- News
Featured 
Recent
XAT Examination Guide: Overview
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.
| Features | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) |
| Conducting Body | XLRI, Jamshedpur |
| Exam Level | National |
| Exam Frequency | Once a year |
| Mode of examination | Online |
| Duration of Exam | 3 Hours |
| Exam Syllabus | (1) Decision Making (2) Verbal and Logical Ability (3) Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation (4) General Knowledge |
| Exam Pattern | 100 Questions in MCQ format |
| Exam Language | English |
| Exam Fee | -INR 1700 for General category |
| Exam Purpose | Admission into 800+ MBA colleges |
| Course Offered | MBA / PGDM |
| Number of Test Cities | 46 |
| Exam Helpdesk | 18002674008 |
| XAT official Website | http://www.xatonline.in/per/g21/pub/2076/ASM/WebPortal/1/index.html |
Read More About XAT Exam Analysis
XAT 2021 Exam Dates
The table below contains the timeline of all the important stages in XAT 2021.
| XAT Events | XAT 2021 Dates |
|---|---|
| Process of registrations begins | 3rd week of August, 2020 |
| Process of registrations ends | 4th week of November, 2020 |
| Admit card download begins | 3rd week of December |
| XAT 2021 Exam | 3rd January 2021(Sunday) |
| Announcement of XAT Result | 3rd Week of January, 2021 |
| Shortlisting of candidates | 4th Week of January 2021 |
Read More About XAT Exam Dates
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.
Read More About XAT Exam Preparation
Read More About XAT Exam Syllabus
Read More About Best Books For XAT Preparation
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
reporting 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
Read More About XAT Exam Registration
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 Administration | Xavier Institute of Social Service |
| St. Joseph's Institute of Management | St. Francis Institute of Management and Research (SFIMR) |
| Xavier Institute of Management, Xavier University | Xavier 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 & Entrepreneurship | St.Aloysius Institute of Management and Information Technology |
Read More About XAT Exam Results
Read More About XAT Exam Answer Key
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 colleges | XAT Scores | XAT Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| XLRI-Jamshedpur | 35.5-38.5 | 96-98 |
| XIMB-Bhubaneswar | 30.5-32.5 | 90-93 |
| IMT-Ghaziabad | 30.5-32 | 90-92 |
| GIM-Goa | 27.5-30.5 | 85-90 |
| TAPMI-Manipal | 26-27.5 | 80-85 |
| IRMA-Anand | 26-27.5 | 80-85 |
| MICA-Ahmedabad | 26-27.5 | 80-85 |
| Great Lakes Institute of Management | 26-27.5 | 80-85 |
| LIBA-Chennai | 26-27.5 | 80-85 |
| KJ Somaiya-Mumbai | 27.5-30.5 | 85-90 |
Read More About XAT Exam Cut-Offs
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 Scholarship | KalyanGanguly XEF Scholarship |
| Capital First Scholarship | Naveen Jain & Distinguished Alumni Award |
| Government of India for [ST] Students | VasanthaSankaran Scholarship |
| OP Jindal Engineering & Management | XLRI Diamond Jubilee [Seniors] |
| T Thomas | XLRI Diamond Jubilee [Juniors] |
| Pirojsha Godrej | Alumni 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.