XAT 2026 Exam Dates (January 2026) | Notification, Registration, Syllabus, Pattern & Preparation Tips

What Is The XAT Exam?

The Xavier Aptitude Test, or XAT, is a national-level exam that is usually in the first week of January every year. The XAT exam is conducted by XLRI on behalf of the Xavier Association of Management Institutes (XAMI). This exam is conducted for admissions to MBA and PGDM courses across more than 160 top MBA colleges in India. Some of the prominent B-schools that accept XAT scores include XLRI Jamshedpur and Delhi, IMT Ghaziabad, XIMB Bhubaneswar, SP Jain, K.J. Somaiya, TAPMI, and others.

The XAT question paper consists of 95 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) from Decision Making, Verbal and Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation, and General Knowledge. The XAT cutoffs for XLRI’s PGDM-BM & HRM program are usually above 95 %ile for male candidates and 92 %ile for female candidates.

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XAT Exam Highlights 2026

The XAT 2026 exam will allow students to apply for admission to XLRI and other top institutes for the batch of 2026-28. Here are the relevant details to know about the exam:

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XAT 2026 Exam Dates (Tentative)

The XAT 2026 exam date will be announced by XLRI on the official website with the release of XAT notification 2026. However, based on the previous trends, we have jotted down the tentative schedule, and important dates of XAT 2026 are mentioned in the table below for your reference:

To stay updated on all the latest information on XAT 2026, visit XAT 2026 Notifications

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XAT Eligibility Criteria 2026

All XAT aspirants must adhere to the XAT 2026 eligibility criteria and ensure that they fulfill each and every requirement before filling out the XAT application form. Candidates must know that their candidature will stand cancelled in case of any discrepancy found in their eligibility status.

Have a look at the XAT eligibility criteria 2026 to have a fair understanding of whether you are eligible to appear for the XAT exam or not.

• Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university of three years or more in any discipline.
• Candidates in their final year of a bachelor's degree or with their results awaited are also eligible to take XAT 2026 (date of graduation should be by 10th June 2026).
• There are no age bars for candidates aspiring to take the XAT exam.
• The XAT exam does not require a minimum pass percentage.
• GMAT exam is required for NRI students.

If a candidate fulfills the above-mentioned XAT eligibility requirements, they must hurry to fill out the XAT application form as the last date to apply for the same is 30th November 2024.

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XAT Registration Process 2026

The XAT 2026 exam usually takes place in a single-day session, which will most probably be taking place on 4th January 2026. Given below is the step-by-step XAT Registration Process 2026; all the serious XAT takers must hurry and fill out the XAT application form to avoid any last-minute hassle:

Make sure that you check each and every point in detail before submitting your XAT 2026 application form, as any further changes will not be entertained once the XAT admit card is issued.

XAT Registration: Other Important Points

As we are aware that XAT can potentially change its pattern significantly, it's important to highlight some key registration pointers as follows:

• There is no specific age limit to register for XAT 2026.
• XAT Registration dates are extensible and will be governed by XLRI, the test administrator.
• If there is a registration delay, you can be sure that the XAT admit cards will be available on time.

XAT Registration Fee 2026

The XAT Exam Fees remain the same for all candidates, unlike the majority of other MBA Entrance Exams, which are differentiated based on category. Apart from the XAT Application fees, candidates also need to pay for the programs that they wish to apply for:

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XAT Exam Pattern 2026

Before attempting XAT 2026, it is important to have a comprehensive understanding of its exam pattern to know what the paper looks like, which will provide a better vision of the exam and help prepare effectively.

The table given below briefly explains the XAT exam pattern 2026 to provide you with a fair idea of what can be expected from a candidate.

XAT Marking Scheme 2026

The XAT paper pattern also includes detailed guidelines regarding the XAT marking scheme. It includes details for mark distribution per correct, incorrect, and unattempted questions in the XAT paper. The following is the brief XAT 2026 marking scheme.

• For every correct answer in the MCQs, 1 mark will be awarded.
• For every incorrect answer, 0.25 marks will be deducted.
• If there are more than 8 unattempted questions, a 0.10 mark will be deducted for each unanswered question.
• Scores of General Knowledge section is only for final selection and not for shortlisting candidates for GD/Interview.
• All MCQs will have five answer choices with one correct answer.

