XAT 2026 Last Minute Tips, Exam Day Check list, Do's & Don’ts
Xavier Aptitude Test 2026 ( XAT )
Exam On - 3 Jan '27
With only 4 days to go for XAT 2026, here are some last minute tips and dos and don’ts for the exam day. Read below and prepare yourself for the XAT exam day.
XAT 2026 last minute tips
XAT 2026 candidates are busy finishing the last bit of exam preparation. With four days to go for the exam, it is time to strategize how to handle tough questions and mistakes to avoid. Candidates should now focus on revision and last minute preparation. The main focus now should be on learning tricks to optimize score.
Read this article to get last minute tips for XAT 2026, exam day guidelines aswell as dos and don’ts.
XAT 2026 Last Minutes Tips
Exam day strategy: Your performance in XAT exam will depend on how well you utilize the time for making maximum correct attempts. By now, you are thorough with all the topics, their theory as well as application. Now, check out what is the minimum sectional score required to get a good overall percentile.
Check out a few previous years’ XAT question papers to analyse the number of questions to target.
Analyse strengths and weaknesses: XAT has 4 sections - Decision Making section, Verbal and Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation and General Knowledge. When you go through previous year’s XAT question paper, do not the types of questions that belong to your comfort zone. Target such question first in XAT 2026 exam.
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Revision time: Last few days before the exam should be dedicated to revision. It is essential to revise important topics, concepts, theorems and formulae a night before the exam. XAT is conducted fro 2 pm to 5 pm so you can revise important formulae in morning too. Do not take any mock test a day before the exam. Stick to revision as part of last minute preparation.
Also Read: XAT score vs percentile - How much XAT score will fetch 99 percentile
Don’t panic: If you have studied well, you’ll be able to crack it. XAT is a speed based test with sectional time limit, so you will need to keep an eye on the timer too. If you panic, you’ll lose the plot. Solve the questions you know you can solve correctly. If you have even a slight doubt, skip it. But at the same time don’t skip too many questions consecutively as there is penalty for that. For every 8 skipped questions, you will get - 0.10 marks. So keep your cool and solve questions.
Commonly asked questions
Every candidate is informed by XLRI Jamshedpur about their selection via email. The interview round is held in February-March and the offer letter are sent to selected candidates in April-May. Those who would not receive the confirmation letter, may consider that they are not selected for admission. Candidates must keep a check on their emails. They must keep checking spam folders too. It is also very important use the correct and fully functional email ID for XAT registration as that is the main contact point for communication from the institute.
The admission authorities will consider both sectional and overall XAT score while shortlisting candidates for group discussion and personal interview round of XLRI admission. Candidates must perform well in all the sections of XAT exam as well as in the for group discussion and personal interview to be selected for admission.
XAT aspirants must follow guideline as mentioned in the XAT admit card and the exam day instruction document
XAT Dos
- Carry a ballpoint pen, two copies of admit card, photo ID and a passport size photo.
- Be present at the XAT exam centre as per reporting time.
- Wear simple outfits without pockets.
- Submit a copy of XAT admit card and rough sheets before leaving the test lab.
XAT Don’ts
- Don’t carry paper, notebook, book or such items.
- Don’t carry electronic items such as mobile phones, pager, watch, ipad and calculator.
- Don’t carry eatables inside the exam venue (allowed for diabetic students with permission).
- Don’t reach late. Gates will be closed 30 minutes before the commencement of exam.
- Don’t wear jewellery or any metal accessory.
- Don’t leave the test lab before time or without permission.
- Don’t resist frisking or identification procedures at the exam centre.
No it is not allowed. On scree calculator can be used during the exam. Candidates who are more comfortable using pen and paper for calculations can opt for that too.
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XAT 2025 Exam Day Guidelines (Dos and Don’ts)
XAT 2026 will be held at designated exam centres and a large number of aspirants will appear for it together. So, here are a few guidelines that you need to keep in mind for the exam day.
XAT 2026 Exam Day Guidelines: Dos
- Carry two copies of XAT 2026 admit card and a Photo ID.
- You can carry Aadhaar card, Voter ID, Passport, College/University ID or Driver's License.
- Paste a recent passport size photo on the admit card.
- Reach XAT 2026 exam centre on time, i.e. as per the reporting time mentioned on the XAT admit card 2026.
- Carry a blue/black ball point pen for signing the attendance sheet.
- Cooperate with exam centre staff during document verification and identification process.
XAT 2026 Exam Day Guidelines: Don’ts
- Do not be late for exam. Once the test centre gates are closed, no candidate will be allowed to enter under any circumstances.
- Do not carry electronic items such as mobile phones, calculators, watches, blue tooth device, earphones, etc.
- Do not wear metal jewelry or accessory.
- Do not carry bags or valuables as there will be no provision at the test centre to deposit them.
- Do not disturb others during the exam.
- Do not cheat or indulge in any activity that can lead to your disqualification.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered Yesterday
No, you cannot join UPES Dehradun for its MBA programme without appearing for the accepted entrance examination. To gain admission to this institute, students would need to take one of the following exams after they clear the basic eligibility rules.
- NMAT, XAT and MAT
Students who attempt the previou
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
After XAT exam is conducted successfully, XLRI releases XAT answer keys with response sheet. However, candidates need to login to download XAT answer keys.
S
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
The percentile needed for admission would depend on the category you belong to. JAGSoM accepts various entrance examinations for admission to the MBA/PGDM course, like CAT, XAT, MAT, etc.
As per the estimated XAT cutoff in 2026, a percentile of 70 would be good enough to secure a chance at admission
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
XIM University XAT cutoff 2026 was released for admission to the MBA course and its specialisations, namely MBA in Rural Management and MBA in Sustainability Management.
General AI category students need to have a percentile of at least 90 to be considered eligible for admission.
Note - The cutoff d
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
IMT Ghaziabad official cutoff information are not released on a public platform, and students can view the cutoff using their registered login ID and password. Based on the past years' trend, the XAT 2026 estimated cutoff is in the range of 90 to 92 for the General AI category students.
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Yes, apart from CAT, the International Management Institute, New Delhi, also accepts the XAT score for admission to its PGDM courses. Only the shortlisted candidates are invited to the Individual Assessment Process (Essay Writing and Personal Interview, etc.) for final admission. The institute also
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Final selection will be based on performance in BAAT, PI, and CAT/XAT/GMAT. BITS will also consider prior work experience, and academic history.
J
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
Yes, Global Institute of Business Studies does accept scores from exams like CAT, MAT, XAT, and CMAT. They take these exams into consideration for admissions, so you don't have to worry about only one exam. It gives you flexibility to apply with the scores you already have and increases your chances
P
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 2 weeks ago
Apart from NMAT scores, UPES Dehradun offers admission to the MBA course based on XAT scores. As per the XAT 2023 cutoff, candidates having a minimum of 50 Percentile for the General category All India Quota were eligible for UPES Dehradun admissions.
UPES Dehradun offers MBA in International Busines
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Yes, CAT/MAT/XAT/CMAT/GMAT scores are valid for KIITEE MBA. Candidates applying online will be required to submit copies of their mark sheets and other supporting documents.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Vipra Shrivastava is MA in English Literature from Delhi University with extensive experience in content writing of over 14 years. She has been handling content for Management, Accounting and Commerce streams for 8
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