The XAT cutoff 2026 is the minimum percentile required for admission into top B-schools like XLRI, XIM, and IMT for PGDM programs, Business Management (BM), and Human Resource Management (HRM).
The XAT cutoff 2026 will vary by college and different courses, with an overall XAT cutoff ranging from 96-80 for the top MBA programs.
- For BM, the general male candidates are expected to need an overall percentile of around 96 with 37–38 marks and with sectional cutoffs of around 88 in QA–DI, 84 in VALR, and DM.
- For HRM, the male candidates will require ~95 overall percentile with around 35–36 marks, with the sectional cutoff of ~85–87 in VALR, ~85–87 in DM, and ~83–85 in QA–DI.
The Female and non-engineering candidates will have slightly less percentile, i.e, ~91 percentile (3–6 percentile relaxation) to encourage diversity in both programs.
XAT Cutoff PDF
| XAT Cutoff | Download PDF |
|---|---|
| XAT Cutoff 2025 | Download PDF |
| XAT Cutoff 2024 | Download PDF |
| XAT Cutoff 2023 | Download PDF |
Key Summary
- The XAT cutoff 2026 for XLRI PGDM-BM is expected to be around 96 percentile overall for general male, with approximate sectional cutoffs of QA–DI: 88 percentile (13–14 marks), VALR: 84 percentile (12–13 marks), and DM: 84 percentile (13–14 marks).
- The XAT 2026 cutoff for XLRI PGDM-HRM is expected to be around 95 percentile overall for general males with sectional cutoffs of VALR: around 90–92 percentile (14–16 marks), DM: 85–87 percentile (13–14 marks), and QA–DI: 83–85 percentile (12–13 marks).
- The XAT cutoff for SPJIMR is expecetd to range between 93–95 percentile with an estimated score of 24–26 marks.
- Top MBA colleges like XIMB, IMT-G, and IMI Delhi will require a 92–95 percentile range with an approximate score range of 23–26 marks.
- Reputed B-Schools like GIM, TAPMI, Great Lakes, KJ Somaiya, LIBA, and IRMA accept candidates in the 80–90 percentile band (20–23 marks).
- A score of 25-34 is considered a good score in XAT, which can place the candidate in the 95th percentile range, making them eligible for institutes like MICA, IMI, and FORE.
Also Read
What is the cutoff for XAT?
The XAT Cutoff 2026 for XLRI varies across different categories based on the gender and academic background, and sections
- For the PGDM-BM, the male (engineering) and non-engineering candidates are expected to require a ≥ 96th percentile overall, while females will require a relaxed cutoff of ≥91 percentile and slightly lower sectional cutoffs.
- In PGDM-HRM, the cutoff of VALR is expected to be the highest (≥90 for males, ≥85 for females), while QA-DI cutoffs are lower, especially for non-engineer females(≥68).
“The PGDM-HRM course will focus on verbal and decision-making skills more than quantitative.”
XAT Cutoff 2026 PGDM–Business Management (BM)
| Category | VALR | DM | QA‑DI | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male (Engineering) | ≥ 84 | ≥ 84 | ≥ 88 | ≥ 96 |
| Female (Engineering) | ≥ 80 | ≥ 80 | ≥ 82 | ≥ 91 |
| Male (Non‑Engineering) | ≥ 84 | ≥ 84 | ≥ 88 | ≥ 96 |
| Female (Non‑Engineering) | ≥ 80 | ≥ 80 | ≥ 82 | ≥ 91 |
XAT Cutoff 2026 PGDM–Human Resource Management (HRM)
| Category | VALR | DM | QA‑DI | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male (Engineering) | ≥ 90 | ≥ 87 | ≥ 83 | ≥ 95 |
| Female (Engineering) | ≥ 85 | ≥ 80 | ≥ 73 | ≥ 90 |
| Male (Non‑Engineering) | ≥ 90 | ≥ 87 | ≥ 76 | ≥ 93 |
| Female (Non‑Engineering) | ≥ 85 | ≥ 80 | ≥ 68 | ≥ 87 |
XAT Cutoff 2026 College-wise (Expected)
The expected XAT 2026 cutoff shows a slight increase in cutoff as compared to the previous years, reflecting rising competition.
- The XLRI Jamshedpur remains the most competitive with around 98% percentile, while SPJIMR, IMT Ghaziabad/Hyderabad, and XIMB will require around 92% percentile.
- The Mid-tier colleges like GIM, KJ Somaiya, and FORE are expected to have the cutoff around 86_87% and institutes like MICA, XLRI Delhi, Great Lakes, IRMA, TAPMI, and LIBA are around 81–82%.
