The Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) is a top MBA entrance exam in India administered by XLRI Jamshedpur. A good XAT score can get you admission into top-rated B-schools such as XLRI and other top colleges in the country. The guide provides you with a comprehensive information on the top MBA colleges accepting XAT 2026 scores, including cutoffs, rankings, fees, and preparation.
XAT 2026 Overview
| Feature | Details |
| Exam Name | Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) 2026 |
| Conducting Body | XLRI Jamshedpur |
| Mode of Examination | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Frequency | Once a year |
| Exam Duration | 3 hours + 10 minutes (Essay Section) |
| Tentative Exam Date | First Sunday of January 2026 |
Top XAT Accepting Colleges in Maharashtra with Fees
| College Name | Location | Approx. Fee (2 Years) | Expected XAT Cutoff (Percentile) | Key Highlights |
| SPJIMR (SP Jain Institute of Management) | Mumbai | ₹20 Lakhs | 85+ (Profile-based) | Top private B-school; profile-based shortlisting |
| K J Somaiya Institute of Management | Mumbai | ₹18 Lakhs | 75–80 | Autonomous university, wide specialization pool |
| Welingkar Institute of Management (WeSchool) | Mumbai | ₹13–14 Lakhs | 70–75 | Known for design thinking, PGDM in innovation |
| N. L. Dalmia Institute of Management Studies | Mumbai | ₹11.5–12.5 Lakhs | 70+ | Finance-focused institute, good ROI |
| MIT World Peace University – MIT SOM | Pune | ₹9–10 Lakhs | 60–65 | UGC-approved MBA, good corporate exposure |
| Lexicon MILE | Pune | ₹8–9 Lakhs | 60–65 | Strong corporate tie-ups, placement focus |
| Balaji Institute of Modern Management (BIMM) | Pune | ₹8.75 Lakhs | 65–70 | Strong alumni network, value-for-money MBA |
| ITM Business School | CNavi Mumbai | ₹10.45 Lakhs | 65–70 | Multiple PGDM specializations, industry-linked |
| ISBM Pune (International School of Business) | Pune | ₹9.6 Lakhs | 60–65 | AICTE approved PGDM, practical curriculum |
MBA Admission Process via XAT (in Maharashtra)
- Register and Appear for XAT 2025 – Exam scheduled in January 2025.
- Apply to Individual Colleges – Most colleges have separate application forms and deadlines.
- Shortlisting – Based on XAT percentile, academic profile, and work experience (varies by institute).
- WAT-GD-PI Rounds – Final selection based on written test, group discussion, and interview rounds.
Final Admission Offers – Typically released between March to May 2026.
Popular MBA Specializations Offered
- Marketing
- Finance
- Human Resource Management
- Operations
- Business Analytics
- Supply Chain & Logistics
- Innovation & Entrepreneurship
- International Business
Best Books for XAT 2026 Preparation
| Section | Recommended Books |
| Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning | Word Power Made Easy, High School Grammar by Wren & Martin |
| Decision Making | XAT Decision Making Guide (IMS, TIME, CL), Previous year caselets |
| Quant & DI | Quantitative Aptitude by Arun Sharma, R.S. Aggarwal |
| General Knowledge | Lucent’s GK, Manorama Yearbook, Current Affairs Magazines |
| Essay Writing | Editorials from The Hindu/Indian Express, Practice topics from past XAT exams |
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Final Thoughts
Maharashtra is a management education hotspot, providing varied choices for students appearing for the XAT exam. If you are aiming for premier institutes such as SPJIMR or money-for-value institutes such as BIMM and Welingkar, you have plenty of B-schools that accept XAT scores. Make sure to watch out for application deadlines and prepare tactically for the essay and decision-making portions, which are specific to XAT.
Stay abreast through the XAT official website and acclaimed MBA websites such as Shiksha, Career360, and MBAUniverse.
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