XAT is a national-level management entrance exam conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur (Xavier School of Management) on behalf of XAMI (Xavier Association of Management Institutes) for admission into MBA and PGDM programs across top B-schools in India.
The XAT exam (Xavier Aptitude Test) for the 2026 admission cycle has already been conducted, with the test held on 4 January 2026 (Sunday) in a single afternoon slot. XAT 2026 followed the recent tradition of scheduling the exam on the first Sunday of January, and its score will be used for admissions to XLRI and other XAT-accepting institutes for the 2026–28 batch.
Although the paper is in January 2026, the academic session starts later in 2026, so many aspirants informally treat this as the “2026–27” or “2027 intake” cycle, similar to how some other exams held in January/February are mapped to the next academic year. Below are the key XAT 2026 exam dates and highlights based on the latest information available as of 19 February 2026.
| XAT 2026 Event | Date / Timeline |
|---|---|
| XAT 2026 registration start | 10 July 2025 (online form released on official portal) |
| XAT 2026 registration last date | 5 December 2025 (extended from earlier tentative deadlines) |
| XAT 2026 admit card release | Around 20–25 December 2025 (many sources report 20–25 December range) |
| XAT 2026 exam date | 4 January 2026 (Sunday), 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM, single computer-based slot across 70+ cities |
| Release of answer key & response sheet | Within a few days after the exam (mid-January 2026) |
| XAT 2026 result date | Around mid to late January 2026; several updates mention 16–31 January 2026 range |
| Scorecard download window | From result date up to around end-March 2026 |
| XLRI PI/GD shortlisting & rounds | March–April 2026 |
For XAT 2027, the pattern is expected to stay similar: notification and registration in July 2026, exam on the first Sunday of January 2027, and result by mid–late January 2027.
The XAT exam (Xavier Aptitude Test) is a national-level MBA/PGDM entrance test conducted annually by XLRI Jamshedpur on behalf of the Xavier Association of Management Institutes (XAMI). The XAT exam is one of the oldest management entrance tests in India and is widely regarded as the second most important exam after CAT for aspirants targeting elite business schools.
XAT 2026 was conducted in computer-based test (CBT) mode, testing candidates on Verbal & Logical Ability, Decision Making, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, and General Knowledge. XAT scores are accepted not only by XLRI’s flagship Business Management (BM) and Human Resource Management (HRM) programmes, but also by many reputed management institutes across India.
Unlike many other exams, the XAT exam includes a unique Decision Making (DM) section and a penalty for leaving too many questions unattempted, making it a distinct and strategy-heavy test. Because of its difficulty level and format, a high XAT 2026 score is considered a strong indicator of analytical thinking, ethical judgment, and managerial aptitude.
The XAT 2026 notification is the official document released on the XAT website laying out exam dates, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, syllabus structure, application process, and fee details. For the XAT 2026 exam, the notification and brochure were released in July 2025, coinciding with the start of online registration.
Key points from the XAT 2026 notification included:
Conducting body: XLRI Jamshedpur, on behalf of XAMI.
XAT 2026 exam date: 4 January 2026, 2:00–5:00 PM, single CBT slot.
Exam sections: Verbal & Logical Ability (VLA), Decision Making (DM), Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation (QA & DI), and General Knowledge (GK).
Mode of exam: Computer-based, at designated test centres across India.
XAT registration and application window: July 10, 2025 to December 5, 2025.
The notification also pointed candidates to the official XAT 2026 FAQ section, application instructions, and downloadable syllabus documents so they could plan preparation and form filling well in advance.
The XAT eligibility criteria 2026 are intentionally straightforward so that graduates from different backgrounds can appear for the exam.
Candidates must have completed a bachelor’s degree of at least 3 years’ duration in any discipline from a recognised university or institution.
There is no minimum aggregate percentage requirement specified by XAT itself; candidates only need to have passed the qualifying degree.
Students in the final year of their bachelor’s degree (or awaiting results) are also eligible to apply for XAT 2026, provided they complete their degree by the deadline specified by their chosen institutes.
There is no upper age limit for appearing in the XAT exam.
There is also no cap on the number of attempts; a candidate may take XAT multiple times in different years.
Indian nationals can appear in XAT using the standard XAT exam route.
NRI and foreign candidates can apply for XLRI programmes using either XAT or valid GMAT scores depending on programme-specific rules.
Work experience is not mandatory for taking the XAT exam or applying to many XAT-accepting institutes.
Having full-time work experience can, however, add weight to the profile component during GD/PI and final selection for some programmes.