- The Lower-tier colleges like BIMTECH, XIME, and Welingkar have cutoffs near 77–78%. As per the regional trends, there are slightly lower cutoffs in South India.
| Institutes | Expected XAT 2026 Cutoff (Percentile) | XAT 2025 Cutoff (Percentile) |
|---|---|---|
| XLRI Jamshedpur | 97.92% | 96 |
| SPJIMR Mumbai | 91.8% | 90+ |
| IMT Ghaziabad | 91.8% | 90+ |
| IMT Hyderabad | 91.8% | 90 |
| XIMB | 91.8% | 90+ |
| GIM Goa | 86.7% | 85+ |
| KJ Somaiya | 86.7% | 85+ |
| FORE School of Management, New Delhi | 86.7% | 85+ |
| MICA Ahmedabad | 81.6% | 80+ |
| XLRI Delhi | 81.6% | 80+ |
| Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai | 81.6% | 80+ |
| IRMA Anand | 81.6% | 80+ |
| TAPMI Manipal | 81.6% | 80+ |
| LIBA Chennai | 81.6% | 80+ |
| BIMTECH Greater Noida | 77.6% | 75+ |
| XIME Bangalore | 77.6% | 75+ |
| Welingkar Mumbai | 77.6% | 75+ |
Top MBA Colleges Accepting XAT Cut off 80-90 Percentile
| XAT College | XAT Percentile |
|---|---|
| IMI, New Delhi | 88-90 |
| Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai | 80-85 |
| Goa Institute of Management, Goa | 85-90 |
| KJ Somaiya | 85-90 |
| FORE School of Management | 85-88 |
| IRMA Anand | 80-85 |
| LIBA Chennai | 80-85 |
| TAPMI Institute | 80-85 |
| Amrita School of Business, Coimbatore | 80-85 |
| MICA, Ahmedabad | 80-85 |
Top MBA Colleges Accepting XAT Cut off 70-80 Percentile
| XAT College | XAT Percentile |
| Welingkar Mumbai | 75-76 |
| Great Lakes Gurgaon | 75-76 |
| XIME Bangalore | 75-76 |
| BIMTECH Greater Noida | 75-76 |
| KIIT Bhubaneswar | 75-76 |
| VIT Vellore Business School | 75-76 |
| IMI Kolkata | 75-76 |
| SIES Navi Mumbai | 75-76 |
| IMT Nagpur | 75-76 |
| WE School Bangalore | 73-74 |
| Woxsen University | 73-74 |
| Jaipuria Institute of Management | 74-75 |
XAT Cutoff 2026 of Top MBA Institutes
As per the previous years’ analysis, the XAT 2026 cutoff for top MBA colleges is that XLRI Jamshedpur will have the highest cutoff of ~94–96% for PGDM-BM, and a cutoff around 92–95% for PGDM-HRM, being the most competitive college.
- Institutes like XIM Bhubaneswar, IMT Ghaziabad, and MICA Ahmedabad will have the XAT cutoff of around 90–92%, reflecting a strong demand and selective intakes of candidates.
- The Tier-2 colleges like Great Lakes, TAPMI, and GIM Goa are expected to have a cutoff between 85–87%
- The other mid-tier institutes like LIBA, IFMR, and K J Somaiya, will require the cutoff around 75–85 percentile.
- Whereas, Welingkar and FORE institutes will have a wider range, with the lowest cutoff of 70%, due to the multiple programs and flexibility in admission policies.
| Institute | Expected Cutoff (Percentile) |
|---|---|
| XLRI Jamshedpur (BM) | ~94–96% |
| XLRI Jamshedpur (HRM) | ~92–95% |
| XIM Bhubaneswar | ~91–92% |
| XIM Jabalpur | ~91–92% |
| IMT Ghaziabad | ~90–91% |
| MICA Ahmedabad | ~90–91% |
| Great Lakes Institute, Chennai | ~85–86% |
| TAPMI, Manipal | ~85–87% |
| GIM Goa | ~85–86% |
| LIBA, Chennai | ~80–85% |
| IFMR/IFMR GSB, Chennai | ~75–80% |
| K J Somaiya, Mumbai | ~80–82% |
| FORE School of Management, Delhi | ~77–87% (varies by program) |
| Welingkar, Mumbai | ~70–75% |
Also Read
Ques. What is XLRI Delhi cutoff?
Ans. XAT cutoff 2026 for XLRI Delhi will be biased towards academics, with stream-based and gender-based flexibility.
- For PGDM-BM, male applicants (engineering/non-engineering) will require an above ~96 percentile band, with a greater sectional cut-off of ~86–88 in QA–DI, whereas female applicants (Engg/Non‑Engg) will be expected to require ~91percentile overall, the sectional cut-off will be nearly ~81–83 in QA/DI.
- For PGDM-HRM, XAT cutoff 2026 will focus on the verbal and decision-making abilities, with male (engineering) cutoff will be required an overall ~95 percentile, whereas female engineers are anticipated to be around ~90 percentile. Female non-engineers will have the lowest overall cutoff of ~87 percentile.
