Aspirants of XLRI and other XAT-accepting institutes should note that XAT registration was open till Dec 5, 2025

With XAT 2026 registration now officially closed as of December 11, the focus shifts to the high-stakes exam on January 4, 2026. Today, December 20, marks the critical release of the XAT admit cards on the official portal. Aspirants must download their hall tickets to verify test center details and reporting times. This guide covers essential preparation strategies, the final countdown timeline, and top colleges accepting XAT scores for the upcoming academic session.

As the calendar turns to December 20, the journey toward XLRI Jamshedpur and other premier B-schools enters its most critical phase. Following the conclusion of the extended registration window on December 11, the convening authorities have released the admit cards today for the Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) 2026. Scheduled for January 4, 2026, the exam remains the gateway for over 1.4 lakh aspirants eyeing seats in 250+ top-tier management institutes across India.

Key Deadlines and Post-Registration Timeline

The post-registration phase is strictly time-bound. Candidates must ensure they are aligned with the official schedule to avoid last-minute hurdles.

• Admit Card Download: Available starting today, December 20, 2025, via the official website (xatonline.in).
• Exam Date: Sunday, January 4, 2026, conducted in a single afternoon slot from 2:00 PM to 5:30 PM.
• Results & Shortlisting: Results are expected by the third week of January 2026, followed immediately by interview shortlists for XLRI.
• GMAT/GRE Path: While XAT registration is closed, candidates applying to XLRI’s PGDM (GM) via GMAT/GRE have until December 31, 2025.

Final Preparation Strategy for the 15-Day Sprint

With just two weeks remaining, the focus must shift from learning new concepts to refining speed and decision-making accuracy.

• Master the Decision Making (DM) Section: Dedicate an hour daily to XAT-specific DM caselets, focusing on ethical and balanced business perspectives.
• Mock Test Rigor: Take 3–5 full-length mocks under actual exam timings (2 PM – 5:30 PM) to build mental stamina and test-taking discipline.
• General Knowledge (GK) Buffer: Spend 20 minutes daily on current affairs from the last 6–10 months, as there is no negative marking in this section.

Navigating Top B-School Choices and Cutoffs

While XLRI Jamshedpur remains the primary target, several other high-ROI institutes accept XAT scores, each with varying cutoff percentiles.

• 90+ Percentile Club: Top picks include XLRI Jamshedpur (BM/HRM), XIM Bhubaneswar, MICA Ahmedabad, and IMT Ghaziabad.
• 80–90 Percentile Range: Strong contenders include GIM Goa, IMI New Delhi, TAPMI Manipal, and FORE School of Management.
• 70–80 Percentile Options: Reliable choices for management aspirants include BIMTECH Greater Noida, KJ Somaiya, and LIBA Chennai.

The XAT 2026 exam serves as a unique test of logic and ethics. Beyond the quantitative and verbal sections, your ability to navigate complex business scenarios in the DM section will likely be the differentiFor regular updates follow Only Education News. For more details on management entrance exams and courses, check here: Management Exams List.ator. Success in these final days depends on a calm mindset and a clear understanding of the exam's unique pattern. Aspirants should immediately log in to the official portal to download and print their admit cards to confirm their allotted test city and venue details.

For regular updates follow Only Education News. For more details on management entrance exams and courses, check here: Management Exams List.