XAT selection process 2026, shortlisting criteria, and XLRI XAT admission process

Xavier Aptitude Test

Last Date to Apply
05th December, 2025

Ridhima Jindal
Ridhima Jindal

Table of Content

XLRI Jamshedpur will administer the XAT 2026 selection process following the announcement of the Xavier Aptitude Test results. Each institute participating in XAT has its own unique selection procedure for 2026, with no centralized process in place.

Students who achieve a place on the final merit list based on their XAT 2026 exam scores will receive invitations to participate in XAT counselling. To take part in the XAT 2026 selection process, candidates must register on the official websites of the colleges they intend to apply to.

The XAT exam for 2026 is scheduled for January 4, 2026, and the results will be published in the last week of January 2026. XLRI's shortlisting procedure will commence once the XAT 2026 cutoffs are announced in February. Detailed information about MBA admissions at XLRI Jamshedpur can be found below.

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XAT Selection Criteria 2026

The selection process for XAT 2026 at participating institutes will commence once the GD/PI shortlist becomes accessible. Those who successfully meet the XAT 2026 cutoff criteria will qualify for the selection rounds at various colleges and institutes affiliated with XLRI, Jamshedpur. The XAT 2026 counselling process will be conducted online. For admission to XLRI institutes in 2026, the XAT admission process will encompass the following stages.

  • Candidates have to appear for XAT 2026
  • Shortlisting of candidates
  • Selection rounds
  • Final selection

XAT Registration LIVE →XLRI has started registration for XAT Exam 2026. Last Date to Apply Dec 5, 2025.

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XAT Selection Process 2026

The XAT selection process is expected to commence in February 2026, following the release of the PI shortlist status and XAT 2026 Cutoffs by XLRI. The steps involved in this process are outlined below:

  • Initial Shortlisting based on XAT Cut offs 2026: Candidates who meet the minimum XAT 2026 cutoff criteria will be shortlisted for the subsequent selection rounds. These shortlisted individuals must complete the application form and schedule their slots for the XLRI PI round via the official website.
  • XAT Group Discussion (GD): In the GD phase, candidates will be divided into groups comprising 8-10 participants, and a topic for discussion will be provided. Evaluations will be made on their perspectives, leadership abilities, communication skills, and decision-making capabilities.
  • XAT Personal Interview (PI): The PI round is anticipated to be conducted online this year as well. A panel of experts and members from the internal selection committee will conduct the interview. The primary aim of this round will be to assess the candidate's personality, confidence, business knowledge, problem-solving skills, and awareness of significant current events.
  • Compilation of the Final Merit List: The final merit list will be formulated based on several factors, including XAT 2026 scores, GD-PI scores, Essay & GK sectional scores, work experience, and academic records from the past. The weighting assigned to each of these parameters may differ across different institutes depending on their individual selection criteria.

Documents Required for XAT Selection Process for GD/PI

During the XAT selection process and GD-PI rounds, candidates must carry the following documents.

  • XAT 2026 scorecard
  • XAT answer key or OMR sheet
  • Class 10 certificate
  • Class 12 certificate
  • Graduation certificate
  • Character certificate from institute last attended
  • Work experience certificate/letter
  • Certificate of participating in extra-curricular activities (if any)
  • Caste certificate (if applicable)
  • PWD certificate (if applicable)
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XAT 2026 Selection Process Stages

The XAT selection procedure is conducted in 3 phases – XAT exam, candidate shortlisting, and GD-PI, WAT, and final selection. Candidates can review the complete XAT selection process below.

Phase 1 - Candidates are required to participate in XAT 2026

Applicants should have completed the XAT 2026 application form via the official XLRI website. The registration form for XAT 2026 was made available online on July 10, 2026.

Phase 2 - Candidate Shortlisting

XAT 2026 results are expected to be disclosed in the last week of January 2026. XLRI will compile a list of students eligible for group discussions and interviews. The selection of candidates will be based on the cutoff scores set by the participating institutes.

