XAT 2027 | Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration Period | July – November 2026 |
| Exam Date | January 5, 2027 |
| Result Date | January 2027 |
| Application Fee (General) | ₹2,000 |
XAT 2027 Exam Pattern
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal & Logical Ability | 26 Qs | 26 marks |
| Decision Making | 21 Qs | 21 marks |
| Quantitative Ability & DI | 28 Qs | 28 marks |
| GK (separate, not counted in XAT score) | 25 Qs | Not in %ile |
| Essay | 1 topic | Evaluated separately |
Negative Marking: -0.25 for wrong MCQ; -0.10 for each unattempted beyond 8
College Cutoffs via XAT 2027
| College & Program | Required Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| XLRI Jamshedpur | HRM | XAT 95+ percentile | Top HR program globally |
| XLRI Jamshedpur | BM | XAT 95+ percentile | Business Management |
| XIMB Bhubaneswar | XAT 90+ percentile | Good regional option |
| IMT Ghaziabad | XAT 85+ percentile | North India B-school |
| GIM Goa | XAT 82+ percentile | Boutique B-school in Goa |
FAQs | XAT 2027
What is the XAT 2027 exam date?+
XAT 2027 is scheduled for January 5, 2027 (Sunday). Registration opens in July 2026 at xatonline.in. XAT score is used by XLRI and 150+ management institutes.
Is XAT harder than CAT?+
XAT has a unique Decision Making section not found in CAT, which many candidates find challenging. XAT also has negative marking for unattempted questions (after 8 unattempted in DM section). Overall difficulty is comparable to CAT.
Can I apply to XLRI with CAT score?+
No. XLRI Jamshedpur admits only through XAT scores | not CAT. However, for their Executive MBA (PGDM Executive), GMAT scores may be accepted. For regular 2-year MBA (HRM and BM programs), XAT is mandatory.