XAT 2025: Admit Card (Released), Exam Date (Jan 5), Mock Test, Pattern, Syllabus, Old Question Papers

Xavier Aptitude Test 2025 ( XAT )

517.3K Views1.7K Comments

Exam On: 5 Jan '25

Vipra Shrivastava

Vipra ShrivastavaSenior Manager - Content

Updated on Dec 26, 2024 18:22 IST

XAT 2025 exam is scheduled on January 5, 2025 and the admit card has been released today. Candidates can download their hall tickets now.  XAT exam 2025 will be held in 110 cities across India. This year, the Essay Writing section has been removed and the XAT test duration has been reduced to 180 minutes. For 2025 admission, the Analytical Essay Writing will be a part of XLRI selection process. Apart from that, the number of questions in GK section has been reduced from 25 to 20. Candidate's performance in GK will also be evaluated during XLRI selection process.

Q:   In how many months can I prepare for XAT 2025?

A:

The ideal preparation time for the Xavier Aptitude Test exam is six to nine months with complete dedication. Some students take lesser time in completing the Xavier Aptitude Test preparation. However, students must make their own Xavier Aptitude Test exam preparation strategy according to their strengths and weaknesses.

XAT exam pattern:-

Exam Mode: Online Exam

Duration: 180 minutes

Sectional Time Limit:

  • For Part 1: 170 minutes
  • For Part 2: 10 minutes

XAT Syllabus: Decision Making, Verbal & Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, General Knowledge, and Essay Writing. Question Paper Break Up

Part 1: Decision Making, Verbal & Logical Ability, And Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation 

Part 2: GK

 

Sectional Breakup:

  • Decision Making: 21 Questions 
  • Verbal & Logical Ability: 26 Questions
  • Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation: 28 Questions 
  • General Knowledge: 20 Questions

Marking Scheme you will get 1 mark for every correct answer. 1/4th mark will be deducted for every incorrect answer. 0.10 marks will be deducted for more than 8 un-attempted questions No negative marking in the General Knowledge section.

Sectional Weightage:

  • Decision Making: 21 marks
  • Verbal & Logical Ability: 26 marks
  • Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation: 28 marks
  • General Knowledge: 20 marks 

Preparation Tips:

Know the exam pattern and the syllabus.

  • Make a short note.
  • Practice the Previous year's question paper.
  • Attempt Mock tests.
  • Revision is necessary

For more information, you may visit the Shiksha XAT exam page.

 (https://www.shiksha.com/mba/xat-exam). .

Thumbs Up IconUpvote Thumbs Down Icon

Q:   Which MBA colleges are available with XAT cut offs of 85 percentile and above?

A:

If you score above 85 percentile in XAT you may get selected for admission to top tier 1 and tier 2 MBA colleges such as XIMB-Bhubaneswar, SPJIMR-Mumbai, IMT-Ghaziabad, GIM-Goa, TAPMI-Manipal, IRMA-Anand, MICA-Ahmedabad, Great Lakes Institute of Management, LIBA-Chennai, KJ Somaiya-Mumbai, Institute of Public Enterprise, Hyderabad, Institute of Finance and International Management, Bangalore, Xavier Institute of Management and Entrepreneurship, Amity Business School, Noida, Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad, Xavier Institute of Social Services, Ranchi.

The XAT cut offs of the abovementioned colleges fall in the range of 85 to 95 percentile. However, in different admission years, the cut offs could be different. You should check the XAT cut offs for these colleges individually to have a better understanding of admission process for that year.

Thumbs Up IconUpvote Thumbs Down Icon

Q:   When is the best time to begin XAT preparation?

