By EFTeam The Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) 2025 answer key has been officially released, providing candidates with an opportunity to assess their performance in one of India’s most competitive MBA entrance exams. Administered by XLRI Jamshedpur, the XAT is a gateway for admission to top business schools across the country, including XLRI and over 150 other management institutes.
With the release of the answer key, candidates can now evaluate their responses and calculate their probable scores, while eagerly awaiting the official results expected to be announced later this month.
Answer Key Details
The XAT 2025 answer key, along with candidates’ response sheets, is available on the official XAT website (xatonline.in). Candidates can log in using their XAT ID and password to access the answer key and cross-check their answers with the official solutions provided by XLRI.
The answer key serves as a critical resource for aspirants to identify any discrepancies in the evaluation process. In case candidates find errors or discrepancies in the key, XLRI has also opened a window for objections. Candidates can submit their challenges within the stipulated timeframe, providing evidence to support their claims.
How to Access the Answer Key
Candidates can follow these steps to view the XAT 2025 answer key:
- Visit the official XAT website: xatonline.in.
- Log in using your XAT ID and password.
- Navigate to the “Answer Key” or “Response Sheet” section.
- Download the answer key and response sheet for reference.
Result Declaration Timeline
The results for XAT 2025 are expected to be declared in the last week of January 2025. Once announced, candidates will be able to download their scorecards from the official website. The scorecards will include section-wise and overall scores, as well as the percentile rankings.
Based on the XAT scores, candidates will be shortlisted for further rounds of the selection process, which typically include group discussions, personal interviews, and written ability tests conducted by the respective institutes.
Exam Overview
The XAT 2025 exam was conducted on January 7, 2025, in a computer-based format across multiple cities in India. Known for its challenging nature, the exam evaluates candidates on key areas such as Verbal and Logical Ability, Decision Making, Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation, and General Knowledge.
Marking Scheme
The XAT 2025 marking scheme follows a unique pattern:
- Each correct answer carries 1 mark.
- 0.25 marks are deducted for every incorrect answer.
- No penalty for unattempted questions up to 8; beyond that, a 0.10 mark deduction per question applies.
- The General Knowledge section does not have negative marking.
This distinctive marking structure demands strategic planning and precision from candidates during the exam.
What’s Next for Candidates?
- Verification and Objections: Candidates should carefully analyze the answer key and submit objections if any discrepancies are found. The deadline for raising objections is usually a few days after the release of the answer key.
- Result Announcement: After resolving objections, XLRI will finalize the scores and announce the results.
- Shortlisting for Further Rounds: Post-result declaration, candidates meeting the cutoff criteria of various institutes will proceed to the next stages of selection. Institutes like XLRI Jamshedpur typically have higher cutoffs and a rigorous selection process.
Expert Insights and Candidate Reactions
The release of the answer key has sparked discussions among aspirants, with many praising the clarity and transparency of the process. However, some candidates have raised concerns about the difficulty level of certain sections, particularly Decision Making and Quantitative Ability.
Education experts suggest that the cutoff marks for XAT 2025 may remain similar to previous years, with XLRI’s flagship programs likely to require scores above the 95th percentile.
Conclusion
The release of the XAT 2025 answer key marks an important milestone for aspirants vying for admission to premier business schools. As candidates review their performance and anticipate the results, the focus now shifts to preparing for the next stages of the selection process.
For many, the journey toward securing a seat in a top MBA program begins here, making this a crucial time for strategic planning and decision-making. With the results just weeks away, aspirants are keeping their fingers crossed, hoping to take a significant step closer to their management dreams.