XAT

CAT has three sections – Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude. XAT has four sections – Verbal and Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, Decision Making and General Knowledge. While CAT is Quant heavy, XAT is more tilted towards Reasoning.

No, it is not compulsary to give Xavier Aptitude Test to get admission in a online MBA. Other admission exmas like CAT, MAT, GMAT or the institute entrance exas are accepted. 

Yes, you can fill the form first and pay the fee later. Once the XAT registration ID is created, candidate's details get saved in the accounts. They can login anytime and fill the application form and pay the fee. However, they need to complete the process before the last date of form submission and fee payment. It is advised that candidates pay the XAT fee on the same day as form filling.

Once the XAT fee payment is process, the candidate will get an email and SMS regarding the same from their bank. The application form screen will also display 'payment successful' message. XLRI will then send a mail and SMS regarding successful fee payment and application form submission. In case, you do not receive the mail or message from XLRI (XATONLINE) within 24 hours, contact XATONLINE helpdesk.

XAT exam fee is not refundable. Candidates cannot request refund of XAT fee under any circumstances. They should be sure that they wish to appear for XAT before filling the exam form. Also, they should fill the 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.

XAT 2026 registration process began from July 10, 2025. Official announcement of commencement of XAT registration process 2026 has been made by XLRI at its website. Interested candidates have to register for XAT 2026 by creating a login ID at xatonline.in website. The XAT application fee will be INR 2200. Candidates will have to pay the fee to submit the XAT application form.

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.