XAT Score Vs Percentile: Detailed Comparison

XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) is a national-level entrance examination conducted annually by Xavier Labour Relations Institute (XLRI), Jamshedpur, for admission into its MBA program. The XAT score is also accepted by other B-Schools in India for admission to their MBA courses. 

XAT exam is considered among the most popular national-level entrance tests for MBA programs. It is also one of the toughest management entrance exams in India and is known for its challenging questions. This is why a good XAT score can open doors to top B-Schools in India and provide a stepping stone to a successful career in the management field.

With all that said, there is one prevalent confusion among students regarding XAT scores and percentile. If you are preparing for the XAT this year, it’s better if you have clarity on XAT score vs percentile. 

XAT Examination- Overview

• XAT exam is conducted for admission to MBA and PGDM programs across top B-schools, along with XLRI and 10 other members of XAMI colleges.
• The test is divided into three parts with 105 MCQs, which are to be solved in 210 minutes. 
• Part 1: decision-making, verbal and logical reasoning, quantitative ability, and data interpretation, 
• Part 2: Mock Keyboard testing, and 
• Part 3: general knowledge and essay writing. 
• Only part 1 has a 0.25 negative marking for every incorrect answer except for part 2 and part 3, where for every correct answer 1 mark is allotted.
• Along with this, 0.10 marks are deducted if the count of unanswered questions exceeds up to 8 unattempted questions.
• Due to its scoring system, the XAT exam is one of the most challenging MBA entrance exams.

XAT Examination 2024 Important Dates

Date	Event
15th July 2023	XAT Notification
15th July 2023	XAT Registration Date Starts
30th November 2023	XAT Registration Date Ends
20th December 2023	XAT Admit Card Release
7th January 2024	XAT Exam Date
January 2024	XAT Results

XAT Score vs Percentile: Analysis 

• As per the XAT examination marking scheme, XAT score is the total marks that any candidate obtains. The XAT Percentile is calculated further using the XAT Score.
• XLRI convert percentile to determine the rank of any candidate in the exam with respect to other candidates who appeared for the exam.
• The XAT percentile represents the percentage of the candidates who have scored lower than you did. This is one of the important points to consider while reviewing the XAT marks vs percentile analyses.
• Understand it with an easy example, suppose there are 100 students in the class, and one of them received the highest score on the XAT exam. It indicates that the particular student has a higher score than 99 other students. Hence, a student's percentile score is 99.
• An applicant needs a raw score of 40 or above on the XAT in order to get a 99+ percentile. Similarly to this, his XAT score must be 35+ for the 95 percentile, 25+ for the 90 percentile, and 24+ for the 85 percentile to clear the exam. This example will help to understand more about the XAT score vs Percentile comparison. 
• XAT Percentile is determined by considering a few factors, such as the difficulty of different sections, the number of test-takers, the previous year's XAT percentile, and XAT score normalization. 

XAT Marking Scheme

Due to its marking scheme XAT exam is considered to be the most difficult MBA entrance examination, along with CAT. To understand the XAT percentile vs score analysis better, refer to the following table.  

For every correct answer	+1
For every incorrect answer	-0.25
Marks reduced per unattempted question	If the count of unattempted questions increases by 8, then 0.10 marks is reduced.

XAT Selection process

The selection process of XAT exam has three steps which one can prepare. Below is the given selection process of XLRI, Jamshedpur:

• Shortlisting: Based on the performance in the exam, candidates will be chosen for a group discussion and personal interview at XLRI, Jamshedpur.
• Group Discussion and Personal Interview: XLRI, Jamshedpur, shares the schedule for the group discussion and personal interview with the chosen candidates. For 2023, the GD and PI rounds may be conducted from the middle of February till March. The admission process will take place in a number of places, and candidates must confirm their interview city on the official XLRI website within the allotted window of time.
• Final Selection: For the purpose of creating the final merit list, each applicant will be assessed based on their XAT  score, GD/PI performance, academic background, and other factors. Selected applicants will get calls to finish the admission requirements.

Other institutes that accept XAT scores have their independent selection process for application and admissions. While some institutions open their registration period well in advance of the XAT exam, others begin the registration procedure following the release of the XAT results.

Top Universities Accepting XAT score

As mentioned, there is a number of top universities that accept XAT score, and release the cut-off on their respective websites. Below is the list of different B-schools accepting the score along with their expected XAT cut-off marks vs percentile. 

• Xavier School of Management (XLRI), Jamshedpur: Established in 1949, XLRI is one of the oldest B-Schools in India.  The College's two academic schools, the School of Business and the School of Resources and IR provide a variety of PGDM and Executive PGDM courses. The college provides full-time management courses, part-time courses, and Virtual Interactive Learning (VIL) programs.

