
XAT 2026 exam will be held in 109 cities. Each city will have atleast one examination centre. XAT exam centres will be allotted as per candidate preference. They can select up to six cities in the application form. Candidates must submit the form at the earliest as the test city is alloted on first cum first serve basis. If the seats are full at a particular XAT test centre in a test city, the allotment will be done to remaining candidates in their next city of preference. The address and location of allotted XAT exam centre will be mentioned on XAT admit card 2026. The test centres of XAT 2026 will be equipped with latest technology to conduct the entrance exam in computer based mode. Read here all about XAT test centre 2026.
- How to Select XAT Test Cities
- XAT Exam Dates & Schedule
- List of XAT Test Cities 2026
- XAT Exam Centres: Dos and Don’ts
- FAQs on XAT Test Centres 2026
How to Select XAT Test Cities
The option to select XAT test cities is provided in the XAT 2026 application form. Check the steps below to select preferred test city:
- Register for XAT 2026 on the official website: https://xatonline.in/
- Log in to fill the application form
- Enter relevant details and move to ‘select test city’ section
- Select six cities from the list in order of preference
- Complete filling up of the XAT application form
- Make fee payment and click on submit
Selecting XAT Exam Cities 2026
Read below some important points to keep in mind while selecting XAT test city in the application form:
- You will be given the option to choose up to two cities from the given list.
- Select the XAT test cities in order of preference.
- Choose your home-town or residence at the time of exam, as first preference.
- In case, seats are full at a XAT 2026 exam centre in the first city of preference, you will be allotted a centre in the second city.
- The exam authority has the right to change or cancel any XAT test centre.
- The exam conducting body will have the final say in allotment of XAT exam centres.
- No request for change will be entertained after the release of XAT 2026 admit card.
- Thus, select the six cities after much deliberation
Watch Video:
Also Read:
Commonly asked questions
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.
There is no provision to change the test centre after the XAT admit card has been released. You can change your XAT test centre only once at the time of filling up the XAT application form. Once submitted, the XAT application form is not editable. There is no other way a candidate can change the test city option. They will have to appear for the exam in the city and at the test centre mentioned in their XAT admit card. They cannot even seek entry in another test centre for appearing in the exam. Insisting on doing so may get them disqualified.
Thus, candidates must fill the test city options in the XAT application form very carefully or arrange for travel and stay in the city where you have been allotted the exam centre.
XAT Exam Dates & Schedule
Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of XAT 2026 exam
| Dates | Past Exam Dates |
|---|---|
| 04 Jan ' 26 | XAT 2026 Exam |
| 25 Dec ' 25 | XAT 2026 admit card download starts |
| 25 Nov ' 25 - 27 Nov ' 25 | XAT 2026 form correction 2 |
List of XAT Test Cities 2026
Test cities for XAT 2026 exam are listed below. Candidates can select up to six cities for exam centre allotment:
| XAT Test Cities 2026 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Agra |
Ernakulam |
Muzaffarpur |
| Ahmedabad |
Gandhinagar |
Mumbai |
| Ajmer |
Goa |
Mysuru (Mysore) |
| Aligarh |
Gorakhpur |
Nagpur |
| Allahabad |
Guwahati |
Naharlagun |
| Ambala |
Gwalior |
Nanded |
| Amravati |
Haldwani |
Nashik |
| Amritsar |
Hazaribagh |
Patiala |
| Anantapur |
Hisar |
Patna |
| Arrah |
Hooghly |
Pune |
| Aurangabad City (Maharashtra) |
Hubballi (Hubli) |
Raipur |
| Baddi |
Hyderabad |
Rajahmundry |
| Balasore |
Indore |
Rajkot |
| Bareilly |
Jabalpur |
Ranchi |
| Bhatinda |
Jaipur |
Roorkee |
| Bhagalpur |
Jalandhar |
Rourkela |
| Bhilai Nagar |
Jammu |
Salem |
| Bhopal |
Jamshedpur |
Sambalpur |
| Bhubaneswar |
Jodhpur |
Shimla |
| Bikaner |
Jorhat |
Shillong |
| Bilaspur |
Kalaburagi (Gulbarga) |
Sikar |
| Bengaluru |
Kalyani |
Siliguri |
| Berhampur |
Kannur |
Surat |
| Chandigarh/Mohali |
Kanpur |
Tejpur |
| Chennai |
Karimnagar |
Thiruvananthapuram |
| Chikkaballapur |
Kolhapur |
Tiruchirappalli |
| Coimbatore |
Kolkata |
Tirupathi |
| Cuttack |
Kota |
Tiruvallur |
| Darbhanga |
Kottayam |
Udaipur |
| Davanagere |
Kurnool |
Udupi |
| Dehradun |
Kurukshetra |
Ujjain |
| Delhi-NCR |
Lucknow |
Vadodara |
| Dhanbad |
Madurai |
Varanasi |
| Dhenkanal |
Mehsana |
Vellore |
| Dibrugarh |
Moradabad |
Vijayawada |
| Durgapur/Asansol |
Muzaffarnagar |
Visakhapatnam |
Commonly asked questions
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.
