The XAT Score vs Percentile comparison shows how raw XAT exam scores translate into percentile rankings, indicating a candidate’s relative performance among all test-takers. This helps you understand whether your score meets the cutoff by comparing marks to percentiles in each section (VARC, DM, QA-DI) and predicting your chances at top B-schools.
In XAT 2026, scoring well in each section is crucial, as even a difference of 1-3 marks per section can shift your percentile from 90 to 99.
- VARC: A score of 16-17 can place you in the 99 percentile, while 11–12 marks can get you 90 percentile.
- DM: Scoring 14–15 marks may give you 99 percentile, while 11 marks can secure 90 percentile.
- QA-DI: This is the toughest section. You can achieve 99 percentile with 16-17 marks, and 10 marks are enough to secure 85-88 percentile.
Note: As per the official XAT notice, General Knowledge scores will be used by XLRI in the final selection process, so make sure to attempt it well.
Based on expert predictions and previous year trends, the XAT 2026 score vs percentile predictions are:
| XAT Score (out of 75) | Expected Percentile (2026) | What It Indicates |
|---|---|---|
| 40+ | ~97–99+%ile | Excellent performance; opens top calls (XLRI, SPJIMR). |
| 37–39 | ~95–97%ile | Very strong score; likely calls from XIMB, IMT, etc. |
| 31–36 | ~93–95%ile | Strong performance; good to excellent options. |
| 25–30 | ~90–93%ile | Good score; suitable for tier-2 and some tier-1 colleges. |
| 23–24 | ~85–90%ile | Decent performance for many good colleges. |
| 21–22 | ~80–85%ile | Acceptable for mid-tier programs. |
| ≤20 | <80%ile | Lower percentile; may still be useful for some colleges. |
- A score of 37-39 can help you secure colleges like XIMB and IMT, with around 97 percentile.
- Scoring 40+ can place you in the 97–99+ percentile, ideal for top institutes like XLRI.
- Scores of 31-36 are expected to place you in the 93–95 percentile, offering strong B-school options.
- A score of 25-30 can lead to a 90-93 percentile, which qualifies you for tier-2 and some tier-1 institutes.
- Scores in the range of 21-24 (resulting in an 80-90 percentile) can still provide access to mid-tier colleges.
Also Check:
- What is the Difference Between XAT Score and Percentile?
- Sectional XAT Score vs Percentile Breakdown for Top Ranks
- Historical XAT Score vs Percentile Trends (2021–2026)
- What is a Safe Score in XAT?
- XAT Cutoffs 2026: Score vs Percentile for XLRI and Other Colleges
- Predicted XAT Score Ranges for 99+ Percentile in 2026
- Impact of Exam Difficulty on XAT 2026 Percentile Normalization
- XAT Score Vs Percentile 2026 FAQs
What is the Difference Between XAT Score and Percentile?
The XAT score is your raw marks scored in the exam, whereas the XAT Percentile shows how you have performed as compared to all other candidates. It shows the percentage of the total test-takers who scored lower than you.
The percentile adjusts your scores based on the exam’s difficulty and the number of test takers, which is why B-schools primarily use percentile for shortlisting.
For example, A 90th percentile means that you have scored more than 90% of the total candidates.
How to Calculate Your XAT Percentile from Raw Score
To calculate the XAT percentile from the raw score you should have an understanding of the XAT exam pattern
- Part 1 (VARC, QA-DI, DM): Total 75 marks (VARC: 26, QA-DI: 26, DM: 23).
- Negative marking: -0.25 for each wrong answer; no penalty for unattempted questions (post-2023 rules).
- Part 2 (GK): Usually not counted in percentile calculations.
Example: If you answered 40 correctly and 5 incorrectly:
Raw Score = (40 × 1) - (5 × 0.25) = 38.75
XAT Percentile Calculator
To calculate the percentile, here is the formula you can use:
Percentile=Total candidates/Number of candidates who scored less than you×100
Ques. How does exam difficulty and normalization affect XAT 2026 score vs. percentile?
Ans. The Exam difficulty and normalisation process plays an important role in deciding the score vs percentile each year.
When the paper is tougher, a lower score can place you in the high percentile. In tough years (like 2021), 33–36 marks could fetch 95+, but in easy years (like 2023), you needed around 40–45.
Normalization evens out section-wise difficulty in XAT, so even small 2–3 mark changes can lead to big percentile jumps.
Ques. Is there any official sectional cutoff list released by XLRI ever or only overall?
Ans. Yes, XLRI releases both overall and sectional cutoffs every year for its BM and HRM programs. XLRI checks performance in VALR, DM, and QA-DI.
