XLRI Jamshedpur has officially released the XAT 2026 response sheets on its website for candidates to verify their recorded answers. Aspirants can now download their individual sheets using their XAT ID and password to cross-check their performance against the provisional answer key.The verification process is a critical step before the final result declaration expected in the third week of January.

Xavier School of Management (XLRI) has made the candidate response sheets available for the Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) 2026. Students who appeared for the national-level entrance exam on January 4 can now access their individual documents via the official portal at xatonline.in. This release allows for immediate answer verification, as candidates can compare their marked responses with the official provisional answer key that was published shortly after the examination. With the result expected to be announced around January 17 or 18, this window is crucial for students to calculate their raw scores and predict their potential percentiles for B-school admissions.

Accessing the XAT Student Dashboard

To facilitate a smooth answer verification process, XLRI has activated the download link within the candidate login area. Aspirants are advised to save a digital copy of their response sheet, as it serves as the primary record of their performance in the computer-based test.

• Login Process: Candidates must use their unique XAT ID and the password created during the registration phase to enter the dashboard.
• Navigation: Once logged in, a specific tab labeled "Candidate Response" or "Response Sheet" will be visible for download.
• Document Content: The PDF contains the full question paper along with the specific option chosen by the candidate and the status of each question.
• Helpdesk Support: For any technical glitches during the download, the institute has provided a dedicated helpdesk number and email for candidate assistance.

Marking Scheme and Score Estimation

Utilizing the response sheets for answer verification enables candidates to apply the official marking scheme to their performance. The 2026 paper maintains its traditional structure, where accuracy is rewarded but excessive unattempted questions or incorrect answers result in penalties.

• Sectional Analysis: Candidates are currently reviewing their performance in Decision Making and Verbal Ability, which often dictate the final percentile.
• Negative Marking: Careful answer verification is required to account for the unique penalty applied to students who leave more than eight questions unanswered.
• GK Inclusion: While General Knowledge scores do not impact the overall percentile, they are reviewed by XLRI during the final interview shortlisting.

Objection Window and Result Timeline

The release of the response sheets was accompanied by a brief objection window, allowing students to challenge any discrepancies found during their answer verification. XLRI is currently in the process of reviewing these challenges to finalize the scores.

• Final Key Status: The final answer key is expected to be released by January 17, incorporating any valid changes from the objection phase.
• Result Prediction: Based on the current year’s moderate difficulty level, a raw score of 35 or above is tentatively expected to cross the 95th percentile.
• Scorecard Availability: Official scorecards will be available for download until March 31, 2026, though the results will be live much earlier.
• Admissions Cycle: Top-tier institutes like SPJIMR, XIMB, and IMT will begin their shortlisting process immediately after the results are made public.

Conclusion

The availability of the XAT 2026 response sheets has brought much-needed transparency to the post-exam phase. By engaging in thorough answer verification, candidates are now able to transition from speculation to strategic planning for their upcoming Group Discussion and Personal Interview rounds. As the final result date nears, the focus remains on the official portal for the ultimate confirmation of percentiles and sectional cut-offs.