XAT 2027 registration opened in July 2026, with XLRI Jamshedpur retaining the core three-section exam structure and making a marginal revision to the application fee compared to XAT 2026.
The Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) is conducted annually by XLRI Jamshedpur for admission to MBA and PGDM programmes at more than 150 member institutes. Knowing exactly what has changed — and what has stayed the same — between XAT 2026 and XAT 2027 helps you plan registration, preparation, and budget without last-minute surprises.
- XAT 2027 exam is expected in January 2027; registration is open from July 2026.
- Three scored sections — Verbal and Logical Ability, Decision Making, and Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation — continue unchanged in XAT 2027.
- Eligibility remains a Bachelor’s degree from any recognised university; final-year students can also apply.
- Negative marking of 0.25 marks per wrong answer plus a penalty for excessive unattempted questions continue.
- XAT 2026 was held on January 5, 2026 across 100+ cities in India.
XAT 2027 vs XAT 2026: At a Glance
The table below places the most important parameters side by side.
| Parameter | XAT 2026 | XAT 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Conducting Body | XLRI Jamshedpur | XLRI Jamshedpur |
| Exam Date | January 5, 2026 | January 2027 (expected) |
| Mode | Computer-Based Test | Computer-Based Test |
| Total Scored Questions | 75 | 75 (expected) |
| GK Section (unscored) | 25 questions | 25 questions (expected) |
| Essay Writing | Not included | Not included (expected) |
| Duration (scored sections) | 175 minutes | 175 minutes (expected) |
| Application Fee (base) | INR 2,000 | INR 2,100 (expected) |
| Eligibility | Any Bachelor’s degree | Any Bachelor’s degree |
Eligibility Criteria: XAT 2027 vs XAT 2026
The eligibility criteria for XAT 2027 remain unchanged from XAT 2026 — a three-year Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university is the only mandatory requirement set by XLRI. No new percentage bar, age cap, or work experience mandate has been introduced for XAT 2027.
| Parameter | XAT 2026 | XAT 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Qualification | Bachelor’s degree (any discipline) | Bachelor’s degree (any discipline) |
| Degree Duration | Minimum 3 years | Minimum 3 years |
| Minimum Percentage | None (institute criteria apply) | None (institute criteria apply) |
| Final-Year Students | Eligible | Eligible |
| Nationality | Indian and NRI / foreign nationals | Indian and NRI / foreign nationals |
| Age Limit | None | None |
| Work Experience | Not mandatory | Not mandatory |
Although XAT sets no percentage floor, individual member institutes have their own selection criteria. Always check the specific institute’s admissions policy before applying.
Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme: XAT 2027 vs XAT 2026
XAT 2027 is expected to carry the same section-wise structure as XAT 2026 — three scored sections totalling 75 questions plus an unscored GK section. The essay writing component, discontinued before XAT 2022, is not expected to return.
| Section | XAT 2026 | XAT 2027 (expected) |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal and Logical Ability (VLA) | 26 questions | 26 questions |
| Decision Making (DM) | 21 questions | 21 questions |
| Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation (QADI) | 28 questions | 28 questions |
| Total Scored Questions | 75 | 75 |
| General Knowledge (unscored) | 25 questions, 10 min | 25 questions, 10 min |
| Essay Writing | Not included | Not included |
| Total Duration | 185 minutes | 185 minutes (expected) |
The marking scheme is also expected to remain the same for XAT 2027:
| Rule | XAT 2026 | XAT 2027 (expected) |
|---|---|---|
| Correct answer | +1 mark | +1 mark |
| Wrong answer | -0.25 marks | -0.25 marks |
| Unattempted beyond 8 (scored sections) | -0.10 marks per question | -0.10 marks per question |
| GK section (wrong or unattempted) | No negative marking | No negative marking |
The unattempted-question penalty is unique to XAT — once you leave more than 8 questions blank in the scored sections, each additional skipped question deducts 0.10 marks. Aim to attempt at least 67 of the 75 scored questions to avoid triggering this penalty.
Application Fee: XAT 2027 vs XAT 2026
XAT 2027 base registration fee is expected at INR 2,100 — a marginal increase over the INR 2,000 charged for XAT 2026. You also pay a per-institute fee for each programme added and a separate fee for XLRI-specific programmes such as BM or HRM.
| Fee Component | XAT 2026 | XAT 2027 (expected) |
|---|---|---|
| XAT Registration (base) | INR 2,000 | INR 2,100 |
| Additional institute fee | INR 200 per institute | INR 200 per institute |
| XLRI programme fee (BM / HRM) | INR 300 per programme | INR 300 per programme |
| Late registration surcharge | INR 500 | INR 500 |
| Payment mode | Online (card, UPI, net banking) | Online (card, UPI, net banking) |
| Fee refund | Not applicable | Not applicable |
Applying to both XLRI BM and XLRI HRM requires the programme fee to be paid for each separately. Confirm the exact XAT 2027 fee on xatonline.in before completing payment.
Important Dates: XAT 2027 vs XAT 2026
XAT 2027 registration is open from July 2026, following the same broad calendar as XAT 2026. Registering early avoids the late fee and last-minute portal congestion.
| Event | XAT 2026 | XAT 2027 (expected) |
|---|---|---|
| Registration Opens | July 2025 | July 2026 |
| Regular Registration Closes | November 2025 | November 2026 |
| Late Registration Closes | Late November 2025 | Late November 2026 |
| Admit Card Download | December 2025 | December 2026 |
| Exam Date | January 5, 2026 (Sunday) | First Sunday of January 2027 |
| Result / Scorecard | January 2026 | January 2027 |
XAT 2027 vs XAT 2026 FAQs
Ques. Has the eligibility for XAT 2027 changed from XAT 2026?
Ans. No. Eligibility remains a Bachelor’s degree of at least three years from a recognised university. Final-year students can apply. XLRI has not introduced any new percentage requirement or age cap for XAT 2027.
Ques. Is the XAT 2027 exam pattern different from XAT 2026?
Ans. Based on available information, XAT 2027 is expected to retain the same structure as XAT 2026: Verbal and Logical Ability (26 questions), Decision Making (21 questions), and Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation (28 questions), totalling 75 scored questions, plus an unscored GK section of 25 questions. No essay writing section is expected.
Ques. What is the XAT 2027 application fee?
Ans. XAT 2027 base registration fee is expected around INR 2,100, marginally higher than INR 2,000 for XAT 2026. Additional per-institute (INR 200) and per-programme fees apply. A late fee of INR 500 is charged after the regular deadline. Confirm the exact amount on xatonline.in.
Ques. Does XAT 2027 have negative marking?
Ans. Yes. XAT 2027 is expected to carry -0.25 marks for every wrong answer. An additional -0.10 mark applies for each unattempted question beyond 8 in the scored sections. The GK section carries no negative marking.
Ques. When will XAT 2027 be held?
Ans. XAT 2027 is expected in January 2027, likely on the first Sunday of the month, following the pattern of XAT 2026 which was held on January 5, 2026. XLRI will confirm the date on xatonline.in.
Ques. Can final-year students apply for XAT 2027?
Ans. Yes. Students in the final year of their Bachelor’s degree can register for XAT 2027. They must submit proof of degree completion at the time of admission if selected by an institute.
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