The Xavier School of Management (XLRI) Jamshedpur has officially released the XAT 2026 response sheet today, January 6, 2026. This comes just two days after the Xavier Aptitude Test was conducted across India on January 4. For thousands of MBA aspirants, the release of the response sheet is a critical milestone, as it provides a transparent look at their performance before the final results are announced.
The response sheet is a digital record of all the answers you selected during the computer-based test. By comparing these responses with the official answer keys, you can estimate your raw score and predict your chances of getting into top-tier management institutes like XLRI, IMT Ghaziabad, and XIMB.
How to Download the XAT 2026 Response Sheet
Candidates can access their individual response sheets only through the official XAT website. The process is straightforward and requires your registered login credentials.
- Visit the official XAT portal at xatonline.in.
- Click on the “Login” button or the specific link titled “XAT 2026 Response Sheet.”
- Enter your XAT ID and Password.
- Once logged in, look for the “Candidate Response” tab.
- The response sheet will appear on the screen. It is highly recommended to download the PDF and save a copy for future reference.
Understanding the Marking Scheme
To calculate an accurate score from your response sheet, you must follow the official XAT marking pattern. Unlike many other entrance exams, XAT has a unique penalty for unattempted questions, which makes the calculation slightly more complex.
For every correct answer, you earn +1 mark. For every incorrect answer, there is a deduction of -0.25 marks. However, if you leave more than eight consecutive questions unattempted, a penalty of -0.10 marks is applied for every further unattempted question. It is important to note that the General Knowledge (GK) section does not have negative marking, and its score is not included in the primary percentile calculation, though it is used by XLRI during the final interview shortlisting.
Raising Objections and the Answer Key
While the response sheet shows what you marked, the provisional answer key—expected to be released shortly—will provide the correct answers according to XLRI. If you find any discrepancy between your marked response and the official key, or if you believe an official answer is incorrect, the exam authorities provide a limited window to raise objections.
To challenge an answer, you will need to log in to the portal, select the question ID, and upload supporting documents to prove your claim. There is usually a processing fee for each objection raised. If the subject matter experts find your objection valid, a final answer key will be released, and scores will be adjusted accordingly.
What Happens Next?
Once you have calculated your raw score, the next step is to estimate your percentile. Based on initial feedback, the XAT 2026 exam was rated as “moderately difficult.” Historically, a raw score of around 32 to 35 has often translated to a 95+ percentile, though this varies every year based on the difficulty level and the number of test-takers.
The official XAT 2026 results and scorecards are expected to be available by the third week of January 2026. After the results, XLRI and other participating institutes will release their individual cut-offs and begin the shortlisting process for Group Discussions (GD) and Personal Interviews (PI).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is the XAT 2026 response sheet the same as the final result?
No. The response sheet only shows the answers you marked during the exam. Your final result (percentile) will be released later in January after considering all shifts and valid objections.
2. How do I calculate the penalty for unattempted questions?
The first 8 unattempted questions carry no penalty. For every unattempted question after the 8th one, 0.10 marks are deducted from your total score.
3. Does the GK section affect my XAT percentile?
No, the GK section is not included in the calculation of the main XAT percentile. However, XLRI uses GK scores as a filter during the final selection stages.
4. Where can I find the direct link for the response sheet?
The only official link is available at xatonline.in. Avoid using third-party websites that ask for your login credentials.
5. Can I challenge my response sheet if an answer I clicked is showing up as something else?
The response sheet is a direct record of the server’s data. Usually, you can only challenge the “correctness” of the official answer key, not the technical recording of your response.