The expected XAT 2026 cutoff is already on the minds of aspirants. The XAT exam was held in January 2026 and the results are expected soon.
The XAT 2026 cutoff will likely be high specially for XLRI Jamshedpur. An overall percentile of 95+ is required for the top programs. We have analyzed data from previous years to help you set your target.
What is the XAT cutoff?
The XAT cutoff is the minimum percentile that colleges require for shortlisting candidates. It depends on the exam difficulty the number of candidates and the number of seats available.
Top colleges like XLRI require candidates to clear both the overall and sectional cutoffs.
The cutoff has remained stable in previous years in 2025 it was 95-96 for XLRI BM.
Expected XAT 2026 Cutoff Trends
The XAT 2026 exam was of moderate difficulty. Therefore the cutoffs will be similar to those of 2025.
A raw score of 40+ is required for a 99+ percentile. 33-35 marks are considered safe for XLRI at the 95th percentile.
Sectional cutoffs in VALR, DM and QA vary depending on gender and background.
Score vs. Percentile Table (Expected for XAT 2026):
| Percentile | Expected Score (Out of ~75-100) |
| 99+ | 40+ |
| 95-97 | 33-35 |
| 90-95 | 27-30 |
| 85-90 | 24-27 |
| 80-85 | 22-24 |
This table has been created based on previous trends. The raw score will depend on the exam pattern.
Factors Affecting XAT 2026 Cutoff
There are several reasons why the cutoff increases. If the exam is easy the percentile goes up.
The number of candidates is increasing every year. XLRI has limited seats around 400-500.
Diversity factors such as gender, academic background and work experience also play a role.
Expected XAT 2026 cutoff for top colleges
Each college has a different cutoff. XLRI is at the top. Mid tier colleges like XIMB and TAPMI require 80-90 percentile.
College Wise Expected Percentile Table (General Category):
| College | Expected Percentile | Raw Score (Approx) |
| XLRI (BM/HRM) | 95-96+ | 36+ |
| XIMB XAT cutoff | 91+ | 30-32 |
| IMT Ghaziabad | 90+ | 28-30 |
| TAPMI XAT cutoff | 80-85 | 26-27 |
| KJ Somaiya XAT cutoff | 85-90 | 27-30 |
| Great Lakes | 80-85 | 24-26 |
XIMB XAT Cutoff Details: The XIMB cutoff depends on domicile and gender. 91+ is considered safe for the general category. In the past the range was 90-93.
TAPMI and KJ Somaiya Focus: TAPMI is profile based. KJ Somaiya gives calls at 85+ but you need to perform strongly in the Personal Interview (PI).
Category and Gender Wise Cutoffs
XLRI has separate cutoffs for diversity. Males (engineers) require the highest scores.
XLRI Expected Category Cutoffs (BM Program):
| Category/Gender | Overall Percentile |
| General Eng Male | 95 |
| General Eng Female | 90 |
| General Non-Eng Male | 95 |
| General Non-Eng Female | 90 |
| OBC | 65-70 |
Female candidates get relaxation. The cutoff can go up to 50-60 for SC/ST candidates.
Sectional Cutoffs Explained
XAT has 3 main sections: VALR, DM and QA. Each has a separate cutoff.
Expected Sectional Cutoffs for XLRI (General Male):
- VALR: 75-80%
- DM: 75-85%
- QA: 80-85%
You need to clear these along with the overall cutoff.
Previous Years Cutoff Comparison
In 2025 the XLRI BM cutoff was 95. It was similar in 2024. The trend is stable.
Year Wise XLRI BM Cutoff (General Male):
| Year | Percentile |
| 2025 | 95 |
| 2024 | 94-95 |
| 2023 | 95 |
Based on this data predict that there will be no significant change in 2026.