XAT 2023 Exam: Dates (Out), Application Form (Released), Eligibility, Fees, Syllabus, Pattern, Question Papers
XAT exam 2023 will be held on January 8 and the XAT registration process is ongoing at the xatonline website. The XAT 2023 exam date was officially announced by XLRI Jamshedpur on August 8 registrations started on August 10. Registrations for XAT exam 2023 will end on November 30, 2022. The XAT exam fee for this year is INR 2,000.
As per the XAT 2023 notification, no changes have been made in the exam pattern or structure, except for the essay writing section, which was reintroduced in XAT 2022. In XAT 2022, it appeared as a section in Part 2 of the paper. However, the score of Essay Writing was not taken into consideration at the time of score/percentile calculation. It was analysed at the time of shortlisting for Personal Interview (PI) round. Whether XLRI will keep Essay Writing as a part of XAT 2023 or include in the PI process will be known when the official mock test releases.
What is XAT Exam?
XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) 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, over 1,000 B-schools accept XAT scores for admission to their post-graduate management programmes. 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.
XAT Exam Highlights
XAT is a speed-based three-hour test. Check key highlights of XAT exam in the table below:
Particulars | XAT Details |
|---|---|
XAT Full Form | Xavier Aptitude Test |
Conducting Body | |
Exam Level | National |
Exam Frequency | Once a year |
Exam Mode | Online |
Exam Duration | 3.10 hours |
Exam Syllabus |
|
Exam Pattern | 100 questions in MCQ format |
Language | English |
Exam Fees | INR 1,800 (all categories) |
Exam Purpose | |
Course Offered | |
No. of test takers | Nearly 95,000 |
No. of Test Cities | 79 (in 2023) |
Exam Helpdesk No. | 18002674008 |
Exam Website |
XAT Eligibility Criteria 2023
To be able to appear for the exam, it is mandatory to fulfill the below given XAT eligibility criteria:
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 apply
- There is no minimum marks criteria for XAT exam
- Working professionals and candidates with professional degrees (CA/CS) are also eligible to apply
XAT Exam Dates 2023
XLRI Jamshedpur released the XAT 2023 schedule online at its official website. Check tentative XAT exam dates and events below:
Events | XAT Exam Dates | Salient Features |
|---|---|---|
XAT registrations 2023 begin | 10-Aug-2022 | Registration process to start online on XAT website |
Registrations end | 30-Nov-2022 | Forms can be submitted until 11:59 PM of the last date |
XAT admit card download starts | 20-Dec-2022 | Admit card to release at the XAT website for download |
Mock test release | Last week of December, 2022 | Candidates can practice official XAT mock test on the exam website |
XAT exam 2023 | 08-Jan-2023 | Exam to be held in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode in a single session in 79 cities from 2:00 pm to 5:10 pm. |
XAT answer key 2023 release | First week of January, 2023 | Candidate response sheet and answer key to be released |
XAT 2023 result announcement | 31-Jan-2023 | XAT scorecards to be made available on the official website for download |
XAT 2023 cut off announcement | Last week of January, 2023 | XAT cut offs for BM and HRM programmes to be released on official website for GD/PI shortlisting |
XAT Registration Process 2023
XAT registrations process is the first step to appear for the exam. Aspirants have to fill the online XAT application form and pay requisite fees to register for the test. XAT 2023 registration and application process is given below in brief:
- Log on to XAT 2023 website xatonline.in
- Click on ‘New Registration’ and enter relevant details
A unique XAT ID and registration link is shared with the candidate on the verified email ID
Click on the link to verify your registration
Go to XAT 2023 homepage and click on ‘login’
Enter email ID and password to open the application form
Fill all the mandatory fields of the XAT 2023 application form
Cross check the information before clicking on submit button
Pay XAT 2023 application fee through credit/debit card, UPI or net banking
Candidates are allowed to select upto four cities in the XAT application form. The examination body will allot the exam centre to candidate in the city selected as first preference basis availability. If a seat is not available at the test centre in the first city, the allotment will be made in the city of next preference. Check the list of test cities for XAT 2023
XAT Syllabus 2023
XAT syllabus 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. Preparation for XAT is based on previous years questions. Rest of the three subjects of XAT syllabus include important topics of their own area. Verbal & Logical Ability includes Reading Comprehension, English Grammar, Verbal Ability. In the Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, the topics include Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Set Theory, etc. And in the GK section the topics pertain to politics, culture, society, personalities, business, art & entertainment, sports, inventions, innovation, world, economy, science, technology, books, etc.
XAT Exam Pattern and Test Structure
XAT exam is conducted in online mode and the question paper consists of 100 MCQs to be solved in 180 minutes. However, the XAT exam pattern was revised in 2022. Essay Writing was reintorduced and the time duration was increased by 10 minutes. There is sectional time-limit in XAT exam. Thus, candidates are advised to maintain adequate speed in all four sections so that they can solve the paper within the time-limit. Each correct attempt carries one mark and each incorrect attempt carries -0.25 marks. Here are the highlights of XAT exam pattern:
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 | 25 | 25 |
Essay | 1 | (To be evaluated upon shortlisting) |
Total | 100 | 100 |
XAT Preparation Tips & Strategy
XAT preparation 2023 should ideally be for six to nine months. Being one of the tougher 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. Start with gaining conceptual clarity in each subject. You may want to first analyse the topics you are familiar with. Make a list of your strengths and weaknesses; then begin with strong areas. This will give you confidence in dealing with tough topics. Listed below are some key tips for making XAT 2023 exam preparation strategy:
- Join study groups online on platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Telegram and WhatsApp
- Get hold of XAT books and study material. These are available online and at coaching institutes
- Start with topics you are already familiar with and on which you have a good control
- After completing a topic or a concept, always 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 Admit Card 2023
XAT Exam Day Guidelines
XAT aspirants must follow the guidelines set by the examination authority for a hassle-free exam day. Given below are some key XAT exam day guidelines, candidates must follow:
- Reach the exam centre an hour before the reporting time
- Do not carry any electronic item like mobile phone, watch, calculator, etc. to the exam centre
- Do not carry any stationary item or eatables to the exam centre
Documents to carry on exam day
XAT admit card
Aadhar card
Voter ID
Passport, College/University ID
Driver’s license