XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) is a premier MBA entrance exam in India, organized every year by XLRI, Jamshedpur. With more than 1,00,000 students sitting for it each year, XAT is a doorway to some of the best B-schools in India. The admission season of 2025 will be very competitive, and knowledge of the XAT cut-off scores for leading MBA colleges will be essential for strategizing your applications properly.
In this guide, we present a detailed picture of XAT cut offs for the year 2025 comprising expected percentiles, admission process, section-wise criteria, and other important insights.
Why XAT for MBA?
- Accepted by 150+ B-Schools including XLRI, XIMB, IMT, and TAPMI
- Conducted by XLRI — one of India’s leading management institutes
- Tests decision-making skills, a feature not available in CAT
- Good ROI from well-known colleges at lower fees and improved placement numbers
Best MBA Colleges Accepting XAT Scores – Cut Off 2026 (Expected)
| Institute Name | Expected Overall Cut-Off (Percentile) | Sectional Cut-Off (VARC/DM/QA) | Courses Offered |
| XLRI Jamshedpur (BM) | 95-96 | 80+ each | Business Management |
| XLRI Jamshedpur (HRM) | 93-94 | 75+ each | Human Resource Management |
| XIM University (XIMB) | 90-91 | 70+ | MBA-BM |
| IMT Ghaziabad | 90 | No strict sectional cut-off | PGDM |
| TAPMI, Manipal | 85-88 | Moderate sectional cut-offs | PGDM |
| Great Lakes, Chennai | 80-85 | Not applicable | PGDM |
| IRMA Anand | 80 (with profile) | Decision Making critical | PGDM-RM |
| LIBA Chennai | 80 | No strict sectional | PGDM |
| GIM Goa | 85-87 | Profile-based consideration | PGDM |
| FORE School, Delhi | 85-87 | Not mandatory | PGDM |
Section-Wise XAT Cut Offs 2026 (XLRI BM – Expected)
| Section | Cut-Off (Percentile) |
| Verbal and Logical Ability | 75-80 |
| Decision Making | 78-80 |
| Quantitative Ability | 80-85 |
| Overall Percentile | 95-96 |
XAT Exam Pattern Highlights 2026
- Duration: 3 hours (plus 10 mins for essay writing)
- Sections: Verbal Ability, Decision Making, Quantitative Aptitude, General Knowledge, Essay
- Marking Scheme: +1 for correct, -0.25 for wrong, -0.10 for >8 unattempted questions
- Essay: Taken into account in the final selection round at XLRI and some other institutions
Admission Process Through XAT 2026
- Appear for XAT 2026 (Expected Date: Jan 5, 2025)
- Score & Percentile Released (Mid-January 2025)
- Shortlisting by Colleges (Based on XAT cut offs)
- GD-PI-WAT Rounds (Feb – March 2025)
- Final Admission Offers (April 2026 onwards)
XAT Cut Off vs Profile-Based Shortlisting
While a few colleges such as XLRI and XIMB follow strictly percentile cut offs, a few others such as GIM, Great Lakes, TAPMI adopt profile-based shortlisting where academic performance, work experience, and diversity are also taken into account.
Scholarships Based on XAT Score
Merit-based and need-based scholarships are provided by top B-schools such as XLRI, IMT, and XIM University to students with high XAT scores. Always refer to official websites for the latest eligibility criteria and deadlines.
Top MBA Colleges Accepting XAT – Placement Overview
| Institute | Average Package (2024) | Top Recruiters |
| XLRI Jamshedpur | ₹32.7 LPA | BCG, McKinsey, HUL, Goldman Sachs |
| XIMB | ₹16.3 LPA | Deloitte, ICICI, PwC, Cognizant |
| IMT Ghaziabad | ₹15.0 LPA | EY, KPMG, Amazon, Flipkart |
| TAPMI, Manipal | ₹14.0 LPA | Infosys, Accenture, HDFC Bank |
| GIM Goa | ₹13.7 LPA | Asian Paints, TCS, Reckitt, KPMG |
FAQs
Q1. What is a good score in XAT 2025 to get into XLRI?
A: A percentile of 95+ with balanced sectionals is ideal for XLRI BM.
Q2. Do all XAT-accepting colleges follow sectional cut-offs?
A: No, only XLRI and a couple of others like XIMB take sectional cut-offs.
Q3. Does work experience play any role in XAT admissions?
A: Yes, some colleges like GIM, IMT, and TAPMI provide weightage to work experience.
Q4. Is the essay of XAT taken into consideration for shortlisting?
A: The essay is not scored for shortlisting but considered at final selection.
Q5. Can I apply for more than one program in XLRI through one XAT form?
A: Yes, both BM and HRM programs are available for a single XAT registration.
Conclusion
If you’re aiming to get into top MBA colleges with XAT 2025, knowing cut-offs and strategically preparing is the key. XLRI, IMT, XIMB, TAPMI, and others have great career opportunities — but perform well in all sections and prepare for GD-PI with the same intensity.
My Career Mantra
Don’t prepare for the exam — prepare for excellence. Good academics, a good XAT score, and good GD-PI performance can get you into the best B-schools. And don’t forget — there are scholarships, so set your sights high and apply wisely!
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