XLRI Jamshedpur News & Updates 2026: Notifications, Notice, Result

XAT 2026 score vs percentile states that to get the 99.99th percentile, students must secure 50.5 marks. Similarly, a score of 39.1 can get them a percentile of 99.50. Likewise, different scores in the XAT 2026 exam can get you different percentiles, based on which they will get seats in the XAT 2026 participating colleges for MBA admissions.

XAT Result 2026: The result of the Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) 2026 was declared today, January 16th, 2026. This announcement was made by XLRI – Xavier School of Management. Those who appeared for this management entrance exam can now access their scorecards on the official website xatonline.in. This is a relief for thousands of aspiring MBAs who were waiting to take admission in XLRI along with various management institutes.

Understanding what to expect in XAT is important as it enables candidates to plan their preparation efficiently and develop effective strategies. The exam pattern for XAT has remained consistent with the previous year's structure, comprising three parts, namely Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning, Decision Making, and Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation. The second part included mock keyboard testing, while the final part covered General Knowledge questions and Essay Writing.

Top MBA Colleges Accepting XAT 2026 Scores and Cut-Off include colleges like KJ Somaiya, Great Lakes Institute of Management, Goa Institute of Management, etc. These colleges are renowned for excellent pedagogy, infrastructure, placement opportunities, practical training, and more. Candidates must aim to score between 95 to 99 percentile to seek admission to the top MBA colleges accepting XAT 2026 scores. To be eligible to study in these colleges, students must secure a mark of 50 per cent in the general category and 45% in the reserved category from a recognised board. Students eager to know more about the top MBA colleges accepting XAT 2026 scores and cutoffs can go through the list of colleges, another set of colleges, etc. 

Knowing what to do 1 week before XAT 2026 can help aspirants enhance their preparation and overall exam performance. For the final stretch of your preparation journey for the Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT), it is important to make the most of it. Candidates must revise the key concepts and appear for mock tests to improve their accuracy, time management skills, and other test-taking strategies in the last week. 

The CAT Cutoff 2025 for private MBA colleges usually ranges from 90 to 100 percentile. Students must clear the CAT examination and score marks in accordance with the CAT cutoff. Apart from the IIMs, there are many private MBA colleges that accept CAT scores. Some of the top private MBA colleges for General, SC/ST, OBC, include XLRI, JBIMS, MDI, SPJIMR, NITIE, IMT Ghaziabad, and more. Students who make it to the CAT 2025 cutoff set by these institutes will be eligible to get admission to their MBA courses.

The top 20 Private MBA Colleges in India 2025 include institutions such as the S.P. Jain Institute of Management & Research, MDI, Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, and IIMs, etc. There are generally 10 well-known MBA entrance tests in India for MBA admission. CAT 2025 exam, XAT, IIFT, NMAT, SNAP, TISSNET, CMAT, MAT, IBSAT, and GMA are some of the popular entrance exams given by students for admission to top private MBA Colleges in India. 

Many aspiring MBA students often wonder about an important question: Is the CAT exam compulsory for MBA? The simple answer is NO! Taking the CAT exam is not mandatory for enrolling in MBA programmes in India or abroad. However, it is important to note that the CAT is the most widely accepted and recognised entrance exam for MBA programs in India. You can certainly look at other alternatives to CAT like MAT, XAT, SNAP, or other entrance exams. That said, since the IIMs hold a coveted position, being considered the best for an MBA education within the country, it is given a good weightage. 

