The Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) is a national-level MBA entrance exam which is conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur. Candidates want to pursue MBA/PGDM course in XLRI, XIMB, IMT, TAPMI, and over 160+ B-schools in India need to qualify this entrance exam and should get a valid score. It is held once a year, usually in January, in online mode (CBT). The exam assesses Verbal Ability, Decision Making, Quantitative Aptitude, and General Knowledge. Essay writing is also included but evaluated for shortlisted candidates. With a 3 hours 30 minutes duration, XAT is one of the toughest MBA entrance exams. No sectional time limits, but a unique decision-making section sets it apart.
Overview
|
Features
|
Details
|
|
Exam Name
|
Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT)
|
|
Conducted By
|
XLRI Jamshedpur
|
|
Purpose
|
Admission to MBA/PGDM programs in XLRI, XIMB, IMT, TAPMI, and 160+ top B-schools in India.
|
|
Exam Sessions
|
Conducted Once a Year – Usually in January.
|
|
Application Mode
|
Online
|
|
Steps of Application
|
- Visit www.xatonline.in
- Register with personal details
- Fill the application form
- Upload required documents
- Pay the application fee online
- Submit & download confirmation
|
|
Application Fees
|
- Basic XAT Application Fee: ₹2,100
- Additional XLRI Program Fee (per program): ₹200
- Late Registration Fee (if applicable): Varies
|
|
Payment Mode
|
Online through debit card, credit card, or net banking
|
|
Eligibility Criteria
|
1. Educational Qualification:
- Bachelor’s degree (any discipline) from a recognized university.
- Final-year students can also apply.
2. Minimum Percentage:
- No minimum percentage required in graduation.
3. Age Limit:
4. Nationality:
- Indian, NRI, and foreign candidates can apply.
- NRI/Foreign candidates can apply through GMAT (except Indian candidates for XLRI courses).
|
|
Mode of Exam
|
Online (Computer-Based Test - CBT)
|
|
Medium of Exam
|
English
|
|
Duration of Exam
|
3 hours 30 minutes (210 minutes)
|
|
Types of Questions
|
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) + Essay Writing
|
|
Papers
|
The XAT exam consists of a single paper with multiple sections:
Part 1 (165 minutes, MCQs)
- Verbal & Logical Ability
- Decision Making
- Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation
Part 2 (25 minutes, MCQs + Essay Writing)
- General Knowledge (GK)
- Essay Writing (evaluated for shortlisted candidates only)
|
|
Exam Pattern
|
- Verbal & Logical Ability – 26 questions (1 mark each)
- Decision Making – 22 questions (1 mark each)
- Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation – 28 questions (1 mark each)
- General Knowledge (GK) – 25 questions (1 mark each, not counted for percentile)
- Essay Writing – 1 question (evaluated in later rounds)
- Total Questions: ~102
- Total Marks: 100
|
|
Syllabus
|
1. Verbal & Logical Ability
- Reading Comprehension (RC)
- Critical Reasoning
- Para Jumbles & Para Completion
- Sentence Correction
- Vocabulary-based questions
- Analogies
2. Decision Making (Unique to XAT)
- Ethical Dilemmas
- Business Decision-Making Scenarios
- Analytical & Logical Reasoning
- Caselets & Situational Judgment
3. Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation
- Arithmetic (Profit & Loss, SI/CI, Ratio & Proportion)
- Algebra (Equations, Progressions)
- Geometry & Mensuration
- Number System
- Probability, Permutations & Combinations
- Data Interpretation (Tables, Graphs, Charts)
4. General Knowledge (GK) (Not counted for percentile)
- Current Affairs & Static GK
- Business & Economy
- Sports, Politics, History
- Science & Technology
5. Essay Writing (Evaluated for shortlisted candidates)
- Abstract, Opinion-based, or Business-Related Topics
|
|
Marking Scheme
|
- Correct Answer: +1 mark
- Wrong Answer: -0.25 marks (Except for GK & Essay Writing)
- Unanswered Questions: -0.10 marks (if more than 8 left blank)
- General Knowledge (GK): No negative marking
- Essay Writing: Evaluated for shortlisted candidates (not scored initially)
|
|
Preparation Tips
|
- Know the Pattern & Syllabus – Focus on Verbal, Decision Making, Quant, GK, and Essay Writing.
- Practice Decision Making – Solve past caselets to improve logical & ethical reasoning.
- Strengthen Quant & DI – Focus on Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, and Data Interpretation.
- Improve Verbal Ability – Read newspapers, practice RCs, para jumbles, and critical reasoning.
- Stay Updated on GK – Follow current affairs, business news, and static GK.
- Take Mock Tests – Improve speed, accuracy, and time management.
- Work on Essay Writing – Practice structured, opinion-based writing.
- Revise & Stay Confident!
|
|
Helpline numbers
|
+91 657 665 3203 / +91 657 665 3204
|
|
Email address
|
admis@xlri.ac.in
|
|
Official Website
|
www.xatonline.in
|
Important Dates
|
Events
|
Dates
|
|
Registration Start
|
Second week of July 2025
|
|
Registration End
|
First week of December 2025
|
|
Admit Card Release
|
Last week of December 2025
|
|
XAT 2026 Exam Date
|
January 4, 2026
|
|
Result Announcement
|
Third week of January 2026
|
|
Selection Process
|
GD, PI, and WAT rounds are usually conducted between February and March 2026.
|
|
Final Admission Offers
|
Offers are generally made by April 2026
|
|
Note: These dates are tentative and subject to change. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, refer to the official website: www.xatonline.in
|
Counselling and Admission
XAT does not have a centralized counselling process. Instead, each participating B-school conducts its own selection process based on XAT scores.
The step-by-step process is listed below:
|
1. Shortlisting for Further Rounds
- After XAT results (January 2026), institutes release their cutoffs.
- Candidates meeting the cutoff criteria are shortlisted for the next round.
|
|
2. Selection Rounds (Varies by Institute)
- Group Discussion (GD): Discussion on a topic to assess leadership, teamwork, and communication skills.
- Personal Interview (PI): One-on-one interaction to evaluate personality, motivation, and career goals.
- Written Ability Test (WAT): Essay writing on current affairs or abstract topics to assess writing and analytical skills.
|
|
3. Final Selection & Admission Offer
- Institutes consider XAT score, GD-PI-WAT performance, academic records, work experience, and diversity factors.
- Final merit list is prepared, and admission offers are sent by April 2026.
- Selected candidates must pay the fee and confirm admission within the given deadline.
|
|
Important Points to Note:
- Candidates must apply separately to each B-school along with XAT.
- Some institutes also accept GMAT scores for NRI/foreign applicants.
- Admission offers depend on overall profile and performance in selection rounds.
|
Home
Find Colleges
Contact
Latest News
