XAT 2027
XAT 2027 XLRI Jamshedpur is one of the top business schools in India, which conducts the Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) to gain access to its prestigious management programs. This computer test is also a favorite among the almost 90,000 ambitious candidates every year competing to secure a place at the highly competitive B-schools in the country. It is tentatively expected to be conducted in early January 2027 (likely the first Sunday), usually between 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm. Not only is XAT rigorous but it is also the second-largest MBA entrance exam, thus creating a daunting challenge to the most brilliant minds in India.
Important Updates:
- General Knowledge (GK) Score: The GK section score will be used solely by XLRI Jamshedpur in its final selection process.
- Analytical Essay Writing (AEW): AEW is administered during the Group Discussion & Personal Interview (GD / PI) processes.
XAT Notification 2027 (Tentative)
One of the toughest management entrance exams, XAT tests the candidate's ability in verbal, quant, data interpretation, decision-making and general knowledge. It is a computer-based test of 180 minutes and comprises 95 MCQs. In order to score well in XAT, students need to have a proper preparation and exam strategy in place.
All the essential information like XAT exam date, registration, result date, etc. will be available on its official site www.xatonline.in once the notification is released (expected later in 2026). For your convenience and early planning, we have given the tentative dates for XAT 2027 below (based on historical patterns):
XAT Important Dates 2027 (Tentative)
| Events |
Tentative Dates |
| Registration Opens |
Likely July/August 2026 |
| Registration Ends |
Likely November/December 2026 |
| Admit Card Release Date |
Late December 2026 (Tentative) |
| XAT Exam Date |
Early January 2027 (Tentative, likely first Sunday, 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM) |
| XAT Answer Key 2027 |
Last Week of January 2027 (Tentative) |
| XAT Result 2027 |
Late January / Early February 2027 (Tentative) |
Recent Changes in XAT Exam Pattern
|
Reduction in the overall number of questions: Earlier XAT used to have 101 questions which have been reduced to 95 questions that will be in the MCQ format.
Reduction in GK questions: Gk section will now have 20 questions instead of 25. This section will include 12 questions on current affairs and 8 questions from static GK ensuring a balanced assessment of candidates' current awareness and foundational knowledge.
Changes in Exam time: The total exam time is reduced to 180 minutes instead of earlier 210 minutes.
XAT exam in 2 parts: The exam has been divided into two parts. Part 1 is allocated 170 minutes and Part 2 is solely on the GK section which will be conducted in 10 minutes.
Removal of Analytical Essay Writing (AEW) Test: Analytical Essay Writing (AEW) has been removed from the exam. This component section has been integrated with the Group Discussion and Personal Interview (GD/PI) stages of the XLRI selection process.
GK Score: The score from the General Knowledge section will be exclusively utilized by XLRI Jamshedpur for its final selection process.
|
XLRI Programme-wise Criteria
Apart from the general eligibility rules, XAT-accepting institutes prescribe programme-wise criteria. If you wish to apply for XAT 2027, you must check the eligibility criteria of particular institutes as well as for their programmes once the official notification is released. Here, we present an overview of specific eligibility criteria, as per the programmes offered by XLRI (based on previous patterns; subject to change):
- Human Resource Management
- Minimum three years of bachelor’s degree from a recognized institute.
- NRI and foreign candidates can apply through GMAT/XAT.
- Students in final year of examination can apply if their result will be declared by June, 2027.
- Business Management
- Bachelor’s degree of 3 years duration in any stream.
- NRI and foreign candidates can apply through GMAT/XAT.
- Students in final year of graduation can apply but result must be declared by June 10, 2027.
- General Management programs (PGDM)
- Bachelor’s degree from a recognized Indian or foreign university with 3 years of duration.
- Managerial/supervisory experience of 5 years of experience by March 31, 2027.
- XAT/ GMAT/GRE score will be considered. (GMAT/GRE exam must have been cleared in valid period as per official notification.)
- Fellow Programme in Management (FPM)
Candidates can apply for this programme based on one of the three routes: 1.) XAT 2027 2.) UGC-JRF/NET; GMAT/GRE/GATE (recent years)
3.) Two-year full time MBA/ PGDM/ equivalent from XLRI, one of the IIMs, MDI Gurgaon, FMS Delhi, XIM Bhubaneswar, SP Jain, IRMA, School of Management of an IIT, TISS or ISI with a CQPI of a minimum 6.00/8.00/ equivalent. Additionally, they must have obtained either:
BE/ B.Tech degree/ equivalent with at least 60% marks (50% for SC/ST) and a minimum 2 years of relevant work experience.
or
Bachelors degree/ equivalent of at least three years duration with a minimum 60% marks (50% for SC/ST) and Post-graduation (MBA/Master's degree in any discipline) from a recognized university or a higher learning centre in India/abroad with a minimum 55% marks (50% for SC/ST).
or
Integrated Master's degree (in any discipline) of four/five years, with a minimum 55% marks (50% for SC/ST), attained after completing 10+2 or equivalent.
or
Professional qualification like CA/ ICWA/ CS with a minimum 55% marks (50% for SC/ST).
- Executive Fellow Programme in Management (EXEC-FPM)
- MBA/ PGDM/ equivalent or GMP/PGPX or One-Year fulltime residential programme in Management (with at least 60% marks).
- Currently working in a full-time job and holds a minimum of 5 years of full-time managerial/ executive/research/teaching experience as on March 31, 2027.
Admission to this course doesn't require XAT scores.
Note that there are no caste-based reservation provisions for appearing in XAT. However, the XAT associate institutes and other B-schools may have their own reservation policies for admissions.
Once you have gone through the XAT eligibility criteria, you can proceed towards
XAT Registration. For more information, you can visit the official website https://xatonline.in.
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