XAT Exam, known as Xavier Aptitude Test, is a National Level Entrance exam conducted By XLRI Jamshedpur for MBA and PGDM courses admission in over 250 B-Schools.
The XAT Exam segments candidates into four sections. These include Verbal and Logical Ability, Decision Making, Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation, and General Knowledge. XAT 2026 is slated for January 4, 2026, and will be offered as a computer-based test in more than 100 cities. With over 1 lakh aspirants each year, the XAT is the second largest MBA entrance test after CAT and is renowned for its unique Decision Making section. The most effective preparation can be achieved via this page for XAT Notification, XAT Eligibility, and XAT Exam registration. Unlike MAT 2025, XAT is a once-a-year exam, making early preparation essential.
Top institutes such as XLRI (with a 95–96 percentile cut-off), XIMB (90+ percentile), and TAPMI (85+ percentile) are attainable after taking the XAT Exam. Score validity for XAT 2026 is until March 2027, thus still providing opportunities for lucrative careers (INR 7–15 LPA). The exam’s section-based navigation and shiftable sections improve accessibility. For the latest XAT Notification, bookmark xatonline.in.
XAT Eligibility specifies that candidates must have a three-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in any discipline with passing marks (no minimum percentage). Candidates who are in the final year and expect to receive their results by June 10, 2026, are eligible. NRIs and overseas candidates can apply through GMAT for some programs, including XLRI’s PGDM (General Management). There are no age, attempt, or frequency limits. Check for institute-specific criteria, such as XLRI’s preference for work experience, on their institutional websites. The Eligibility tab specifies criteria to facilitate XAT Exam registration without prior hurdles.
XAT Notification Release date is 10th July 2025. XAT Exam registration is from 10th July - 5th December 2025 on xatonline.in. The exam date is 4th January 2026, with admit cards being distributed from 20th December 2025. January 20, 2026 is the expected date for results. The Date tab contains the timeline in tabular format.
XAT exam is a computer-based test (CBT) of 3 hours duration consisting of 95 multiple choice questions (MCQs) divided into four sections: Verbal and Logical Ability (26 questions), Decision Making (21 questions), Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation (28 questions), and General Knowledge (20 questions). Part 1 (170 minutes) covers the first three sections whilst Part 2 (10 minutes) is reserved for General Knowledge. Each correct answer is rewarded 1 mark; there is a penalty of -0.25 marks for incorrect answers and -0.10 marks for greater than eight questions not attempted. The 2026 XAT syllabus encompasses the fundamentals of reading comprehension, logical reasoning, decision making in the form of case studies, basic arithmetic, and a selection of contemporary topics. A comprehensive description is available under the Syllabus tab.
Begin 6 to 9 months in advance and develop a framework based on 30 to 40 mock tests with IMS or SuperGrads. For Decision Making and Quantitative Ability, consult Arun Sharma's publications; for General Knowledge, read The Hindu, and complete the available past papers. Focus on time discipline and precision, spending no more than 113 seconds per question. For assistance, click the Enquiry button and speak to our academic advisors.
