Are six months enough to prepare for XAT?

There is no set time limit to prepare for XAT exam, but you need a minimum of six months for preparation. Ideally candidates need to start XAT preparation by April, however, if they start by June or July too, they can complete the syllabus within time and have ample time for practice of sample papers and mock tests. In order to utilize six months that you have for XAT preparation, do the following: Make monthly, weekly and daily time tables to study and don’t deviate from that routine. Start with subjects which you are your weak spots. We suggest start with studying Quantitative Aptitude and English. For Reading Comprehension, read editorials of newspapers and magazines every day. Read fiction, non-fiction, autobiographies, etc. for strengthening English vocabulary and comprehension. Download MBA exam preparation apps on your phone so that you can revise topics, solve reasoning or English puzzles anywhere when you get time.

Where can I find study material for Decision Making syllabus for XAT?

Since Decision Making section is unique to XAT, study material for the same in not readily available. Thus the best source of preparation material for Decision Making section is XAT previous years’ question papers. This section has passages related to business situations. Candidates have to select the closest solution to the given situation from the list of four options. You have to make an informed decision regarding the decision which has be in favour of the larger good. This section essentially tests your ability to take objective decisions regarding various business situations and activities. Candidates can practice Decision Making questions from XAT question papers of previous years to know the types and difficulty level. In a way, this section is similar to Reading Comprehension and requires same skills as that.

How can I cover the XAT syllabus by self study?

If you are planning to appear for the XAT exam by self study, you must start early as the syllabus is vast and tough. To cover the XAT syllabus by self study, candidates must refer to the books recommended for XAT preparation. You can take help from the following books to cover the XAT syllabus but do join a study forum to get help from mentors and peers when need be: How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Arun Sharma Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT Common Admission Tests for Admission into IIMs by Sarvesh K Verma Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by Abhijit Guha Data Interpretation and Data Sufficiency by Ananta Ashisha/Arihant Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis Objective General English by Dr RS Agarwal and Vikas Agarwal High School English Grammar by Wren & Martin Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning by Gautam Puri Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT by Nishit K. Sinha Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency by Ananta Ashisha How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT by Arun Sharma

What are the documents required for filling the XAT application form?

When filling the XAT application form, you will be required to fill fields such as academic scores, government ID number, date of birth, colleges details, etc. So, you need to have the relevant documents with you when you are filling the form. Given below is the list of documents required for XAT registration below: Class 10 marksheet Class 12 marksheet Graduation marksheet Email ID and mobile phone number Date of Birth proof Address proof Aadhaar card Category certificate (if applicable) Scanned digital photograph of less than 1 MB Scanned signature of less than 1 MB Debit/credit card for application fee payment While uploading the photo its dimension must be 200 x 230 pixels (preferred) and Size of file should be between 20kb-50kb. Dimensions scanned signature document must be 140 x 60 pixels (preferred) and Size of signature file should be between 10kb-20kb

My graduation score is less than 50% in aggregate. Am I eligible for XLRI admission?

Yes, candidates with less than 50 per cent in aggregate in graduation are eligible for admission to PGDM courses in XLRI. Candidates need to have minimum passing marks in Graduation. They must have however, completed their graduation from a recognised university only. Candidates planning to seek admission to an MBA college other than XLRI must check its eligibility criteria as the minimum score requirement of AICTE approved colleges is 50 percent (45 percent for Reserved categories). But having 50 per cent and above score is not a guarantee for getting selected for admission. You will need to clear the admission round which is based on XAT cut off percentile. If you do not meet the XAT cut off percentile you will not be selected for XAT personal interview round, which is the main parameter for MBA admission in XLRI.

How to select test centres in XAT application form?

The option to select test centre is not there in the XAT application form, but candidates can select cities where they can appear for the exam. XAT is conducted in about 79-80 cities across India and candidates get the option to choose two cites for centre allotment. They have to make this choice in the XAT application form. In the XAT application form, there is one field in which you have to select the test cities, you can simply select the cities of your choice from the drop down. The exam conducting authorities will allot a test centre in the city of first choice to every student. In case, the seat get filled in the centre of a particular city, the seat will be allotted to remaining candidates in the city selected as second option. The centre allotment is done on first come first serve basis. Candidates must fill the XAT application form and submit it as soon as they can so that they are allotted a centre in the city of their choice.

What are the details mentioned in XAT admit card?

