XAT 2027 registration ongoing: apply by December 6 for XLRI MBA admissions

XLRI Jamshedpur, India’s oldest B-school established in 1949, has announced that registration for the Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) 2027 is currently open. Aspiring candidates for MBA, PGDM, and other management programs at XLRI and over 250 other institutes across India must complete their applications by December 6, 2026. The XAT 2027 examination is scheduled to be held on January 3, 2027.

The XAT is a national-level computer-based test conducted annually by XLRI Jamshedpur on behalf of the XAMI members. This year’s notification for XAT 2027 was released earlier than anticipated on July 15, 2026, marking the start of the application process. The exam is a crucial gateway for admission to XLRI’s Business Management (BM), Human Resource Management (HRM), and General Management Programme (GMP), among others.

XAT 2027 Application Process and Fees

The application process for XAT 2027 is entirely online and can be accessed through the official website, xatonline.in. Candidates are required to craft a login, fill in their academic and personal details, upload necessary documents, and pay the application fee. The registration fee for XAT is INR 2300. Also, an extra fee of INR 200 is applicable for each XLRI PGDM/MBA program a candidate applies for. Payments can be made using debit/credit cards or net banking.

Applicants must upload a recent passport-size photograph and signature, ensuring the scanned image size is within 1MB. Specific guidelines for photographs include avoiding caps, hats, and dark glasses, though religious headwear is permitted if it does not obscure the face. Candidates can select up to six preferred test cities, with allotment on a first-come, first-served basis.

1. Visit xatonline.in and click on the ‘apply now’ tab.
2. Click on ‘register for XAT’ or ‘sign up’.
3. Enter name, phone number, email ID, etc., to create a login.
4. Confirm XAT registration by using the OTP received.
5. Fill academic and personal details in the XAT form.
6. Upload a recent passport size photo and signature.
7. Select test cities for centre allotment.
8. Select XLRI course and campus – Jamshedpur or Noida.
9. Pay XAT fees of INR 2300 via debit/credit card or net banking.

Key Dates for XAT 2027

The XAT 2027 examination is set for January 3, 2027, and will be conducted in nearly 90 cities across India. The admit cards for eligible candidates will be released on December 20, 2026. The results for XAT 2027 are tentatively scheduled to be announced in the fourth week of January 2027. These dates are critical for aspirants planning their application and preparation.

XAT 2027 Exam Pattern and Structure

The XAT 2027 exam is a computer-based test with a total duration of 180 minutes, held from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. The examination comprises 95 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) divided into sections: Verbal and Logical Ability (26 questions), Decision Making (21 questions), Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation (28 questions), and General Knowledge (20 questions). The exam duration is split into Part 1 (170 minutes for core sections) and Part 2 (10 minutes for General Knowledge).

Each correct answer in the core sections carries one mark, while each incorrect answer incurs a negative marking of 0.25 marks. A penalty of 0.10 marks is deducted for every unattempted question beyond eight in the core sections. The General Knowledge section has no negative marking and does not contribute to the overall percentile score, but it is used by XLRI in its final selection process. Notably, Analytical Essay Writing (AEW) has been removed from the written exam and integrated into the Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI) stages. Candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree in any discipline to be eligible to apply for XAT 2027.

Further reading

• KJ Somaiya XAT cutoff 2027 expected at 75-80 percentile for MBA admissions
• XAT 2026 generally tougher than CAT: know differences and similarities
• XAT exam pattern: sections, marking and duration Next step
• NMIT MBA 2026: Apply now using CAT/MAT/KMAT/PGCET scores
• SNAP 2026 registration open for MBA programs, apply by November 25 Applications open
• XAT: complete exam guide

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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