XAT Examination Guide: Everything you want to know

What is XAT?

The Xavier Aptitude Test (abbreviated as XAT) is a national-level entrance test conducted by the prestigious XLRI, Jamshedpur for admission to the MBA / PGDM programs. If you’re looking for a test that makes you eligible to apply to a wide-pool of management institutes, XAT is an examination that you must certainly aim for. XAT scores have wide acceptability- from XLRI and 10 XAMI members to over 700 other B-schools across the country admit prospective candidates on the basis of XAT scores.

XAT is an online examination conducted at various test centers in 46 cities across India. In 2021, it was held on January 3 (Sunday) from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM.

If you’re thinking of having a crack at XAT or are someone who wants to know more about the examination, we have you covered! This examination guide will take you through the various important facets of XAT that every prospective candidate must be aware of.

XAT Exam Eligibility Criteria

It is mandatory to fulfill certain eligibility criteria to appear in XAT. The minimum eligibility criteria are specified in the points below.

  • You must have completed a Bachelor’s degree of minimum three years duration or equivalent in any discipline from a recognized university
  • In case you’re in the final year of your Bachelor’s degree or awaiting your results, then also you’re eligible to apply for the test
  • There is no minimum marks or minimum age requirements for XAT 2021

XAT Exam Highlights 

The significant exam highlights are given in the table below.

FeaturesDetails 
Exam Name
Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT)
Conducting BodyXLRI, Jamshedpur
Exam LevelNational
Exam FrequencyOnce a year
Mode of examinationOnline
Duration of Exam3 Hours
Exam Syllabus(1) Decision Making
(2) Verbal and Logical Ability
(3) Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation
(4) General Knowledge
Exam Pattern100 Questions in MCQ format
Exam LanguageEnglish
Exam Fee-INR 1700 for General category
Exam PurposeAdmission into 800+ MBA colleges
Course OfferedMBA / PGDM
Number of Test Cities46
Exam Helpdesk18002674008
XAT official Websitehttp://www.xatonline.in/per/g21/pub/2076/ASM/WebPortal/1/index.html

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XAT 2021 Exam Dates 

The table below contains the timeline of all the important stages in XAT 2021.

XAT EventsXAT 2021 Dates
Process of registrations begins3rd week of August, 2020
Process of registrations ends4th week of November, 2020
Admit card download begins3rd week of December
XAT 2021 Exam3rd January 2021(Sunday)
Announcement of XAT Result3rd Week of January, 2021
Shortlisting of candidates4th Week of January 2021

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XAT 2021 Preparation

It is really important that you approach and plan your XAT preparation in a time-bound manner. Your preparation must begin with a close analysis of your strong and weak areas and the time at your disposal to work on each of them. If you’re starting your preparation more than 6 months before the exam, then you could plan elaborately. However, if you’re starting out just about 4 months before the exam, then you’ll have to be really focused and rapid in your preparation. To plan an exam preparation strategy, it is important that you know the XAT exam pattern and syllabus beforehand.

Take a look at the chart below to familiarize yourself with the important facets of the exam structure and pattern.

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Read More About XAT Exam Syllabus

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XAT 2021 Exam Day Guidelines

There are certain basic guidelines that you need to keep in mind to ensure a smooth exam day.

  • Make sure that you are present at your exam center at least an hour before the guidelinesreporting time. This is important as it will allow you to approach the exam with a clear head.
  • Make sure that you don’t carry any electronic items like a mobile phone, watch, calculator, etc. to the exam center.
  • You must also not carry any stationery item or eatables inside the exam center. 

Documents to carry on exam day

There are certain documents that you need to carry to secure entry in the exam hall. Along with the XAT admit card, you need to carry any one of the identity proofs mentioned below.

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

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Top Colleges Accepting XAT Scores

Writing XAT allows you to choose from a wide array of management institutes across the country.

Apart from the prestigious XLRI, Jamshedpur and 11 XAMI members, you’ll have the option of applying to over 800+ other MBA institutes in India.

Take a look at the XAMI member colleges in the table below.

Loyola Institute of Business AdministrationXavier Institute of Social Service
St. Joseph's Institute of ManagementSt. Francis Institute of Management and Research (SFIMR)
Xavier Institute of Management, Xavier UniversityXavier Business School (XBS), St.Xavier's University, Kolkata
Xavier Institute of Development Action and Sciences (XIDAS)Xavier Institute of Management & Research
Xavier Institute of Management & EntrepreneurshipSt.Aloysius Institute of Management and Information Technology

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XAT Exam Selection Process

After the XAT examination, the selection of candidates doesn’t happen in a centralized manner. Different colleges have their own different selection procedures.

