XAT Notification 2026 | Exam Date, Registration, Syllabus, Pattern & Preparation Tips

XAT Notification 2026

The official XAT notification will be released in the second or third week of July 2025, which will include all the important information, such as XAT 2026 registration window dates, XAT 2024 eligibility criteria, XAT 2026 exam dates, XAT syllabus 2026, XAT exam fee, and more.

Based on the previous year's trends, it can be inferred that according to the XAT 2026 notification, the registration process for the exam will start in the fourth week of July 2025 and will conclude in the last week of November 2025, with the possibility of extending it further.

The XAT 2026 exam is most likely to take place on January 4th, 2026 (expected). This exam plays a crucial role in gaining admission to XLRI and other MBA colleges accepting XAT scores in India.

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What Is The XAT Exam?

The Xavier Aptitude Test, or XAT, is a national-level entrance exam that usually takes place 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 Notification 2026 - Important Exam Dates (Tentative Timeline)

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:

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XAT Notification 2026 - Key Highlights

Significant changes have been observed in the syllabus and paper pattern for XAT 2026. Given below is an overview of what the candidates can expect before they begin preparations for the XAT exam.

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XAT Eligibility Criteria 2026

XAT 2026 registrations are ongoing, and before filling out the exam form, candidates must check that they meet the XAT exam eligibility criteria if they wish to take the exam.

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 is no age limit for candidates planning 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 all of the above-mentioned XAT eligibility requirements, they should fill out the XAT application form as soon as possible before the last date to apply for the same.

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XAT 2026 Notification: Direct Link For XAT Registration

The XAT 2026 exam usually takes place in a single slot during the day, and it is most likely to take place on 4th January 2026. Given below is the step-by-step XAT Registration Process 2026; all the serious XAT aspirants 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.

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XAT 2026 Updates: Major Changes In XAT Exam Pattern

The revised XAT exam pattern 2026 has been announced, and significant changes have been observed in the latest exam structure and XAT paper pattern. The Essay Writing section has been scraped out, and the number of questions in the General Knowledge section has been reduced. The duration has also been reduced from 210 minutes to 180 minutes.

As per the latest XAT exam pattern 2026, the question paper will be divided into two parts, which can be categorized as follows:

• The first part of the XAT 2026 question paper will comprise three sections, namely:
  1. Decision-making
  2. Verbal & Logical Ability
  3. Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation
• The second part will include General Knowledge.

Note: Mark that Candidates will have 170 minutes to solve the questions in the first part, there will be no sectional time limitation, and 10 minutes will be allotted for the GK section. PwD candidates will get an extra 20 minutes for each section.

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.
• The scores of the 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 Notification 2026: Revised XAT Application Fee

Unlike most other MBA Entrance Exams, the XAT Exam Fees are not differentiated based on the candidate's 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 Notification 2026 - Important Exam Day Instructions

It is mandatory for candidates to follow the guidelines provided by the conducting body on the XAT 2026 exam day. If any candidate is found breaking the rules, he/she may face inconvenience. The XAT 2026 exam day guidelines are as follows:

Don't Forget Your XAT Admit Card

XAT is no different from other entrance exams; thus, it is essential for all candidates to bring a hard copy of their XAT admit card. Candidates need to have at least two printed copies of the XAT 2026 admit card as instructed by XLRI Jamshedpur. Make sure to have your admit card with you before you arrive at the XAT exam center, as no candidate will be allowed to enter without it.

Check Your Exam Center Location In Advance

The XAT exam center is assigned to the candidate on the basis of preference of location and will be printed on the XAT 2026 admit card. It's usually a good idea to visit the XAT exam center a few days prior to the exam date to familiarize yourself with the location and avoid any last-minute hassles on the date of the exam.

Documents To Be Carried On XAT 2026 Exam Day

Apart from the two printed copies of the XAT admit card 2026, candidates are also required to carry certain other documents for verification purposes. The documents that they need to carry are as follows:-

• Recent passport-size photograph
• Original identity proof such as a PAN card, Aadhaar card, Voter ID, Passport, or Driving License.
• Stationery items

Since the XAT 2026 exam will be conducted in a computer-based mode, a rough sheet and a pen will be provided if needed. Hence, candidates are not required to carry those items.

XAT 2026 Exam Day Guidelines

• Be on Time: Candidates should arrive at the XAT exam center at least one hour prior to the scheduled exam time. The reporting time is mentioned on the admit card as well, and it is important that the candidate adheres to the same. No candidate will be allowed to enter if they arrive after the reporting time.
• No Electronic Devices Allowed: To meet security requirements and avoid any issues, candidates are also advised not to bring any electronic devices, such as mobile phones, digital watches, calculators, etc., to the exam hall. If during the security check, any candidate is found with such electronic gadgets or articles on their person, they won’t be allowed to take the XAT exam and will be disqualified.
• Double-Check Your Answers: According to the XAT 2026 exam pattern, there will be negative marking for incorrect answers. Therefore, after answering any questions, the candidates should make sure to review and double-check their answers to avoid losing any unnecessary marks. If the candidate is unsure about an answer, it's better not to attempt it at all.

XAT 2026 Exam Day Instructions - After Entering The Exam Hall

• Each question will show five options for candidates to choose from.
• Only one question will be displayed at a time on the screen, but candidates can navigate between questions using the "next" and "previous" buttons.
• A timer will be visible in the top-right corner of the screen, and the XAT question paper will close once the timer runs out.
• If candidates are not satisfied with their selected answers, they can unmark them by clicking the 'Erase' button located at the bottom of the screen.
• There won’t be a separate timer for different sections, so candidates can answer the questions at their own pace.
• Lastly, candidates have the option to bookmark questions they want to come back to later by clicking the 'Tag' button.

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Conclusion

XAT is widely considered as a challenging MBA entrance exam with fewer applicants, probably due to its difficulty level and the limited number of institutions accepting it. However, candidates preparing for CAT may find value in considering XAT as an option, as they both share similarities in their structure apart from the decision-making section. Candidates should look to give as many entrance exams as they can in order to broaden their options.