XAT Score vs Percentile 2025 (Expected): Good Score, Best Colleges Through XAT, College-Wise and Course-Wise Scores, and Past Year Analysis of XLRI Cut-Offs

The XAT 2025 exam took place on January 5, 2025. Based on the latest analysis for XAT 2025, candidates can set clear targets for their scores and expected percentiles. Here are the key insights for those who have appeared for the exam. For example, a 47+ score is projected to secure a 99 percentile, while a 40+ score corresponds to a 94 percentile and a 36+ score to an 85 percentile. These estimates reflect steady annual increases in scores due to rising competition and may vary based on the 2025 exam's difficulty and test-taker performance.

“XAT 2025 Response Sheet was released on January 7,2025. Candidates who have appeared for XAT 2025 exam can check it from the link below.”

Expected XAT 2025 Score vs Percentile:

• 47+: 99 percentile
• 42+: 96 percentile
• 40+: 94 percentile
• 36+: 85 percentile
• 32+: 80 percentile
• 24+: 75 percentile

“Scores and Percentiles: A higher score usually means a higher percentile. But how high depends on how hard the exam is that year and how well others do.”

XAT 2025 Memory-Based Question Paper with Solutions PDF

For top programs like XLRI’s BM and HRM, candidates should target a 95+ percentile, which means a score of 40–42 or more. Institutes like XIMB, IMT Ghaziabad, and KJ Somaiya usually require a 90+ percentile, while colleges like TAPMI and GIM accept scores in the 75–85 percentile range.
“To secure admission into top MBA programs, candidates should aim for a score of 40+ for XLRI’s BM and HRM programs, 36–38+ for institutes like XIMB and IMT Ghaziabad, and 24–30+ for colleges such as GIM and TAPMI.”

Must read:

• XAT 2025 Response Sheet
• XAT 2025 Memory-Based Question Paper with Solutions
• XAT 2025 College Predictor

How to Calculate XAT 2025 Percentile?

Score normalization is not done in the case of the XAT exam, unlike the CAT, because the exam is conducted in a single session (2:00 PM-5:00 PM).To calculate the XAT percentile, the candidate's rank is divided by the total number of candidates who appeared for the exam and multiplied by 100.

“For example, if a candidate secured a rank of 100 out of 100,000 students who participated in XAT 2025, their percentile would be 99.9%.”

XAT 2025 Score vs Percentile Analysis: Best Colleges Through XAT

Your percentile in XAT 2025 can open various doors depending on your score. Below are some of the top colleges that use XAT scores for their admissions process, along with the typical percentile cut-offs:

• XLRI Jamshedpur
  • Programs Offered: Business Management, Human Resource Management, General Management
  • Typical Cut-off: Above 95th percentile
• XIM Bhubaneswar
  • Programs Offered: MBA in Business Management, Human Resource Management
  • Typical Cut-off: 90th percentile
• SPJIMR Mumbai
  • Programs Offered: PGDM
  • Typical Cut-off: 90th percentile
• IMT Ghaziabad
  • Programs Offered: PGDM in Marketing, Finance, and HR
  • Typical Cut-off: 90th percentile
• TAPMI Manipal
  • Programs Offered: PGDM in General Management, Banking and Financial Services
  • Typical Cut-off: 85th to 90th percentile
• GIM Goa
  • Programs Offered: PGDM in Healthcare Management, Big Data Analytics
  • Typical Cut-off: 85th percentile
• KJ Somaiya Mumbai
  • Programs Offered: MBA
  • Typical Cut-off: 80th to 85th percentile
• FORE School of Management
  • Programs Offered: PGDM
  • Typical Cut-off: 80th percentile

XAT 2025 Good Score

• A score above 35 (99+ percentile) is outstanding and can help you gain admission to premier business institutions like XLRI Jamshedpur (PGDM-BM or PGDM-HRM) and SPJIMR Mumbai (PGDM).
• Highly competitive scores of 30-34 (95+ percentile) can result in calls from prestigious universities such as MICA Ahmedabad (PGDM-C), TAPMI Manipal (MBA), and IMT Ghaziabad (PGDM).
• For second-tier business institutions like KJ Somaiya Institute of Management (MBA), GIM Goa (PGDM), and FORE School of Management (PGDM), a score in the 27–29 range (90+ percentile) is acceptable.
• Scores between 24-26 (85+ percentile) are strong and would likely draw the attention of mid-tier universities such as IFMR GSB Krea University (MBA), Welingkar Institute (PGDM), and BIMTECH Greater Noida (PGDM).
• Scores of 21-23 (80+ percentile) are acceptable but may require additional support from a strong application or interview for colleges like Amity Business School (MBA), JAGSOM Bangalore (MBA), or Christ University (MBA).

