The Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) is one of the most important national-level MBA entrance examinations in India. It is conducted every year by XLRI – Xavier School of Management, Jamshedpur on behalf of the Xavier Association of Management Institutes (XAMI).
XAT is a highly competitive exam that provides admission opportunities to top MBA and PGDM colleges across India. The exam is widely recognized and accepted by more than 160 leading management institutes.
The XAT 2027 notification is expected to be released in the second week of July 2026 on the official XAT website. Candidates are advised to regularly check official updates regarding registration, exam dates, and other announcements.
At Master Minds, we guide aspirants step-by-step to prepare effectively for the XAT exam and secure admission into their dream B-school.
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| Particulars | Details |
| Exam Name | Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT |
| Exam Level | National Level |
| Conducting Body | XLRI Jamshedpur on behalf of XAMI |
| Exam Mode | CBT |
| Exam Duration | 180 Minutes |
| Total Questions | Around U5 (may vary each year) |
| Exam Frequency | Once a year |
| Expected Exam date | 3 January 2027 |
The Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) is conducted every year, usually in the first week of January, for admission to MBA and PGDM programmes offered by top management institutes in India.
More than 160 prestigious B-schools accept XAT scores, making it one of the most important management entrance exams after CAT.
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The XAT exam consists of four major sections:
Among these, the Decision Making section is unique to XAT and plays a significant role in the final selection process, especially for XLRI admissions.
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Many prestigious MBA colleges accept XAT scores for admission. Some of the top institutes include:
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The expected cut-offs for top programmes are generally:
XLRI PGDM – Business Management: Around 95+ percentile (Male) and U2+ percentile (Female)
XLRI PGDM – Human Resource Management: Slightly lower but still highly competitive
Cut-offs may vary depending on the difficulty level of the exam and number of applicants.
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| Event | Expected Date |
| XAT 2027 Notification Release | Second Week of July 2026 |
| Registration Begins | Second Week of July 2026 |
| Last Date for Registration | First Week of December 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | Fourth Week of December 2026 |
| XAT 2027 Exam Date | 3 January 2027 |
| Answer Key Release | Second Week of January 2027 |
| Result Announcement | Third Week of January 2027 |
Candidates should regularly check the official XAT website for updates.
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Candidates must satisfy the following eligibility conditions before applying:
No minimum percentage requirement for graduation For NRI and foreign candidates, a valid GMAT score is required.
Candidates must follow the online registration process to apply for the XAT exam. Step-by-Step Registration Process
Candidates must first register on the official XAT portal.
Enter basic personal details to generate a XAT ID and password.
Activate the account through the verification link sent by XLRI.
as per the prescribed format.
After submitting the form, download and save the confirmation page for future reference.
| Category | Fee (₹) |
| XAT Registration Fee | ₹2,200 |
| Additional fee for XLRI Programmes | ₹200 |
| NRI / Foreign Candidates | ₹5,000 |
| Indian Candidates | ₹2,500 |
Understanding the exam pattern helps candidates plan their preparation effectively.
Part 1 (175 Minutes)
Part 2 (5 Minutes)
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| Section | Number of Questions |
| Verbal & Logical Ability | 26 |
| Decision Making | 21 |
| Quantitative Ability & DI | 28 |
| General Knowledge | 25 |
| Total | 100 |
The marking scheme for XAT is as follows:
No negative marking in the General Knowledge section
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Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning
Decision Making
Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation
Data Interpretation General Knowledge
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Some important changes introduced in recent years include:
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| Percentile | Expected Score |
| 99+ | 40 - 42 |
| 95+ | 34 – 36 |
| 90+ | 30 – 32 |
Based on previous year trends
The XAT score is accepted by several prestigious MBA colleges, including:
A good XAT score can open doors to some of the top management institutes in India.
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At Master Minds, our XAT preparation approach focuses on conceptual clarity and exam strategy.
Our training includes:
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Master Minds – Shaping Future Managers
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XAT is often considered challenging because of the Decision Making section and varying difficulty level of the exam.
The XAT exam is conducted once every year.
Yes. An on-screen calculator is provided during the exam.
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