- Sectional Cutoffs (BM): VALR (75-80%ile), DM (70–76 %ile), and QA-DI(80–85 %ile)
- Sectional Cutoff (HRM): All Sections (70-75%ile)
Ques. With a 93-95 percentile in XAT 2026, which colleges can I target?
Ans. A 93-95 percentile in XAT 2026 you can expect to get admission into college like,
- IMT Ghaziabad
- IMT Ghaziabad - PGDM Core
- KJ Somaiya Institute of Management, Mumbai
- GIM Goa - PGDM
- FORE School of Management, Delhi
- TAPMI Manipal
Ques. What raw attempts target 95+ percentile in XAT 2026 mocks?
Ans. As the scores in XAT are highly variable, where attempts matter only with accuracy, whereas the mock tests of coaching institutes provides a stable trends.
Typical Attempts for 95+ Percentile (Based on Past 3–4 Years)
| Section | Good Attempts | Expected Accuracy | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability & LR | 16–18 | ~70% | VA is tricky; attempts stay moderate. |
| Decision Making | 17–19 | ~75% | DM has steady difficulty every year. |
| Quant & DI | 13–16 | ~70% | QADI is usually the toughest section. |
Ques. CAT bombed me. I'm a general non engineering female how much percentile do I need in xat to get a call from xlri Jamshedpur? BM and HRM both
Ans. If you are not satisfied with your performance in CAT exam, then you can still get admission into top B-schools through XAT Exam.
To get a call from XLRI Jamshedpur, as a general, non engineer and female, you are required to score around 95-96 percentile for BM and around 92-94 percentile for HRM.
| Program | Typical Cutoff (Past 5 Years) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| BM (Business Management) | 95–96+ percentile | Very competitive; highest cutoffs every year. |
| HRM (Human Resource Management) | 92–94 percentile | HRM has relatively lower cutoff but still competitive. |
Sectional XAT Score vs Percentile Breakdown for Top Ranks
According to experts' prediction, XAT 2026 is expected to require a balanced sectional performance instead of more attempts, especially because QA-DI is likely to remain the toughest section.
- To score 99 percentile, you’ll likely need about 16-17 marks in VALR and QA-DI and 14–15 marks in DM with 45-50 accurate attempts.
- The 95 and 90 percentiles should fall in the 11-14 mark range, while the 85 percentile may be achievable with 9-11 marks per section.
| Percentile | VALR (Marks) | DM (Marks) | QA-DI (Marks) | Total Attempts Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99 | 16–17 | 14–15 | 16–17 | 45–50 (low errors) |
| 95 | 13–14 | 12–13 | 12–13 | 38–42 |
| 90 | 11–12 | 11–12 | 11–12 | 34–37 |
| 85 | 10–11 | 9–10 | 9–10 | 28–32 |
Ques. 1 section at 50-60%ile, rest 90-95—will it tank my overall to <99 for top ranks?
Ans. Yes, as the percentile of XAT is heavily dependent on the section, especially on VARC and QA-DI.
To secure 99+ percentile you are required to score ≥75–80 percentile in all 3 sections, with atleast one section with >90 percentile.
Ques. When to expect XAT sectional cutoff? Can VALR drop to 78%ile for GNEF top rank?
Ans. The XLRI releases the sectional cutoffs only after the declaration of the XAT results, which is expected in last week of January 2026.
As per the precious 5 years trends for VALR sectional Cutoff:
- BM: 78-80 percentile
- HRM: 70-72 percentile
VALR can dip to 78 percentile for BM even for GNEF (General Non-Engineer Female)
Historical XAT Score vs Percentile Trends (2021–2026)
As per the previous years' XAT data (2025-2021) shows that the percentile varies as per the difficulty of the exam.
- Easier years (e.g., 2023) needed 43–46 marks for 99 percentile, while tougher years (e.g., 2021) required 33–36.
- Moderate years (2024–2025) saw 99 percentile around 36–40 marks.
| Year | 99 %ile Score | 95 %ile Score | 90 %ile Score | Notes / Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 38–40 marks | 32–35 marks | 28–30 marks | Moderate difficulty; cutoffs slightly higher near the top. |
| 2024 | 36–38 marks | 30–35 marks | 27–30 marks | Slightly tougher sections, especially QA & DM. |
| 2023 | 43–46 marks | 37.5 marks | 32–34.5 marks | Considered an easier year; higher raw scores needed. |
| 2022 | 36–40.5 marks | 29–34 marks | 25–30 marks | Moderate to easier patterns noted. |
| 2021 | 33–36 marks | 30–32 marks | 27–29 marks | Tougher paper reflected in slightly lower raw score thresholds. |
Score Variation: "just 2–3 marks can push percentile by 5–6 points in XAT." -Reddit
Ques. 2023 inflated scores—43 got 99, but 2025 back to 35. For 2026, aim 2 extra if QA tougher.