Because institute-specific eligibility (especially for executive or specialised programmes) may differ from XAT exam eligibility, aspirants must also check the programme pages of their target colleges.
XAT 2026 registration was entirely online and could be completed only through the official XAT portal. The registration process comprised user sign-up, detailed form filling, document upload, and online fee payment.
Registration start date: 10 July 2025.
Registration last date: 5 December 2025 (extended from earlier tentative deadlines mentioned in some sources).
Create XAT ID
Visit the official XAT 2026 website and click on “New Registration”.
Enter name, email ID, mobile number, and set a password to generate a unique XAT ID and login credentials, received via email/SMS.
Fill Personal & Contact Details
Log in using the XAT ID and password.
Provide personal information such as date of birth, gender, category, address, and parent/guardian details.
Enter Academic Details
Fill in Class 10, Class 12, and graduation details, including board/university, year of passing, and marks/CGPA.
For final-year students, indicate current academic status and expected completion date.
Add Work Experience (If Any)
Enter details of full-time work experience in months, with organisation name and role where applicable.
Select Programmes & Test Cities
Choose the XLRI programmes to which you wish to apply via the XAT exam.
Select preferred test cities (usually multiple preferences) from the available list.
Upload Required Documents
Upload scanned passport-size photograph and signature as per specified format, resolution, and file size.
Keep academic mark sheets, ID proof, and category certificates handy while filling details, even if they are not all uploaded at this stage.
Pay XAT Exam Fee & Submit
Confirm all details in the preview section and pay the XAT registration fee online through accepted payment modes.
After successful payment, submit the form and download the confirmation page and payment receipt for future reference.
Important documents and details needed for XAT exam registration include:
Recent passport-size photograph (coloured, light background, correct dimensions).
Scanned signature (black ink on white paper).
Class 10 and 12 mark sheets and certificates.
Graduation mark sheets and degree/provisional certificate.
Valid government ID (Aadhaar, PAN, Passport, Voter ID, Driving Licence).
Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS) and PwD certificate if applicable.
Work experience details (company names, roles, duration).
Having these ready in advance ensures a smooth, error-free XAT exam 2026 registration experience.
The XAT exam pattern 2026 retains the multi-section, reasoning-focused structure that distinguishes it from other MBA entrance tests.
Mode: Computer-based test (CBT).
Duration: 3 hours (180 minutes) in a single sitting.
Sections (broad):
Verbal & Logical Ability (VLA)
Decision Making (DM)
Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation (QA & DI)
General Knowledge (GK)
Total questions: Around 95 questions (distribution may vary slightly year to year).
Type of questions: Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) across all sections.
The paper is conceptually divided into Part 1 (VLA, DM, QA & DI) which counts toward the percentile, and Part 2 (GK and, in some years, additional subjective elements such as essays or short questions) which is evaluated separately.
Indicative distribution for XAT 2026 based on recent pattern details:
| Section | Approx. Questions | Marks per Question | Negative Marking | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal & Logical Ability (VLA) | ~26 | +1 | −0.25 | RCs, VA, CR |
| Decision Making (DM) | ~21 | +1 | −0.25 | Caselets & scenarios |
| Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation (QA & DI) | ~28 | +1 | −0.25 | Quant + DI sets |
| General Knowledge (GK) | ~20 | +1 | None | No negative marking |
A unique feature of the XAT exam pattern is the penalty for excessive unattempted questions:
Up to 8 unattempted questions are allowed without any penalty.
For each question left unattempted beyond 8 in Part 1, 0.10 marks are deducted from the total score.
This means exam strategy must balance accuracy and attempts; leaving too many questions blank, even to avoid negative marking, can reduce the final XAT exam score.
The XAT 2026 syllabus covers reading and verbal reasoning, logical and ethical decision-making, quantitative aptitude, data interpretation, and general knowledge. While there is no rigid chapter list, the recurring patterns across recent papers define clear topic clusters.
This section tests reading comprehension, language skills, and verbal reasoning:
Reading Comprehension (RC): passages from philosophy, psychology, literature, economics, and current affairs, followed by inference and critical reasoning questions.
Parajumbles, logical ordering of sentences, and odd sentence out.
Para summary and main idea questions.
Vocabulary in context, analogies, and sometimes direct synonym–antonym questions.
Grammar-based questions such as error detection and sentence correction (occasionally).
The DM section is central to the XAT exam and focuses on managerial and ethical choices:
Short caselets describing business, HR, ethical, or operational dilemmas.
