The Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) 2026 is scheduled for January 4, 2026.Once the exam is over, candidates typically wait for the answer sheet and keys; the result is expected in the third week of January 2026.Meanwhile, applicants can estimate or “calculate” their potential XAT score right away using known marking rules — here’s how.
Understand the Marking Scheme of XAT
- Each correct answer in the main sections carries +1 mark
- For every incorrect answer in the main sections, 0.25 marks are deducted.
- If you leave more than 8 questions unattempted (in Part 1), there’s a penalty: 0.10 mark deduction per question beyond the 8th.
- The General Knowledge (GK) section does not carry negative marking for wrong answers.
- Also, in many cases, GK section marks may not be counted toward the final raw score used for percentile/shortlisting — check your official scorecard details.
Steps to Manually Calculate Your Raw XAT Score
- Count the total number of correct answers (in main objective sections, excluding GK if required).
- Count how many answers you got wrong.
- Count how many questions you left unattempted. If the unattempted count is more than 8, note how many are above 8.
- Apply the formula: Raw Score = (Correct × 1) – (Wrong × 0.25) – (Unattempted-beyond-8 × 0.10)
- If GK section marks are to be counted and you attempted GK questions, add those +1 marks (without deductions for wrong).
Example: Suppose out of 95 MCQs, you answered 60 correctly, 20 wrongly, and left 15 unattempted. Unattempted beyond 8 = 7. Then raw score = 60 – (20 × 0.25) – (7 × 0.10) = 60 – 5 – 0.7 = 54.3.
Also Check: 80 GD Topics For MBA Admission Through XAT 2026
Interpreting XAT Raw Score: What It Means
A raw score provides a rough indication of performance but does not directly translate to a percentile. The actual percentile depends on exam difficulty, normalisation (if applied), and the overall performance of all candidates. For reference, a raw score of 36–40 may correspond to ~85–94 percentile, while 47+ could reach the 99th percentile or higher. This estimate helps gauge likely standing and chances of shortlisting, but is not official.
Why GK and Unattempted-Penalty Rules Matter in XAT 2026 Exam
Because GK carries no negative marking and many B-schools either give separate weight or exclude GK from the main score, wisely attempting GK and avoiding too many wrong answers can help maximise your effective score. Also, skipping too many questions can trigger the unattempted penalty, which can drag down your score even if you avoid wrong attempts.
Also Check: Four Tips to Keep in Mind for Last-Minute XAT 2026 Preparation
After the XAT 2026 Exam: What to Do When the Answer Key is Out
Once the official answer key/response sheet is released, cross-check your marked answers against the correct ones. Then apply the same marking formula above for a more accurate estimate. This will likely be close to the official raw score on your scorecard (barring normalisation adjustments by the exam authority).
Wrapping Up
Estimating the XAT 2026 raw score helps gauge performance before official results. By applying the marking rules and accounting for penalties, candidates can approximate their score and likely percentile. Once the official answer key is released, this calculation provides a close indication of the final score.