A:
The ideal time to start preparing for the Xavier Aptitude Test XAT depends on your level of familiarity with the test format and your overall academic and work experience. As a general rule of thumb, it is recommended to start your XAT preparation at least six months before the exam date to give yourself sufficient time to cover all the topics and practice enough mock tests. If you are already familiar with the XAT exam pattern and have a good understanding of the topics, you can start your preparation three to four months before the exam date. In this case, you should focus more on practicing mock tests and refining your test-taking strategy. On the other hand, if you are new to XAT and have limited exposure to the test format and the type of questions asked, you may need more time to prepare. In this case, it is recommended to start your preparation at least six months before the exam date. You can start by familiarizing yourself with the XAT exam pattern and syllabus, studying the relevant topics in depth, and practicing mock tests regularly. Ultimately, the best time to start your XAT preparation depends on your individual circumstances and goals. It is important to create a study plan that works for you and stick to it consistently to maximize your chances of success.
Thumbs Up IconUpvote Thumbs Down Icon

Q:   Which is a better college amongst BULMIM or Bimtech? Which college should I prefer as I scored 86 percentile in XAT?

A:
Both BULMIM and BIMTECH are reputed management colleges in India. BULMIM (Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan's Usha & Lakshmi Mittal Institute of Management) is located in New Delhi, and BIMTECH (Birla Institute of Management Technology) is located in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Since you have scored 86 percentile in XAT you have a decent chance of getting admission in both colleges. However, the final selection will depend on various factors such as your preference of location, course curriculum, faculty, infrastructure, and placement opportunities. Here is a brief comparison of BULMIM and BIMTECH based on various parameters: Ranking: Both colleges are well-ranked and reputed. BIMTECH is consistently ranked among the top 50 management colleges in India, while BULMIM is ranked among the top 100. Course Curriculum: Both colleges offer a two-year full-time PGDM programme with a similar course curriculum. However, BIMTECH offers a wide range of specializations such as Marketing, Finance, HR, Operations, and International Business, whereas BULMIM offers only two specializations - Marketing and Finance. Faculty: Both colleges have a team of experienced faculty members who are experts in their respective fields. Infrastructure: BIMTECH has a sprawling campus spread over 7.5 acres with state-of-the-art infrastructure, including a well-stocked library, computer labs, auditorium, and sports facilities. BULMIM also has a decent infrastructure with a library, computer labs, and a seminar hall. Placements: Both colleges have a good placement record with reputed companies visiting the campus for recruitment. However, BIMTECH has a better placement record and a higher average package as compared to BULMIM. Based on the above comparison, BIMTECH seems to be a better option than BULMIM. However, it is always advisable to visit the campus, interact with the faculty and students, and conduct thorough research before making a final decision.
Thumbs Up IconUpvote Thumbs Down Icon

What is XAT Exam?

Xavier Aptitude Test or XAT is a national-level management entrance examination conducted by XLRI, Jamshedpur for admission to MBA/PGDM programmes. Apart from XLRI and 10 other XAMI member colleges, 250 B-schools accept XAT scores for admission to their post-graduate management programmes such as MBA, PGDM and Executive MBA, 

The XAT question paper consists of 100 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) from Decision Making, Verbal & Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation and General Knowledge. XAT cut offs for XLRI's PGDM-BM programme are usually around 95 percentile for male candidates and 92 percentile for female candidates.

Latest Updates:

XAT 2025 application form correction from December 7 to 8

XAT 2025 registration deadline extended till December 10, 2024

Scientific calculator to be allowed in XAT 2025, check details 

XAT 2025 mock test to be conducted again on Oct 20; apply by Oct 17

Number of XAT 2025 test cities increased; check 34 new locations

XAT 2025 mock test link activated; check process

XAT 2025 exam pattern revised; check details

XAT 2025 Exam Dates & Schedule

Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of XAT 2025 exam

DatesUpcoming Exam Dates

05 Jan '25

XAT 2025 Exam

Jan '25

XAT 2025 response sheet release

TENTATIVE

Jan '25

XAT 2025 result

TENTATIVE

Jan '25

XAT 2025 Cut Offs Release

TENTATIVE
DatesPast Exam Dates

Dec '24

XAT 2025 admit card download starts

10 Nov '24

XAT 2025 mock test - 3

20 Oct '24

XAT Mock Test 2

XAT Exam Highlights 2025

XAT is a speed-based test. It is designed to assess candidate's communication ability, business acumen and quantitative aptitude skills. Check key highlights of XAT 2025 exam in the table below:

Particulars

XAT Details 

XAT Full Form 

Xavier Aptitude Test

Conducting Body

XLRI, Jamshedpur

XAT 2025 exam date

05-Jan-2025

Exam Level

National

Exam Frequency

Once a year

Exam Mode

Online

Exam Duration

3 hours

Exam Syllabus

  • Decision Making
  • Verbal & Logical Ability
  • Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation
  • General Knowledge

Exam Pattern

95 questions in MCQ format

Language

English

Exam Fees

INR 2,200 (all categories)

Exam Purpose

Admission to 250 MBA colleges

Course Offered

MBA/PGDM

No. of applicants

1.35 lakh (for 2024)

No. of Test Cities

110

Exam Helpdesk No.

18002674008

Exam Website

https://xatonline.in/

Get Here: XAT Mock Tests

XAT Admit Card 2025

XAT admit card 2025 is available for download till the exam day. The download link will be available on the official website of XAT 2025. Check below the steps to download XAT 2025 admit card: 

  • Visit the official website of XAT 2025

  • Click on 'Download admit card' tab

  • Enter details like XAT User ID and date of birth and click on 'login'

  • In the dashboard, click on admit card tab
  • Download XAT admit card pdf and take a printout  

Documents to carry on XAT exam day

  • XAT 2025 admit card (two copies) with candidate photo affixed.

  • One of the following documents in original:
    • Aadhar card
    • Voter ID
    • Passport, College/University ID
    • Driver’s licence

XAT Exam Day Guidelines

XAT aspirants must follow the guidelines mentioned on the XAT admit card 2025 on the exam day. Given below are some key XAT exam day guidelines, candidates must follow:

  • XAT 2025 admit card is a mandatory document to carry on exam day, so carry two copies of the same
  • Digital copy of the XAT admit card and other photo IDs will not be accepted as valid so candidates must carry hard copies of the documents
  • Reach the exam centre an hour before the reporting time mentioned in the admit card
  • Do not carry any electronic item like mobile phone, watch, calculator, etc. to the exam centre
  • Do not carry any stationary (apart from a blue/ball point pen) item or eatables to the exam centre
  • Do not carry bags and valuables and follow the dress code mentioned in the XAT admit card 2025.

Also Read: XAT exam day guidelines and last minute tips

XAT Syllabus 2025

XAT syllabus 2025 consists of all the important topics of Verbal & Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation and General Knowledge. Decision Making is a unique section for which there is no syllabus so you can refer to previous years' question papers and sample test papers for preparation. Check below some key points about XAT 2025 syllabus:

  • XAT Decision Making section will present scenarios drawn from both personal and professional lives. Candidates will be required to apply critical thinking, problem solving skills, and prioritization to make informed decisions
  • XAT Verbal & Logical Ability section includes questions from Critical and Analytical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, English Grammar, Vocabulary, Parajumbles, Cloze Test, etc. 
  • In the XAT Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation section, the topics include Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Modern Math, etc.
  • And in the GK section of XAT exam, the topics pertain to politics, culture, society, personalities, business, art & entertainment, sports, inventions, innovation, world, economy, science, technology, books, etc.

XAT 2025 Registrations Open- Register Now

Download: XAT Question Papers (PDFs)

XAT Exam Pattern and Test Structure 2025

XAT exam pattern has been revised. This year, there will be no essay writing section and GK section will have only 20 questions. The exam duration will be 180 minutes. The changes were announced along with the release of exam schedule. Here are the sectional details as per the XAT exam pattern 2025: 

XAT Sections

Number of Questions

Total Marks

Decision Making

21

21

Verbal and Logical Ability

26

26

Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation

28

28

General Knowledge

20

20

Total

95

95

XAT Preparation Tips & Strategy 2025

XAT preparation needs at least six to nine months. Being one of the toughest MBA entrance exams among its peers, XAT requires dedicated time and effort. It comprises four sections: Decision Making, Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation and General Knowledge.