Ans. XAT 2023 had a very easy QA-DI, where only 43 marks placed a candidate in 99 percentile and in 2025 the QA section was moderate to difficult, so 99 percentile dropped to around 35 marks.
For XAT 2026, if QA again appears tougher (as it happens every alternate year), then your safe strategy is to aim 2-3 raw marks more than your mock targets.
Ques. Why 50+ for 99.9 in 2023 but 39 in 2025? Trends show easier papers need higher raw—2026 moderate like 2024?
Ans. In 2023, XAT was the easiest in 5 years, so candidates were required to score around 50-52 to secure 99.9 percentile.
In 2025, a tougher DM + QA combination brought the 99.9 percentile down to around 39.
As per the previous years trends, 2026 is expected to be moderate, closer to 2024 percentile.
Ques. How reliable are predictors for historical XAT trends, and do they match 2021–2025 actuals?
Ans. Yes, the XAT Predictors are fairly reliable for overall percentiles, usually within ±1 percentile based on past verification.
Accuracy varies by section:
- DM & VALR predictions are strong (close match to actual 2021–2025).
- QA-DI predictions fluctuate more because QA difficulty jumps year to year.
What is a Safe Score in XAT?
| Target College Category | Safe Score Range (Out of 75) | Expected Percentile | Insights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top Colleges (XLRI, XIMB, IMT, MICA) | 35–40 marks | 95–97+ %ile | Ideal for highly competitive programs; score varies based on difficulty each year. |
| Upper Mid-Tier Colleges (TAPMI, GIM, Great Lakes) | 28–32 marks | 90–93 %ile | Consistently good range for strong mid-tier B-schools. |
| Mid-Tier Colleges (IFMR, LIBA, IRMA, Welingkar) | 23–27 marks | 80–85 %ile | Suitable for colleges with moderate percentile cutoffs. |
| Entry-Level Acceptable Score | 20–22 marks | 75–80 %ile | Works for institutes with lower cutoffs or profile-based selection. |
Ques. What are the safe sectional scores/cutoffs for XLRI in XAT 2026?
Ans. As per the lat 5 years analysis, a safe sectional score/cutoffs for XLRI in XAT 2026 are:
- VALR: 10–11 marks with 78–82 percentile
- DM: 8-9 marks with 72–78 percentile
- QA: 9-10 marks with around 82–86 percentile
Ques. With 2025 trends, what's the safe score strategy for XAT 2026 comebacks or backups?
Ans. For XAT 2026, considering 2025’s tougher DM and moderate QA:
- Target 34–36 for a safe 95%ile, enough for XLRI-HRM, XIMB, IMT, MICA shortlists.
- Target 39–42 for 97–98%ile, giving stronger conversion chances at XLRI-BM/HRM.
- Maintain sectional balance, since 10–12% of high scorers miss XLRI only due to <75–80%ile in one section.
Ques. Is 28 marks safe for XIMB BM non-Odisha male?
Ans. A score of 28 marks will place you in 88-90 percentile as per the previous years data. The XIMB BM cutoff for non-Odisha male candidates usually stays around 90–92%ile.
So, 28 marks will be borderline, may or may not convert depending on the year’s difficulty whereas, 30–31 marks is the safer zone for a consistent XIMB BM shortlist.
XAT Category-Wise Cutoff
Source: Official XAT Cutoffs
XAT Cutoffs 2026: Score vs Percentile for XLRI and Other Colleges
As per the previous years analysis the XAT Cutoff 2026 shows that for the top colleges like XLRI BM/HRM will be the most competitive with around 95-96 percentile.
- Top colleges like XIMB, IMT, and MICA follow at 90–92 percentile, where overall score and profile matter.
- Mid-tier institutes such as TAPMI, GIM, and Great Lakes have cutoffs in the 85–88 percentile range.