XLRI Delhi aims for a diverse, balanced intake without compromising standards.
| Program | Candidate Category | QA/DI%ile | VALR %ile | DM %ile | Overall %ile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BM | Male (Engg/Non‑Engg) | ~86–88 | ~83–85 | ~85–87 | ~96 |
| BM | Female (Engg/Non‑Engg) | ~81–83 | ~80–82 | ~80–82 | ~91 |
| HRM | Male Engineer | ~83–85 | ~90–92 | ~85–87 | ~95 |
| HRM | Female Engineer | ~73–75 | ~85–87 | ~78–80 | ~90 |
| HRM | Male Non‑Engineer | ~75–76 | ~90 | ~87 | ~93 |
| HRM | Female Non‑Engineer | ~68–70 | ~85 | ~78–80 | ~87 |
Ques. Does IIT accept XAT score?
Ans. No, IITs do not accept the XAT score for their MBA or any other management programs. Their admission is based on the CAT exam.
- The XAT scores for MBA admission are not accepted by the Department of Management Studies.
- The CAT exam is conducted by the IIMs and many top management programs in India, like IIMs, IIT MBA, use CAT as their admission test.
- The IITs want to maintain comparability with the other top B-schools, relying on the CAT exam as the benchmark for admission.
- As XAT is conducted by XLRI/XAMI and used by institutions aligned with it (XAT’s associate institutes).
Ques. What is the cutoff for XIMB XAT?
Ans. The cutoff for the XIMB XAT is the minimum score or percentile (overall and sometimes sectional) in the XAT exam that you must achieve to get admission into MBA programs at XIMB.
- Expected XAT Cutoff 2025 (MBA): General category – 90–93 percentile
- Expecetd XAT cutoff 2026 (MBA): General category – 88–91 percentile.
- MBA BM (General) 2024 Cutoff: Domicile engineering male – 88 percentile; non-engineering – 87 percentile
- MBA BM (General) 2024 Cutoff: Non-domicile engineering – 91–92 percentile; non-engineering – ~91 percentile
- MBA HRM 2024 Cutoff: General category – ~81 percentile for both engineering and non-engineering backgrounds
- Gender & Domicile Breakdown 2024: Domicile (Engg) – Male 88, Female 87; Non-Engg – Male 87, Female 86.
- Gender & Domicile Breakdown 2024: Non-domicile (Engg) – Male 92, Female 91; Non-Engg – Male 91, Female 90.
| Year | Stream / Category | Overall XAT Cutoff (Percentile) |
| 2026 (expected) | ~ 88-91 | Based on trend analysis, the expected overall cutoff range. |
| 2025 (expected) | ~ 90-93 | Predictions for general category. |
| 2024, MBA BM (General, domicile, engineering) | ~ 88 | For male, domicile, engineering background. |
| 2024, MBA BM (General, domicile, non-engineering) | ~ 87 | Slightly lower, for non-engineering background. |
| 2024, MBA BM (non-domicile) | ~ 91-92 | For applicants from outside the domicile region. |
| 2024, MBA HRM (General) | ~ 81 | For domicile, engineering / non-engineering backgrounds. |
Sectional Cutoffs (Approximate):
- For MBA BM (Domicile Engineering, 2024): VA – 50, DM – 40, QA – 40 percentile.
- For Non-domicile candidates: Sectional thresholds slightly higher (VA ~70, DM ~60, QA ~60).
- XAT 2026 Expected: VA = 50, DM = 40, QA = 40
XAT Score vs Percentile 2026
The XAT Score vs Percentile 2026 provides the analysis of the estimated percentile range as per the raw scores in the XAT exam. It also shows that a small change in the raw score can lead to a big shift in the percentile.
- A score of ≥40 can provide the candidates 99+ percentile, while a raw score ranging from 35–36 can place the candidate in 99 percentile.
- A 30–31 score can result in the ~95 percentile, which is required by the Top B-schools like XLRI.
- The mid-tier colleges accept the XAT marks ranging from 23–28 marks with ~90–95 percentile.
- Even a minimal raw score, like a 14–15 mark, can provide the ~65 percentile, reflecting the XAT exam’s difficulty level and strict scoring.
| Raw Score | Approx. Percentile |
|---|---|
| ≥ 40 | 99 + %ile |
| 37‑39 | ~99.5 %ile |
| 35‑36 | ~99 %ile |
| 30‑31 | ~95 %ile |
| 27‑28 | ~95 %ile |
| 23‑24 | ~90 %ile |
| 21‑22 | ~85 %ile |
| 19‑20 | ~80 %ile |
| 17‑18 | ~75 %ile |
| ~14‑15 | ~65 %ile |
| ~14 | ~60 %ile |
XAT Marks vs Percentile 2026 of Top MBA colleges
To get into the top MBA colleges through XAT 2026, a raw score of ~32–34 will be required for XLRI BM and SPJIMR (~96 percentile), whereas ~31–32 will be sufficient for XLRI HRM (~95 percentile).
