Updated on 3rd February 2026 | 2:55 pm | #XAT2027
XAT Exam 2027: The Xavier Aptitude Test is a highly competitive national-level exam conducted by XLRI on behalf of XAMI. The XAT 2027 notification is usually released on the official XAT website in the second week of July.
The XAT exam 2027 is expected to be conducted on 3rd January 2028. Candidates are required to keep checking the official website to be updated on all latest announcements.
It is time for all the serious XAT takers to buckle up their preparation for XAT 2027 if they want to land in their dream B-school through the XAT 2027 exam.
The Xavier Aptitude Test, or XAT, is a national-level exam that is usually held in the first week of January every year. The XAT exam is conducted by XLRI on behalf of the Xavier Association of Management Institutes (XAMI). This exam is conducted for admissions to MBA and PGDM courses across more than 160 top MBA colleges in India. Some of the prominent B-schools that accept XAT scores include XLRI Jamshedpur and Delhi, IMT Ghaziabad, XIMB Bhubaneswar, SP Jain, K.J. Somaiya, TAPMI, and others.
The XAT question paper usually consists of 95 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) from Decision Making, Verbal and Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation, and General Knowledge. The XAT cutoffs for XLRI’s PGDM-BM & HRM program are usually above 95 %ile for male candidates and 92 %ile for female candidates.
Check the XAT 2027 tentative exam dates for all the candidates who want to start the XAT preparation for 2027
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XAT 2027 Events |
XAT Exam Dates |
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XAT 2027 Notification release |
Second week of July, 2026 |
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XAT 2027 registration starts |
Second week of July, 2026 |
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XAT Registration last date |
First Week of December, 2026 |
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Release of XAT admit card 2027 |
Fourth Week of December, 2026 |
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XAT exam 2027 |
January 3, 2027 |
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XAT 2027 answer key release and challenge |
Second week of January 2027 |
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XAT 2027 result announcement |
Third week of January, 2027 |
To stay updated on all the latest information on XAT 2027, visit XAT 2027 Notifications
The XAT 2027 exam will allow students to apply for admission to XLRI and other top institutes for the batch of 2027-29. Here are the relevant details to know about the exam:
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XAT Exam Highlights 2027 |
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XAT Exam Highlight |
XAT Exam Details |
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Exam Name |
Xavier Aptitude Test |
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XAT Official Website |
https://xatonline.in/ |
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Conducting Body |
XLRI Jamshedpur |
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Frequency |
Annually |
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Registration Mode |
Online |
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XAT Exam Mode |
Computer-based |
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Medium of Exam |
English |
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Total time |
180 Minutes |
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Total Questions |
95 |
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XAT Exam Sections |
Part 1: Decision Making, Verbal & Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation Part 2: Mock Keyboard Testing Part 3: General Knowledge |
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XAT Marking Scheme |
No negative marking in the GK section (Marks of the GK section will be counted in the final section process) |
All XAT aspirants must adhere to the XAT 2027 eligibility criteria and ensure that they fulfil every requirement before filling out the XAT application form. Candidates must know that their candidature will stand cancelled in case of any discrepancy found in their eligibility status.
Have a look at the XAT eligibility criteria 2027 to have a fair understanding of whether you are eligible to appear for the XAT exam or not.
XAT 2027 is expected to be conducted in early January 2027, as per the exam's long-standing pattern. However, the exact exam date will be officially announced by XLRI - Xavier School of Management along with the XAT 2027 notification.
To appear for XAT 2027, candidates must hold a bachelor's degree of at least three years' duration in any discipline from a recognised university. Final-year students are also eligible to apply, provided they complete their degree before the admission process.
Yes, candidates with backlogs can apply for XAT 2027, as long as they complete their bachelor's degree before the admission deadlines of the participating institutes. Admission will be subject to the specific eligibility rules of each B-school.
