XAT 2027: Registration (Ongoing), Exam Dates, Mock Test, Syllabus, Pattern

KS

Updated on 01 Oct 2026

By Kartikay Sharma, Content Creator

Latest News & Updates

Check the below points for latest XAT exam 2027 updates:

  • XAT 2027 exam is scheduled to be conducted on January 3, 2027, as per the official XAT website.
  • XAT 2027 registration is ongoing and will remain open from July 15 to December 6, 2026.
  • XAT 2027 first official mock test is scheduled for August 30, 2026. Candidates must complete their registration by August 27, 2026 to be eligible for the mock test.
  • XAT 2027 application form correction window is expected to open in October 2026. The dates are tentative.
  • XAT 2027 Mock Test 2 is tentatively scheduled for October 2026.

XAT Exam 2026

Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) is an entrance test conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur for admission into its MBA in Business Management (BM) and MBA in Human Resource Management (HRM) courses. XAT score is also recognised by more than 150 participating institutions and almost 700 other B-schools across India. The admission process generally includes Essay Writing and Personal Interview rounds for shortlisted candidates. XLRI admission via XAT exam based upon the cut-offs decided by the XLRI admission committee. Candidates who meet the required XAT cut-off are shortlisted for the subsequent Essay Writing and Personal Interview rounds.

XAT Exam Highlights

XAT is a MBA entrance exam that takes place at the national level by XLRI Jamshedpur every year. This exam is conducted online and the scores of this exam are accepted by many business schools in India. XAT 2027 registration is ongoing, while application correction and mock test are the next upcoming events. Below is a highlight of the most important details for XAT 2027:

FeatureDetails
Exam NameXavier Aptitude Test (XAT) 2027
Conducting BodyXLRI Jamshedpur
Exam LevelNational-level MBA Entrance Exam
Exam FrequencyOnce a year
Exam ModeComputer-Based Test (CBT)
XAT 2027 Exam DateJanuary 3, 2027
Exam Timing2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Exam Duration3 hours
MediumEnglish
PurposeAdmission to MBA/PGDM programmes
Current StatusXAT 2027 registration ongoing
Registration Start DateJuly 15, 2026
Registration Last DateDecember 6, 2026
Admit Card DateDecember 20, 2026 (Tentative)
Accepted By250+ B-schools
Test Cities100+ cities across India

What are XAMI Institutes and XAT Associate Member Institutions?

XAMI Institutes are member institutes of the Xavier Association of Management Institutes (XAMI), for which XLRI organizes the XAT test. XAMI has 12 member institutes, among which are some renowned institutes like XLRI Jamshedpur, XIMB, and XIME.

XAT Associate Member Institutions

XAT Associate Member Institutes are separate management institutes who take XAT scores for admitting candidates to their MBA/PGDM courses, but are not part of XAMI. There are 134 XAT Associate Member Institutes. Some of the prominent institutes are KIIT School of Management, K J Somaiya Institute of Management, Great Lakes Institute of Management, BIMTECH, IMT Ghaziabad, IMI, IRMA, and MICA.

XAT 2027 Important Dates

XAT 2027 exam dates have been released, and the registration process is now ongoing. Students are advised to remain updated on the XAT 2027 registration, test series, form correction, admit card, test date, response sheet, answer key, and score card. The table below provides the complete XAT 2027 exam schedule, including tentative dates.

XAT 2027 EventsDates/Timeline
XAT 2027 Mock Test 1August 30, 2026
XAT 2027 Mock Test 2September 30 – October 1, 2026
XAT 2027 RegistrationJuly 15 – December 6, 2026
XAT 2027 Form CorrectionOctober 2026 (Tentative)
XAT 2027 Mock Test 2October 2026 (Tentative)
XAT 2027 Mock Test 3November 2026 (Tentative)
XAT 2027 Admit CardDecember 20, 2026
XAT 2027 Exam DateJanuary 3, 2027
XAT 2027 Response SheetJanuary 2027 (Tentative)
XAT 2027 Answer KeyJanuary 2027 (Tentative)
XAT 2027 ResultJanuary 2027 (Tentative)
XAT 2027 Cutoff ReleaseJanuary 2027 (Tentative)

XAT 2027 Eligibility Criteria

XAT 2027 eligibility criteria require candidates to have a bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification from a recognised university. Unlike many other MBA entrance tests, XAT does not have any minimum percentage and age criteria for the candidates. Students from any stream, along with eligible professionals, can apply for XAT exam.