What is the 95 percentile score in XAT?

For XAT 2025, due to the increased difficulty of the exam, the score needed to reach the 95th percentile is expected to be around 33 to 34 points. In previous years, a score of about 35 was usually needed to achieve this percentile. This adjustment in the score reflects the tough questions and the long length of the test, which may lead to lower required scores for each percentile.

Impact on Admissions to Top Business Schools through XAT 2025

Scoring in the 95th percentile in XAT 2025 can help you get into some of the top MBA programs offered by leading business schools in India. Here’s a look at what you can expect regarding admissions based on the adjusted scores:

• XLRI Jamshedpur
  • Programs Offered: Business Management, Human Resource Management
  • Expected Cut-off: Usually around the 95th percentile, but there might be a slight change this year because the exam was harder.
• XIM Bhubaneswar
  • Programs Offered: MBA in Business Management, Human Resources
  • Expected Cut-off: Near the 95th percentile, showing the competitive nature of admissions.
• SPJIMR Mumbai
  • Programs Offered: Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM)
  • Expected Cut-off: Typically around the 95th percentile, but this could vary based on how everyone performed.
• IMT Ghaziabad
  • Programs Offered: PGDM in Marketing, Finance, and HR
  • Expected Cut-off: Candidates close to the 95th percentile usually have a good chance of getting into these programs.

Advice for XAT 2025 Applicants

• If you are planning to apply, consider these new score estimates when preparing for the next steps, like group discussions and interviews.
• Even if your scores are a bit lower than in previous years, if you did well compared to others, you might still have a strong chance of getting into these prestigious programs.
• Since the cut-off scores can change and depend on each program's specific requirements, keep an eye on updates from the schools you are interested in and adjust your application plans accordingly.

XAT 2025 Percentile Predictor: Score vs Percentile

• 47+ Scores: A score of 47 or higher is expected to position you in the top 1% of test participants, indicating excellent achievement.
• 42+ Scores: A score of 42 or more places you in the top 4%, which is ideal for interviews at prestigious universities such as XLRI BM.
• 40+ Scores: With a score of 40 or more, you can be in the top 6%, making you eligible for high-ranking institutes that prioritize balanced performance.
• 36+ Scores: At XLRI or other universities, a score of 36 or higher is competitive for second-tier management programs or specializations like HRM.
• Students with scores of 32 or higher can enroll in reputable state institutions and regional business schools.
• 24+ Scores: If you obtain a score of 24 or more, you can be admitted to mid-tier universities with good academic programs and decent placement possibilities.

Factors Determining XAT Score vs Percentile 2025

• Section Difficulty Variation: The January 5, 2025, XAT featured more difficult sections such as Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VA & LR) and Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation (QA & DI). Excelling in these areas could have significantly raised total percentiles because they carried more weight.
• Large Number of Participants: Given the competitive nature of the exam, even little changes in scores are likely to have a significant impact on percentile ranks.
• Importance of Balanced Performance: Achieving high scores in all sections was critical. A low score in one component may lower the total percentile, even with high scores in other sections.
• The impact of difficult questions: The harder questions in QA & DI and VA & LR were critical to achieving higher scores. Answering these correctly would have been more advantageous to increasing one's percentile.
• Distribution of Scores for Candidates: The distribution of scores across all applicants was also important. If the scores are close together, a few more points could have increased a candidate's percentile.
• Quality of Test Design: The XAT used advanced psychometric procedures to assure fair scoring. Candidates who did well on the more difficult questions would have seen a big improvement in their final percentile.

XAT 2025 Expected Cut Off

Here is the expected cutoff for various institutes that use XAT 2025 scores for admission:

XAT Score vs Percentile Sectional 2025 (Expected)

• Sectional Focus:
  • While VALR and QA-DI have relatively higher percentile expectations, DM offers a chance to secure critical sectional marks with moderate effort..
• Target Percentiles:
  • For BM aspirants: Scores of 15+ in QA-DI, 14+ in VALR, and 11+ in DM to achieve 95+ overall percentile.
  • For HRM aspirants: Focus on DM and VALR while maintaining consistency in QA-DI for balanced scores.

XAT 2025 Score vs Percentile Verbal and Logical Ability (VALR)

A score of 12–14 is expected to place candidates in the 85–90 percentile range, making it crucial to consistently perform well in this section.

XAT 2025 Score vs Percentile Decision Making (DM)

DM requires a 9–11 score to secure an 80–85 percentile, which is relatively lower compared to other sections.

XAT 2025 Score vs Percentile Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation (QA-DI)

A score of 13–15 is required for the 88–92 percentile, which makes QA-DI a high-priority section for BM aspirants.

What Score Is 70 Percentile in XAT?