For instance, the selection process in XLRI Jamshedpur involves three further steps which are explained below:

Step 1: Shortlisting of candidates

After you receive your XAT score, you’ll have to submit the same to XLRI Jamshedpur after which the college will release a shortlist of candidates for the group discussion and personal interview round.

Step 2: Group Discussion and Personal Interview 

If you’re among the shortlisted candidates, you’ll receive a notification from XLRI Jamshedpur for the group discussion and personal interview schedule. This round is held in multiple cities and you’ll be required to select your interview city on the official website of XLRI within the given time limit.

Step 3: Final Selection

Your final selection will be a cumulative outcome of your XAT score, your performance in the GD/PI round, your previous academic record and certain other parameters. If your name appears in the merit list, then you’ll receive a call from the college authorities to complete the further formalities.

Selection procedure of other institutes accepting XAT scores

The other institutes accepting XAT scores for admission to their MBA/PGDM program have their own application and admission process. Certain institutes open their registration window much before XAT is conducted, other institutions start their admission process only after the XAT result is announced.

Read More About XAT Exam Counselling And Selection Process

XAT 2021 Cut Off (Expected)

The institutes participating in XAT release separate admission cutoffs to shortlist candidates for the second stage of GD/PI after the result declaration. The table given below gives you the expected cut off scores and percentiles of some of the top XAT institutes. These numbers will give you an important idea of the scores that you should be aiming at to have a shot at the top-ranked XAT colleges.

XAT collegesXAT ScoresXAT Percentile
XLRI-Jamshedpur35.5-38.596-98
XIMB-Bhubaneswar30.5-32.590-93
IMT-Ghaziabad30.5-3290-92
GIM-Goa27.5-30.585-90
TAPMI-Manipal26-27.580-85
IRMA-Anand26-27.580-85
MICA-Ahmedabad26-27.580-85
Great Lakes Institute of Management26-27.580-85
LIBA-Chennai26-27.580-85
KJ Somaiya-Mumbai27.5-30.585-90

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XAT Examination Contact Information

XLRI Admission Office
C. H. Area (East)
Jamshedpur - 831001
Jharkhand, India
Phone: +91 657 665 3203/3204/3205
Fax: +91-657-2227814
Email[email protected]
Website: http://www.xlri.ac.in/

Candidates can call at 1800 209 0835 (Toll-Free) from Monday to Saturday (10:00-18:00 hrs).

XAT Examination FAQs

Q: How often is XAT conducted in a year?

A: XAT is held annually on the first Sunday of January. In 2020, XAT was held on January 5 from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm.

Q: Is XAT conducted online or offline?

A: XAT is conducted in the online mode. Till 2017, it was a pen and paper-based examination but after 2018, it has shifted to the online mode.

Q: Why is XAT important?

A: Qualifying XAT gives you the option to apply to some of the most renowned B-Schools in the country including not just XLRI Jamshedpur and other XAMI members but also over 700 other management institutes.

Q. How many times can one attempt XAT?

A: There is no restriction on the number of times that you can appear for XAT.

Q. What are the scholarship schemes in XLRI, Jamshedpur?

A: XLRI, Jamshedpur offers various scholarships to economically backward meritorious students. Given below is the list of scholarships offered by the institute last year:
Scholarship schemes in XLRI, Jamshedpur

Aditya Birla ScholarshipKalyanGanguly XEF Scholarship
Capital First ScholarshipNaveen Jain & Distinguished Alumni Award
Government of India for [ST] StudentsVasanthaSankaran Scholarship
OP Jindal Engineering & ManagementXLRI Diamond Jubilee [Seniors]
T ThomasXLRI Diamond Jubilee [Juniors]
Pirojsha GodrejAlumni Scholarship
Joseph M Sciortino [for ST Students]Alumni Scholarship
Geeta Saxena Memorial

Q: How many candidates appear for XAT?

A: XAT is attempted by about 70,000 candidates every year.

Q: Is XAT tougher than CAT?

A: XAT and CAT are two of the toughest management exams in comparison to the other MBA entrance exams. However, certain factors such as the decision-making section and the absence of an onscreen calculator make XAT tougher than CAT.

Q: Do different courses of XLRI have different XAT cut-offs?

A: Yes, various PGDM courses of XLRI have their own separate cut-offs. Check previous year’s course wise XAT cut-offs here.

Q: In how many months can I prepare for XAT?

A: The ideal preparation time for XAT is suggested to be between 6 to 9 months. However, you must work out your own preparation strategy keeping in mind your strengths and weaknesses.

Q: Was there any sectional time limit in XAT 2020?

A: No, XAT 2020 did not have any sectional time limit.

Q: Will I get access to an on-screen calculator during the exam?

A: No, you will not be given access to an on-screen calculator during the exam.

Q: I am in my second year of Graduation. Can I apply for XAT?

A: No. You can apply only if you have completed your graduation or are in the final year of the same.




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