In XAT, it is important to pay equal attention to all four sections as sectional cut offs play an important role in selection to XLRI, Jamshedpur. So, divide your study hours among these sections equally. Gain conceptual clarity in each subject. Make a list of your strengths and weaknesses viz. the XAT syllabus 2025; then begin with strong areas. This will give you confidence in dealing with tough topics. Listed below are some key tips for making XAT 2025 exam preparation strategy:

  • Get hold of XAT books and study material. These are available online and at coaching institutes.
  • Join study groups online on platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Telegram and WhatsApp.
  • Start with topics you are already familiar with and on which you have a good control.
  • After completing a topic or a concept, solve two-three problems based on it to know if you have completely understood it.
  • Focus on completing XAT syllabus first and then move to solve XAT mock tests. Practice at least 25-30 mock tests for best performance.

XAT 2025 Registrations Open- Register Now

Also Read: XAT 2025 preparation tips, strategy and expert guide

To perform well in the XAT 2025, read the below listed articles containing XAT exam strategy and tips suggested by experts. Click on the links below to read:

XAT Preparation: Tips and Exam Strategy

How to prepare for XAT 2025 exam in 6 months 

Topper Tips for XAT 2025 exam

XAT 2025: Best books and study material

How to prepare for XAT in 1 month

How to prepare for XAT exam online

How to prepare for XAT exam in 3 months

Section-wise XAT exam preparation strategy

Last Minute Tips for XAT 2025

How to prepare for XAT Verbal & Logical Ability

How to prepare for XAT Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation

 How to Prepare for XAT Decision Making

Four tips to keep in mind for last minute XAT preparation

XAT Answer Key 2025

The preliminary XAT answer key will be leased in the form of candidate response sheet. Check process to download XAT 2025 response sheet and answer key. 

  • Open XAT 2025 website or copy this link: https://xatonline.in/
  • Click on ‘response sheet’ tab
  • Enter user ID and password
  • Click on ‘candidate response to generate answer key and question paper’
  • XAT answer key will be displayed
  • Click on download icon and save as PDF

The option to object to the offiical answer key will also be given to XAT test takers. They will be required to fill an online form to raise objection and upload a supporting document. If they objections are accepted, the preliminary answer key will be revised. 

Also Read: XAT 2025 answer key download and objection filing process

XAT Result 2025

XAT result 2025 will be released 15-20 days after the exam. It will be tentatively released by the third week of January 2025. Candidates will be required to download their scorecards from the official XAT and XLRI websites. Given below is the brief description of XAT 2025 result download process:

  • Open the XAT ONLINE website: xatonline.in
  • Click on 'scorecard' tab
  • Enter your XAT User ID and date of birth and click on 'login'
  • Download the XAT result cum scorecard and save a copy as PDF

XAT 2025 result cum scorecard will be valid for admission for only one year in most of the participating colleges. If a candidate wishes to drop a year, then they will have to appear for the exam again in the next session. The XAT scorecard will be available for download for a limited period only, thus candidates must download their copy as soon as it is released and preserve it. 

XAT Cut Offs for XLRI

XAT 2025 cut offs will be released by XLRI Jamshedpur after result announcement. Candidates who meet the cut offs, will be shortlisted for the personal interview round of 2025 batch admission for MBA Business Management and MBA Human Resource Management. 

