XAT Selection Process 2026 opens with registration from July 10 to December 05, 2025. Eligibility needs a recognized three-year bachelor’s degree in any field. About 95,000 candidates register each year for over 12,000 MBA seats. Shortlisting uses overall and sectional cutoffs across four test sections. Shortlisted candidates, around 18,000, move to Group Discussion (GD), Personal Interview (PI) and Writing Ability Test (WAT) rounds. Final merit lists of XAT Selection Process 2026 combine 60% XAT scores, 25% GD/PI performance and 15% academic and work credentials. This clear framework keeps the process fair and data driven.
XAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates can check the required eligibility criterias for XAT 2026 exam is discussed below.
Academic requirements: Candidates must hold a recognised three-year Bachelor’s degree in any discipline or its equivalent. Final-year students may apply if they expect to complete their degree by June 2026.
Work-experience norms: The application form captures full-time work experience after graduation, but no minimum work tenure is required. Only salaried roles count; internships and articleships are excluded.
Age and document requirements: No maximum age limit applies. Before submission, candidates must upload degree certificates, mark sheets, recent passport-size photo and signature as per official Bulletin specifications (JPG/JPEG format; size and dimension rules apply).
Also Read, XAT Eligibility Criteria 2026
XAT Selection Process 2026: Application and Registration
Interested candidates who are eligible for the exam can check the application process and important dates below.
Steps to Register for XAT 2026
Follow the below steps to complete XAT Registration 2026.
- Visit the official XAT portal at xatonline.in and click “New Registration”.
- Enter basic details (name, email, mobile) to receive a system-generated XAT ID and password.
- Verify the link sent to the registered email/mobile and log in to access the application form.
- Complete personal, academic and work-experience sections; upload photograph and signature as per specifications.
- Select preferred exam city(ies) and XLRI program(s), pay the registration fee online, then submit and download the confirmation page.
Key Dates of XAT Selection Process 2026
The authority has released the important dates for XAT 2026 exam, candidates can check the important dates below.
- Registration opens: July 10, 2025
- Registration closes: December 05, 2025
- Admit card download: December 20, 2025 (tentative)
- Exam date: January 04, 2026
Application Fee and Payment Modes in XAT Selection Process 2026
Candidates can check the application fee for XAT 2026 exam below.
- Base fee: INR 2,200
- Additional program fee (per XLRI course): INR 200 each
- NRI/foreign candidates: INR 5,000
- Payment: Fully online via the XAT portal upon form submission
Registration via the official XAT portal ensures entry into the XAT Selection Process 2026 and is a mandatory first step toward GD, PI and WAT assessment rounds
XAT 2026 Shortlisting Criteria
XAT score cutoffs: XLRI’s Admission Prospectus (2025) shows past cutoffs for PGDM-BM at 96th percentile (general male engineers) and 91st percentile (general female engineers), and for PGDM-HRM at 95th percentile (male) and 90th percentile (female). Expected overall XAT cutoffs 2026 will be in the same range.
Sectional cutoffs: While XLRI publishes only overall cutoffs, historical data in the Prospectus indicates sectional cutoffs around 84–88 percentile across Quantitative Ability & DI, Verbal Ability & LR, and Decision Making.
Tie-break rules: In case of equal XAT scores, the Prospectus specifies the following order to resolve ties:
- Higher Decision Making percentile
- Higher Verbal Ability percentile
- Higher Quantitative Ability & DI percentile
- Older candidate (by date of birth)
- Alphabetical order of surname
Check XAT Cutoff 2025
XAT Selection Process 2026: GD, PI and WAT Rounds
Role of Group Exercise (GE) in XAT Selection Process 2026:
XLRI has replaced the traditional GD with a Group Exercise (GE). In GE, small teams tackle a business scenario or problem statement, collaborating to propose solutions. This format evaluates teamwork, leadership, practical problem-solving and clear communication.
Role of Personal Interview (PI) in XAT Selection Process 2026:
The PI explores academic background, career objectives and analytical abilities. One-on-one interviews with faculty members probe motivations, past experiences and program fit, assessing confidence, subject knowledge and interpersonal skills.
Writing Ability Test (WAT) weightage in XAT Selection Process 2026:
The WAT tests written communication and logical structuring. Candidates write brief essays on current business or social topics. WAT scores contribute alongside GE and PI under the official evaluation criteria.
Read, XAT Response Sheet 2025
Institute-Wise XAT Selection Process 2026
Candidates can check the institute-wise selection process for XAT exam below.
XLRI Selection Process 2026
Application: XLRI accepts XAT or GMAT scores. A single form on xlri.ac.in covers both PGDM-BM and PGDM-HRM.
Cutoff & Shortlist: Overall XAT cutoff ~95 percentile (BM) and 94 percentile (HRM) for general category. Sectional cutoffs ~85–88 percentile in Quant, Verbal and Decision Making.
GE, PI & WAT Rounds: Shortlisted candidates (≈ 1.5× seats) join the Group Exercise (GE), Personal Interview (PI) and Writing Ability Test (WAT).
Weightage: 60% XAT score, 25% GE/PI, 15% WAT + academics + work exp.
Final Merit: Composite score ranks candidates for admission offers.
XIMB Selection Process 2026
Application: Valid XAT/CAT/GMAT/XGMT score plus separate XIMB form on ximb.edu.in.
Cutoff & Shortlist: Expected overall XAT cutoff 90–91 percentile.
WAT, GD & PI: Shortlisted aspirants face a Writing Ability Test, Group Discussion and Personal Interview in major cities.
Final Merit: Blend of entrance score, WAT, GD, PI performance and profile metrics.
IMT Ghaziabad Selection Process 2026
Application: Single online form for IMT Ghaziabad, Nagpur & Hyderabad campuses with XAT/CAT/GMAT scores.
Shortlist: Based on entrance test percentile and academic record.
Interview: In-person Personal Interview across selected cities (no GD).
Final Merit: Entrance score, PI performance and work experience (if any) determine seat offers.