Eligibility ParameterXAT 2027 Eligibility Criteria
Educational QualificationBachelor's degree or equivalent in any discipline from a recognised university
Minimum MarksNo minimum percentage requirement; candidates must have passed their bachelor's degree
Age LimitNo age limit
Final-Year StudentsEligible to apply, subject to fulfilling the required graduation conditions
Working ProfessionalsEligible if they meet the prescribed educational qualification
CA/CS CandidatesCandidates with recognised professional qualifications equivalent to a bachelor's degree may apply
NRI/Foreign/PIO/OCI CandidatesCandidates generally require a bachelor's degree of at least three years' duration and may apply to XLRI through GMAT/GRE, as applicable

XAT 2027 Registration

XAT 2027 registration process is done online for students who want admission into MBA and PGDM courses based on the XAT score. XAT 2027 application form and registration can be done on the official XAT site during the given period. XAT 2027 registration period begins from July 15, 2026 to December 6, 2026. 

XAT Application Fees 2027

XAT 2027 application fee can be paid online using a debit card, credit card or net banking. The application fee is the same for candidates across categories.

Fee ComponentAmount
XAT Application FeeINR 2,300
XLRI, Jamshedpur Application FeeINR 200

Documents Required for XAT Registration 2027

Candidates need to upload the following documents while filling out the XAT 2027 application form:

  • Scanned digital photograph of less than 1 MB
  • Scanned signature of less than 1 MB

The uploaded documents should be clear and meet the prescribed size and format requirements to avoid issues during application submission.

XAT Application Process 2026

XAT 2027 application form can be accessed from the website, xatonline.in. The candidates need to first register themselves and then fill out the application form, putting in all their details. Check below step-by-step XAT application process:

Step 1: Visit the official XAT 2027 website, xatonline.in.

Step 2: Click on ‘New Registration’ and enter the required details.

Step 3: After registration, a unique XAT ID and verification link will be sent to the registered email ID.

Step 4: Open the verification link to confirm the registration.

Step 5: Visit the XAT 2027 homepage and click on ‘Login’.

Step 6: Enter the registered email ID and password to access the application form.

Step 7: Fill in all the required details in the XAT 2027 application form.

Step 8: Review all the information carefully before submitting the form.

Step 9: Pay the applicable XAT 2027 application fee through the available online payment options.

XAT Test City Selection and Day 1 Advantage

Candidates have the option of choosing up to six test cities during the process of completing the XAT 2027 application form. The center allotment is usually done considering the choice of cities and availability of seats for the same. In case there is no center allotted in the choice of the first city, the center allotment can be made from any other chosen cities.

XAT Application Correction Window 2027

After the XAT 2027 registration process is complete, XLRI will have a 2-day period in which the candidate will be able to correct the application form. In this 2-day period, the candidates will be able to make corrections on some particular fields such as their test cities preference, photograph, and signature. This correction period is free of cost, and candidates may make changes any number of times in the corrected application form.

XAT Syllabus 2027

XAT 2027 syllabus is divided into four primary categories: VALR (Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning), DM (Decision Making), QA & DI (Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation), and GK (General Knowledge). It is important for the candidates to know the topics in each of these sections in order to prepare well.

