XAT 2026 Results and Final Answer Key Expected Soon
XLRI Jamshedpur is expected to announce the XAT 2026 results and the final answer key in the final week of January. Candidates who appeared for the January 4 examination can access their scorecards on the official portal using their unique ID and password. The result follows the resolution of all challenges submitted during the provisional objection window that closed earlier this month. This update provides a timeline for the result declaration, details on the final answer key evaluation, and the expected cut-offs for top management institutes.

Following the successful completion of the national-level entrance test on January 4, Xavier School of Management (XLRI) is currently in the final stages of processing the XAT 2026 scores. Thousands of aspirants are anticipating the release of the final answer key, which will be followed immediately by the official result declaration. According to sources at XLRI, the evaluation process is meticulously ensuring that all student grievances from the provisional stage are addressed before the Scorecard becomes available for download.
Final Answer Key and Evaluation Process
The release of the final XAT answer key is a vital step that establishes the definitive solutions used for marking. After the provisional key was released on January 9, students were given a window to raise objections against any perceived errors. The subject matter experts have since reviewed these challenges to refine the scoring Database. The final version of this key is binding and forms the basis for the normalized scores seen on the candidate’s profile.
- Resolution of Objections: All valid student challenges are incorporated into the final key before the Result is finalized.
- Marking Scheme: Candidates receive +1 for correct answers and -0.25 for incorrect ones in the main sections.
- Unattempted Penalty: A deduction of 0.10 marks is applied per question for unattempted questions exceeding eight.
- Transparency: The Database ensures that every student can verify their raw score against the official final answers.
- Normalization: The process accounts for the difficulty levels of different sections to ensure fair ranking across the pool of candidates.
XAT 2026 Result Timeline and Scorecard Details
As per the established Schedule, the results are tentatively expected to be live by January 31, 2026. Once the link is activated on the official website, students will need to log in to view their performance metrics. The Scorecard will include section-wise percentiles for Verbal Ability, Decision Making, and Quantitative Ability, which are the primary factors for shortlisting by over 250 participating B-schools.
- Login Credentials: Every applicant will need their XAT ID and password to access the Result portal.
- Validity: The scores obtained in this cycle are valid for admission to the 2026-27 academic session only.
- Percentile vs. Score: Students often look at the raw score to estimate their percentile rank before the official Schedule is completed.
- GK and Essay: While not included in the main percentile, these scores are recorded and considered during the final selection at XLRI.
| Key Event | Expected Date | Status |
| XAT Examination Date | January 4, 2026 | Completed |
| Provisional Answer Key | January 9, 2026 | Completed |
| Final Answer Key Release | Late January 2026 | Expected Soon |
| Official Result Declaration | January 31, 2026 | Tentative |
| Scorecard Download Window | Jan 31 - March 31, 2026 | Upcoming |
Conclusion
The transition from the objection window to the final Result marks a period of high anticipation for management aspirants. As XLRI prepares to update its Database with the final scores, candidates are encouraged to keep their login credentials ready. Following the Schedule provided, the release of the Scorecard will trigger the next phase of the admission process, involving Group Discussions and Personal Interviews at premier institutes across the country.
