XAT, also known as Xavier’s Aptitude Test is an entrance test conducted for admissions to management programs. It offers admission to Xavier’s institutions along with 160 more B-schools. It is a CBT mode of examination conducted within three hours.

Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT), administered by XLRI, Jamshedpur, is a nationwide management entrance exam designed for admission to MBA/PGDM programs. Besides XLRI and 10 other XAMI member institutions, more than 1,000 B-schools consider XAT scores for entry into various post-graduate management programs like MBA, PGDM, and Executive MBA.

The XAT question paper comprises 100 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) covering Decision Making, Verbal & Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, and General Knowledge. Typically, XAT cutoffs for XLRI’s PGDM-BM program hover around the 95th percentile for male candidates and the 92nd percentile for female candidates.

Top colleges accepting XAT score

Xavier’s institutions have successfully come a long way since its inception. From being an institution, which is only aspired by the HR candidates to an institution having powerful courses and full-time programs on business leadership and entrepreneurship. That is what makes XAT so aspirational.

Some of the top colleges are listed below.

• XLRI Jamshedpur
• XIM Bhubaneswar
• SP Jain Mumbai
• MICA Ahmedabad
• IMT Ghaziabad

It is an important exam for MBA aspirants due to the following reasons listed below.

• XAT score is accepted at more than 160 renowned colleges for admission into their MBA courses.
• It is conducted once a year in January. Thus, the aspirants also get two months of preparation time after the CAT and IIFT exams.
• This duration of time helps a candidate not to repeat the same mistakes which are done earlier. Thus, providing them one more chance to enter some of the premier management colleges of India.

Who conducts XAT?

The XAT examination is an important management entrance test which is conducted by a notable B-School known as Xavier Labour Relations Institute (XLRI). It is situated in Jodhpur.

XLRI conducts XAT at the All-India scale to select the most eligible candidates for management education.

XAT 2025 Exam dates

The important dates for XAT 2025 including the registration start date, exam date, results are discussed here in this section. The experts at PaGaLGuY did a good research and analysis to make an educated guess to understand about the tentative dates in accordance to the previous years’ dates.

Important dates for XAT 2025

The Important dates for XAT 2025 exam are given below.

The MBA aspirants must know the important dates for the entrance test to be well prepared for both the registration as well as exam date. However, in the case of the XAT test, starting the preparations sooner is better.

Eligibility criteria for XAT 2025

XAT candidates must fulfill specific eligibility criteria to qualify for the exam. Here are the latest requirements:

• Applicants should possess a bachelor’s degree of at least three years’ duration or its equivalent in any discipline from a recognised university.
• Those in the final year of their bachelor’s degree or awaiting results are also permitted to sit for the XAT examination.
• There is no minimum mark stipulation for graduation criteria in the XAT exam. However, candidates must have successfully completed their bachelor’s degree program.
• Working professionals and individuals with professional degrees such as CA/CS are also eligible to take the exam.

Registration for XAT 2025

The XAT registration process marks the initial stage towards XLRI admission, started from 15th July 2024. To register for the entrance test, aspirants need to complete the online XAT 2025 application form and submit the requisite fees. The registration and application procedure for XAT 2025 is outlined as follows:

• Visit the XAT 2025 website at xatonline.in.
• Click on ‘New Registration’ and input the necessary details.
• A unique XAT ID and registration link will be sent to the candidate’s verified email ID.
• Click on the provided link to verify your registration.
• Return to the XAT 2025 homepage and click on ‘login’.
• Enter your email ID and password to access the application form.
• Complete all mandatory fields in the XAT 2025 application form.
• Double-check the provided information before submitting the form.
• Pay the XAT 2025 application fee of INR 2,200 using credit/debit card, UPI, or net banking.
• Candidates can select up to four cities in the XAT application form 2025. The examination authority will assign the XAT center based on the candidate’s first preference city. If a seat is unavailable at the preferred test center, candidates will be assigned a center in the subsequent city chosen.

XAT Registration Fee

XAT Registration Fee – Rs. 2200/-

Candidates interested in XLRI programmes need to pay an additional fee of Rs. 200/- each

ndian candidates can apply through GMAT/GRE for PGDM (GM) whereas an NRI/Foreign national can apply through GMAT for all the programmes. Kindly note GRE scores are only valid for PGDM(GM).