XAT Syllabus SectionKey Topics/Details
Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning (VALR)Reading Comprehension, poems, grammar, vocabulary, critical reasoning and paragraph-based questions
Decision Making (DM)Caselets and passages based on business, ethical and situational scenarios
Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation (QA & DI)Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, mensuration, number systems and data analysis
General Knowledge (GK)Static GK and current affairs related to business, economy, politics, awards and other important events

XAT Decision Making Syllabus

Decision Making section is a distinctive part of the XAT exam. It evaluate the skills of the candidate in comprehending situations and choosing the right way out after analyzing the situation. Some of the significant topics are:

  • Analytical Reasoning
  • Arrangement of Data
  • Situational Problems
  • Logical Reasoning
  • Caselets
  • Assumptions
  • Complex Arrangements
  • Conditions and Grouping

Sample Question: XAT Decision Making

Question: A company needs to choose a vendor for a project. Four vendors have submitted their offers. The company wants to consider cost, experience, quality and delivery time.

What is the best way to select the vendor?

  • Choose the vendor with the lowest price.
  • Choose the vendor with the most experience.
  • Compare all vendors based on cost, experience, quality and delivery time.
  • Choose the vendor recommended by the senior manager.

Options:

A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. 3 only
D. 1 and 4

Answer: C. 3 only

This question tests the candidate's ability to analyse a situation and make a balanced decision.

XAT VALR Syllabus

VALR section evaluates the candidate’s proficiency in language, their reading and reasoning capacity. Important subjects covered in this segment are:

  • Reading Comprehension
  • Reasoning
  • Grammar
  • Paragraph Construction
  • Vocabulary
  • Parajumbles
  • Odd Sentence
  • Fill in the Blanks

Example: Choose the sentence that best completes a paragraph about the impact of technology on education.

A. Technology has completely replaced teachers.
B. Digital tools can support learning when used effectively.
C. Students no longer need textbooks.
D. Online classes are always better than classroom learning.

Answer: B. Digital tools can support learning when used effectively.

XAT QA & DI Syllabus

QA & DI section includes mathematical concepts and data interpretation. Candidates should focus on:

  • Arithmetic
  • Algebra
  • Geometry
  • Mensuration
  • Modern Math
  • Number System
  • Bar Diagrams
  • Pie Diagrams
  • Tables
  • Charts

Example: A shop sells 200 products in January and 250 products in February. What is the percentage increase in sales?

A. 20%
B. 25%
C. 30%
D. 35%

Answer: B. 25%

XAT GK Syllabus

GK comprises static General Knowledge and current affairs. Some important topics to be covered are:

  • Awards and Winners
  • History and Geography
  • Static GK
  • Business and Politics
  • Indian Constitution
  • Important People
  • World Affairs

Current Affairs

Example: Which organisation conducts the XAT exam?

A. IIM Ahmedabad
B. NTA
C. XLRI Jamshedpur
D. AICTE

Answer: C. XLRI Jamshedpur

XAT Exam Pattern 2027

XAT exam pattern 2027 would remain unchanged from the previous year, which has four different sections like Decision Making, Verbal and Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, and General Knowledge. Essay Writing section has been discontinued and the number of GK questions has been decreased. Future updates on any other changes would be available only after the XAT Mock Test is officially released.

XAT Section-wise Questions & Weightage

The XAT question paper consists of 95 questions carrying 95 marks. The section-wise distribution is given below:

XAT SectionNumber of QuestionsTotal Marks
Decision Making2121
Verbal and Logical Ability2626
Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation2828
General Knowledge2020
Total9595

XAT Marking Scheme & Negative Marking

Candidates should understand the XAT 2027 marking scheme before appearing for the exam, as incorrect answers attract negative marks.

XAT Marking SchemeMarks
Correct Answer+1
Incorrect Answer-0.25
Unanswered Question0
More than 8 Unanswered Questions-0.10

Example: If a candidate answers 50 questions correctly and 10 incorrectly, the raw score will be 50 - 2.50 = 47.50 marks. If the candidate also leaves more than eight questions unanswered, an additional 0.10 marks may be deducted as per the marking rules.

Is GK Counted in XAT Percentile?

GK section is not taken into account while calculating the XAT percentile. This percentile is determined based on the marks scored in decision making, VALR, and QA & DI. But the marks scored in GK can be taken into consideration by various institutes for admission interviews.