- Institutes like XIMB, IMT, MICA, and IMI Delhi need ~30–32 marks (~90–92 percentile).
- Mid-range colleges like GIM, TAPMI, and Great Lakes accept scores ranging from ~26–30 marks (85–90 percentile).
- Lower-tier institutes like LIBA and FORE consider ~25–27 marks (~80–85 percentile), showing how small score differences impact admissions significantly.
| Institute | Expected Overall Cutoff %ile | Raw Mark Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| XLRI Jamshedpur BM | ~96 | ~32–34 |
| XLRI Jamshedpur HRM | ~95 | ~31–32 |
| SPJIMR (XAT route) | ~93.5–95 | ~32–34 |
| XIM Bhubaneswar (XIM University) | 90–92 | ~30–32 |
| IMT Ghaziabad | 90–91 | ~30–32 |
| MICA Ahmedabad | 90–91 | ~30–32 |
| GIM Goa | 85–90 | ~26–30 |
| TAPMI Manipal | 85–87 | ~26–28 |
| Great Lakes Chennai | 85–86 | ~26–28 |
| LIBA Chennai | 80–85 | ~25–27 |
| IMI Delhi | ~90+ | ~30–32 |
| FORE Delhi / KJ Somaiya / IRMA | ~80–87 | ~27–32 |
Also Read
Ques. Is 35 a good score in XAT?
Ans. A score of 35 out of 75 is an excellent score in XAT, this will place the candidate in the percentile range of 95+, which make the candidate qualified for top Tier 1 and Tier 2 XAT colleges like MICA, IMT, IMI, and XIMB.
Top Colleges with 35 score in XAT
| College Tier | Expected Percentile | Fit for a 35-Mark Score? |
|---|---|---|
| XLRI BM / SPJIMR / XIMB | ~95–96 | Very competitive—likely to clear strict cutoffs |
| MICA / IMT / IMI / XIMB | ~90–95 | Seats you comfortably in shortlist range |
| TAPMI / GIM / Great Lakes | ~85–90 | Strong advantage; well above their cutoff |
| Other XAT-accepting B‑schools | ~80–90+ | Counts as excellent performance |
Ques. Can I get XLRI at the 95 percentile?
Ans. As per the previous years’ analysis, the cutoff of the XLRI for PGDM BM, the Male (Engineering or Non‑Engineering) candidates required a cut‑off of 96 percentile, whereas the cutoff for female candidates was 91 percentile.
The cutoff of XLRI for PGDM HRM, the male (engineer) candidates required the cutoff of 96 percentile, whereas female engineers required only 90 percentile and the non-engineer Male and female candidates, the cutoff was 93 percentile and 87 percentile.
| Programme | Your Gender/Background | Cutoff Overall | 95 Percentile? |
| BM | General Male (Engg or Non‑Engg) | 96 percentile | Short |
| General Female | 91 percentile | Yes (if female) | |
| HRM | General Male (Engineering) | 95 percentile | Yes |
| General Male (Non‑Engineering) | 93 percentile | Yes | |
| Female (Engineering) | 90 percentile | Yes | |
| Female (Non‑Engineering) | 87 percentile | Yes |
Ques. Is 27 a good score in XAT?
Ans. A score of 27 marks in XAT is considered moderate and will place you in the 89th percentile, which is very competitive, but this score is not sufficient for admission into Top-tier institutions like XLRI Jamshedpur. This score can get you admission into mid-tier colleges like FORE, KJ Somaiya, and GIM.
Ques. What percentile is 30 marks in XAT?
Ans. A score of 30 marks in XAT places you in the approximate 90-95 percentile, considered a strong performance. This score is competitive for admission into tier-1 and tier-2 colleges like FORE, KJ Somaiya, and GIM.
XAT Category-wise Cutoff 2026
The XAT 2026 category-wise cutoff for General, OBC, SC, and ST candidates has the variation across the institutes, especially for XLRI Jamshedpur.
- The General category candidates will have the XAT cutoff around 85 percentile, with sectional cutoff between 84–92 percentile.
- OBC candidates will have the cutoffs ranging from 70 percentile for the mid-tier colleges and 80-86 percentile for XLRI.
- SC candidates will need around 60 percentile for most colleges, but above 65 percentile for XLRI.
- While ST candidates will have the XAT cutoff 50-60 percentile for mid-tier colleges.
XAT Cutoff for OBC
The XAT cutoff for OBC candidates 2026 shows that XLRI BM/HRM will have the lowest expected cutoff at 65 percentile, while IRMA Anand will have the cutoff around 70 percentile.
- XIMB (BM) will be more competitive with an 85-88 percentile, which is close to the general category cutoff.
