The XAT 2026 Provisional Answer Key was officially released on January 9, 2026. Candidates who appeared for the exam on January 4 can now access the key and the objection portal through the official website.
How to Download the XAT 2026 Answer Key
To view your individual response sheet and the provisional answer key, follow these steps:
- Visit Official Site: Go to xatonline.in.
- Login: Click on the “Login” or “XAT 2026 Answer Key” link.
- Enter Credentials: Use your XAT ID and Password.
- Access Key: Navigate to the “Candidate Response” or “Raise Objection” tab.
- Download: Save the PDF to calculate your tentative score.
| Event | Date |
| XAT 2026 Exam Date | January 4, 2026 |
| Response Sheet Release | January 6, 2026 |
| Provisional Answer Key Release | January 9, 2026 |
| Objection Window | January 8 – 10, 2026 (Expected) |
| Result Declaration | 3rd Week of January 2026 (Approx. Jan 15–20) |
Raising Objections
If you find any discrepancy in the provisional key, you can challenge it through the “Raise Objection” tab in your dashboard.
- Fee: Typically ₹500 per question.
- Requirement: You must provide valid supporting documents or textbook-based justifications for your challenge.
- Final Key: If objections are found valid, a final answer key will be released, which will be the basis for the final results.
Marking Scheme for Score Calculation
- Correct Answer: +1 mark
- Incorrect Answer: -0.25 marks
- Candidates lose 0.10 marks per unanswered question if they leave more than eight questions blank in a row.
- GK Section: No negative marking; not included in the main percentile calculation.
