XAT Exam 2026 (Xavier Aptitude Test) is a national-level entrance exam conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur for admission to MBA and PGDM programs across India. Accepted by over 160 top B-schools, XAT is one of the most prominent exams for management aspirants. It evaluates candidates on logical reasoning, decision-making, quantitative ability, and verbal skills.
For the 2026 session, the registration process is currently open, and thousands of students are expected to apply. The last date to submit the XAT 2025 application form is 5th December 2025, and the admit card will be available from 20th December 2025. The XAT 2026 exam is scheduled for 4th January 2026 in computer-based mode. Interested candidates should visit the official website @xatonline.in for complete details.
XAT Exam Latest Update:
- XAT exam 2026 registration is currently open through its official website. Students can register themselves online till the last date of 5th December 2025. Register now
XAT 2026 Exam Key Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam Name | Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) 2026 |
| Conducting Body | XLRI Jamshedpur |
| Exam Type | National Level MBA Entrance Exam |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Duration | 3 Hours 10 Minutes |
| Sections | Verbal & Logical Ability, Decision Making, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, General Knowledge |
| XAT 2026 Registration Fee | INR 2200 |
| XAT 2026 Registration Last Date | 5th December 2025 |
| Admit Card Release | 20th December 2025 |
| XAT Exam Date 2026 | 4th January 2026 |
| Result Declaration | Last week of January 2026 |
| Official Website | xatonline.in |
XAT Exam 2026
Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) 2026 is an important MBA entrance exam in India. Every year, thousands of students appear for this exam to get admission into top management universities. XAT is conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur, and its score is also accepted by many other reputed colleges in countries XAT exam 2026 will be held on 4th January 2026 (Sunday).
The XAT 2026 registration has started online on the official website. Students who wish to apply must complete the registration by 5 December 2025. The application fee is INR 2200, which can be paid using a debit card, credit card, or net banking. After successful registration, candidates can download their XAT admit card from 20 December 2025 by logging in to the official portal.
Students are advised to keep their eyes on the official website of XAT Online for any updates on the entrance exam. To be eligible for the XAT 2026 entrance exam, students must have completed their bachelor’s degree from a recognized university with a minimum of 45% marks.
XAT 2026 Exam Important Dates
| Events | Dates |
| Start of Registration | Ongoing |
| XAT 2026 Registration Last Date | 5th December 2025 |
| Admit Card Release | 20th December 2025 |
| XAT Exam Date 2026 | 4th January 2026 |
| Answer Key Release | 2nd week of January 2026 |
| XAT Results 2026 Declaration | Last week of January 2026 |
XAT 2026 Exam Eligibility Criteria
To participate in XAT 2026 entrance exam, students are required to fulfill the eligibility criteria set by XLRI. It is important that students should have completed their minimum qualification and gain the marks required. Final-year students are also eligible, provided they complete their degree before the admission process. Students should carefully check the eligibility criteria before filling the application form. If a student does not meet the requirements, their application may get rejected during admission, even if they clear the exam. It is important to verify academic details and qualifications before applying.Below is the complete eligibility criteria students must check:
- Students must have a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university.
- The course should be of at least 3 years’ duration.
- Final-year students can also apply if they complete their degree by June 2026.
- No age limit is prescribed for XAT 2026.
Indian students and foreign/NRI candidates (via GMAT) are eligible
XAT 2026 Application Form
XAT 2026 application form is available online on the official XAT website and students need to complete it carefully to avoid mistakes. To access the form, students must first register by entering their name, valid email ID, and mobile number. After registration, they receive login credentials to access the application portal. In the form, students have to fill in their personal details such as name, date of birth, gender, category, nationality, and contact information. Next, they must provide their academic qualifications, including details of Class 10, Class 12, and graduation. Candidates with work experience also need to mention the duration and type of employment.
Along with this, students must select their preferred exam city from the available options. They are also required to upload a recent passport-size photograph and signature in the specified format. After entering all details, the final step is paying the application fee of INR 2200 online. To get the complete information about XAT application form and other details go to the official website.
How to Apply for XAT 2026 Exam?
Below are the steps students must follow to complete their XAT registration Process:
Step 1: Go to the official XAT website to begin the registration process. Click on the “New Registration” link to start filling the form.
Step 2: Enter basic details like your name, mobile number, and valid email ID. A unique login ID and password will be sent to your registered email and mobile number for future use.
Step 3: Use the login credentials to access the application form. Enter all personal information such as name, date of birth, gender, category, nationality, and communication address.
Step 4: Fill in your educational qualifications including Class 10, Class 12, and graduation details. If you have any work experience, mention the duration and type of employment.
Step 5: Choose your preferred exam city from the list of available options carefully, as the exam center will be allotted based on this.
Step 6: Upload a passport-size photograph and signature in the prescribed size and format.
Step 7: Pay the INR 2200 application fee online through debit card, credit card, UPI, or net banking.
Step 8: Double-check all the details entered in the form before submitting. Once submitted, download the acknowledgment slip and save it for future reference.
Documents required for XAT 2026
Students must attach the documents in the specific format only.
