How many times is XAT held in a year?

The XAT is held only once a year during the first week of January. Registration for XAT 2027 will most likely begin in the second week of July 2026 and continue until the last week of November or first week of December 2026. All serious XAT aspirants are advised to complete their application forms within this timeframe to avoid any last-minute issues.

Which colleges accept the XAT score?

Here is a list of the top B-schools accepting the XAT scores: XLRI Xavier School of Management, Xavier Institute of Management & Entrepreneurship (XIME), Xavier Institute of Management & Research (XIMR), Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), T A Pai Management Institute (TAPMI), MICA, Goa Institute of Management (GIM).

Is the XAT exam tougher than the CAT exam?

XAT is comparatively easier to pass than CAT as it provides candidates with more time and flexibility. In CAT, candidates must answer 68 questions within 120 minutes, which means they have approximately 105 seconds per question. In XAT, there are 95 questions to be answered in 180 minutes, which allows for around 113 seconds per question. Consequently, candidates who take the CAT often struggle due to time and speed constraints. On the other hand, XAT enables candidates to allocate time for reading and eliminating choices while answering questions.

Are calculators allowed in the XAT exam?

No, electronic gadgets, including calculators, are not allowed inside the examination hall.

XAT Notification 2027 | Exam Date, Registration, Exam Pattern & Guidelines

XAT Notification 2027

The official XAT notification is expected to be released in the second week of July 2026, which will include all the important information on the XAT exam, XAT 2027 registration window dates, eligibility criteria, XAT 2027 exam dates, XAT syllabus 2027, XAT exam fee, and more.

The XAT 2027 registration process is expected to begin in July 2026 and may conclude in the first week of December 2026, with the possibility of extending it further.

XAT exam plays a crucial role in gaining admission to XLRI and other MBA colleges accepting XAT scores in India.

XAT 2027 Exam Dates

The XAT 2027 exam date will be announced by XLRI on the official website with the release of XAT notification 2027. We have jotted down the XAT 2027 tentative exam schedule and important dates in the table below for your reference:

XAT 2027 Events	XAT Exam Dates
XAT 2027 Notification release	July 2026
XAT 2027 registration starts	July 2026
XAT 2027 registration ends	December 2026
Release of XAT admit card 2027	Last Week of December 2026
XAT exam 2027	January 3rd, 2027 (Tentative)
XAT 2027 answer key release and challenge	Second week of January 2027
XAT 2027 result announcement	Third week of January, 2027

XAT Notification 2027 - Key Highlights

Given below is an overview of what the candidates can expect before they begin preparations for the XAT exam.

XAT Exam Highlights 2026
XAT Exam Highlight	XAT Exam Details
Exam Name	Xavier Aptitude Test
XAT Official Website	https://xatonline.in/
Conducting Body	XLRI Jamshedpur
Frequency	Annually
Registration Mode	Online
XAT Exam Mode	Computer-based
Medium of Exam	English
Total time	180 Minutes
Total Questions	95 (expected)
XAT Exam Sections (Expected)	Part 1: Decision Making, Verbal & Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation Part 2: Mock Keyboard Testing Part 3: General Knowledge
XAT Marking Scheme (Expected)	+1 mark for correct answer - 0.25 marks for incorrect answer - 0.10 marks for more than 8 unattempted questions No negative marking in the GK section (Marks of the GK section will be counted in the final section process)

XAT Eligibility Criteria 2027

The eligibility criteria is expected to be the same as in previous years. 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.

Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university of three years or more in any discipline.
Candidates in their final year of a bachelor's degree or with their results awaited are also eligible to take XAT 2027 (date of graduation should be by 10th June 2027- subject to changes as per XAT official notification).
There is no age limit for candidates planning to take the XAT exam.
The XAT exam does not require a minimum pass percentage.
GMAT exam is required for NRI students.

If a candidate fulfils all of the above-mentioned XAT eligibility requirements, they should fill out the XAT application form as soon as possible before the last date to apply for the same.

XAT 2027 Notification: XAT Exam Registration

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:

XAT Registration Process 2027
XAT Registration Steps	XAT 2027 Registration Procedure
Visit the official website of XAT 2027	All the new applicants for XAT 2027 must visit the official website and click on the 'Registration’ tab once the notification is released.
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.
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.
Provide your information and scan the documents	You need to fill in the following details: Personal information Educational qualifications Work experience after graduation Choice of XLRI PGDM programs Preferred test cities Make sure to have all your documents nearby and carefully review the instructions before proceeding with the scanning process.
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.
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.

XAT 2027 Exam Pattern

The XAT exam pattern has undergone significant changes in previous years. The Essay Writing section has been scraped out, and the number of questions in the General Knowledge section has been reduced.

The duration has also been reduced from 210 minutes to 180 minutes. As of now, it is expected that XAT 2027 exam pattern will be same as XAT 2026 but candidates must keep checking the official website regularly.

As per the latest XAT exam pattern, the question paper will be divided into two parts, which can be categorised as follows:

The first part of the XAT 2027 question paper will comprise three sections, namely:
Decision-making
Verbal & Logical Ability
Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation
The second part will include General Knowledge.

