How to Score 90 Percentile in XAT: Know Marking Scheme, Accepted Percentile and Score at Top Colleges

XAT exam is a national level management entrance exam, conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur for the admission to various MBA programs. XAT 2026 exam is scheduled to be held on January 4, 2026. Many aspirants want to know how many marks they need to get 90 percentiles in the XAT 2026 exam. As per some test takers, XAT 2025 exam was difficult, and the level of difficulty is expected to remain the same for XAT 2026. Because of that, it is expected that the XAT 2026 cutoff may go downhill.

What is the XAT Score?

Students who want to appear for the XAT 2026 exam must understand the XAT score. Many students are looking into the query of how many marks are required to get 90 percentiles in XAT. Also, they have to understand what the XAT score is and how it is calculated. XAT score is the raw score, secured by the candidates in the XAT examination. This score is based on their performance and the following sections, VA & LR, DM, QA & DI, and GK. The General Knowledge section has no negative marking and is not counted in the percentile, while it is considered for the selection process.

How is the XAT Score Calculated?

Once you have understood the XAT score, the next question that comes to the student's mind is how many marks are required to get the 90th percentile, and how the XAT score is calculated. In order to calculate the XAT scores, you must know the XAT marking scheme:

Here are the details to understand the XAT score calculation:

Particulars	XAT 2025 Marking Scheme
Correct Response	For each right answer, you will get a +1 mark.
Incorrect Response	For each wrong answer, -0.25 marks will be deducted from total marks.
Unattempted	If you skip more than eight questions, 0.1 marks are deducted.

How XAT Percentile is Calculated?

There is a clear difference between the XAT raw score and the XAT percentile. The XAT percentile is not equivalent to the score. However, a slight increase or decrease in the raw score can lead to a notable change in the XAT percentile. It may increase the chances of being selected at their desired B-school for the MBA courses. The XAT percentile shows the student's equivalent performance compared to all the other candidates who appear for the exam.

Candidates who have already registered for the XAT 2025 exam are around 142,235. If we assume that all of them appeared for the exam, then the XAT percentile is calculated based on the scores and ranking of the candidates. Here is the formula to calculate the XAT percentile:

XAT Percentile = Number of Candidates - Ranks of a Candidate/ Candidates x 100

How to Score 90 Percentile in XAT Exam?

In order to score 90 percentiles in the XAT exam, you must have a preparation strategy. Here are some major tops that you should implement in your XAT preparation:

Understand Exam Structure

• Section: XAT consists of four sections: Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation, and General Knowledge.
• Time Management: You have a total of 180 minutes to complete the exam, so practice time management for each section.

Create A Study Plan

• Timeline: Set a clear timeline for your preparation, ideally starting at least 3-6 months before the exam.
• Daily goals: Dedicate specific hours daily to each section and stick to your schedule.

Focus on Core Areas

• Quantitative Ability: Revise fundamental concepts, practice a variety of problems, and focus on speed and accuracy.
• Verbal Ability: Read extensively to improve comprehension and vocabulary. Practice with previous years' papers and mock tests
• Decision Making: Practice case studies and analytical reasoning questions to enhance your decision-making skills.
• General Knowledge: Stay updated with current affairs, business news, and general knowledge. Regularly read newspapers, magazines, and online resources.

Practice with Mock Test

• Regular Mock Tests: Take a full-length mock test regularly to simulate the exam conditions. Analyze your performance to identify weak areas.
• Time Management: Work on pacing yourself during the practice test to ensure you can complete all sections in the given time.

Analyze and Revise

• Performance Analysis: After each mock test, review the questions you got wrong and understand your mistakes.
• Revision: Regularly revise key concepts and formulas, especially in the quantitative section.

Focus on Decision Making and General Knowledge

• Decision Making: This section is unique to XAT. Practice caselets and understand the approach required for these questions.
• General Knowledge: Allocate time each week to cover current events and static GK. Use quizzes and flashcards for effective retention.

Stay Healthy and Manage Stress

• Maintain Physical Health: Maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and ensure adequate sleep.
• Mental Well-being: Practice relaxation techniques and maintain a positive mindset.
• Test Day Strategy
• Read Instructions Carefully: Ensure you understand the structure and rules before starting the exam.
• Sectional Strategy: Decide the order of sections you'll attempt based on your strengths.
• Stay Calm: Manage your time effectively during the test and keep a calm demeanor to avoid anxiety.

How Much Score Required to Get the 90 Percentile in the XAT 2026 Exam?

Here is the XAT score vs percentile discussed in the table below:

XAT Score	XAT Percentile
36-37	99
32-34	96
31-32	95
25-27	90

List of XAT Accepting Colleges along with the Cut-offs

These are some XAT-accepting colleges along with the percentile score:

B Schools Accepting XAT	Percentile Cut-off	Score
XLRI Jamshedpur	95+	30-31
SPJIMR Mumbai	90+	25-27
IMT Ghaziabad	90+	25-27
TAPMI Manipal	85+	22-23
Great Lakes Chennai	80+	19-20
XIM Bhubaneswar	85+	22-23
GIM Goa	85+	22-23
FORE New Delhi	85+	22-23

Frequently Asked Questions

What approximate marks do I need for 99+ percentile in XAT? +

Ans: If you want to score in the 99 percentile or more in XAT, then you have prepared yourself for a score of 47 or above. A score of 40 or above is considered strong for a 99+ percentile.

How can I score more than the 95th percentile in XAT in just 20 days? +

Ans: If you want to improve your XAT score in 20 days, then you have to focus on targeted practice strategic time management, and a strong mental approach. Prioritize reviewing your strong areas, practicing key topics, and taking mock tests regularly.

My XAT Score is 89 percentiles, but my Graduation score is less than 50%. Will I get admission? +

Ans: If your score is 89 percentiles, then you’ll get admission in most XAT accepting B-schools. Most top B-schools have a minimum graduation score requirement of 50%. If you belong to a reserved category, some institutions may consider a minimum score of 45%.

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