- Passport-size Photograph
- Signature
- Class 10 Marksheet/Certificate
- Class 12 Marksheet
- Underdegree Certificate
- Work Experience Certificate (if applicable)
- Category Certificate (if applicable)
- Disability Certificate (if applicable)
- Valid ID Proof
XAT 2026 Syllabus
XAT 2026 syllabus covers key areas that test a candidate’s aptitude, reasoning, and decision-making skills. It mainly includes four sections: Verbal and Logical Ability which checks grammar, reading comprehension, and critical reasoning; Decision Making, a unique section of XAT that tests analytical and problem-solving ability; Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, focusing on mathematics, arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and interpretation of data sets; and General Knowledge, which covers current affairs, business, economy, history, and more. Below is the complete syllabus of XAT 2026 exam students are suggested to check:
| Section | Topics Covered |
| Verbal & Logical Ability | Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, Vocabulary, Para Jumbles, Sentence Completion |
| Decision Making | Case Studies, Business Situations, Ethical Issues, Problem-Solving |
| Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation | Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Statistics & Probability, Data Charts and Tables |
| General Knowledge | Current Affairs, Indian Economy, Awards & Sports, History & Geography |
XAT 2026 Admit Card
XAT 2026 admit card is one of the most important documents for candidates appearing in the exam. It will be released online on the official website from 20th December 2025, and students must download it using their login credentials such as user ID and password. The admit card serves as an entry pass to the examination hall and contains crucial details like the candidate’s name, roll number, exam date, reporting time, exam center address, and important instructions to be followed on the exam day. Without the admit card, candidates will not be allowed to appear for the test.
Step to download XAT 2026 Admit Card
Step 1: Go to the XAT official website (xatonline.in).
Step 2: On the homepage, find and click the link for “XAT 2026 Admit Card Download.”
Step 3: Enter your User ID and Password generated during registration.
Step 4: After logging in, the admit card will appear on the screen.
Step 5: Click on the download button and save the admit card in PDF format.
Step 6: Take a clear printout, as it is mandatory to carry a hard copy to the exam center.
XAT 2026 Exam Pattern
XAT 2026 exam pattern is designed to test candidates’ aptitude, decision-making, and general awareness. The exam will be conducted online in computer-based mode with a duration of 3 hours and 30 minutes. It consists of four main sections: Verbal & Logical Ability, Decision Making, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, and General Knowledge. All sections, except GK, carry negative marking of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer, while leaving more than 8 questions unattempted may also attract a penalty. The General Knowledge section does not have negative marking. The exam is objective type, with multiple-choice questions.
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam Mode | Online (CBT) |
| Duration | 3 Hours 10 Minutes |
| Number of Sections | 4 |
| Total Questions | Around 100 |
| Sections | Verbal & Logical Ability, Decision Making, Quantitative Ability & DI, General Knowledge |
| Marking Scheme | +1 for correct, -0.25 for wrong answers |
| Special Rule | If more than 8 skipped questions will deduct 0.10 |
XAT 2026 Exam Answer Keys
XAT Answer Keys 2026 will be released online by XLRI Jamshedpur a few days after the exam, which is scheduled for 4th January 2026. These answer keys are important for students as they help in checking the accuracy of their responses and in estimating their probable scores before the official results are declared.
The provisional answer key will be uploaded on the official XAT portal, where students can log in using their registered email ID and password to download it. If any student finds discrepancies in the provisional answer key, they will be allowed to raise objections within a given time frame by submitting valid proof. XLRI will carefully review all the objections, and if found correct, necessary changes will be made.
After the completion of this process, the final XAT 2026 answer key will be released. This answer key will be official and will be used for preparing the results. Students should only refer to the official key as it gives the most accurate evaluation. By checking the answer key, candidates can get an idea of their performance, calculate their expected percentile, and plan which colleges they can apply to. After the exam, students are advised to regularly visit the official XAT website for updates.
XAT 2026 Exam Result
XAT 2026 results will be released online on the official Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) website. Candidates can check their results by logging in with their registered ID and password. The result is provided as a scorecard, showing the candidate’s name, roll number, section-wise marks, overall score, and percentile.
The XAT score is crucial for admissions, as it allows students to apply to management institutes that accept XAT scores. The percentile helps candidates understand their rank and decide which colleges to target for MBA or PGDM programs.
Students must download and keep a copy of the scorecard for counseling and admission, as it will not be sent by post. After results, participating colleges release cut-offs, and eligible candidates are called for GD, WAT, and PI rounds.
XAT Cutoff 2026
The cut-off for XAT 2026 is the minimum percentile required for candidates to qualify for the selection rounds of MBA and PGDM programs. The cutoff will be released by participating institutes after the result announcement. Only those who meet or score above the specified cutoff will be shortlisted for further rounds such as Group Discussion (GD), Written Ability Test (WAT), and Personal Interview (PI).
| Institute / Category | Expected Cut-off Percentile |
| XLRI Jamshedpur (BM) | 95+ Percentile |
| XLRI Jamshedpur (HRM) | 93+ Percentile |
| SPJIMR Mumbai | 90+ Percentile |
| XIMB Bhubaneswar | 88+ Percentile |
| Other Top B-Schools | 75–85 Percentile |
| Other Top Exams | |
| NEET Exam | CUET Exam |
| NEET PG Exam | CAT Exam |
| JEE MAIN Exam | CLAT Exam |
| NDA Exam | |
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