XAT 2026, Important Dates, Application Form, Eligibility Criteria

REEYA SINGH

501

Jun 11, 2025

Latest Updates:

  • June 27, 2025: Here we have discussed XAT Exam Fees 2026 which includes including registration charges, XLRI program costs, and payment options. Avoid extra fees with timely registrationRead More
  • June 19, 2025: Here we have discussed XAT 2026 Formula PDF with all essential Quant & DI formulas. Perfect for fast revision, improved accuracy, and boosting your XAT score effectively.Read More
XAT 2026, Important Dates, Application Form, Eligibility Criteria

XAT 2026: The Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) is not just a gateway to XLRI Jamshedpur but also to over 160 top MBA colleges across the country. With increasing competition and evolving exam patterns, having a clear roadmap to crack XAT 2026 is essential.

This blog covers everything you need to know about XAT 2026, from important dates, eligibility criteria, and registration details to syllabus, preparation tips, and exam centers. Whether you’re a first-time aspirant or looking to improve your score, this comprehensive guide will help you strategize your preparation effectively.

XAT 2026 Important Dates

Stay ahead in your preparation by keeping track of all the crucial deadlines for XAT 2026.

EventDate (Tentative)
Registration StartJuly 15, 2025
Registration EndNovember 30, 2025
Admit Card ReleaseDecember 20, 2025 (onwards)
XAT 2026 Exam DateJanuary 4, 2026 (Sunday)
Result Date (Tentative)January 31, 2026
Score Card DownloadJan 31 – Mar 31, 2026
XLRI PI RoundMarch – April 2026

Also Read, XAT Exam Date 2026, Notification, Registration, Exam Fees

XAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria

The XAT 2026 eligibility criteria are straightforward:

  • Educational Qualification: A bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university. There is no minimum percentage requirement in the graduation to be eligible for the XAT exam.
  • Final Year Students: Candidates in the final year of their degree are also eligible.
  • No Age Limit: There is no upper age limit for XAT.

XAT 2026 Registration & Application Form

  • Mode: Online only.
  • Website: xatonline.in
  • Steps:
    • Register with basic details.
    • Fill the XAT 2026 application form.
    • Upload photograph, signature, and ID proof.
    • Pay the application fee.
    • Submit and download the confirmation page.
DescriptionFee (INR)
XAT Registration (without late fee)2200
Additional fee per XLRI program200
Indian candidates (PGDM-GM via GMAT/GRE)2500
NRI/Foreign (via GMAT)5000

Also Read, XAT Registration 2026, Dates, Documents Required, Form Fees

XAT 2026 Syllabus & Exam Pattern

SectionNo. of QuestionsDuration (min)Good Attempts
Verbal & Logical Ability26170 (Part A)14–15
Decision Making2112–13
Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation2819–20
General Knowledge2010 (Part B)
Total95180
  • Analytical Essay Writing: Now integrated with GD/PI rounds.
  • General Knowledge: 20 questions (12 current affairs + 8 static GK) to be attempted in 10 minutes.

XAT Syllabus Overview

SectionKey Topics
Verbal & Logical AbilityReading Comprehension, Vocabulary, Analogy, Parajumble, Grammar, Critical Reasoning, etc.
Decision MakingData Arrangement, Caselets, Grouping, Assumptions, Premises, Conclusions, etc.
Quantitative Ability & DIArithmetic, Geometry, Algebra, Mensuration, Data Interpretation (Bar, Pie, Tables), etc.
General KnowledgeScience, Economy, Business, Politics, Sports, Awards, Indian Constitution, etc.

XAT 2026 Admit Card

  • Release Date: December 20, 2025 (onwards)
  • How to Download: Log in to the official XAT portal and download the admit card.
  • Note: Carry a printed copy and valid ID to the exam center.

Also Read, XAT Registration 2026, Dates, Documents Required, Form Fees

XAT 2026 Result Date

  • Result Announcement: January 31, 2026 (tentative)
  • Score Card Download: Available till March 31, 2026
  • Cut Off: Varies by institute and program; XLRI and other top MBA Colleges release their cut-offs post-results.

