Updated on 27 Feb 2026
By Sakshi Rajawat , Content Writer
Candidates are strongly advised to regularly visit the official XAT website for the most recent announcements regarding the admit card, guidelines, and other critical exam instructions. Below are the latest and expected updates for XAT 2026:
XAT 2026 Exam Date scheduled for January 4, 2026.
Admit Card Release expected in the last week of December 2025.
Provisional Answer Key Release is expected in mid-January 2026 (A few days after the exam).
Answer Key Objection Window is expected mid-January 2026 (Open for 3-4 days after key release).
XAT 2026 Result Announcement is expected in the last week of January 2026.
XAT 2026 will be conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur on January 4, 2026, at various test centres across India. The expected release of the preliminary XAT answer key will be in mid-January 2026 on the official website. Candidates can check the answer key and raise objections using their XAT login within the specified period. The official XAT portal will have all information regarding the exam notifications. The announcement of XAT 2026 results is expected to be made by the end of January 2026.
XAT 2026 is organised by XLRI Jamshedpur for the admission process in MBA and PGDM at various colleges across India. Below is a description of the XAT 2026 examination:
| XAT Exam Features | Details |
| XAT 2026 Exam Date | January 4, 2026 |
| Conducting Body | XLRI Jamshedpur |
| Application Mode | Online via xatonline.in |
| Application Fees | INR 2,200 (for all candidates) |
| Eligibility Criteria | Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university |
| XAT Syllabus | Verbal Ability, Decision Making, Quantitative Aptitude, GK |
| Exam Pattern | CBT mode, MCQs, single session |
| Marking Scheme | +1 for correct answer, -0.25 for wrong answer |
| Difficulty Level | Moderate to High |
| Exam Duration | 3 hours 10 minutes |
| PwD Candidate Benefit | Extra time as per guidelines |
| Number of Slots | Single slot |
| Applications Last Year | Around 1.4 lakh |
| Test Cities | 100+ cities across India |
Candidates must follow the XAT 2026 schedule to keep an eye on key events like registration, admit card release, exam date, answer key publication, and result declaration. Important dates for the XAT 2026 exam are given in the table below:
| Dates | Event |
| 10 Jul ’25 – 30 Nov ’25 | XAT 2026 Registration |
| 20 Dec ’25 | XAT 2026 Admit Card Download |
| 04 Jan ’26 | XAT 2026 Exam |
| Mid Jan ’26 (Expected) | XAT 2026 Answer Key Release |
| Mid Jan ’26 (Expected) | XAT 2026 Answer Key Challenge Window |
| Late Jan ’26 (Expected) | XAT 2026 Result Announcement |
XAT 2026 candidates should regularly keep track of all the major events regarding the exam. Here, one can find a complete overview of important dates and stages relating to the XAT 2026 exam process.
XAT 2026 registration was initiated on July 15, 2025, and would end on November 30, 2025. Candidates completed an online application through the official XAT website, creating a login ID and paying the exam fee.
The application correction window was available from December 1 to December 3, 2025, for limited details.
The XAT 2026 admit card would be officially issued on December 20, 2025. Candidates download it using their login credentials.
The official XAT mock test was released on December 5, 2025, to help candidates practice
XAT 2026 will be conducted on January 4, 2026, in computer-based mode, in a single slot across India.
It is expected that the provisional answer key for XAT 2026 shall be released on January 10, 2026. Objections may be raised from January 10 to January 14, 2026.
The XAT 2026 result is expected to be declared on January 31, 2026. Scorecards will be available on the official website for download.
To make XAT 2026 exam go smoothly, please follow these easy rules:
Admit Card: Bring a clear printout of the candidate XAT 2026 Admit Card on an A4 sheet. Make sure the photo and signature look correct.
Photo: Before leaving home, glue a recent photo onto the admit card in the correct space.
ID Proof: Candidate must bring the original ID card (like Aadhaar, Passport, etc.) that is used when applying.
Arrival Time: Arrive at the test centre at least 90 minutes before the exam starts. This helps avoid late-entry problems and lets candidates check their seat.
Rough Work: The invigilator will give a writing pad for all rough calculations. Do not bring your own paper.
Return the Pad: When the exam is finished, the candidate must return the full writing pad and the pen to the invigilator. Do not tear out any pages.
No Keyboard Use: Do not touch the computer keyboard during the test, or the screen might lock.
Biometrics: If you are a girl, please do not apply henna (mehndi) on your palms. This makes it hard to take your required fingerprint (biometric scan) for entry.
No Devices: Do not bring any electronic devices, such as mobile phones, smartwatches, or calculators, into the exam lab. They are not allowed, and if found, your test will be cancelled.
XAT 2026 Mock Test will be released on the XAT official website. This free mock test is an important tool for all candidates.
Solving the official mock test can significantly help the preparation by:
Giving an idea of the type of questions candidates can expect on the actual exam.
Helping understand the difficulty level of the XAT exam.
Allowing to practice and improve time-management skills for each section.
The XAT 2026 Mock Test will mirror the structure of the final exam:
Total Questions: 100 Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs)
Total Time: 3 hours and 30 minutes
Total Sections: 5 sections divided into two parts.
| Part | Section | Duration & Weight |
| Part 1 | Verbal and Logical Ability | Approximately 175 minutes |
| Decision Making | ||
| Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation | ||
| Part 2 | General Knowledge (GK) | Approximately 30 minutes (Non-scoring for percentile) |
| Essay Writing |
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