XAT 2026 Last Minute Tips, Exam Day Check list, Do's & Don’ts

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.

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.

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.

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 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.