XAT is considered one of the top MBA entrance exams by business schools in India. Many people take this exam, but only successful candidates meet XAT cutoff requirements to be included in the XLRI Jamshedpur shortlist and to all major B schools. To create a realistic target score for their preparation plan, candidates must understand the cut-off scores required from the XAT exam.
What Is a Good XAT Score to Clear Cutoffs?
A good XAT score depends on the institute and category you belong to. However, based on previous years’ trends:
- A score of 34–36+ is considered very good
- A score of 30–33 is competitive for many top colleges
- A score of 25–29 may fetch calls from tier-2 and tier-3 institutes
For XLRI Jamshedpur, candidates usually need a higher overall score along with sectional cutoffs.
XAT Sectional Cutoff Score
By contrast, unlike some other MBA entrance examinations, the XAT imposes rigid constraints on section cutoffs, particularly in relation to XLRI. The following represent key sections on which a candidate will encounter section cutoffs:
- (VA & LR) Carriers for the Verbal and Logical Ability section.
- (DM) Decision Making.
- (QA & DI) Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation.
There are two means through which you can qualify for additional rounds of selection. You must meet both the overall and individual section cutoffs. If your overall score meets the minimum requirement, but you do not meet the minimum cutoff in any of the individual sections, you will not be allowed to proceed through subsequent rounds of selection.
Also Read, XAT Score vs Percentile 2026, Score Required for 99, 95%ile
XAT Score Required in Each Section:
According to the XAT 2025, the scores required to Clear the sectional cutoffs are given in the table below:
XLRI BM Score Required to Clear Cutoff
Stream | Gender | QA | VALR | DM |
Engineer | Male | 10 | 9.25 | 8.5 |
Non-Engineer | Male | 10 | 9.25 | 8.5 |
Engineer | Female | 8 | 8.5 | 8.25 |
Non-Engineer | Female | 8 | 8.5 | 8.25 |
XLRI HRM Score Required to Clear Cutoff
Stream | Gender | QA | VALR | DM |
Engineer | Male | 8.25 | 10.5 | 9.25 |
Non-Engineer | Male | 7 | 10.5 | 9.25 |
Engineer | Female | 6.25 | 9.5 | 8.25 |
Non-Engineer | Female | 5.75 | 9.5 | 8.25 |
XAT Score vs Percentile 2026 (Expected)
Understanding the XAT Score vs Percentile 2026 helps candidates estimate their chances after the result.
XAT Score | Expected Percentile |
38+ | 99+ |
35–37 | 97–98 |
32–34 | 94–96 |
29–31 | 90–93 |
25–28 | 80–89 |
20–24 | 70–79 |
XAT Score Required for XLRI and Top Colleges
XLRI Jamshedpur (BM & HRM)
- Overall Percentile: 96+
- Strong emphasis on sectional cutoffs
- High weightage to the decision-making section
Other Top Colleges Accepting XAT
- XIMB Bhubaneswar
- IMT Ghaziabad
- MICA Ahmedabad
- Great Lakes Institute of Managemen
Most top MBA colleges accept candidates with 90+ percentiles, provided sectional cutoffs are cleared.
Expected Cutoffs for Other Top MBA Colleges (2026)
Different colleges have varying cutoff expectations:
- XIMB Bhubaneswar: ~90+ percentile expected
- IMT Ghaziabad: ~85+ percentile
- TAPMI & GIM Goa: ~90+ percentile
- FORE School of Management: ~80+ percentile
- MICA Ahmedabad (XAT + GEPI): ~85+ percentile
Most reputable institutes accept candidates with 90+ percentiles, provided sectional cutoffs are also cleared.
Can You Clear XAT Cutoff with a Low Score in One Section?
This is one of the most common doubts among candidates.
Short Answer: It depends on the institute
- XLRI: No, clearing sectional cutoffs is mandatory
- Other colleges: Some institutes focus more on the overall percentile and may allow slight sectional weaknesses
However, a very low score in decision-making or quantitative ability can significantly reduce shortlisting chances, even in non-XLRI colleges.
XAT Score Required to Clear Cutoffs & Top MBA Colleges: Conclusion
Factors such as category, chosen institution, performance in each section and the overall percentile all contribute to determining the minimum score required in order to clear XAT cut-offs. Generally, a score in the 90th percentile and above will allow candidates to compete for admission to top management programs, but XLRI candidates must target the 94–96th percentile and have balanced performance across all sections of the exam.