Given below is the step-by-step XAT Registration Process 2027. All serious XAT takers must hurry and fill out the XAT application form to avoid any last-minute hassle:
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XAT Registration Steps |
XAT 2027 Registration Procedure |
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Visit the official website of XAT 2027 |
All the new applicants for XAT 2027 must visit the official website |
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Register and enter your Personal Details |
Fill in your credentials and provide the necessary details required to generate a login ID and password to proceed with the XAT 2027 application form. Once done, you will receive a verification email from XLRI. Click on the link, and you will be redirected to the XAT application form 2027. |
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Verify Your Email ID |
Candidates must verify their email ID and get their XAT ID to log in and fill out the XAT application form. |
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Provide your information and scan the documents |
You need to fill in the following details:
Make sure to have all your documents nearby and carefully review the instructions before proceeding with the scanning process. |
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Remit the application fee online and register successfully |
You can make the registration payment online using a credit/debit card, UPI, or net banking. After the payment, you can register for the exam successfully. |
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Download the application form and print it out for future reference |
Ensure that you save the application form and print it. The enrollment ID provided on the form will be used to download your XAT admit card later on. |
Make sure that you check each and every point in detail before submitting your XAT 2027 application form, as any further changes will not be entertained once the XAT admit card is issued.
The XAT registration usually ends in the first week of December. However, all serious XAT takers should complete the XAT exam registration process as soon as possible. To ensure a smooth registration experience, we recommend that candidates complete the process at least 3-4 days prior to the deadline. This will help students avoid any unnecessary hassle at the last minute and complete the entire process smoothly and within the given time frame.
As we are aware that XAT can potentially change its pattern significantly, it's important to highlight some key registration pointers as follows:
The XAT Exam Fees are expected to remain the same as those of last year. Apart from the XAT Application fees, candidates also need to pay for the programs that they wish to apply for:
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Particulars |
XAT Application Fees |
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XAT 2027 registration fee |
INR 2200 |
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Additional fee for XLRI programmes |
INR 200 per programme |
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NRI/Foreign Candidates applying through GMAT |
INR 5000 |
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Indian candidates applying for XAT through GMAT |
INR 2500 |
Before attempting XAT 2027, it is important to have a comprehensive understanding of its exam pattern to know what the paper looks like, which will provide a better vision of the exam and help prepare effectively.
The table given below briefly explains the XAT exam pattern 2027 to provide you with a fair idea of what can be expected from a candidate.
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XAT 2027 Exam Pattern |
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XAT 2027 Details |
XAT Exam Structure |
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XAT Exam Sections |
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Exam Mode |
Computer-Based Test |
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XAT 2027 Duration |
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Number of Questions |
95 |
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XAT Marking Scheme |
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The XAT exam pattern also includes detailed guidelines regarding the XAT marking scheme. It includes details for mark distribution per correct, incorrect, and unattempted questions in the XAT paper. The following is the brief XAT 2027 marking scheme.
The exam conducting body does not officially release any specific XAT syllabus 2027. However, we have compiled a list of topics that have been asked in the XAT examination over the years to provide you with a gist of the areas from where the majority of questions are asked in the exam. The following is the XAT 2027 syllabus, and candidates should prepare accordingly.
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XAT 2027 Exam Syllabus |
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XAT Exam Sections |
Part 1
Part 2
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The XAT exam has a syllabus that is very similar to that of other MBA exams in India. While it covers core topics, it distinguishes itself with sections dedicated to decision-making. To provide a more precise overview, here's an outline of the XAT syllabus across all sections:
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XAT Exam Sections |
Main Topics Covered Under XAT Syllabus 2027 |
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Verbal & Logical Ability |
Vocabulary, Para jumble, Grammar, Fill in the blanks, Analogy, Binary Logic, etc. |
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Decision Making |
Data Arrangement, Assumptions, Complex Arrangement, Conclusions, etc. |
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Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation |
Mensuration, Algebra, Geometry, Caselets, Data charts, Tables, etc. |
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General Knowledge |
Economics and Finance, Books, Authors, the Constitution of India, Current Affairs, etc. |
The XAT registration process is completely online. Candidates must visit the official XAT website, create a login ID, fill in personal and academic details, select preferred XLRI programs, upload required documents, and pay the application fee to successfully complete XAT registration.
