Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT-2024)

XLRI XAT 2024 registration process is Open for the next few days. XLRI Jamshedpur will conduct the Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) 2024 on Sunday, January 7, 2024 in a single session of 3 hours 10 minute duration as a computer-based test. Apart from XLRI Jamshedpur and Delhi NCR campus, the exam score will be accepted by 150+ MBA colleges for MBA admission 2024 with a cutoff range between 50 to 95+ percentile. XLRI has increased the XAT 2024 registration fees by Rs.100 at Rs.2100 from Rs 2000 last year. You can register online for XAT 2024 till November 30, 2023 midnight XLRI XAT 2024 is the first national-level exam which had opened the registration process as early as July 15, 2023, a month earlier than last year to allow the XAT aspirants to complete their XAT application process well in time. Dr Rahul Kumar Shukla, XLRI faculty is the XAT exam 2024 convener. The last date of XAT 2024 registration is November 30, 2023. The XAT 2024 exam pattern is to remain similar to last year. Read below the complete XAT Exam Analysis. Conducted by XLRI for the past 72 years, the Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) is one of the largest and is the mandatory entrance exam for admission to XLRI Jamshedpur and XLRI Delhi NCR. Apart from XLRI, Top MBA colleges like XIMB, IMT, IMI, MICA, TAPMI, Great Lakes, and GIM Goa among others will accept XAT exam scores for admission in 2024.

XLRI XAT 2024: Important Updates

1. XAT 2024 Registration Dates: July 15 to Nov 30, 2023
2. XAT 2024 Exam Fee Increased to Rs.2100
3. XLRI Jamshedpur seats for PGDM BM increased to 240 from earlier 180
4. XLRI Delhi NCR campus seats for PGDM BM increased to 180 from 120

XLRI conducts the XAT exam at all India levels to select the most appropriate students for management education. In this article, you will read all key points to plan your exam preparation journey, including important dates to apply for the exam, syllabus & pattern, how to prepare, past toppers interviews, and much more.

What is XAT Exam?

Xavier Aptitude Test is the Admission Test for admission to MBA/PGDM programs in XLRI and other top MBA colleges like XIMB, IMT Ghaziabad, IMI New Delhi, LBSIM Delhi, TAPMI Manipal and 150 other top MBA colleges in India. XLRI will offer admission to its PGDM programs, offered at the Jamshedpur and Delhi campuses on the basis of this exam score only, and will not accept any other test score. There are more than 70 cities and more than 100 venues where the exam will be conducted in India.

XAT Exam Full Form: Key Details

The full form of XAT is the Xavier Aptitude Test and the exam is one of the largest MBA Entrance Exams for Admission to XLRI, IMT, XIMB, TAPMI, and 160+ MBA Colleges in India. Every year more than 1,00,000 candidates from all disciplines including Engineering, Commerce, Humanities, Science, Law apply and appear in this exam to get into the various MBA programs offered by these top B-schools. Over the years, the Xavier Aptitude Test has become an easier test but to get a high percentile (90+) in this exam requires 4-5 months of serious preparation.

Who Conducts the XAT Exam?

XLRI conducts the exam on behalf of XAMI. For more than 72 years XLRI has been conducting this exam at all India levels to select the most appropriate students for management education. Last year also, XLRI conducted the exam as a center-based test in 72 cities in India.

XAT 2024 Notification

XAT 2024 XLRI has released the Exam Notification as early as on July 14, 2023 as against last year's notification release in August. XAT 2024 exam notification contains exam information with the exam date, registration date, and other related important information about the Exam. The notification is also released on XLRI exam website xatonline.in. The Notification 2024 containing all the exam details, exam format, exam centres, and all the exam dates is released in the leading newspapers. Over the years the number of candidates applying for the Xavier Aptitude Test has increased as the data for past exam registration also reveal this fact. As per Notification, there are 11 member institutes and 150 Associate institutes accepting the exam scores. Till 2017 the exam remained a paper-based test. With effect from 2018, this exam has become an online computer-based test.

XAT 2024 Important Highlights

Belo is the exam highlights with salient features and details on the Xat exam date, notification, and eligibility criteria among other key points

XLRI conducts Xavier Aptitude Test in the month of January every year. Along with releasing the Notification 2024 and finalizing the exam date, XLRI announces the complete schedule and all important dates. Although XLRI will accept scores of only Xavier Aptitude Test, the other associated top MBA colleges will accept other exam scores also. Earlier the exam was a paper-based test, but since 2018, the exam has become a computer-based test. XLRI has been conducting this exam for more than 72 years on behalf of XAMI.

XAT 2024 Important Dates

Important dates for the exam are announced by XLRI. The key important dates for XLRI entrance exam 2024, last date to apply, XAT 2024 Exam date are as under: Except for the Exam Date, all dates are Tentative

Eligibility Criteria for the Exam & For XLRI Admission

There is no difference in the XAT eligibility criteria 2024 and for XLRI admission 2024, following points should be kept in mind

Eligibility Criteria for the Exam

1. The exam eligibility criteria need only a pass in your bachelor’s degree.
2. XAT Eligibility 2024 does not require any minimum percentage of marks in graduation to register and apply for the exam, while other exams need minimum 50% percentage of marks in bachelor’s degree.
3. Students in their final year of graduation can also apply
4. Minimum 15 years of academic study till bachelor’s degree is required. It means you must have pursued or pursuing minimum three years of graduation degree
5. Exam eligibility criteria to appear in the exam is probably the simplest one among all the National Level MBA entrance exams.