XAT admit card is a proof of identity of the applicant. It is the main document required for appearing in the XAT exam thus it should be error free. Candidates must check the information mentioned on their admit card as soon as they download it and check for errors. Usually, there is no error in the XAT admit card but you should still check the details. Every XAT admit card contains the following information: Candidate’s name Candidate’s photo Candidate's date of birth Candidate's category Candidate’s XAT ID Exam date Exam time Exam venue Instructions regarding exam/exam day In case of an error or misprint, you can get it rectified by the exam authorities by contacting the XAT helpdesk. However, you cannot change or update the XAT test centre and city. The allotment will be made according to your choice filled in the XAT application form, so in case you filled the test city which you didn’t intent to, you will need to make arrangement for appearing for the exam in that city.

Does the XAT admit card have a route map of the exam centre?

Yes, the XAT admit card has a google map and address of the exam centre for candidates convenience. The candidates must find out the shortest route to the XAT exam centre via the google map a day before the test day because they are expected to be present at their respective test centre at the reporting time mentioned in the XAT admit card. If the XAT exam timing is 2 pm to 5:10 pm then the reporting time for candidates will be 1:00 PM. Candidates must use the route map to reach their respective test centre on time to avoid delayed entry inside the exam hall for identification process. Candidates reaching the XAT test centre after the gates have been closed will not be allowed to enter the premises under any circumstances. They will have to seek special permission in case of unexpected reasons.

What if I misplace my XAT admit card?

If you misplace your XAT admit card, you don’t need to panic. You can download another copy of the same from your XAT account. You can simply log in to your XAT account with application number and password to download it again. After downloading it, save it in a folder or in email so that you can take a print out anytime you want. The XAT admit card download link will be available for download till the exam day only so candidates must ensure that they have save a copy. If they need to download the XAT admit card after the exam for any reason, they will not be able to do it. Thus, they should save the PDT file of the XAT admit card in a folder or email.

Is solving XAT question paper helpful in exam preparation?

Yes, solving XAT question paper is of immense help in exam preparation as one can get an idea of the exam pattern, difficulty level of the questions, and learn time management. The XAT question papers of previous years also give you an idea of what type of questions (Reading Comprehension passages and poem) are asked in XAT. In fact, preparation of Decision Making section is totally dependent on XAT question papers. XAT question papers of previous years also act as practice test providing you with the opportunity to master speed and time management. Candidates must solve previous years’ XAT questions paper of at least last five years, so that they are aware of the latest type of questions especially poem, RC passages and Decision Making passages.

Is it okay to attempt a XAT mock test a day before exam?

It is not recommended to attempt a XAT mock test a day before the exam. That time should be best left for revision of important formulas and concepts, revisiting the exam day strategy and relaxing. Attempting a full-day mock test can be mentally tiring and may shake up your confidence in case you don't score well. You wouldn't want to go into the exam with a doubtful mind.

How many XAT mock tests to attempt in a day?

One should attempt only one XAT mock test in a day. A full length XAT mock test is of three hours. After which you will have to spend some time analyzing your performance and revisiting problem areas. About 4-5 hours will be spent in this and you mind will already be exhausted. Thus, best is to do some revision for the rest of study time and pick up another mock test next day or later.

Can I challenge the final XAT answer key?

There is no provision to challenge the final XAT answer key because it is prepared after examining the challenges raised by candidates against the provisional answer key. The answer key status mentioned on the final XAT answer key is final and XAT result is prepared on the basis of same.

Is XAT admit card available for download even after the exam?

XAT admit card is available for download until the exam day only. The admit card link is deactivated from the official website once the exam is over. Moreover, only that XAT admit card is considered to be valid and a proof of candidate appearing for the exam that has official stamp and signature. So, candidates must preserve their admit card they carried to the test centre and has official stamp till the end of admission.

Is XAT admit card required at the time of admission?

XAT admit card may be needed at the time of admission at certain colleges if their guidelines mention submission of a copy of admit card as part of document submission. Candidates must anyway preserve their XAT admit card until the end of admission process.

Can I show digital copy of the XAT admit card at the centre?

Digital copy of the XAT admit card is not accepted for identification so candidates must ensure they carry print out of their hall ticket. The print out of the XAT admit card should have a recent passport sized photo affixed on it (preferably the same as uploaded in the XAT application form). It is advised that candidates must carry two copies of their XAT admit card to the examination centre.

How to raise objection against XAT answer key?