The XAT form last date refers to the final deadline to submit the online XAT application form along with the registration fee. Once the XAT form last date passes, candidates cannot apply for the exam in that admission cycle.
The XAT exam pattern remains largely consistent each year, especially in terms of core sections. However, minor changes such as the inclusion or removal of the essay-writing component or variations in question distribution may be introduced through the official notification.
The XAT syllabus differs from other MBA entrance exams due to its dedicated Decision Making section, which evaluates ethical reasoning and managerial judgment. While the Quantitative and Verbal topics overlap with exams like CAT, the emphasis and question framing in XAT require a different preparation approach.
XAT admit cards is released in the last week of December, and remains accessible until the day of the examination. Once available, the XAT admit card 2027 can be downloaded from the official website. Candidates can use their XAT login ID and password to download the XAT 2027 admit card.
Candidates must download their XAT 2027 admit card only after carefully verifying that the details are correct. In case of a discrepancy, contact the test helpdesk via the official website. It's mandatory to carry a printed copy of your XAT admit card to the XAT exam center on the day of the exam. To download the XAT admit card, follow these steps:
Once the XAT admit card is released, candidates must verify the details mentioned on the admit card. In case of any discrepancy, they can contact the XAT helpdesk.
Ensure that you carry the XAT admit card with you on the day of the examination; otherwise, entry inside the hall will not be permitted.
It is very important to have a thorough strategy and a customised study schedule in the last days before the exam, as these are crucial days when you cannot afford to lose any precious time doing something that will not contribute to your score. One should aim to have a proper test-taking strategy in order to ace XAT 2027.
Here are a few tips straight from the horse's mouth to help you prepare better and to answer the most asked question - “How to prepare for XAT 2027?” in this last mile, as follows:
Every year, the number of XAT exam centers keeps on increasing with the increased demand for the XAT exam. XAT 2027 is most likely to be taking place in 110 different cities. XLRI has recently added 34 new cities to the XAT test city list. Candidates can choose up to six cities for XAT exam center allotment at the time of filling out the XAT application form.
Given below is the list of XAT 2027 test cities for your reference. Check the list and make the necessary arrangements well before the exam.
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XAT Test Cities 2027 |
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Agra |
Dibrugarh |
Anantapur |
Chikkaballapur |
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Ahmedabad |
Durgapur/Asansol |
Arrah |
Davanagere |
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Aurangabad |
Ernakulam |
Bhagalpur |
Hazaribagh |
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Allahabad |
Gandhinagar |
Darbhanga |
Hisar |
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Ambala |
Goa |
Muzaffarpur |
Kalaburagi |
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Amravati |
Gorakhpur |
Bilaspur |
Kurukshetra |
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Amritsar |
Guwahati |
Mehsana |
Shimla |
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Bengaluru |
Gwalior |
Baddi |
Ajmer |
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Berhampur |
Hooghly |
Balasore |
Bikaner |
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Bhatinda |
Hubballi(Hubli) |
Dhenkanal |
Jodhpur |
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Bhilai Nagar |
Hyderabad |
Kolhapur |
Nanded |
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Bhopal |
Indore |
Patiala |
Sikar |
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Bhubaneswar |
Jabalpur |
Ujjain |
Karimnagar |
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Chandigarh/Mohali |
Jalandhar |
Salem |
Vellore |
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Chennai |
Jaipur |
Aligarh |
Bareilly |
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Coimbatore |
Jammu |
Haldwani |
Moradabad |
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Cuttack |
Jamshedpur |
Muzaffarnagar |
Kalyan |
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Dehradun |
Kannur |
Ranchi |
Tirupathi |
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Delhi-NCR |
Kanpur |
Roorkee |
Tiruvallur |
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Dhanbad |
Kolkata |
Rourkela |
Tejpur |
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Kota |
Kottayam |
Sambalpur |
Udaipur |
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Kurnool |
Madurai |
Vadodara |
Udupi |
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Lucknow |
Mangalore |
Vijayawada |
Varanasi |
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Mumbai |
Mysuru (Mysore) |
Warangal |
Visakhapatnam |
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Nagpur |
Nashik |
Rajkot |
Jorhat |
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Patna |
Siliguri |
Shillong |
Naharlagun |
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Pune |
Surat |
Raipur |
Thiruvananthapuram |
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Rajahmundry |
Tiruchirappalli |
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Every year, the conducting body for the XAT releases a mock test on the official website based on the actual paper pattern. This is to give students a taste of the real exam environment for better preparation. All serious XAT takers are advised to take the mock test to excel in the actual exam. The XAT Mock Test will cover all sections, allowing you to experience the exam's format and challenges firsthand.