For XAT 2025, a score of 21-23 marks is projected to secure a 70 percentile, assuming a moderate difficulty level similar to 2024. Candidates should aim to score evenly across sections, focusing on accuracy and question selection.

Historical Data for 70 Percentile in XAT

Is 25 a Good Score in XAT?

A score of 25 marks in XAT is likely to result in a 75-78 percentile. While it does not typically meet the cutoffs for XLRI, it is competitive for institutes like XIMB and GIM.

Institutes Accepting 75 Percentile in XAT 2025

What Percentile Is 20 Marks in XAT?

Candidates scoring 20 marks can expect a 68-72 percentile, depending on exam difficulty. This score aligns closely with cutoffs for several tier-2 colleges.

Section-Wise Breakdown for 20 Marks in XAT 2025

What Percentile Is 17 Marks in XAT?

A raw score of 17 marks is estimated to translate into a 65-68 percentile. While not highly competitive, this score is a stepping stone for further improvement.

Trend Analysis for 17 Marks in XAT

8 Marks in XAT Percentile

Candidates achieving 8 marks are estimated to fall within the 30-35 percentile range. Such scores are indicative of a need to improve across sections.

Strategies for Improvement

• Focus on high-weightage topics like Arithmetic and Reading Comprehension.
• Increase accuracy in Decision Making by practicing real-world scenarios.

16 Marks in XAT Percentile

A score of 16 marks in XAT is likely to correspond to a 60-65 percentile, making it a moderate score suitable for some tier-2 colleges.

Target Institutes

Past Years’ XAT Score vs Percentile Analysis (2024-2020)

Looking at past XAT scores and percentiles can help you set clear goals for XAT 2025. Here’s a simple comparison of the scores needed for the 90th and 95th percentiles over the last five years.

• Scores for the 90th Percentile:
  • In 2020, a score of 27–29 was enough to reach the 90th percentile.
  • By 2024, this increased to 33–35, showing a steady rise in competition.
  • Aspirants now need higher scores to reach the same percentile.
• Scores for the 95th Percentile:
  • In 2020, a score of 34–36 got candidates into the 95th percentile.
  • By 2024, this increased to 39–41, meaning the competition has grown tougher for top-tier percentiles.
• Overall Trend:
  • Scores required for both percentiles have increased by 5–6 points over the last five years.
  • This means candidates need to perform better each year to stay competitive.

XLRI Cut Off Gender-Wise Analysis (2024–2020)

• BM Male Candidates: Prepare for a 96 percentile or higher, as competition has steadily increased.
• BM Female Candidates: A 91–92 percentile should suffice, but a stronger performance can offer an edge.
• HRM Male (Engineer): Aim for 95+ to stay competitive in 2025.
• HRM Female (Engineer): A consistent 90 percentile has been the benchmark.
• HRM Male (Non-Engineer): Cutoffs rose in 2024, so target a 93 percentile or higher.
• HRM Female (Non-Engineer): While the cutoff is around 88, a slightly higher score will strengthen your position.

XLRI Business Management (BM) Cut Off Analysis

Male:

• The highest cutoff was 96 in 2024, reflecting a significant increase in competition.
• The cutoff dropped to 93 in 2022 but regained momentum in 2023 and peaked in 2024.
• The average cutoff over five years is approximately 94.6, indicating a consistently high benchmark for male candidates in BM.

Female:

• The cutoff for female candidates peaked at 93 in 2020 and gradually decreased, reaching its lowest at 91 in 2024.
• The consistent range between 90 and 93 highlights inclusivity while maintaining competitive standards.
• The average cutoff is 91.6, slightly lower than for male candidates.

XLRI Human Resource Management (HRM) Engineer Cut Off Analysis

Male (Engineer):

• The highest cutoff of 95 occurred in 2024, marking a rise in competition.
• The cutoff was stable at 93 for most years (2020, 2021, 2023).
• A slight dip to 92 in 2022 was followed by a recovery, reflecting fluctuations in demand.

Female (Engineer):

• The cutoffs remained stable at 90–91, showing inclusivity for female engineers.
• The highest cutoff was in 2020 and 2023 (91), but the difference between years is minimal.
• This stability indicates that XLRI consistently encourages diversity in HRM.

XLRI Human Resource Management (HRM) Non-Engineer Cut Off Analysis

Male (Non-Engineer):

• The cutoff remained steady at 90 for four years (2020–2023) but rose to 93 in 2024.
• This jump suggests growing competition among non-engineer male candidates in HRM.
• The average cutoff is approximately 90.6, with little variation until 2024.

Female (Non-Engineer):

• The cutoff for HRM female (non-engineer) candidates is the lowest among all categories, ranging from 87–88.
• The consistent cutoff reflects inclusivity and flexibility for this group.
• The average cutoff is 87.6, with no significant changes over the years.