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XAT Latest Updates
14 Oct, 2025 XAT 2026 application edit window is open for 48 hours; review and edit the forms by October 16, 2025 (9 AM). Check Here
15 Sep, 2025 XAT registration 2026 is ongoing till December 5, 2025, at xatonline.in. Apply Now
XAT 2026 application correction window is open from October 14, 2025 (09:00 am) to October 16, 2025 (09:00 am). This 48-hour window will allow registered candidates to review and correct any errors in their submitted application forms.
The XAT is one of the competitive MBA Exams, accepted by more than 800 B-Schools in India, including XLRI Jamshedpur, XIMB, IMT Ghaziabad, etc. More than 1 lakh candidates are expected to appear in XAT 2026, in which XLRI will offer 360+ MBA Seats in HRM, BM, and GMP Courses. The other top colleges that accept XAT Scores will offer more than 20,000 MBA/PGDM seats in India.
- The XAT 2026 Registration had started on 10th July 2025, and will close on 5th December 2025.
- The XAT 2026 Exam will be held on 4th January 2026, from 2:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. in a CBT Mode in more than 80 exam cities in India.
- XAT 2026 mock test will be open from 5 PM on September 27 to 5 PM on September 28, 2025.
- If you want to attempt the XAT mock test, you must complete XAT registration by September 24, 2025.
- To appear in XAT 2026, you must pay the registration fee of Rs. 2,200, with an additional fee of Rs. 200 if interested in XLRI Programs.
The XAT 2026 Exam will include 4 sections: Verbal and Logical Ability, Decision Making, Quantitative Aptitude, Data Interpretation, and General Knowledge. You must solve 95 questions in the XAT question paper within 180 minutes(3 hours).
To be eligible for XAT 2026, a bachelor's degree is required with no minimum percentage and no age limit. If you are shortlisted, you must go through a GD-PI Round. This round starting from February 2026, will be conducted by universities separately.
Also Check:
What is XAT Exam?
The XAT 2026 is a national-level entrance exam for MBA, which is conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur. The XAT 2026 is scheduled to be conducted on 4th January 2026, in a CBT Mode, which will be accepted by more than 800 MBA Colleges in India.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) |
| Conducting Body | XLRI Jamshedpur |
| Exam Level | National |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| XAT 2026 Exam Date | January 4, 2026 (2:00 PM – 5:00 PM) |
| Exam Duration | 180 Minutes |
| Medium | English |
| Sections in the Exam |
|
| Number of Questions | 95 (including GK) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Fee | ₹2,200 (plus ₹200 per XLRI program) |
| Accepting Institutes | 800+ B-Schools, including XLRI, XIMB, IMT |
XAT Exam FAQs
Ques: What is the XAT exam used for?
Ans: The XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) exam is a national-level entrance test conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur, India.
- The XAT Exam is used for admission into MBA/PGDM programs at XLRI and over 1,000 other B-schools across India.
- The XAT exam assesses candidates' aptitude in areas like Verbal & Logical Ability, Decision Making, Quantitative Ability, and General Knowledge
XAT exam is used for evaluating skills essential for success in management and business.
Ques: Is XAT more difficult than CAT?
Ans: XAT is often considered more difficult than CAT due to its unique Decision Making (DM) and General Knowledge (GK) sections, a broader Quant syllabus, and the absence of an on-screen calculator.
- The section-wise difficulty can vary and CAT's reliance on speed and accuracy poses its own challenge.
- While both are tough exams, XAT's judgment-based scenarios in DM and GK section add complexity
- CAT's emphasis on speed, tight sectional time limits, and its often more difficult DILR section.
Ques: Is 40 a good score in XAT?
