XAT Exam Pattern 2026
XAT Exam Pattern 2026 is designed to evaluate candidates' knowledge on different subjects like:
- Verbal and Logical Ability
- Decision Making
- Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation
- General Knowledge
XAT 2026 registration is now available and is open until December 05, 2025. Candidates interested in pursuing management degrees at over 160 participating institutes across India must submit their application forms before the deadline. The XAT 2026 examination is scheduled for January 04 , 2026. The Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) is a highly competitive entrance exam that evaluates candidates' aptitude, analytical skills, and general knowledge.
XAT Exam highlights:
- Mode of Exam: XAT is conducted in online CBT mode at test centers located across 70+ major cities of India.
- Medium of XAT Exam: The test is conducted only in English.
- XAT Exam Duration: 180 minutes. Part 1 - 170 minutes, Part 2 - 10 minutes.
- Number of Questions:95 MCQs.
- Number of Sections: Part 1 comprises 3 sections- Verbal and Logical Ability, Decision Making, and Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation. Part 2 - General Knowledge.
- XAT Marking Scheme: 1 mark awarded for every right answer and 0.25 marks deducted for every wrong answer.No negative marking in GK
General XAT Exam Eligibility Criteria:
- Candidates should have a bachelor's degree of minimum three years or equivalent
- Post graduate candidates will have to put their PG percentage in application instead of graduation percentage
- Final year students are also eligible to apply
- There is no minimum aggregate marks criterion for the exam
- There is no limit to attempting for the exam
- There is no age limit
- All backlogs have to be clear before the admission through the exam
- NRI and foreign candidates can apply through GMAT (except for Dubai and Kathmandu, where they have the provision for XAT)
Apart from General criteria, there is programme-wise criteria for HRM, BM and GM.
XAT Admit Card:
The XAT 2026 admit card will be released in online mode only. Test-takers should take two printouts of their respective XLRI XAT Admit Cards. Check below the steps to download the XAT hall ticket:
- Visit the official website of XAT 2026.
- Click on the' download admit card' tab: https://xatonline.in/
- Enter details like XAT User ID and date of birth, and click on 'login'
- Click on the 'XAT admit card' tab
- The option to download the XAT admit card 2026 will appear
- Click on download and save the admit card in PDF format
Documents required to carry - any of the following for valid id proof to the examination centre:
- Aadhar card
- Driving License
- Voter ID card
- Valid college ID
- Passport
- PAN card
Candidates must check for the details mentioned in the admit card:
- Candidate’s name
- Candidate’s photo
- Candidate's date of birth
- Candidate's category
- Candidate’s XAT ID
- Exam date
- Exam time
- Exam venue
- Instructions regarding the exam/exam day