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 Exam Centres: Dos and Don’ts
Here are some important guidelines to follow at the test centre on the XAT exam day:
- Visit the XAT 2026 centre a day before the exam to know the location and distance from your home. This will help you in assessing how much time it will take to reach the centre on the XAT exam day.
- Carry two print-outs of the XAT 2026 admit card and an original copy of any ID issued by the Government of India.
- Reach XAT test centre before reporting time (12:30 PM) on the exam day.
- Do not reach late. The gates will be closed 30 minutes before the exam start time.
- Do not try to enter the XAT exam centre before time and without permission.
- Do not leave the exam hall until asked by the invigilator to vacate it.
- There will be no provision to keep phones, bags, etc. outside the XAT exam centre don’t carry any such item.
Also Read:
Commonly asked questions
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.
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.
FAQs on XAT Test Centres 2026
Here are some important FAQs related to XAT exam centres:
Commonly asked questions
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.
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.
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.
XAT exam is held in Agra, Ahmedabad, Aurangabad City (Maharashtra), Allahabad, Ambala, Amravati, Amritsar, Bengaluru, Berhampur, Bhatinda, Bhilai Nagar, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Bokaro Steel City, Chandigarh/Mohali, Chennai, Coimbatore, Cuttack, Dehradun, Delhi-NCR, Dhanbad, Dibrugarh, Durgapur/Asansol, Ernakulam, Gandhinagar, Goa, Gorakhpur, Guwahati, Gwalior, Hooghly, Hubballi, Hyderabad, Indore, Jabalpur, Jaipur, Jammu, Jamshedpur, Jorhat, Shillong, Naharlagun, Kannur, Kanpur, Kolkata, Kota, Kottayam, Kurnool, Kurukshetra, Lucknow, Ludhiana, Madurai, Mangalore, Mumbai, Mysuru, Nagpur, Nashik, Patna, Pune, Raipur, Rajahmundry, Ranchi, Roorkee, Rourkela, Sambalpur, Siliguri, Surat, Thiruvananthapuram, Tiruchirappalli, Tirupathi, Tiruvallur, Udaipur, Udupi, Vadodara, Varanasi, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Warangal, Tejpur, Rajkot, Anantapur, Arrah, Bhagalpur, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Bilaspur, Mehsana, Baddi, Chikkaballapur, Davanagere, Hazaribagh, Hisar, Kalaburagi (Gulbarga), Kurukshetra, Shimla, Ajmer, Balasore, Bikaner, Dhenkanal, Jodhpur, Kolhapur, Nanded, Patiala, Sikar, Ujjain, Karimnagar, Salem, Vellore, Aligarh, Bareilly, Haldwani, Moradabad, Muzaffarnagar, and Kalyani.
XAT Exam
Student Forum
Answered a week ago
Standard books useful across these exams include Quantitative Aptitude by Arun Sharma or R.S. Aggarwal, Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation by Nishit Sinha, and Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis for building a strong vocabulary.
L
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
It might be difficult to get admission at XIME Kohchi with 88% in XAT. The institute accepts a 99.99% in XAT. However, these rules may change in the future; students are recommended to visit the Shiksha official page for the latest updates.
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
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
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
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.
R
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
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.
J
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
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.
L
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
Yes, candidates must separately fill the admission forms of other XAT accepting colleges. There is no option to choose multiple colleges other than XLRI in the XAT form.
V
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
No, candidates do not need to fill separate application form. The XAT application form has an optional field to select the preferred XLRI courses. Candidates have to pay an additional fee for the same.
D
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
Candidates cannot select a specific test centre for XAT exam, but they can choose two test city preferences from a drop-down menu during registration. Authorities allot XAT centres based on these preferences on a first-come, first-serve basis.
N
Contributor-Level 7
What are some good books to study for MBA entrance exams such as CAT, TG ICET, MAT, XAT?