XAT Cut Off 2026: Expected Percentile-wise Colleges, Rank-wise List & Admission Insights
XAT Cut Off 2026 – Overview
With the declaration of the XAT 2026 result, management aspirants are now keenly analysing the XAT Cut Off 2026 for top MBA colleges in India. XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) is one of the most competitive national-level MBA entrance exams, and its cutoffs play a crucial role in shortlisting candidates for GD-PI-WAT rounds across premier B-schools.
As per previous years’ trends and current admission indicators, XLRI Jamshedpur is expected to maintain its position as the institute with the highest XAT cutoff, likely above 96 percentile. Other leading institutes such as IMT Ghaziabad, XIM University, MICA Ahmedabad, IMI Delhi, TAPMI Manipal, and Great Lakes are also expected to demand high XAT percentiles for the 2026–28 MBA batch.
This article provides a complete, percentile-wise and rank-wise analysis of XAT Cut Off 2026, including:
- Top colleges at 90+, 80+, 70+, 60+ percentiles
- Government and private XAT-accepting institutes
- Selection criteria and admission process
- FAQs and preparation insights
XAT Exam Updates
What is XAT Cut Off 2026?
The XAT Cut Off 2026 refers to the minimum percentile or score required by a candidate to qualify for the shortlisting process of a particular MBA institute. Cutoffs may be:
- Overall percentile cutoffs
- Sectional cutoffs (Decision Making, Verbal Ability, Quantitative Ability)
It is important to note that:
- XLRI and some top institutes apply strict sectional cutoffs
- Several colleges do not enforce sectional cutoffs, focusing only on overall percentile and profile
Does XAT Have Sectional Cutoffs?
Yes, XAT does have sectional cutoffs, but its application depends entirely on the institute.
- XLRI applies both sectional and overall cutoffs
- Many private and government colleges ignore sectional cutoffs
XAT 2026 Cutoff: Rank-wise College List (Expected)
Below is a rank-wise comparison of top MBA colleges based on NIRF 2025 rankings and expected XAT 2026 cutoffs:
| MBA College | NIRF Rank 2025 | XAT 2026 Cutoff (Expected) |
|---|---|---|
| XLRI Jamshedpur | 10 | 96+ |
| IMT Ghaziabad | 30 | 92+ |
| XIM University, Bhubaneswar | 45 | 92–94 |
| MICA Ahmedabad | 33 | 80–85 |
| Great Lakes Chennai | 37 | 85–90 |
| TAPMI Manipal | 39 | 80+ |
| IMI Delhi | 40 | 85–90 |
| GIM Goa | 43 | 85 |
| KJ Somaiya Institute of Management | 65 | 71 |
XAT Cut Off 2026: Top MBA Colleges Accepting 90+ Percentile
| MBA College | XAT Cutoff %ile | Fees (₹ Lakhs) | Avg. Package |
|---|---|---|---|
| XLRI Jamshedpur | 96+ | 30.5 | 32.7 LPA |
| IMT Ghaziabad | 92+ | 21.53 | 17.35 LPA |
| MICA Ahmedabad | 90–91 | 28 | 20.09 LPA |
| XIM University | 91–92 | 23 | 20.03 LPA |
| IMI Delhi | 90+ | 23.54 | 17.01 LPA |
XAT 2026-27 New Batches
XAT Cutoff 2026: Colleges Accepting 80–90 Percentile
Institutes like FORE Delhi, TAPMI Manipal, Great Lakes, IRMA Anand, GIM Goa form the core segment for candidates scoring between 80–90 percentile.
| College | XAT Cutoff | Avg. Package |
|---|---|---|
| FORE School of Management | 85–87 | 14.5 LPA |
| TAPMI Manipal | 85–87 | 15.7 LPA |
| Great Lakes Chennai | 85–86 | 14.5 LPA |
| IRMA Anand | 83–84 | 15.5 LPA |
| GIM Goa | 85–86 | 14.87 LPA |
XAT Colleges Accepting 70–80 Percentile
Candidates scoring 70–80 percentile still have access to reputed MBA institutes, especially private universities and specialised management schools.
Examples include:
- Welingkar Mumbai
- BIMTECH Greater Noida
- Great Lakes Gurgaon
- XIME Bangalore
- IFMR GSB (KREA University)
- IMT Nagpur
XAT Colleges Accepting 60–70 Percentile
For candidates with 60–70 percentiles, quality MBA options remain available, particularly in:
- Delhi NCR
- Bengaluru
- Hyderabad
- Pune
Popular names:
- NDIM Delhi
- JIMS Rohini
- FIIB Delhi
- IPE Hyderabad
- Jaipuria Institute of Management (Jaipur/Indore)
XAT Colleges Accepting 50–60 Percentile
MBA colleges accepting 50–60 percentile generally focus on:
- Profile-based selection
- GD-PI performance
- Academic background
Institutes include:
- Apeejay School of Management
- Kohinoor Business School
- Delhi School of Business
- ISBM Pune
- Firebird Institute of Research in Management
MBA Entrance Exams 2026-27 Mock Tests
XAT Colleges Admission Process 2026
Although the process differs across institutes, the common selection stages are:
- XAT 2026 Score
- Academic Performance (10th, 12th, Graduation)
- Work Experience (if applicable)
- GD / WAT / PI rounds
- Final Merit List
What is a Safe Score in XAT 2026?
- 40–50 marks → 95–99 percentile
- 35 marks → Around 85 percentile
- 30–32 marks → Around 75–80 percentile
Conclusion
The XAT Cut Off 2026 reflects the intense competition among MBA aspirants aiming for top B-schools in India. While XLRI Jamshedpur continues to dominate with the highest cutoff, candidates across a wide percentile range—from 95+ to even 50+—have access to credible MBA opportunities.
Rather than focusing only on cutoffs, aspirants should:
- Target institutes matching their profile and career goals
- Prepare strongly for GD-PI-WAT rounds
- Apply strategically across multiple percentile bands
A well-planned approach can convert even a moderate XAT percentile into a successful MBA admission.
FAQs – XAT Cut Off 2026
Q1. Is XAT tougher than CAT?
Yes, XAT is generally considered tougher due to Decision Making section and negative marking.
Q2. Does IIT Bombay accept XAT score?
Yes, IIT Bombay accepts XAT along with CAT for MBA admissions.
Q3. Is calculator allowed in XAT?
Yes, an on-screen calculator is provided during the exam.
Q4. Does SPJIMR accept XAT score?
Yes, SPJIMR considers XAT scores for certain programs.
Q5. Is 35 a good score in XAT 2026?
Yes, 35 marks can fetch around 85 percentile, opening doors to good MBA colleges.