The process to raise objection against XAT answer key earlier was through email, but from 2023 onwards the objection filing is through login. XLRI doesn’t charge money for challenging XAT answer key. To raise objection candidates, have to log in to their XAT account and fill the objection form. To claim objection, they need to upload a supporting document. The candidates can also send an email mentioning the question ID and answer they have objection too and attach a proof to support their objection. The mail however is to be sent within a certain deadline. The candidates will be informed via email if their objection to XAT answer key is accepted. In case of acceptance, the answer key will be revised and published again. In case, no objection is accepted, no revised answer key will be released.

What is the marking scheme of the XAT exam?

XAT is an MCQ based test and all questions carry equal marks. The total marks of the exam is 100 and every question carries 1 mark. Decision Making carries 22 marks, Verbal and Logical Ability carries 26 marks, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation carries 28 marks and General Knowledge carries 25 marks. There is negative marking too in XAT, that you should be aware of. Check below the marking scheme of XAT. One mark is awarded for each right answer 0.25 marks is deducted for each wrong answer 0.10 marks is deducted for more than eight unanswered consecutive questions There is no negative marking in General Knowledge section Scores of General Knowledge section will not be considered for calculating XAT score The score of Essay Writing will be taken into consideration at the time of PI shortlisting

What is the duration of the XAT exam?

XAT exam was held for 3 hours and 30 minutes. However, with the revision of exam pattern, it was held for 3 hours in 2025. There is sectional time-limit in the test. 170 minutes are allotted to Part 1 comprising Decision Making, Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation and Verbal Ability. Part 2 has General Knowledge section to be solved in 10 minutes. No bio-break is allowed during the exam. Candidates have to finish the test in the given time limit only. The test screen will move from part 1 to part 2 the moment 170 minutes get over and once the 10 minutes of part 2 will be over, the test window will be locked. Candidates must keep saving their entries after every attempt as there is no provision in XAT to go back and review your answers once the time limit for that part is over.

What is the XAT section wise weightage?

XAT exam is more Quantitative Ability and Verbal and Logical Ability based. Which is why these two sections have more weightage than rest of the section. And between these two, Quantitative Ability has more weightage. In terms of marks too, the Quantitative Ability has maximum weightage, i.e. 28 marks, followed by Verbal and Logical Ability with 26 marks, General Knowledge carries 25 marks and Decision Making carries 22 marks. XAT Sections Number of Questions Total Marks Decision Making 22 22 Verbal and Logical Ability 26 26 Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation 28 28 General Knowledge 25 25 Essay Writing 1 (out of 3 options) To be evaluated at the time of shortlisting

What is the difference between XAT response sheet and answer key?

The XAT response sheet is the document which has answers marked by the candidates against every question and the answer key is a document carrying correct answers of those questions. XLRI sometimes releases the XAT response sheet and XAT answer key separately and sometimes is released together. Both the documents are important for candidates to analyse their performance.

What is the difference between XAT provisional answer key and XAT final answer key?

The provisional answer key of XAT refers to the official solutions of the questions asked in the exam and the final XAT answer key is the document containing updated answer keys post the analysis of objection raised against the provisional XAT answer key by candidates.

Can I download provisional XAT answer key after result announcement?

Provisional XAT answer key will be available for download for a limited period only. It will not be available for download once the objection window is closed. Thus, it is wise to download the document on the day of release and keep it safely in a folder or email.

What is the XAT 2026 exam date?

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.

Is XAT tough for candidates from non-Engineering background?

Yes, XAT is slightly tougher for candidates with non-Engineering background as the Quantitative Aptitude section is of higher difficulty level. However, they can crack it if they work on the fundamentals of Math and practice questions of all difficulty levels. It will take time but they will be able to crack XAT's quant section if they dedicate extra hours to it. Aspirants can find XAT study material online in various online study groups. Students’ groups on Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. share study material with each other. One can also download MBA exam preparation apps to get relevant and useful study material. The good part about XAT is that, it has different cut offs for candidates belonging to different academic backgrounds. As part of its commitment to academic diversity, the institute has lower cut offs for candidates from non-engineering background than candidates from engineering background.

What is the ideal time to start XAT mock test practice?

The ideal time to start XAT mock test practice is after you've covered the exam syllabus. When you're thorough with all the concepts and formulae, you will be able to solve all types of questions in the XAT mock test. XAT exam is conducted in January first week, so one should start mock test practice in November and dedicate two months to it.

