Everything about XAT 2026
— updated for this cycle.
Dates, pattern, syllabus, eligibility, and the colleges that accept it. All updated for this admission cycle.
READ ON7 MIN READ
- CONDUCTED BYXLRI JamshedpurOn behalf of XAMI
- MODEComputer-basedSingle session · 2-5 PM
- DURATION3 hours170 min Part 1 · 10 min GK
- FREQUENCYOnce a yearFirst Sunday of January
- APPLICATION FEE₹2,200+ ₹200 per XLRI programme
- 01234567890123456789days to go3 Jan 2027
READ ON7 MIN READ
SECTIONS4VALR · DM · QA-DI · GK
QUESTIONS95All MCQ · 75 in Part 1
TOTAL MARKS95+1 / -0.25 · GK no negative
ASPIRANTS~1L'26 registrations · ~85k appeared
IIM SEATS~500XLRI Jamshedpur + Delhi combined
JUMP STRAIGHT TO
01 OVERVIEW
What XAT actually is.
Background context, in two paragraphs. Skip ahead if you've already taken it before.
XAT is conducted annually by XLRI Jamshedpur on behalf of the Xavier Association of Management Institutes (XAMI). Scores are accepted by XLRI Jamshedpur, XLRI Delhi, XIMB, IMT Ghaziabad, MICA, TAPMI, Great Lakes, and 150+ other B-schools across India.
What sets XAT apart is its Decision Making section — scenario-based questions on ethical and managerial dilemmas that no other MBA entrance asks. General Knowledge is also tested but doesn't count toward the percentile — it's used only at the XLRI shortlisting stage. The exam is shorter than it used to be: the essay was removed and now happens during GD/PI.
THE APPLYO FRAMEOne profile, multiple XAT-accepting colleges.
That's what Applyo is built for.
That's what Applyo is built for.
02 TIMELINE
Important dates
— 2026 cycle.
Indicative dates, anchored against the 2025 calendar. Notification confirms the actual schedule.
Last cycle (XAT 2026)For reference / pattern continuity
4 Jan 2026
Official notification expectedReleased on xatonline.in
~10 Jul 2026
Registration window opensForm, fee, programme selection
~10 Jul 2026
Registration closesLate window typically extended by a week
~5 Dec 2026
Admit card downloadCentre + slot allotted, no reschedule
Late Dec 2026
XAT 2027 exam dateFirst Sunday of January · 2:00-5:00 PM · single session
Sun, 3 Jan 2027
Answer keys & response sheetWindow to raise objections
Mid Jan 2027
Results & scorecardSectional + overall percentiles
Late Jan 2027
03 ELIGIBILITY
Eligibility &
exam pattern.
The two questions every aspirant lands on first: am I eligible? and what does the paper look like?
Eligibility · Who can apply
Three conditions. That's it.
- Bachelor's degree in any disciplineThree-year degree minimum · no minimum percentage requirement
- Final-year students are eligibleProvisional certificate accepted at the time of admission
- No upper age limit, no attempt capXAT may be attempted any number of times across years
Exam Pattern · Structure
Four sections. Three hours. One unique twist.
| SECTION | QUES | MARKS | TIME |
|---|---|---|---|
| VALRVerbal & Logical Ability | 26 | 26 | No sectional limit |
| DMDecision Making | 22 | 22 | No sectional limit |
| QA-DIQuantitative Ability & DI | 27 | 27 | No sectional limit |
| GKGeneral Knowledge | 20 | 20 | 10 min · separate |
| Total | 95 | 95 | 180 min |
Correct+1 mark
Incorrect-0.25 mark
Unattempted (8+)-0.05 mark
GK sectionNo negative
04 SYLLABUS
What's actually tested.
Broken down by section, with the topic weights we observed in the last three CAT papers.
VALR
Verbal & Logical
Heavy on inference and abstract passages. XAT verbal is widely considered tougher than CAT verbal.
Reading Comprehension
~12Q
Critical Reasoning
~5Q
Para-jumbles & summary
~4Q
Vocabulary & grammar
~3Q
Poem-based RC
1-2Q
DM
Decision Making
The defining XAT section. Caselets on managerial, ethical, and business dilemmas. No syllabus — practice is the only prep.
Ethical dilemmas
~6Q
Managerial scenarios
~6Q
Financial decisions
~4Q
Conditional reasoning
~3Q
Data-based DM
~3Q
QA-DI
Quant & DI
Slightly tougher than CAT QA. Geometry weighted heavier. DI sets are caselet-style, similar to CAT DILR.
Arithmetic
~8Q
Algebra
~5Q
Geometry & Mensuration
~6Q
Number System
~3Q
Data Interpretation
~5Q
GK
General Knowledge
Current affairs + static GK. Doesn't affect percentile, but XLRI uses it in final shortlisting.
Current affairs
~10Q
Business & economy
~5Q
Static GK
~3Q
Sports, awards, books
~2Q
05 APPLICATION
How to apply for XAT 2026.
The XAT form on xatonline.in takes about 25 minutes if your documents are ready and your programme choices are clear.
01
Register on xatonline.inEmail and phone number. XLRI generates a unique XAT ID — store it; you'll use it for every login including admit card download.
02
Fill personal, academic & work details10th, 12th, graduation marks; current work experience; programme preferences across XLRI Jamshedpur, XLRI Delhi, and XAMI institutes.
03
Upload photograph & signatureJPEG only · photo 20-50 KB · 200x230 pixels · signature on plain white paper, scanned.
04
Choose XLRI programmesEach XLRI programme (BM, HRM, GMP) costs ₹200 extra. XLRI Delhi BM is a separate application. Pick carefully — you can't add programmes later.
05
Pay the application fee₹2,200 base + ₹200 per XLRI programme. UPI, net-banking, debit and credit cards accepted. NRI/foreign candidates pay an additional ₹5,000.
06
Choose your preferred test citiesUp to five cities in order of preference. XAT runs in 100+ Indian cities and 2-3 international centres (Dubai, Kathmandu).
07
Download admit card (~10-15 days before exam)Verify your name, photo, centre address, and reporting time. Carry a printed copy and a valid ID to the centre.
06 FAQ
Things aspirants
ask us about XAT.
Can't find what you're looking for?
No. GK marks are not used in calculating the percentile. XLRI uses GK scores only at the shortlisting stage along with profile and work experience.
Still have questions?
Can't find what you're looking for? Please chat to our friendly team.