Eligibility Criteria for XLRI Admission 2024

1. XLRI awards weightage for academic excellence, so those with higher percentage of marks in academics stand a better chance
2. Candidates with extra curricular achievements are preferred
3. Academic & Gender diversity also plays major role in XLRI eligibility parameters in final merit list

XAT 2024 Registration Process, Fees, and Documents Required

The registration process is online and can be completed in six simple steps at XLRI exam official website. The exam 2024 Registration dates are open from August to November 2023. You need to follow the undernoted process while registering & applying for the exam:

1. Register yourself on the official XAT 2024 Exam website
2. Verify Email ID on receipt of a message from the exam center
3. Fill out all the pages of the Application Form online
4. Upload Required Documents on relevant pages of Application Form 2024
5. Pay Application Fee of Rs.2100/- Online
6. Submit Application Form Online

XAT Exam Pattern 2024: Questions, Sectional Division, Scoring

Xavier Aptitude Test is online computer based exam. The aggregate maximum marks in the exam are 101 for 101 questions divided in 5 sections. Each correct answer for MCQ is awarded +1 mark and each wrong answer will attract the penalty of -0.25 mark. Total time duration for the exam is 3 hours 10 minutes. The Exam pattern with sectional division of questions and exam time duration is as below:

Candidate are allowed to go to Part 2 after completing the time duration of 165 minutes in Part 1.

Key Points about the Exam

Following are the key highlights and changes introduced in the Exam:

1. Exam application fee is Rs.2100/-
2. The exam is now changed to a computer based test from paper based test
3. Exam is now a Single slot, single day test
4. Test duration increased from 3 hours to 3 hours 10 minutes
5. Test timing changed to afternoon from earlier morning hours
6. Total questions increased to 101 from 99
7. Essay Writing Test Restored: The descriptive essay writing test was scrapped in 2019
8. Now the exam has 100 MCQ type questions and 1 Descriptive Question
9. Question paper with 4 sections with MCQs and 1 section with Essay Writing Test
10. The GK Section with 25 questions is not counted for percentile calculation
11. Visually impaired candidates with scribe are given additional 25 minutes to solve Part 1 of the exam
12. Marks for every correct answer: +1
13. - 0.25 Negative Marking for wrong answer
14. No Negative marking for General Knowledge and Essay writing section in part-2 of question paper
15. All the MCQ type questions have five options with one correct option
16. Essay shall be evaluated after the candidate is shortlisted for the interview.

Key Changes in Exam Pattern during Last 5 Years

Below are shared key changes in the Exam & Scoring Pattern as compared to last 5 Years of Exam and scoring pattern

XAT Syllabus 2024

XAT Exam Syllabus 2024 is divided into 4 sections - Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension; Decision Making, Quantitative Aptitude and General Awareness. Except the General Awareness, all the other three are core sections which determine the percentile score as well as XLRI shortlisting criteria. The score of General Awareness section is taken into account at the time of personal Interview round. Since 2021, XLRI has again introduced the descriptive essay writing section in the Syllabus. However, this section also does not count for percentile calculation.

Most Important Sections in XAT Syllabus 2024

1. The Xavier Aptitude Syllabus 2024 will overall test the candidate on Verbal Ability, Reading Comprehension & Logical Reasoning; Decision Making; Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation as the key sections to determine your percentile and merit position.
2. The other section on General Awareness (GK) does not have any pre defined syllabus nor it is counted for percentile calculation.
3. The Decision Making section in XAT Syllabus is unique as other MBA entrance exams like CAT/NMAT/SNAP do not consist of such section. XAT toppers are of the view that those who score well in Decision Making section of XAT, have more chances to score high overall and get shortlisted by XLRI
4. Please also note that each question carries equal marks, so except GK section the other three sections are equally important parts in XAT syllabus.

How to Prepare for XAT 2024?

Xavier Aptitude Test comprises 3 major sections which are very important for shortlisting and determining your merit position. The 4th & 5th sections on GK and Essay Writing are not taken into account to determine the merit. The XAT 2024 preparation strategy and books for XAT exam preparation should be in accordance with revised pattern of the entrance exam and as per XAT entrance exam syllabus. XAT exam preparation calls for special preparation for Decision Making section apart from other topics. You need to focus on following while preparing for the XAT exam:

1. Follow the Exam Pattern: Thoroughly understand the structure, number and type of questions
2. Scan thoroughly the XAT exam Syllabus
3. Decide, if you need Online preparation with coaching or wish to self-prepare for the exam
4. Get best XAT preparation Books for exam preparation
5. Attempt XAT Mock Tests in good number and analyse each
6. Attempt as many as Previous XAT question papers

XAT 2024 Mock Test Available: Attempt and Check your Preparation Level

XLRI releases official Mock Test without answer keys in the 3rd week of December. This official Mock test is the best guide to prepare for the exam. However, the Mock Test released by XLRI is without solution. To help you prepare for the exam, MBAUniverse.com has provided number of free Mock Tests with answer keys. These XAT Mock Tests are of moderate to high difficulty level.

