Preparing for XAT: Cracking Admission to XLRI and Other Top B-Schools

High salary packages, excellent placement records, strong industry tie-ups, prestigious alumni status, expanded professional opportunities, and heightened career prospects are just some of the benefits that an MBA/PGDM (Master of Business Administration/Post Graduate Diploma in Management) course from top management institutions offers to the learners. There is a reason why lakhs of students sit for MBA entrance exams for admission into the top B-schools in India. It is a secure pathway to future-proof your career that offers unlimited opportunities for growth and professional excellence.

However, securing a place in the top B-schools in India is not as easy as it seems. Among the many national-level management entrance exams, XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) is a prestigious test that thousands of aspirants take. Along with XLRI, XAT scores are accepted in over 250 B-schools, a testament to the high standards required to qualify for the exam. XAT 2026 is to be held in January next year, and the results shall be announced approximately three weeks after the examination date. This blog discusses the exam, the syllabus, eligibility criteria, the application process, the registration fee, etc., in detail. Let’s get started.

Also Read: Online MBA Colleges under 1 lakh

XAT 2026: Your Pathway to Management

Xavier Aptitude Test is a national-level common entrance exam for management aspirants who wish to take admission into the prestigious MBA/PGDM programmes at top B-schools and other prestigious management institutions in India. XLRI Jamshedpur conducts the exam on behalf of XAMI (Xavier Association of Management Institutes) & XAT associates. Admission to the programme is purely merit-based, and only full-time work experience gained after completing graduation shall be considered. The XAT exam scores have been accepted by over 250 top management institutions in India for more than 70 years now.

XAT 2026: Examination Schedule and Fee

As announced, the XAT 2026 examination is scheduled to be conducted on January 4, 2026. The official notification for the XAT 2026 exam was released on July 27, 2025. The application form opened on July 10, 2025, and the registration deadline closes on December 5, 2025. The table below mentions all the relevant dates for the XAT 2026 examination.

First Start to Preparation!

Remember to submit the form in due time before the end date so that you do not encounter any issues and are able to submit the form. There might be internet issues, or the portal might not be working on the last day. Therefore, it is always advised to complete your form, submit all the right information, and submit it on time, days before the final date.

XAT 2026 Preparation Tips

The XAT 2026 examination is scheduled to be conducted on January 4, 2026. That means an aspirant has only a few months left to prepare for the exam. We have already reviewed the various sections of the exam. Let’s see some of the effective XAT preparation tips 2026 in terms of different exam sections:

1. Syllabus Review

Carefully review the syllabus for each section and break it down into manageable parts. This helps you to have an idea of the entire syllabus and enables you to divide your time accordingly. Check out the syllabus for each section of the XAT exam, see which kind of questions are always asked, which portions require more time, which sections are more scoreable, etc.

2. SWOT Analysis

SWOT means strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Sort out which sections are your strengths and which sections you need to work more on. You can apply this technique of carefully examining the sections again and again to understand which section requires more of your focus and time, so that you can score better in that section during the exam.

For example, in the third section, Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation, the latter part can be an easier topic for many to score marks on by practising enough if they are lacking in the quantitative aptitude section. Similarly, they can adopt the approach to the other sections as well.

3. Revision is the Key

Once you have studied a particular section, taken notes about it or attempted mock tests, do not just leave it and revise it later. Revise the sections that you have studied once/twice a week so that the notes stay fresh in your mind and are easy to recall during the last preparation session. Keep revising once you have studied so that you do not forget the key concepts. Constant revision is one of the most effective XAT preparation tips.

4. Mock Tests before the Final Test

Keep giving mock tests to prepare well for the exam and to have an idea of the various kinds of questions asked. They are a great way of knowing if you are familiar with the kind of question to attempt, the time being taken to attempt various sections or each question, etc. Also, mock tests are a proven method not only to improve your XAT preparation but also to reduce the stress on the final day.

5. E-Learning Resources

Utilise the internet effectively by exploring various e-learning resources to access high-quality study content and guides for the exam. Explore various tutors online to help understand a concept better, to answer a question using a different technique to find the answer quicker and so on. There are unlimited free resources available on the internet that can help your preparation improve manyfold.

