If you are aiming to crack the XAT 2026 exam, expert guidance and mentorship are key to success.
This article highlights the benefits of XAT Online Coaching and key features of our courses.
What is XAT?
XAT, a renowned MBA entrance exam, is conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur to select top talent. Its scores are accepted by leading B-schools like XLRI, XIMB, and SP Jain. Over 90,000 candidates take XAT annually. Known for its difficulty, XAT demands 6-8 months of dedicated preparation.
When is the XAT exam conducted?
| Events |
Dates |
| Registration Opens |
July 10, 2025 |
| Registration Closes |
December 05, 2025 |
| Admit Card Download |
December 20, 2025 (Tentative) |
| XAT Exam Date |
January 04, 2026 (2:00 PM to 5:00 PM) |
Syllabus for XAT 2026
XAT Syllabus 2026: Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation
This section has 28 questions and is regarded as the trickiest of all. It is based on the fundamental topics of mathematics and tests the candidate's ability to handle complexity in a given time restraint. Quant and DI questions in XAT require rigorous calculations and can be aced with a good amount of practice, strong conceptual clarity, and a good knowledge of shortcuts and formulae. Both parts constitute more or less equal weightage in the section. The majority of the questions of XAT are asked from the following areas:
| Topic |
Description |
| Arithmetic |
Fundamental math topic, part of the 28-question section. |
| Geometry |
Includes shapes and spatial problems, considered tricky. |
| Percentage |
Tests calculation skills, equally weighted with DI. |
| Functions |
Involves algebraic functions, requiring formula knowledge. |
| Mensuration- 2D and 3D |
Covers area, volume, and related calculations. |
| Averages and Partnerships |
Focuses on weighted averages and business problems. |
| Probability |
Tests statistical likelihood, needs practice for accuracy. |
| Inequalities |
Includes linear and quadratic inequalities, moderately difficult. |
| Algebra Functions |
Advanced algebraic concepts within the 28 questions. |
| Heights & Distance |
Involves trigonometric applications, benefits from shortcuts. |
| Direction Sense |
Tests spatial orientation under time constraints. |
| Linear and Quadratic Equations |
Covers equation solving, a key QA area. |
| Time, Speed & Distance |
Includes speed, distance, and work rate calculations. |
| Tables, Graphs, Pie Charts |
Data interpretation topics, equally weighted with Quant. |
| Trigonometry |
Involves angles and identities, moderately complex. |
| Profit and Loss |
Business math topic, requiring quick calculations. |
XAT Syllabus 2026: Decision Making
A distinct section of XAT, this is unlike any section of other management tests. In the decision-making section, candidates have to read the given passages or a set of information, think over it rationally, and then reach a possible solution or suggestion for it. There are 6-8 decision-making sets in the exam, followed by 2-3 questions each. There are a total of 21 questions in this section. Its questions are moderately difficult in nature and delve into the following types of topics:
| Topic |
Description |
| Logic based |
Questions requiring logical deductions, moderately difficult. |
| Situational Issues |
Involves real-life scenarios, part of the 21-question section. |
| Analytical Reasoning |
Tests analytical thinking, 6-8 sets with 2-3 questions each. |
| Data Arrangements |
Includes organizing data within the decision-making context. |
| Grouping/Conditions-based |
Focuses on conditional logic problems. |
| Caselets |
Short case studies requiring decision-making skills. |
| Financial issues |
Covers financial decision scenarios. |
| Managerial Issues |
Business management-related problems. |
| Ethical dilemmas |
Tests ethical decision-making, moderately difficult. |
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XAT Syllabus 2026: Verbal & Logical Ability
Language skills and logical thinking are a must in every manager and leader. Hence, this section in XAT tends to assess the related capabilities of the candidates through 26 logical reasoning and verbal ability questions. Reading Comprehensions form nearly 50% of this section and its passages revolve around political, economic, or abstract themes. Other topics are mainly put to test the candidate's grasp of grammar. On the other hand, logical reasoning includes common topics that entail deductive potential and inference-based judgments. Go through the key topics of the Verbal & Logical Ability section below:
| Topic |
Description |
| Reading Comprehension |
~50% of 26 questions, passages on political, economic, or abstract themes. |
| Grammar |
Tests language rules, part of verbal ability assessment. |
| Fill in the Blanks |
Focuses on vocabulary and sentence completion. |
| Para Jumble |
Involves rearranging sentences, tests logical flow. |
| Vocabulary |
Includes word usage and meaning, part of verbal skills. |
| Logical Completion of Idea |
Requires deductive reasoning and inference. |
| Critical Reasoning |
Assesses argument analysis and judgment. |
| Arguments |
Tests ability to evaluate logical arguments. |
| Analogies |
Involves finding relationships between concepts. |
XAT Syllabus 2026: General Knowledge
General Knowledge section is based on a vast range of fields ranging from static GK facts to current national and international events. There are 20 questions of GK in XAT, with the weightage of static and current GK varying every year. It is crucial to prepare this section from the following areas:
| Topic |
Description |
| Economy |
Covers economic principles, part of 20 GK questions. |
| Indian Polity and Constitution |
Includes governance and constitutional facts. |
| Business and Corporate GK (Mergers and Acquisitions) |
Focuses on corporate events and mergers. |
| Geography |
Tests knowledge of physical and political geography. |
| History |
Covers historical events and timelines. |
| Science and Technology |
Includes recent advancements and basics. |
| Current Affairs (last 12 months) |
Focuses on recent national and international events. |
| Awards and Recognitions |
Covers notable awards and recipients. |
| Sports |
Includes major sports events and records. |
What is the structure of XAT exam?
