XAT 2026 Management Entrance Test Underway Across India as Candidates Report to Centres

The Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) 2026 is being administered today, January 4, with hundreds of exam venues across the country hosting candidates seeking admission to MBA and PGDM programmes. Organized by XLRI Jamshedpur, the exam runs from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. in a single session, with reporting required well in advance to complete identity verification and security checks.

According to official schedules, candidates were instructed to reach their designated test centres by 12:30 p.m., with entry gates closing before 1:50 p.m. to ensure timely seating and pre-exam formalities. Those arriving after cutoff will not be permitted to enter. The computer-based test is being conducted across more than 100 cities, reflecting the scale and competitive nature of management admissions in India.

Applicants must present their printed hall tickets alongside valid government-issued photo identification for verification on site. Additional guidelines stress adherence to centre protocols and the absence of breaks during the three-hour examination. Scores from XAT are widely accepted by business schools nationwide and will be used in subsequent shortlisting and interview rounds once results are released later this month.