XAT Exam FAQs

Q: What is the date of XAT 2026 Exam dates for 2026? 

Ans. The Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) exam dates for 2026 is scheduled. XAT 2026 is to be held on Sunday, January 4, 2026. On January 5, 2025, XAT 2025 exam was held. XAT, the second most difficult MBA entrance exam after CAT, is held nationally. 

Q: When will the registration process begin for XAT 2026? 

Ans. XAT 2026 registration date is not released yet. As per the official information will begin tentatively from July 2025. keep yourself updated about XAT 2026 registration date.

Q: What is the XAT registration last date for 2026 exam? 

Ans. The last date of the registration is expected to be in November 2025. In 2024, the last date of XAT registration was November 30, 2024. 

Q: What is the XAT exam eligibility criteria? 

Ans. You must know the detailed XAT 2026 eligibility before registering themselves for the exam. The XAT eligibility criteria includes the age limit, educational qualification and other compulsory requirements for the exam. As a candidate you must note the following XAT eligibility criteria before beginning the application process.

• Candidates should have passed the three years Graduation in any stream from any recognized university. 
• Final year graduation candidates can also appear in the XAT exam, but they will have to produce their graduation certificate at the time of admission. 
• There will be no age bar for the XAT 2026 candidates. 

Q: What the documents required for XAT registration? 

Ans: You will need a valid photo ID proof (Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, PAN Card, Passport, etc.), a recent passport-size photograph for XAT registration, and ensure your scanned photograph and signature are in JPG/JPEG format, not exceeding 50KB. Find the checklist of documents below for XAT registration: 

• Valid Photo ID Proof, any one of the following: Aadhaar Card, Voter ID Card, PAN Card, Valid college ID Card, Passport, Driving License, or Employee ID Card.
• Scanned Photograph and Signature: 
• Set scanner resolution to a minimum of 200 dpi.
• Set colour to True Colour.
• Ensure the file size does not exceed 50KB.
• Crop the image to the edge of the photograph/signature.
• Save the image in JPG or JPEG format.

An example filename is: image01.jpg or image01.jpeg. 

Q: What is the XAT registration process for 2026? 

Ans. If you are planning to appear in XAT 2026 exam first you need to register yourself at the xatonline.in/registration portal with their names and email IDs. Follow the XAT registration process as mentioned below: 

Step 1. Visit the official XAT portal and find the online registration form. 

Step 2. Fill in the registration form with your name and email address. 

Step 3. An email will be sent to your registered mail ID for verification. Click the verification link and verify your email ID. 

Step 4. Visit the online registration portal again to login with your registered ID and password and fill the XAT online application form. 

Step 5. Upload the required credentials. 

Step 6. Pay the XAT 2026 application fee of INR 2200/-. 

Step 7. Submit your application form. 

Q: What is the XAT registration fee for 2026? 

Ans. XAT registration fee for 2026 exam is INR 2200/-. XAT also provides access to various category students for which the registration fee varies. Check the table below for the XAT fees details: 

Particulars	XAT 2026 Registration Fees
XAT 2026 registration last date (without late fee)	Rs. 2200
Additional fee for XLRI programs	Rs. 200 per program
Indian Candidates applying for GMP through GMAT	Rs. 2500
NRI/Foreign Candidates applying through the GMAT	Rs. 5000

Q: How can I check my application status XAT 2026? 

Ans: You can check your XAT application status by visiting the official XAT website, xatonline.in. You need to log in using your XAT ID and password and navigate to the scorecard or application status section. 

Q: How can I choose XAT exam cities?

Ans. You can have the option of choosing exam cities at the time of XAT exam registration. You need visit the official website, fill the XAT application form, select six preferred cities in order of preference. You application process will be considered complete after you pay the fee and submitting the form. 

Q: What to carry for the XAT exam?