| Section |
Questions |
Duration |
| Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning |
about 26 |
Part 1: 170 minutes |
| Decision Making |
about 21 |
Part 1: 170 minutes |
| Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation |
about 28 |
Part 1: 170 minutes |
| General Knowledge |
20 |
Part 2: 10 minutes |
| Total |
95 |
180 minutes |
Important Updates:
- General Knowledge (GK) Score: The GK score is used only by XLRI Jamshedpur for final selection.
- Analytical Essay Writing (AEW): AEW is now part of the Group Discussion and Personal Interview (GD/PI) process for XAT 2026.
Who can appear for XAT exam?
Ever since its inception,
XAT eligibility conditions have remained the same and are considered the simplest for any exam. XAT Applicants are required to possess a bachelor’s degree/ equivalent of at least 3 years duration. But there is no criterion of minimum qualifying marks for appearing in XAT. Further, final-year students can also apply for XAT.
However, XLRI also specifies programme-wise eligibility criteria for the candidates.
Which colleges/institutes accept XAT scores?
Across India, approximately 700 colleges accept XAT scores. Nevertheless, opting for an MBA program from a renowned B-school paves the way for a secure and prosperous future. Below, you'll find a selection of esteemed institutes that welcome XAT scores:
| Some of XAMI Member Institutes |
| Xavier Labour Relations Institute, Jamshedpur (XLRI) |
| Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar |
| Xavier Institute of Management & Entrepreneurship, Bangalore/ Chennai |
| Loyola Institute of Business Administration, Chennai |
| Xavier Institute of Social Service, Ranchi |
| Xavier Institute Of Management & Research, Mumbai |
| Other Management Institutes that accept XAT |
| Goa Institute of Management |
| SP Jain, Mumbai |
| Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad/Nagpur/Hyderabad |
| MICA, Ahmedabad |
| TAPMI, Manipal |
| Great Lakes Institutes of Management, Chennai |
| Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal |
| KJ Somaiya, Mumbai |
Did you Know: XLRI is a signatory of the UN-supported initiative PRME (Principles for Responsible Management Education). It takes different social initiatives around the year and lays special emphasis on sustainability.
Admission Process
Most B-schools initiate their selection rounds in February and finalize the admission lists by April. After each XAT participating institute releases its cut-off, candidates are shortlisted for the subsequent selection process comprising of Group Discussions (GD) or Group Exercises (GE), Written Ability Tests (WAT), and Personal Interviews (PI). From XAT 2026, The Analytical Essay Writing (AEW) component will be administered during the Group Discussion and Personal Interview (GD/PI) stages of the selection process, rather than as part of the XAT 2026. B-schools differ in their cut-off criteria, with some specifying both the overall and sectional cut-off for various management programs. Besides, different weights are assigned to different evaluation parameters, including XAT percentile, academic profile, performance in GD/WAT/PI, work experience*, extracurricular activities, and diversity factors. It is worth noting that these evaluation parameters may vary across different B-schools. Finally, admission decisions are made based on a comprehensive assessment of the aforementioned criteria, ensuring the selection of well-rounded candidates who demonstrate the potential for success in their respective management programs.
