The Xavier School of Management (XLRI), Jamshedpur, will soon announce the Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) 2026 cut-offs. These cut-offs determine eligibility for Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) programs for the 2026-28 academic session. Based on past trends, overall cut-offs for business and human resource management programs are expected to range between 91 and 95 percentile .
Sectional cut-offs for XAT 2026 will likely be between 82 and 88 percentile . Candidates who meet these cut-off percentiles qualify to participate in subsequent admission stages, including group discussions and personal interviews.
XAT 2026 Examination Overview
XLRI conducted the XAT 2026 examination on January 4 . The single shift exam ran from 2 PM to 4 PM. Officials expect to declare results between January 31 and March 31 .
The XAT marking scheme awards one mark for each correct answer. Candidates lose 0.25 marks for each incorrect response. Additionally, 0.10 marks are deducted for each un-attempted question after the first eight un-attempted questions, as stated on the official website.
Over 250 colleges nationwide accept XAT scores for admission to MBA and PGDM programs. This broad acceptance provides candidates with numerous opportunities for management education.
Expected XAT 2026 Cut-offs for Top Institutes
Candidates can review the expected XAT 2026 cut-offs for various participating institutes. These figures are projections based on previous years’ admission trends and can guide candidates on their eligibility for different programs.
| Institute | Expected XAT Cutoff Percentile |
|---|---|
| XLRI Jamshedpur | 96 |
| SPJIMR Mumbai | 90+ |
| XIMB Bhubaneswar | 90+ |
| IMT Ghaziabad | 90+ |
| IMT Hyderabad | 90 |
| KJ Somaiya Institute of Management, Mumbai | 85+ |
| Goa Institute of Management (GIM Goa) | 85+ |
| FORE School of Management, New Delhi | 85+ |
| TAPMI Manipal | 80+ |
| XLRI Delhi-NCR | 80+ |
| IRMA Anand | 80+ |
| Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai | 80+ |
| LIBA Chennai | 80+ |
| MICA Ahmedabad | 80+ |
| BIMTECH Greater Noida | 75+ |
| Welingkar Institute of Management, Mumbai | 75+ |
| XIME Bangalore | 75+ |
Next Steps for Candidates
Candidates who meet the announced XAT 2026 cut-offs will proceed to the next stages of the admission process. These typically include Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI) rounds. Different institutes may have additional selection criteria or rounds. Candidates should regularly check the official XLRI website and individual institute websites for specific updates regarding results, cut-offs, and further admission instructions.