Phase 3 - Selection Rounds

Shortlisted students will be invited to participate in further XLRI evaluation criteria, which will encompass the following rounds.

→ Group Discussion (GD) – A group of candidates are given a common topic to discuss and share their Point of Views.

→ Personal Interview (PI) – Each candidate is asked question based on their personality individually.

Phase 4 - Final Selection

Following the completion of XLRI Jamshedpur's selection process, a final roster of chosen students will be compiled. These selected individuals will receive admission offers to the various programs offered by XAT participating institutes.

XAT 2026 Merit List Preparation

The weightage of the components mentioned above (for all the programs offered by XLRI) for the final shortlisting of candidates is explained below:

Component

Weightage

XAT score

60%

GD/PI

25%

Essay, GK, Academic profile, work-ex, video

15%

Note*
  • XLRI reserves the right to change the weight of the components after analyzing the GD/PI data.
  • Regardless of the ratings of other components, the last 10% of GD/PI results cannot be used for the final selection.
  • Based on the total score, the institutes draw up a final merit list for the final admission.

XAT 2026 Group Discussion

In the group discussion round, candidates are divided into groups of 8 to 15 people, depending on the number of shortlisted candidates and the total number of rounds that the institute intends to operate. Each group is assigned a topic, and participants must deal with that topic. The time limit for each GD is about 15-25 minutes. XLRI GD topics can involve current affairs, politics, social issues (such as women's rights and liberation), or any other topics related to advertising, technology, education, or the economy in India.

Group Discussion Guidelines

When appearing for Group Discussions, candidates must follow and remember the guidelines below to increase their chances of selection.

  • Use the time they give you before each GD round to make some quick notes.
  • When GD becomes a fish market, don't lose your temper.
  • Keep the theme and express your thoughts clearly.
  • Make sure your words and tone aren't too aggressive and offensive.
  • Use politically correct language to express your views.
  • Don't show off your vocabulary during group discussion rounds. Instead, focus on the good and necessary.
  • When you emphasize your point, please contact the entire group.
  • Don't try to dominate the group, don't fight with people who disagree with you.
  • Body language matters. Sit upright, stay active, don't lean back, don't overstretch your arms to invade the space of others, gestures should be restricted to personal space at chest level.
  • Don't be too shy or withdraw, because no participant will give you a chance to speak. Contribute to the discussion in order to avoid rejection.
  • The beginning and end of GD is a good place to chat.
  • Keep up to date with the latest news and expand your knowledge on various topics related to our society, culture, politics, economy, education, etc.

XAT Personal Interview

In the personal interview (PI), questions about the academic background, performance, and motivation of the MBA candidate will be asked. The interviewer aims to assess the candidate's communication skills, content, self-confidence, and ability to think under pressure. Due to low self-confidence, poor communication skills, and fear of public speaking, you feel overwhelmed by the idea of intellectual property.

Personal Interview Guidelines

When appearing for Personal Interview (PI), candidates must follow and remember the guidelines below to increase their chances of selection.

  • Don't be afraid of the interview panel. They are experienced scientists and experts, but they want to get to know you better, so don't be nervous.
  • Relax and answer as naturally as possible.
  • Pay attention to general etiquette: Say hello, talk to all team members in the speech, and say thank you after the interview.
  • Be knowledgeable and carefully prepare your resume, essay and application form.
  • Answer your questions honestly and don't try to mislead the interviewer.
  • Know the answer to the question, admit and apologize. This will help you relax and relieve tension.
  • The time of each interview session is different. Shorter interviews are no exception.
  • Likewise, a longer interview does not mean choice. Don't appear too serious, too aggressive or too scared.

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XAT Cutoff 2026 for XLRI (Expected)

The XAT cut off for XLRI in 2026 will be published after the release of XAT 2026 results. Based on the analysis of previous year's cut offs, male students with an engineering background can expect around 93 percentile, while female students can expect around 91 percentile. On the other hand, for male students from a non-engineering background, the expected percentile is around 90, and for female students, it is around 88.