Ans: Find the check list below what's allowed in the XAT exam room: 

• Admit Card: Ensure you have two copies of your admit card.
• Valid Photo ID: Bring an original photo ID proof (Aadhaar Card, Voter ID Card, PAN Card, Valid college ID Card, Passport, Driving License, Employee ID Card).
• Ballpoint Pen: You'll need a pen for answering the questions.
• Passport-sized photo: Attach a recent color passport-size photograph in the designated space on your admit card.
• Scientific Calculator: You are allowed to use a scientific calculator.

Q: What are the prohibited things for XAT exam candidates to carry in the exam room?

Ans: Find the check list below what's prohibited in the XAT exam room: 

• Electronic Devices: Mobile phones, calculators (unless specified as allowed), watches, and other electronic gadgets.
• Jewelry: Avoid wearing jewelry, as you may be asked to remove it.
• Metal Items: Items containing metal are strictly prohibited.
• Bags and Other Valuable Items: Do not carry bags or any other valuable items.
• Jackets: Jackets are not permitted.
• Rough Sheets and Stationery: Rough sheets and stationery will be provided at the test centre, so there's no need to bring your own. 

Q: What is the reporting Time and Late Entry Policy for XAT exam? 

Ans: The reporting time along with the venue will be mentioned in the Admit card. The exam venue gate closes 30 minutes before the starting time of the exam. No late entry will be allowed once the exam venue gate is closed 30 minutes before the exam begins. 

Q: How to Analyze the response sheet for XAT 

Ans: To effectively analyze your XAT response sheet, compare your answers with the official answer key available on the official XAT website. Calculate your estimated score using the marking scheme (+1 for correct, -0.25 for incorrect), and identify areas for improvement based on your performance. For every 8 unanswered questions you will be deducted 0.10 marks. 

Q: What is the XAT Syllabus for 2026 exam?

Ans. The XAT syllabus for the 2026 exam consists of topics in verbal and logical reasoning, decision making, quantitative ability, and general knowledge. The table below summarizes the section-wise XAT 2026 syllabus: 

Exam Sections	Important Topics
Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VA & LR)	Analogy-based on Vocabulary, Fill in the blanks, Critical Reasoning/Inference, Sentence Correction, Vocabulary, Completion of paragraphs/sentences, Grammar, Correct Usage of Words, Poem, Paragraph Formation, Cloze Test, Synonyms/Antonyms, Contextual Meaning of Words, Clocks & Calendars, Analogy, Fact, Inference, and Judgment, Binary Logic, Seating Arrangement, Blood Relations, Logical Sequences, Assumption, Premise, and Conclusion
Decision Making (DM)	Complex Arrangement, Conditioning and Grouping, Data Arrangement, Case Lets, Decision Making, Moonlighting, Leave policy, Recruitment, Opening a tea shop, Sexual harassment, Free food centre, Hiring visually impaired, Quantitative DM
Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation (QA & DI)	LCM and HCF, Quadratic Equations, Percentages, Complex Numbers, Profit and Loss, Logarithm, Interest (Simple and Compound), Speed, Time, and Distance, Number System, Binomial Theorem, Algebra, Inequalities, Geometry, Mensuration, Venn Diagrams, Averages, Time and Work, Trigonometry, Set Theory, Probability, Permutation and Combination, Data Tables, Data Charts, Pie Charts, Bar Diagrams, Graphs, Data Analysis and Comparison
General Knowledge	Science and Technology, Economics, Constitution of India, History, Geography, Important Dates, Culture, Ecosystem and Diversity, Famous Personalities, Heritage, Monuments

Q: What Recommended Books and Resources I can follow for preparation of XAT?

Ans: There are numbers of recommended resources that you can follow to prepare for XAT exam. Find some of the important study materials listed below:

Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation:

• "How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT" by Arun Sharma: A comprehensive guide with detailed explanations and practice questions.
• "Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT" by Sarvesh K. Verma: Another excellent resource for building a strong foundation in quantitative aptitude.
• "Data Interpretation and Data Sufficiency" by Ananta Ashisha/Arihant: Focuses on understanding and solving DI and DS questions.

