XAT 2026: Registration, Exam Date, Eligibility, Syllabus, Pattern, Cut-Offs, and Preparation Guide
The Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) 2026 is a national-level entrance examination conducted for admission to postgraduate management programmes at XLRI and other associated institutes. This computer-based exam is scheduled for January 4, 2026, and is recognised for its distinctive sections, including decision making and general knowledge. The test evaluates candidates on language, reasoning, quantitative skills, decision-making abilities, and general awareness. In this article, we will provide an overview of XAT 2026, covering XAT exam date, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, the XAT syllabus, cut-offs, and preparation strategies to help aspirants plan their application and study approach effectively.
Timeline for XAT 2026
Below is a summary of the important dates and events that candidates should keep in mind while planning for XAT 2026:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| XAT Registration Opens | July 10, 2025 |
| XAT Registration Last Date | December 05, 2025 |
| Admit Card Download | December 20, 2025 (Tentative) |
| XAT Exam Date 2026 | January 04, 2026, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM |
| Results | Scores are expected within a few weeks after the exam. Each B-school releases its own shortlist and process timeline after that. |
Source: https://xatonline.in/blog/xat-eligibility-and-admission-process
Eligibility Criteria for XAT 2026
Below is an overview of the key eligibility requirements for candidates planning to appear for XAT 2026:
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Educational Qualification | Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent from a recognised university. Final year students can apply provisionally. |
| Minimum Marks | General category candidates: 50% aggregate marks; Reserved category (SC/ST/PwD): 45%. |
| Professional Degrees | Candidates with professional degrees such as CA, CS, ICWA (CMA), or FIAI meeting the required percentage are eligible. |
| Age Limit | No upper or lower age limit specified. |
| Reservation Policy | Applicable as per government regulations and institute policies. |
| Other Requirements | Candidates must be able to meet document submission requirements during registration and selection stages. |
Source: https://xatonline.in/blog/xat-eligibility-and-admission-process
Now that you know the XAT exam date and the eligibility criteria for XAT registration, let's see XAT exam pattern and XAT syllabus further in the article.
XAT Exam Pattern & Overview 2026
The XAT exam is structured to assess multiple skill sets, conducted over 180 minutes (3 hours) with four main sections. The breakdown is as follows:
Overall Structure:
- Covers Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation, and General Knowledge.
- Total Questions: 95
- Total Duration: 180 minutes (170 minutes for VALR, DM, QA & DI; 10 minutes for GK)
Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VALR)
- Number of Questions: 26
- Time Allocation: Part of the 170 minutes for main sections
- Topics Covered:
- Critical and analytical reasoning
- Reading comprehension, including unconventional formats like poems, cartoons, and diverse passages
- Vocabulary and grammar exercises
- Para jumbles and cloze tests
- Other verbal ability and reasoning tasks
- Purpose: Evaluates comprehension, analysis, and logical reasoning with language-based content.
Decision Making (DM)
- Number of Questions: 21
- Time Allocation: Part of the 170 minutes for main sections
- Focus Areas:
- Scenario-based questions from personal and professional contexts
- Application of critical thinking, problem-solving, and prioritisation skills
- Making balanced and ethical decisions
- Significance: Unique to XAT, this section distinguishes the exam from other management entrance tests.
Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation (QA & DI)
- Number of Questions: 28
- Time Allocation: Part of the 170 minutes for main sections
- Topics Covered:
- Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and mensuration
- Modern mathematics, including probability, permutations, combinations, and set theory
- Data interpretation for summarising and analysing tables, graphs, and charts
- Purpose: Tests numerical aptitude and the ability to interpret and analyse data.
General Knowledge (GK)
- Number of Questions: 20
- Time Allocation: 10 minutes separately
- Breakup:
- Static GK: 8 questions
- Current Affairs: 12 questions
- Marking Note: GK is not included in percentile calculations but is considered in the selection process for XLRI programmes.
Candidates can familiarise themselves with these topics through mock tests and previous years’ question banks to understand the exam pattern and question types effectively.
Exam Marking Scheme
The XAT 2026 exam will follow a computer-based format with approximately 95 questions spread across different sections.
- Marks per Question: Each question carries 1 mark.
- Negative Marking: For every incorrect response, 0.25 marks will be deducted.
- Penalty for Skipping Questions: You may skip up to 8 questions without penalty. Beyond this limit, 0.1 marks will be deducted per skipped question.
- General Knowledge Section: This section has no negative marking. It does not contribute to the overall percentile or cutoff but is considered during XLRI’s final selection process.
XAT 2026: XLRI Cut-Offs for BM & HRM Programmes
Based on the official XAT 2024 cut-offs released by XLRI, the following table outlines the expected cut-offs for the XAT 2026 exam. These cut-offs are indicative and may vary depending on factors such as exam difficulty, number of applicants, and seat availability.
XLRI Jamshedpur – Business Management (BM) Programme
| Category | Overall Cut-Off | QA Cut-Off | VALR Cut-Off | DM Cut-Off |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male (Engineering) | ≥96 percentile | ≥86 | ≥83 | ≥85 |
| Female (Engineering) | ≥91 percentile | ≥81 | ≥80 | ≥80 |
| Male (Non-Engineering) | ≥95 percentile | ≥85 | ≥83 | ≥86 |
| Female (Non-Engineering) | ≥90 percentile | ≥80 | ≥80 | ≥81 |
XLRI Jamshedpur – Human Resource Management (HRM) Programme
| Category | Overall Cut-Off | QA Cut-Off | VALR Cut-Off | DM Cut-Off |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male (Engineering) | ≥95 percentile | ≥80 | ≥90 | ≥85 |
| Female (Engineering) | ≥90 percentile | ≥73 | ≥85 | ≥78 |
| Male (Non-Engineering) | ≥93 percentile | ≥75 | ≥90 | ≥85 |
| Female (Non-Engineering) | ≥88 percentile | ≥68 | ≥85 | ≥78 |
Source: https://xatonline.in/blog/xat-eligibility-and-admission-process
How to Prepare for XAT 2026
Preparation for XAT requires a strategic and balanced approach. Here are some key tips to help you build a strong preparation plan:
- Strengthen Basics in Quantitative Ability: Focus on arithmetic, algebra, and geometry, as these form the core of the quant section. Practice regularly to improve speed and accuracy.
- Practice Decision-Making Cases: Go through past XAT papers and solve case-based decision-making questions to develop logical and ethical reasoning skills.
- Enhance Reading Skills:Since verbal ability has tough reading comprehension passages, build a reading habit with newspapers, editorials, and journals.
- Stay Updated with GK: Read daily news updates and monthly current affairs compilations. Focus on international and business news
- Mock Tests & Analysis: Take regular mock tests to simulate exam pressure. Analyse mistakes and fine-tune your approach.
Conclusion
XAT 2026 presents an opportunity for candidates seeking postgraduate management programmes at XLRI and related institutes. Understanding the eligibility, exam pattern, syllabus, and key dates aids in organised preparation and confidence building through mock tests. However, pursuing an MBA comes with considerable financial costs, and education loans can alleviate this burden, enabling students to concentrate on their studies. Credila offers education loans for students with flexible repayment plans. With strategic planning and support, candidates can navigate the journey toward their MBA successfully.
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