XAT 2026 Answer Key (OUT) LIVE: MBA exam response sheet out; objection window, cut-offs

Durva Gupta | January 10, 2026 | 12:01 PM IST | 9 mins read

XLRI Jamshedpur has released the XAT answer key at xatonline.in. Candidates can get the latest updates on objection window, results date, expected cut-offs and more.

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XAT provisional answer key 2026 (Representational image: Freepik)

XLRI Jamshedpur issued the XAT 2026 provisional answer key for MBA admission today, January 9. Candidates can contest the XAT provisional answer key 2026 if they identify any inconsistencies or incorrect answers. Candidates can raise objections against the XAT provisional answer key online at xatonline.in.

After all objections have been submitted and reviewed, the final XAT 2026 answer key will be released by the exam-conducting authority. Furthermore, the candidates can use the answer key to calculate their XAT results.

How to download the XAT answer key?

By following the steps below, candidates will be able to download the XAT answer key.

  • Go to the official website for XAT, xatonline.in.
  • After that, you will need to sign in with your XAT ID and password.
  • A link titled ‘XAT 2026 answer key’ will appear on your screen. Click the link.
  • When you click the link, a PDF version of the XAT 2026 answer key will appear on your screen.
  • For future reference, download the XAT 2026 answer key and print it out.

How to object to the XAT answer key 2026?

To raise objections against the XAT answer key 2026, one can follow these steps:

  • Go to the official XAT website, xatonline.in, and navigate to the login page.
  • You will then need to input your XAT login details (XAT ID and password).
  • You will now need to click on the ‘Candidate Response/Raise Objection’ tab.
  • Fill in the Question paper, part name, Question ID, and choose the type of questions and comments.
  • Finally, you must upload the corroborative documents about the submitted objection and select the ‘Submit’ option.

Note: The candidate needs to provide supporting documents in response to the raised objection.

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LIVE UPDATES
The exam-conducting authority released the XAT provisional answer key at xatonline.in. Get latest updates on answer key, steps to check the results, pass percentage, marking scheme and more.

January 10, 2026 | 11:56 AM IST

XAT 2026 marking scheme

According to the XAT 2026 marking scheme, candidates will be given 1 mark for each correct response, and 0.25 marks will be deducted for wrong answer. However, if more than 8 questions are left unanswered, 0.10 marks will be deducted. Also, there's no negative marking in the GK section of the paper.

January 10, 2026 | 11:23 AM IST

XAT 2026 exam dates

In the table below are the XAT 2026 important dates:

XAT Particulars
XAT 2026 Dates
XAT notification date 2026
July 9, 2025
XAT 2026 registration form date
July 10, 2025
XAT 2026 Mock Test Registration Dates
September 24, 2025, to October 26, 2025
Official XAT Mock Test 2026
  • Mock Test 1: September 27, 2025 to September 28, 2025
  • Mock Test 2: October 29, 2025 to November 1, 2025
XAT last date for registration 2026
December 11, 2025
XAT admit card 2026 release date
December 25, 2025, 1 PM
XAT exam date 2026
January 4, 2026
Response sheet of XAT 2026
January 06, 2026
XAT 2026 Answer key 2026
January 09, 2026
XAT 2026 result date
Third week of January 2026
XAT 2026 scorecard
Third week of January 2026

January 9, 2026 | 07:20 PM IST

What was the XAT exam date 2026?

The exam conducting authority has conducted the XAT 2026 examination on January 4, 2026.

January 9, 2026 | 06:43 PM IST

XAT 2026: List of colleges

The list of colleges accepting the XAT 2026 scores:

XAT 2026 Colleges List
NIRF Ranking 2025
XAT 2026 Cut-off (Expected)
XAT 2026 Accepting Colleges Fee
XLRI - Xavier School of Management, Jamshedpur
10
94-96
Rs. 15.25 Lakhs per annum
XIM University, Bhubaneswar
45
92-94
Rs. 25.40 Lakhs
Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad
30
90-92
Rs. 23 Lakhs
International Management Institute, Delhi
40
85–90
Rs. 23.54 Lakhs
Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai
37
85-98
Rs. 22.50 Lakhs
Bharathidasan Institute of Management, Tiruchirappalli
96
75-85
-
Prin. L.N. Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research, Mumbai
75
70-80
Rs. 11 Lakh
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Coimbatore
26
64-70
Rs. 13.50 Lakhs
National Institute of Bank Management, Pune
-
60-75
Rs. 2.73 Lakhs per year
Birla Institute of Management Technology, Noida
61
60-72
Rs. 12 Lakh
Jagan Institute of Management Studies Technical Campus, Delhi
90
50-70
-
Institute of Management Technology, Hyderabad
72
90
Rs. 16 Lakhs
Goa Institute of Management
43
85
Rs. 21.45 Lakhs
Fore School of Management, Delhi
59
85
Rs. 23.24 Lakhs
Mudra Institute of Communications, Ahmedabad
33
80
Rs. 28 Lakhs
T. A. Pai Management Institute, Manipal, Karnataka
39
80
Rs. 9.75 Lakhs Per year
Loyola Institute of Business Administration, Chennai
55
75
Rs. 19 Lakhs
International Management Institute, Bhubaneswar
94
75
Rs. 14.98 Lakhs
K J Somaiya Institute of Management, Mumbai
65
71
Rs. 23.87 Lakhs
Alliance University, Bengaluru
71
70
Rs. 15 lakhs
Jaipuria Institute of Management, Noida
41
60
Rs. 15.50 Lakhs
School of Management-SoM, Pandit Deendayal Energy University, Gandhinagar
89
60
Rs. 12.30 Lakhs
BML Munjal University, Gurgaon
77
50
-
Rajagiri Business School, Cochin
91
15
-

January 9, 2026 | 05:59 PM IST

XAT 2026: PWD certificate

Persons with disabilities (PWD) candidates must present their original disability certificate as proof for the XAT 2026 exam.

January 9, 2026 | 05:15 PM IST

XAT 2026: Total marks

The XAT 2025 exam consists of a total of 95 multiple-choice questions. One mark will be awarded for each right answer to XAT, and 0.25 marks will be deducted for each wrong answer.

January 9, 2026 | 04:32 PM IST

How to calculate XAT 2026 score?

Candidates must compute their XAT score using the 2026 XAT marking scheme and answer key. Candidates can refer to the points outlined below, which highlight the XAT marking scheme, to calculate their XAT 2026 score.

  • Each correct answer earns candidates 1 mark.
  • For every wrong answer, 0.25 marks will be taken off.
  • 0.10 marks will be deducted if 8 consecutive questions are left unanswered.

January 9, 2026 | 03:57 PM IST

XAT 2026 Answer Key Download Link

The XLRI Jamshedpur has issued the XAT 2026 answer key on its official website, xatonline.in.

January 9, 2026 | 03:30 PM IST

Is the XAT 2026 scorecard out?

No. The XLRI Jamshedpur has not issued the XAT 2026 scorecard. Candidates are advised to keep checking the website for updates regarding the XAT 2026 scorecard.

January 9, 2026 | 03:01 PM IST

XAT 2026 Cut-offs: Factors affecting the cut-offs

XAT 2026 cut-offs are determined by more than just marks; they are influenced by:

  • Difficulty of the exam and patterns of its sections.
  • Number of examinees and rivalry severity.
  • Seats are available in every MBA program.
  • Institute's strategy for creating a shortlist (weightage of profiles, performance in GD/PI).
  • Performance requirements for sections.

January 9, 2026 | 02:47 PM IST

XAT 2026 answer key out

The XLRI Jamshedpur has released the XAT 2026 provisional answer key today, January 9.

XAT 2026 answer key and objection window

January 9, 2026 | 02:46 PM IST

XAT 2026 Answer Key OUT!!

The exam conducting authority has issued the XAT 2026 answer key on its official website.

January 9, 2026 | 02:20 PM IST

XLRI Jamshedpur XAT cut off for OBC

Based on previous years’ data, the XAT cut-off for XLRI’s PGDM-BM programme is usually around the 94–96 percentile overall. For the PGDM-HRM programme, the cut-off is generally around the 92–93 percentile.