Questions asking candidates to evaluate options from the perspective of multiple stakeholders.
Scenarios involving trade-offs between profitability, fairness, legal compliance, and long-term sustainability.
Success in the DM section relies more on logical consistency and ethical reasoning than on formulas, making practice with authentic XAT-style sets vital.
This section checks mathematical aptitude and data-handling skills:
Arithmetic: percentages, ratio–proportion, averages, mixtures, profit & loss, simple and compound interest, time–speed–distance, time & work.
Algebra: equations, inequalities, progressions, functions, logarithms.
Geometry & Mensuration: triangles, circles, polygons, coordinate geometry, areas, and volumes.
Number Systems: divisibility, factors, LCM/HCF, remainders, base systems.
Modern Math (occasionally): permutations & combinations, probability, set theory.
Data Interpretation: tables, graphs, charts, and caselet-based DI sets, often calculation-heavy.
The GK section tests awareness of the world around you, especially in business and socio-economic contexts:
Current Affairs: national and international events, politics, economy, business, sports, awards, and appointments.
Static GK: geography, history, polity, important organisations, books & authors, science & technology, culture.
Although GK does not directly affect the main XAT percentile, many institutes use GK performance during final selection, so it remains an important component.
The XAT exam fee 2026 is uniform for most candidates, with additional charges for applying to XLRI programmes.
Based on the latest published figures:
| Description | Fee (INR) |
|---|---|
| XAT 2026 registration fee (all candidates) | 2,200 |
| Additional fee per XLRI programme | 200 per programme |
| Indian candidates applying to PGDM–GM via GMAT/GRE | 2,500 |
| NRI / Foreign candidates applying via GMAT | 5,000 |
Key points:
Payment is online only, through credit/debit cards, net banking, or UPI; no offline payments are accepted.
The XAT exam fee is non-refundable, so candidates should verify all details before final submission.
The XAT 2026 admit card is a mandatory document for entry into the test centre and contains all crucial exam-day details. It was released in late December 2025, typically around 20–25 December.
To access the XAT exam 2026 admit card, candidates need to:
Visit the official XAT website.
Click on the XAT 2026 login link.
Enter XAT ID and password created during registration.
Navigate to the “Admit Card” section and download the PDF.
Print multiple copies and verify that all details are correct.
The XAT admit card usually includes the candidate’s name, photograph, XAT ID, exam date and time, reporting time, test centre details, and detailed instructions.
Key instructions for exam day include:
Reach the test centre at least 60–90 minutes before reporting time for verification and biometric processes.
Carry the printed XAT admit card, a valid government photo ID, and any other specified documents.
Do not bring calculators, mobile phones, smartwatches, or study material inside the exam hall; only permitted items are allowed.
Use rough sheets provided at the centre for calculations and return them before leaving.
Follow invigilator instructions strictly; any misconduct can result in disqualification from the XAT exam.
The XAT exam requires a mix of strong fundamentals, logical reasoning, reading skills, and smart decision-making. Because of the unique DM section and unattempted-question penalty, strategy matters just as much as pure knowledge.
Start preparation at least 6–9 months before the exam for a comfortable pace; those already preparing for other MBA exams can compress this timeline with focused practice.
Understand the XAT exam pattern and syllabus thoroughly before diving into practice tests.
Allocate weekly time to all four sections: VLA, DM, QA & DI, and GK, ensuring balanced growth rather than ignoring any area.
1. Verbal & Logical Ability
Read widely—editorials, long-form articles, and opinion pieces—to build comprehension and critical reasoning skills.
Practise reading comprehension sets and verbal reasoning questions from previous XAT exam papers and high-quality practice sets.
Maintain a vocabulary notebook and revise frequently, focusing on contextual usage rather than rote memorisation.
2. Decision Making
Solve past XAT DM sets to understand typical patterns and the logic behind correct options.
While answering, consider all stakeholders, long-term consequences, and ethical dimensions; options that balance fairness and practicality often win over extreme choices.
After each set, analyse why other options are less appropriate to internalise XAT-style reasoning.
3. Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation
Begin with core arithmetic and geometry, then progress to algebra, number systems, and advanced topics once basics are solid.
Integrate DI practice alongside quant, with a focus on calculation shortcuts and approximations.
Take timed quant and DI sectional tests to simulate pressure and practice question selection.
4. General Knowledge
Follow monthly current affairs compilations with extra focus on business, economics, and international news.
Regularly revise static GK topics: important organisations, geography, history, polity, and major awards.
