The Xavier School of Management (XLRI) will soon release the Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT 2026) response sheet and provisional answer key. Candidates who took the XAT exam for Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) admissions can download these documents. The official portal, xatonline.in , will host the links.
The XAT 2026 examination took place on January 4, 2026 . It ran from 2 pm to 5 pm in computer-based test (CBT) mode. The test was administered across 109 cities in India.
Response Sheet and Answer Key Details
XLRI will publish both the XAT exam response sheet and the provisional answer key in PDF format. Candidates must use their valid XAT ID , password, and security pin to access and download these files. The answer key allows candidates to review their responses and estimate their scores before the official results.
XAT 2026 Exam Structure
The XAT 2026 question paper contained 95 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) . These questions were distributed across four distinct sections. These sections evaluated different skills relevant for management studies.
- Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning: 26 questions
- Decision Making: 21 questions
- Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation: 28 questions
- General Knowledge: 20 questions
XAT Marking Scheme
The XAT exam follows a specific marking scheme. Each correct answer earns one mark . A penalty applies for incorrect responses, with 0.25 marks deducted for every wrong answer. Additionally, 0.10 marks are deducted after a candidate leaves eight consecutive questions unattempted. The General Knowledge (GK) section is exempt from negative marking.
Steps to Download XAT 2026 Response Sheet
Candidates can follow these steps to download their XAT 2026 answer key and response sheet once released:
- Navigate to the official website: xatonline.in .
- Locate and click on the “XAT 2026 response sheet” link.
- Enter your valid XAT ID and date of birth.
- Click on the “Candidate response” link.
- Your XAT 2026 response sheet will appear on the screen.
- Download and print the XAT response sheet for future reference.
Expected XAT Marks vs. Percentile
Candidates often compare their raw scores against expected percentiles. The following table shows predicted XAT marks versus percentile scores. These projections are based on analysis of past years’ XAT cutoff trends and score distributions.
| XAT Score (Marks) | XAT Percentile (Expected) |
|---|---|
| 42-44 | 99 |
| 35-37 | 95 |
| 30-32 | 90 |
| 25 | 87 |
| 22 | 80 |
| 20 | 76 |
| 19 | 75 |
| 18 | 74 |
| 17 | 73 |
| 16 | 70-72 |
| 15 | 68-70 |
| 12 | 55-60 |
| 10 | Below 50 |
| 8 | Below 48 |
XAT 2026 Result Date
XLRI has not yet announced the official result date for XAT 2026. The results are typically declared after the release of the answer key. Based on previous year trends, the XAT 2026 result is expected by the third week of January . Candidates should monitor the official XAT website for updates.