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XAT Exam Syllabus 2026

The exam conducting body does not officially release any specific XAT syllabus 2026. However, we have compiled a list of topics that have been asked in the XAT examination over the years to provide you with a gist of the areas from where the majority of questions are asked in the exam. The following is the XAT 2026 syllabus, and candidates should prepare accordingly.

The XAT exam has a syllabus that is very similar to that of other MBA exams in India. While it covers core topics, it distinguishes itself with sections dedicated to Decision Making. To provide a more precise overview, here's an outline of the XAT syllabus across all sections:

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XAT Admit Card 2026

XAT admit cards will be released third/ fourth week of December 2026 and will remain accessible till the day of the examination. Once available, the XAT admit card 2026 can be downloaded from the official website - https://xatonline.in/. Candidates can use their XAT login ID and password to download the XAT 2026 admit card.

How to download the XAT Admit Card?

Candidates must download their XAT 2026 admit card only after carefully verifying that the details are correct. In case of a discrepancy, contact the test helpdesk via the official website. It's mandatory to carry a printed copy of your XAT admit card to the XAT exam center on the day of the exam. To download the XAT admit card, follow these steps:

• Visit the official website of XAT 2026: https://xatonline.in/
• Click on the 'Download Admit Card' tab.
• Enter XAT User ID and date of birth and click on login.
• Next, click on the admit card tab.
• The option to download the XAT admit card will appear.
• Click on download and save as PDF.

Details Mentioned On The XAT 2026 Admit Card 

Once the XAT admit card is released, candidates must verify the details mentioned on the admit card. In case of any discrepancy, they can contact the XAT helpdesk.

• Name
• XAT ID
• Date of Birth
• Date of Test, Reporting Time, and Gate Closure
• XAT Exam Duration
• XAT exam center address and XAT test city
• Reference number and emergency contact number
• Candidate's signature and photograph
• Supervisor's remarks and signature
• Instructions regarding XAT 2026

Ensure that you carry the XAT admit card with you on the day of the examination; otherwise, entry inside the hall will not be permitted.

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XAT Preparation Tips 2026

It is very important to have a thorough strategy and a customized study schedule in the last days before the exam, as these are crucial days when you cannot afford to lose any precious time doing something that will not contribute to your score. One should aim to have a proper test-taking strategy in order to ace XAT 2026.

Here are a few tips straight from the horse's mouth to help you prepare better and to answer the most asked question - “How to prepare for XAT 2026?” in this last mile, as follows:

• Point of Focus: You should familiarize yourself with the fundamentals of key concepts with the help of easy examples before even beginning to prep. Going slowly and mastering each topic before moving on to the next will give you the solid groundwork to approach more difficult problems down the line.
• Review the syllabus and exam pattern: Like any other entrance examination, XAT requires you to have a thorough knowledge of the syllabus and exam pattern to determine the level of preparation and strategy one needs.
• Proper understanding of the questions: To score well in XAT, you should understand that the answer to each question is already concealed in the question itself. Spend some time examining how each question is framed. A strategy would be to read carefully and notice the critical components of the questions.
• Take regular mocks: Mock tests are important for managing your time effectively and assessing your understanding of different topics. Analyzing these tests can help you pinpoint areas that need improvement. Start with 1-2 practice tests each week, then increase to 3-4 tests per week as you progress.
• Practice last 5 years’ XAT papers: XAT is an exam that often catches test-takers off guard, so make sure to work through previous years' test papers in the months leading up to your final exam to evaluate how much you’ve improved.

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XAT Cutoff 2026 (Expected)

The XAT cutoff is an indication of the rank that a candidate is expected to achieve to be shortlisted by the participating colleges. The top colleges accepting XAT are known to have a higher XAT cutoff range.

Find below the tabulated expected XAT 2026 cutoff based on the cutoffs released for XAT 2025. The table showcases the section-wise XAT scores to achieve the respective percentiles for your reference:

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XAT Test Cities 2026

Every year, the number of XAT exam centers keeps on increasing with the increased demand for the XAT exam. XAT 2026 is most likely to be taking place in 110 different cities. XLRI has recently added 34 new cities to the XAT test city list. Candidates can choose up to six cities for XAT exam center allotment at the time of filling out the XAT application form.

