The XAT 2026 registration closed on Dec 5, 2025. The exam is scheduled to be held on Jan 4, 2026. Students are advised to go through the last one month preparation strategy to crack the exam.
XAT 2026 on Jan 4, 2026! The admit card for the same will be released on Dec 20, 2025. However, the date is tentative. Students are advised to change their preparation strategy and focus on lats one month preparation plan to score good in XAT. The exam will be held in a single slot from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.The exam will be held in 70+ cities covering questions from Verbal Ability, Decision Making, Quant & DI, and General Knowledge.
The application process started on Jul 10, 2025 and ended on Dec 5, 2025. The application form was accessible online at xatonline.in, the official website. Students must meet the minimum eligibility criteria to fill out the application form. It states that students must have passed Graduation with 55% marks. There is no upper age limit and NRI/Foreign/Indian nationals can apply. XAT registration fee was INR 2200/-.
XA 2026 Overview
An overview of the important details associated with XAT 2026 Exam has been shared in the table below.
| Highlights | Particulars |
| Exam Name | XAT 2026 |
| Full Form | Xavier Aptitude Test |
| Exam Level | National Level |
| Conducted By | XLRI, Xavier School of Management |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Languages | English |
| Exam Mode | Online |
| Exam Duration | 180 Minutes |
| Course Offered | MBA/PGDM |
| Official Website | xatonline.in |
| Helpdesk | admis@xlri.ac.in |
XAT Important Dates 2026
The following table provides details of all important XAT test dates 2026, and events related to the exam:
| Events | Dates |
| Registration opens | July 10, 2025 |
| Registration closes | Dec 5, 2025 |
| XAT Admit card download | December 20, 2025 |
| XAT Exam date | January 4, 2026 (2:00 pm to 5:30 pm) |
| Shortlist for Interview | End of January |
| Interviews | Mid-February - Mid-March |
| Offers and Waitlist | April 2026 |
| Academic Session begins | Mid-June, 2026 |
XAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
The required eligibility criteria for XAT is as follows:
| Particulars | Details |
| Age limit | No upper age limit |
| Educational Qualification | Minimum 3 years of a Bachelor's Degree |
| Nationality | NRI/Foreign/Indian |
XAT 2026 Application Process
Students must follow the steps shared below to apply for XAT Exam 2026:
- Step 1: Visit xatonline.in.
- Step 2: Select "New Registration" and enter the details.
- Step 3: Students will get their XAT login ID and password through Email/SMS.
- Step 4: Fill in the details and upload the documents.
- Step 5: Pay the application fee and click on "Submit".
XAT 2026 Direct Link to Apply
Students can click on the link shared below to apply for XAT:
| Particulars | Link |
| Direct Link to Apply for XAT | Closed |
XAT 2026 Exam Pattern
Students planning to take XAT must follow the XAT exam pattern and syllabus in detail.
| Particulars | Details |
| Type of Questions | Multiple Choice Questions |
| Total Questions | 95 |
| Maximum Marks | 95 |
| Medium of Question Paper | English |
| Mode of Exam | Online |
| Duration of the Test | 180 minutes |
XAT 2026 Syllabus
The XAT syllabus is divided into 4 sections: Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation, Verbal and Logical Ability, Decision Making, and General Knowledge. The topics included in these sections are as follows.
XAT Syllabus for Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation
The topics are as follows:
| Percentage | Tables and Caselets |
| Profit and Loss | Probability |
| Ratio and Proportion | Critical Path |
| Variation | Averages and Partnerships |
| Time and Work | Allegations and Mixtures |
| Time, Speed, and Distance | Algebra |
| LCM and HCF | Simple and Compound Interest |
| Pure Maths | Venn Diagram |
| Data Tables | Data Charts |
| Graphs | Pie Charts |
| Surds and Indices | Geometry |
| Inequalities | Trigonometry |
| Logarithms | Bar Diagrams |
| Numbers | Data Analysis |
| Mensuration | Linear and Quadratics Equations |
XAT Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning Syllabus
The topics are as follows:
| English Usage Topics | Arguments |
| Grammar | Reading Comprehension Topics |
| The contextual meaning of words | Narration of Incidents |
| Para completion and para jumble | Science |
| Error correction | Literature and Fiction |
| Vocabulary (Antonyms and Synonyms) | Psychology and Social Issues |
| Critical Reasoning | Economy |
| Culture | |
XAT Syllabus for Decision Making
The topics included in this section are:
| Decision Making in a situation | Arithmetic |
| Data Arrangement Test | Analytical Reasoning |
| Case Lets | Situational Questions |
| Reading Comprehension | Semi-Quantitative Topics |
| Condition and Group Testing | - |
XAT General Knowledge Syllabus
The topics of these section are as follows:
| Politics | Merger & Acquisitions |
| History | Nation and States |
| Sports | Literature |
| Business | Awards and Recognitions |
| International Relations | Economics |
| Society | - |
Conclusion
The XAT Exam 2026 is one of the highly attempted management entrance exams. Lakhs of students take the exam every year to get MBA admission into the top management colleges. Students are advised to go through the detailed XAT notification before filling out the application form.
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XAT 2026 application window: July 10 – December 5, 2025. -
Exam will be conducted on January 4, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 5:30 pm. -
Eligibility: 3-year Bachelor's Degree with 55% marks; no upper age limit. -
The application fee for XAT 2026 is INR 2200/-.