XAT 2026 Exam Syllabus: Different Sections

The XAT examination is divided into two parts, comprising a total of 95 questions. There are four sections in total: Verbal ability and logical reasoning, decision-making, quantitative aptitude, data interpretation and general knowledge. The first three sections comprise the first part of the exam, consisting of 75 questions, and the last section comes under part I, consisting of 20 questions.

Part I: 3 sections

Part I of the XAT examination has three sections: verbal ability and logical reasoning, decision making, quantitative aptitude and data interpretation, which have 75 questions in total, and Part II has 20 questions. Each question is worth one mark. -0.25 marks are deducted for each incorrect answer, and -0.10 marks are awarded after eight unanswered questions.

Part II: 1 section

Part II has only one section, general knowledge, which comprises 20 questions. 8 questions are regarding static GK, and the other 12 questions are about current affairs. For Part II, there is no negative marking for any wrong answer.

Facing the Day of Examination

If you have worked hard for the XAT examination, it is normal to feel nervous on the day of the examination. However, the more relaxed you are, the better your attempt at the examination will be. Therefore, calm down your nerves and attempt the exam in a relaxed manner. Not only shall you be able to effectively apply all the majors that I have used while preparing for the exam on the final day, but you shall also have an idea of your performance in the exam.

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  On the day of the examination, get up on time and feel relaxed.
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  Reach the examination centre on time and carry important documents: admit card, identity proof, photographs, etc.
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  When you start attempting the paper, first have a look through the various sections and then start attempting the questions. Do not panic over the questions you are not able to answer.
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  Once you have attempted all the other questions, if you have time left, you can go over the unattempted questions.
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  Do not carelessly keep answering the questions you are unsure of, as there is a -1 negative marking for each wrong answer.
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  Once you have completed your exam, if some time is left, carefully inspect the answers you have submitted and check for any discrepancies.

XAT 2026: Facing the Day of Examination

If you have worked hard for the XAT examination, it is normal to feel nervous on the day of the examination. However, the more relaxed you are, the better your attempt at the examination will be. Therefore, calm down your nerves and attempt the exam in a relaxed manner. Not only shall you be able to effectively apply all the majors that I have used while preparing for the exam on the final day, but you shall also have an idea of your performance in the exam.

• ✅
  On the day of the examination, get up on time and feel relaxed.
• ✅
  Reach the examination centre on time and carry important documents: admit card, identity proof, photographs, etc.
• ✅
  When you start attempting the paper, first have a look through the various sections and then start attempting the questions. Do not panic over the questions you are not able to answer.
• ✅
  Once you have attempted all the other questions, if you have time left, you can go over the unattempted questions.
• ✅
  Do not carelessly keep answering the questions you are unsure of, as there is a -1 negative marking for each wrong answer.
• ✅
  Once you have completed your exam, if some time is left, carefully inspect the answers you have submitted and check for any discrepancies.

XAT Exam Duration

The total duration of the XAT 2026 exam is 180 minutes or 3 hours. There is no sectional time limit as such. The candidates can easily switch between the sections during the exam. The time slot has been divided among the two parts as follows:

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  Part I – Three sections (Verbal ability and logical reasoning, decision-making, quantitative aptitude and data interpretation): 170 minutes
• ✅
  Part II – One section (General Knowledge): 10 minutes

If you keep practising mock tests, you get to have a fair idea as to how to attempt the exam within the three-hour duration. You can easily learn to attempt the section if you allot the time, depending on which section needs more time. These measures shall take stress off your shoulders and also make you feel like you are well prepared before the final examination.

Takeaway

The XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) examination is a national-level management entrance exam held for admission into the top B-Schools of India, like XLRI, offering MBA and PGDM courses. The XAT exam duration is around 3 hours, with a registration fee of INR 2200/-. The XAT 2026 exam is scheduled to be held on January 4, 2026. It is a great opportunity for students to prepare for the exam well and clear it who wish to enter top B-schools in India and build a successful managerial career with heightened professional prospects.