XAT 2024 Cut Offs: PGDM BM

Check below the XAT 2024 cut offs for PGDM Business Management programme:

Stream

Gender

Overall XAT percentile

QA percentile

VALR percentile

DM percentile

Engineer

Male

96

86

83

85

Engineer

Female

91

81

80

80

Non-engineer

Male

95

85

83

86

Non-engineer

Female

90

80

80

81

XAT 2024 Cut Offs: PGDM HRM

Check below the XAT 2024 cut offs for PGDM Human Resource Management programme:

Stream

Gender

Overall XAT percentile

QA percentile

VALR percentile 

DM percentile

Engineer

Male

95

80

90

85

Engineer

Female

90

73

85

78

Non-engineer

Male

93

75

90

85

Non-engineer

Female

88

68

85

78

XAT Cut Offs: Top MBA Colleges

XAT participating institutes release admission cut offs to shortlist candidates for GD/PI at their respective website. Take a look at the estimated XAT cut off scores and percentiles of some of the top XAT institutes for MBA admission:

XAT colleges

XAT cut off score

XAT cut off percentile

XLRI-Jamshedpur

35.5-38.5

94-92

XIMB-Bhubaneswar

30.5-32.5

90-93

SPJIMR-Mumbai

32.5-34.5

93.50-95

IMT-Ghaziabad

30.5-32

90-92

GIM-Goa

27.5-30.5

85-90

TAPMI-Manipal

26-27.5

80-85

IRMA-Anand

26-27.5

80-85

MICA-Ahmedabad

26-27.5

80-85

Great Lakes Institute of Management

26-27.5

80-85

LIBA-Chennai

26-27.5

80-85

KJ Somaiya-Mumbai

27.5-30.5

85-90

Also Read: XAT cut offs for XLRI admission

XLRI Selection Process Through XAT 2025

XLRI, Jamshedpur admission through XAT includes three stages: shortlisting of candidates, group discussion & personal interview and final selection.

Step 1: Shortlisting of candidates

After the exam, candidates will be shortlisted for group discussion and personal interview round of XLRI, Jamshedpur on the basis of their XAT result.   

Step 2: Group Discussion and Personal Interview

XLRI, Jamshedpur will announce written ability test and personal interview schedule by the end of January 2025 for selected candidates. The admission round will be held in various cities and the candidates will have to confirm their interview city online on the official website of XLRI Jamshedpur within the stipulated time limit. 

Also Read: XLRI admission & selection process 2025

Step 3: Final Selection

Each candidate will be evaluated on the basis of their XAT 2025 score, WAT/PI performance, academic history and other parameters for preparing the final merit list. Selected candidates will be called to complete the admission formalities.

Selection procedure of other institutes accepting XAT scores

Institutes accepting XAT score for admission to their MBA/PGDM programmes, conduct their own application and admission process. While some institutes open their registration window much before the XAT exam is conducted, others start their registration process after the XAT result is announced. 

Also Read: XAT score vs percentile

Prepare for XAT exam with previous years’ question papers & prep guides. Get topper tips & expert advice.

Download Here

Top Colleges Accepting XAT Scores

XAT is one of the most popularly accepted exam score across India. Apart from XLRI, Jamshedpur, XAT score is accepted by members of Xavier Association of Management Institutes (XAMI) and over 1,000+ other MBA institutes in India. The admission process of these colleges also include GD/WAT and PI.  Given below is the table of some of the popular B-Schools that accept XAT score for admission:

XAT Score Accepting College

Check XAT cut offs and predict calls from XLRI and other colleges accepting XAT score for admission. Check Fees, Placement Reviews, Admission, Shortlist Criteria and Eligibility of all XAT participating colleges by clicking the link below:

Predict XAT Admission Calls

Download this guide to read it offline

Tell Us About Yourself
When do you plan to start?
Have you given any study abroad exam?

XAT Eligibility Criteria 2025

Aspirants have to meet the minimum qualification to be eligible for XAT exam. Given below are the latest XAT eligibility criteria and academic requirments:

  • Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree of minimum three years duration or equivalent in any discipline from a recognised university.

  • Students in their final year of bachelor's degree or awaiting their results are also eligible to appear for XAT.

