XAT 2026 Last Minute Tips, Exam Day Check list, Do's & Don’ts
Xavier Aptitude Test 2026 ( XAT )
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.
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.
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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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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.
Candidates must carry only a blue or black ball point pen on the XAT exam day, to sign the attendance sheet. They should not carry any other stationary item including books, note nooks, loose sheets, pencil, eraser, pencil bag, etc. to the test centre as everything else is prohibited.
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.
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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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 20 hours ago
One will need 3-4 hours of preparation if they are planning to complete XAT syllabus in 6 months.
N
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 20 hours ago
The best study materials to prepare for XAT exam include a mix of books, previous years' papers, and mock test. Some books focused at XAT preparation are tabulated below:
| Best Books | Author |
|---|---|
| Jabbing the XAT | RK Jha |
| Analytical & Logical Reasoning | Arihant Publications |
| Target XAT | Disha Publications |
B
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 21 hours ago
Sections in the XAT exam, including Decision Making, Verbal & Logical Ability, and Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation remain consistent. However, the exam pattern, question count, and structure may change annually.
R
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 21 hours ago
Important topics from XAT quantitative aptitude section include Arithmetic (Percentages, Profit & Loss, Time-Speed-Distance, Averages), Geometry & Mensuration, Algebra (Equations, Progressions), Number Systems, and Modern Math (Probability, P&C).
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 21 hours ago
Completing XAT syllabus requires 3 to 6 months, with 6-8 months for thorough preparation, including mock test analysis and practise using previous year XAT question papers.
S
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 22 hours ago
Some of the top books to cover XAT syllabus include
| Book | Author |
|---|---|
| Jabbing the XAT | RK Jha |
| Word Power Made Easy | Norman Lewis |
| QA/LR books | Arun Sharma or RS Aggarwal |
For Decision Making, candidates can refer to past papers for XAT preparation
A
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 22 hours ago
XAT syllabus is considered extensive and challenging. It is often viewed as more comprehensive than other management exams. Sections like Decision Making and an Essay is also included in the XAT exam syllabus.
R
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 22 hours ago
The XAT Decision Making section consists of approximately 21-22 case-based questions designed to evaluate the ability to analyse complex, real-life, and professional scenarios.
J
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 22 hours ago
Some of the important topics for XAT preparation include:
- Decision Making: Managerial/ethical dilemmas
- Quantitative Ability: Arithmetic, geometry, and algebra
- Verbal Ability: Reading comprehension, often with poetic passages.
L
Contributor-Level 6
Answered Yesterday
Major topics under XAT and CAT syllabus are similar. Common sections include Quantitative Aptitude, Data Interpretation, and Verbal Ability. While the sections are same the syllabus is not identical. XAT also includes unique sections, namely Decision Making and General Knowledge.
V
Contributor-Level 6
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.