Verbal Ability & Reasoning:

• "Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension" by Ajay Singh: A good resource for improving your verbal skills and reading comprehension abilities.
• "High School English Grammar & Composition" by Wren & Martin: A classic grammar book to enhance your understanding of English grammar.
• "A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning" by R.S. Aggarwal: Useful for strengthening your reasoning skills.
• "Analytical Reasoning" by MK Pandey: Focuses on analytical reasoning skills.

General Knowledge:

Newspapers and Magazines: Stay updated on current affairs by reading newspapers like The Hindu and The Indian Express, and magazines like Business Today or Manorama Yearbook.

Q: What is the XAT 2026 exam pattern? 

Ans. XAT 2026 will be a computer-based format exam conducted in January 2025. The exam time duration is reduced from the previous 210 minutes to 180 minutes. The exam can be segregated into two parts: 

Part 1: Aptitude Test (170 minutes) 

Part 2: General Knowledge (10 minutes) 

The essay writing section has been discontinued as it will be conducted at the final selection process as Writing Ability Test (WAT) during the XLRI admission process. 

The following table presents the details of the XAT 2026 Exam Pattern: 

Section	Number of Questions	Time (minutes)
Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VALR)	26	170
Decision Making (DM)	21
Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation (QA & DI)	28
General Knowledge (GK)	20	10
Total	95	180

Q: What are the topic sections of XAT exam? 

Ans. XAT exam questions are topic-wise divided into four sections, such as: 

Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VA & LR): The VA & LR section includes critical & analytical reasoning, reading comprehensions (including poems & passages), English grammar, vocabulary, and other linguistic exercises such as cloze tests, para jumbles etc. 

Decision-Making (DM): The DM section will present scenarios drawn from both personal and professional lives. Candidates will be required to apply critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and prioritization to make informed decisions. 

Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation (QA & DI): In this section, the questions are designed to assess the quantitative aptitude of candidates who possess a foundational understanding of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, mensuration, modern maths, etc. The questions on DI are about clear interpretation, summarization, and insightful analysis of the data. 

General Knowledge (GK): In the GK section, 08 questions will focus on static GK, while the remaining 12 will delve into current affairs. 

Q: Does XAT sectional cutoff can be considered? 

Ans: XLRI Jamshedpur counts XAT sectional cut off for selection of candidates for its MBA programmes. The cutoffs differ of Business Management (BM) and Human Resource Management (HRM). 

XAT Cutoff 2025 for XLRI BM Programme 

Stream	Gender	Total	QA	VALR	DM
Engineer/Tech	Male	>=96	>=88	>=84	>=84
Engineer/Tech	Female	>=91	>=82	>=80	>=80
Non-Engineer	Male	>=96	>=88	>=84	>=84
Non-Engineer	Female	>=91	>=82	>=80	>=80

XAT Cutoff 2025 XLRI HRM Programme 

Stream	Gender	Total	QA	VALR	DM
Engineer/Tech	Male	>=95	>=83	>=90	>=87
Engineer/Tech	Female	>=90	>=73	>=85	>=80
Non-Engineer	Male	>=93	>=76	>=90	>=87
Non-Engineer	Female	>=87	>=68	>=85	>=80

Q: What is the XAT cutoff marks vs percentile of 2025? 

Ans. XAT 2025 cutoff marks vs percentile data exam is not released yet. However, based on the previous years’ trends in the following table we present an expected breakdown of XAT Percentile vs. Estimated Score: 

XAT Percentile	VA & LR	DM	QA & DI	Overall XAT Score
99	16-17	14-15	16-17	42-44
95	13-14	12-13	12-13	35-37
90	11-12	11-12	11-12	30-32
75	8-9	9-10	7-8	25-27

Q: What is the top-college wise XAT cutoff 2025? 

