Clearing XAT significantly helps if CAT percentile is 95-97 because XLRI BM at 95+ XAT opens placements at Rs 28 LPA average, and XAT-accepting colleges like IIM Jammu (XAT route), XIMB, TAPMI provide additional options. The thread explicitly advised multiple candidates in the 95-97 range to "give XAT and SNAP too." XAT key differences from CAT: includes Decision Making section (unique to XAT, 25 questions), slightly easier Quant, similar DILR, tougher Verbal+GK section.
XAT 95+ percentile targets: XLRI BM (Rs 30.6L fees, Rs 28 LPA avg), XLRI HRM (Rs 28L, Rs 26 LPA), XIMB BM (Rs 19L, Rs 18 LPA), IMT Ghaziabad, TAPMI, Great Lakes. XAT 90+ converts IMT, TAPMI, KJ Somaiya.
XAT 85+ gets many Tier-2 private colleges. The argument for writing XAT: if CAT gave you 95-97 but you didn't clear sectionals, XAT is another chance with different paper pattern. If you target XLRI BM specifically (consulting, banking, FMCG placements equal to IIM L/K level), 95+ is needed.
XAT 2026 is on January 4, 2026, giving ~45 days between CAT result and XAT prep. For sectional-weak candidates, XAT's Decision Making section offers additional scoring opportunity. Fee: Rs 2,200 for XAT + XLRI application.
Low investment, high optionality. Don't skip XAT unless you're sure of 99.5+ CAT and multiple IIM conversions.
The thread's repeated advice: "I know that ABC are not happening but what are my chances for LKI? I don't want to leave anything to hope so I'm giving XAT and SNAP too." That's the right mindset.
Check your eligibility at collvera.