The much-awaited provisional answer key for the Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) 2026 is now officially available for candidates. The conducting body, XLRI Jamshedpur, on behalf of the Xavier Association of Management Institutes (XAMI), has activated the download link on the exam's official portal, xatonline.in. This release allows all test-takers to access their provisional responses and challenge any answer they believe is incorrect.
How to Download Your XAT 2026 Answer Key
Candidates who appeared for the national-level management entrance exam can follow a straightforward process to obtain their provisional answer key. The steps are designed to be user-friendly and secure, requiring individual login credentials.
First, you need to visit the official website at xatonline.in. On the homepage, look for and click on the dedicated link for the XAT 2026 answer key. This will redirect you to a login page. Here, you must enter your unique XAT ID (e.g., XAT26XXXXXX) and the password that was used to download the admit card. Upon successful login, the provisional answer key will be displayed on your screen for review and download.
Key Details About the Objection Process
A critical component of this phase is the objection window, which is now open. Candidates have a limited time to file challenges against any answer in the provisional key. While the official website has not specified an exact closing date, reports indicate the window will remain active for the next two to three days.
It is imperative for aspirants to scrutinize the answer key carefully. If they find a discrepancy, they must raise an objection through the official portal. However, this process is not free; a processing fee is applicable for each objection submitted. Experts advise candidates to keep a downloaded copy of the provisional key for personal reference and to monitor the website regularly for updates on the objection status, final answer key, and subsequent result announcements.
Recap of the XAT 2026 Examination
The XAT 2026 was successfully conducted on 4 January 2026 in a single shift from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. The exam was administered in computer-based mode across various test centers, with the question paper presented entirely in English. The paper pattern consisted of 95 multiple-choice questions, each offering five options with only one correct answer. The test was strategically divided into two time-bound segments: Part 1 and Part 2. This release follows the earlier publication of the candidate response sheets on 6 January.
For over seven decades, XAT has stood as one of India's most trusted and prestigious entrance exams for securing admission into MBA and PGDM programs offered by XAMI member institutes and several other top business schools. The timely release of the answer key underscores the examination body's commitment to a transparent and efficient selection process.