Note: Mark that Candidates will have 170 minutes to solve the questions in the first part, there will be no sectional time limitation, and 10 minutes will be allotted for the GK section. PwD candidates will get an extra 20 minutes for each section.

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.

Expected XAT Paper Pattern 2027
XAT 2029 Details	XAT Exam Structure
XAT Exam Sections	Part 1: Decision Making, Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation Part 2: General Knowledge
XAT Exam Mode	Computer-Based Test
XAT 2026 Duration	Overall: 180 Minutes Part 1: 170 Minutes Part 2: 10 Minutes
Number of Questions - Expected	95
XAT Marking Scheme	+1 mark for correct answer - 0.25 marks for incorrect answer - 0.10 marks for more than 8 consecutive un-attempted questions No negative marking in the GK section

XAT Marking Scheme 2027

The XAT paper 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.

For every correct answer in the MCQs, 1 mark will be awarded.
For every incorrect answer, 0.25 marks will be deducted.
If there are more than 8 unattempted questions, a 0.10 mark will be deducted for each unanswered question.
The scores of the General Knowledge section is only for final selection and not for shortlisting candidates for GD/Interview.
All MCQs will have five answer choices with one correct answer.

XAT Notification 2027: XAT Application Fee

Unlike most other MBA Entrance Exams, the XAT Exam Fees are not differentiated based on the candidate's category. Apart from the XAT Application fees, candidates also need to pay for the programs that they wish to apply for. It is expected that XAT application fee will remain same as of XAT 2026

Particulars	XAT Application Fees
XAT 2027 registration fee	INR 2200
Additional fee for XLRI programmes	INR 200 per programme
NRI/Foreign Candidates applying through GMAT	INR 5000
Indian candidates applying for XAT through GMAT	INR 2500

XAT Notification 2027 - Important Exam Day Instructions

It is mandatory for candidates to follow the guidelines provided by the conducting body on the XAT 2027 exam day. If any candidate is found breaking the rules, he/she may face inconvenience. The XAT 2027 exam day guidelines are as follows:

Don't Forget Your XAT Admit Card

XAT is no different from other entrance exams; thus, it is essential for all candidates to bring a hard copy of their XAT admit card. Candidates need to have at least two printed copies of the XAT 2027 admit card as instructed by XLRI Jamshedpur. Make sure to have your admit card with you before you arrive at the XAT exam center, as no candidate will be allowed to enter without it.

Check Your Exam Center Location In Advance

The XAT exam center is assigned to the candidate on the basis of preference of location and will be printed on the XAT 2027 admit card. It's usually a good idea to visit the XAT exam center a few days prior to the exam date to familiarize yourself with the location and avoid any last-minute hassles on the date of the exam.

Documents To Be Carried On XAT 2027 Exam Day

Apart from the two printed copies of the XAT admit card 2027, candidates are also required to carry certain other documents for verification purposes. The documents that they need to carry are as follows:-

Recent passport-size photograph
Original identity proof such as a PAN card, Aadhaar card, Voter ID, Passport, or Driving License.
Stationery items

Since the XAT 2027 exam will be conducted in a computer-based mode, a rough sheet and a pen will be provided if needed. Hence, candidates are not required to carry those items.

XAT 2027 Exam Day Guidelines

Be on Time: Candidates should arrive at the XAT exam center at least one hour prior to the scheduled exam time. The reporting time is mentioned on the admit card as well, and it is important that the candidate adheres to the same. No candidate will be allowed to enter if they arrive after the reporting time.
No Electronic Devices Allowed: To meet security requirements and avoid any issues, candidates are also advised not to bring any electronic devices, such as mobile phones, digital watches, calculators, etc., to the exam hall. If during the security check, any candidate is found with such electronic gadgets or articles on their person, they won’t be allowed to take the XAT exam and will be disqualified.
Double-Check Your Answers: According to the XAT 2027 exam pattern, there will be negative marking for incorrect answers. Therefore, after answering any questions, the candidates should make sure to review and double-check their answers to avoid losing any unnecessary marks. If the candidate is unsure about an answer, it's better not to attempt it at all.

XAT 2027 Exam Day Instructions - After Entering The Exam Hall

Each question will show five options for candidates to choose from.
Only one question will be displayed at a time on the screen, but candidates can navigate between questions using the "next" and "previous" buttons.
A timer will be visible in the top-right corner of the screen, and the XAT question paper will close once the timer runs out.
If candidates are not satisfied with their selected answers, they can unmark them by clicking the 'Erase' button located at the bottom of the screen.
There won’t be a separate timer for different sections, so candidates can answer the questions at their own pace.
Lastly, candidates have the option to bookmark questions they want to come back to later by clicking the 'Tag' button.

Conclusion

XAT is widely considered as a challenging MBA entrance exam with fewer applicants, probably due to its difficulty level and the limited number of institutions accepting it. However, candidates preparing for CAT may find value in considering XAT as an option, as they both share similarities in their structure apart from the decision-making section. Candidates should look to give as many entrance exams as they can in order to broaden their options.