XAT 2026 Expected Cutoff: The XAT 2026 exam, conducted on 4 January 2026, was rated moderate to difficult, with a strong focus on analytical reasoning, decision-making ability, and clarity of thought. As candidates await their results, understanding the expected XAT 2026 cutoff becomes crucial for shortlisting chances at XLRI Jamshedpur and other leading B-schools accepting XAT scores.
In this blog, we provide a clear and realistic estimate of XAT 2026 expected cutoffs, based on exam difficulty, section-wise performance trends, and past admission benchmarks.
Table of Contents
What Is the XAT Cutoff?
The XAT cutoff is the minimum percentile required to be eligible for the next stage of the admission process, such as GD, PI, or WAT, depending on the institute.
Most B-schools consider:
- Overall XAT percentile
- Sectional cutoffs
- Candidate profile and academic background (at later stages)
Meeting the cutoff does not guarantee admission but allows candidates to move forward in the selection process.
Check your expected XAT 2026 score and percentile using our free XAT Score Calculator.Calculate Your XAT 2026 Score Instantly
Factors Affecting XAT 2026 Cutoff
The expected cutoffs for XAT 2026 depend on several important factors:
- Overall difficulty level of the paper
XAT 2026 was rated moderate to difficult, especially in VALR and QA & DI, which generally keeps cutoffs stable or slightly lower. - Section-wise difficulty balance
Since XAT has sectional cutoffs, uneven difficulty across sections directly impacts final shortlisting. - Number of test-takers
With a large and competitive candidate pool, cutoffs remain relatively high for top institutes like XLRI. - Seat intake and admission policy
Institutes like XLRI consider multiple parameters beyond XAT score, but cutoffs still act as a strong filtering stage.
Also Read: XAT Exam Detailed Analysis
Expected XAT 2026 Cutoff for XLRI
XLRI Jamshedpur releases official cutoffs only for its flagship programs, primarily:
- Business Management (BM)
- Human Resource Management (HRM)
Expected XAT 2026 Cutoff – XLRI BM
| Stream | Gender | Total | QA | VALR | DM |
| Engineer | Male | 96 | 88 | 84 | 84 |
| Engineer | Female | 91 | 82 | 80 | 80 |
| Non-Engineer | Male | 96 | 88 | 84 | 84 |
| Non-Engineer | Female | 91 | 82 | 80 | 80 |
Expected XAT 2026 Cutoff – XLRI HRM
| Stream | Gender | Total | QA | VALR | DM |
| Engineer | Male | 95 | 83 | 90 | 87 |
| Engineer | Female | 90 | 73 | 85 | 80 |
| Non-Engineer | Male | 93 | 76 | 90 | 87 |
| Non-Engineer | Female | 87 | 68 | 85 | 80 |
These cutoffs are indicative and may vary slightly depending on category-wise relaxation and final normalisation.
Also Check: XAT 2026 Difficulty Level
Expected XAT 2026 Cutoff for Top MBA Colleges
Apart from XLRI, several reputed management institutes accept XAT scores. Their cutoffs are generally lower than XLRI but still competitive.
| B-School | Fees (in lakhs) | Average Package | XAT Cut-off %ile |
| XLRI Jamshedpur | 28.60 | 31.08 | 98+%ile |
| XIM Bhubaneswar | 26.00 | 19.53 | 91+%ile |
| IMT Ghaziabad | 21.53 | 16.07 | 90+%ile |
| Great Lakes Chennai | 20.80 | 15.10 | 85+%ile |
| GIM Goa | 13.12 | 15.13 | 85+%ile |
| TAPMI Manipal | 18.00 | 13.99 | 85+%ile |
| IRMA Anand | 13.60 | 14.14 | 85+%ile |
| FORE New Delhi | 20.77 | 16.80 | 84+%ile |
| K J Somaiya Mumbai | 22.32 | – | 83+%ile |
| LBSIM New Delhi | 15.50 | 12.24 | 80+%ile |
| Welinkgar Mumbai | 14.00 | 11.70 | 75+%ile |
| BIM T | 17.68 | 11.84 | 72+%ile |
| LIBA Chennai | 19.00 | 11 | 72+%ile |
| BIM Tech | 14.00 | 11.10 | 72+%ile |
For these institutes, profile, academic background, and interview performance play a crucial role beyond the cutoff percentile.
XAT Score vs Percentile 2026
Understanding the score required for different XAT percentiles helps candidates set realistic targets and evaluate their performance accurately. The table below presents the approximate section-wise score distribution in VALR, Decision Making, and QA & DI corresponding to key XAT percentiles.
| XAT Percentile | VALR | DM | QADI | Overall |
| 99.5%ile | 16.5 | 15.5 | 17 | 40.7 |
| 99%ile | 15.4 | 14.7 | 16.8 | 38.4 |
| 98%ile | 14.1 | 14.2 | 14.3 | 35.4 |
| 97%ile | 13.5 | 13.3 | 13.1 | 33.6 |
| 96%ile | 12.4 | 12.9 | 12.4 | 33 |
| 95%ile | 12.2 | 12.2 | 11.7 | 31.3 |
| 94%ile | 11.8 | 12.1 | 11.2 | 30.3 |
| 93%ile | 11.4 | 11.8 | 10.7 | 29.8 |
| 92%ile | 11 | 11.3 | 10.4 | 28.8 |
| 91%ile | 10.6 | 11.1 | 10 | 28.2 |
| 90 %ile | 10.3 | 11 | 9.7 | 27.5 |
| 85 %ile | 9.1 | 10 | 8.5 | 24.9 |
| 80 %ile | 8.2 | 9.4 | 7.3 | 22.9 |
Note: The score-to-percentile mapping is indicative and based on XAT 2026 exam difficulty and past year trends. Actual percentiles may vary after normalisation.
Also Check: XAT Score vs Percentile 2026
Conclusion – XAT 2026 Cutoff
The XAT 2026 expected cut-off indicates a competitive admission cycle, particularly for flagship programs at XLRI. Candidates targeting the 95 percentile and above should aim for a strong, balanced performance across sections, with special focus on Decision Making and accuracy. Given the moderate to difficult nature of the exam, disciplined preparation, clear fundamentals, and effective mock analysis can significantly improve outcomes. Understanding past cutoff trends and aligning preparation accordingly will help aspirants approach the final selection stages with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the expected overall cutoff for XLRI BM and HRM in XAT 2026?
A: For XAT 2026, the expected overall cutoff for XLRI BM is around 94-96 percentile, while for XLRI HRM, it is likely to be in the 92-94 percentile range. These cutoffs may vary slightly based on category-wise relaxation and final normalization.
Q: Does XLRI have sectional cutoffs in XAT 2026?
A: Yes, XLRI applies strict sectional cutoffs in XAT. Candidates must clear minimum required percentiles in QA, VALR, and Decision Making, along with the overall cutoff, to be shortlisted for the interview process.
Q: Can I get a good MBA college with a XAT percentile below 90?
A: Yes, several reputed MBA colleges such as GIM Goa, TAPMI Manipal, Great Lakes Chennai, IRMA Anand, and FORE New Delhi accept candidates with XAT percentiles in the 80-89 range, provided they perform well in GD-PI and have a balanced profile.
Q: Is the XAT score-to-percentile mapping fixed every year?
A: No, the XAT score-to-percentile mapping changes every year based on exam difficulty, normalization, and candidate performance. The score ranges mentioned are indicative and meant to help aspirants set realistic targets.