Fee for Indian Candidates applying for PGDM(GM) through GMAT/GRE– Rs. 2500/-

Fee for NRI/Foreign Candidates applying for one or more programmes through GMAT– Rs. 5000/-

The list of XLRI’s programmes is as follows:

• Business Management Programme (BM)
• Human Resource Management Programme (HRM)
• Post Graduate Diploma in Management (18 Months/Formerly known
  as GMP)
• Fellow Programme in Management (FPM)
• XLRI-RBS Double-master’s Programme
• Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Venture Creation Programme (IEV)

NB: You may go through the XLRI Admissions prospectus for complete details of each programme.

Registration Process “How to Apply”

1. Register yourself.

2. Verify email ID.

3. Fill XAT Application form online

4. Upload required documents.

5. Pay application fees.

6. Submit your application form.

Exam pattern: XAT 2025

Syllabus of XAT 2025

The XAT 2025 syllabus encompasses essential subjects such as Verbal & Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, and General Knowledge. Notably, the Decision Making section stands out as unique, lacking a prescribed syllabus; hence, aspirants are encouraged to review past years’ question papers and sample tests for preparation. Here are some key points regarding the XAT 2025 syllabus:

• The Decision Making segment of XAT presents scenarios derived from personal and professional contexts, necessitating candidates to employ critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and prioritisation to arrive at informed decisions.
• In the Verbal & Logical Ability section, XAT includes questions covering Critical and Analytical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, English Grammar, Vocabulary, Parajumbles, Cloze Test, among others.
• The Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation section encompasses topics such as Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Modern Math, and more.
• The General Knowledge section of the XAT exam addresses various subjects including politics, culture, society, personalities, business, art & entertainment, sports, inventions, innovation, world affairs, economy, science, technology, literature, among others.
• Analytical Essay Writing (AEW) entails three topics, from which candidates must select one and compose an essay of 250 words. Typically, the topics are drawn from the realms of business and social domains.

XAT Preparation Tips & Strategy for 2025

Effective preparation for XAT typically requires a dedicated span of six to nine months. Being regarded as one of the most challenging MBA entrance exams, XAT demands substantial time and commitment. Its structure encompasses four sections: Decision Making, Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, and General Knowledge.

In XAT, maintaining an equitable focus across all sections is crucial, as sectional cutoffs significantly influence selection to XLRI, Jamshedpur. Therefore, it’s advisable to allocate study hours equally among these segments. Commence by establishing a solid foundation of understanding in each subject. Initially, assess your familiarity with various topics and categorise them as strengths or weaknesses. Begin with reinforcing your proficiency in areas of strength to build confidence in tackling tougher subjects. Below are some essential tips to shape your preparation strategy for XAT 2025:

1. Engage in online study groups on platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Telegram, and WhatsApp.
2. Acquire XAT books and study materials, which are readily accessible online or at coaching institutes.
3. Start your preparation by revisiting topics you already grasp well and feel confident about.
4. Upon completing a topic or concept, solve a few related problems to gauge your comprehension.
5. Prioritise completing the XAT syllabus before delving into solving XAT mock tests. Aim to practice a minimum of 25-30 mock tests to optimise your performance.

Admit Card for XAT 2025

Documents Required on Exam Day

• XAT admit card
• Aadhar card
• Voter ID
• Passport, College/University ID
• Driver’s license

Results of XAT 2025

The XAT 2025 result will be published within 15-20 days following the exam. Candidates will need to obtain their scorecards from both the official XAT and XLRI websites. Below is a brief outline of the process to download the XAT result:

1. Visit the XAT ONLINE website: xatonline.in
2. Navigate to the ‘scorecard’ tab.
3. Input your XAT User ID and date of birth, then click on ‘login’.
4. Download the XAT result cum scorecard and save a copy as a PDF.

It’s important to note that the XAT 2025 result cum scorecard will remain valid for admission to XLRI Jamshedpur for only one year. If a candidate chooses to defer their admission, they will need to retake the exam. Additionally, the XAT scorecard will be available for download for a limited duration, so candidates should promptly download and retain their copy upon release.

XAT Cut off

Candidates may consider the cutoff marks for the entrance test for proper preparation. The cutoff marks for previous years are stated below.