XAT 2026 Exam: Registration, Syllabus, Dates, Eligibility, Cut-Offs

The registration for XAT 2026 is currently open from 10th July 2025 to 5th December 2025, and candidates can expect their admit cards to be released by 20th December 2025. The exam is scheduled to be conducted on 4th January 2026 in a computer-based format, making it accessible across multiple cities in India. Aspirants are advised to stay updated with official notifications, complete their registrations early, and ensure all documents are ready for a smooth application process.

What is XAT?

The Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) is a prestigious national-level MBA entrance exam conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur on behalf of the Xavier Association of Management Institutes (XAMI). Known for its unique Decision Making section, XAT evaluates candidates on analytical, managerial, and ethical decision-making skills alongside Verbal Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, and General Knowledge. Its scores are accepted by over 800 B-schools in India, including top institutes like XLRI, XIMB, TAPMI, IMT Ghaziabad, and FORE School of Management. The essay component of XAT has now been moved to the GD/PI stage of the admission process.

XAT 2026 Highlights

XAT 2026 Important Dates

XAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria

• Educational Qualification: Bachelor’s degree (minimum 3 years) or equivalent from a recognized university.

• Final Year Students: Eligible, provided graduation is completed by 2026.

• Age Limit: No age restriction.

• Work Experience: Optional for most programs; some XLRI programs may prefer 1–2 years experience.

• Nationality: Indian and Foreign candidates are eligible.

XAT 2026 Registration Process

1. Visit the official website xatonline.in.

2. Complete online registration with name, email, phone, and graduation details.

3. Upload scanned photograph and signature.

4. Pay the application fee (₹2,200 for XAT, extra ₹200 per additional XLRI program).

5. Review details and submit.

6. Download the confirmation receipt for future reference.

Tip: Keep all documents ready before starting registration. Use the correction window carefully to avoid mistakes.

XAT 2026 Exam Pattern

Other Points:

• Essay Writing moved to GD/PI stage.

• Penalty for more than 8 consecutive unattempted questions: –0.10.

XAT 2026 Syllabus (Section-Wise)

A. Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VA and LR)

• Reading Comprehension (passages, editorials, poems)

• Critical reasoning, inference, assumptions

• Para jumbles, sentence correction, vocabulary

• Logical reasoning: seating arrangements, blood relations, sequences

B. Decision Making (DM)

• Ethical dilemmas and business caselets

• Managerial decision-making scenarios

• Data-based and resource allocation problems

C. Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation (QA and DI)

• Arithmetic, algebra, percentages, profit and loss

• Geometry, mensuration, number system

• Probability, permutations and combinations

• Data Interpretation: tables, graphs, caselets

D. General Knowledge (GK)

• Current affairs (past 1 year)

• Business, economy, science and technology, sports

• Awards, history, geography, static GK

XAT 2026 Section-Wise Difficulty and Strategy

XAT 2026 Participating Colleges

Top B-schools accepting XAT scores:

• XLRI Jamshedpur (BM and HRM)

• XIMB, Bhubaneswar

• TAPMI, Manipal

• IMT Ghaziabad

• FORE School of Management, Delhi

• Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai

• KJ Somaiya Institute,Mumbai

• LIBA, Chennai

Total of 800 institutes accept XAT 2026 scores.

XAT 2026 Expected Cut-Offs

XAT 2026 Books and Preparation Material

• Verbal and LR: “Word Power Made Easy”, Arun Sharma Verbal Ability

• Quant and DI: R.S. Aggarwal, Arun Sharma’s Quantitative Aptitude

• Decision Making: XLRI previous DM sets, online XAT mock papers

• GK and Current Affairs: Manorama Yearbook, The Hindu / Economic Times (monthly updates)

Online Resources: Mock tests from IMS, TIME, Career Launcher.

XAT 2026 Result and Scorecard Details

• Result will be announced in January 2026.

• Scorecard includes section-wise percentile and overall percentile.

• GK percentile may not be considered in overall percentile.

• Scorecards can be downloaded from xatonline.in.

XAT 2026 Selection Process

• Shortlisting based on XAT percentile profile.

• GD/PI stage for final selection; includes essay evaluation.

• Some institutes may consider work experience and academic records.

Tip: DM section performance can differentiate candidates at GD/PI stage.

XAT 2026 Preparation Tips

• Start with mock tests to understand exam pattern.

• Practice Decision Making sets regularly.

• Revise QA and DI formulas and practice puzzles.

• Read editorials for VA and LR practice.

• Follow monthly GK updates.

• Time management is key: attempt easy questions first.

XAT 2026 Exam Day Guidelines

• Carry printed admit card and valid ID proof (Aadhaar/PAN/Passport).

• Report to the center 1 hour before the exam.

• No electronic devices allowed.

• Water bottles, simple stationery allowed.

• Read instructions carefully at CBT center.