XAT 2027: Exam Date, Registration Last Date, Pattern and Preparation
XAT 2027 is the second-biggest MBA entrance exam in India after CAT. It is conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur and its score is accepted by more than 250 B-schools. If you are preparing for CAT on 29 November, XAT is the natural next exam, and its registration closes soon.
Quick facts: XAT 2027 is on Sunday, 3 January 2027, from 2 PM to 5 PM. Registration closes on 6 December 2026. The fee is ₹2,300.
XAT 2027 at a Glance
- Conducting body: XLRI – Xavier School of Management, Jamshedpur (on behalf of XAMI)
- Exam date: Sunday, 3 January 2027
- Exam time: 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM (3 hours)
- Registration: Opened 15 July 2026; last date 6 December 2026
- Admit card: Expected around 20 December 2026
- Application fee: ₹2,300 (₹200 extra for each XLRI programme you apply to)
- Test cities: More than 100 cities across India
- Accepted by: 250+ B-schools offering MBA and PGDM
- Official website: xatonline.in
Who Can Apply for XAT 2027?
- A bachelor's degree of at least three years in any subject.
- Final-year students can apply.
- There is no age limit and no limit on attempts.
XAT 2027 Exam Pattern
XAT tests the same skills as CAT plus a special Decision Making section, which is unique to XAT. Based on the latest pattern:
- Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning: about 26 questions
- Decision Making: about 21 questions
- Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation: about 28 questions
- General Knowledge: about 20–25 questions (not counted in the main percentile by most schools)
Marking: +1 for each correct answer and −0.25 for each wrong answer. There is also a small penalty (−0.10) if you leave more than 8 questions in a row unanswered, so do not skip long stretches. General Knowledge has no negative marking. Check the final pattern in the XAT 2027 bulletin on xatonline.in.
CAT vs XAT: What Is Different?
- Decision Making: XAT has a full section of real-life business and ethics situations. CAT does not.
- Time: XAT does not lock you into equal time per section the way CAT does, so you can plan your own time.
- Unanswered penalty: XAT punishes leaving many questions in a row blank; CAT does not.
- Timing: XAT comes about five weeks after CAT, so most CAT preparation carries over directly.
How to Prepare in the Time Left
- Register now. Do not wait for the last week of November, when the site gets busy.
- Finish CAT first. Until 29 November, keep your focus on CAT. VARC and Quant practice helps both exams.
- From 30 November, switch to XAT mode. Spend the most new time on Decision Making: solve 10–15 past-paper sets a day and read the explanations.
- Take 4–5 full XAT mocks in December under the real 2–5 PM timing.
- General Knowledge: revise current affairs from the last 6–8 months for 15 minutes a day.
Where Can XAT Take You?
XAT is the main exam for XLRI Jamshedpur and the other XAMI member schools, and many leading private B-schools across India accept it alongside CAT. Each school sets its own cutoff and selection process, so check the admission page of every college you are interested in. For options in and around Hyderabad, see our guide to the top MBA colleges in Hyderabad, and try the MBA college predictor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last date to register for XAT 2027?
6 December 2026, on xatonline.in.
When is the XAT 2027 exam?
Sunday, 3 January 2027, from 2 PM to 5 PM.
What is the XAT 2027 application fee?
₹2,300. XLRI programmes cost ₹200 extra each.
Is there negative marking in XAT?
Yes. −0.25 for each wrong answer, and −0.10 if you leave more than 8 questions in a row unanswered. General Knowledge has no negative marking.
Can I take both CAT and XAT?
Yes. Most MBA aspirants take both. CAT is on 29 November 2026 and XAT on 3 January 2027, so you have about five weeks between them.