XAT 2026: Registration (Begins), Exam Date (Jan 4), Eligibility, Syllabus, Pattern & Cut Offs

Xavier Aptitude Test or XAT is annually conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur for admissions into XLRI and other top B Schools of the country into MBA, PGDM and Executive MBA programs. The XAT 2026 exam registration have begun from 10th July 2025 onwards. Candidates who wish to pursue an MBA must apply for XAT until 5th December 2025. Get complete details on XAT 2026 here on this page.

XAT 2026 

The XAT 2026 exam will be conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur on 4th January 2026. The XAT registrations have started from 10th July onwards. Candidates having the required eligibility criteria can apply online for XAT 2026. Candidates qualifying XAT will be eligible to take admissions in over 250+ B schools across India. Read this post to get complete details on XAT 2026 eligibility, registration, admit card, exam pattern, syllabus, result and more in detail.

XAT 2025 Exam Highlights

XAT is an online test that is held for admission into the top MBA colleges in the country. Check out the major highlights of XAT 2025 exam. 

XAT 2026 Important Dates

The XAT 2026 dates have been released by XLRI. The notification was released on 9th July 2025 while the registrations have begun from 10th July 2026 onwards. The exam shall be held on 4th January 2026. Check the table below for more details. 

What is XAT Exam: Full Form & Details 

XAT full form is Xavier Aptitude Test. It is a national level common entrance exam conducted by XLRI, Jamshedpur for admission to MBA/PGDM programmes. XAT exam is conducted online each year for over 1 lakh candidates. Other than XLRI Jamshedpur, over 250 B schools accept XAT scores for admission into MBA, PGDM and Executive MBA.. 

What is XAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria: Graduation Percentage & Age Limit 

The XAT eligibility criteria consists of fulfilling the educational qualification. Given below is the eligibility required for taking XAT. 

• Graduation degree of at least 3 years or equivalent from a recognised university in any discipline. 
• Those in final year of graduation or are waiting for the final year results are also eligible to apply. 
• There is no minimum mark required to appear for XAT. 
• There is no upper age limit to apply for XAT.
• Working professionals and candidates with professional degrees (CA/CS) can also appear in the exam. 

XAT 2026 Registration Process 

XLRI Jamshedpur has activated the XAT registration 2026 process online from 10th July 2025 onwards. Candidates can apply online for XAT exam on xatonline.in website. Here are the steps that will help candidates to fill out the XAT online form.

• Log on to XAT 2026 website xatonline.in
• Click on 'New Registration' and enter relevant details to get the registration ID and registration link 
• A unique XAT ID and registration link will be shared in the verified email ID
• Click on the link to verify XAT registration
• Visit XAT 2026 homepage and click on ‘login’
• Enter your email ID and password to open the application form
• Fill in all the details required 
• Cross-check all the information 
• Make the application fee payment for the successful completion of the online form submission. 

XAT 2026 Registration Fee 

All the candidates who apply online for XAT 2026 need to pay an application fee. The fee needs to be paid in online mode only. Given below is the fee for XAT 2026 exam. 

XAT 2026 Exam Pattern

XAT 2026 exam pattern consists of four sections, Quantitative Ability, Data Interpretation, Verbal and Logical Ability and General Knowledge. The exam duration is 3 Hours. PwD candidates are given additional timing of 20 minutes. The following table has the details of XAT exam pattern 

XAT Syllabus 2026 

XAT syllabus is not officially released by XLRI. We have shared the syllabus based on the last few years exam trend. 

1. Verbal and Logical Ability (VLA)

Topics Covered:

• Reading Comprehension (RC)
• Grammar & Sentence Correction
• Vocabulary & Fill in the Blanks
• Para Jumbles & Para Completion
• Critical Reasoning
• Analogies
• Cloze Test

2. Decision Making (DM) (XAT-Exclusive Section)

Topics Covered:

• Situational Decision Making (ethical dilemmas, business scenarios)
• Logical Reasoning based on caselets
• Data Interpretation within business scenarios
• Analytical Reasoning
• Managerial decisions and their consequences

Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation (QA & DI)

 Topics Covered:

• Arithmetic (Percentages, Profit & Loss, Time & Work, SI & CI)
• Algebra (Equations, Inequalities)
• Geometry & Mensuration
• Number System
• Modern Math (P&C, Probability, Set Theory)
• Data Interpretation (Tables, Graphs, Charts, Caselets)

4. General Knowledge (GK) (Appears only in Part 2 of the exam)

Topics Covered:

• Current Affairs (National & International)
• Business & Economy
• Indian Polity & Constitution
• Geography
• Science & Technology
• History
• Awards, Books, Sports

Essay Writing (Included in Part 2)

One essay out of two topics to be written (200–250 words)

Topics are abstract or opinion-based, e.g., ethics, leadership, social change

XAT Related Articles:

• XAT Selection Process

XAT 2026 Cut Off for XLRI

XAT 2026 cut offs will be released in February 2026 after the declaration of the result. The XAT cut off 2024 is given below in the table.

XAT 2024 Cut Offs: PGDM BM

XAT cut off 2024 for PGDM BM is given below in the table for male and female candidates. 

XAT 2024 Cut Offs: PGDM HRM

Go through the XAT cut off 2024 for PGDM HRM for male and female candidates. 

XAT Cut Off: Top MBA Colleges

XAT cut off 2024 will be released by each college for GD/PI on their website. We have shared the XAT cut off in the table below for top MBA colleges accepting XAT scores. 

Top Colleges Accepting XAT Scores

XLRI Jamshedpur is the top XAT college that is preferred by a maximum number of students. XAT score is accepted by 11 members of the Xavier Association of Management Institutes (XAMI) and over 1,000+ other MBA institutes in India. We have shared the list of the top colleges that accept XAT score. 

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