Ans: The XAT Score vs Percentile 2026 indicates that 40+ marks will provide 98–99 percentile, which is very good for top B-schools. A score of 38–39 marks lies between 97 percentile, and 35–37 marks results in the 95–96 percentile.
| XAT Score (out of 75) | Estimated Percentile | Insight |
|---|---|---|
| ≥ 40 | 97–99 | Safe for XLRI & top B‑schools |
| 37–38 | 96 | Good for XLRI, SPJIMR, IMT, etc. |
| 31–36 | 95–97 | Competitive for elite colleges |
| 25–30 | 90–95 | Strong for SPJIMR, XIMB, IMT |
| 23–24 | 85–90 | Good for second-tier schools |
| 21–22 | 80–85 | May get lesser-known colleges |
XAT 2026 Exam Dates
The XAT 2026 Exam dates have been officially released by XLRI Jamshedpur, which will be held on 4th January 2025, from 2:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. in a CBT Mode.
| Dates | Events |
|---|---|
| July 10, 2025 | Registration start date |
| October 14 to 16, 2025 | Application Correction Window |
| December 5, 2025 | XAT 2026 Registration Last Date |
| December 20, 2025 | Admit Card Download |
| January 4, 2026 (2 PM to 5 PM) | XAT Exam 2026 Dates |
Also Read
Does XAT 2026 have Reservation?XAT Registration 2026
The XAT registration is open on the official website: xatonline.in/. The XAT application form 2026 submission window is open till December 5, 2025.
You can select up to six cities in the XAT application form 2026. The XAT exam centre will be allotted to the candidate in the city selected as the first preference.
XAT Registration Statistics
The XAT Exam has shown growth from last year, as they have reached to high number of registrations in the year 2025. But the total number of candidates that appeared has remained similar, which shows a gap between interest and candidates that have appeared.
| Year | Registered Candidates | Appeared | % Change in Registrations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 142,235 | 124,000 | 5.4% |
| 2024 | 135,000 | 88,000 | 40% |
| 2023 | 96,438 | 80,000+ | 36.3% |
XAT 2026 Registration Fees
The Candidates are supposed to submit the required fees for registering in XAT 2026, which is transparent. All the required fees are non-refundable and should be paid online during registration.
Registration Fee for XAT 2026
| Candidate Category | Fee (INR) |
|---|---|
| Base XAT Registration Fee (all candidates) | ₹2,200 |
| Additional fee per XLRI program (BM, HRM, GMP) | ₹200 per program |
| Indian applicants for PGDM (GM) via GMAT/GRE | ₹2,500 |
| NRI / Foreign applicants via GMAT (one or more) | ₹5,000 |
XAT Registration FAQs
Ques: What is the last date for XAT registration?
Ans: The last registration date for XAT 2026 is December 5, 2025. XAT Registration began on July 10, 2025, and the XAT 2026 exam is scheduled for January 4, 2026.
- Registration Starts: July 10, 2025
- Registration Last Date: December 5, 2025
- Admit Card Download: December 20, 2025 (Tentative)
- Exam Date: January 4, 2026
Ques: Can XAT be cracked in 2 months?
Ans: Yes, XAT Can be cracked in 2 months but it is going to be very tough. Students who have already invested time in their CAT prep can comfortably conclude their XAT preparations in a month. You also need to create a proper study plan for clearing XAT in 2 months.
Ques: What are XAT fees?
Ans: The XAT 2026 registration fee is ₹2,200 for all candidates, with an additional ₹200 required for each XLRI program you apply to.
- Basic XAT Registration Fee: ₹2,200 for all candidates.
- XLRI exam Application Fee: An additional ₹200 for each specific XLRI program you wish to apply to, such as PGDM(GM), PGDM-BM, or PGDM-HRM.
- Indian Candidates via GMAT/GRE: ₹2,500 for those Indian candidates applying to the PGDM(GM) program using their GMAT or GRE scores.
- NRI/Foreign/PIO/OCI Candidates via GMAT: ₹5,000 for NRI, Foreign, PIO, or OCI candidates applying for one or more programs using their GMAT scores.
Also Read
XAT 2026: Eligibility Criteria
To apply for XAT 2026, candidates should fulfil the basic academic requirements, which ensure more access. There is no required age limit or percentile requirement, but some XLRI Programs, mostly for the general management programs, require additional experience from the candidates.
