What Is a Good Score in XAT 2026? Percentiles, Safe Marks, and XLRI Cutoffs Explained

Introduction

The XAT exam is unlike any other MBA entrance test in India — with Decision Making, General Knowledge, and Essay Writing in addition to traditional Verbal and Quantitative sections. But one of the most frequently asked questions remains: “What is a good score in XAT?”

Whether you're aiming for XLRI Jamshedpur, XIMB, or other top B-schools accepting XAT, understanding the score-to-percentile mapping, sectional cutoffs, and what defines a 'safe score' can significantly influence your preparation and test-day strategy.

In this guide, we break down XAT scoring trends, analyze historical cutoffs, and answer commonly searched queries like:

• Is 30 or 40 a good score in XAT?

• What percentile is 27 marks?

• Can you get XLRI at 95 percentile?

• What is the safe score for XAT 2026?

Let’s dive in.

Q1: How Is the XAT 2026 Exam Scored?

Before interpreting what a “good score” is, you need to understand how scoring works.

XAT Scoring Pattern:

Section	Marks per Question	Negative Marking	Total Questions (Approx.)
Verbal & Logical Ability	+1	-0.25	~26
Decision Making	+1	-0.25	~21
Quantitative Aptitude	+1	-0.25	~28
General Knowledge	+1	No Negative Mark	~25
Essay Writing	Evaluated after shortlisting	N/A	1

Only the first three sections are used to calculate the XAT percentile. GK and Essay are not included in the initial percentile calculation, but are evaluated during the final selection process by schools like XLRI.

Q2: What Was the XAT Score vs Percentile Trend in Past Years?

Let’s take a look at actual data from previous years (for the BM program at XLRI Jamshedpur):

Scaled Score	Approx. Percentile
35–36	99+ percentile
33–34	~98 percentile
30–32	~95 percentile
27–29	~90–93 percentile
25–26	~88 percentile
22–24	~85 percentile
<20	<80 percentile

💡 Note: These are raw scores for the first 3 sections combined. GK and Essay do not affect percentile.

Q3: Is 27 a Good Score in XAT?

A 27-mark score can place you around the 90–92 percentile range.

What this means:

• May not be enough for XLRI BM (which usually requires 95+)

• Could be enough for XLRI HRM, depending on gender, academic background, and profile diversity

• Strong for colleges like IMT Ghaziabad, XIMB, Great Lakes, and TAPMI

Verdict: 27 is a solid but borderline score. Pair it with a strong GK and Essay to improve selection chances.

Q4: Is 30 a Good Score in XAT?

Yes — a score of 30+ can get you to the 95 percentile mark, which is often the cutoff for:

• XLRI BM (General Category, Male, Engineering)

• XLRI HRM (General, Female/Non-Engg candidates)

• Other top colleges like SPJIMR (PGDM), IMT, IRMA, LIBA

Verdict: 30 is typically considered a "safe cutoff" to target shortlist-worthy percentiles — especially for XLRI HRM.

Q5: Is 40 a Good Score in XAT?

Absolutely. A raw score of 40 or more generally corresponds to a 99+ percentile, which puts you in the top 1% of test-takers.

Implications:

• You’re eligible for BM + HRM at XLRI, regardless of academic category.

• Opens doors to elite XAT-accepting B-schools with scholarship possibilities.

• Gives you some margin in case of weaker performance in Essay or GK.

Verdict: 40+ is an excellent score and typically exceeds the required cutoff for almost all programs.

Q6: What Is the Percentile of 45 Marks in XAT?

A 45-mark score would typically place a candidate at the top 0.1% to 0.5% percentile range, possibly 99.5+ percentile depending on the year.

This level of score:

• Makes you a top contender for XLRI

• Strongly supports scholarship applications

• Helps you stand out even with a moderate academic or work profile

However, only a small percentage of aspirants score in this range — it requires well-rounded performance across Verbal, DM, and Quant.

Q7: What Is a Safe Score for XLRI in XAT 2026?

Safe scores vary by program and category. Here's a summary based on past trends:

Program	General Category (Male Engineer)	Female / Non-Engineer	Observations
XLRI BM	95–96 percentile (~30–32 marks)	92–94 percentile (~28–30)	High quant + DM scores needed
XLRI HRM	92–93 percentile (~28–30 marks)	85–90 percentile (~24–27)	HRM values diversity, softer cutoffs
XLRI GMP	GMAT/XAT scores considered	High work experience required	No fixed percentile cutoff

Tip: Always aim 3–4 marks above the historical cutoff to account for difficulty fluctuations and normalization.

Q8: Can I Get XLRI at 95 Percentile?

Yes, but program and category matter.

At 95 Percentile:

• XLRI HRM: Strong chance for most categories.

• XLRI BM: Depends on your demographic.