There are 800+ MBA colleges in India that accept the XAT exam score for admission to their MBA/PGDM programs. Here's a list of some well-known top colleges accepting XAT score:
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Colleges accepting XAT scores |
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XLRI Jamshedpur |
XLRI Delhi NCR |
XIM Bhubaneswar |
IRMA Anand |
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GLIM Chennai |
TAPMI Manipal |
FORE Delhi |
GIM Goa |
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LIBA Chennai |
BIM Tech Noida |
MICA |
IMT Ghaziabad |
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KJ SIMSR Mumbai |
Welingkar Mumbai |
LBSIM Delhi |
BIM Trichy |
XLRI Jamshedpur is the most renowned among these institutions and oversees the organization of the XAT Exam. The HR program is regarded as exceptional, not only within India but across Asia. The Business Management course offered by XLRI Jamshedpur is the top choice for many MBA aspirants and is often considered one of the finest courses alongside MBA/PGDM by IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, and IIM Calcutta.
The XAT answer key will be released about a week after the exam. Candidates can download the XAT 2027 response sheet and answer key using their login details. Here's a simple guide to downloading it:
After downloading, review the correct answers (highlighted in green) and compare them with your responses listed next to each question ID. This will help you calculate your raw score. If you believe any answer in your XAT response sheet needs to be corrected, XLRI allows you to raise objections via email.
XAT 2027 results will be declared in the last week of January 2027. Here is a stepwise approach for downloading your XAT 2027 scorecard:
Note: Download the XAT 2027 result document and take a printout for future reference.
Each of the colleges accepting XAT scores carries out its individual admission procedures and interview assessments. For XLRI Jamshedpur, the admission process through XAT chiefly involves three main steps, which are as follows:
Candidates are required to clear the XAT cutoffs to be shortlisted for the following admission rounds.
Selected candidates are required to participate in a group discussion and interview session, which will take place in multiple XAT exam centres across different cities. Shortlisted candidates will be allowed to select their preferred location.
The final list of candidates will be made based on the XAT scores, GD-PI rounds and academic background, among other criteria. Thus, the list of final candidates will be asked to complete the formalities for admission.
Undoubtedly, the XAT is widely regarded as one of the most challenging MBA entrance exams, and its relatively lower number of applicants may stem from various factors, including the perceived difficulty level and the limited college options that accept its scores. With many MBA entrance exams sharing a similar structure, aspiring candidates are encouraged to broaden their opportunities by attempting multiple entrance exams, maximizing their chances of admission to esteemed management institutes.
There are 100+ MBA colleges that accept XAT score. Here is a list of the top B-schools accepting the XAT scores:
XAT, also known as Xavier Aptitude Test, is a national-level management entrance exam conducted annually by XLRI Jamshedpur.
XAT is comparatively easier to pass than CAT as it provides candidates with more time and flexibility. Consequently, candidates who take the CAT often struggle due to the constraints of speed and time. On the other hand, XAT enables candidates to allocate time for reading and eliminating choices while answering questions.
No, electronic gadgets, including calculators, are not allowed inside the examination hall.