XAT 2026 Exam Date, Syllabus, Pattern, Registration, Eligibility, Preparation Tips

Prior to submitting an application for the Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) 2026, candidates should thoroughly review the eligibility criteria established by XLRI Jamshedpur.
These requirements are intended to guarantee that all applicants fulfill the essential academic standards necessary for pursuing management education.
 

• Educational Qualification: Applicants are required to possess a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 3 years in any field from an accredited university or institution. Those who are in their final year of studies (graduating by June 2026) may also apply, as long as they provide evidence of their degree completion during the admission process.
   
• Minimum Marks: In contrast to numerous other MBA entrance tests, XAT 2026 does not impose a minimum percentage or CGPA requirement for graduation. This feature enhances its inclusivity for candidates from various academic fields.
   
• Age Limit: There is no age restriction for taking the XAT exam, providing equal chances for both recent graduates and experienced professionals.
   
• Work Experience: Although work experience isn't a requirement, applicants who have professional exposure might have an edge in the selection process for XLRI and other B-Schools.

The application procedure for XAT 2026 will take place online via the official XLRI Jamshedpur website. Aspirants aiming to enroll in MBA/PGDM programs at XLRI or other prestigious B-Schools that accept XAT scores need to ensure they register within the specified timeframe.
Below is a detailed step-by-step guide to the application process:

1- Online Registration:

• Visit the official XAT website and click on “Register for XAT 2026.”
• Enter basic details such as name, email ID, mobile number, and set a password.
• Upon successful registration, a unique XAT ID and password will be generated.

2- Filling the Application Form:

• Log in using the XAT ID and password.
• Fill in personal, academic, and professional details carefully.
• Select your preferred MBA program(s) and test city for the exam.

3- Uploading Documents: 

• Upload scanned copies of passport-size photograph and signature in the prescribed format.
• Candidates applying through GMAT (for NRI/Foreign applicants) must also upload their score details.
   

4- Payment of Application Fee:

• Pay the XAT 2026 application fee online through Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking, UPI, or Wallets.
• Additional charges apply if candidates also wish to apply for XLRI programs (BM, HRM, GMP).
   

5- Final Submission:

• Review all entered details before final submission.
• After successful payment, download and save the XAT 2026 confirmation page for future reference.
   

Important Reminder: Applicants are advised to finish the application process ahead of the deadline to prevent any last-minute complications. Only individuals who successfully register and submit the payment will receive the XAT 2026 admit card.

The application fee for XAT 2026 needs to be paid online during the registration process using a Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking, UPI, or Wallets.
Candidates must confirm that the payment is successful to finalize their registration.

The comprehensive fee structure is outlined below:

• XAT 2026 Registration Fee: ₹2,100 (for all candidates)
• Additional XLRI Program Fee: ₹200 per program (if applying for XLRI courses such as BM, HRM, or GMP)
• NRI/Foreign Candidates (via GMAT): ₹5,000

Key Points to Remember:

• The registration fee once paid will not be refunded under any circumstances.
• Candidates applying to multiple XLRI programs must pay ₹200 extra for each program.
• Payment should be done only through the official XAT portal, no offline mode is available.

The counselling process for XAT 2026 is expected to be held in the month February by XLRI Jamshedpur following the announcement of results.
Candidates who pass the exam and satisfy the cutoff requirements will be selected for additional rounds of selection, which can differ among the various participating institutes.
With more than 160 B-Schools recognizing XAT scores, each institute conducts its own counselling and admission process separately.

Here is a detailed step-by-step guide to the XLRI counselling procedure:

Step 1: Shortlisting of Candidates

• XLRI and other participating institutes release their XAT cutoff scores.
• Candidates meeting the required percentile are shortlisted for the GD-PI-WAT rounds (Group Discussion, Personal Interview, and Written Ability Test).
   

Step 2: Selection Rounds

• Group Discussion (GD) / Group Exercise (GE): Candidates discuss case-based or abstract topics to evaluate communication, teamwork, and leadership skills.
• Personal Interview (PI): A panel assesses the candidate’s academic background, work experience, managerial aptitude, and overall personality.
• Written Ability Test (WAT): Candidates may be asked to write an essay or opinion-based response to test clarity of thought and written communication.
   

Step 3: Final Merit List

The final selection is based on multiple factors:

• XAT 2026 Score/Percentile
• Performance in GD-PI-WAT
• Academic Records
• Work Experience (if any)
• Diversity and Extra-Curricular Achievements

Each institute applies its own weightage system to prepare the merit list.

Step 4: Admission & Seat Allotment

• Shortlisted candidates receive offer letters from XLRI or other XAT-accepting B-Schools.

• Candidates must confirm admission by paying the program fee within the deadline.

Important Note:

• There is no centralized counselling for XAT. Candidates must apply separately to XLRI and other participating institutes.

• Keeping track of each institute’s cutoff, selection process, and deadlines is crucial for securing admission.

The Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) 2026, organized by XLRI Jamshedpur, aims to assess candidates' decision-making abilities, logical reasoning, quantitative skills, and overall awareness. Understanding the comprehensive exam format will assist aspirants in strategizing their preparation efficiently.
 

• Mode of Exam: Online (Computer-Based Test)
• Exam Duration: 3 hours
• Type of Questions: Objective (Multiple-Choice Questions)
• Total Number of Questions:  95
• Medium: English
• Marking Scheme: +1 for each correct answer, – 0.25 for each wrong answer.

You may skip a maximum of 8 questions without any penalty. However, from the 9th unattempted question onward, a penalty of 0.1 marks per question will be imposed.

The GK section carries no negative marking. While it does not affect your overall percentile or cutoff, it is taken into account during the final selection process for XLRI programs.
 

Total Number of Questions:  95
Total Minutes: 180

The XAT 2026 exam will be conducted in 100+ cities across India, ensuring wide accessibility for candidates.
Below is the expected list of test cities where the exam will be held:

XAT / Admission Office:

XLRI Xavier School of Management,
Circuit House Area (East), Jamshedpur, Jharkhand 831001

Ph: 0657 665 3203/ 04/ 05
Fax: +91 657 222 7814
EMail: admis@xlri.ac.in

Monday to Friday : 08:30am - 04:30pm
Saturday : 8:30am - 12:30pm

Visit: https://xatonline.in/