Following the release of the preliminary results on January 16, XAT 2026 candidates are now tracking the publication of the final answer key. The Xavier School of Management (XLRI) is expected to finalize all student objections and update the official scores by the end of January. Aspirants can access their verified scorecards and sectional percentiles through the candidate login portal to plan their GD-PI rounds. With over 250 institutes accepting XAT 2026 scores, this final verification is the last step before the official cutoff release for the 2026-28 batch.

As the month of January 2026 draws to a close, management aspirants are shifting their attention to the definitive verification of their performance in the Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT). While the preliminary XAT 2026 results were surprisingly released on January 16, the official "Final Answer Key" is still anticipated by students who filed objections during the challenge window. This final document will address any discrepancies reported in the initial key released earlier this month. For the 2026 cycle, XLRI Jamshedpur has managed an accelerated timeline, and it is expected that any revised scorecards reflecting changes from the final answer key will be live on the portal by January 30.

Finalizing the Scoring Process

The transition from the provisional key to the final results is a rigorous process involving subject matter experts. Every objection raised by the test-takers is audited to ensure that the final percentile calculation is accurate and fair for all participants.

• Expert Audit: Faculty members from XLRI and participating XAMI institutes review the challenged questions to determine if any answer keys require a change.
• Score Adjustments: If a question is found to be technically flawed or has multiple correct options, "full marks" or adjusted credit may be awarded to all affected students.
• Final Percentile: The final result is not just about raw marks; it is a relative ranking that changes slightly if the total pool's scores are adjusted based on the final answer key.
• Official Link: Once the final version is approved, it will be uploaded to the XAT official website under the "Candidate Response" tab.

Understanding the Scorecard Validity

For the 1.35 lakh candidates who appeared for the test on January 4, the scorecard is more than just a list of marks. It is the primary document required for the next phase of the admission process, including Group Discussions (GD) and Personal Interviews (PI).

• Sectional Clarity: The scorecard highlights performance in Verbal and Logical Ability, Decision Making, and Quantitative Ability. General Knowledge scores are provided separately and do not impact the overall percentile.
• Result Validity: The XAT 2026 result remains valid for one academic year, specifically for the 2026-27 admission session.
• Download Instructions: Candidates must log in using their XAT ID and password to save their PDF scorecard. The portal will keep these documents active until late July 2026.
• Discrepancy Reporting: If a candidate's personal details on the final result do not match their admit card, they must contact the XAT helpdesk at XLRI immediately.

Preparation for the Selection Rounds

With the final announcement of results imminent, top-tier B-schools are ready to release their individual cutoffs. Institutes like SPJIMR, IMT Ghaziabad, and XIMB use these verified scores to shortlist the first batch of interviewees.

• XLRI Cutoffs: Expected to be released within a week of the final answer key, typically ranging from the 92nd to 96th percentile for flagship programs.
• Decision Making Weightage: Candidates are reminded that many institutes look for a high sectional score in Decision Making, a unique feature of the XAT 2026 exam.
• Profile-based Calls: Some colleges will start issuing "profile-based" interview calls where the result acts as a qualifying threshold rather than the sole selection criterion.
• Non-XLRI Applications: Most private management institutes will close their application windows shortly after the final result is confirmed, so aspirants should keep their verified scores ready.

Conclusion

The arrival of the final answer key marks the end of the evaluation phase for XAT 2026. While the preliminary results provided an early look at the rankings, the upcoming final announcement will solidify the scores that determine the future of management aspirants across the country. By January 31, every candidate will have access to a verified scorecard, allowing them to move forward with confidence into the grueling interview season. As the evaluation process concludes, the transparency maintained by XLRI ensures that the final result remains the gold standard for management admissions in the 2026 academic year.