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Educational Qualification | The candidate should have a bachelor’s degree of 3 years in any discipline. The Final year candidates are also eligible. |
| Minimum Percentage | There is no minimum percentage required; just passing graduation is enough. |
| Age Limit | No Upper or lower age limit. |
| Work Experience |
|
| Nationality / Mode for NRIs | Indian and foreign nationals can apply. The Foreigners or NRI candidates have to give the GMAT Exam. |
| Attempts Allowed | Candidates can give unlimited attempts, with no limit on the number of tries. |
| Program-Specific Criteria |
|
XAT Exam Pattern 2026
The XAT 2026 Exam will be conducted in a CBT Mode, in a time duration of 180 minutes.
- The Exam will be divided into 2 parts: Part 1, Verbal & Logical Ability, Decision Making & Quantitative Aptitude, and Data interpretation, with a total of 75 questions in 170 minutes.
- Part 2 will be 10 minutes long, including the section of General Knowledge of 20 Questions.
- In the XAT Exam, +1 marks will be given for each correct answer, -0.25 will be deducted for each incorrect answer, and -0.10 for more than 8 unattempted questions.
The Section of Essay Writing has been removed from the main exam and will now be evaluated in the GD-PI Round.
| Sections | Number of Questions | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Decision Making | 21 | 21 |
| Verbal and Logical Ability | 26 | 26 |
| Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation | 28 | 28 |
| General Knowledge | 20 | 20 |
| Total | 95 | 95 |
XAT Exam Pattern FAQs
Ques: Is 40 a good score in XAT?
Ans: The XAT Score vs Percentile 2026 shows that 40+ marks will provide 98–99 percentile, which is very good for top B-schools. A score of 38–39 marks lies between 97 percentile, and 35–37 marks results in the 95–96 percentile.
Ques: Is XAT online or paper based?
Ans: Yes, XAT is an online test. The XAT exam is conducted online, in a computer-based test (CBT) format, for admission to MBA and PGDM programs at XLRI and other participating institutions.
- Mode: Online (Computer-Based Test - CBT).
- Organizer: XLRI, Jamshedpur.
XAT Syllabus 2026
The XAT 2026 Syllabus will include 4 main sections:
- Verbal and logical ability
- Decision making
- Quantitative ability
- Data Interpretation and General Knowledge.
The most significant XAT syllabus changes involve the removal of the Analytical Essay Writing (AEW) section, which is now integrated into the GD/PI process. The total number of questions has decreased from 101 to 95.
Also Check:
XAT Verbal & Logical Ability (VALR)
| Topic | Subtopics |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | Fact-based, opinion-based, abstract RCs |
| Critical Reasoning | Assumptions, Inference, Strengthen/Weaken |
| Vocabulary | Word usage, Fill in the Blanks, Synonyms/Antonyms |
| Grammar & Sentence Correction | Error spotting, Sentence rearrangement |
| Para-jumbles | Logical sequencing of sentences |
XAT Decision Making (DM)
| Topic Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Ethical Dilemmas | Business or personal situations with moral choices |
| Analytical Reasoning | Situational caselets, cause-effect, prioritisation |
| Data-Based Decision Making | Tables, charts with decision-oriented questions |
| Managerial Judgement | Scenarios involving teams, conflict, and targets |
XAT Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation (QA-DI)
| Topic | Subtopics |
|---|---|
| Arithmetic | Percentages, Profit & Loss, Time-Speed-Distance |
| Algebra | Equations, Inequalities, Functions |
| Geometry & Mensuration | Lines, Angles, Circles, Triangles, 3D figures |
| Number Systems | LCM, HCF, Remainders, Factors |
| Modern Math | Permutations & Combinations, Probability, Set Theory |
| Data Interpretation | Pie charts, Tables, Graphs, Caselets |
XAT General Knowledge (GK)
| Area | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Static GK | History, Polity, Geography, Art & Culture |
| Current Affairs | National & International News (last 6–8 months) |
| Business & Economy | Government schemes, GDP, Budget, Monetary policies |
| Awards & Sports | Nobel, Olympics, National Awards |
| Miscellaneous | Books & Authors, Important Days, Environment |
XAT Syllabus FAQs
Ques: Is 40 a good score in XAT?
Ans: The XAT Score vs Percentile 2026 indicates that 40+ marks will provide 98–99 percentile, which is very good for top B-schools. A score of 38–39 marks lies between 97 percentile, and 35–37 marks results in the 95–96 percentile.