XAT cut-off score (Expected)	XAT cut-off percentile (Expected)	Admission Status for 2024
35.5-38.5	94-92	Open

• Goa Institute of Management, Goa: Founded in 1993, GIM is a self-governing institute approved by the AICTE and the National Board of Accreditation. It offers various PGDM programs in management, healthcare management, big data analysis, and banking insurance & financial services. The student is selected based on their academic performance, objective evaluation, personal interview, composite diversity index, and other factors.

XAT cut-off score (Expected)	XAT cut-off percentile (Expected)	Admission Status for 2024
27.5-30.5	85-90	Open

• Xavier Institute of Management (XIMB), Bhubaneswar: It is one of the top 20 B-Schools in India, governed by government of India. It offers 5 courses in management, among which MBA in Business Management is the most popular.

XAT cut-off score (Expected)	XAT cut-off percentile (Expected)	Admission Status for 2024
30.5-32.5	90-93	Open

• S. P. Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR), Mumbai: Given the rank of 19th by NIRF, SPJIM is a private institute functioning independently with entrepreneurial ability. It offers a number of MBA/PGDM courses along with a few certification courses. 

XAT cut-off score (Expected)	XAT cut-off percentile (Expected)	Admission Status for 2024
32.5-34.5	93.50-95	Open

• Institute of Management Technology (IMT), Ghaziabad: It is a private business college with its main campus in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is consistently listed as one of the top 10 private business schools in India and among the top five in North India.

XAT cut-off score (Expected)	XAT cut-off percentile (Expected)	Admission Status for 2024
30.5-32	90-92	Open

• T.A. Pai Management Institute (TAPMI), Manipal: Establish in 1980, it is the fifth management institute in India to have received dual accreditation from the Association of MBAs  (AMBA) and the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

XAT cut-off score (Expected)	XAT cut-off percentile (Expected)	Admission Status for 2024
26-27.5	80-85	Open

• Loyola Institute of Business Administration (LIBA), Chennai: It is a private institute, established in 1979. The institute is ranked 50 by NIRF offering full-time as well as part-time MBA courses.  

XAT cut-off score (Expected)	XAT cut-off percentile (Expected)	Admission Status for 2024
26-27.5	80-85	Open

• K. J. Somaiya, Mumbai:  The institute established in 1981, is an autonomous institute offering different programs, such as Post Graduate Diploma in Management, Master of Management Studies, Ph.D programs in Management, and Management Development Programs

XAT cut-off score (Expected)	XAT cut-off percentile (Expected)	Admission Status for 2024
27.5-30.5	85-90	Open

• Great Lakes Institute of Management, Gurgaon: The institute is a private B-school established in 2010, and ranked 51 by NIRF. Through its campuses in Gurgaon and Chennai, the Great Lakes Institute of Management offers a one-year fast-track MBA program (PGPM) and a two-year full-time PGDM program in the management stream.

XAT cut-off score (Expected)	XAT cut-off percentile (Expected)	Admission Status for 2024
26-27.5	80-85	Open

• Mudra Institute of Communications, Ahmedabad (MICA), Ahmedabad: MICA, established in 1991, is an independent, non-profit post-graduate institution. The only residential institute in the Asia-Pacific area with a focus on developing leaders in strategic marketing and communication. The institute is approved by the AICTE.

XAT cut-off score (Expected)	XAT cut-off percentile (Expected)	Admission Status for 2024
26-27.5	80-85	Open

Conclusion

Taking the XAT score vs. percentile analysis into account is highly recommended, as it will provide insight into the range of scores required to get admission to MBA programs. To succeed in this exam, the best approach is to build a strong foundation in the various subjects included in the syllabus. 

Sunstone's diverse course offerings can certainly help students build their skills and prepare for the exam. Our campus provides convenient amenities and services, so you can make the most of your learning experience. We work to create a comprehensive professional portfolio that can increase your chances of getting placed by 200%. With Sunstone, you can take your career to the next level.

FAQs

Who is eligible for XAT exam?

Anyone with a bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized institution is eligible for the XAT exam. Candidates who are in their final year of graduation are also qualified to take the exam. There is no minimum pass percentage required for it.

How to check XAT score vs Percentile?

To check the XAT score vs Percentile one can log in with their credentials on XAT official website, which will have both scorecards and metrics. With this, you can compare your XAT score and percentile. For better understanding, refer to the marking scheme and percentile conversion metrics. 

How many attempts does a candidate have for the XAT examination?

There is no limit on the number of attempts for the XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) exam. Candidates can take the exam as many times as they wish to improve their scores and chances of getting admission to their desired MBA programs. However, it's important to keep in mind that the XAT exam is usually held once a year, so candidates will have to wait until the next year's exam to take it again.