*Note that work experience is not a mandatory requirement for all B-schools. However, some particular MBA programmes may require you to have 1-2 years of experience.
What’s the ROI of MBA programmes offered by XLRI?
The talented individuals in the country aspire to pursue an MBA from India's highest-ranked management institutes. These top B-schools offer a remarkably high return on investment (ROI). In simpler terms, achieving a good score in XAT guarantees a promising career with a leading recruiting company. Both domestic and international recruiters eagerly seek out graduates from these esteemed institutions during the placement season.
XLRI is known to have salary placements as high as Rs. 50-60 lakhs per annum. Go through some amazing facts about MBA placements from XLRI:
- In 2023, The Highest CTC stood at INR 60+ LPA which is offered by the BFSI Sector whereas the Average CTC stood at INR 30.73 LPA, and the Median CTC stood at INR 29 LPA. Around 40.28% of students received Pre-Placement Offers.
- PGDM Batch of 2022-24 received a total of 437 domestic offers from 99 recruiters. The top roles were from BFSI, Consulting, and Sales & Marketing domains.
- Bain and Co., BCG, Accenture, Amazon, ITC, PayTM, and Microsoft contributed to the highest number of offers among the recruiters.
- Over the last 5-6 years, XLRI has witnessed a steady rise in the average CTC offered to PGDM students.
How to Prepare for XAT 2026?
Acing the XAT exam calls for smart work, dedication, and focus. Experts advise that you need around 6-8 months to prepare for XAT. So, it is important to plan your preparation schedule and exam strategy well. In XAT, the aim is not only to increase your number of attempts but also the accuracy of your answers. In order to get a high percentile in the exam, you must keep the following things in mind
- Firstly, start your preparation early. Many students tend to postpone their serious preparation to the last few months, which ultimately has a negative impact on their performance in XAT.
- Once you have gone through the latest exam pattern and syllabus, divide your preparation plan into 2-3 stages, beginning with concept-building and ending with regular mock test practice.
- Make reading a part of your daily routine. This will help you build good reading and comprehension skills, strong vocabulary, and general awareness. The important thing is to read widely from top-rated books, magazines, newspapers, websites, etc. Besides, reading financial and business articles will assist you while tackling decision-making questions.
- Keep a note of basic formulae, tricks, and shortcuts while learning about mathematical concepts.
- Practice chapter-wise/ topic-wise tests after revising the essential concepts and formulae.
- Once you get a hold of the crucial topics through chapter-wise tests, start taking sectional tests in a timed manner.
- Finally, start attempting the previous year's XAT papers and mock tests within the stated time limits.
- After every test, you must analyse your performance and identify your strengths and weaknesses. Test analysis will let you modify your exam strategy and ace the exam with a high score.
- Remember to use shortcuts, approximation techniques, elimination methods, and similar ways in the exam, wherever possible. The only way to adopt such methods is to put them into regular practice.
- Since XAT imposes no sectional time limits, you must decide the specific time to spend on each section. For instance, you can invest 55-60 minutes in Quant section, 50-55 minutes in Decision-making, etc.
Lastly, never stick to solving only those questions that interest you. More than often, there are a few surprise elements in the exam every year.
FAQs Regarding XAT 2026
1. What is the validity of XAT scores?
XAT scores are valid for one year only.
2. What is the application fee for XAT?
The standard fee for XAT registration is Rs. 2200. Also, you have to pay Rs. 200 each for every management programme of XLRI.
3. What is the course fee at XLRI?
Course fee at XLRI varies from Rs. 20.95 to 23.6 lakhs, as per the particular MBA programme.
4. What is a good score in XAT?
If you are aiming to get admission in XLRI, you must target a 96 percentile in XAT. However, in the case of other decent colleges, a 90+ percentile in XAT would suffice.
5. What are the age restrictions for XAT?
There is no age bar for appearing in XAT.
6. How many times can I take the XAT exam?
There is no limit on the number of times you can take XAT.
7. Is XAT more difficult or easier than CAT?
Both XAT and CAT are difficult in terms of question types and sections. Also, the syllabus for verbal, reasoning, and quant remain same for CAT and XAT. Yet the decision-making and GK sections are additional parts of XAT exam. Further, either exam is unique in marking scheme and kind of sections. For instance, in CAT, DILR section is considered the toughest and most time-consuming whereas in XAT, the quant section is the most challenging one. Nevertheless, both the exams count among the most popular management entrance exams and serve as a gateway to the top B-schools of the country.
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