Ques: Is XAT difficult than snap?
Ans: Yes, XAT is difficult than SNAP. While CAT is known for its high level of difficulty, MAT and SNAP are relatively easier, and XAT focuses on decision-making skills.
Ques: Does IIT accept XAT score?
Ans: No, most Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) do not accept XAT scores for admission to their MBA programs. They primarily rely on the CAT score. However, there may be exceptions or specific institutes under the IIT umbrella, such as the MIT ID Innovation, that accept XAT for certain specialized MBA programs.
Ques: Is XAT GK tough?
Ans: The General Knowledge (GK) section contains 20 questions. Out of these 20 questions, around 8 questions were asked from static GK, while the remaining 12 questions came from current affairs. Overall the difficulty of this section was easy to moderate
XAT Previous Year Question Paper
| Exam Date | Question Paper PDF | Solution PDF |
|---|---|---|
| January 7, 2024 | Check Here | Download PDF |
| January 8, 2023 | Check Here | Download PDF |
| January 2, 2022 | Check Here | Download PDF |
XAT 2026 Mock Test
Mock tests are one of the important preparation tools for candidates who are preparing for XAT 2026.
These are the mock tests provided by Collegedunia. Candidates can give these tests for better preparation and have an idea of the type of questions that can be asked in the test.
XAT 2026: Important Books
For XAT Preparation, candidates require a few important books according to the different sections, which are from different authors. The Candidates should have these books for better preparation and a study plan.
| Section | Name of the Book | Author/ Publisher |
|---|---|---|
| QADI | Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations | R.S. Aggarwal |
| How to Prepare for QA for CAT | Arun Sharma | |
| Data Interpretation for CAT | Nishit K Sinha | |
| Quantum CAT | S K Verma | |
| Verbal & Logical Ability | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension | Ajay Singh |
| Word Power Made Easy | Norman Lewis | |
| How to Prepare for VARC for CAT | Arun Sharma | |
| A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning | R.S. Aggarwal | |
| Decision Making | Jabbing the XAT | R K Jha |
| Solved Papers | Gautam Puri | |
| Target XAT Simplified Edition | Disha Experts | |
| GK | Manorama Year Book | Mammen Mathew |
| Lucent’s Objective GK | Lucent Publications | |
| General Knowledge | Manohar Pandey |
XAT Exam Accepted By Top MBA Colleges
XAT participating institutes release admission cut-offs to shortlist candidates for GD/PI at their respective websites. Take a look at the estimated XAT cut-off scores and percentiles of some of the top XAT institutes for MBA admission:
| XAT colleges | XAT cut-off score | XAT cut-off percentile |
|---|---|---|
| XLRI-Jamshedpur | 35.5-38.5 | 94-92 |
| XIMB-Bhubaneswar | 30.5-32.5 | 90-93 |
| SPJIMR-Mumbai | 32.5-34.5 | 93.50-95 |
| IMT-Ghaziabad | 30.5-32 | 90-92 |
| GIM-Goa | 27.5-30.5 | 85-90 |
| TAPMI-Manipal | 26-27.5 | 80-85 |
| IRMA-Anand | 26-27.5 | 80-85 |
| MICA-Ahmedabad | 26-27.5 | 80-85 |
| Great Lakes Institute of Management | 26-27.5 | 80-85 |
| LIBA-Chennai | 26-27.5 | 80-85 |
| KJ Somaiya-Mumbai | 27.5-30.5 | 85-90 |
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
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The exam day for the XAT 2024 is set for Sunday, January 7, 2024. XLRI conducts XAT on behalf of XAMI. To choose the best candidates for management education, XLRI has been conducting XAT at the all-India level for more than 72 years. More than 160 institutes use the XAT score as a prerequisite for admission. On the official XAT website, you can register for the exam and find out additional information.
XAT is a competitive exam but you can ace this examination if you have invested right amount of time and dedication in the prepration. There are various tips and tricks that can be employed in your preparation strategy. Please check these tips and tricks from XAT Preparation Tips.
There is no minimum mark requirement to take XAT. Students in their final year of graduation registering for XAT can mentioned their expected CGPA/percentage.