Ans. The XAT participating colleges released XAT cutoff 2025. Candidates interested in any of these top B-Schools may refer to the following table for XAT 2025 Cutoff Percentiles: 

Institutes	XAT Cutoff Percentile
SPJIMR Mumbai	90+
XLRI Jamshedpur	96
XIMB	90+
IMT Ghaziabad	90+
KJ Somaiya	85+
GIM Goa	85+
TAPMI Manipal	80+
XLRI Delhi	80+
FORE School of Management, New Delhi	85+
IRMA Anand	80+
Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai	80+
LIBA Chennai	80+
MICA Ahmedabad	80+
BIMTECH Greater Noida	75+
Welingkar Mumbai	75+
XIME Bangalore	75+
IMT Hyderabad	90

Q: What are the top XAT colleges? 

Ans: Top XAT colleges include both XAMI members and non-XAMI B-schools. The table below lists the top B-schools participating in XAT along with their fees, average package, and cutoff percentages: 

XAT Colleges	Fees (in Lakhs)	Average Package (LPA)	XAT Cutoff %ile
XLRI, Jamshedpur	27.04	32.7	94+
MICA, Ahmedabad	21	20	85+
XIM University, Bhubaneshwar	21.5	20.03	91+
IMT, Ghaziabad	19.53	17.6	90+
IRMA, Anand	16.09	15.5	80+
LBSIM, Delhi	16.5	12.24	80+
FORE, Delhi	20.42	14.5	75+
GIM, Panaji	21.04	14.87	85+
TAPMI	19.45	14.6	80+
BITS Pilani	10.87	15.9	70+
K J Somaiya	21.78	12.28	70+
NIBM, Pune	16	15.22	94+
LIBA, Chennai	19.29	10	75+
Great Lakes	19.95	14.5	85+
IFMR, Chennai	18.41	13	NA
IMT Nagpur	15.12	10.81	80+

Find out more about XAT preferred colleges.

Q: Which MBA colleges are available with XAT cut offs of 90 percentile and above? 

Ans. You can seek admission to some of the top MBA colleges with above 90 percentile XAT rank. The following table lists the collages and their approximate course fees: 

MBA Colleges	XAT Cut off %ile	XAT MBA Colleges Fees (Rs. in lakhs) Approximately
XLRI Jamshedpur	94-95	24.80
XIM University	91-92	19.30
MICA Ahmedabad	90-91	23.00
IMT Ghaziabad	90-91	19.53
IMI Delhi	90-91	20.19

Q: Which MBA colleges are available with XAT cut offs of 80 percentile and above? 

Ans. There are quite a few MBA colleges that you may seek admission if you rank above 80 percentile at XAT entrance exam. The following table presents the list of colleges and their cutoff rank percentile for XAT: 

MBA Colleges	XAT Cut off %ile	XAT MBA Colleges Fees (Rs. in lakhs)
FORE Delhi	85-87	18.27
TAPMI Manipal	85-87	17.34
Great Lakes Chennai	85-86	19.95
IRMA Anand	83-84	16.15
GIM Goa	85-86	18.31
KJ Somaiya	80-82	20.87
LBSIM, New Delhi	80-82	15.50
LIBA Chennai	80-82	17.10
IMT Hyderabad	90	11.3

Q: Which MBA colleges provides scholarships based on XAT score in India? 