XAT 2024 Exam Centers

XLRI will conduct XAT 2024 exam in 81 cities across the country at more than 100 test venues. There may not be International test cities for XAT 2024. Earlier XAT was also conducted in Dubai (UAE) and Kathmandu (Nepal). In view of rising number of applicants, XLRI has increased the number of test cities to 80+ from earlier 46 XAT exam cities. XAT 2024 test takers can choose two preferred test cities while applying for XAT 2024 exam. The name & address of the XAT 2024 test centre allotted to you will be indicated in your XAT Admit Card.

XAT 2024 Answer Key

The exam Answer Key will be released in a few days after the exam date. It is expected that XLRI will release the Answer key 2024 by January 15, 2024. Last year answer key was released on January 17, 2023 in a week’s time from the day of conducting the exam on Jan 8. You can check your Answer Keys on XAT official website. Only those candidates who have appeared in the exam can view and download both the Official XAT Answer Key as well as their Individual Responses to XAT Questions. It will help you calculate your XAT score and likely percentile also

XAT 2024 Answer Key: Key Highlights

1. There are 4-5 sets of XAT question paper. XLRI releases the XAT answer key for all sets of XAT questions paper
2. As GK & Essay Writing Tests are not counted for percentile calculation, XLRI does not release XAT answer key for GK questions and Essay Writing Test in XAT exam
3. Accordingly, XAT Answer key is released only for three sections which have negative marking – namely, Verbal & Logical Ability, Decision Making, Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation

XAT Result 2024

XLRI releases XAT result much before the pre-announced date. It is expected that XAT 2024 exam result can be released by January 20 instead of the last week of January 2024. After verification of objections on XAT answer key, the XAT result is released by XLRI. You can download your XAT score card by login to XAT website with your XAT 2024 registration ID and the XAT password after release of XAT result. Shortly after release of XAT result 2024, XLRI will announce XAT cut offs 2024 for shortlisting purpose for different PGDM programs. Individual messages to shortlisted candidates will also be sent by XLRI

XAT 2024 score Accepting Colleges

There are 150+ score accepting colleges. These MBA colleges will accept the exam score for MBA admission 2024. Some of the top MBA colleges accepting exam score for MBA admission 2024 are:

1. XLRI Jamshedpur
2. IMT Ghaziabad
3. XIM Bhubaneswar
4. IMI New Delhi
5. LBSIM New Delhi
6. TAPMI Manipal
7. XIME Bangalore, Kochi, Chennai
8. BIMTECH, Greater Noida
9. FORE School of Management, New Delhi
10. GIM Goa
11. Great Lakes, Chennai
12. LIBA Chennai

XLRI & Other Top MBA Colleges: Fee, Intake, Programs offered

Check below the fee, number of seats and programmes offered by MBA colleges accepting XAT 2024 score for MBA admission 2024

XLRI 2024 Selection Process

On the basis of Xavier Aptitude Test 2024 result, XAT 2024 selection process at XLRI and in other top B-schools will begin. At XLRI the selection procedure is more governed by its admission policy. The other 150 members and associate B-schools will also select the candidates on the basis of XAT exam percentile score and as per their final admission round. Good performance in the Xavier Aptitude Test and obtaining high score in it, is the mandatory requirement in the XLRI selection process for its highly ranked PGDM programme. The first step to participate in XLRI 2024 Selection procedure is to apply for the XAT exam and to apply simultaneously to XLRI Jamshedpur through the same application form. Apart from XLRI Jamshedpur, there are more than 150 MBA/PGDM colleges including IMT Ghaziabad, XIM Bhubaneswar, GIM Goa, Great Lakes Chennai, TAPMI Manipal, LIBA Chennai, BIMTECH Greater Noida, FORE New Delhi among others who will participate in XAT 2024 selection procedure for MBA admission 2024.

XAT 2024 Selection Process: Stages of Selection Procedure

There are six main stages of XLRI selection process:

1. Submit the Registration and Application Form latest by the last date
2. Apply to XLRI through same application form. For other institutes use their application form
3. Appear in the XAT exam on January 7, 2024 & Use XAT Percentile Predictor to know the expected call chances from XLRI
4. Check your score on release of XAT Result
5. Check your place in Shortlist and participate in GD-PI-WAT of XLRI selection process
6. Check Final admission offer and pay acceptance fee by the stipulated date

XAT Cut Off 2024

The cut offs for admission to XLRI PGDM and PGDM-HRM programs are announced immediately after declaration of XAT result. Following cut offs were announced by XLRI for BM and HRM 2023-25 Batch. It is expected that same cut offs may be applied for admission 2024

XLRI PGDM-BM: Cut offs

Below are the expected sectional and overall cut offs for PGDM-BM 2023-25 Batch