A score of 8 marks is expected to fall under the 40-55% percentile range for XAT 2026, based on paper analysis by experts and students.
As per past years’ XAT score vs percentile analysis, 8 marks in the XAT percentile translate into 30-40%ile, which makes it in the lower bracket.
- According to students' discussions on Reddit, “XAT 2026 was tougher than last year's, with QA being the toughest section.”
- This could push the percentile range (around 50%ile) slightly higher for 8 marks in XAT this year.
- Since the score is too low, you can not expect calls from Tier-1 colleges like XLRI, which accepts 95+XAT percentile.
- As per the XAt response sheet calculation, if you have 8 marks in each section (a total of 24 marks in VALR+DM+QADI), then you can be in the 85-90%ile range.
In this article, we will understand the XAT score vs the expected percentile for 2026. Also, we have covered the list of MBA colleges that accept 8 marks in the XAT in detail.
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Key Summary
- Paper level, normalisation trends, and the number of test-takers determine the XAT cutoff percentile.
- 8 marks in XAT 2026 will correspond to around a 30-50%ile range.
- For top colleges like XLRI, the cutoff may go 95+ percentile this year.
- With these marks, students can expect calls from Tier 3 or regional institutes like IPE Hyderabad, Christ University Bangalore, ITM Navi Mumbai/Chennai.
8 Marks in XAT: Expected Score Vs Percentile Analysis for 2026
As per the XAT 2026 response sheet released on 6 January, 8 marks is quite low. Once the official key is released (expected on 10 January), students can calculate their exact XAT raw score. Here we have provided the XAT raw score vs percentile prediction for 2026 based on trends from 2024–2025.
| Expected Raw Score | Percentile Prediction for 2026 |
|---|---|
| 8 marks | 40-55% |
| 10-15 marks | 55-65% |
| 16-20 marks | 65-75% |
| 21-25 marks | 75-85% |
| 26-30 marks | 85-92% |
| 31+ marks | 92% |
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Ques: What percentile can I expect with exactly 8 marks in XAT 2026?
Ans: With 8 marks, you can expect a percentile in the range of 40-55%, assuming moderate exam difficulty similar to recent years, though this varies based on overall candidate performance and normalisation.
8 Marks in XAT Percentile: Historical Trends (2022-2025)
A raw score of 8 marks in XAT percentile has varied over the last four years (2022–2025).
| Percentile Range | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99 Percentile | 38–40 marks | 37–39 marks | 43–46 marks | 35–36 marks |
| 95 Percentile | 34–36 marks | 33–35 marks | 38–40 marks | 32–34 marks |
| 90 Percentile | 30–32 marks | 29–31 marks | 35–37 marks | 28–30 marks |
| 70–80 Percentile | 22–26 marks | 21–25 marks | 28–32 marks | 22–26 marks |
| 65–70 Percentile | 20–22 marks | 19–21 marks | 25–28 marks | 20–22 marks |
| 50–60 Percentile | 15–19 marks | 14–18 marks | 20–24 marks | 15–19 marks |
| 40–50 Percentile | 12–15 marks | 11–14 marks | 17–20 marks | 12–15 marks |
| ~30–40 Percentile | ~8–10 marks | ~7–9 marks | ~12–14 marks | ~8–10 marks |
Also Read: Check Overall and sectional Score vs Percentile of XAT 2026
Note: Low scores like 8 marks consistently fall below 60%ile across years, with easier papers (e.g., 2023 needing higher raw marks for the same percentile.
Ques: How have low scores like 8 marks trended in percentiles over recent years?
Ans: Low scores around 8 marks have historically corresponded to percentiles below 60%, with slight variations in easier years like 2023; similar raw scores yielded marginally higher percentiles due to overall higher marking.
Colleges Accepting 8 Marks in the XAT Percentile
Very few colleges, especially Tier-3 B schools and regional institutes that consider XAT just as a qualifying criterion, will accept 8 marks in the XAT exam.
| College/Institute | Expected Cutoff Percentile | Program | Average Fees (INR) | Average Placement (INR LPA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPE Hyderabad | 50-60% | PGDM | 8-10 Lakh | 6-8 |
| Christ University Bangalore | 50-70% | MBA | 8-12 Lakh | 7-10 |
| ITM Navi Mumbai/Chennai | 60-70% | PGDM | 9-11 Lakh | 7-9 |
| BIMTECH Greater Noida (specialisations) | 60-70% | PGDM | 12-14 Lakh | 8-11 |
| Woxsen University, Hyderabad | 50-60% | MBA/PGDM | 12-15 Lakh | 8-10 |
| MIT School of Business, Pune | 50-60% | PGDM | 7-9 Lakh | 6-8 |
Note: These are lower-tier options; top colleges (XLRI, XIMB) require 90%+. Direct/management quota may be available in some.
Ques: Can I get into a decent MBA college with around 8 marks in XAT?
Ans: Yes, several mid-tier colleges like IPE Hyderabad or Christ University accept percentiles around 50-70%, which align with low scores like 8 marks, offering reasonable placements and programs.
Section-Wise Breakdown for 8 Marks
- XAT has three main scoring sections: (Part 1: – 95 marks total; VALR –26Q, DM – 21-22Q, QADI – 28Q).
- An overall 8 marks suggests limited correct attempts after negatives.
| Section | Typical Questions | Possible Breakdown for Total – 8 marks | Suggested Attempts for Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal & Logical Ability (VALR) | 26 | 4-6 correct (-- 3-5 marks) | Aim 10-12 attempts, 80% accuracy |
| Decision Making (DM) | 21-22 | 3-5 correct ( – 2-4 marks) | Aim 12-15 attempts, focus on ethics |
| Quantitative Ability & DI (QADI) | 28 | 2-4 correct (- 1-3 marks) | Aim 8-10 attempts, basics first |
Note: GK adds marks, but not to the percentile. Low totals often stem from high negatives or low attempts.
XAT 2025 Cutoff Percentile
| Title | Download PDF Link |
|---|---|
| XAT 2025 Cutoff: 85+ Percentile | Download PDF |
| XAT 2025 Cutoff: 75 - 85 Percentile | Download PDF |
| XAT 2025 Cutoff: 65 - 75 Percentile | Download PDF |
| XAT 2025 Cutoff: 55 - 65 Percentile | Download PDF |
| XAT 2025 Cutoff: 45 - 55 Percentile | Download PDF |
8 Marks in XAT Percentile FAQs
Ques: Is 8 marks a good score in XAT?
Ans: No, 8 marks is considered a low score in XAT, typically yielding below 60% percentile, limiting options to mid-lower tier colleges rather than top ones like XLRI.
Ques: What factors influence the percentile for low scores like 8 marks?
Ans: Percentile for low scores depends on exam difficulty, number of test-takers, and normalisation – tougher papers can slightly boost low raw scores’ percentiles.
Ques: Can a strong profile compensate for low XAT marks like 8?
Ans: Yes, a strong academic background, work experience, or diversity factors can help convert calls in mid-tier colleges during GD/PI, even with low scores.
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