Ans: There are a number of premium business schools that provides scholarships inluding XLRI Jamshedpur, IMT Ghaziabad, Great Lakes Institute of Management etc. The table below summarizes the scholarship details of the B-schools based on XAT score: 

B-School	Scholarship Criteria
XLRI Jamshedpur	Scholarships based on XAT scores.
Great Lakes Institute of Management	Scholarships based on XAT performance.
IMI Bhubaneswar	Scholarships for students with a first-class career and a minimum score in CAT/XAT/CMAT.
TAPMI Manipal	Scholarships based on XAT scores.
IMT Ghaziabad	Entry-level and mid-program scholarships based on XAT scores.
XIMB (Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar)	Uses XAT scores for MBA admissions.
BIMTECH (Birla Institute of Management Technology)	Scholarships based on XAT scores with a partial fee waiver.
IRMA (Institute of Rural Management Anand)	Admissions based on IRMAT, CAT, CMAT, XAT, MAT, and ATMA scores.
MICA Ahmedabad	Offers PG courses in marketing and communications.
GNA University	Scholarships based on JEE Main, CAT, XAT, MAT, and other qualifying exams.
Rathinam Group of Institutions (Sunstone)	Bright Minds scholarships based on JEE Main, XAT, and CAT scores.
R.R. Institutions (Sunstone)	Scholarships based on CAT/XAT scores.
FOSTIIMA Business School	Scholarships based on 10th, 12th, graduation grades, and CAT/XAT/CMAT percentile.
IIHMR Jaipur	Scholarships based on academic records and entrance exam scores (CAT/XAT/MAT/CMAT/NMAT/ATMA).

 Q: What is the lowest percentile to get into XLRI?

Ans. If you are aspiring for getting a call from XLRI for the interview process, you need to target for a minimum of 95th percentile overall in the XAT. A higher percentile ranks (96-97+) will certainly help you beat your competitors for the MBA program.

Q: Which is the more difficult to crack XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) or CAT (Common Admission Test)?

Ans: XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) and CAT (Common Admission Test) both the MBA entrance exams in India are highly competitive. While CAT is accepted by most of the top Business Schools in India, XAT is primarily conducted for selection of candidates for XLRI Jamshedpur and other Xavier Management Institutions.

The key difference between the two entrance exams lies in XAT's unique "Decision Making" section and generally longer with more complex verbal ability questions compared to CAT. On the other hand, CAT often has a more focused Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning section. XAT potentially considered slightly more challenging for some candidates due to its distinct exam pattern and a complex Verbal Ability skill set.

Key points to consider:

• Sections: CAT typically has three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA), while in XAT along with these sections there will be dedicated "Decision Making" section and sometimes a General Knowledge component.
• Verbal Ability: XAT often has longer, and more complex reading comprehension passages compared to CAT, placing a greater focus on verbal ability.

Q: Which is the more difficult to crack XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) or MAT (Management Aptitude Test)?

Ans. XAT (Xavier's Aptitude Test) and MAT (Management Aptitude Test) are both MBA entrance exams. MAT is generally considered easier than XAT, targeting the Tier 3 management schools.

XAT focus on decision-making, verbal skills and General Knowledge, while MAT covers a broader range of topics.

Find some key comparisons between XAT and MAT in the table below:

Exam	Sections Covered	Difficulty Level	Mode of Exam
XAT	Verbal and Logical Ability, Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation, Decision Making, General Knowledge, Essay	More challenging due to decision-making and general knowledge sections	Computer-based test
MAT	Language Comprehension, Intelligence and Critical Reasoning, Data Analysis and Sufficiency, Mathematical Skills, Indian and Global Environment	Easier than XAT and CAT	Paper-based test

Q. What is the difference between XAT and CAT exam pattern and marking schemes?

Ans: There are quite a few differences between XAT and CAT exam pattern. The total number questions in XAT are 95 (as per 2025 exam) and for CAT it is 68. The total time duration for XAT and CAT are 180 minutes and 120 minutes respectively. The table below summarizing the CAT and XAT marking scheme and exam pattern for 2024:

Details	CAT Marking Scheme	XAT Marking Scheme
Number of Questions	68	95
Total Marks	198	95
Negative Marking	3 marks for correct answer (-1) mark for incorrect answer No negative marking for non-MCQs	1 mark for correct answer (-0.25) mark for incorrect answer (-0.5) marks for more than 8 unattempted questions No negative marking in GK section
Number of choices in MCQs	4	5
Sectional Time Limit	40 minutes per section (120 minutes in total)	170 minutes for Part 1 (VA, QA, DM) 10 minutes for GK

Q: What are the key modifications made in XAT 2025 question pattern?

