XAT 2026 is a national-level MBA entrance exam. The exam is conducted by XLRI – Xavier School of Management on behalf of XAMI. XAT scores are accepted by 160+ B-schools across India. Every year, 95,000+ candidates apply for XAT. The exam is known for testing decision-making and analytical skills, along with core aptitude areas.
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam Name | Xavier Aptitude Test |
| Exam Level | National |
| Conducting Body | XLRI Jamshedpur |
| Courses Offered | MBA / PGDM |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test |
| Duration | 210 Minutes |
| Total Sections | 4 + GK |
| Language | English |
| Negative Marking | Yes |
XAT 2026 Important Dates (Tentative)
| Event | Expected Timeline |
| Notification Release | July 2025 |
| Registration Start | July 2025 |
| Registration End | November 2025 |
| Admit Card Release | December 2025 |
| Exam Date | January 2026 |
Exam Dates
| Particular | Expected Date |
| Exam Mode | Online (CBT) |
| Exam Month | January 2026 |
| Exam Day | First Sunday of January |
| Duration | 3 hours 30 minutes |
| Shift | Single shift |
XAT 2026 Expected Result Dates
| Event | Expected Timeline |
| Answer Key Release | January 2026 |
| Objection Window | January 2026 |
| Result Declaration | Late January 2026 |
| Scorecard Download | Till March 2026 |
| GD-PI Rounds | February–March 2026 |
Also Read: Top MBA Colleges in India Accepting XAT Score
XAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
- Bachelor’s degree in any discipline
Degree from a recognised university - Final-year students can apply
Other Conditions
- No age limit
- No minimum work experience required
XAT 2026 Application Fee
| Category | Fee (INR) |
| All Candidates | ₹2100 |
| XLRI Programme Fee (Per Course) | ₹200 |
XAT 2026 Exam Pattern
Part A
| Section | Questions |
| Verbal & Logical Ability | 26 |
| Decision Making | 21 |
| Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation | 28 |
| Total (Part A) | 75 |
Part B
| Section | Questions |
| General Knowledge | 25 |
Other Details
- Negative marking: –0.25 per wrong answer
- No negative marking in GK
- No sectional cut-off for GK
Also Read: Top MBA Colleges in Jaipur Accepting XAT Score
XAT 2026 Syllabus Overview
Verbal & Logical Ability
- Reading comprehension
- Vocabulary
- Grammar
- Critical reasoning
Decision Making
- Business situations
- Ethical scenarios
- Case-based questions
Quantitative Ability & DI
- Arithmetic
- Algebra
- Geometry
- Data interpretation
General Knowledge
- Current affairs
- Business and economy
- Static GK
Registration Process
XAT registration is online.
- Visit the official XAT website
- Register with your email ID and mobile number
- Fill in personal and academic details
- Upload a photograph and a signature
- Pay the application fee
- Download confirmation page
Also Read: XAT Score vs Percentile
Wrap-Up
XAT 2026 is a key MBA entrance exam for candidates targeting XLRI and other leading B-schools. The decision-making section makes XAT different from other exams. Early registration and focused practice help in handling all sections well. Candidates should track official updates and prepare for GD-PI rounds after the results.
