XLRI Jamshedpur, the conducting body for the Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) 2026, has officially released the much-anticipated candidate response sheets and the provisional answer key. This crucial development marks the next significant phase in the admission process for aspirants seeking MBA/PGDM seats in XLRI and over 160 other prominent B-schools across India.

The examination, which was successfully conducted on January 5, 2026, saw high attendance, and candidates can now directly compare their marked responses with the official solutions provided by the institute. Access to the XAT 2026 Response Sheet is mandatory for any candidate wishing to challenge the provisional key.

Accessing the XAT 2026 Response Sheet: A Step-by-Step Guide

Candidates who appeared for the national-level management entrance examination can now access their respective response sheets via the official XAT website. It is advised to download and save a copy of the response sheet immediately, as the window for access is often limited.

How to Download the Response Sheet and Answer Key

Follow these steps to successfully download your personal response sheet and the provisional answer key:

Navigate to the official XAT 2026 website.
Click on the flashing link titled ‘Candidate Response Sheet and Provisional Answer Key’.
Log in using your registered XAT ID and Date of Birth or Password.
Once logged in, your personalised dashboard will display the link to view your response sheet, which includes the questions, your marked answers, and the correct provisional answer.
Download and print the document for future reference and for calculating your raw score.

The Crucial XAT Objection Window Opens

Along with the publication of the XAT 2026 response sheet, XLRI has initiated the official window for candidates to raise objections against any discrepancies they find in the provisional answer key. This short window is extremely important for ensuring fairness in the final scoring process.

Aspirants are strongly advised to meticulously compare their marked answers with the official key. If a candidate believes an answer provided by XLRI is incorrect, they must submit their challenge along with valid supporting evidence and, typically, a processing fee per question.

Objection Submission Deadline and Process

The window for submitting objections is brief, usually spanning only a few days. Candidates must note the hard deadline to ensure their challenges are considered by the examination committee. The last date and time to submit any objection is set for 5:00 PM on January 10, 2026. Submissions made after this time will not be entertained.

The submission portal requires candidates to select the specific question number, the suggested correct answer, and upload a document proving the validity of their claim, such as excerpts from standard reference books or academic papers.

What Comes Next: Final Key and Result Declaration

Once the objection window closes, the subject matter experts at XLRI will diligently review all submitted challenges. Based on this thorough review, a final, revised XAT 2026 Answer Key will be prepared and published.

The final XAT result and individual scorecard are expected to follow shortly thereafter, typically within two to three weeks of the response sheet release. The final XAT percentile is calculated based on the score derived from the final answer key, which will then be used by participating institutes for shortlisting candidates for the subsequent selection rounds, including Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI).

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