January 9, 2026 | 01:57 PM IST

XAT 2025: IMT Hyderabad admission procedure

IMT Hyderabad's admissions standards are based on the selection of candidates based on their IMT Hyderabad XAT cutoff percentile, followed by a series of WAT and GD/PI rounds of evaluation. The institute calls the chosen applicants for an interview and a written exam.
The ultimate selection is based on the candidates' performance in both rounds. The final selection process for candidates at IMT Hyderabad also gives considerable weight to other crucial indicators, such as prior academic success, professional experience, diverse issues, and extracurricular accomplishments. Following successful document verification and payment of fees for the specific PGDM program, final admission to IMT Hyderabad is guaranteed.

January 9, 2026 | 01:21 PM IST

How many colleges are accepting XAT score for admission?

More than 800 colleges apart from XLR are accepting the XAT 2025 scores for admission. The XAT 2026 admission process includes Group Discussions (GD), Analytical Essay Writing (AEW), and Personal Interviews (PI).

January 9, 2026 | 01:00 PM IST

Can I get XLRI with 95 percentile?

Yes, a 95 percentile in XAT can get you into XLRI, especially for HRM or if you're a female candidate. Admission depends on meeting sectional cutoffs, your profile, and doing well in the GD/PI rounds.

January 9, 2026 | 12:40 PM IST

What is the difference between CAT and XAT?

According to the exam analysis, the Quantitative Aptitude section of the XAT exam and the DILR section of the CAT exam are the most difficult. In the table below is the difference between the CAT and XAT examinations.

Particulars
CAT 2025
XAT 2026
Full form
Common Admission Test
Xavier Aptitude Test
Conducting Body
IIM
XLRI, Jamshedpur
Eligibility Criteria
Graduation with 50 % aggregate (45 % for SC/ST students)
Graduate in any stream from a recognised university
Exam mode
Online
Online
Marking Scheme
+3 marks for correct answer
-1 mark for incorrect answer
+1 mark for a correct answer
- 0.25 marks for incorrect answer
- 0.10 marks for more than 8 un-attempted consecutive questions
Type of Questions
MCQ & TITA (Type In The Answer)
MCQ and Essay
Exam fee
Rs. 2,400 for the General category
Rs. 1,200 for SC/ST/PwD
Rs. 2,200 and Rs. 200 per XLRI program chosen
Mode of registration process
Online
Online
No. of accepting B-schools
21 IIMs & 1000+ B-schools in India
160+ MBA colleges

January 9, 2026 | 11:52 AM IST

XAT 2026: Marking scheme

Below is the XAT 2026 marking scheme:

  • One mark will be awarded for each right answer to XAT.
  • - 0.25 marks will be deducted for each wrong answer.
  • - 0.10 marks will be deducted for more than eight unanswered questions.
  • There will be no negative marking in XAT in the General Knowledge (GK) section.
  • The scores of the General Knowledge section will not be considered for calculating the XAT score.

January 9, 2026 | 11:17 AM IST

How much is 21 marks in XAT?

In XAT, a score of around 21 usually gives an overall percentile of about 80–85%. This can help you get into good colleges like MICA, LIBA, or Great Lakes, but it may not be enough for top institutes like XLRI, which usually need a 90+ percentile.

January 9, 2026 | 09:40 AM IST

How to check XAT score card?

To download your XAT 2026 scorecard, go to the official website, xatonline.in, click on the scorecard link, log in with your XAT ID and password, and download the PDF. The XAT scorecards will be released in January 2026 and are valid for one year, so make sure to save a copy for your MBA admissions.

January 9, 2026 | 09:02 AM IST

When can we expect XAT results?

The XAT 2026 result is expected to be declared on January 17, on the official website. Candidates who appeared for the XAT exam 2026 can check their results by logging in with their XAT ID and password.

January 9, 2026 | 08:15 AM IST

Is 35 a good score in XAT?

Yes, a score of 35 in the XAT exam is considered very good. It usually leads to a high percentile (around 95 or above), which makes you competitive for top B-schools like XLRI. However, clearing the sectional cut-offs is also important.

January 9, 2026 | 07:28 AM IST

Does XAT release answer key?

