The Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) 2026, a gateway to prestigious management programs across India, is scheduled for Sunday, January 4, 2026. With the exam just around the corner, candidates must be fully prepared with the essential guidelines and documents. The Xavier School of Management (XLRI) Jamshedpur, the conducting body, has released a comprehensive set of instructions for the smooth conduct of the examination.
XAT 2026: Essential Exam Day Checklist
To avoid any last-minute hassles, candidates must ensure they have the following items ready before heading to the test centre. The reporting time is crucial, and the exam will be held from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
The most critical document is the XAT 2026 admit card. Candidates must download and print a hard copy from the official website, xatonline.in. Alongside the admit card, a government-issued photo ID proof (such as Aadhar Card, Passport, Voter ID, or Driving License) is mandatory. The name on the ID must exactly match the name printed on the admit card.
On the day of the exam, biometric details of each candidate will be captured at the centre for verification purposes. While a specific dress code is not heavily mandated, candidates are advised to wear simple, comfortable attire and avoid heavy jewellery or accessories that might hinder the biometric process.
Understanding the XAT 2026 Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
The XAT 2026 question paper will be divided into two distinct parts. Part 1 is the Aptitude Test, which must be completed within 170 minutes. Part 2 is the General Knowledge (GK) section, with a duration of 10 minutes. Candidates have the flexibility to choose which section to attempt first.
The marking scheme for XAT is detailed and requires strategic answering:
- Each correct answer carries 1 mark.
- For every incorrect answer, a negative marking of 0.25 marks will be applied.
- A unique rule applies to skipped questions: You can skip up to 8 questions without any penalty. However, for every question skipped after the 8th one, a penalty of 0.1 marks per question will be deducted.
- The GK section has no negative marking. While it does not contribute to the overall percentile or cutoff score, it is considered during the final selection process by participating institutes.
Special Provisions and Contingency Plans
XLRI has outlined provisions for candidates with disabilities (PwD). PwD candidates are granted extra time: between 170 and approximately 226.67 minutes for Part 1, and between 10 and 13.33 minutes for Part 2. Consequently, their total exam duration may extend up to 240 minutes.
In case of any unforeseen technical glitch during the computer-based test, the official website assures that the candidate will be shifted to another terminal seamlessly, without any loss of exam time.
With over 95 questions expected, managing time and applying the correct answering strategy is paramount. Candidates are advised to reach the exam centre well before the reporting time, carry all necessary documents, and stay calm to perform to the best of their abilities in this crucial management entrance test.
