The Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) is one of the most prestigious MBA entrance exams in India, conducted annually by XLRI, Jamshedpur. Apart from XLRI, more than 150 top B-schools across India accept XAT scores for MBA/PGDM admissions. If you’re planning to appear for XAT 2026, this guide highlights the best MBA colleges accepting XAT scores, along with their approximate fees, programs offered, and expected cutoff scores.
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 |
Best MBA Colleges Accepting XAT Scores
Here are some of the top-ranked MBA colleges that accept XAT scores, with details on location, fees, and expected cutoffs:g
| College Name | Location | Approx. Fee (2 Years) | Expected XAT Cutoff (Percentile) |
| XLRI – Xavier School of Management | Jamshedpur | ₹24.5 Lakhs | 93–96 |
| SPJIMR (Accepts profile-based XAT) | Mumbai | ₹20 Lakhs | 85+ (profile-based) |
| IMT Ghaziabad | Ghaziabad | ₹19.5 Lakhs | 90+ |
| XIM University (XIMB) | Bhubaneswar | ₹18 Lakhs | 90+ |
| Great Lakes Institute of Management | Chennai | ₹13.5 Lakhs | 80–85 |
| TAPMI (Manipal Academy of Higher Education) | Manipal | ₹17.5 Lakhs | 80–85 |
| IRMA (Institute of Rural Management Anand) | Anand | ₹15 Lakhs | 80–85 |
| Goa Institute of Management (GIM) | Goa | ₹18.3 Lakhs | 85+ |
| FORE School of Management | New Delhi | ₹18 Lakhs | 78–82 |
| Loyola Institute of Business Administration (LIBA) | Chennai | ₹15.5 Lakhs | 75–80 |
| K J Somaiya Institute of Management | Mumbai | ₹18 Lakhs | 75–80 |
| Bharathidasan Institute of Management (BIM) | Tiruchirappalli | ₹14.5 Lakhs | 75–80 |
| Xavier Institute of Social Service (XISS) | Ranchi | ₹9.65 Lakhs | 70–75 |
| Xavier Institute of Management and Entrepreneurship (XIME) | Bangalore | ₹11.5 Lakhs | 70+ |
| IFMR GSB, Krea University | Sri City (Andhra Pradesh) | ₹14.5 Lakhs | 75–80 |
MBA Admission Process via XAT
- Appear for XAT 2026 – Conducted in January.
- Apply separately to individual colleges that accept XAT scores.
- Shortlisting based on XAT percentile, academic background, and work experience.
- Participate in WAT-GD-PI rounds (Written Ability Test, Group Discussion, Personal Interview).
- Admission offers are usually released between April and May by respective colleges.
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Final Thoughts
XAT 2026 provides a golden opportunity to secure admission in some of India’s most reputed MBA colleges beyond the IIMs. From XLRI to emerging names like GIM and IRMA, candidates have a wide spectrum of institutes to choose from based on their score and career goals. Begin your XAT preparation early, monitor application deadlines, and strategize your target percentile based on the colleges you’re aiming for.
Stay updated through the official XAT website and platforms like Career Mantra for announcements, registration dates, and college-specific application timelines.
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