- The other B-Schools are expected to range between 70–90 percentiles, as per their reputation and competition.
| Institution / Program | Category | Estimated Percentile Cutoff |
|---|---|---|
| XLRI (BM / HRM) | OBC | ~65 percentile |
| IRMA (Anand) | OBC | ~70 percentile |
| XIMB (BM) | OBC | 85–88 percentile |
| Other General B-schools | OBC (estimated) | 70–90 percentile depending on program and competition |
XAT Cutoff for SC
The XAT cutoff for SC category candidates 2026 will vary across the institutes.
XLRI BM/HRM is expected at around 65 percentile, while IRMA Anand provides the relaxed cutoff at 60 percentile.
The XIMB will be the most competitive college with around 71 percentile.
| Institute / Program | Category | Estimated Cutoff Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| XLRI (PGDM-BM & HRM, SC) | SC | ~65 percentile |
| IRMA Anand (SC category) | SC | ~60 percentile |
| XIMB (SC category) | SC | ~71 percentile |
XAT Cutoff for ST
The XAT cutoff for ST candidates will be the lowest compared to the other categories
The XLRI BM and HRM are expected to be around 55–60% and ~55% respectively.
For mid-tier B-Schools will have a range of 50–70%, depending on the institute's reputation and demand.
| Institute / Program | Category | Estimated Cutoff Overall (%) |
|---|---|---|
| XLRI BM (PGDM-BM) | ST | ~55–60 |
| XLRI HRM (PGDM-HRM) | ST | ~55 |
| Other mid-tier B-schools | ST | ~50–70 (based on general cutoffs minus reservation adjustment) |
What is the cut-off of XAT for XLRI?
The XAT cutoff for XLRI 2026 will be highly competitive, with PGDM-BM expected to require a cutoff of around 96 percentile for general males and around 91 percentile for females.
- PGDM-HRM will need the XAT cutoff percentile around 95 and 90, respectively.
- The PGDM-BM will have the highest sectional percentile of QA-DI up to 88 percentile, while HRM will have 92 percentile for VALR, and DM will have up to 87 percentile.
| Program | Candidate Profile | Expected Overall Percentile | Sectional Cutoff (VALR) | Sectional Cutoff (DM) | Sectional Cutoff (QA–DI) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PGDM – BM | General (Male) | ~96 | ~84 | ~84 | ~88 |
| PGDM – BM | General (Female) | ~91 | ~80 | ~80 | ~85 |
| PGDM – HRM | General (Male) | ~95 | ~90–92 | ~85–87 | ~83–85 |
| PGDM – HRM | General (Female) | ~90 | ~88–90 | ~82–84 | ~80–82 |
XLRI Jamshedpur XAT cut off
The XLRI Jamshedpur will have a highly competitive XAT cutoff, with BM requiring the highest cutoff around 96 percentile for general male candidates and 91 percentile for female candidates.
- The HRM cutoff for XAT is slightly lower, ranging from 95 percentile for engineering male candidates to 87 percentile for non-engineering females.
- The sectional cutoff is expected to range up to 92 for VALR, 87 for DM, and 88 for QA-DI.
| Program | Candidate Profile | Overall Percentile | QA–DI | VALR | DM |
| BM | General Male | ~96 | ~88 | ~84 | ~84 |
| BM | General Female | ~91 | ~82 | ~80 | ~80 |
| HRM | General Male (Engineering) | ~95 | ~83–85 | ~90–92 | ~85–87 |
| HRM | General Female (Engineering) | ~90 | ~73 | ~85 | ~80 |
| HRM | General Male (Non-Eng'g) | ~93 | ~76 | ~90 | ~87 |
| HRM | General Female (Non-Eng'g) | ~87 | ~68–73 | ~85 | ~80 |
XAT 2026 Section‑Wise Cutoff (VALR, DM, QA‑DI)
As per the previous years’ analysis, to score in the 99.9th percentile in XAT 2026, a candidate will need to secure ~20–21 marks in QA-DI, around 18 marks in VALR, and DM.
- A percentile range of 99.5 will require the sectional scores of around 19.25 in QA-DI, ~16 in VALR, and DM.
- To achieve the cutoff ranging between 90–95 percentile, the candidate needs to score around 9–11.25 in QA, ~9-11 in VALR and ~9-10.75 in DM.
- Even a score of around ~7–8 in each section can secure an 80–85 percentile.
This shows that a small difference in score can lead to a major shift in the percentile, especially in higher ranges.
| Percentile | QA‑DI Score | VALR Score | DM Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 99.9 | ~20–21 | ~18 | ~18 |
| 99.5 | ~19.25 | ~16 | ~16 |
| 99 | ~15.25 | ~14 | ~14.25 |
| 95 | ~11.25 | ~11 | ~10.75 |
| 90 | ~9.25 | ~9 | ~9 |
| 85 | ~8.25 | ~8 | ~8 |
| 80 | ~7.25 | ~7 | ~7 |
What is a good score for XAT?
