XAT 2027: Exam Date, Syllabus, Question Papers, Pattern, Eligibility & Cutoff

Xavier Aptitude Test 2026 ( XAT )

DeskCalelnderExam On - 3 Jan '27

Abhishek Dhawan
Updated on Mar 25, 2026 23:57 IST

By Abhishek Dhawan, Assistant Manager – Editorial Content

XAT 2027: XLRI Jamshedpur conducts XAT exam on the first Sunday of January. Therefore, XAT 2027 will be conducted on January 3. XAT website, xatonline.in, will be updated with the exam notification and registration dates in July 2027. XAMI institutes along with other B-schools, accept XAT scores for MBA admissions in India. With the exam notification, candidates will find XAT syllabus and exam overview on the official website. This article provides insights on XAT 2027 exam, including eligibility criteria, syllabus PDF, test structure, registration process, previous papers, and more.

Also Check: XAT 2027 Syllabus PDF

Table of contents
  • What is XAT Exam?
  • XAT Exam Dates and Schedule
  • XAT 2027 Exam Highlights
  • XAT Eligibility Criteria 2027
  • XAT Syllabus 2027
  • XAT 2027 Exam Pattern
  • XAT 2027 Preparation Tips & Strategy
  • XAT 2027 Registration Process
  • XAT 2027 Admit Card
  • XAT 2027 Analysis
  • XAT Response Sheet and Answer Key 2027
  • XAT Results 2027
  • XAT Cut Offs for XLRI
  • XAT 2027 Contact Information
  • FAQs on XAT 2027 Exam
View More
XAT Logo

What is XAT Exam?

XAT exam is conducted every year for admission to MBA courses offered by 250+ colleges across India and Abroad. XAT full form is Xavier Aptitude Test. XLRI, Jamshedpur, conducts XAT exam every year for admission to MBA/PGDM programmes. Nearly 1 lakh candidates appear for XAT exam. Besides XLRI and 10 other XAMI member colleges, 250 participating B-schools accept XAT scores for MBA 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 2027.
  • 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.

XAT Exam Dates and Schedule

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

DatesUpcoming Exam Dates
Jul ' 26 - Dec ' 26

XAT 2027 registration dates

TENTATIVE
Sep ' 26

XAT 2027 mock test

TENTATIVE
Oct ' 26

XAT 2027 form correction

TENTATIVE
Oct ' 26

XAT 2027 mock test 2

TENTATIVE
Nov ' 26

XAT 2027 mock test 3

TENTATIVE
Dec ' 26

XAT 2027 admit card dates

TENTATIVE
03 Jan ' 27

XAT Exam Date 2027

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XAT 2027 Exam Highlights

Check XAT exam overview in the table below:

Particulars

XAT Exam Details 

XAT full form

Xavier Aptitude Test

Conducting Body

XLRI, Jamshedpur

XAT exam date 2027

03-Jan-2027

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

XAT total applications

1,42,235 (2025)

1.35 lakh (2024)

96,438 (2023)

79,843 (2021)

Number of Test Cities

110

Exam Helpdesk No.

18002674008

Exam Website

https://xatonline.in/

XAT Logo

XAT Eligibility Criteria 2027

Find XAT 2027 eligibility criteria below:

  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in any discipline from a recognised university.
  • Final year students 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 2027. Fresh graduates as well as working professionals can appear for it.

Also Read: XAT 2027 Eligibility Criteria

XAT Logo

XAT Syllabus 2027

XAT syllabus 2027 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 some key points about the XAT 2027 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 prioritisation 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.

Also Check: XAT Question Papers PDFs

XAT Logo

XAT 2027 Exam Pattern

XAT exam pattern was revised last year. The essay writing section was removed, and the number of questions in GK section were reduced to 20. Here are the sectional details as per the XAT 2027 exam pattern: 

XAT Exam Structure

XAT Exam Details

Number of sections

(Decision Making, Verbal & Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation and General Knowledge)

XAT time limit

3 hours (180 minutes)

Number of questions

95

Total marks

95

Number of answer choices

Five

Mode of examination

Online

XAT marking scheme

+1 mark for correct answer

- 0.25 marks for incorrect answer

- 0.10 marks for more than 8 consecutive un-attempted questions

No negative marking in GK section

XAT 2027 Sectional Overview

Find section wise overview for XAT 2027 exam below:

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 Logo

XAT 2027 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.