Are XAT cut offs same for all participating colleges?

No, cut offs of XAT participating colleges are different from each other. These colleges fix cut off percentiles for admission individually basis certain criteria determined by their respective admission cells. XAT cut off for XIMB is different from XAT cut off for TAPMI. XAT cut off for XIMB is usually around 90-93 whereas XAT cut off for TAPMI is 80-85. On the other hand, XAT cut off for KJ Somaiya-Mumbai is 85-90. Most of the MBA colleges shortlist candidates for admission on the basis of overall XAT percentile. However, the candidates must aim to meet sectional XAT cut offs too in the exam to avoid an unwanted situation at the time of admission. Before applying for admission, candidates must check the selection criteria of their target colleges to be sure of requirements.

How is XAT score calculated?

XAT score is calculated on the basis of raw scores obtained a candidate in each section. In the XAT exam, every correct answer carries 1 mark and every incorrect entry carries – 0.25 marks. There is no negative marking for skipping a question. But, in case of eight consecutive unanswered questions, 0.10 marks will be deducted. XAT has about 99 questions on which the score calculation is done. So, for example, if you have got 70 questions correct and 8 questions in correct, then your raw XAT score will be 70 – 1 = 69. If you have not answered 8 questions consecutively, then your score will be 69- 0.10 = 68.90. This raw score will be further calculated to arrive at XAT percentile. Check here the XAT percentile calculation process: https://www.shiksha.com/mba/articles/xat-score-vs-percentile-how-much-xat-score-will-get-me-99-percentile-blogId-52337

When are XAT cut offs released?

XLRI Jamshedpur releases the XAT cut offs every year in the month of February after the result announcement. The XAT exam is held on the first Sunday of January and the result is announced in the last week of January. And within a week of result announcement, the XAT cut offs are released. The XAT cut offs are released at the official website of XLRI Jamshedpur and are available for download without login. The XAT cut offs are released for PGDM-HRM and PGDM-BM gender and academic stream wise. The document contains sectional and overall cut off percentiles for male, female, male non engineering and female non-engineering categories. Selection of candidates for the Personal Interview and Group Discussion round of XLRI admission is done on the basis of these category wise cut offs.

What are the details mentioned in XAT result cum scorecard?

Since the XAT scorecard is the main proof of the candidate’s attendance and passing the entrance exam, the XAT result cum scorecard of every candidate contains their personal details and scores. Given below is the lift of information that is printed on every candidate’s scorecard. Name of the candidate Gender of the candidate Address of the candidate XAT ID Date of XAT exam Date of Birth Validity of the XAT scorecard Sectional percentiles Sectional scores Sectional percentiles Overall percentile Candidates must check the details carefully and incase of any error in personal details, candidates must reach out to exam authorities for rectification. The marks and percentile will not be changed as there is no provision of rechecking or revaluation. However, if it is a glaring misprint then candidates may apply to the admission cell and seek updation.

How will I know if I have converted the XLRI interview call or not?

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.

Do I need to fill XLRI form separately for admission through XAT?

Candidates planning to take admission to XLRI Jamshedpur need not fill a separate form. The XAT application form includes a field in which the candidates have to select XLRI course in which they want to take admission. However, candidates can select only XLRI Jamshedpur as a preferred college in the XAT application form. There is no option of selecting other XAT accepting colleges in the application form. For XAMI member institutes or other MBA colleges accepting XAT score for admission, you will be required to register separately on their respective official websites when the applications open. Most of the XAMI institutes start MBA application process after XAT result declaration. However, keep a check on the admission schedule of your target college, so that you don’t miss the application deadline.

How can I apply for XLRI Delhi Campus BM programme?

Candidates can apply for XLRI Delhi's Business Management programme on the official website by selecting the course and campus option while filling the XAT application form which is released in the first week of August every year. If they do not mention XLRI Delhi has their preferred exam in the XAT application form, they will not be eligible for admission to the institute. Candidates must remember that there is no separate application form for XLRI PGDM programmes, so they need to make the selection of institute in the XAT application form only. There is no option to edit the field in the form later so candidates must mention the institute in the XAT application form. There is no provision of filling the admission form after the exam or after result announcement.

