The Xavier School of Management (XLRI) is gearing up to release the provisional answer key and individual response sheets for the Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) 2026. This crucial release will allow thousands of candidates who took the high-stakes management entrance exam to review their performance and calculate probable scores.
XAT 2026 Exam: Key Details and Marking Scheme
The XAT 2026 examination was conducted successfully on January 4, 2026, in a computer-based test (CBT) format. The test window ran from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM across a vast network of exam centers in 109 cities throughout India.
The question paper challenged candidates with a total of 95 multiple-choice questions, strategically divided into four core sections. The section-wise distribution was as follows:
- Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning: 26 questions
- Decision Making: 21 questions
- Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation: 28 questions
- General Knowledge: 20 questions
Understanding the marking scheme is vital for score estimation. The scheme for XAT 2026 is:
- +1 mark awarded for every correct answer.
- -0.25 mark deducted for each incorrect answer.
- A unique rule involves a deduction of 0.10 marks for every set of eight consecutive unattempted questions.
- Importantly, the General Knowledge section has no negative marking.
How to Download the XAT 2026 Answer Key and Response Sheet
Once the provisional answer key and response sheet links go live on the official portal, candidates must follow a straightforward process to access their documents. The entire procedure will be hosted on the designated website: xatonline.in.
Here is a step-by-step guide to follow:
- Visit the official website: xatonline.in.
- Look for and click on the active link labeled "XAT 2026 response sheet" or similar.
- On the login page, enter the required credentials: your XAT ID, password, and the security pin.
- After logging in, select the "Candidate response" option.
- Your individual XAT 2026 response sheet will be displayed on the screen.
- Download the document in PDF format and ensure you take a printout for future reference and during any objection-raising process.
What Candidates Should Do Next
Prospective students aiming for admission to Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) programmes via XAT 2026 are advised to stay vigilant. It is recommended to regularly check the official XAT website for the latest announcements regarding the exact release date and time of the answer key.
The release of the provisional answer key typically opens a short window where candidates can raise objections against any answer they believe is incorrect. After reviewing all challenges, XLRI will finalize the answer key and subsequently declare the XAT 2026 results. This makes the upcoming release a critical step in the admission journey for India's future business leaders.
