Leading management institutes have commenced the preliminary shortlisting process following the XAT 2026 exam. With the result expected this week, candidates are tracking percentile requirements for XLRI, SPJIMR, and IMT Ghaziabad. Academic profiles and sectional scores remain critical for securing Group Discussion and Personal Interview calls.

As the third week of January unfolds, the focus of the management education sector has shifted toward the shortlisting of candidates for the 2026-28 batch. While the official XAT 2026 results are slated for release on the candidate dashboard within the next 48 hours, several premier B-schools have already begun internal data processing. Based on the provisional answer keys released on January 9, institutes are identifying high-potential students who meet both the overall percentile thresholds and the rigorous sectional requirements unique to the Xavier Aptitude Test.

XLRI and Tier-1 Selection Criteria

XLRI Jamshedpur, the conducting body, remains the most sought-after destination for test-takers. The institute’s shortlisting process for its flagship Business Management (BM) and Human Resource Management (HRM) programs is known for its multi-dimensional approach. Beyond the raw score, the selection committee places significant weight on "Decision Making" and "Verbal Ability" scores, ensuring that the intake consists of individuals with balanced analytical and ethical reasoning skills.

• BM Program Thresholds: Male engineering candidates typically require a 96+ percentile, while female non-engineers may see calls at the 91-92 percentile mark.
• HRM Program Focus: This program often prioritizes candidates with strong communication and psychological aptitude, with overall cutoffs ranging from 93 to 95 percentile.
• Sectional Cutoffs: Unlike many other entrance tests, failing to meet a single sectional threshold can disqualify an applicant despite a high overall percentile.
• Academic Evaluation: Past performance in Class 10, 12, and Graduation is now being factored into the preliminary scores to create a holistic profile for the 2026 intake.

Participating Institutes and Profile-Based Calls

Outside of XLRI, over 250 management institutes are actively tracking the XAT performance of their applicants. Leading schools such as SPJIMR Mumbai and IMT Ghaziabad have historically utilized a "profile-plus-score" model. This means that an aspirant with a stellar academic background or relevant work experience might receive a shortlist call even if their percentile is slightly lower than the absolute threshold set for the general pool.

• SPJIMR Mumbai: Known for early profile-based shortlists; XAT scores act as a final validation of the candidate’s aptitude.
• XIMB Bhubaneswar: A major hub for XAT applicants, typically setting a cutoff in the 91-93 percentile range for its core MBA program.
• MICA Ahmedabad: Focuses heavily on the creative and logical segments of the XAT paper to shortlist for its specialized Strategic Marketing programs.
• Diversity Factors: Most private universities have adjusted their shortlisting algorithms this year to favor gender and academic diversity, offering a slight edge to non-engineering applicants.

Expected XAT 2026 Cutoff Trends

The 2026 paper was reported as "moderately difficult," particularly in the Quantitative Ability section. This difficulty level is expected to keep the 99th percentile threshold stable compared to previous years. The following table illustrates the projected percentile requirements for the top-tier of participating B-schools.

Conclusion

The commencement of the shortlisting phase marks a transition from testing to personal evaluation. As the final scorecards become available, the burden of proof shifts to the aspirant, who must now prepare to defend their profile in Group Discussions and Personal Interviews. With many institutes planning to conduct these rounds in February and March, students are advised to keep their academic transcripts and work certificates ready for the next stage of the 2026 admission intake.

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