Attempt at least 10–15 full-length mocks, and many more if starting early; match timing and slot (afternoon) to the actual XAT exam where possible.
Analyse each mock thoroughly: identify question types you frequently miss, evaluate time spent per section, and adjust strategy accordingly.
Solve several previous year XAT papers end-to-end to understand real exam difficulty, especially for DM and VLA.
Understanding XAT cutoff trends helps aspirants set realistic target percentiles and raw scores for XLRI and other top XAT-accepting institutes.
Analyses of recent XAT exam cycles show that:
For XLRI BM (Business Management), overall XAT percentile cutoffs for General category have typically been around 95–96+ percentile.
For XLRI HRM (Human Resource Management), overall cutoffs often fall in the 93–95 percentile range for General category candidates.
Sectional cutoffs are applied for VLA, DM, and QA & DI, usually around the 70–85 percentile marks depending on programme and profile.
Beyond XLRI, other leading XAT-accepting institutes generally look for XAT percentiles in the 90–95+ range for their flagship programmes, with some flexibility based on profile, work experience, and diversity factors.
For XAT 2026, early cutoff analyses suggest that cutoffs for top institutes will remain broadly aligned with the previous two years, although exact numbers depend on the overall difficulty and candidate performance distribution.
The relationship between XAT score vs percentile is central to interpreting performance and estimating chances of converting calls.
Initial data for XAT 2026 shows the following approximate mapping between XAT raw scores and percentiles:
Around 61% marks in XAT 2026 correspond roughly to 99.9+ percentile based on early official data.
Sample XAT marks vs percentile points include:
Past trends for XAT 2024 and XAT 2025 similarly show that:**
A score around 38–40+ often lies near or above the 99 percentile mark.
Scores in the 32–35 range typically fall in the 96–98 percentile band, depending on exam difficulty.
XAT score is calculated by aggregating marks across VLA, DM, QA & DI (and sometimes excluding GK for percentile), using +1 for correct answers, −0.25 for wrong answers, and −0.10 for each unattempted question beyond 8 in Part 1.
XAT percentile represents how many candidates scored lower than or equal to a given candidate. A simplified version of the formula is:
Because score vs percentile mapping fluctuates annually, aspirants should use these numbers as indicative targets rather than absolute guarantees.
Below are concise answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the XAT exam 2026 and upcoming XAT exam cycles.
Q1. What is the XAT exam and why is it important?
The XAT exam is a national-level management entrance test conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur for admission to XLRI and many other top B-schools; it is one of the most recognised alternatives to CAT.
Q2. When was XAT 2026 conducted?
XAT 2026 was held on 4 January 2026 (Sunday) from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM in computer-based mode across test centres in India.
Q3. What was the XAT 2026 registration period?
The XAT exam 2026 registration window opened on 10 July 2025 and closed on 5 December 2025.
Q4. Who is eligible for the XAT exam?
Anyone with a 3-year bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised institution (including final-year students) can take the XAT exam, with no age limit or minimum percentage requirement specified by XAT itself.
Q5. What is the exam pattern of XAT 2026?
XAT 2026 consisted of around 95 MCQs across Verbal & Logical Ability, Decision Making, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, and General Knowledge, with a total duration of 3 hours and negative marking for incorrect answers in Part 1.
Q6. How is the XAT exam marking scheme structured?
Candidates receive +1 for each correct answer, −0.25 for each incorrect answer in the main sections, and a further −0.10 penalty for each unattempted question beyond 8 in Part 1; GK questions do not have negative marking.
Q7. What is the XAT exam fee?
The XAT 2026 registration fee is ₹2,200 for all candidates, with an additional ₹200 per XLRI programme selected; there are separate higher fees for Indian candidates applying via GMAT/GRE for some programmes and for NRI/foreign applicants.
Q8. How do I download the XAT admit card?
You need to log in to the official XAT website using your XAT ID and password, navigate to the “Admit Card” section, download the PDF, and print it for the exam centre.
Q9. What is considered a good XAT score for XLRI?
Recent trends indicate that a 99 percentile (often around the high 30s in raw score) is usually competitive for XLRI BM, while slightly lower percentiles in the mid-90s can be sufficient for XLRI HRM depending on profile.
Q10. How should I start preparing for XAT 2027 now?
Begin with a thorough understanding of the XAT exam pattern and syllabus, build strong fundamentals in quant and verbal, practise DM sets regularly, solve previous year papers, and integrate full-length mocks as you approach the exam date.