XAT 2026 Cutoffs

The XAT Cutoffs for XLRI varies every year based on the no. of applicants and their respective performance in the exam. It is an important factor that determines whether the candidate will get an interview call or not. The XAT 2025 cutoff is given in the table below:

The table below shows the cutoffs for Business Management

StreamGenderTotalQAVALRDM
Engineer/TechMale≥96≥88≥84≥84
Female≥91≥82≥80≥80
Non-EngineerMale≥96≥88≥84≥84
Female≥91≥82≥80≥80

The table below shows the cutoffs for Human Resource Management

StreamGenderTotalQAVALRDM
Engineer/TechMale≥95≥83≥90≥87
Female≥90≥73≥85≥80
Non-EngineerMale≥93≥76≥90≥87
Female≥87≥68≥85≥80

XAT 2026 Score Vs Percentile

This is something that every student should be aware of while preparing for the exam. It helps students to set target and manage their studies accordingly. The XAT 2025 score Vs percentile is given below in the table. For XAT 2026 the score vs percentile is expected to be around the same.

XAT Marks Vs Percentile 2025
ScorePercentile
38.299
33.897
29.2592.5
24.785
2080
1675
1270
1165
1060

XAT 2026 Exam Centers List

The XAT 2026 exam will be conducted in 80+ cities across India, including newly added centers. Here’s a sample of the exam centers:

CityState/RegionCityState/Region
AgraUttar PradeshBengaluruKarnataka
AhmedabadGujaratBhopalMadhya Pradesh
AurangabadMaharashtraBhubaneswarOdisha
ChennaiTamil NaduDelhi-NCRDelhi
HyderabadTelanganaKolkataWest Bengal
MumbaiMaharashtraPuneMaharashtra
LucknowUttar PradeshJaipurRajasthan
CoimbatoreTamil NaduIndoreMadhya Pradesh
JamshedpurJharkhandGuwahatiAssam

For the full list, refer to the official XAT notification or Cracku website.

XAT 2026 Preparation Tips

  • Start Early: Begin with basics, then move to advanced topics.
  • Use Previous Year Papers: Practice with XAT previous year papers to understand the pattern and difficulty.
  • Mock Tests: Take regular mock tests to improve speed and accuracy.
  • Section-wise Focus: Allocate time to each section as per your strengths and weaknesses. Here DM section plays an important role in the exam, so students are advised to focus on this section.
  • Study Material: Use standard XAT study material and recommended books.
  • Stay Updated: Read newspapers and magazines for the GK section.
  • Time Management: Practice solving questions within the stipulated time.

XAT 2026 Study Material

Practicing previous year question papers is one of the most effective ways to prepare for XAT 2026. It helps you understand the exam pattern, question types, and difficulty level, while also improving your time management skills.

Cracku offers a comprehensive collection of XAT previous year papers from 2010 to 2024, complete with detailed solutions and answer keys. These resources allow aspirants to practice extensively and identify their strengths and weaknesses for targeted improvement.

  • Previous Year Papers: Available online; practicing them helps in understanding trends and question types.
  • Recommended Study Material: Use books from reputed publishers, online courses, and coaching institute materials.
  • Online Resources: Many platforms like Cracku offer free and paid XAT study material, mock tests, and daily practice questions.

XAT 2026: Conclusion

XAT 2026 demands a well-planned approach, consistent practice, and up-to-date study material to crack the exam with flying colors. By staying informed about important dates, understanding the syllabus, and leveraging previous year papers and mock tests, you can boost your confidence and performance. Remember, success in XAT is not just about hard work but also smart preparation.

Ready to take your XAT 2026 preparation to the next level? Visit Cracku for expert-curated study material, high-quality mock tests, detailed XAT previous year papers, and personalized preparation strategies. Start your journey with Cracku today and turn your XAT dreams into reality!

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