XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test)

XAT 2026

Xavier Aptitude Test

Notification | Exam Date | Application Form |  Eligibility | Exam Pattern | Admit Cards | Syllabus | Results | Counselling

The Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) 2026 is a prestigious national-level MBA entrance exam conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur for over 75 years. Scheduled for January 4, 2026, it is a computer-based test designed to assess candidates’ aptitude for management education. The exam covers four key sections: Verbal & Logical Ability, Decision Making, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, and General Knowledge, comprising 95 multiple-choice questions to be solved in 3 hours.

XAT stands out due to its unique Decision Making section, which tests candidates on complex situation analysis and ethical judgment—critical skills for future managers. The General Knowledge section includes both current affairs and static GK topics, contributing only to final selection in some institutes, not percentile calculations.

Widely accepted by over 250 B-schools including top institutions such as XLRI Jamshedpur, XIMB Bhubaneswar, IMT Ghaziabad, and SPJIMR Mumbai, XAT remains one of India’s most challenging MBA entrance exams. The exam features a structured marking scheme rewarding accuracy with negative marking for wrong answers and penalty for excessive skipping.

XAT 2026 challenges candidates’ analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and general awareness, making it a comprehensive test of managerial aptitude essential for admission into elite MBA/PGDM programs.

Candidates will get the complete guide on XAT 2026 exam by going through this article.

XAT Sample Papers

XAT 2026 Exams Highlights

XAT 2026 Notification

XLRI has released the XAT 2026 notification, with the exam scheduled for January 4, 2026. Registration opened on July 10, 2025, and will close on December 5, 2025. The exam will be held online.

XAT 2026 Exam Dates

The date of the XAT 2026 exam is January 4, 2026. On July 10, 2025, the XAT 2026 registration process began. The XAT 2026 registration process can be completed online at xatonline.in. The deadline to register for XAT 2026 is December 5, 2025. Read about the dates and activities of the XAT 2026 exam below:

XAT 2026 Preparation Tips

XAT 2026 Application Process

On the xatonline.in website, the XAT application form 2026 is now accessible. Applicants must make an account and register on the website. The registration and application procedure for XAT 2026 is provided below:

• Visit xatonline.in to access the XAT 2026 website.
• Select 'New Registration' and fill out the necessary information.
• The validated emai ID will contain a registration link and a unique XAT ID.
• To confirm your XAT registration, click the link.
• Navigate to the XAT 2026 webpage and select "login."
• Enter your password and email address to access the application.
• Complete the XAT 2026 application form by filling out all the required fields.
• Before pressing the submit button, double-check the information.
• Apply for XAT 2026 by paying INR 2,200 using a credit/debit card, UPI, or net banking.

XAT 2026 Application Form

XAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria

The XAT 2026 eligibility criteria are straightforward and inclusive, making the exam accessible for a wide range of candidates:

• Educational Qualification:
• You must have completed a Bachelor’s degree of at least 3 years’ duration in any discipline from a recognized university or institution.
• Final-year students who will complete their degree by June 2026 are also eligible to apply. However, if they fail to pass all subjects or do not fulfill degree requirements by the time of admission, their candidature will be cancelled.
• No minimum percentage of marks is required in graduation for XAT 2026.
• Age Limit:
• There is no age limit to appear for XAT 2026. Candidates of any age who meet other requirements can apply.
• Nationality:
• Indian citizens are eligible to apply through XAT.
• NRIs, Foreign Nationals, PIO, and OCI can apply using their GMAT or GRE scores (not through XAT exam), except for Indian citizens abroad, who may also use XAT.
• Number of Attempts:
• There are no restrictions on the number of attempts; candidates may take XAT as many times as they wish, provided they meet other eligibility norms.
• Professional Qualifications:
• Candidates with professional degrees like CA, CS, or ICWA are also eligible to apply for XAT 2026.

XAT 2026 Eligibility

XAT 2026 Exam Pattern

The XAT 2026 pattern is anticipated to be same to that of the year before. This year, there is one change, though. According to the material posted on the XAT 2026 official website, the exam would not have a sectional time limit. Only the overall time limit will apply. There was a sectional time limit until last year. Decision Making, Verbal & Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability, and Data Interpretation made up the first 170 minutes of the XAT question exam. The second portion included a 10-minute GK segment. There are 180 minutes in all. In XAT 2026, the questions will be multiple-choice questions. The XAT 2026 paper design is explained in detail below.

XAT 2026 Exam Pattern

XAT 2026 Admit Card

The XAT 2026 admit card will be made available online. The download link will be accessible via the exam's official website. The instructions to download the XAT 2026 admit card are listed below:

Steps to download XAT 2026 Admit Card-

1. Visit the official website: [xatonline.in]
2. Login: Enter your XAT User ID and Password.
3. Download Scorecard: Click on the result/scorecard section and download your scorecard.
4. Print: Take a printout for future admission processes

XAT 2026 Exam cities

XAT 2026 Syllabus

The XAT 2026 syllabus is structured into four main sections:

• Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning (VA & LR)
• Decision Making (DM)
• Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation (QA & DI)
• General Knowledge (GK)

Below is a detailed breakdown of each section, including the types of questions and key topics covered:

1.Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VA & LR)

Major Topics:

• Reading Comprehension (passages, poem-based passages)
• Grammar and usage
• Vocabulary
• Analogy
• Para jumbles
• Fill in the blanks
• Critical reasoning
• Main idea/message identification from images

2. Decision Making (DM)

Major Topics:

• Business scenarios and ethical dilemmas
• Data arrangement
• Logical sequencing
• Grouping, conditioning, and complex arrangements
• Assumptions, premises, conclusions
• Caselets

3. Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation (QA & DI)

Major Topics:

• Arithmetic (percentage, ratio, profit & loss, time & work)
• Algebra (equations, functions, inequalities)
• Geometry and mensuration
• Number systems (surds and indices)
• Data Interpretation (tables, caselets, bar diagrams, pie charts)
• Other math topics as per standard graduation level

4. General Knowledge (GK)

(Includes 12 current affairs and 8 static GK questions)

Key Topics:

Current Affairs (National, International, Business, Economic, Science, Environment, Awards, Politics, Sports)

Static GK:

• History, Geography, Culture, Art
• Indian Constitution, Government schemes
• Economics & Finance
• Science & Technology
• Important personalities, books, and events

XAT 2026 Syllabus

XAT Sample Papers

One of the best ways to prepare for XAT is to practice XAT sample papers in 2025. This year, XAT has gone online and the candidates must prepare accordingly. With the help of XAT sample papers, practice papers, and previous year's question papers, candidates can become familiar with the test pattern and also gain insights into the types of questions asked in the exam. 

 XAT Sample Papers 

XAT 2026 Result

The XAT 2026 result will be declared in the third week of January 2026. Candidates can check and download their scorecards online using their XAT login credentials (User ID and Date of Birth) on the official website [xatonline.in].

Steps to check your result:

• Visit the official XAT website (xatonline.in).
• Log in using your XAT User ID and Date of Birth.
• Access and download your XAT 2026 scorecard (available in the third week of January 2026)

XAT Result 2026

XAT 2026 Cut-Off

A week after the results are announced, XLRI Jamshedpur will reveal the XAT 2026 cutoffs. The XLRI cutoffs will be made public according to course and category. Individuals who fulfill the requirements will be selected for the in-person interview stage of the 2026 MBA Business Management and MBA Human Resource Management admissions batch.

XAT Cutoff Score

Top Management Colleges Accepting XAT Score