XAT 2026: Registration (Ongoing), Exam Date (Jan 4), Mock Test, Syllabus, Pattern, Question Papers

1.7K Students Q&A

Registration - 10 Jul '25 - 5 Dec '25

Updated on Oct 1, 2025 12:48 IST

By Vipra Shrivastava, Senior Manager - Content

XAT 2026 exam date is January 4, 2026. The examination will be conducted in computer based test mode in 109 cities across India. XAT 2026 registration cum application form is available at xatonline.in website till December 5, 2025. XLRI has announced mock test for aspirants. The official XAT mock test will be conducted on September 27 and 28. XAT mock test registration window is open till September 24, 2025. Candidates who meet the XAT eligibility criteria can fill the XAT 2026 registration form. Read below, all about XAT 2026, including application process, fees, eligibility, syllabus, pattern, question papers, prep tips, cut offs, XLRI admission, etc.

XAT 2026 Registrations Open- Register Now

Table of content

What is XAT Exam?
XAT Exam Dates & Schedule
XAT 2026 Exam Highlights
XAT Eligibility Criteria 2026
XAT 2026 Registration Process
XAT Syllabus 2026
XAT 2026 Preparation Tips & Strategy
XAT 2026 Exam Pattern and Test Structure
XAT 2026 Admit Card
XAT Answer Key 2026
XAT Result 2026
XAT Cut Offs for XLRI
XAT 2026 Contact Information
FAQs on XAT 2026

What is XAT Exam?

Xavier Aptitude Test or XAT is a common entrance exam conducted by XLRI, Jamshedpur for admission to MBA/PGDM programmes. XAT is conducted annually and nearly 1 lakh candidates appear in it every year. Apart from XLRI and 10 other XAMI member colleges, 250 participating B-schools accept XAT scores for admission to their post-graduate management programmes such as MBA, PGDM and Executive MBA. According to Shiksha, over 800 MBA colleges across India accept XAT score for admission.

Key Aspects of XAT exam:

Candidates have to attempt 95 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) from Decision Making, Verbal & Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation and General Knowledge.
There will be no Essay Writing or subjective type questions in XAT 2026.
XAT is a high difficulty level exam and requires long term preparation of atleast 6-9 months.
Preparation for XAT without mock tests is incomplete. So, candidates must practice a good number of XAT mock tests of various difficulty levels.
XAT cut offs for XLRI's PGDM-BM programme are usually around 95 percentile for male candidates and 92 percentile for female candidates.

Latest Updates:

XAT Exam Dates & Schedule

Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of XAT 2026 exam

Dates	Upcoming Exam Dates
10 Jul ' 25 - 05 Dec ' 25	XAT 2026 Exam registration ONGOING
20 Dec ' 25	XAT 2026 admit card download starts
04 Jan ' 26	XAT 2026 Exam
Jan ' 26	XAT 2026 answer key out TENTATIVE
Jan ' 26	XAT 2026 result TENTATIVE
Jan ' 26	XAT 2026 Cut Offs Release TENTATIVE

Dates	Past Exam Dates
Sep ' 25	XAT 2026 mock test

XAT 2026 Exam Highlights

XAT is a speed-based test where the candidate has to solve 95 questions in 180 minutes. It is designed to assess candidate's communication ability, business acumen and quantitative aptitude skills. Check key highlights of XAT 2026 exam in the table below:

XAT 2026 Registrations Open- Register Now

Particulars	XAT Exam Details
XAT Full Form	Xavier Aptitude Test
Conducting Body	XLRI, Jamshedpur
XAT 2026 exam date	04-Jan-2026
Exam Level	National
Exam Frequency	Once a year
Exam Mode	Online
Exam Duration	3 hours
Exam Syllabus	Decision Making Verbal & Logical Ability Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation General Knowledge
Exam Pattern	95 questions in MCQ format
Language	English
Exam Fees	INR 2,200 (all categories)
Exam Purpose	Admission to 250 MBA colleges
Course Offered	MBA/PGDM
No. of applicants	1.35 lakh (for 2024)
No. of Test Cities	110
Exam Helpdesk No.	18002674008
Exam Website	https://xatonline.in/

What's New in XAT 2026?

Check below a few recent changes in the XAT exam.

