XAT 2026 candidates are currently reviewing their response sheets and provisional answer keys on xatonline.in. Following the January 4 exam, aspirants have until the mid-January deadline to raise objections. Use this final review phase to estimate raw scores using the +1 and -0.25 marking scheme before the final results are declared.

Following the successful conduct of the Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) on January 4, thousands of MBA aspirants are currently in the process of auditing their performance via the official response sheets. Released by XLRI Jamshedpur on the official portal, these documents provide a comprehensive look at the answers marked by candidates during the three-hour examination. This review phase is considered a critical step in the admission cycle, as it allows for a transparent comparison between student inputs and the provisional answer keys released shortly thereafter.

Accessing the Portal and Scoring Mechanics

To access their individual response sheet, candidates must navigate to the student dashboard at xatonline.in using their XAT ID and password. The document details every question presented across the four main sections: Verbal and Logical Ability, Decision Making, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, and General Knowledge. Most students are currently performing a meticulous review to calculate their raw scores based on the 2026 marking scheme, which remains consistent with previous high-standard testing protocols.

• Positive Marking: Each correct answer adds +1.0 mark to the total tally.
• Negative Marking: For every incorrect response in the core sections, 0.25 marks are deducted.
• Unattempted Penalty: A unique XAT feature where 0.10 marks are deducted for every unattempted question beyond eight consecutive blanks.
• GK Section: While students review their General Knowledge answers, it is noted that this section does not carry negative markings and is not included in the main percentile calculation.

Objection Window and Technical Discrepancies

The release of the response data was quickly followed by an objection window, which allowed students to challenge any provisional answer they deemed incorrect. Today, January 17, marks the final stage for many in verifying if their raised concerns have been acknowledged. Experts suggest that even a minor adjustment in the final answer key can significantly shift the percentile ranks, especially in a competitive year where over 1.4 lakh candidates appeared for the test.

• Challenging Answers: Candidates were required to upload supporting documents and pay a processing fee of ₹500 per objection.
• Data Verification: Students are urged to check for any technical glitches, such as questions they remember answering appearing as "Unattempted" in the response sheet.
• Final Key Status: The finalized answer key is expected to be published within the next 48 hours, incorporating valid student feedback.
• Score Normalization: Since the exam was held in a single shift, no score normalization is required, making the raw review highly accurate for predicting results.

XAT 2026 Performance and Sectional Breakdown

The 2026 paper has been described by many as "moderately difficult," with the Decision Making section once again proving to be the differentiator. The following table provides a breakdown of the question distribution that candidates are currently auditing.

Conclusion

The current review of the XAT 2026 response sheets marks the end of the post-exam feedback cycle. As XLRI prepares to release the final results—tentatively scheduled for the final week of January—aspirants are already using their estimated scores to shortlist B-schools such as XIMB, IMT Ghaziabad, and GIM Goa. By maintaining a high level of transparency through this response system, XLRI continues to uphold its reputation as one of the most credible entrance testing bodies in the country.

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