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 based on the XAT syllabus 2027; then begin with strong areas. This will give you confidence in dealing with tough topics. Listed below are some key tips for making XAT 2027 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 timetable.
  • Start with topics you are already familiar with and on which you have 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 solving XAT mock tests. Practice at least 25-30 mock tests for the best performance.
  • Analyse every XAT mock test result to understand the gaps to fill.
  • Focus on improving 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.

Also Read:

To perform well in the XAT 2027, read the articles listed below containing XAT exam strategy and tips suggested by experts. Click on the links below to read:

XAT Preparation: Tips and Exam Strategy

How to prepare for XAT exam in 6 months 

Topper Tips for XAT exam

XAT exam prep: Best books and study material

How to prepare for XAT in 1 month

How to prepare for XAT exam online

How to prepare for XAT exam in 3 months

Section-wise XAT exam preparation strategy

Last Minute Tips for XAT exam

How to prepare for XAT Verbal & Logical Ability

How to prepare for XAT Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation

 How to Prepare for XAT Decision Making

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XAT Logo

XAT 2027 Registration Process

DeskCalendarRegistration: Jul ' 26 - Dec ' 26

The XAT application form 2027 releases on the official website, xatonline.in. Candidates have to register at the official website and create an account to fill and submit the XAT form. Given below is the XAT 2027 registration and application process:

  • Log on to XAT 2027 website xatonline.in
  • Click on 'New Registration' and enter relevant details
  • A unique XAT ID and registration link will be shared in the verified email ID

  • Click on the link to verify XAT registration

  • Go to XAT 2027 homepage and click on ‘login’

  • Enter email ID and password to open the application form

  • Fill all the mandatory fields of the XAT 2027 application form

  • Cross check the information before clicking on submit button

  • Pay INR 2,200 as XAT 2027 application fee through credit/debit card, UPI or net banking

  • For selecting XLRI as preferred college, candidates will have to pay an additional INR 200

Candidates can select up to six cities in the XAT application form 2027. The XAT centre will be allotted 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 2027 admit card only.

Check the list of test cities for XAT 2027

XAT Logo

XAT 2027 Admit Card

DeskCalendarAdmit Card: Dec ' 26

XLRI, Jamshedpur, releases XAT admit card 2027 download link on the official exam website, xatonline.in. Know how to download XAT 2027 admit card below: 

  • Visit XAT 2027 website

  • Click on 'Download admit card' tab

  • Enter 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  

Candidates are allowed to download the XAT 2027 admit card until the exam day. 

Documents to Carry at XAT Exam Centre

Candidates must carry following documents on XAT exam day:

  • XAT 2027 admit card (two copies) with candidate photo affixed.

  • One of the following documents in original:
    • Aadhaar card
    • Voter ID
    • Passport, College/University ID
    • Driver’s licence

XAT Exam Day Guidelines 2027

XAT aspirants must follow the guidelines mentioned on the XAT admit card 2027 on the exam day. Given below are some key XAT exam day guidelines, candidates must follow:

  • XAT 2027 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 stationery (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 2027.

Also Read: XAT Exam Day Guidelines and Last Minute Tips

Read more
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XAT 2027 Analysis

According to the previous year's trends, XAT question paper is usually moderate to tough. Most of the times Quantitative Aptitude section is tougher for candidates. The XAT exam analysis has been shared below. Check the expected sectional difficulty level below:

Section Number of questions Expected difficulty level
VA LR 26 Easy to moderate
DM 21 Moderate
QA DI 28 Moderate to tough
GK 20 Moderate
Read more
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XAT Response Sheet and Answer Key 2027

DeskCalendarAnswer Key: Jan ' 27

Candidates can download XAT 2027 answer key on the official website, xatonline.in. XLRI releases XAT answer key in two phases. Candidates initially find XAT provisional answer key, followed by inviting objections against the same. Soon after the objection window is closed, XLRI releases XAT final answer keys.

To raise objections against XAT 2027 answer key, candidates have to fill a form and upload supporting documents. If their objections are accepted, the answer key is revised. Along with the XAT provisional answer key, candidates will find the XAT response sheet.

Read more
XAT Logo

XAT Results 2027

DeskCalendarResult: Jan ' 27

XLRI, Jamshedpur, releases XAT results online on the official exam website, xatonline.in. Candidates can check and download their XAT scorecard using the user ID and date of birth. Based on the XAT scores, XLRI and other participating colleges shortlist candidates for the selection rounds. Process to check XAT 2027 scores is mentioned below:

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

XAT 2027 result cum scorecard is valid for admission for one academic year in most of the participating colleges. If a candidate wishes to take a gap 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; therefore, candidates must download the XAT 2027 results copy as soon as it is released.

