XAT 2026: Notification, Dates, Eligibility, Registration, Pattern, Syllabus, Preparation Tips

XAT 2026 Notification will be released in July 2025. The XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) is an annual university-level examination administered by XLRI (Xavier Labour Relations Institute) on behalf of XAMI (Xavier Association of Management Institutes). Primarily designed for admission into management courses, it facilitates entry into MBA/PGDM programs for qualified candidates. Notably, XAT 2026 exam scores will be recognized by over 160 colleges nationwide, encompassing 10 XAMI member institutes along with XLRI.

Conducted under the stewardship of XLRI on behalf of XAMI (Xavier Association of Management Institutes), XAT plays a pivotal role in shaping the careers of management enthusiasts. The exam, comprising sections on Decision Making, Verbal & Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, and General Knowledge, encompasses 100 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs). 

With a plethora of over 1,000 B-schools acknowledging XAT scores, including XLRI and its 10 XAMI member institutes, the exam garners significant attention and anticipation. Aspirants endeavour to meet the challenging percentile benchmarks, such as 95 for male and 92 for female candidates, exemplifying XAT’s esteemed stature in the competitive landscape of management education.

XAT 2026 Highlights

XAT 2026 conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur is a prestigious national-level entrance exam for MBA/PGDM admissions. With an exam date in January 2026, it attracts over 1.35 lakh applicants annually.

XAT 2026 Exam Dates

XAT 2026 Exam Dates are crucial milestones for aspirants seeking admission to MBA programs. These dates mark the registration, exam, result, and other significant events for the XAT exam in 2026.

XAT 2026 Application Form

 XAT 2025 registration is scheduled to commence around July or August 2024, with candidates needing to register via the XATONLINE website and submit the required fees. The registration window will stay open until the final week of November 2024. The XAT 2025 exam is pivotal for admission to MBA/PGDM programs at XLRI-Jamshedpur, XAMI institutes, and numerous other B-schools that recognize XAT scores.

• XAT 2026 registration is available online only, with no offline option.
• The registration window opens on 2nd Week of July 2025, on the official website.
• Only eligible candidates can fill out the application form.
• Work experience details, if applicable, must be provided before selecting program preferences.
• Scanned copies of the photograph and signature must be uploaded in the specified format.
• Once the payment process is completed, no further edits can be made.
• The deadline for submitting the application fee is 1st Week of December 2025.
• Candidates must retain a hard copy of the application for future admission procedures.
• Offline applications are not accepted.
• Eligible candidates are advised to complete the registration within the stipulated time frame.

XAT 2026 Application Fee

The registration fee for XAT 2026 can be paid through various online modes, including debit cards (RuPay, Visa, Mastercard, Maestro), credit cards, net banking, IMPS, cash cards, and mobile wallets. Offline payment methods are not accepted for the application fee submission. For XAT 2026, the application fee details are as follows.

How to Apply for XAT 2026 Registration Form?

• Step 1: Visit the XAT Website Access the official website of XAT using the provided link.
• Step 2: Registration Register yourself by entering basic details such as name, email address, and mobile number.
• Step 3: Log in Log in using the credentials provided during registration.
• Step 4: Fill out the Application Form Complete the application form with personal details, academic history, and any other required information.
• Step 5: Document Upload Upload scanned documents, including photographs and signatures, in the specified format.
• Step 6: Payment of Application Fee Pay the prescribed application fee online through the provided payment gateway.
• Step 7: Review and Submission Review all the details entered in the application form. Once satisfied, click on the “Submit” button to finalize the submission.
• Step 8: Snapshot Take a screenshot or print a copy of the submitted application form for future reference during the admission process.

XAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for XAT 2026 serve as a foundational guideline for prospective applicants. These criteria ensure that candidates possess the necessary qualifications to pursue management studies through the XAT exam.

• Nationality: Applicants must hold Indian citizenship to be eligible for the exam.
• Qualification: Candidates should possess a bachelor’s degree or a three-year duration program or its equivalent from a recognized college or institute in any stream.
• Age Limit: There is no upper age limit specified for applying to this entrance exam.
• Appearing Candidates: Students appearing in their final year examinations by 1st Week of June 2026 are also eligible to apply for the exam.

XAT 2026 Exam Pattern

The XAT 2026 exam pattern delineates the structure and format of the examination, serving as a roadmap for aspirants preparing for the test. It outlines the distribution of questions across various sections, providing insight into the assessment criteria.

• Exam Mode: XAT 2026 will be conducted in online mode, known as a Computer-Based Test (CBT).
• Duration: Candidates will have a total of 3 hours to complete the exam.
• Question Type: The exam will consist of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs).
• Marking Scheme: Each correct answer will be awarded 1 mark.
• Negative Marking: There will be a penalty of 0.25 marks for every incorrect response.