There will be no sectional time limit in XAT 2026
Candidates can toggle between sections
Number of XAT test cities is 109 this year
Candidates can select 6 test cities in the XAT application form
XAT application fee remains unchanged

XAT Eligibility Criteria 2026

Candidates must ensure they meet the minimum eligibility criteria for XAT before applying. Otherwise, their candidature will be cancelled. Given below are the latest XAT eligibility criteria and academic requirments:

Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree of minimum three years duration or equivalent in any discipline from a recognised university.
Students in their final year of bachelor's degree or awaiting their results are also eligible to appear for XAT.
There is no minimum marks requirement in graduation criteria for XAT exam. Candidate should have passing marks in their bachelor's degree programme.
Working professionals and candidates with professional degrees (CA/CS) can also appear in the exam.
There is no age limit for XAT 2026. Fresh graduates as well as working professionals can appear for it.

XAT 2026 Registrations Open- Register Now

Also Read: XAT Eligibility Criteria: Age Limit, Reservation Criteria, Work Experience

XAT 2026 Registration Process

DeskCalendar Registration: 10 Jul ' 25 - 05 Dec ' 25

The XAT application form 2026 submission window is open till December 5, 2025. Candidates have to register at the official website and create an account to fill and submit the XAT form. Given below is the XAT 2026 registration and application process:

Log on to XAT 2026 website xatonline.in
Click on 'New Registration' and enter relevant details
A unique XAT ID and registration link will be shared in the verified emai ID
Click on the link to verify XAT registration
Go to XAT 2026 homepage and click on ‘login’
Enter email ID and password to open the application form
Fill all the mandatory fields of the XAT 2026 application form
Cross check the information before clicking on submit button
Pay INR 2,200 as XAT 2026 application fee through credit/debit card, UPI or net banking
For selecting XLRI as preferred college, candidates will have to pay INR 200 additionaly

XAT 2026 Registrations Open- Register Now

Candidates can select upto six cities in the XAT application form 2026. The XAT centre will be alloted to the candidate in the city selected as first preference. If a seat is not available at the test centre in the first city of preference, candidates will be allotted a centre in the next city chosen. The details of test centre will be mentioned in the XAT 2026 admit card only.

Check the list of test cities for XAT 2026

Watch Video:

XAT Syllabus 2026

XAT syllabus 2026 consists of all the important topics of Verbal & Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation and General Knowledge. Decision Making is a unique section for which there is no syllabus so you can refer to previous years' question papers and sample test papers for preparation. Check below some key points about XAT 2026 syllabus:

XAT Decision Making section will present scenarios drawn from both personal and professional lives. Candidates will be required to apply critical thinking, problem solving skills, and prioritization to make informed decisions
XAT Verbal & Logical Ability section includes questions from Critical and Analytical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, English Grammar, Vocabulary, Parajumbles, Cloze Test, etc.
In the XAT Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation section, the topics include Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Modern Math, etc.
And in the GK section of XAT exam, the topics pertain to politics, culture, society, personalities, business, art & entertainment, sports, inventions, innovation, world, economy, science, technology, books, etc.

XAT 2026 Registrations Open- Register Now

Download: XAT Question Papers (PDFs)

XAT 2026 Preparation Tips & Strategy

XAT preparation needs at least six to nine months. Being one of the toughest MBA entrance exams, XAT requires dedicated time and effort. Consistency is the key in XAT preparation. The syllabus comprises four sections: Decision Making, Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation and General Knowledge.

XAT 2026 Registrations Open- Register Now

In XAT, it is important to pay equal attention to all four sections as sectional cut offs play an important role in selection to XLRI, Jamshedpur. So, divide your study hours among these sections equally. Gain conceptual clarity in each subject. Make a list of your strengths and weaknesses viz. the XAT syllabus 2026; then begin with strong areas. This will give you confidence in dealing with tough topics. Listed below are some key tips for making XAT 2026 exam preparation strategy:

Get hold of XAT books and study material. These are available online and at coaching institutes.
Join study groups online on platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Telegram and WhatsApp.
Develop a study plan which should include daily, weekly and monthly time table.
Start with topics you are already familiar with and on which you have a good control.
Keep two hours aside daily for reading, vocabulary building and revision of Maths formulae.
After completing a topic or a concept, solve two-three problems based on it to know if you have completely understood it.
Focus on completing XAT syllabus first and then move to solve XAT mock tests. Practice at least 25-30 mock tests for best performance.
Analyse every XAT mock test result to understand the gaps to fill.
Focus on improvng speed and accuracy with the help of mock tests and online practice sessions.
Ensure mental and physical well being in your XAT preparation journey to make the best out of it.

