XAT 2026 Exam Day Guidelines, Dress Code & Important Instructions

Xavier Aptitude Test 2027 ( XAT )

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XAT 2027 Registration

15 Jul '26 - 6 Dec '26

Vipra
Vipra Shrivastava
Senior Manager - Content
Updated on Dec 26, 2025 14:48 IST
XAT 2026 exam is scheduled on January 4, 2026. XLRI has released the admit card of registered candidates. The XAT exam 2026 will be conducted under CCTV surveillance. Candidate identification will be done at the entry to ensure there is no cheating, impersonation. Check here XAT 2026 Exam Day Guidelines, Dress Code and Important Instructions.

XLRI has released the admit card of registered candidates. Check here XAT 2026 Exam Day Guidelines, Dress Code & Important Instructions.

XAT 2026 exam day guidelines

XAT 2026 important instructions

XAT 2026 will be conducted in 109 cities across India. The exam will be conducted in computer based test mode at designated test centres. Candidates will be required to follow some guidelines during the exam, which are mentioned in the XAT admit card.

The XAT exam will be conducted under CCTV surveillance. Candidate identification will be done at the entry to ensure there is no cheating, impersonation or malpractice. Read below key XAT 2026 exam day guidelines, dress code and important instructions.

Table of contents
  • XAT 2026 Exam Timings
  • XAT 2026 Exam Day Dress Code
  • XAT 2026 Important Instructions

XAT 2026 Exam Timings

XAT 2026 will be of 180 minutes with sectional time limit. But there will be no break in between. If any candidate will need bio break, they may be permitted but time lost will not be compensated. Check below the XAT exam timings.

Exam Start Time

Exam End Time

Reporting Time

Gate Closing Time

2:00 PM

5:00 PM

12:30 PM

1:50 PM

Also Read:

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Commonly asked questions
Q:   How will I know if I have converted the XLRI interview call or not?
A: 

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.

Q:   What are the XAT exam day guidelines?
A: 

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.
Q:   What are the dos and don'ts for the XAT exam day?
A: 

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.
Q:   What are the items not allowed inside XAT exam centre?
A: 

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.

XAT 2026 Exam Day Dress Code

There is no specific dress code for XAT exam day but candidates are advised to wear clothes without large pockets. Check below a few guidelines related to XAT 2026 exam day dress code:

XAT Dress Code

Caps and headgears

Not allowed

Jackets and hoodies

Not allowed

Metal jewellery and accessories

Not allowed

High boots and shoes

Not allowed

Socks, plain pullovers, sweaters, and cardigans without pockets

Allowed

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XAT 2026 Important Instructions

For a smooth passage of the exam day, candidates must know what to do and what not to do. Here are some important instructions for XAT 2026 candidates:

  • Carry two colour print outs of XAT 2026 admit card. Affix a recent photo on it.
  • Carry any one of the following photo ID proofs -
    • Aadhaar card
    • Voter ID
    • Passport
    • College/University ID
    • Driver's License
  • Reach your XAT 2026 test centre as per the reporting time mentioned on admit card.
  • Carry a blue/black ball point pen. No other stationary item will be allowed.
  • Cooperate with XAT test centre staff during identification and frisking process.
  • Present the documents for verification when asked.
  • Read the instruction on XAT test form properly before starting the test.
  • Save your answer options before moving to next question.
  • Yu can use rough sheets or onscreen calculator
  • Electronic items such as phone, watch, calculator, bluetooth device, earphones, etc. are prohibited inside the XAT exam centre so don’t carry any.
  • Do not carry bags or valuables as there will be no arrangement of bag deposit.
  • Do not disturb other candidates during the test.
  • Don’t leave the test lab before the exit process has started.
  • Leave the rough paper used for calculation with the invigilator.

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About the Author
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Vipra Shrivastava
Senior Manager - Content

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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Answered 3 weeks ago

The time required for XAT Verbal Ability depends on candidate's current level. A daily combination of reading, vocabulary revision and question practice can help build consistency.

P

Porishmita Paul

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 weeks ago

XAT VALR section has around 26 questions. Based on previous year trends, around 9 to 11 questions can be from Verbal Ability, although exact breakup can change in exam.

P

Porishmita Paul

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 weeks ago

Yes. RC is an important part of XAT VALR section. It has contributed a significant number of questions in previous years. Candidates should practise factual, analytical, philosophical and abstract passages.

P

Porishmita Paul

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 weeks ago

The important topics for XAT Verbal Ability include Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, Vocabulary, Grammar, Para Jumbles, Para Completion, Fill in the Blanks and Sentence Correction.

P

Porishmita Paul

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 weeks ago

XLRI Xavier school of managment XAT cutoff 2026 has been released. The cutoff for overall section was a score of 95 percentile that was minimum requirement for a candidate to be eligible for admissio. 

R

Riya Jeet

Contributor-Level 6

Answered 4 weeks ago

Yes. IMT Ghaziabad accepts valid XAT scores for admission to its PGDM programmes.

P

Porishmita Paul

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 4 weeks ago

The expected XAT cutoff for IMT Ghaziabad is around 90-95 percentile for its major PGDM programmes.

P

Porishmita Paul

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 4 weeks ago

No. XAT score is the marks obtained by a candidate in the exam. XAT percentile shows the candidate's relative performance compared with other test takers.

P

Porishmita Paul

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 4 weeks ago

Yes. XAT has negative marking. Candidates lose 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer. A penalty also applies to unattempted questions beyond the first eight.

P

Porishmita Paul

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 4 weeks ago

The XAT score calculator formula is Correct Answers - (Incorrect Answers * 0.25) - Unattempted Question Penalty.

P

Porishmita Paul

Contributor-Level 10