The XAT 2026 exam will be divided into two parts part 1 and part 2:

Part 1:

Part 2:

XAT 2026 Syllabus

The syllabus of XAT 2026 encompasses a wide range of topics, including Decision Making and Analytical Reasoning, Verbal and Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation, and General Knowledge, providing a comprehensive framework for aspirants to prepare for the exam.

XAT 2026 Preparation Tips

Preparing for the XAT 2026 exam requires a strategic approach and diligent effort. Here are eight essential tips to help you ace the test:

1. Understand the Exam Pattern: Familiarize yourself with the exam pattern, including the number of sections, types of questions, and time allocation for each section.
2. Create a Study Schedule: Develop a well-structured study schedule that allocates sufficient time for each section of the exam, focusing on your strengths and weaknesses.
3. Practice Regularly: Regular practice is key to mastering the concepts and improving your speed and accuracy. Solve previous years’ question papers and take mock tests to simulate exam-like conditions.
4. Focus on Strong Areas: Identify your strong areas and leverage them to score high marks. Devote more time to topics you excel in while ensuring you maintain proficiency in all sections.
5. Improve Weak Areas: Identify your weak areas and work on improving them through consistent practice and revision. Seek help from study materials, online resources, or coaching classes if needed.
6. Work on Time Management: Time management is crucial during the exam. Practice solving questions within the stipulated time to enhance your speed and accuracy.
7. Stay Updated with Current Affairs: General Knowledge is an important section in XAT. Stay updated with current affairs, business news, and global events to perform well in this section.
8. Practice Essay Writing: The essay writing section is a significant component of XAT. Practice writing essays on various topics to improve your writing skills and articulate your thoughts effectively.

XAT 2026 Admit Card

The XAT admit card for the 2026 exam was released on the Last Week of December 2025, through online mode on the official website of the authority. Candidates need to provide their User ID and Password to download the admit card.

Candidates who submit their application forms before the deadline can download the admit card from the website. The admit card contains important details such as the candidate’s name, date of birth, date of the test, exam duration, reporting time, photograph, signature, and other exam instructions.

XAT 2026 Answer Key

The XAT 2026 answer key will be released by the authority shortly after the entrance examination. It was made available online on the official website along with the XAT response sheet and question paper.

Candidates utilized the answer key to compare their responses with the finalized answers, enabling them to assess their performance in the entrance exam effectively. Accessing the answer key required candidates to log in to the website using the provided credentials.

XAT 2026 Result

The XAT result for the year 2026 will be officially declared on 3rd Week of January 2026, via online mode. Only candidates who appeared for the entrance exam were granted access to download their results from the official website.

To retrieve their results, candidates needed to provide their XAT ID and Date of Birth. Based on the marks obtained by candidates in the entrance exam, the authority prepared the merit list for further proceedings in the admission process.

XAT 2026 Scorecard

From the Last Week of January 2026, onward, the XAT scorecards for the year 2026 have been made available on the website of the exam conducting authority. Each participant in the examination can access their scorecard through online mode.

To obtain the XAT 2026 scorecard, candidates need to log in to the online portal of XLRI using their provided credentials. The scorecard reflects the performance of candidates in the entrance examination and facilitates the application process for management programs offered by various institutes across the country.

XAT 2026 Cut-Off

The XAT cut-off for the year 2026 will be disclosed by the authority via online mode. These cut-off marks signify the minimum scores that candidates need to attain to qualify for further stages of the admission process.

Each participating institute publishes its XAT 2026 cut-off marks independently on their respective websites. It is advisable for candidates to thoroughly review the cut-off marks of all participating institutes before proceeding with their online applications.

XAT 2026 Counselling

The XAT counselling process marks the final step towards admission into management programs. Conducted separately by each participating institute, the counselling procedures vary across institutions. Candidates must adhere to the counselling process outlined by their chosen institutes for admission. Typically, the counselling entails steps such as Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI) rounds.

To secure admission to their desired participating institutes, candidates must successfully clear both the GD and PI rounds as part of the counselling process. It’s imperative to follow the specific guidelines and requirements set forth by each institute for a smooth admission journey.

Participating Institutes of XAT 2026

The participating institutes of XAT 2026 encompass a diverse range of management institutions across India. These institutes offer MBA/PGDM programs and accept XAT scores for admission. Aspiring candidates can explore various options and select the institute that best aligns with their career aspirations and preferences.

XAT 2026 FAQ’s

Sunil Kushwaha

As a dedicated Biology Science graduate, I’m passionate about sharing the latest updates in national and state entrance exams through my blog. I aim to keep aspiring students informed about exam trends, important dates, and changes in syllabi. With a keen interest in education, I strive to offer valuable insights for students navigating the competitive landscape of entrance examinations and admission tests. Stay updated with me.