  • There is no minimum marks requirement in graduation criteria for XAT exam. Candidate should have passing marks in their bachelor's degree programme.
  • Working professionals and candidates with professional degrees (CA/CS) can also appear in the exam.
  • There is no age limit for XAT 2025. Fresh graduates as well as working professionals can appear for it. 

XAT 2025 Registrations Open- Register Now

Also Read: XAT Eligibility Criteria 2025: Age Limit, Reservation Criteria, Work Experience

XAT Registration Process 2025

Aspirants have to fill the online XAT 2025 application form to register for the exam. The XAT application form 2025 is available at xatonline website. Candidates who select XLRI as college option, they will have to pay INR 200. For applying through GMAT the fee is INR 2500. Given below is the XAT 2025 registration and application process:

  • Log on to XAT 2025 website xatonline.in
  • Click on 'New Registration' and enter relevant details
  • A unique XAT ID and registration link will be shared in the verified email ID

  • Click on the link to verify XAT registration

  • Go to XAT 2025 homepage and click on ‘login’

  • Enter email ID and password to open the application form

  • Fill all the mandatory fields of the XAT 2025 application form

  • Cross check the information before clicking on submit button

  • Pay INR 2,200 as XAT 2025 application fee through credit/debit card, UPI or net banking

Candidates can select upto six cities in the XAT application form 2025. The examination body will allot XAT centre to the candidate in the city selected as first preference. If a seat is not available at the test centre in the first city of preference, candidates will be allotted a centre in the next city chosen. The details of test centre will be mentioned in the XAT 2025 admit card only.

XAT 2025 Registrations Open- Register Now

Check the list of test cities for XAT 2025

XAT 2025 Contact Information

XLRI
Admission Office
C. H. Area (East)
Jamshedpur - 831001
Jharkhand
India

Phone: +91 657 665 3203/3204/3205
Fax: +91-657-2227814
Email: xat2019@xlri.ac.in
Website: http://www.xlri.ac.in/

Candidates can call at 1800 209 0835 (Toll Free) from Monday to Saturday (10:00-18:00 hrs).

FAQs on XAT 2025

Check below Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on XAT 2025 exam.

News & Updates

Latest NewsPopular News
Download Important Dates for MBA/PGDM Exams

1096 Institutes accepting XAT

PGDM in Human Resource Management
  • 4.7

    Placements

    4.8

    Infrastructure

    4.8

    Faculty & Course Curriculum

    4.5

    Crowd & Campus Life

    4.8

    Value for Money

    4.4

    Learning Experience

    0.0

    Course Support

    0.0
    (18)
  • |
  • Total Fees: ₹ 28.60 Lakh
  • |
  • 2 years
  • |
  • Full Time
MBA in Agriculture and Food Business
  • Total Fees: ₹ 7.80 Lakh
  • |
  • 2 years
  • |
  • Full Time
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
  • 4.4

    Placements

    4.2

    Infrastructure

    4.5

    Faculty & Course Curriculum

    4.3

    Crowd & Campus Life

    4.6

    Value for Money

    4.3

    Learning Experience

    0.0

    Course Support

    0.0
    (649)
  • |
  • Total Fees: ₹ 8.00 Lakh
  • |
  • 2 years
  • |
  • Full Time
PGDM Dual Country Programme
  • 4.4

    Placements

    4.4

    Infrastructure

    4.6

    Faculty & Course Curriculum

    4.6

    Crowd & Campus Life

    4.4

    Value for Money

    4.1

    Learning Experience

    0.0

    Course Support

    0.0
    (8)
  • |
  • Total Fees: ₹ 20.64 Lakh
  • |
  • 2 years
  • |
  • Full Time

Explore more MBA exams with upcoming dates

26 Dec '24 - 27 Dec '24: CMAT 2025 form correction
Dec '24: IBSAT 2024 Result
28 Dec '24: ATMA result 2024 (December)
Dec '24: TISSNET 2024 Mock Test
14 Oct '24 - 21 Jan '25: UPESMET 2025 Registrations