On-Screen Calculator and Section Switching

An on-screen calculator is available to candidates during the XAT exam. Candidates are also provided with rough sheets for calculations. Using mental calculations where possible can help save time during the exam.

The XAT question paper is divided into two parts, and candidates can switch between sections within the respective part:

  • Part 1: Decision Making, VALR and QA & DI — 170 minutes
  • Part 2: General Knowledge — 10 minutes

XAT vs CAT vs Other MBA Exams

XAT is known to be one of the tough exams for entrance into the MBA programs in India due to the unique feature of decision-making and types of questions that are asked in VALR and QA & DI. But, there are other exams like CAT, CMAT, NMAT and MAT which vary in terms of structure, time limit, number of questions and scoring method. The table below provides a quick comparison.

ParameterXATCATCMATNMATMAT
Conducting BodyXLRIIIMsNTAGMACAIMA
Exam ModeCBTCBTCBTCBTCBT & PBT
Total Questions9568100108150
Total Marks/Score95204400Scaled score: 36–360Scaled score: 200–800
Exam Duration180 minutes120 minutes180 minutes120 minutes120 minutes
Number of Sections43535
Main SectionsVALR, Decision Making, QA & DI, General KnowledgeVARC, DILR, Quantitative AptitudeQuantitative Techniques & DI, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness, Innovation & EntrepreneurshipLanguage Skills, Quantitative Skills, Logical ReasoningLanguage Comprehension, Intelligence & Critical Reasoning, Mathematical Skills, Data Analysis & Sufficiency, Economic & Business Environment

XAT 2027 Preparation Plan

XAT 2027 preparation will demand a planned approach to studying, practice, and revision. As the test comprises four parts, like Decision Making, Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation and General Knowledge, a candidate must devote enough time to all of these subjects. Check below the key tips for XAT 2027 preparation:

  • Collect reliable XAT preparation books and study material.
  • Create a daily, weekly and monthly study schedule.
  • Start with topics you are comfortable with and gradually move to weaker areas.
  • Set aside around two hours daily for reading, vocabulary and revision.
  • After studying a topic, solve practice questions to check your understanding.
  • Complete the syllabus before focusing heavily on mock tests.
  • Practise both sectional and full-length XAT mock tests regularly.
  • Analyse every mock test to identify mistakes and weak areas.
  • Work on improving speed and accuracy through regular practice.
  • Maintain a healthy routine and take adequate breaks during preparation.

Check below XAT 2027 four-month strategy:

Preparation PhaseMain FocusHow to Prepare
First 2 MonthsSyllabus coverage and practiceStudy for around 6–8 hours daily. Divide time between concepts and practice. Identify and note down weak areas.
Next 1.5 MonthsMock tests and sample papersTake full-length and sectional mock tests regularly. Analyse your performance and work on questions or topics where you make mistakes.
Last 15 DaysRevisionRevise important concepts, formulas and previously attempted questions. Prepare a strategy for selecting questions during the exam.
Final DaysFinal practiceTake a few final mock tests, revise key topics and practise previous XAT question papers. Avoid starting completely new topics.

How to Prepare for XAT Decision Making

Decision Making is one of the unique features of XAT exam. This section consists of caselets and passages on topics related to business, ethics, and real life situations. Candidates have to analyze the passage and choose the best possible solution for the problem.

  • Read case studies and situational problems to enhance decision making skills.
  • Practice Decision Making problems of previous XAT exams.
  • Try to pick up the important points from long passages.
  • Do not waste time on a complex caselet and come back to it later.
  • Use the elimination method to remove options that are clearly unsuitable.
  • Analyse your mistakes after practice to understand why a particular option was correct.

Last 3 Years XAT Paper Analysis

XAT question paper pattern has not changed much in the past years. Candidates will be able to learn about the level of difficulty of questions and the trend by referring to the past year question papers. The following is the XAT paper analysis for the last three years.