Read more
XAT Logo

XAT Cut Offs for XLRI

XLRI will release XAT 2027 cutoff soon after the exam results are declared. Candidates who meet XLRI XAT cutoff scores are considered for the admission process.

XAT 2026 Cut Offs: MBA BM

Check below the XAT 2026 cut offs for MBA Business Management programme:

Category

Total

QADI

VALR

DM

Engg Male

94

85

82

82

Engg Female

88

78

78

78

Engg Transgender

88

78

78

78

Non-Engg Male

94

85

82

82

Non-Engg Female

88

78

78

78

Non-Engg Transgender

88

78

78

78

XAT 2026 Cut Offs: MBA HRM

Check below the XAT 2026 cut offs for PGDM Human Resource Management programme:

Category

Total

QADI

VALR

DM

Engg Male

92

80

87

85

Engg Female

87

70

82

78

Engg Transgender

87

70

82

78

Non-Engg Male

90

73

87

85

Non-Engg Female

84

65

82

78

Non-Engg Transgender

84

65

82

78

XAT Cut Offs: Top MBA Colleges

XAT participating institutes release admission cutoffs to shortlist candidates for GD/PI at their respective website. Given below are the estimated cut offs for the upcoming season.

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 2027

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 releases written ability test and personal interview schedule 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 2027

Step 3: Final Selection

Each candidate will be evaluated based on their XAT 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. 

Also Read: XAT score vs percentile

Top Colleges Accepting XAT Score

XAT is one of the most popularly accepted exam scores 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 includes 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
Read more

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).

XAT Logo

FAQs on XAT 2027 Exam

Check important FAQs related to XAT exam below:

Q:   What are the documents required to fill XAT application form?
A: 

Candidates need Class 10, 12, and Graduation marksheets, DOB proof, Address proof, Aadhaar card, scanned photograph, scanned signature, and a category certificate during XAT registration process.

Q:   Is the XAT syllabus lengthy?
A: 

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.

Q:   Which books are recommended to cover the XAT syllabus?
A: 

Some of the top books to cover XAT syllabus include

BookAuthor
Jabbing the XATRK Jha
Word Power Made EasyNorman Lewis
QA/LR booksArun Sharma or RS Aggarwal

For Decision Making, candidates can refer to past papers for XAT preparation

Q:   What is the last date to fill the XAT application form?
A: 

The last date to fill the XAT application form typically lies in the second week of December. Candidates must complete registration and fee payment before this deadline. 

Q:   When will the XAT registration begin?
A: 

XAT registrations typically start in the month of July. Candidates will be able to fill the application form for XAT online on the official website.

Q:   What is the application fee for XAT exam?
A: 

The XAT application fee is INR 2,400 for both Unreserved and Reserved category aspirants. Candidates interested in XLRI programmes must pay an additional fee of INR 200.

Q:   Can I fill the XAT application form offline?
A: 

No, the XAT application form cannot be filled offline. Candidates must submit their application and pay the required exam fees online through the official website

Q:   Who releases the XAT application form?
A: 

XLRI Jamshedpur officially releases the XAT registration and application form. It is made available online on their official exam website, xatonline.in. Candidates must register on this portal to apply for the exam and for XLRI admission

Q:   How to fill XAT application form?
A: 

XAT application form can be filled and submitted online on the official website. Candidates need to pay the exam fee to submit the form.

Q:   What is the process to complete XAT registration?
A: 

Candidates can complete the XAT registration by generating a XAT ID, filling academic and personal details, uploading scanned documents, selecting test cities, and successfully paying the application fee online.

Q:   Who can apply for XAT exam?
A: 

Candidates holding a bachelor's degree in any stream from a recognised university can apply for XAT exam. Final year graduation students are also eligible to apply.

Q:   What is the mode of the XAT application process?
A: 

The XAT application process is facilitated online. Candidates must visit the official website to register, fill the form, upload scanned documents, and pay the exam fee.

Q:   How can I apply for XLRI Delhi Campus BM programme?
A: 

Candidates can apply by selecting the course and campus option while filling out the XAT application form. There is no separate application form for XLRI courses.

1141 Institutes accepting XAT

XLRI Xavier School of Management

Jamshedpur Private

XLRI Xavie
  • 30.60 Lakh
  • 2 years
  • |
  • Full Time

Guwahati University - GU

Guwahati Public

Guwahati U
    • 2 years
    • |
    • Full Time
      • 2 years
      • |
      • Full Time

      University of Mumbai [MU]

      Fort, Mumbai Public

      University
        • 2 years
        • |
        • Full Time

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