Updated on 18th March 2024 | 10:29 am | #TopXATColleges
The XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) is an important exam conducted by XLRI, Jamshedpur for admission to the MBA/PGDM program. In addition to XLRI, several other reputable colleges accept XAT scores for their MBA programs such as IMT Ghaziabad, MICA, IMI New Delhi, and many more.
To qualify for the XAT, candidates must have completed a bachelor's degree from a renowned university or college with a minimum aggregate of 50% or an equivalent GPA. It’s a very challenging exam with the number of aspirants increasing every year. It is conducted once every year and registrations are carried out through the official XAT website.
More than 160 colleges provide a variety of programs that consider XAT exam scores for admissions. Despite being viewed by many candidates as equally or even more demanding than CAT, XAT continues to be the popular choice for getting into prestigious non-IIM colleges.
Here are the tentative dates for the XAT exam 2025:
Event |
Dates |
Notification Release |
1st week of July 2025 |
Registration Date |
2nd week of July 2025 |
Last Date of Registration |
2nd week of December 2025 |
Admit Card Release |
4th week of December 2025 |
Exam Date |
1st week of January 2025 |
XAT Answer Key 2025 |
2nd week of January 2025 |
XAT Result 2025 |
Third/Fourth week of January 2025 |
To know more about XAT 2025, click here.
The XAT 2025 Exam, similar to CAT, is essential for candidates seeking admission to top B-schools in India. Upon meeting the XAT cutoffs, candidates can advance to the GD-PI rounds for admissions to MBA and PGDM programs.
Some of the leading B-Schools that consider XAT scores include
XLRI Jamshedpur, which conducts the XAT Exam, is particularly renowned, with its HR program recognized as exceptional not only in India but also across Asia. The Business Management course is highly valuable in India and is often considered comparable to IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, and IIM Calcutta. A comprehensive list of colleges accepting XAT scores will be available on the official XAT 2025 website.
The XAT examination opens doors to numerous top B-schools with varying percentile cutoffs for admission, accompanied by program fees and average placement records for each institution. This information helps aspiring candidates make informed decisions about their educational and professional pursuits.
Following are the top listed B-schools and their percentile cutoffs along with program fees and average placement records:
College Name |
Percentile Cut off |
College Fees |
Placement (Average CTC) |
XLRI Jamshedpur |
94-96 |
23.6 LPA |
32.7 LPA |
XIM Bhubaneswar |
90-91 |
20.9 LPA |
20.03 LPA |
IMT Ghaziabad |
90-91 |
19.5 LPA |
17.35 LPA |
IMI New Delhi |
89-90 |
28.8 LPA |
17.01 LPA |
Great Lakes Chennai |
85-90 |
11.2 LPA |
18.1 LPA |
GIM Goa |
85-90 |
18.3 LPA |
14.87 LPA |
FORE New Delhi |
85-86 |
16.98 LPA |
14.5 LPA |
LBSIM New Delhi |
85-86 |
13.9 LPA |
12.42 LPA |
Welingkar Mumbai |
85-86 |
13 LPA |
12.25 LPA |
K J Somaiya Mumbai |
84-85 |
19.94 LPA |
12.32 LPA |
LIBA Chennai |
80-85 |
17.09 LPA |
11 LPA |
MICA Ahmedabad |
80-84 |
23 LPA |
20.09 LPA |
TAPMI Manipal |
80-84 |
16.5 LPA |
15.7 LPA |
IRMA Anand |
80-84 |
13.6 LPA |
12 LPA |
Great Lakes Gurgaon |
80-84 |
20.25 LPA |
15.8 LPA |
IFMR Chennai |
79-80 |
14.6 LPA |
13.5 LPA |
Amrita Coimbatore |
74-79 |
11.2 LPA |
6.72 LPA |
Jaipuria Institute of Management |
50+ |
13.5 LPA |
12.34 LPA |
*As per January 2024 Analysis
The XAT exam structure is tailored for candidates seeking admission to MBA/PGDM programs, designed to evaluate aptitude and management-related perspectives. The exam is computer-based and consists of three parts with varying time limits. Part 1 includes 100 objective questions, along with an essay writing and GK section.
The overall exam covers five sections: Verbal Ability & Analytical/Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Ability & DI (Data Interpretation), Decision Making, General Knowledge, and Essay Writing.
After the XAT exam, each college that accepts XAT scores employs its unique admission procedures and interview evaluations. For XLRI Jamshedpur, the admission process through XAT involves three primary steps:
Step 1: Shortlisting Candidates
Candidates must meet XAT cutoffs to qualify for subsequent admission rounds.
Step 2: Group Discussion and Interview
Selected candidates participate in group discussions and interviews across multiple cities, with the option to choose their preferred location.
Step 3: Final Selection
The final candidate list is determined based on XAT scores, GD-PI rounds, academic background, and other criteria, with the selected candidates required to complete admission formalities.
When selecting colleges for MBA admission through the XAT exam, candidates should consider the following key factors and approaches:
The XAT Exam stands out as a challenging MBA entrance test that demands attention from dedicated MBA aspirants. The degree of difficulty becomes evident when comparing the number of candidates appearing for the XAT exam with those taking the CAT exam, revealing a notable contrast in figures. Therefore, candidates who are interested in taking XAT 2025 should need to start preparing for it well in advance.
IIMs take admission only through CAT. But other good colleges consider CAT as well as XAT scores.
The leading B-school that accepts XAT scores includes XLRI in Jamshedpur and Delhi. Following these, there are numerous other B-schools in the list:
A score above 35 out of 75 can be a good XAT score since it can fetch a candidate 95+ percentile in the exam.
SP JIMR will not accept the XAT score. This has been followed for three consecutive years. The SP Jain accepts only CAT and GMAT scores.