MBA Colleges Accepting XAT Exam Score by Percentile: 95+ to 60 Percentile

Conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur and accepted by more than 250 colleges and institutions, your XAT exam score can lead to significant opportunities in both your academic and professional journey. Yes, the Xavier Aptitude Test, commonly known as the XAT Exam, still holds its value in an age where most students aspiring to build a career in corporate management want to appear for the CAT exam for admission to the IIMs and other leading management institutes.

The real payoff of preparing for the XAT has little to do with its comprehensive syllabus, problem-solving topics, or extensive study materials. It is the prestige and reputation of XLRI Jamshedpur, a Tier-1 management institute, that attracts students who want to study, learn, and grow at a centre of excellence for management education. While the XAT exam is primarily associated with XLRI, its score is also accepted by many other reputed Tier-1 and leading management colleges for admission to MBA and PGDM programmes. Some of the well-known names include XIM University Bhubaneswar, IMT Ghaziabad, IMI New Delhi, and several others.

Let’s get into more detail in the content below, but before that, as we always do, let’s begin with some basic highlights.

Top XAT Exam Accepting Colleges by 95+ Percentile with Fee & Programs

Achieving a 95+ percentile in XAT can often help students secure admission to Xavier School of Management, where ambitious, curious, and capable students come together to learn, grow, and build successful careers. While Xavier School of Management is among the top-rated institutions that accept XAT scores, there are a few more world-class institutions that accept XAT scores for admission to their globally recognised MBA or PGDM programmes in India. Here is the list.

Note: The name of the colleges mentioned above are just for the reference purpose. Actual fee and required score are subject to change every year.  

Colleges Accepting XAT Score by 90-95 Percentile

Scoring between the 90-95 percentile in XAT can give you peace of mind because there are several reputed colleges that accept students with a 90-95 percentile for admission to their highly sought-after management programmes, such as MBA and PGDM. Following are the names of the institutions accepting candidates with a 90-95 percentile in XAT for MBA admission.

Note: Check the official website of the institution for the latest updates about the required XAT score and fee.  

Colleges Accepting XAT Score 80-90

An 80-90 percentile in XAT may not be considered a very high score, but it can be good enough to secure admission to several Tier-2 MBA colleges. You will be glad to know that many Tier-2 colleges also have experienced faculty, good educational infrastructure, industry exposure, and strong placement records. Getting admission to a reputed Tier-2 institution can also provide a good return on investment, depending on the programme fees and career opportunities available. Here are some of the best colleges accepting candidates with an 80-90 percentile in XAT:

Note: Check the official website of the institution for the latest updates about the required XAT score.

Low XAT Score Accepting Colleges 60-80 Percentile

While a score in the 60-70 percentile range is considered relatively low in the XAT exam, the good news is that there are plenty of colleges that provide a great learning environment, challenge students’ problem-solving skills, inspire them to perform better, and help them grow into confident and capable management professionals.

Note: Check the official website of the institution for the latest updates about the required XAT score.

MBA Admission Process Through XAT Exam

Scoring high in the XAT exam can bring a sense of deep satisfaction, but remember that your percentile is just one of the criteria considered during the admission process. To secure a seat in one of the best MBA colleges, you need to meet several other requirements, including performing well in the GD (Group Discussion) and PI (Personal Interview). In addition, your Class 10 and Class 12 academic performance may also be considered by some institutions. This is the straightforward process of admission through the XAT exam:

• Register for the XAT exam: XAT registration generally begins around July and continues until December. Candidates should check the official notification for the exact registration dates.
• Download the admit card and appear for the exam: Once the admit card is released, download it and appear for the XAT exam on the scheduled date.
• Check your result and apply to colleges: After the XAT result is announced, apply to your targeted institutions according to their eligibility criteria, cutoffs, and application deadlines.
• Undergo the selection process: Shortlisted candidates may have to participate in the selection process, which can include a Group Discussion (GD), Written Ability Test (WAT), and Personal Interview (PI), depending on the college.
• Complete the admission formalities: Once selected, pay the required admission fee and complete the document verification and other formalities after receiving confirmation from the institution.

How to Score High in the XAT Exam?

You can make your XAT preparation more rewarding and effective by following a structured approach:

• Understand the Syllabus and Exam Pattern First: Before you begin your preparation, understand the XAT syllabus, exam pattern, marking scheme, and different sections. This will help you understand what to study, how much time to devote to each topic, and what to expect on the exam day.
• Create a Study Plan, Maintain Discipline, and Stay Consistent: Well, effective preparation usually comes down to putting in consistent effort, working hard, and maintaining discipline. Set your goals, create a realistic timeline, count the days, and track your progress regularly. Based on your strengths and weaknesses, divide your preparation days and allocate sufficient time to each subject. Remember, consistency is often more important than studying for long hours occasionally.
• Solve PYQs and Sample Papers: If you want to get ahead and stay ahead in the competition, start solving XAT previous years’ question papers (PYQs) and sample papers. They can help you understand the types of questions asked, identify important topics, improve your speed and accuracy, and become familiar with the overall difficulty level of the XAT exam.
• Take Regular Mock Tests: Once you have covered the important concepts and topics, start taking full-length XAT mock tests. Mocks can help you improve time management, identify weak areas, and develop an effective strategy for attempting the actual exam.

FAQs

Is 90 Percentile Good in XAT?

Yes, a 90 percentile in XAT can be considered a good score. It means that the candidate has performed better than approximately 90% of the candidates who appeared for the exam. A 90 percentile can make students eligible to apply to several reputed MBA colleges, depending on their overall profile and the institute's admission criteria.

Does Any IIM Accept the XAT Score?

No. The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) do not accept XAT scores for admission to their flagship two-year MBA programmes. Candidates seeking admission to the IIMs generally need a valid CAT score.

Does IIT Accept the XAT Score?

Generally, no. The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) do not use XAT scores for admission to their regular two-year MBA programmes. IITs generally consider CAT scores for admission to their management programmes.

Which College Can I Get with a 50 Percentile in XAT?

One common misconception among students is that a 50 percentile in XAT means they cannot get admission to any MBA college. This is not entirely true. Several MBA colleges may consider candidates with a relatively lower XAT percentile, depending on their eligibility criteria, academic profile, work experience, and selection process.

Students with around a 50 percentile can explore colleges such as Apeejay School of Management, New Delhi; Fortune Institute of International Business (FIIB), New Delhi; Jaypee Business School, Noida; Jaipuria Institute of Management; and other XAT-accepting institutions. However, the exact cutoff and accepted entrance examinations can change from one admission cycle to another. Therefore, candidates should check the latest admission requirements before applying.

Published: 05 Sep, 2026

Written By:

Pawan Rawat
LinkedIn
Pawan Rawat is a full-stack content writer with expertise in crafting research-based educational blogs and articles, paying close attention to detail. He has mastered the art of creating SEO-optimized content for websites. When he's not working to pay the bills, he spends his time lifting weights at the gym, clicking random photos, reading books, or planning his next adventure.