XAT 2026: Exam Dates, Syllabus, Eligibility, Registration & Admission Process
Key Information of XAT 2026
Key Dates of Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) 2026
Registrations Begin for XAT’26: July 10, 2025
Registrations End for XAT’26: December 5, 2025
Admit Card Release for XAT’26: December 20, 2025
Date for XAT 2026 Exam: January 4, 2026
Date for XAT’26 Answer Key & Objection Window: Second week of January 2026
Announcement of Result: Third week of January 2026
XAT 2026 Eligibility
You should have a bachelor's degree from an accredited university in any discipline with a minimum duration of three years.
Final-year students may also apply.
There is no minimum score required to appear for the XAT 2026 but to apply for MBA, you typically require at least 50% marks (General category) or 45% (Reserved categories) in graduation.
Applicants who wish to take an MBA at the best business schools such as XLRI need to apply for the XAT 2026 and prepare early.
Colleges Accepting 2026 XAT Scores
Note: The additional new XAT Associate Institutes that consider the scores of the XAT exam are:
Indian Institute of Business (IIB), Muthugadahalli, Bengaluru.
ILM University, Uttar Pradesh.
ILM University, Haryana.
Pattern of the XAT 2026 Exam
XAT 2026 will be organised by the authorities in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode. The recent pattern consists of 95 questions divided into two parts. Some important details are given below:
Syllabus for XAT 2026
The four main components of the XAT syllabus are General Knowledge, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, Verbal & Logical Ability, and Decision Making. Look below for the key topics discussed under each section:
Application Process For XAT 2026
Key Dates for XAT Application 2026
Registration for XAT’26 Begins Date: July 10, 2025
XAT’26 Application Last Date: December 5, 2025
XAT’26 Release Date of Admit Card: December 20, 2025
XAT 2026 Test Date: January 4, 2026 (2:00 PM to 5:00 PM)
Keep all the steps complete well before the deadlines to avoid any last-minute hassle.
How to Fill XAT 2026 Form:
Log in to the official XAT website: xatonline.in
Click on the 'Registration' link.
Enter your basic information to register.
You will get an XAT ID and a registration link in your email.
Click the link given in the email for the verification of your registration.
On the website enter details related to login.
Open the XAT 2026 Application Form.
Complete all the details required and upload your photo and signature.
Submit the details after cross-checking.
Use these options to make payment for the 2026 XAT fees: credit/debit card, UPI or net banking.
Application Fee for the XAT 2026 Exam
Note: Ensure to pay the fee before the last date otherwise it will lead to rejection of the aspirants.
How Can Candidates Download their XAT 2026 Hall Ticket?
Candidates can download it using the steps given below:
Go to the XAT website: xatonline.in
Click on the 'Download Admit Card' link.
Click Login after entering your DOB and XAT User ID.
Go to the Admit Card section on the dashboard.
Save the admit card (in PDF) by clicking the download option.
Make sure to carry a printed copy of the admit card on exam day along with a valid photo ID.
XAT 2026 Answer Key: Verify Your Responses
After the XAT exam XLRI will make the answer key and your own response sheet available for you to verify your answers.
How may candidates obtain their answer key for the XAT?
Visit the official XAT website.
Click the tab with the title 'Answer Key & Objection Form'.
Enter your XAT login information (password and user ID).
See and download the answer key in PDF form.
In case you spot any mistakes in the official answers you can lodge objections by completing an online form. XLRI will scrutinise the objections and modify the key if required.
XAT 2026 Result: How to Check?
Your XAT 2026 result will also be posted on the official website. Here's how to check:
Visit the XAT official site.
The 'Download Scorecard' button should be clicked.
Put in your password and XAT ID.
Enter the security captcha displayed.
Click on Scorecard to see and download your result.
Your scorecard will display the total and sectional scores along with your XAT percentile.
XAT 2026 Admission Process
As soon as the results of the XAT 2026 are declared the admission procedure starts for XLRI and other institutions participating in the process. Shortlisting for further procedures is done for only those candidates who meet the cutoff of XAT.
Phase 1: Shortlisting Following XAT Exam
Once the XAT 2026 result is declared the candidates are shortlisted on the basis of XAT scores for the further stages of Group Discussion (GD), Personal Interview (PI) and Analytical Essay Writing (AEW).
Phase 2: GD, PI & Essay Writing
Shortlisted candidates are asked to undergo:
Group Discussion (GD)
Personal Interview (PI)
Analytical Essay Writing (AEW)
Phase 3: Final Selection
Several criteria are taken into account in this phase:
XAT 2026 score
Performance in GD/PI/AEW
General Knowledge (GK) score
Quality of essay
Academic record
Work experience
Video interview (if any)
A weightage is assigned to each criterion in the final selection.
XLRI Selection Weightage Breakdown
Note:
Each institute can determine its weightage of these pieces.
XLRI could modify its criteria as per performance trends.
Applicants in the lowest 10% in GD/PI could be rejected regardless of a good XAT score.
A last merit list is prepared by adding all scores together.
Every college which is participating may have slightly different guidelines but this is how XLRI would do it.
FAQs
On January 4th 2026 the XAT will take place. The test will be administered in a computer-based mode (CBT) from various test centres in India and the test will be conducted in one session.
Yes, Analytical Essay Writing (AEW) would be covered under the selection process of XAT 2026 but it would not be a part of the written exam. AEW would be done through the Group Discussion and Personal Interview (GD-PI) rounds for shortlisted candidates post-exam.
In order to be eligible for XAT 2026 one needs to have passed a bachelor's degree of not less than three years' duration in any field from a recognised university. Final year graduation students are also eligible subject to submission of the degree documents at the time of admission.
To appear in XAT 2026 applicants should go to the official portal at xatonline.in register by creating a new account and then complete the online application form. After filling personal, academic and professional information, applicants must upload their image and signature, choose programs and test cities and remit the fee online within the stipulated time.
XAT is found to be somewhat more difficult than other MBA exams such as CAT due to its Decision Making section which is exclusive to XAT. The general level of reasoning and comprehension in XAT is also high and the questions are found to assess a candidate's application, ethics and logic in practical situations.