The XAT 2026 will be held on January 4, 2026, tentatively, offering a key opportunity for MBA aspirants. Organised by XLRI for the Xavier Association of Management Institutes (XAMI), XAT scores open doors to premier business schools like XLRI, IMT Ghaziabad, XIMB, SP Jain, KJ Somaiya, TAPMI, and over 150 other institutions.  The XAT 2026 exam registration process is ongoing, and it will conclude on December 5, 2026. Students can check out the XAT 2026 exam dates along with the application form dates, results dates, given below.
Also Read: XAT 2026 Syllabus

Practising as many XAT 2026 VALR Practice Questions & Answers as possible is the best way to prepare for this section. The XAT 2026 Verbal Ability section is one of the four sections in Part I of the exam. This section includes 26 objective-type questions covering a range of topics such as vocabulary, grammar, reading comprehension, and critical reasoning.
Typically, the paper features around four reading comprehension passages, each followed by 3-4 questions. For a detailed overview, refer to the XAT exam pattern 2026. Although Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension are part of the same section, they require distinct preparation strategies. The XAT Verbal Ability questions have generally been of moderate to difficult difficulty.

Also Read:

UoH MBA Admission 2026: The University of Hyderabad (UoH) has started the online registration process for MBA Admission 2026, seeking applications for its two-year MBA course (2026-28 batch). Candidates interested in pursuing a management course can now apply through the official admission portal of the university. The total number of seats available for the course is 75. Candidates interested in the course are required to apply online on or before January 31, 2026. The admissions will be conducted based on the eligibility criteria and performance in the selection process, as announced by the university.

The list of MBA colleges accepting 60-70 percentile in CMAT 2026 highlights recognised names such as DY Patil Mumbai, Universal Business School, Institute of Management Christ University, Jagannath International Management School Delhi, IMS Ghaziabad, etc. These institutes usually grant admission to the management programmes based on a CMAT percentile range between 60 and 70 and are known for providing quality education through the latest academic frameworks and industry-oriented exposure.

A CMAT score ranging from 141 to 170 out of 400 generally corresponds to the 60–70 percentile bracket. Although these colleges may not be the first choice for those scoring above 90 or 95 percentile, aspirants securing a percentile in the said band still have access to several respectable MBA options. Majority of these colleges provide career-focused programmes, practical learning opportunities, regular industry exposure, and well-maintained campus facilities.

The list of MBA colleges accepting 80-90 percentile in CMAT 2026 features names such as Welingkar, Great Lakes Institute of Management, St. Xavier’s University, and IMT Nagpur. These institutes are known for industry-relevant MBA programmes, having experienced faculty, reliable campus facilities, and strong placement assistance. Although they may not be among the options available in the 99+ percentile category, they remain strong options for aspirants seeking a recognised and career-focused management degree.

The CMAT 2026 exam was conducted by NTA on January 25, 2026, across more than 100 CMAT exam centres nationwide. CMAT 2026 results are likely to be launched in the second/ third week of February 2026. Having an idea of this 80-90 percentile-based college list is especially useful for shortlisting options for CMAT aspirants.

BHU MBA-IB 2026 Registration is ongoing, and the last date to submit your applications is January 31, 2026. Banaras Hindu University, through its Management Institute, offers an MBA in International Business. It is a two-year full-time program for executives who want to build a comprehensive global management perspective. This program focuses on different specializations such as Global Business Operations, Marketing, Finance, Human Resource Management, Information Technology, and Operations Management. There are currently 59 seats available for the MBA-IB program for the 2026 batch.

If you’ve been wondering what is a good score in CMAT 2026 exam, the general benchmarks are already quite clear. A score in the bracket of 295 and 345+ is considered good enough to secure a 90 to 99.99 percentile, which is widely regarded as an excellent performance. Those seeking to join institutes like JBIMS, SIMSREE, SIES, BIMTECH, JAGSoM, etc, must note that the target score is typically higher, typically between 290 and 360 marks, which often aligns with a 98 to 99.99+ percentile.

The CMAT 2026 exam was conducted on January 25, 2026, and was of an easy-to-moderate level. Knowing the CMAT cutoff trends helps them to prepare accordingly and know a realistic range to gain admission to their desired college. Also, it helps them understand how different score ranges translate into percentile brackets and which colleges fall within each band. 

In this article, let's explore what counts as a competitive score for CMAT 2026.