A score range of 25-34 marks out of 75 is considered a good score in XAT, which can place the candidate in the percentile range of 90–94 percentile, providing the opportunity to get admission into mid tier institutes like XIMB, MICA, IMT, IMI.
| Percentile | Raw Marks (Approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 99 %ile | 39–40+ | Elite benchmark │ for top institutes & XLRI shortlist |
| 96 %ile | 37–38+ | Strong contender for XLRI HRM/BM, SPJIMR, etc. |
| 95 %ile | 35 | A solid score for most Tier‑1 colleges |
| 90 %ile | 25–34 | Entry-level for schools like XIMB, MICA, IMT |
| 85 %ile | ~21–22 | Opens doors to colleges in 80–90 percentile band |
Ques. What is a good XAT score for XLRI?
Ans. The candidates set different goals depending on their scores in the XAT exam and college prefernce.
For XLRI (Jamshedpur/Delhi):
- 95–97 percentile (~35–38 marks): Ideal to meet shortlist criteria.
- 39–40+ marks — likely results in ≥96–97 percentile, strengthening your application for an interview call
Tier‑1 B‑Schools (XIM, MICA, IMT, IMI, SPJIMR)
- 90–96 percentile (~30–35 marks): Competitive for these colleges where overall percentile is key. Sectional cutoffs are typically waived
Other Reputable Institutes (TAPMI, GIM, GLIM, LIBA, KJSomaiya, IRMA, FORE, etc.):
- 85–90 percentile (~25–30 marks): Solid for admissions into this batch of institutes
- Even 80 percentile (~21–23 marks) can be enough for some emerging or niche programs.
Ques. Is 72 percentile good in XAT?
Ans.The 72 percentile is considered an average percentile, which can provide the opportunity to get admission into several recognized B-schools like Woxsen University, Alliance School of Business (Bangalore), Rajagiri Business School, WeSchool (Mumbai), Amrita School of Business, and IBA Bangalore.
Also Read
XAT 2025 Cut-off
XLRI has officially announced the XAT 2025 cutoffs. The cutoffs set the minimum percentile requirements for admission to XLRI’s flagship management programs. These cutoffs are determined based on various criteria, including the exam's difficulty level, the number of applicants, and available seat capacity. XLRI has designed these thresholds to ensure a very diverse and highly competent pool of students while promoting inclusivity and gender diversity.
XAT 2025 Cutoffs for Business Management (BM) Program
Trends in Overall Cut-off:
- Engineering Male candidates: 96 % and Non-Engineering Male candidates: 96 %. Female candidates are at 91%.
- It depicts a relatively stricter benchmark for males so that a better balance can be maintained with respect to admission.
Sectional Cut-offs:
- The Quantitative Aptitude (QA) section has a relatively higher cutoff at 88 percentile for male candidates, and is relatively more relaxed at 82 percentile for female candidates. This reflects XLRI's intent to balance the gender representation.
- Similarly, in Decision Making (DM) and Verbal and Logical Reasoning (VALR), female candidates have a slightly lower cutoff as compared to their male counterparts.
Engineering vs. Non-Engineering Background:
- The cut-offs are the same for both engineering and non-engineering candidates, meaning that XLRI values diversity in education backgrounds as well and rather looks for aptitude.
| Stream | Gender | Total | QA | VALR | DM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engineer/Tech | Male | >=96 | >=88 | >=84 | >=84 |
| Engineer/Tech | Female | >=91 | >=82 | >=80 | >=80 |
| Non-Engineer | Male | >=96 | >=88 | >=84 | >=84 |
| Non-Engineer | Female | >=91 | >=82 | >=80 | >=80 |
XAT 2025 Cutoffs for Human Resource Management (HRM) Program
Trend of Overall Cut-offs:
- The overall percentile cut-off for male engineering candidates is 95% and is marginally lower for non-engineering candidates at 93%, thus implying a marginal bias towards a technical background.
- Female Candidates have a lower cutoffs: 90% for engineers and 87% for non-engineers, thatXLRI has been upholding gender-diversity.
Section-wise cutoffs:
- The Quantitative Aptitude (QA) section cutoffs highlighted the difference between Male and Female candidates, while male engineers require 83 percentile female engineers require 73 percentile.
- In DM and VALR also, the trend is same and the male candidate needs to have higher percentiles for both engineering and non-engineering backgrounds.
Measures of Diversity and Inclusion:
- Lower cut-offs of female candidates in both engineering and non-engineering streams show the proactive approach of XLRI in promoting gender balance and diversity.
- This step promotes more applicants and leads to a diverse classroom experience that ultimately helps for human resources-focused programs.
| Stream | Gender | Total | QA | VALR | DM |
| Engineer/Tech | Male | >=95 | >=83 | >=90 | >=87 |
| Engineer/Tech | Female | >=90 | >=73 | >=85 | >=80 |
| Non-Engineer | Male | >=93 | >=76 | >=90 | >=87 |
| Non-Engineer | Female | >=87 | >=68 | >=85 | >=8 |
Factors Affecting XAT Sectional Cut-off
There are multiple factors on which the XAT Cut off will depend. These are:
- Exam Difficulty Level: A more difficult paper typically results in lower cutoffs, whilst an easier paper results in higher cutoffs.
