The XAT Exam Date 2026 has been officially announced, offering crucial timelines for aspirants targeting admission into prestigious management programs across India. The Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) 2026 is one of the most respected national-level entrance exams for MBA and PGDM courses, organized by XLRI Jamshedpur on behalf of the Xavier Association of Management Institutes (XAMI).
Recognized by over 250 institutes nationwide, including top-ranked business schools, the XAT 2026 exam assesses a candidate’s ability in quantitative, verbal, decision making, and general knowledge areas. With intense competition and a rigorous pattern, XAT remains a preferred choice for students aiming for quality management education.
This year, with the XAT 2026 exam date confirmed as 4th January 2026, candidates must focus on key preparatory steps such as completing the XAT 2026 application form, understanding the exam pattern, study syllabus, and tracking important events like admit card release, answer key, result announcement, and counselling sessions. Planning early and being aware of all dates can significantly boost candidates’ confidence and improve performance in this challenging exam.
Overview: XAT 2026
| Exam Component | Details |
| Exam Name | XAT 2026 |
| Full Form | Xavier Aptitude Test |
| Conducting Body | XLRI Jamshedpur on behalf of XAMI |
| Exam Level | National management entrance exam |
| Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Registration Mode | Online |
| Exam Date | 4th January 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | 20th December 2025 (tentative) |
| Application Window | 10th July – 5th December 2025 |
| Courses Offered | MBA/PGDM |
| Total Sections | Part 1 & Part 2 |
XAT 2026 Important Dates
The XAT Exam Date 2026 is officially announced as 4th January 2026, marking a key event for management aspirants. The complete XAT 2026 schedule includes registration, admit card, exam, answer key, result and scorecard dates.
Key Dates for XAT 2026:
- Registration Starts: 10th July 2025
- Registration Ends: 5th December 2025
- Application Correction Window: December 2025
- Admit Card Release: 20th December 2025 (tentative)
- XAT Exam Date: 4th January 2026
- Response Sheet Release: Second week of January 2026
- Answer Key Release: Second week of January 2026
- Result Declaration: Third week of January 2026
- Scorecard Release: Third week of January to March 2026
These dates help candidates structure their XAT preparation strategy 2026 and stay updated with deadlines to avoid last-minute hassles.
XAT 2026 Application Form
The XAT 2026 application form was made available online starting 10th July 2025. Candidates aspiring to appear in the exam were required to fill the form by 5th December 2025 through online mode only. It was mandatory to complete all fields accurately including personal, academic and contact details, and upload scanned copies of required documents like photograph and signature. A correction window was also provided in December 2025 to make necessary edits in the application form.
To ensure successful registration, candidates were advised to keep a printout of the completed application form and payment receipt. The XAT application process 2026 was entirely digital, allowing various online payment modes for the application fee.
XAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates evaluating their eligibility for XAT 2026 needed to meet certain minimum requirements before applying. The criteria included:
- Nationality: Indian, NRI, and foreign candidates were eligible.
- Education: A bachelor’s degree of three years or equivalent from any recognized university.
- Final Year Students: Aspirants appearing in the final year of their bachelor’s degree due for completion by June 2026 were also eligible.
- Age Limit: There was no upper or lower age limit to apply for XAT 2026.
Meeting these criteria ensured candidates were eligible to sit for the exam and proceed with further selection rounds.
XAT 2026 Exam Pattern
Understanding the XAT exam pattern 2026 is essential for strategic preparation. The exam was conducted in computer-based mode and comprised two main parts:
Part 1: Core Sections
| Section | Number of Questions |
| Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation | 28 |
| Decision Making | 21 |
| Verbal & Logical Ability | 26 |
Part 2: General Knowledge
| Section | Number of Questions |
| General Knowledge (GK) | 20 |
Total Questions: 95 (approx.)
Duration: Around 180 minutes
Marking Scheme:
- +1 mark for every correct answer
- -0.25 for each incorrect answer
- 0.10 mark penalty for more than eight unattempted questions in Part 1
- No negative marking for GK section
This pattern evaluates quantitative, logical, verbal, decision-making, and general awareness skills, making XAT 2026 uniquely challenging.
XAT 2026 Exam Centres
XAT 2026 was conducted across numerous exam cities throughout India, enabling aspirants from diverse regions to appear for the test without long travel. Locations included metropolitan cities as well as smaller regional centres, ensuring wider accessibility for candidates.
XAT 2026 Answer Key & Result
After the exam, the XAT 2026 answer key was released tentatively in the second week of January 2026, allowing candidates to check their responses and estimate possible scores. Candidates could download both the answer key and response sheet to evaluate their performance.
The XAT 2026 result was declared around the third week of January 2026, followed by the release of scorecards, which were available for download until March 2026. These scorecards were required for admission to participating institutes.
FAQs for the XAT 2026
1. When is the XAT 2026 exam scheduled?
The XAT 2026 exam is scheduled for 4th January 2026.
2. What is the last date to apply for XAT 2026?
The registration closed on 5th December 2025.
3. Is there any correction facility in the XAT 2026 application form?
Yes, a correction window was available in December 2025.
4. Is there a negative marking in XAT 2026?
Yes, incorrect answers carry a -0.25 penalty.
5. Can final year students of graduation apply for XAT 2026?
Yes, final year students were eligible to apply.
