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 ON

7 MIN READ

CONDUCTED BY
XLRI JamshedpurOn behalf of XAMI
MODE
Computer-basedSingle session · 2-5 PM
DURATION
3 hours170 min Part 1 · 10 min GK
FREQUENCY
Once a yearFirst Sunday of January
APPLICATION FEE
₹2,200+ ₹200 per XLRI programme
012345678901234567890123456789days to go
3 Jan 2027

READ ON

7 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.

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

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

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.

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.

Fill personal, academic & work details10th, 12th, graduation marks; current work experience; programme preferences across XLRI Jamshedpur, XLRI Delhi, and XAMI institutes.

Upload photograph & signatureJPEG only · photo 20-50 KB · 200x230 pixels · signature on plain white paper, scanned.

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.

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.

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).

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.

Visit the official XAT website