The Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) is one of the most prestigious national-level entrance tests for MBA and PGDM candidates in India. An entrance exam conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur, XAT will provide a chance for admission to around 120 reputed management institutes in India such as XLRI, IMT Ghaziabad, XIMB and SPJIMR (in the case of some programs).
If you are thinking of taking the XAT 2026 exam, then this article will highlight everything you need to know - the last date of xat registration, xat exam date, xat syllabus, xat form fees, xat admit card download, xat eligibility, xat participating colleges, xat placement highlights, etc to help get you started.
What is the XAT?
The XAT (Xavier aptitude test) is a computer-based MBA entrance test annually conducted by XLRI (Xavier School of Management). The exam is conducted annually to assess candidates' Verbal and Logical Ability, Decision Making, General Knowledge and Quantitative Ability.
XAT is accepted by over 122 XAT considering colleges. XAT is type of entry test unlike it'd counterpart like CAT is easier than XAT in structure and emphasizes ethical decision-making. XAT 2026 will also have essay writing which will only matter in later interview stages.
XAT 2026 Important Dates
Event | Date |
XAT 2026 Registration Opens | July 10, 2025 |
XAT Registration Last Date | December 5, 2025 |
XLRI XAT Admit Card Download Begins | December 20, 2025 (Tentative) |
XAT Exam Date | January 4, 2026 (Sunday) |
XAT Exam Timing | 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM |
The XAT admit card 2026 will be available for download from the official XAT website. Candidates must carry a printed copy of the admit card along with a valid ID on the exam day.
XAT 2026 Registration Procedure
The registration procedure for XAT is carried out completely online. You can apply for XAT 2026 by following these steps:
1. Open the official website for XAT.
2. Make a login using your email ID and mobile number.
3. Fill in your academic and other personal details.
4. Upload image files of your photo and signature.
5. Pay applicable XAT form fees.
6. Submit your application form and, finally, you should download the confirmation form for your records.
All candidates can edit and re-upload images before final submission. Before you proceed, please make sure that all uploaded documents meet the required standards.
XAT Exam Fees 2026
Category | Fee |
XAT Registration Fee | ₹2200/- |
Additional XLRI Program Fee | ₹200 per program |
Indian candidates via GMAT/GRE (PGDM-GM only) | ₹2500/- |
NRI/Foreign/PIO/OCI candidates (via GMAT) | ₹5000/- |
Payment can be made through Debit/Credit Card, Net Banking, UPI, IMPS, or Wallets.
XAT Syllabus 2026 (Section-wise Breakdown)
The syllabus of XAT 2026 is designed to test a candidate’s aptitude in real-world business decision-making. The paper comprises five sections:
- Verbal and Logical Ability (VA & LR)
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Reasoning
- Para jumbles & Grammar
- Decision Making (DM)
- Ethical Dilemmas
- Business Cases
- Managerial Situations
- Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation (QA & DI)
- Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry
- Graphs, Charts, Tables
- General Knowledge (GK)
- Static GK: History, Geography, Economy
- Current Affairs: National & International
- Essay Writing (introduced again from XAT 2022)
- Topics related to social, economic, or abstract issues
Note: GK and Essay scores are not considered for percentile calculation but are crucial during XLRI interviews.
Top XAT Colleges & Participating Institutes (2026)
More than 120 institutes across India accept XAT scores for MBA and PGDM admissions. Here’s a quick look at some top XAT associate member institutes:
S.No | College Name | Location |
1 | XLRI Jamshedpur | Jharkhand |
2 | IMT Ghaziabad | Uttar Pradesh |
3 | XIM University (XIMB) | Odisha |
4 | TAPMI Manipal | Karnataka |
5 | Great Lakes Institute of Management | Chennai |
6 | SP Jain Institute of Management (PGPM only) | Mumbai |
7 | MICA | Ahmedabad |
8 | GIM Goa | Goa |
9 | KJ Somaiya Institute | Mumbai |
10 | LIBA | Chennai |
To see the full list of XAT 2026 colleges, visit the official XAT portal or XLRI's admissions page.
XLRI PGDM (GM) 2026 Admission via XAT / GMAT / GRE
The PGDM (General Management Program) at XLRI is an AICTE-approved 18-month full-time residential MBA. It’s designed for professionals with 3+ years of experience and has been ranked 83rd globally by the Financial Times.
Eligibility:
- Bachelor's degree (minimum 3 years)
- At least 36 months of full-time work experience
- Acceptable scores: XAT 2026, GMAT, or GRE
Deadlines:
- Apply via XAT: December 5, 2025
- Apply via GMAT/GRE: December 31, 2025
- Program starts: Mid-April 2026
XLRI GMAT Code: WW2-8N-93
XLRI GRE Code: 5030
XLRI Placements (PGDM-GM)
XLRI’s PGDM-GM program has consistently produced industry-ready professionals with impressive salary packages. Here's a look at the placement stats:
Year | Highest Salary (₹ LPA) | Average Salary (₹ LPA) |
2022-23 | 80.35 | 29.4 |
2021-22 | 44.74 | 26.69 |
2020-21 | 34.3 | 18.49 |
Top Recruiters: Amazon AWS, Infosys, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, Accenture, Genpact, Tech Mahindra, Deloitte, IBM, Cognizant, TVS, Mahindra & Mahindra
Job Roles Offered:
- C-suite Positions (CMO, CIO, COO)
- Product Manager, AVP, Senior Consultant
- HRLDP (AWS), Strategy Consultant, SCM Consultant
- Digital Marketing Lead, Project Manager
How to Download XAT Admit Card 2026
Visit the XAT official website
- Log in with your registered email ID and password
- Click on "Download XAT Admit Card"
- Check all details — Name, Roll Number, Exam Centre, Timing
- Take a printout for the exam day
On the day of the examination, please ensure that you have an acceptable photo ID with you, along with the XAT admit card.
Why Choose XAT?
- Accepted by top B-Schools in India
- Includes a unique Decision-Making section to assess real-life business skills
- Focuses on ethical judgment, analytical reasoning, and verbal clarity
- Offers entry into elite programs like XLRI’s PGDM (GM) and HRM
- XAT percentile is valid for multiple courses and colleges across India
The date of the XAT 2026 exam is fast approaching. From July 10, 2025, you will be able to register for the XAT and the XAT 2025 admit card will be available from December 20, 2025. Therefore, it is important that you plan your study, and documents accordingly as you will either be aiming for the XLRI Jamshedpur, or other XAT institutes. So, it is necessary to understand the XAT syllabus, know the XAT form fees, and practice.
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