XAT 2025 exam will be conducted in computer based test mode at designated test centres in 110 cities across India. Check out important guidelines, dos and don’ts for the XAT exam day.
XAT 2025 exam will be conducted for over 1 lakh aspirants. The exam date in January 5, 2025 and the admit card is expected to be released soon. Along with the XAT admit card 2025, the examination authority will release exam day guidelines, dress code and dos and don’ts for candidates. The XAT test takers will have to follow the official guidelines on the day of examination to be able to appear for it.
The XAT exam 2025 will be conducted under CCTV surveillance and as per strict guidelines for smooth and fair conduct. It will be a computer based test to be held at designated test centres. Candidates will have to appear for the exam at the test centre mentioned on the XAT 2025 admit card. Read below other key guidelines for XAT 2025 exam day.
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- XAT 2025 Exam Timings
- XAT 2025 Exam Day Dress Code
- XAT 2025 Dos and Don’t
XAT 2025 Exam Timings
The XAT exam duration has been reduced from 210 minutes to 180 minutes as the essay writing section has been removed. Candidates will have to follow the below given exam timings:
XAT exam is conducted in online mode so you don’t have to carry any stationary item apart from a blue/black ball point pen which is to be used for signing the attendance sheet.
Candidates should not carry to the examination centre, electronic items such as phone, watch, IPad, calculator, pager, etc. They should also not carry any metal items. Clothes and accessories having metal and metal jewellery are also prohibited inside the examination centres. Caps, headgears, sunglasses, clothes with pocket and hoodies are not allowed at the XAT exam centre. Candidates must also not carry bags and any other valuable item as candidates will not be allowed to carry anything inside the exam centre apart from a pen and documents. There will be no arrangement for depositing the bag at the exam centre.
Detailed guidelines will be mentioned in the XAT admit card. Here are a few general guidelines for you to know:
- Candidates are supposed to be at the centre at least an hour before the commencement of exam. Reach the XAT exam centre at the reporting time mentioned on the admit card.
- Affix your recent passport size photo in colour with preferable white background on the admit card.
- Do not carry electronic items, valuables and bags to the exam centre. These items are prohibited.
- Carry two copies of the XAT admit card and the original copy of a valid ID proof such as Aadhaar card, Voter ID card, Passport, PAN card, Driving License or University ID card.
- After entering the test lab, locate your seat and computer system. Do not start the computer system until the invigilator makes an announcement for the same.
| XAT 2025 Start Time |
XAT 2025 End Time |
Reporting Time |
Gate Closing Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2:00 PM |
5:00 PM |
12:30 PM |
1:50 PM |
Also Read:
XAT 2025 Exam Day Dress Code
Given below are the key guidelines on XAT exam day dress code:
- Caps and headgears are not allowed
- Jackets and hoodies, clothing with pockets are not allowed
- Jewellery and accessories containing metal are not allowed
- High boots and shoes are not allowed
- Socks, plain pullovers, sweaters, and cardigans without pockets are allowed.
XAT 2025 Dos and Don’t
XAT 2025 test takers are expected to follow the guidelines to the T. Check below key dos and don’ts for XAT 2025 exam day.
| Dos |
Don’ts |
|---|---|
| Carry two colour print outs of XAT 2025 admit card |
Do not carry electronic items such as phone, watch, calculator, bluetooth device, earphones, etc. |
| Carry One photo ID proof-
|
Do not carry bags or valuables. There will be no arrangement of bag deposit at the examination centre. |
| Reach the allotted XAT test centre as per the reporting time mentioned in the XAT admit card 2025. |
Do not be late for the exam. Once the test centre gates are closed, no one will be allowed to enter under any circumstances.
|
| Carry a blue/black ball point pen to sign the attendance sheet and for rough work |
Do not leave your seat or peep into other candidate’s computer system or try to talk to them. |
| Cooperate with XAT test centre staff during identification and frisking process |
Do not waste time on a question you are not confident of. Move on to the next question |
| Read instructions and guidelines thoroughly for marking answers in the online XAT test form |
Do not touch the keyboard of the computer system. You are supposed to use only the computer mouse to punch in your answers.
|
| Submit the rough sheet to the invigilator before leaving the test lab |
Do not leave the test lab before the announcement is made for exit |
Read More:
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.
XAT is conducted on the first Sunday of every January so the XAT 2026 exam date is January 4, 2026. Official announcement was made by XLRI Jamshedpur on July 9, 2025. The exam will be held in a single shift and the duration will be 3 hours. The exam timings will be 2 pm to 5 pm.
XAT exam fee is not refundable. Candidates cannot request refund of XAT fee under any circumstances. They should fill XAT application fee with correct details and with no errors. If they make a mistake in entering details, they will have to fill the form again with a new ID and pay the fee again.

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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Contributor-Level 10
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For PGDM and MBA admissions at GIBS Business School, Bangalore, the following entrance exams are accepted:
Accepted Entrance Exams
| Exam | Type / Level |
|---|---|
| CAT – Common Admission Test | National-level MBA entrance exam |
| XAT – Xavier Aptitude Test | National-level MBA entrance exam |
| MAT – Management Aptitude Test | National-level MBA entrance exam |
| CMAT – Common Management Admission Test | National-level MBA entrance exam |
| GMAT – Graduate Management Admission Test | International / National-level MBA entrance exam |
| ATMA – AIMS Test for Management Admissions | National-level MBA entrance exam |
| State CET (e.g., Karnataka PGCET) | State-level MBA entrance exam for Karnataka candidates |
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Scholar-Level 18
Answered a week ago
Hi.
GIBS considers any one valid score from these exams for shortlisting candidates.
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Admit Card - 25 Dec '25
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.