XAT 2026 Registration Opens with 34 New Test Cities, Boosting Accessibility for Aspirants

XAT 2026 registration is open until December 5. The exam is scheduled for January 4, 2026, with XLRI adding 34 new test cities for wider accessibility. Learn about the new exam pattern, fees, and eligibility.

The Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) 2026 registration window is officially open, marking the beginning of the admission cycle for one of India's most prestigious management entrance exams. In a significant move aimed at democratizing access to top-tier management education, XLRI Jamshedpur, the organizing body for XAT, has expanded the list of test cities to 109, incorporating 34 new locations across the country. This expansion is set to make the exam more accessible to a wider pool of candidates, particularly those residing in smaller towns and cities, by reducing travel burdens and costs.

The registration process for XAT 2026 began on July 10 and will continue until December 5, 2025. The exam itself is scheduled for Sunday, January 4, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM, providing a clear timeline for aspirants to prepare. This extended registration window offers a crucial opportunity for students to not only apply but also to select their preferred test centers from the newly expanded list. Some of the new test cities added this year include Ajmer, Aligarh, Anantapur, Arrah, and Balasore, reflecting a strategic effort to bring the exam closer to the candidates.

A Look at the Streamlined Registration Process

The registration for XAT 2026 is an entirely online process that must be completed through the official website. The steps are straightforward but require careful attention to detail.

1. Registration and Profile Creation: Candidates must first register by providing their name, email ID, and mobile number to create a unique XAT ID.
2. Filling the Application Form: After receiving the login credentials, aspirants must fill out the detailed application form with personal and academic information, including their educational qualifications and work experience (if any).
3. Program Selection and Test City Preference: A key step involves selecting the XLRI programs they wish to apply for and choosing up to six preferred test cities from the comprehensive list. The addition of 34 new cities significantly increases the likelihood of securing a center close to their residence.
4. Fee Payment: The final step is the payment of the application fee. The registration fee for the XAT 2026 is ₹2,200. For candidates interested in applying for XLRI programs, an additional fee of ₹200 per program is required. The fee can be paid online via debit card, credit card, or net banking.

Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme: What's New?

The XAT 2026 exam pattern is a 180-minute, computer-based test that remains distinct from other management exams. It is divided into two parts and features a significant update this year: the removal of the essay writing section.

• Part 1 (170 minutes): This section comprises three core areas: Verbal and Logical Ability, Decision Making, and Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation. A crucial change is the removal of the sectional time limit, allowing candidates to move freely between these three sections. This change offers a strategic advantage, enabling aspirants to allocate time based on their strengths and weaknesses. The marking scheme for this part is +1 for every correct answer and a negative marking of -0.25 for every incorrect answer. There is also a penalty of -0.10 for more than 8 un-attempted questions.
• Part 2 (10 minutes): This part is dedicated to General Knowledge (GK) questions. It is important to note that while there is no negative marking for this section, the scores are not used to calculate the final XAT percentile. The GK section serves as a filter during the second stage of the selection process at some institutions.

Your Gateway to a Wide Network of B-Schools

XAT scores are not only mandatory for admission to the various programs at XLRI Jamshedpur and XLRI Delhi-NCR but are also accepted by over 250 other prestigious B-schools across India. This extensive network of accepting institutions, including esteemed names like XIMB, IMT Ghaziabad, MICA, TAPMI, and GIM Goa, makes XAT a vital exam for any serious management aspirant. The score is a passport to diverse management programs, offering candidates a broad spectrum of choices for their postgraduate studies.

The expansion of test cities and the clear, updated exam structure highlight XLRI's commitment to making management education more accessible and fair. Aspirants should take advantage of the generous registration timeline and the increased test city options to secure their place in the XAT 2026 and begin their journey toward a successful management career.