XAT 2025 Timelines – Important Dates, Syllabus Schedule & Deadlines

The Xavier Aptitude Test August to November (with late fee option in December) exam cycle includes multiple key stages such as registration, admit card download, exam conduction, and result declaration. Staying updated with the latest Xavier Aptitude Test schedule assures you never miss an important milestone in your preparation and application journey.

Historically, XAT has maintained a consistent annual timeline, making it easier for aspirants to anticipate important milestones. The examination is typically conducted on the first Sunday of January each year. Looking at XAT 2025 as a concrete example, the official notification was released on July 15, 2024, initiating the registration process. The registration period for XAT 2025 commenced on July 15, 2024, and concluded on December 10, 2024, following an extension from an earlier November 30 deadline. An application correction window was made available in November and December 2024. Admit cards for XAT 2025 were released on December 20, 2024. The XAT 2025 examination was successfully conducted on January 5, 2025. Subsequently, the provisional answer key was released around January 10, 2025, with candidates having a few days to raise objections. The highly anticipated results for XAT 2025 were declared on January 17, 2025, well before the official last date. Following the result announcement, XLRI commenced its shortlisting for interviews and the interview rounds were conducted from mid-February to March 2025. This predictable schedule benefits candidates immensely, allowing them to initiate their preparation well in advance, align their study plans with key dates, and manage their application process without last-minute rush. By reviewing past schedules, aspirants can set realistic preparation goals and stay ahead in their XAT journey.

Among the many dates in the XAT 2026 schedule, a few stand out as absolutely critical to a candidate’s success. The official notification release, which occurred on July 10, 2025, marked the initiation of the application process. Following this, the registration window commenced on July 10, 2025, and is set to conclude on December 5, 2025. This application deadline is paramount, as failing to submit the form by this date will render a candidate ineligible for the examination. Subsequently, the admit card release, tentatively scheduled for December 20, 2025, is another crucial checkpoint. Candidates must download and print their admit cards as these are mandatory for entry into the examination hall. The XAT 2026 examination itself is slated for January 4, 2026. This is the culmination of months of preparation, and candidates must be present and ready on this specific date. Post-exam, the anticipated release of the answer key in mid-January 2026 and the result declaration by the last week of January 2026 are vital for understanding performance and planning the next steps. Finally, the subsequent interview rounds, conducted by individual institutes primarily in February and March 2026, are the gateway to final admission. Missing any of these high-impact deadlines, from application submission to attending interviews, may lead to disqualification or the loss of a valuable opportunity. By staying alert to these high-impact deadlines, aspirants can avoid last-minute stress and ensure they remain on track for every stage of the XAT process.

Once the XAT 2026 concludes, the post-exam process begins with the expected release of the provisional answer key in mid-January 2026. This provisional key allows candidates to review the official answers and estimate their scores. Following the release of the provisional answer key, an objection window is typically opened, also expected in mid-January 2026. During this period, candidates are given the opportunity to challenge any discrepancies or incorrect answers they identify in the provisional key. These objections are meticulously reviewed by the examination authorities. After a thorough review and incorporating any valid challenges, the final answer key is then published, though a specific date for this is often not explicitly stated by the conducting body. The next significant event is the result declaration, which is anticipated by the last week of January 2026. The results are released online, and candidates can access their scorecards through the official website. For examinations like XAT that are not conducted in multiple slots, a normalization process is generally not applied. However, for exams with varied difficulty levels across different shifts, normalization ensures fairness. After the declaration of results, management institutes accepting XAT scores, including XLRI, begin their individual selection processes. This typically involves shortlisting candidates based on their XAT scores, followed by an invitation to participate in further rounds such as Group Discussions and Personal Interviews, scheduled for February and March 2026 for XLRI. This structured post-exam process ensures transparency, fairness, and a smooth transition from test-taking to admission.