The XAT 2026 answer key is likely to be available around January 10, four days after the XAT response sheet release. Candidates will be able to find the XAT 2026 answer key release date details on the official website, xatonline.in.

January 8, 2026 | 10:59 PM IST

XAT Answer Key 2026 Soon: Number of test cities

The XAT 2026 exam was conducted in around 109 cities across India. Candidates will be able to download the XAT 2026 answer key on the official website once it is out.

January 8, 2026 | 09:44 PM IST

Is the XAT 2026 answer key out?

No. The XLRI Jamshedpur has not published the XAT 2026 answer key. Candidates are advised to keep checking the website for updates regarding the XAT 2026.

January 8, 2026 | 08:52 PM IST

Is XAT exam conducted twice a year?

No. The XAT is a nationwide MBA entrance exam that is conducted only once a year.

January 8, 2026 | 07:52 PM IST

XAT Answer Key 2026: Official website

Candidates will be able to download their XAT 2026 answer key when declared on the official website, that is xatonline.in.

January 8, 2026 | 06:48 PM IST

What are the credentials required to download XAT 2026 answer key?

XAT 2026 answer key can be downloaded from the official website, xatonline.in. Candidates will have to use their login credentials, such as XAT ID and password, to download the XAT answer key 2026.

January 8, 2026 | 05:46 PM IST

XAT 2026 Exam date

The Xavier School of Management (XLRI) conducted the Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT 2025) for MBA and PGDM admissions on January 4, 2026. The authority will issue the XAT 2026 answer key soon on the official website.

January 8, 2026 | 04:50 PM IST

XAT Answer Key 2026: Factor affecting the cut-offs

The XAT 2026 cut-off is prepared based on the following factors:

  1. Difficulty level of the XAT exam
  2. number of candidates appearing
  3. the availability of seats, and
  4. previous year's cut-off trends.

January 8, 2026 | 03:49 PM IST

Candidates ask 'Is XAT exam conducted twice a year?'

No, the XAT is a nationwide MBA entrance exam that is administered only once a year.

January 8, 2026 | 02:33 PM IST

XAT 2026 Selection Process

The XAT 2026 selection process consists of Group Discussion and Personal Interviews. After clearing the XAT exam 2026, the shortlisted candidates will have to appear in the XLRI selection criteria, which includes Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI).

January 8, 2026 | 01:46 PM IST

XAT 2026: Total marks

The XAT 2025 exam consists of a total of 95 multiple-choice questions. Each correct answer to XAT will earn you one mark, while each incorrect response will result in a deduction of 0.25 marks.

January 8, 2026 | 12:56 PM IST

XAT 2026: PWD certificate

Persons with disabilities (PWD) candidates must present their original disability certificate as proof for the XAT 2026 exam.

January 8, 2026 | 12:15 PM IST

XAT 2026 Provisional Answer Key Soon: New XAT associate institutes

Below is the list of new XAT 2026 associate institutes for the candidate's reference.

  • Institute of Engineering and Management, Kolkata
  • Parul University, Gujarat
  • Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology, Bengaluru
  • NITTE School of Management, Bangalore
  • Mulshi Institute of Business Management, Pune
  • LM Thapar School of Management, Punjab
  • Svyasa Deemed To Be University, Bengaluru
  • SIES School of Business Studies, Navi Mumbai
  • Maharaja Agrasen Business School, Delhi
  • Management Development Institute, Murshidabad
  • Institute of Management Studies, Ghaziabad
  • Birla Global University, Bhubaneswar

January 8, 2026 | 11:40 AM IST

XAT 2026: Marking scheme

Given below is the XAT 2026 marking scheme:

  • One mark will be awarded for each right answer to XAT.
  • - 0.25 marks will be deducted for each wrong answer.
  • - 0.10 marks will be deducted for more than eight unanswered questions.
  • There will be no negative marking in XAT in the General Knowledge (GK) section.
  • The scores of the General Knowledge section will not be considered for calculating the XAT score.

January 8, 2026 | 11:39 AM IST

XAT 2026 Provisional Answer Key: Official website

Candidates will be able to download the XAT 2026 provisional answer key when declared on the official website, that is xatonline.in.