XAT 2026 (Latest Update): Eligibility, Application Link, Exam Pattern & Syllabus

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The Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT), organized by XLRI Jamshedpur, happens once every year in more than 90 cities across India. XAT scores are used for MBA/PGDM admissions, not just for XLRI Jamshedpur and other Xavier Associate Management Institutes but also for over 160 top B-schools in India.

XAT Exam Eligibility 

Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in any discipline from a recognized university. Students who anticipate completing their final examinations within the stipulated time, as per the official notification, are also eligible to apply for XAT. 

XAT 2026 Important Dates 

XAT 2026 Online Application Link

If you are preparing to apply for XAT 2026, you can click HERE to apply. 

XAT 2026 Exam Structure 

XAT 2026 Exam Pattern, Syllabus & Marking Scheme

• XLRI will exclusively use the scores from the General Knowledge (GK) sections for its final selection process.
• PwD candidates will be granted an additional 20 minutes for every hour.
• The number of questions in the XAT typically fluctuates within a range of 100-105. 
• Before the commencement of the exam, candidates will be allotted 5 minutes to test the keyboard.
• 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.

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What After the XAT Exam? 

Here are five of the top career prospects after completing the XAT exam and obtaining a management degree from a reputed institute:

• Corporate Jobs: Opportunities in roles such as management trainee, business analyst, marketing manager, operations manager, and financial analyst across various industries.
• Consulting: Positions in consulting firms offering strategic and operational advice to businesses, including management consulting, IT consulting, and strategy consulting.
• Finance: Careers in investment banking, corporate finance, financial analysis, asset management, and risk management in financial institutions and corporations.
• Marketing and Sales: Roles in brand management, digital marketing, sales management, market research, and product management in consumer goods, technology, and service sectors.
• Entrepreneurship: Starting and managing one's own business or venture, leveraging entrepreneurial skills developed during management education.

Explore these two must-read articles to level up your XAT 2026 prep and pave your way to a premier B-school:

• XAT 2026 Preparation: 5-Month Study Plan to Crack the Exam

• 5 easy steps to approach XAT Decision Making questions

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