- Number of Candidates: Increased competition can raise cutoffs.
- Performance Trends: The overall performance of candidates each year influences the setting of cutoffs.
- Institutional requirements: Different business schools have different cutoff requirements based on their selection criteria.
- Score: Gender-wise average percentile score
- Percentile: Stream-wise average percentile score
How to Check XAT Cutoff 2025?
Candidates need to visit the official website xatonline.in to check the XAT Cut off. Here are some easy steps to check the same:
Also Read
XAT Counselling Process 2026
Previous Year XAT Cutoff
The XAT cutoff was published by XLRI Jamshedpur on 30 January 2024 via the official XAT website. The XAT cut off varied for different categories and XLRI programs.
XAT Cut Off 2024 for BM
Candidates can review the XAT cutoff for the BM course categorized for candidates belonging to engineering and non-engineering backgrounds:
| Candidates Category | Overall | VARC | QA | DM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male Engineers | 96 | 83 | 86 | 85 |
| Female Engineers | 91 | 80 | 81 | 80 |
| Male Non-Engineers | 95 | 83 | 85 | 86 |
| Female Non-Engineers | 90 | 80 | 80 | 81 |
XAT Cut Off 2024 for HRM
XAT cut off 2024 for the HRM program ranged between 88 and 95. Candidates can check the XAT cut off for the HRM course in the following table:
| Candidates Category | Overall | VARC | QA | DM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male Engineers | 95 | 90 | 80 | 85 |
| Female Engineers | 90 | 85 | 73 | 78 |
| Male Non-Engineers | 93 | 90 | 75 | 85 |
| Female Non-Engineers | 88 | 85 | 68 | 78 |
XAT CutOff 2023 for BM
XAT BM cut off in 2023 ranged between 92 and 95.
| Candidates Category | QA | VA | DM | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male Engineers | 85 | 75 | 75 | 95 |
| Female Engineers | 80 | 75 | 75 | 92 |
| Male Non-Engineers | 85 | 75 | 75 | 95 |
| Female Non-Engineers | 80 | 75 | 75 | 92 |
XAT CutOff 2023 for HRM
| Candidates Category | QA | VA | DM | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male Engineers | 75 | 90 | 75 | 93 |
| Female Engineers | 65 | 90 | 75 | 91 |
| Male Non-Engineers | 70 | 90 | 75 | 90 |
| Female Non-Engineers | 60 | 90 | 75 | 88 |
XAT Cutoff 2022 for PGDM HRM
| Category | VALR | DM | QA | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male Engineering | 80 | 70 | 75 | 92 |
| Female Engineering | 80 | 70 | 64 | 90 |
| Male Non-Engineering | 80 | 70 | 70 | 90 |
| Female Non-Engineering | 80 | 70 | 60 | 87 |
XAT Cutoff 2022 for PGDM BM
| Section | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| VALR | 75 | 72 |
| DM | 72 | 72 |
| QA | 80 | 75 |
| Overall | 93 | 90 |
XAT Cutoff 2021 for Business Management (BM)
| Section | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 94 | 92 |
| VALR | 76 | 70 |
| DM | 74 | 75 |
| QA | 83 | 75 |
XAT Cutoff 2021 for HRM
| Category | VALR | DM | QA | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male Engineering | 80 | 75 | 80 | 93 |
| Female Engineering | 75 | 68 | 74 | 90 |
| Male Non-Engineering | 80 | 75 | 73 | 90 |
| Female Non-Engineering | 75 | 68 | 64 | 87 |
| SC | 55 | 55 | 55 | 65 |
| ST | 50 | 50 | 50 | 55 |
Also Read
XAT Cutoff Marks vs Percentile
Understanding the comparison between XAT score and percentile helps candidates determine the marks required to achieve a specific score in XAT exam. We have provided last 3 years XAT cutoff vs Percentile to estimate the cut off for 2025.
.
| XAT Percentile | XAT 2024 Score | XAT 2023 Score | XAT 2022 Score | XAT 2021 Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99+ | 40+ | 43 | 40.5 | 39.5 |
| 95 | 35+ | 37.5 | 34 | 35 |
| 93 | 32+ | 35.5 | 32 | 31 |
| 90+ | 30+ | 32 | 30 | 29 |
| 89 | 28+ | 30.5 | 28 | 26 |
| 85 | 25+ | 27+ | 25-26 | 24 |
Also Read
XLRI Jamshedpur Placement, Salary, and Fees for XATHow to Calculate XAT Percentile?
The percentile is used in XAT which can be calculated using the following formula:
- Your XAT Rank/Total candidates x 100
For example, if your rank is 100 in XAT and 100,000 students participated, your percentile would be 90.
