Bhubaneshwar?

The expected cutoff percentile for General Category BM is 90–93, EMBA 85–88, and for reserved categories like EWS, OBC, and SC it is around 91 percentile.

How does XAT 2026 marks correspond to percentiles?

Scoring 40+ marks in XAT 2026 is expected to place candidates between 96.5 and 96.9 percentile, while 39–40+ marks correspond to around 97.4 percentile.

What is the section-wise expected cutoff for XAT 2026?

For the 96.9 percentile, expected scores are 14.5 in Verbal & Logical Reasoning, 11.5 in Decision Making, and 12.5 in Quantitative & Data Interpretation.

Which top MBA colleges had the highest cutoff in XAT 2025?

XIM University, MICA Ahmedabad, and IMT Ghaziabad had cutoffs between 90–92 percentile in 2025.

What percentile did TAPMI Manipal, Great Lakes Chennai, and GIM Goa require in XAT 2025?

These colleges required scores around the 85–87 percentile in XAT 2025.

How does XLRI finalize admission based on XAT 2026?

XLRI considers XAT scores, GD and PI performance, academic records, and work experience, and selected candidates receive an offer letter with program details, start dates, and fees.