Ans. There were three-point Key Modifications made in XAT 2025 which is as follows,

• Essay Writing is discontinued from the 2025 exam. From now on it will be conducted during the XLRI selection process.
• The number of GK questions has been reduced from 25 to 20.
• Sectional Time Limits are there in Part 1 that includes VA, QA, and DM. However, the GK section has 10 minutes to answer 20 questions.

Q: How to download XAT admit card?

Ans: XAT 2026 admit cards are released on its official website. Candidates need to follow the below-mentioned steps to access and download your hall ticket:

1. Visit the official website at xatonline.in.
2. Click on the "Download Admit Card" section.
3. Enter your XAT ID and Password to log in.
4. Select the Admit Card option.
5. Your XAT 2026 admit card will appear on the screen.
6. Click the download button and save it as a PDF for future reference.

Make sure to check all details on your admit card and print a copy for the exam day.

Q: What are the XAT 2025 cutoffs?

Ans: XAT 2025 cutoffs are different for Business Management and Human Resource Management candidates. Furthermore, there is also difference between male and female candidates, such as in BM course the cutoffs for male candidates are 96 percentile and for female candidates it is 91 percentile. For Human Resource Management male candidates from engineering background the cutoff is 95 and for non-engineering male candidates it is 93 percentile. Likewise, in HRM male candidates from engineering background the cutoff is 90 and for non-engineering male candidates it is 87 percentile.

The table below presents the XLRI BM Program Interview Cutoffs 2025:

Stream	Gender	Total	QA	VALR	DM
Engineer/Tech	Male	>=96	>=88	>=84	>=84
Engineer/Tech	Female	>=91	>=82	>=80	>=80
Non-Engineer	Male	>=96	>=88	>=84	>=84
Non-Engineer	Female	>=91	>=82	>=80	>=80

The table below presents the XLRI HRM Program Interview Cutoffs 2025:

Stream	Gender	Total	QA	VALR	DM
Engineer/Tech	Male	>=95	>=83	>=90	>=87
Engineer/Tech	Female	>=90	>=73	>=85	>=80
Non-Engineer	Male	>=93	>=76	>=90	>=87
Non-Engineer	Female	>=87	>=68	>=85	>=80

Q: What is the section-wise cutoffs for XAT 2025 for MBA (Business Management) for XLRI admission?

Ans: The section-wise cutoffs for XAT 2025 for MBA (BM) at XLRI has been issued. Check the table below for XAT 2025 BM Program Interview Cutoffs (Percentiles):

Category	QA	VALR	DM	Overall
Engineer/Tech Male	88	84	84	96
Engineer/Tech Female	82	80	80	91
Non-Engineer Male	88	84	84	96
Non-Engineer Female	82	80	80	91

Q: What is the section-wise cutoffs for XAT 2025 for MBA (Human Resource Management) XLRI admission?

Ans: The section-wise cutoffs for XAT 2025 for MBA (HRM) at XLRI has been issued.

Check the table below for XAT 2025 HRM Program Interview Cutoffs (Percentiles):

Category	QA	VALR	DM	Overall
Engineer/Tech Male	83	90	87	95
Engineer/Tech Female	73	85	80	90
Non-Engineer Male	76	90	87	93
Non-Engineer Female	78	85	80	87

Q: What is XAT score vs percentile in 2025?

Ans: Based on the XAT 2025 answer key released on January 10, 2025, the table below presents the XAT score vs percentile 2025:

Score Range	Percentile
35 - 36	99
30 - 31	95
25 - 27	90
22 - 24	85
19 - 21	80
16 - 18	75
13 - 14	70
12 - 12.50	65
11 - 11.50	60