XAT Exam YearPaper Analysis in Brief
XAT 2026The overall difficulty level was moderate, with some challenging questions in the Decision Making section. VALR was slightly tougher than the previous year. QA had relatively easier questions, while the Data Interpretation portion was comparatively difficult.
XAT 2025The paper was of moderate difficulty. Decision Making questions were somewhat lengthy but manageable. Quantitative Aptitude was moderately difficult, while VALR and GK were relatively easy. No major surprises were reported in the paper.
XAT 2024The QA & DI section was relatively difficult, while Decision Making was largely manageable. The DM section included seven sets with three questions each. VALR had 26 questions, including 13 based on Reading Comprehension.

XAT Exam Admit Card 2026

XAT 2027 admit card will be released by XLRI, Jamshedpur through the official website of XAT, xatonline.in. Candidates can get the admit card with the help of their login IDs. XAT 2027 Admit Card will be issued on December 20, 2026. XAT admit card will have important information related to the examination center, time, etc.  Check the steps below to download the XAT exam admit card 2026:

  • Visit the official XAT 2027 website.
  • Click on the ‘Download Admit Card’ option.
  • Enter the required login credentials, such as User ID and date of birth.
  • Click on ‘Login’.
  • Open the admit card section available on the dashboard.
  • Download the XAT admit card PDF.
  • Take a printout and carry it to the exam centre.

XAT Exam Day Guidelines and ID Proof

Candidates appearing for XAT 2027 should follow the instructions mentioned on their admit card and reach the allotted test centre on time.

  • Check the exam centre address and reporting time mentioned on the admit card.
  • Carry the required documents for verification.
  • Cooperate with the exam centre staff during verification and frisking.
  • Avoid carrying bags, mobile phones, electronic devices or valuables to the test centre.
  • Avoid wearing accessories containing metal, wherever applicable.
  • Follow the instructions given by the invigilator during the examination.
  • Complete the test within the allotted time.
  • Return the rough sheets before leaving the examination hall.

ID Proof Required for XAT 2027

Along with a printed copy of the XAT 2027 admit card, candidates should carry a valid photo ID for verification. Acceptable ID proofs may include:

  • Aadhaar Card
  • Voter ID Card
  • PAN Card
  • Passport
  • Driving Licence
  • College/University ID Card

XAT Result 2027

XAT 2027 results will most likely be announced in the month of January 2027 by XLRI, Jamshedpur through its official website xatonline.in. The candidates are advised to check their XAT scorecard from their login IDs provided by the organization. XAT scores are used by XLRI and other institutions to shortlist the applicants. Check below process to check XAT result 2027:

  • Visit the official XAT website, xatonline.in.
  • Click on the ‘Scorecard’ option.
  • Enter the XAT User ID and date of birth.
  • Click on ‘Login’.
  • View the XAT result and scorecard displayed on the screen.
  • Download and save the XAT result-cum-scorecard as a PDF.

XAT 2027 scorecard is valid for the relevant admission year. Candidates should download and save their scorecard after the result is released, as the download link may be available for a limited period.

XAT Score vs Percentile

As XAT exam is held in one shift only, there is no need for normalising scores by shifts. The percentile of the XAT is determined from the performance of a candidate as well as his/her raw score. Below is the indicative percentile chart for the XAT exam score.

XAT Raw ScoreXAT Percentile
38.799.17
34.797.67
33.897.11
33.596.89
32.496.03
29.492.75
27.189.24
20.573.15

XAT Cut Offs 2027

XAT 2027 cut-off for XLRI and other participating institutions would be declared once the XAT 2027 results are out. The cut off for programs and categories of XLRI would be determined by the institute itself and cut offs for admissions in other participating institutes shall be determined by themselves.

XAT 2026 Cut Offs: MBA Business Management

The following table shows the XAT 2026 cut-offs for XLRI's MBA Business Management (BM) programme:

CategoryOverallQADIVALRDM
Engineering Male94858282
Engineering Female88787878
Engineering Transgender88787878
Non-Engineering Male94858282
Non-Engineering Female88787878
Non-Engineering Transgender88787878

XAT 2026 Cut Offs: MBA Human Resource Management

XAT 2026 cut-offs for XLRI's MBA Human Resource Management (HRM) programme are given below:

CategoryOverallQADIVALRDM
Engineering Male92808785
Engineering Female87708278
Engineering Transgender87708278
Non-Engineering Male90738785
Non-Engineering Female84658278
Non-Engineering Transgender84658278

XAT Cut Offs for Top MBA Colleges

XAT participating institutes determine their own cut-offs for shortlisting candidates for the subsequent admission process. The table below provides estimated XAT cut-off ranges for some popular MBA colleges.

