The Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) 2026 is being conducted today, January 4, 2026, from 2 pm to 5 pm across 109 cities in India for admission to MBA/PGDM programmes at XLRI and other management institutes. Candidates who have registered and downloaded their admit cards must follow all exam day instructions and reach their allocated test centres on time for a smooth examination experience.
XAT 2026 Exam Date and Schedule
The XAT 2026 entrance exam is scheduled as per the official timetable, with the exam being held in a single shift today.
Candidates must reach the centre well before the reporting time to avoid any inconvenience.
XAT 2026 Exam Day Instructions & Test Cities
Today’s exam is being conducted across 109 cities nationwide. Registered candidates have received their hall tickets/admit cards earlier and must carry this along with a valid photo ID proof to the centre. Key exam day instructions include:
- Reach the test centre before the gate closing time.
- Carry the printed XAT 2026 admit card and an original photo ID.
- Comply with centre-specific reporting rules mentioned in the admit card.
XAT 2026 Overview and Additional Context
The XAT 2026 registration window began in July 2025 and closed by December 2025, with candidates completing their applications online before the deadline. The exam is being organised by XLRI Jamshedpur, and its scores are widely accepted by MBA/PGDM programmes in over 800 colleges across the country. The XAT admit card 2026 release faced scheduling changes but candidates were required to download it before the exam day as per the official guidelines.
After the Exam – What’s Next?
Once the XAT 2026 exam is completed today, candidates can expect the answer key and result details to be released later in January 2026 as per past patterns. Qualifying XAT scores will be used by participating institutes for shortlisting candidates for further selection rounds, including group discussions and personal interviews. Aspiring management applicants appearing for XAT 2026 must ensure they have followed all exam day rules and comply with the instructions listed on their hall tickets for a smooth test experience.