To Know More → XAT Cutoff

Below are the official XAT cut offs for the year 2025. XLRI released these cut offs for Business Management and Human Resource Management courses a few days after the declaration of results.

XAT Cutoff 2025

Candidates can check the XAT Cutoff 2025 (expected) for both BM and HRM courses below. The XAT Sectional Cutoff has also been presented below.

XAT Cutoff 2025 - MBA BM

Given below is the sectional and category-wise cutoff for XAT - MBA BM Course at XLRI Jamshedpur.

Category

QA

VALR

DM

Overall

Engineer/Tech Male

88

84

84

96

Engineer/Tech Female

82

80

80

91

Non-Engineer Male

88

84

84

96

Non-Engineer Female

82

80

80

91

XAT Cutoff 2025 - MBA HRM

Given below is the sectional and category-wise cutoff for XAT - MBA HRM Course at XLRI Jamshedpur.

Category

QA

VALR

DM

Overall

Engineer/Tech Male

83

90

87

95

Engineer/Tech Female

73

85

80

90

Non-Engineer Male

76

90

87

93

Non-Engineer Female

78

85

80

87

Top MBA Colleges Accepting XAT 2026 Score

There are various well known 11 members of Xavier Association of Management Institutes (XAMI) that accept XAT Score apart from XLRI Jamshedpur. Below mentioned are the XAMI members that students can get admission to following colleges.

Colleges Accepting XAT Score

Loyola Institute of Business Administration

Xavier Institute of Social Service

St. Joseph's Institute of Management

St. Francis Institute of Management and Research (SFIMR)

Xavier Institute of Management

Xavier Business School (XBS)

Xavier Institute of Development Action and Sciences (XIDAS)

Xavier Institute of Management & Research

Xavier Institute of Management & Entrepreneurship

St. Aloysius Institute of Management and Information Technology

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Frequently Asked Questions

How to get admission into XLRI through XAT 2026?

Admission involves taking the XAT exam, getting shortlisted by cutoffs, then participating in Group Discussion GD and Personal Interview PI rounds. Your XAT score, GD/PI performance, academics, and work experience determine your final selection. Remember, each participating institute has its unique selection process.

How does XLRI shortlist candidates for GD/PI rounds?

XLRI shortlists candidates primarily based on their XAT 2026 cutoff scores, usually released in February. Meeting these cutoffs makes you eligible for GD and PI. Shortlisted individuals must then register and schedule their PI slots through the official XLRI website. This is a key step post-XAT results.

What should I do to perform well in XAT Group Discussion?

In XAT GD, make quick notes, express clear thoughts calmly, and avoid being aggressive or too shy. Maintain good body language and contribute actively without dominating. Evaluators assess your perspective, leadership, and communication. Staying updated on current affairs significantly helps.

What questions are asked in the XAT Personal Interview?

XAT PI questions cover your academic background, career motivation, and MBA aspirations. Interviewers assess communication, confidence, business knowledge, and current event awareness. Be honest, relax, and prepare your resume well. Remember interview etiquette like greeting and thanking the panel.

Which documents are needed for XAT GD/PI rounds?

For XAT GD/PI, carry your XAT 2026 scorecard, Class 10 and 12 certificates, graduation certificate, and a character certificate. Also, bring work experience letters, extracurricular certificates, and caste or PWD certificates if applicable. Ensure you have both originals and copies.

What is the weightage for XLRI XAT final selection?

For XLRI final selection, XAT score gets 60% weightage. Group Discussion GD and Personal Interview PI combined account for 25%. The remaining 15% considers your essay, GK scores, academic profile, and work experience. These weightages might vary slightly among different XAT institutes.

What are the expected XAT 2026 cutoffs for XLRI Jamshedpur?

Expected XAT 2026 cutoffs for XLRI BM could be ~93 percentile for engineer males and ~91 for engineer females. Non-engineer males might need ~90, females ~88. HRM cutoffs vary. These are estimates based on past trends; official cutoffs will be released after results.

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