The Xavier School of Management (XLRI), Jamshedpur, has released the provisional answer key for the Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) 2026 on January 9, 2026, along with activating the objection window, allowing candidates who appeared in the national-level entrance examination for MBA/PGDM admissions to review and challenge answers on the official portal.
According to the official notification from XLRI, the XAT 2026 was conducted on January 4, 2026, in a single shift from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm in computer-based mode across multiple centres in India, comprising 95 multiple-choice questions divided into sections, including Verbal and Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability, Data Interpretation, Decision Making, and General Knowledge.
How to Download XAT Provisional Answer Key?
Candidates can download the provisional answer key from the dedicated website.
Log in using the XAT ID (application number) and password.
Navigate to the ‘Answer Keys & Objection Form’ section.
View and download the provisional answer key for reference.
The response sheet for individual candidates was made available earlier on January 6, 2026, enabling applicants to cross-verify their marked responses against the provisional key.
XAT Objection Form: Process and Guidelines
The objection window is now open for a limited period of two to three days, during which candidates can submit challenges against any question or answer they believe is incorrect.
Key details on raising objections:
Access the objection form through the same login on xatonline.in.
Submit supporting documents or justification for each challenge.
Pay the specified processing fee per objection.
Objections will be reviewed by a panel of experts, and valid changes may lead to revisions in the final answer key.
The authority has not announced further details yet regarding the exact closing date of the objection window or the release timeline for the final answer key and results, though results are expected in the third week or last week of January 2026.
What Students Are Saying About XAT Answer Key?
Online discussions among aspirants on platforms like Reddit reflect a mix of reactions to the provisional answer key and the overall examination experience. Many candidates described the key as “fair” and “accurate” in several sections, particularly praising the alignment with expected difficulty levels in Decision Making and Verbal Ability. Others highlighted surprises in certain questions and sections like VARC, with a few noting that the key resolved ambiguities in logical reasoning and data interpretation sets.
Overall, the sentiment leans towards satisfaction with the process, though a small number of aspirants expressed concerns over specific controversial questions, urging peers to carefully review and raise valid objections where supported.
Candidates are advised to regularly check xatonline.in for any further notifications regarding objection status, final key, scorecard availability, and subsequent admission processes for participating management institutes.
The XAT 2026 was conducted on January 4, 2026, in a single shift from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm in computer-based test mode across designated centres in India. The question paper was set entirely in English.
The examination comprised 95 multiple-choice questions, each with five options and one correct answer. The test was organised into two time-bound parts:
Part 1: Included sections on Verbal and Logical Ability, Decision Making, Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation.
Part 2: Covered General Knowledge and an Essay writing component.
This structure allowed XLRI to assess a wide range of analytical, decision-making, and communication skills required for management education.
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