XAT 2026 Exam Pattern and Test Structure

XAT exam pattern was revised last year. Essay writing section was removed and number of questions in GK section were reduced to 20. Here are the sectional details as per the XAT 2026 exam pattern:

XAT 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 2026 Admit Card

DeskCalendar Admit Card: 20 Dec ' 25

XAT admit card 2026 will be issued online on December 20, 2025. The download link will be available on the official website of the exam. Check below the steps to download XAT 2026 admit card:

Visit the official website of XAT 2026
Click on 'Download admit card' tab
Enter details like XAT User ID and date of birth and click on 'login'
In the dashboard, click on admit card tab
Download XAT admit card pdf and take a printout

XAT 2026 Registrations Open- Register Now

The XAT 2026 admit card will be available for download until the XAT exam day, however candidates must download it as soon as it is released to check the test centre and city.

Documents to carry on XAT exam day

XAT 2026 admit card (two copies) with candidate photo affixed.
One of the following documents in original:
- Aadhar card
- Voter ID
- Passport, College/University ID
- Driver’s licence

XAT Exam Day Guidelines

XAT aspirants must follow the guidelines mentioned on the XAT admit card 2026 on the exam day. Given below are some key XAT exam day guidelines, candidates must follow:

XAT 2026 admit card is a mandatory document to carry on exam day, so carry two copies of the same
Digital copy of the XAT admit card and other photo IDs will not be accepted as valid so candidates must carry hard copies of the documents
Reach the exam centre an hour before the reporting time mentioned in the admit card
Do not carry any electronic item like mobile phone, watch, calculator, etc. to the exam centre
Do not carry any stationary (apart from a blue/ball point pen) item or eatables to the exam centre
Do not carry bags and valuables and follow the dress code mentioned in the XAT admit card 2026.

Also Read: XAT exam day guidelines and last minute tips

XAT Answer Key 2026

DeskCalendar Answer Key: Jan ' 26

The XAT provisional answer key 2026 will be available for download 2-3 days after the exam. Check process to download XAT 2026 answer key.

Open XAT 2026 website or copy this link: https://xatonline.in/
Click on ‘answer key and objection’ tab
Enter user ID and password
Click on ‘candidate response to generate answer key and question paper’
XAT answer key will be displayed
Click on download icon and save as PDF

The option to object to the offiical answer key will also be provided to XAT test takers. They will have to fill an online form to raise objection and upload a supporting document. If their objections are accepted, the preliminary answer key will be revised.

XAT Result 2026

DeskCalendar Result: Jan ' 26

XAT result 2026 will be released online. Candidates will be required to download their scorecards from the official XAT and XLRI websites. Given below is the brief description of XAT 2026 result download process:

Open the XAT ONLINE website: xatonline.in
Click on 'scorecard' tab
Enter your XAT User ID and date of birth and click on 'login'
Download the XAT result cum scorecard and save a copy as PDF

XAT 2026 result cum scorecard will be valid for admission for only one year in most of the participating colleges. If a candidate wishes to drop a year, then they will have to appear for the exam again in the next session. The XAT scorecard will be available for download for a limited period only, thus candidates must download their copy as soon as it is released and preserve it.

XAT Cut Offs for XLRI

XAT 2026 cut offs will be released by XLRI Jamshedpur a week after result announcement. The XLRI cut offs will be released course wise and category wise. Candidates who meet the cut offs, will be shortlisted for the personal interview round of 2026 batch admission for MBA Business Management and MBA Human Resource Management.

XAT 2025 Cut Offs: MBA BM

Check below the XAT 2025 cut offs for MBA Business Management programme:

Stream	Gender	Overall XAT percentile	QA percentile	VALR percentile	DM percentile
Engineer	Male	96	88	84	84
Engineer	Female	91	82	80	80
Non-engineer	Male	96	88	84	84
Non-engineer	Female	91	82	80	80

XAT 2025 Cut Offs: MBA HRM

Check below the XAT 2025 cut offs for PGDM Human Resource Management programme:

Stream	Gender	Overall XAT percentile	QA percentile	VALR percentile	DM percentile
Engineer	Male	95	83	90	87
Engineer	Female	90	73	85	80
Non-engineer	Male	93	76	90	87
Non-engineer	Female	87	68	85	80

XAT Cut Offs: Top MBA Colleges

XAT participating institutes release admission cut offs to shortlist candidates for GD/PI at their respective website. 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

Also Read: XAT cut offs for XLRI admission

XLRI Selection Process Through XAT 2026

XLRI, Jamshedpur admission through XAT includes three stages: shortlisting of candidates, group discussion & personal interview and final selection.

