XAT 2026 response sheet will be released in the second week of January 2026, along with the answer key. Candidates can challenge it until the third week of January 2026!
XAT 2026 response sheet is a valuable tool for candidates to assess their performance in the exam. It contains the answers they marked, allowing them to compare their responses with the official answer key released by XLRI. By reviewing XAT response sheet, candidates can estimate their scores, identify mistakes, and challenge any discrepancies in the official key. This not only helps them understand their strengths and weaknesses but also prepares them better for the next steps in the MBA admission process. In this article, we will guide you through the importance of the response sheet, how to access it, and how to use it effectively to your advantage.
XAT 2026 response sheet tentative dates are given below:
| Event | Date (Tentative) |
| Response Sheet Release Date | January 7, 2026 |
| Answer Key Release Date | January 10, 2026 |
Click here for more details: XAT 2025 Dates
The steps to download the XAT 2026 response sheet are given below:
Step 1: Browse the official website at www.xatonline.in.
Use a reliable internet connection to avoid page loading issues.
Step 2: Click on 'XAT Exam Candidate Login'.
Make sure you are on the official website to avoid phishing scams.
Step 3: Enter XAT ID and password.
Double-check for typos to avoid login errors. If anyone forget their password, they can use the 'Forgot Password' option.
Step 4: Click on the link to download the response sheet.
Ensure there is enough storage space in the device before downloading.
Step 5: Save the XAT Response Sheet PDF for future use.
Install a trusted PDF reader like Adobe Acrobat or check if your browser supports PDF viewing.
The XAT response sheet contains the following:
To calculate your XAT score, compare your marked responses with the official answer key. Apply the marking scheme: +1 for each correct answer, -0.25 for each incorrect one, and -0.10 for more than eight un-attempted questions. Add up your total to estimate your score.
XAT response sheet helps you verify your answers before the final result. It allows you to predict your chances of meeting the cutoff and gives insight into your strengths and weaknesses.
By reviewing incorrect attempts, you can learn from your mistakes and avoid them in future exams. If you find an error in the official answer key, you can use the response sheet as proof to raise objections.
Analyzing your section-wise performance will further help you prepare for interviews or other exams. Using XAT 2026 response sheet wisely can give you a strategic edge in the MBA admission process.
Many candidates confuse the response sheet with the answer key. The key difference between XAT answer key and response sheet is given:
The marks vs. percentile and cutoff ranges are based on past trends and may change. The actual figures can vary depending on the exam's difficulty level and how all candidates perform:
| XAT Score | XAT Percentile |
| 40+ | 99+ percentile |
| 35+ | 95 percentile |
| 32+ | 93 percentile |
| 30+ | 90+ percentile |
| 28+ | 89 percentile |
The marking scheme for XAT 2026 is as follows:
| Response Type | Marks Awarded |
| Correct Answer | +1 mark |
| Wrong Answer | -0.25 marks |
| Unattempted Questions (beyond 8) | -0.10 marks per question |
| General Knowledge Section | No negative marking |
Click on XAT 2026 Exam Pattern for more details.
XAT 2026 response sheet helps candidates assess their performance and estimate their scores. To analyze it effectively, compare your marked responses with XAT official answer key. This will show which answers are correct and highlight the mistakes you made.
Look for patterns in your mistakes. Check if errors are due to conceptual gaps, misreading questions, or calculation mistakes. Identifying these patterns will help you focus on weak areas and avoid similar errors in the future.
Time management is also key. Review the sections where you spent too much or too little time. If certain questions took longer than expected, practice solving similar ones more efficiently. If you rushed through sections, work on improving accuracy under time pressure.
Using XAT response sheet wisely can strengthen your preparation, helping you refine your strategy and boost your confidence for the next stage of the MBA admission process.
Based on previous trends, top institutes accepting XAT scores are expected to release their cutoffs after the declaration of XAT 2026 results. Here are the estimated XAT 2026 Cutoff for some of the leading MBA/PGDM institutes:
| Institute | Expected XAT Cutoff Percentile 2026 |
| XLRI, Jamshedpur | 93+ |
| XIMB, Bhubaneswar | 90+ |
| SPJIMR, Mumbai | 93+ |
| Goa Institute of Management | 85+ |
| Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad | 90+ |
| Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai | 80+ |
XAT 2026 result will be declared in the last week of January. Candidates can check their results by logging into the official website. The scorecard will contain section-wise and overall scores along with the percentile.
Ans: Candidates must submit clear proof from reliable sources like textbooks, official study materials, or academic journals. The document should directly support the challenge by explaining the correct answer. Screenshots from trusted websites may be accepted, but personal notes or coaching materials are usually not valid. Highlight the relevant section and ensure the information is accurate.
Ans: XLRI usually takes a few days to review XAT answer key challenges. Experts carefully examine the objections and supporting documents before making a decision. If the challenge is valid, they update the answer key and adjust scores. If rejected, the original key remains unchanged. The final decision is binding, and XLRI announces the updated answer key on the official website.
Ans: The unattempted question penalty in XAT discourages excessive skipping of questions. If a candidate leaves more than eight questions unanswered, a penalty of -0.10 per question applies. This rule encourages smart decision-making and strategic attempts rather than random guessing. It ensures that candidates balance accuracy with the number of questions they attempt, making the test more competitive and fair.
Ans: You can use XAT response sheet to identify your strengths and weaknesses in different sections. Analyze the mistakes you made and understand why you got certain answers wrong. Check the correct solutions to learn better problem-solving approaches. Reviewing your performance helps you avoid repeating the same errors in future MBA entrance exams. Focus on improving time management and accuracy based on your response sheet analysis.
Ans: XAT response sheet shows your marked answers. By comparing them with XAT answer key and applying the marking scheme (+1 for correct, -0.25 for wrong, and -0.10 for excessive unattempted questions), you can estimate your score.
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