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XAT Notification 2026 (OUT) | Exam Date (Jan 4), Registration (Started), Pattern & Exam Guidelines

Updated on 10th July 2025 | 1:06 pm | #XATNotification2026

XAT 2026 Updates: The official notification for XAT 2026 has been released on the official XAT website on July 10, 2025, announcing the beginning of the XAT registration process. The last date to apply and fill out the XAT application form is December 5, 2025, with a further possibility of extension.

As per the XAT 2026 Notification, the XAT exam will be held on January 4 from 2 PM to 5 PM. Candidates seeking admission to MBA courses can apply on the official website, xatonline.com, where they will find additional details regarding the registration process, application fee, and necessary documents.

Based on the XAT notification, there is no change in the XAT exam pattern and syllabus, so candidates must prepare according to last year’s XAT question paper. All serious XAT aspirants should begin their preparation and practice as many mock tests as possible to assess their standing in the competition.

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XAT Notification 2026 (Released)

The official XAT notification has been released on July 10, 2025, which includes all the important information on the XAT exam—XAT 2026 registration window dates, XAT 2026 eligibility criteria, XAT 2026 exam dates, XAT syllabus 2026, XAT exam fee, and more.

The XAT 2026 registration process began on July 10, 2025, and will conclude in the first week of December 2025, i.e., on December 5, 2025, with the possibility of extending it further.

The XAT 2026 exam will take place on January 4, 2026, as per the official XAT notification. This exam plays a crucial role in gaining admission to XLRI and other MBA colleges accepting XAT scores in India.


XAT 2026 Exam Dates (OUT)

The XAT 2026 exam date has been announced by XLRI on the official website with the release of XAT notification 2026. We have jotted down the XAT 2026 exam schedule and important dates in the table below for your reference:

XAT 2026 Events

XAT Exam Dates

XAT 2026 Notification release

July 10, 2025

XAT 2026 registration starts

July 10, 2025

XAT 2026 registration ends

December 05, 2025

Release of XAT admit card 2026

December 20, 2025 (Tentative)

XAT exam 2026

January 4, 2026 (2.00 PM - 5.00 PM)

XAT 2026 answer key release and challenge

Second week of January 2025

XAT 2026 result announcement

Third week of January, 2026


XAT Notification 2026 - Key Highlights

Significant changes have been observed in the syllabus and paper pattern for XAT 2026. 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

www.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

XAT Exam Sections

Part 1: Decision Making, Verbal & Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation

Part 2: Mock Keyboard Testing

Part 3: General Knowledge

XAT Marking Scheme

  • +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 2026

XAT 2026 registrations are ongoing, and before filling out the exam form, candidates must check that they meet the XAT exam eligibility criteria if they wish to take the exam.

Have a look at the XAT eligibility criteria 2026 to have a fair understanding of whether you are eligible to appear for the XAT exam or not.

If a candidate fulfills 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 2026 Notification: XAT Exam Registration (Started)

Given below is the step-by-step XAT Registration Process 2026. All serious XAT takers must hurry and fill out the XAT application form to avoid any last-minute hassle:

XAT Registration Process 2026

XAT Registration Steps

XAT 2026 Registration Procedure

Visit the official website of XAT 2026

All the new applicants for XAT 2026 must visit the official website (https://xatonline.in/) and click on the 'Registration' tab.

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 2026 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 2026.

Verify Your Email ID

Candidates must verify the 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 2026 application form, as any further changes will not be entertained once the XAT admit card is issued.


Direct Link For XAT 2026 Registration (Apply Here)

All serious XAT takers can now fill out the XAT 2026 application form on its official website. To ease your task, we have pinned the link below for the smooth conduct of your XAT 2026 registration. It is always advisable to complete your registration as soon as possible without unnecessary delays and keep the required documents handy while doing so. Have a look at the above-mentioned steps and complete your XAT registration without any hassle.

XAT 2026 Exam Registration Link


XAT 2026 Registration: Last Date To Apply

The XAT 2026 registration started on July 10, 2025, and the last date to apply is December 5, 2025. However, it is advisable for all serious XAT takers to 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.


XAT 2026 Updates: Major Changes In XAT Exam Pattern

The revised XAT exam pattern 2026 has been announced, and significant changes have been observed in the latest exam structure and XAT paper pattern. 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 per the latest XAT exam pattern 2026, the question paper will be divided into two parts, which can be categorized as follows:

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 2026 to provide you with a fair idea of what can be expected from a candidate.

XAT Paper Pattern 2026

XAT 2026 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

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 2026

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 2026 marking scheme.


XAT Notification 2026: Revised 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:

Particulars

XAT Application Fees

XAT 2026 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 2026 - Important Exam Day Instructions

It is mandatory for candidates to follow the guidelines provided by the conducting body on the XAT 2026 exam day. If any candidate is found breaking the rules, he/she may face inconvenience. The XAT 2026 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 2026 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 2026 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 2026 Exam Day

Apart from the two printed copies of the XAT admit card 2026, candidates are also required to carry certain other documents for verification purposes. The documents that they need to carry are as follows:-

Since the XAT 2026 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 2026 Exam Day Guidelines

XAT 2026 Exam Day Instructions - After Entering The Exam Hall


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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The XAT is held only once a year during the first week of January. Registration for XAT 2026 will most likely begin in the second week of July 2025 and continue until the last week of November 2025. All serious XAT aspirants are advised to complete their application forms within this timeframe to avoid any last-minute issues.

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)

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 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.

Suggested Readings

XAT Preparation Tips XAT Online Classes XAT Test Series Free Resources For XAT Preparation