XAT CollegeEstimated XAT ScoreEstimated XAT Percentile
XLRI Jamshedpur35.5–38.592–94
XIMB Bhubaneswar30.5–32.590–93
SPJIMR Mumbai32.5–34.593.5–95
IMT Ghaziabad30.5–3290–92
GIM Goa27.5–30.585–90
TAPMI Manipal26–27.580–85
IRMA Anand26–27.580–85
MICA Ahmedabad26–27.580–85
Great Lakes Institute of Management26–27.580–85
LIBA Chennai26–27.580–85
KJ Somaiya Mumbai27.5–30.585–90

Note: The above college-wise cut-offs are indicative and may vary depending on the institute, programme, category and admission year.

MBA Colleges Accepting XAT Score

XAT score is accepted by a large number of MBA colleges in India for admission to MBA and PGDM programmes. These institutes include XAMI member institutes, XAT Associate Member Institutions and other B-schools that use XAT scores to shortlist candidates for their management programmes.

S. No.XAMI Member Institute
1Loyola Institute of Business Administration, Chennai
2Quinlan School of Business, Loyola University Chicago
3St. Francis Institute of Management and Research (SFIMR), Mumbai
4St. Joseph's Institute of Management, Bengaluru
5St. Aloysius Institute of Management and Information Technology (AIMIT), Mangalore
6Xavier Business School (XBS), St. Xavier's University, Kolkata
7Xavier Institute of Management, XIM University
8Xavier Institute of Management & Entrepreneurship (XIME), Bengaluru
9Xavier Institute of Management & Research (XIMR), Mumbai
10Xavier Institute of Development Action and Sciences (XIDAS), Jabalpur
11XLRI Xavier School of Management, Ranchi
12Xavier Institute of Social Service (XISS), Ranchi

Do You Need to Apply Separately to XAMI Member Institutes?

Yes, candidates generally need to apply separately to individual XAMI member institutes. The XAT application form does not serve as a common application for all XAMI institutes. Candidates should check the respective institute's admission process, application fee and deadlines and submit separate applications wherever required.

XAT Selection Process 2027

XAT 2027 selection process will start following the announcement of the XAT results. XLRI will release cut-off for each category and programme for the selected candidates. Students who get through the cut-off of XAT will qualify for further rounds of admission, which include PI and other evaluation procedures. Students selected by XLRI will have to undergo admission procedures and choose their preferred city of interview.

XLRI Admission Criteria and Weightage

The XLRI admission process considers the candidate's XAT performance along with other aspects of their profile. The key parameters are given below:

ParticularsDetails
XAT ScoreShortlisting is based on programme-wise and category-wise XAT cut-offs
Personal InterviewAn important component of the final selection process
Essay WritingMay be considered as part of the assessment process, as applicable
Academic ScoresAcademic performance is considered while evaluating the candidate's profile
Work ExperienceRelevant work experience can strengthen the candidate's overall profile
Overall ProfileFinal admission considers the candidate's performance across the applicable selection parameters

XAT Previous Year Question Papers – Free PDF Download

XAT Previous Year Question Papers – Free PDF Download

Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) Question Paper with Answer Key-2025
Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) Question Paper- 2025
Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) Question Paper-2024
Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) Question Paper-2023
Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) Question Paper with Answer Key-2021
Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) Question Paper with Answer Key-2020
Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) Question Paper-2018
Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) Question Paper-2017
Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) Question Paper-2016
Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) Question Paper-2015
Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) Question Paper-2013
Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) Question Paper-2012
Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) Question Paper-2011
Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) Question Paper-2010
Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) Question Paper-2022

XAT Exam 2027 FAQs

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