Given below is the list of XAT 2026 test cities for your reference. Check the list and make the necessary arrangements well before the exam.

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XAT Mock Test 2026

Every year, the conducting body for the XAT releases a mock test on the official website based on the actual paper pattern. This is to give students a taste of the real exam environment for better preparation. All serious XAT takers are advised to take the mock test to excel in the actual exam. The XAT Mock Test will cover all sections, allowing you to experience the exam's format and challenges firsthand.

How to Take the XAT 2026 Mock Test?

• Complete the XAT 2026 Registration Process: Make sure you have submitted your application for XAT 2026.
• Access the Mock Test Portal: The mock test portal link will be enabled in your application dashboard after you have submitted your application.

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Top Colleges Accepting XAT 2026 Scores

There are over 800 MBA colleges in India that accept the XAT exam score for admission to their MBA/PGDM programs. Here's a list of some well-known top colleges accepting XAT score:

XLRI Jamshedpur is the most renowned among these institutions and oversees the organization of the XAT Exam. The HR program is regarded as exceptional, not only within India but across Asia. The Business Management course offered by XLRI Jamshedpur is the top choice for many MBA aspirants and is often considered one of the finest courses alongside MBA/PGDM by IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, and IIM Calcutta.

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XAT Exam Analysis 2026

Based on the previous year’s XAT examination analysis, the upcoming XAT exam is expected to be moderately difficult. Once the exam is over, a detailed analysis of the XAT 2026 will be available on our website based on feedback from our students and top MBA experts.

Check out the XAT 2026 analysis, number of good attempts, difficulty level and expected XAT Cut-off; visit XAT Exam Analysis 2026.

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XAT Answer Key 2026

The XAT answer key will be released about a week after the exam. Candidates can download the XAT 2026 response sheet and answer key using their login details. Here’s a simple guide to downloading it:

• Go to the official XAT 2026 website.
• Log in using your XAT ID and password.
• Click on ‘Candidate Response’ to view the answer key and question paper.
• The XAT answer key will appear on the screen.
• Download the PDF and save it on your device.

After downloading, review the correct answers (highlighted in green) and compare them with your responses listed next to each question ID. This will help you calculate your raw score. If you believe any answer in your XAT response sheet needs to be corrected, XLRI allows you to raise objections via email.

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XAT Result 2026

XAT 2026 results will be declared in the last week of January 2026. Here is a stepwise approach for downloading your XAT 2026 scorecard:

• Go to the official website of XAT 2026
• Click on 'Download XAT 2026 scorecard'
• Enter XAT ID and password
• Enter the security text
• Click on the candidate scorecard and download it

Note: Download the XAT 2026 result document and take a printout for future reference.

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Selection Process After XAT Exam 2026

Each of the colleges accepting XAT scores carries out their individual admission procedures and interview assessments. For XLRI Jamshedpur, the admission process through XAT chiefly involves three main steps, which are as follows:

Step1: Shortlisting Candidates

Candidates are required to clear the XAT cutoffs to be shortlisted for the following admission rounds.

Step 2: Group Discussion and Interview

Selected candidates are required to participate in a group discussion and interview session, which will take place in multiple XAT exam centers across different cities. Shortlisted candidates will be given the opportunity to select their preferred location.

Step 3: Final Selection

The final list of candidates will be made based on the XAT scores, GD-PI rounds and academic background, among other criteria. Thus, the list of final candidates will be asked to complete the formalities for admissions.

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Conclusion

Undoubtedly, the XAT is widely regarded as one of the most challenging MBA entrance exams, and its relatively lower number of applicants may stem from various factors, including the perceived difficulty level and the limited college options that accept its scores. However, considering the similarities in paper pattern and syllabus with other MBA entrance exams like CAT, candidates preparing for the CAT exam may find it advantageous also to pursue the XAT. With many MBA entrance exams sharing a similar structure, aspiring candidates are encouraged to broaden their opportunities by attempting multiple entrance exams, maximizing their chances of admission to esteemed management institutes.

Frequently Asked Questions