XAT 2026 Cutoff – Expected Cutoff for XLRI & Top Colleges

The XAT 2026 cutoff is the minimum percentile required by candidates to qualify for the next stage of the admission process, including GD, PI, and WAT. The cutoff varies for each institute, program, and category and is influenced by factors such as exam difficulty, number of test-takers, and seat availability.

For top institutes like XLRI Jamshedpur, the expected overall XAT 2026 cutoff is likely to remain high. For the Business Management (BM) program, the cutoff is expected to be around 95–96 percentile, while for the Human Resource Management (HRM) program, it may range between 92–94 percentile for General category candidates.

Apart from the overall cutoff, candidates must also clear sectional cutoffs in Verbal Ability, Decision Making, and Quantitative Ability. Failing to meet the sectional cutoff in any one section may lead to disqualification, even if the overall percentile is high.

Other participating B-schools accepting XAT scores generally have lower cutoff requirements, ranging between 60 to 90 percentile, depending on the institute’s reputation and program demand. Candidates are advised to check institute-wise cutoffs and shortlist colleges accordingly after the declaration of XAT 2026 results.

• The XAT 2026 examination was conducted on January 4, 2026.
• The exam was conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur.
• XAT 2026 was held in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode.
• Approximately 1.35 lakh candidates appeared for the examination.
• The test was conducted across 288 exam centres in 121 cities across India.
• The overall difficulty level of XAT 2026 was reported to be Moderate.
• The Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation section was considered relatively difficult by candidates.

• The XAT cutoff is the minimum score or percentile required by an institute to shortlist candidates for the next stage of the admission process such as GD, PI, and WAT.
• Each participating college releases its own cutoff based on multiple factors including the number of applicants, difficulty level of the exam, and seat availability.
• Past year admission trends and overall candidate performance also play an important role in determining the XAT 2026 cutoff.
• Top institutes like :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0} follow both overall cutoff and sectional cutoffs for shortlisting candidates.
• This means candidates must clear the minimum required percentile in each section along with meeting the overall cutoff to be eligible for further selection rounds.

The XAT 2026 cutoff is not fixed and varies every year based on multiple factors. Below are the key elements that influence the cutoff for XAT participating institutes:

• Difficulty Level of XAT 2026: If the exam paper is tougher compared to previous years, cutoffs generally decrease. On the other hand, an easier paper usually results in higher cutoffs.
• Number of Candidates Appearing: A higher number of test-takers increases competition, which often leads to an increase in the overall and sectional cutoffs.
• Number of Seats Available: Institutes with limited seats, such as :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}, tend to set higher cutoffs due to strong demand.
• Previous Year Cutoff Trends: Most colleges follow past cutoff trends with slight variations based on the current year’s exam conditions.
• Overall Candidate Performance: The collective performance of candidates in XAT 2026 plays a major role in deciding the final cutoff percentiles.

Based on previous year cutoff trends, exam difficulty level, and overall candidate performance, the following table shows the expected overall XAT 2026 cutoff for top MBA colleges accepting XAT scores.

*Note: SPJIMR Mumbai releases profile-based calls, so the cutoff percentile may vary depending on academic background and work experience.

XLRI Jamshedpur is known for its strict sectional cutoff policy. Even candidates with a high overall percentile may get rejected if they fail to meet the minimum cutoff in any one section.

Below is the expected sectional cutoff for the XLRI BM (Business Management) program based on past year trends and XAT 2026 exam analysis:

Note: These cutoffs are indicative and may vary slightly based on final result normalization and institute decisions.

XLRI Jamshedpur and other participating institutes follow category-based cutoffs as per their admission policies. Candidates must clear both overall and sectional cutoffs to qualify for the next stage.

Below is the expected category-wise XAT 2026 cutoff for the XLRI BM program:

Note: Category-wise cutoffs are indicative and may change slightly based on institute policy, normalization, and overall performance of candidates.

Understanding previous year XAT cutoffs helps candidates set a realistic target and evaluate their chances of getting shortlisted for top institutes.

Below is the previous year cutoff trend for the XLRI BM program:

The trend clearly indicates that XLRI cutoffs remain consistently high every year, reflecting intense competition and a limited number of seats.

Once a candidate clears the XAT cutoff, participating colleges invite them to the next stages of the MBA admission process. These stages usually include:

• Group Discussion (GD) or Group Exercise (GE)
• Personal Interview (PI)
• Written Ability Test (WAT) (for some colleges)

The final selection is based on a combination of the following factors:

• XAT score
• Academic record
• Work experience (if any)
• GD/PI performance
• Diversity factors

1. Focus on Decision Making:
   XAT is unique due to its Decision Making section, which is not present in CAT and plays a critical role in shortlisting.
2. Aim Above the Cutoff:
   Always target at least 3–5 percentile higher than the expected cutoff to stay on the safer side.
3. Balance Sectional Preparation:
   Do not ignore any section, as failing to clear even one sectional cutoff can lead to rejection.
4. Practice Mock Tests:
   Regular mock tests help improve speed, accuracy, and time management.
5. Improve Verbal Skills:
   Strong reading comprehension and vocabulary can significantly boost your overall percentile.

No. Clearing the cutoff only helps you get shortlisted. Final admission depends largely on the interview stage and overall profile evaluation.

Key factors that influence final selection include:

• Interview performance
• Communication skills
• Confidence and clarity of thought
• Overall academic and professional profile

Many candidates with 99 percentile fail to convert due to weak interviews, while some candidates with around 95 percentile succeed because of strong GD/PI performance.

The XAT 2026 cutoff is expected to remain high for top MBA colleges, making focused and strategic preparation extremely important.

Understanding cutoff trends, sectional requirements, and the final selection criteria can significantly improve your chances of conversion.

If your target is a top institute, aim for a 95+ percentile, maintain sectional balance, and prepare thoroughly for the interview stage.