What’s a Good Score in XAT 2026 for XLRI? Cutoffs & Insights

Introduction

Are you aiming to crack the XLRI MBA admission with a top score in XAT 2026? Knowing what qualifies as a “good score” is the first step toward turning your dream into reality. Every year, thousands of aspirants compete for a limited number of seats in XLRI’s prestigious MBA programs. With cutoffs evolving based on exam difficulty and candidate performance, staying updated is crucial. What score would guarantee you a call for the Personal Interview (PI) round? How does sectional performance affect your chances? This guide unpacks all that and more, giving you clear insights and actionable tips to shape your preparation and application strategy.

Understanding XAT 2026 and XLRI’s Admission Landscape

The Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) is a critical gateway to XLRI, particularly for its flagship PGDM programs in Business Management (BM) and Human Resource Management (HRM). XLRI closely examines XAT scores alongside other factors like academic background, work experience, and diversity to select candidates. The test covers verbal and logical reasoning (VALR), decision-making (DM), quantitative ability and data interpretation (QA-DI), and general knowledge (GK)—though GK scores are not counted towards the final percentile. Each section poses unique challenges, and XLRI’s selection process balances overall performance with a keen eye on sectional strengths and weaknesses.

What Is a Good XAT 2026 Score for XLRI?

A good XAT score for XLRI in 2026 typically falls within the 95th to 97th percentile range or higher. This translates roughly into raw scores of:

• 40+ out of 75 marks (approximately 97–99 percentile)
• 37–39 marks (around 95–97 percentile)
• Scores between 30–36 marks usually correspond to a 90-95 percentile bracket

For top aspirants, scoring 40+ is ideal, reflecting strong command across sections. A score between 37 and 39 keeps you in the competitive zone for XLRI’s BM and HRM programs. Below 30, the chances reduce for XLRI but can still open doors in other reputed institutes accepting XAT scores.

Notably, XLRI differentiates cutoffs by gender and academic stream. For male candidates (both engineering and non-engineering), the bar is often slightly higher (around 96 percentile), while female candidates generally face a moderated cutoff (~91 percentile), reflecting the institute’s efforts to maintain diversity.

Why Sectional Cutoffs Matter: Breakdown by Section

XLRI maintains minimum sectional cutoffs to ensure balanced capabilities. Candidates must clear these to be considered for further rounds.

• Verbal and Logical Reasoning (VALR): Cutoffs typically range from 80 to 84 percentile for males and 80 percentile for females. This section demands strong reading, comprehension, and reasoning skills.
• Decision Making (DM): Usually requires clearing around 75–84 percentile depending on category and gender. This section tests judgment and analytical decision-making abilities.
• Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation (QA-DI): The toughest section for many aspirants, with expected cutoffs around 82–88 percentile. Excelling here often makes the difference in meeting XLRI’s stringent benchmarks.

Successfully crossing these sectional cutoffs, alongside a strong overall score, maximizes your chances of being shortlisted.

How Does XAT 2026 Score Translate to Percentile?

XAT scoring follows a +1 mark for correct answers and negative marking of -0.25 for incorrect responses, with additional penalties for multiple skips after the eighth question. The maximum score considered for percentile calculation is 75 (excluding GK). Percentile conversion depends on the difficulty of that year’s paper and candidate performance distribution.

A candidate scoring 40+ marks is likely to achieve a 97-99 percentile, placing them comfortably in the admission zone for XLRI. Scoring 37-39 corresponds to about 95-97 percentile, still strong enough for a call. Lower scores result in a steep percentile drop, so maintaining accuracy and time management is key.

What Other Factors Affect XLRI Admission Beyond XAT Score?

While a high XAT score is vital, XLRI’s final selection weighs other components critically:

• Academic background and consistency across graduation and other qualifications
• Work experience, if any, which adds value especially for HRM applicants
• Diversity factors such as gender, academic stream, and regional representation
• Personal Interview (PI) and Group Discussion (GD) phases, which evaluate personality, leadership, and communication skills

A strong profile can sometimes compensate for slightly lower scores, while weak academic records might make even high scores less effective. Holistic preparation and profile-building complement good test scores.

How to Aim for a Good XAT 2026 Score for XLRI?

Want to boost your odds at XLRI? Here are strategic tips:

• Prioritize sectional balance—do not neglect QA-DI or DM as they carry significant weight.
• Practice mock tests with time limits to build speed and accuracy.
• Analyze your weaknesses, especially in quantitative sections, and address them with targeted practice.
• Develop logical reasoning and decision-making skills through case studies and situational puzzles.
• Manage exam-day stress with simulation and relaxation techniques.
• Build a consistent study schedule with clear milestones and revisions.

How Career Plan B Helps

Career Plan B offers personalized support to help XAT aspirants ace XLRI admission:

• Personalized Career Counselling to identify strengths and design focused preparation strategies
• Psycheintel and Career Assessment Tests that reveal aptitude areas and tailor study plans
• Admission and Academic Profile Guidance to enhance your application and prepare for PI rounds
• Career Roadmapping to align your post-MBA goals with XLRI’s offerings, ensuring long-term success

With expert mentorship and data-driven insights, Career Plan B makes your XAT journey structured, efficient, and growth-oriented.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.What is the minimum XAT score required for XLRI 2026?
Around 37-40 marks (95-97+ percentile) are generally needed for a competitive chance in XLRI’s BM and HRM programs.

2.Are sectional cutoffs as important as overall scores?
Yes, candidates must clear sectional cutoffs in VALR, DM, and QA-DI to be shortlisted for XLRI selection rounds.

3.Can a candidate with a lower percentile still get XLRI admission through profile strength?
It’s rare but possible if the candidate has an exceptionally strong profile, academic record, and work experience.

4.How different are cutoffs for XLRI BM and HRM programs?
Cutoffs for HRM are slightly lower by 1-2 percentile points compared to BM but still remain very competitive.

5.Does gender affect the cutoff scores at XLRI?
Yes, XLRI applies different cutoffs for male and female candidates to maintain diversity in the batch.

Conclusion

Achieving a good score in XAT 2026 for XLRI means aiming for an overall percentile of 95+ with solid sectional performance, especially in QA-DI, VALR, and DM. Strategic preparation, mock practice, and profile building are equally important to clear XLRI’s rigorous selection process. Start early, stay focused, and leverage expert guidance. Reach out to Career Plan B for personalized mentorship and unlock your path to XLRI success. Remember, your XAT score opens the door—the rest depends on your preparation and planning.