- Regional/specialized institutes like LIBA, IRMA, IFMR, KJ Somaiya, FORE, Welingkar, and XIME will accept 70–85 percentile.
| College | Expected Percentile 2026 | Insight / Category |
|---|---|---|
| XLRI Jamshedpur – BM/HRM | 95–96%ile | Top-tier, highly competitive; section-wise balance important. |
| XIM Bhubaneswar / XIM University | 91–92%ile | Strong general management programs. |
| IMT Ghaziabad | 90–91%ile | Competitive invite, less sectional focus. |
| MICA Ahmedabad | 90–91%ile | Marketing/Communications focus; profile matters. |
| TAPMI Manipal | 85–88%ile | Good ROI & steady cutoff range. |
| GIM Goa | 85–87%ile | Solid mid‑tier option with strong placement. |
| Great Lakes Institute | 85–86%ile | Chennai campus; good for analytics/consulting tracks. |
| LIBA Chennai / IRMA Anand / IFMR Chennai | 75–85%ile | Good options for specialized management courses. |
| K J Somaiya / FORE / Welingkar / XIME Bangalore | 70–80+%ile | Strong regional and industry‑focused programs. |
Ques. How will exam difficulty impact XAT 2026 cutoffs vs. 2025?
Ans. If XAT 2026 remains moderate like 2025, cutoffs should stay similar, with only a 1–2 mark rise in the 95–98 percentile range.
- A tougher QA/DM section will lower raw cutoffs by 2–3 marks, while an easier paper (like 2023) can push 99%ile back to 40–45 marks.
- Overall, percentiles shift directly with difficulty, but XLRI sectional cutoffs remain mostly stable year to year.
Ques. Is 94 percentile safe for XLRI HRM female engineer in 2026?
Ans. Yes, 94 percentile is generally safe-but-borderline for XLRI HRM. Historically, HRM cutoffs for female candidates fall around 92–94%ile, but depend heavily on clearing sectional cutoffs (especially VALR & QA-DI). With strong sectionals and a decent profile, 94%ile usually converts a shortlist.
Ques. 10/9/8 GEM fresher — what is the minimum safe percentile for XLRI BM?
Ans. For a GEM fresher, XLRI BM is highly competitive,as per the past trends you should target 96–97+ percentile for a safe shortlist.
The academic profile (10/9/8) is strong but not exceptional, so a higher percentile helps. Sectionals (especially QA-DI ≥ 80–85%ile) remain important for clearing the first stage.
Predicted XAT Score Ranges for 99+ Percentile in 2026
Aiming for a 99+ percentile in XAT 2026? Historical data from XAT 2025 (moderately difficult) suggests raw scores of 38-42 out of 75 could secure 98-99%ile. Factors like sectional balancing and negative marking (-0.25 for wrong answers) play a key role. For context:
| Raw Score | Expected Percentile |
|---|---|
| 40+ | 99+ |
| 35-38 | 95-98 |
| 30-34 | 90-94 |
This XAT score vs percentile prediction helps in mock test evaluations—target at least 40 correct attempts across sections for top ranks.
Impact of Exam Difficulty on XAT 2026 Percentile Normalization
XAT normalization adjusts for varying difficulty levels. With XAT 2025 being moderately tough, the 99%ile threshold dropped to 35-40 marks, versus 43 in easier years like 2023. For XAT 2026, expect similar adjustments if the quant sections remain challenging. This affects your XAT score vs percentile strategy, practice adaptive mocks to simulate real conditions.
XAT Score Vs Percentile 2026 FAQs
Ques. Is 85%ile enough for Great Lakes Chennai PGDM?
Ans. Yes. Great Lakes Chennai PGDM typically shortlists candidates in the 85–86 percentile range in XAT. With solid academics and work experience, 85%ile is generally safe for a call.
Ques. Is XAT score alone enough or do colleges see Class 10/12 marks heavily?
Ans. For most colleges like IMT, TAPMI, GIM, GLIM, XAT percentile is the primary filter, and Class 10/12 marks carry only moderate weight during final selection.
XLRI, XIMB, MICA and a few top institutes consider academics, but they don’t reject candidates solely for 10/12 scores if the XAT percentile is strong.
Ques. GK section matters for final selection in XLRI or only for PI discussion?
Ans. GK does not affect XLRI cutoff or shortlist, but it is used in the final composite score and determine the PI/WAT evaluation.
A low GK won’t disqualify you, but a strong GK score improves your final merit ranking.
Ques. Lawyer with 3 years work ex, 94%ile — realistic chances for XLRI HRM?
Ans. Yes, 94 percentile with a legal background + 3 years’ experience is competitive for XLRI HRM.
As HRM values diverse profiles, and non-engineer can get calls at 92- 94 percentile, provided you clear the sectional cutoffs i.e, VALR: 75–80%ile, DM: 70–75%ile, QA-DI: 70–80%ile.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
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