  • Male Engineer: Risky. Aim for 96–97+

  • Female Non-Engineer: Likely acceptable

• Essay and GK become decisive at this percentile — a weak performance here can hurt final selection.

Verdict: 95 percentile is a competitive zone, but not fully safe for BM unless supported by a stellar profile.

Q9: Is XAT Scoring Pattern Different From CAT?

Yes — and this affects how we define a "good score".

Feature	CAT	XAT
Max percentile score	~100 raw marks	~36–40 raw marks
Negative marking	-1 for MCQ	-0.25 per wrong
Sections	VARC, DILR, QA	VA, DM, QA + GK + Essay
Normalization	Across slots	Single-day exam (no normalization)

In XAT, because scores are lower overall, even 30 marks can yield very high percentiles. Hence, do not compare raw scores directly with CAT.

Q10: How Can I Improve My XAT Score?

Here are focused tips:

1. Master Decision Making — it's XAT’s unique scoring differentiator.

2. Prioritize Time Management — with more sections and question types, pacing is critical.

3. Don’t Ignore Verbal & Logic — XLRI places weight on this for HRM.

4. Don’t Skip GK — It’s evaluated in the final round and used by many colleges.

5. Take Sectional Mocks — especially for DM and Verbal, which behave differently from CAT.

Conclusion

In summary:

• A good score in XAT is anything that places you in the top 10% percentile or above, i.e., 28+ marks.

• For XLRI BM, aim for 32–35.

• For XLRI HRM, 27–30 may suffice, especially with diversity or strong essays.

• A 40+ score places you in elite territory.

But remember: XAT isn’t just about raw scores. Decision Making, your profile, academic background, and interview performance — all contribute to final admission decisions.

FAQs

✅Who is a good scorer in the XAT exam?

In XAT, a "good scorer" typically refers to a candidate achieving a 95+ percentile, which often translates to:

• 36–40 raw marks out of ~75 for XLRI BM (Male Engineer)

• 33–37 raw marks for HRM and non-engineer/female candidates

Because XAT's percentile mapping is non-linear and varies year to year, someone scoring 30 could fall in the 90–93 percentile range. A good scorer:

• Performs consistently across sections, clearing sectional cutoffs

• Exhibits strong Decision Making and Verbal Ability

• Demonstrates clarity in the Essay

✅Who can crack the XAT exam?

Anyone with critical thinking, language comprehension, and quantitative aptitude can crack XAT. However, unlike CAT or GMAT, success in XAT also depends on your ability to handle:

• Ethical and business judgment (Decision Making)

• Abstract essay writing

• Non-conventional reasoning in Verbal and Quant

Engineers, non-engineers, freshers, and working professionals have all cracked XAT. The key is focused practice on past year papers and mock test strategy that simulates the XAT’s unique mix of question types.

✅Which colleges accept XAT exam scores?

Over 160+ institutes across India accept XAT scores. The most notable ones include:

• XLRI Jamshedpur – BM, HRM, FPM, GMP

• XIM Bhubaneswar (XIMB)

• IMT Ghaziabad

• SPJIMR Mumbai (for PGPM)

• TAPMI Manipal

• FORE School of Management

• Great Lakes (Chennai & Gurgaon)

• IRMA Anand

• LIBA Chennai

• GIM Goa

These B-schools use XAT as an alternative to CAT or CMAT. Some programs may require additional forms or SOPs, especially for XLRI and SPJIMR.

✅Which MBA colleges accept the XAT exam?

Here are top-tier MBA/PGDM programs accepting XAT scores:

College	Location	Programs
XLRI	Jamshedpur	BM, HRM, GMP
XIMB	Bhubaneswar	MBA-BM
IMT	Ghaziabad	PGDM
TAPMI	Manipal	PGDM
FORE	Delhi	PGDM
GIM	Goa	PGDM
LIBA	Chennai	PGDM
IRMA	Anand	PGDRM

These programs span general management, rural management, and human resources, offering diverse post-MBA career paths.

✅Which university accepts the XAT exam?

Unlike IIMs which operate under the CAT umbrella, XLRI Jamshedpur is the key institute affiliated with XAT. It is not a university per se but a top-ranked autonomous B-school.

Additionally, several private universities and autonomous institutions accept XAT scores, including:

• Xavier University Bhubaneswar (XUB)

• Alliance University

• Amity Business School

• IFMR GSB at Krea University

• Jindal Global Business School (JGBS)

Each may have its own cutoffs and application process, even if XAT is the common gateway.

✅Which course is under the XAT exam?

The XAT is primarily used for admission into postgraduate management courses such as:

• MBA in Business Management (BM)

• MBA in Human Resource Management (HRM)

• Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM)

• Executive MBA

• Fellow Program in Management (FPM)

Each institute accepting XAT may offer different specializations such as finance, marketing, operations, analytics, and more. At XLRI, the most sought-after courses are the BM and HRM full-time residential programs.