Does XLRI have a Sectional Cutoff?
Yes, XLRI has a sectional cutoff for XAT 2025. The cutoffs are not only based on the various sections of the exam but also on the gender of the candidate and their stream (Engineer or Non-Engineer). The B-school interviewed 2200-2800 students in 2024 based on the same sectional and overall cutoffs, which are released officially in the form of a PDF.
Which MBA colleges can I get with 85 percentile in XAT?
With 85 percentile in XAT, you can get into top-ranked MBA colleges such as XIMB, SPJIMR, IMT-Ghaziabad, GIM, TAPMI, IRMA- Anand, MICA, Great Lakes Institute of Management, LIBA-Chennai, KJ Somaiya, and others. Candidates must check the official website of their preferred college before applying for admission.
XAT Cut off: College-wise Score vs Percentile Analysis
| Name of the College | XAT Score | XAT Cut Off Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| XIMB Bhubaneswar | 30.5-32.5 | 90-93 |
| SPJIMR Mumbai | 32.5-34.5 | 93.50-95 |
| IMT Ghaziabad | 30.5-32 | 90-92 |
| Great Lakes Institute of Management | 26-27.5 | 80-85 |
| LIBA Chennai | 26-27.5 | 80-85 |
| KJ Somaiya Mumbai | 27.5-30.5 | 85-90 |
| GIM Goa | 27.5-30.5 | 85-90 |
| TAPMI Manipal | 26-27.5 | 80-85 |
| IRMA Anand | 26-27.5 | 80-85 |
| MICA Ahmedabad | 26-27.5 | 80-85 |
Verbal & Logical Ability
| XAT Raw score | XAT Percentile score |
|---|---|
| 9.5 | 85 |
| 10.5 | 90+ |
| 13.5 | 95+ |
Decision Making
| XAT Raw score | XAT Percentile score |
|---|---|
| 9.0 | 85 |
| 10 | 90 |
| 11.5 | 95+ |
Quant & DI
| XAT Raw score | XAT Percentile score |
|---|---|
| 10.5 | 85 |
| 12.5 | 90 |
| 15 | 95+ |
XAT Cutoff 2026 FAQs
Ques. How much to score in XAT for 90 percentile?
Ans. To achieve 90 percentile in XAT 2026, the candidate needs to secure 23–26 raw marks, which can provide the opportunity to take admission into reputed B-schools like IMT Ghaziabad, MICA, and IMI
Top MBA Colleges accepting 90 percentile
| College/Institute | Expected Percentile Range | Estimated Raw Score | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| XIM Bhubaneswar (XIMB) | 90–92%ile | 23–26 marks | MBAUniverse, IMS India, Careers360 |
| IMT Ghaziabad | 90–92%ile | 23–26 marks | MBAUniverse, IMS India, Careers360 |
| MICA Ahmedabad | 90–92%ile | 23–26 marks | MBAUniverse, IMS India, Careers360 |
| IMI Delhi | 90–92%ile | 23–26 marks | MBAUniverse, IMS India, Careers360 |
| SPJIMR (via XAT route) | 93–95%ile | 24–26 marks | InsideIIM, IMS India, Careers360 |
| GIM Goa | 85–90%ile | 20–23 marks | CollegeDekho |
| TAPMI Manipal | 85–87%ile | 20–23 marks | CollegeDekho |
| Great Lakes Institute, Chennai | 85–86%ile | 20–23 marks | CollegeDekho |
| KJ Somaiya, Mumbai | 80–82%ile | 20–23 marks | CollegeDekho |
| LIBA, Chennai | 80–85%ile | 20–23 marks | CollegeDekho |
| IRMA, Anand | 80–85%ile | 20–23 marks | CollegeDekho |
| FORE School of Management, Delhi | 80–87%ile | 20–23 marks | CollegeDekho |
Ques. Is 74 percentile good in XAT?
Ans. The 74 percentile is considered the below-average percentile in the XAT overall ranking, as this percentile can be achieved with the 17–18 marks overall.
This percentile range is not sufficient for the XLRI or any top -tier Bschool, but the candidate can get admission into BIMTECH Greater Noida, IFMR GSB, Great Lakes Gurgaon, Welingkar, XIME, BIM Trichy.
| Percentile Range | Interpretation / Possible Outcomes |
|---|---|
| 80–90 percentile | Eligible for many strong institutes such as FORE, TAPMI, Great Lakes, GIM, etc. |
| 70–80 percentile | Possible admission to mid-tier MBA colleges; placements around ₹10–12 LPA |
| ~74 percentile | Too low for XLRI; OK for some mid-tier business schools that shortlist within 70–80 percentile |
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
Comments
Found 1 Comment
XLRI Jamshedpur releases the XAT cut-off for the PGDM BM program male and female categories and Engineering and Non-Engineering graduates. While NMIMS Mumbai releases separate cut-offs for PWD students.