Step 1: Shortlisting of candidates

After the exam, candidates will be shortlisted for group discussion and personal interview round of XLRI, Jamshedpur on the basis of their XAT result.

Step 2: Group Discussion and Personal Interview

XLRI, Jamshedpur will announce written ability test and personal interview schedule by the end of January 2026 for selected candidates. The admission round will be held in various cities and the candidates will have to confirm their interview city online on the official website of XLRI Jamshedpur within the stipulated time limit.

Also Read: XLRI admission & selection process 2026

Step 3: Final Selection

Each candidate will be evaluated on the basis of their XAT 2026 score, WAT/PI performance, academic history and other parameters for preparing the final merit list. Selected candidates will be called to complete the admission formalities.

Selection procedure of other institutes accepting XAT scores

Institutes accepting XAT score for admission to their MBA/PGDM programmes, conduct their own application and admission process. While some institutes open their registration window much before the XAT exam is conducted, others start their registration process after the XAT result is announced.

Top Colleges Accepting XAT Score

XAT is one of the most popularly accepted exam score across India. Apart from XLRI, Jamshedpur, XAT score is accepted by members of Xavier Association of Management Institutes (XAMI) and over 1,000+ other MBA institutes in India. The admission process of these colleges also include GD/WAT and PI. Given below is the table of some of the popular B-Schools that accept XAT score for admission:

XAT Score Accepting College
1. XLRI Xavier School of Management
2. St. Joseph's Institute of Management
3. Xavier Institute of Management, Xavier University
4. Xavier Institute of Development Action and Sciences (XIDAS)
5. BIMTECH Greater Noida
6. FLAME University: School of Business
7. Institute of Rural Management Anand
8. St. Francis Institute of Management and Research (SFIMAR)
9. Xavier Business School (XBS), St.Xavier's University, Kolkata
10. Xavier Institute of Management & Research
11. BITS Pilani
12. New Delhi Institute of Management
13. Asian Business School, Noida
14. Loyola Institute of Business Administration
15. St.Aloysius Institute of Management and Information Technology
16. Xavier Institute of Management & Entrepreneurship
17. Xavier Institute of Social Service
18. K J Somaiya Institute of Management
19. FORE School of Management, New Delhi
20. Goa Institute of Management
21. MICA Ahmedabad
22. Institute of Management Technology (Ghaziabad)
23. Woxsen University
24. Great Lakes Institute of Management
25. SOIL Institute of Management

Check XAT cut offs and predict calls from XLRI and other colleges accepting XAT score for admission. Check Fees, Placement Reviews, Admission, Shortlist Criteria and Eligibility of all XAT participating colleges by clicking the link below:

Predict XAT Admission Calls

XLRI
Admission Office
C. H. Area (East)
Jamshedpur - 831001
Jharkhand
India

Phone: +91 657 665 3203/3204/3205
Fax: +91-657-2227814
Email: xat2019@xlri.ac.in
Website: http://www.xlri.ac.in/

Candidates can call at 1800 209 0835 (Toll Free) from Monday to Saturday (10:00-18:00 hrs).

Official Website: https://xatonline.in/

Phone Number: 91-657-665-3203

FAQs on XAT 2026

Check below Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on XAT 2026 exam.

1125 Institutes accepting XAT

CMS Business School, Jain Deemed-to-be University, B...

Gandhi Nagar, Bangalore • Private

Courses Offered

Exams

CAT, MAT, CMAT, XAT, NMAT, GMAT, JET

Total Fees

₹ 12.05 Lakh

Duration

2 years
|
Full Time

GIBS Business School

Bangalore • Private

Courses Offered

Exams

CAT, XAT, CMAT, ATMA, MAT, GMAT, Karnataka CET

Total Fees

₹ 10.75 Lakh

Duration

2 years
|
Full Time

S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research, Mumbai

Andheri West, Mumbai • Private

Courses Offered

Exams

GRE, GMAT, CAT, XAT, NMAT

Total Fees

₹ 26.10 Lakh

Duration

18 months
|
Full Time

Jagdish Sheth School of Management (JAGSoM)

Electronic City, Bangalore • Private

Courses Offered

Exams

GMAT, CAT, XAT

Total Fees

₹ 16.00 Lakh

Duration

2 years
|
Full Time

View All Institute

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