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XAT Exam Analysis 2026 Live
Today, January 4, 2026, the XAT 2026 exam has concluded after being held from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM across 100+ test cities in India. The paper followed a similar pattern to last year and had around 95 questions. XAT continues to be an important entrance exam for top B-schools like XLRI, XIMB, SP Jain, and MICA.
This page is now updated with the latest XAT 2026 exam analysis, covering the exam pattern, difficulty level, expected good attempts, and the score range for a 90+ percentile, to help candidates quickly evaluate their performance.
Also Read, XAT Result 2026 OUT, Download Scorecard at @xatonline.in
XAT Exam Analysis 2026: Difficulty Level
Overall, XAT 2026 was of moderate difficulty. Decision Making was easy to moderate, VARC was moderate but time-consuming due to long RCs, QA-DI was moderate to difficult with lengthy calculations, and GK was easy to moderate.
| Section | Questions | Maximum Marks | Difficulty Level |
| Decision Making | 21 | 21 | Easy-Moderate |
| Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning | 26 | 26 | Moderate (Lengthy RC, Time Consuming) |
| Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation | 28 | 28 | Moderate-Difficult (Lengthy, Time Consuming) |
| General Knowledge | 20 | 20 | Easy to Moderate |
| Overall | 95 | 95 | Moderate |
VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension): VARC was tougher than last year, with many questions having close and confusing options. Due to the higher difficulty level, cut-offs may drop by 2–3 marks.
Decision Making: The Decision Making section was easier compared to last year. Although a few sets were tricky, most questions were doable. Cut-offs are expected to remain the same or increase slightly.
Quantitative Ability: The Quant section saw very tough Geometry questions, while other topics were similar to previous years. Because of the difficulty in Geometry, cut-offs may reduce by 1–2 marks.
XAT Exam Analysis 2026: Good Attempts
In XAT 2026, accuracy mattered more than the number of attempts. Candidates who made balanced attempts across all sections were in a better position to clear sectional cut-offs, as ignoring any section proved risky.
Based on the exam analysis, good attempts were around 18–19 in Decision Making, 19–21 in VARC, and 16–18 in QA-DI, taking the overall good attempts in Part A to about 58–60 questions.
| Section | Questions | Maximum Marks | Good Attempts |
| Decision Making | 21 | 21 | 18-19 |
| Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning | 26 | 26 | 19–21 |
| Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation | 28 | 28 | 16-18 |
| Total (Part A) | 75 | 75 | 53-58 |
A score within this range is considered competitive for top XAT colleges.
The XAT 2026 Response Sheet is the first official document candidates receive. It allows you to see your marked responses alongside the correct answers. While waiting for the results (expected January 20–25, 2026):XAT Exam Analysis 2026 Live Updates
XAT Exam Analysis 2026 Live Updates: Response Sheet & Answer Key Schedule
XAT Exam Analysis 2026 Live Updates: Strategic Profile Building
XAT Exam Analysis 2026 Live Updates: Critical College Deadlines (Non-XLRI)
College Expected Cutoff (%) Application Status SPJIMR Mumbai 93.5 – 95+ Check for profile-based calls MICA Ahmedabad 80+ (plus MICAT) Ongoing (MICAT II registration) XIM Bhubaneswar 91 – 93 Apply via XIM University website IMT Ghaziabad 90+ Deadlines typically in late Jan Great Lakes 85 – 90 Closing soon (Jan 10, 2026) GIM Goa / TAPMI 85+ Rolling applications active
XAT Exam Analysis 2026: Section-wise
XAT 2026 followed the usual exam pattern with three parts. Part A did not have sectional time limits, giving candidates the freedom to manage their time across sections based on their strengths. The exam focused on clear thinking, logical decision-making, and strong concepts, which are key aspects of XAT.
Overall, the number of questions, marking scheme, and time allocation were very similar to previous years, with no major surprises in the paper structure.
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks per Question | Total Marks | Suggested Time |
| PART – A (180 Minutes) No Sectional Timing | ||||
| Verbal & Logical Ability | 26 | 1 | 26 | 50 minutes |
| Decision Making | 21 | 1 | 21 | 45–50 minutes |
| Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation | 28 | 1 | 28 | 70–75 minutes |
| PART – B (10 Minutes) No Negative Marks | ||||
| General Knowledge | 20 | 1 | 20 | 10 minutes |
| Total | 95 | — | 95 | 180 minutes |
XAT 2026 Expected Cutoff for XLRI & Top Colleges
XAT 2026 is no different from XAT 2025, same pattern, nearly the same cut-offs, and the same dream in students. But all matters are your hard work. Based on recent trends and exam difficulty, the expected XAT 2026 cutoffs are as follows:
| Institute | Expected XAT Cutoff (Percentile) |
| XLRI Jamshedpur (BM) | 96+ |
| XLRI Jamshedpur (HRM) | 95+ |
| XIM Bhubaneswar | 92+ |
| IMT Ghaziabad | 92+ |
| IMI New Delhi | 90+ |
| GIM Goa | 90+ |
| IRMA | 88+ |
Note: Final cutoffs depend on sectional performance, academic profile, and interview scores.
