XAT Entrance Exam 2026 – Syllabus, Eligibility, Important Dates & How to Prepare
All about XAT 2026 – Dates, Syllabus, Eligibility, and Smart Prep Tips to crack admission into XLRI & top B-schools!
XAT MBA Entrance Exams 2026
The journey from novice to master begins with a smart decision. If you aim for a lucrative career and fascinating pay scale, MBA seems to be the perfect option. With lakhs of aspirants appearing in MBA Entrance exams every year, it’s no joke to crack the exams and get a seat in India’s top management institutes.
If an MBA is your dream, XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) can be your gateway! Conducted by XLRI (Xavier School of Management), Jamshedpur, XAT stands as one of the most popular MBA entrance exams in India after CAT. More than 1.42 lakh students registered for XAT 2025, marking a 5.36% increase compared to the previous year. The exam offers admission opportunities to MBA/PGDM courses at XLRI and over 250 associated B-schools across India.
The competition is undoubtedly higher as the seats are limited. If you're aiming to appear in XAT 2026 and are looking for complete, updated information about the exam, you're at the right place. Let’s read further and get a better understanding of the exam to prepare smarter!
What is XAT and Why to Opt for this Exam?
XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) is a national-level management entrance examination organized by XLRI to offer students opportunities to get admission in top MBA institutes in India.
Apart from XLRI, the XAT score is accepted by more than 250 top B-schools in India that offer great placement opportunities to the students.
So, if you’re aiming to pursue MBA, opt for this exam and actualize your dream of becoming a management professional.
XAT 2026 Exam Dates and Highlights
XAT is usually conducted in January every year. XLRI will release the official notification and exam date around August/September 2025. Meanwhile, here are the key highlights of the XAT 2026 exam:
XAT 2026 Exam Highlights
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| XAT Full Form | Xavier Aptitude Test |
| Test Conducting Body | XLRI, Jamshedpur |
| Mode of Exam | Computer-based Online Exam |
| Application Process | Online |
| Application Fee | INR 2100 (approx.) |
| Cutoff for XLRI | 95 to 98+ percentile |
| Total Questions | 100 questions across 4 sections |
| Difficulty Level | Moderate to Difficult |
XAT 2026 Dates Calendar
| Events | Dates (Tentative) |
|---|---|
| Release of Official Notification | August 2025 |
| XAT 2026 Registration Begins | August/September 2025 |
| Last date to apply | Last week of November 2025 |
| Last date for fee submission | Last week of November 2025 |
| Availability of Admit Card | Third week of December 2025 |
| Exam Date | First Sunday of January 2026 |
| Answer Sheet & Objection Filing | First & Second week of January 2026 |
| Result Declaration | Third week of January 2026 |
| Cutoff Release | Last week of January 2026 |
Note: Dates are tentative and based on previous years’ trends.
Eligibility Criteria for XAT 2026
- Nationality: Indian citizens; NRIs via GMAT
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in any discipline
- Final Year: Eligible if completing by June 2026
- Minimum Marks: No minimum percentage required
- Backlogs: None allowed at time of admission
- Age Limit: No upper or lower age limit
XAT 2026 Exam Pattern and Syllabus
Part 1: Exam Pattern
| Subjects | Total Questions | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| QA & DI | 27 | 165 minutes |
| Decision Making | 21 | |
| Verbal & Logical Ability | 26 | |
| Total | 74 |
Part 2: Exam Pattern
| Subjects | Total Questions | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| General Knowledge | 25 | 15 minutes |
Key Highlights
- Total duration: 180 minutes
- Negative marking: -0.25 per wrong answer (Part 1)
- Penalty of -0.10 for 8+ unattempted questions
- No negative marking in GK section
- Essay writing required after Part 2 (only evaluated for shortlisted candidates)
- Some NAT-based (Numerical Answer Type) questions included
- GK scores used in selection, not percentile
XAT 2026 Exam Syllabus
Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation
- Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Number System, Modern Math
- Data Interpretation: Graphs, Charts, Tables, Data Sufficiency
Decision Making
- Analytical Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, Situational Judgment
- Ethical Dilemmas, Business Scenarios, Case-based Problems
Verbal & Logical Ability
- Reading Comprehension, Grammar, Vocabulary, Critical Reasoning
- Para Jumbles, Paragraph Completion, Analogies
General Knowledge
- Current Affairs, Economy, History, Geography, Polity
- Science & Tech, Sports, Awards, International Orgs, Static GK
Registration and Admit Card
Last date to apply: 30th Nov 2025. Fee submission: 1st Dec 2025. Admit cards: from 10th Dec 2025.
How to Prepare for XAT 2026?
After registration, start preparing using our 3-month and 1-month study plans. Click here to download PDF.
XAT Books & Study Material
- Decision Making – Target XAT (Disha Publications)
- Reasoning & QA – R.S. Aggarwal
- Logical Reasoning – Gajendra Kumar
- GK – Manohar Pandey
- MBA Entrance Guide – Gautam Puri
XAT Results & Cutoff Criteria
Results expected: January 2026 end. Answer keys: mid-January. Cutoff will be based on:
- No. of applicants
- Available seats
- Exam difficulty level
- Average marks trends
- Score normalization