XAT Previous Year Exam Analysis
XAT previous year papers show a consistent focus on decision-based reasoning and analytical thinking. Difficulty levels fluctuated slightly, but time management remained critical every year.
XAT Exam Analysis 2025
XAT 2025 was held on January 5, 2025 (First Sunday), which is difficult than previous years. There are also major changes: questions reduction to 95. This not only resulted in a decrease in questions but also in time. The question was reduced in the GK section (25 to 20). This shift continued in XAT 2026. Keeping these things aside for now, let’s check the XAT 2025 paper analysis.
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks per question | Total marks | Suggested time allocation | Good Attempts |
| PART – A (180 minutes) No Sectional Timing within Part – A | |||||
| Verbal and Logical Ability | 26 | 1 | 26 | 50 (Minutes) | 20–22 |
| Decision Making | 21 | 1 | 21 | 45–50 (Minutes) | 17–18 |
| Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation | 28 | 1 | 28 | 70–75 (Minutes) | 20–22 |
| Total (Part A) | 75 | 75 | 75 | 180 (Minutes) | 57–62 |
| PART – B (10 minutes) No Negative Marks | |||||
| General Knowledge | 20 | 1 | 20 | 10 (Minutes) | 12–14 |
XAT Score Vs Percentile 2025
Although XAT 2025 has a few major changes but this didn’t much affect the cut-offs. The score is similar to 2024. You must practice GK with the same dedication.
| XAT Marks Vs Percentile 2025 | |
| Score | Percentile |
| 38.2 | 99 |
| 33.8 | 97 |
| 29.25 | 92.5 |
| 24.7 | 85 |
| 20 | 80 |
| 16 | 75 |
| 12 | 70 |
| 11 | 65 |
| 10 | 60 |
XAT Exam Analysis 2024
XAT 2024 is the last session that has 100+ questions. XAT verbal ability was more difficult compared to other sections. Also, other sections (QA, decision making) had moderate to difficult questions.
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks per question | Total marks | Suggested time allocation | Good Attempts |
| PART – A (175 minutes) No Sectional Timing within Part – A | |||||
| Verbal and Logical Ability | 26 | 1 | 26 | 50–60 | 18–19 |
| Decision Making | 21 | 1 | 21 | 45–50 | 17–18 |
| Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation | 28 | 1 | 28 | 80–85 | 15–16 |
| Total | 75 | 75 | 175 | 50–55 | |
| PART – B (5 minutes) Keyboard Check | |||||
| PART – C (30 minutes) No Negative Marks | |||||
| General Awareness | 25 | 1 | 25 | No Negative Marks | 25 |
| Essay | During the Interview Round Only | ||||
XAT Score Vs Percentile 2024
As you can see in the table below, the 99+ percentile requires a 33.5 score. You check the video analysis in case you are practicing the XAT 2023 papers.
| Percentile | Score |
| 99.5 | 36.3 |
| 99 | 33.5 |
| 95 | 26 |
| 90 | 23 |
| 80 | 18 |
XAT Exam Analysis 2023
XAT 2023 is comparatively moderate than 2024 and 2025. But not entirely easy. But there are some sections that are easy to solve during your practice.
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks per question | Total marks | Suggested time allocation | Good Attempts |
| PART – A (175 minutes) No Sectional Timing within Part – A | |||||
| Verbal and Logical Ability | 26 | 1 | 26 | 55–60 | 18–19 |
| Decision Making | 22 | 1 | 22 | 45–50 | 17–18 |
| Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation | 28 | 1 | 28 | 70–75 | 17–18 |
| Total | 76 | 76 | 175 | 52–55 | |
| PART – B (5 minutes) Keyboard Check | |||||
| PART – C (30 minutes) No Negative Marks | |||||
| General Awareness | 25 | 1 | 25 | No Negative Marks | 25 |
| Essay | For the interview, shortlisted candidates only | ||||
XAT Score Vs Percentile 2023
XAT 2023 was relatively easier, leading to higher score requirements for top percentiles. This led to high cut-offs for B-Schools. So you can not let your guard down during the exam.
| Percentile | Score |
| 99 | 46.5 |
| 95 | 38 |
| 90 | 34.5 |
| 85 | 32.2 |
| 80 | 29.2 |
| 75 | 27 |
XAT Exam Analysis 2026 Live: Conclusion
This analysis might give you the overall question paper model and how you can proceed further. XAT 2026 is no different from XAT 2025, so you can expect similar trends in cut-offs. If you are confident about your score, then get ready for the interview session. For the official XAT key, you have to wait for a week. After the exam, take some rest and decide your next move. Do research about potential colleges and set your goals ahead. All the Best.
