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Jagpreet
26 June, 2024
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The MBA programme is popular, and students and professionals from all academic backgrounds show interest in pursuing it in different curriculum formats. There are Full-time MBAs, Part-time MBAs, Executive MBAs (EMBAs), Distance MBAs, Integrated MBAs, and many more.
Like different kinds of MBA programmes, there are different entrance exams designed to assess different strengths and competencies of the aspiring students. Each entrance exam is associated with selecting recognised and elite universities for the programme. The difficulty level in these exams varies, offering a fair chance to all students to score well and get admission into renowned MBA colleges.
If you only knew about entrance exams like CAT, MAT, SNAP, and IBSAT, now it’s time to update your list with XAT. A prominent MBA admission test associates you with over 160 institutes. For more than 72 years, XLRI has conducted XAT at all India levels to help students gain admission to premier management programmes.
It is one of the prestigious entrance exams that students could consider cracking to get into the top B-schools in India.
So, let’s dig to know everything about XAT.
The full form of XAT is the Xavier Aptitude Test. It is an entrance exam for PGDM (BM) & PGDM (HRM) conducted by XLRI, Xavier School of Management (formerly known as Xavier Labour Relations Institute). Let us understand that XLRI is a standalone private business school run by the Society of Jesus in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, India.
The XAT Exam is conducted at all India Levels on behalf of XAMI, i.e., Xaviers Association of Management Institutes. It is conducted in 70+ centres across India, and the XAT score is used by more than 160 institutes for MBA and PGDM admissions.
Still didn’t understand What XAT is; wondering what PGDM is.
Well, let’s shed light on that….
The full form of PGDM is a postgraduate diploma in management. It is a two-year business management programme offered to aspirants to prepare them as business-ready professionals.
The primary difference between an MBA and a PGDM is that the former is a degree programme, whereas the latter is a diploma programme.
A PGDM is offered by AICTE-recognised or autonomous B-schools under the Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD), which is not under UGC. On the other hand, an MBA programme is offered by a government or private university or any college affiliated with a university. The University Grants Commission (UGC) funds these universities offering MBA degrees.
XAT 2025 is open to both domestic and international students. Candidates in the final year of their bachelor’s degree course or students awaiting their final year results can apply for this course.
The Xavier Aptitude Test, also called XAT, is one of the prominent MBA and PGDM entrance exams in India, and it is conducted by XLRI. The XAT score is being used by more than 160 institutes for admission.
Remember: XLRI, Jamshedpur, is one of the oldest B-schools in India. NIRF ranked it 9th among management schools in India. Outlook India also ranked it 1st in the “Top Private MBA Institutes” of 2022.
Both XAT and CAT are at par in terms of difficulty levels. Different candidates may have different opinions; however, CAT’s Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) is generally considered the toughest.
However, In XAT, most candidates consider the Quantitative Aptitude (QA) section the toughest.
No one is superior to the other between XAT and CAT. If you have not gained big numbers in CAT, it is always better to take XAT as a backup to get admission to one of the prestigious business schools in India without wasting a year.
XAT is an online entrance examination conducted to enrol students in 5 kinds of full-time residential programmes, namely:
1. PGDM(BM)
Post Graduate Diploma in Management (Business Management)
2-year Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management
Eligibility For PGDM (BM) Through XAT
For the PGDM(BM) programme, students must complete 3 years of bachelor’s degree or equivalent in any discipline from a recognised or deemed university.
Additionally, any student completing his final exams by June 2025 (tentatively) shall also apply.
2. PGDM(HRM)
Post Graduate Diploma in Management (Human Resource Management)
2-year Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management
Eligibility For PGDM (HRM) Through XAT
For the PGDM(HRM) programme, students must complete 3 years of bachelor’s degree or equivalent in any discipline from a recognised or deemed university.
Additionally, any student completing his final exams by June 2025 (tentatively) shall also apply.
3. PGDM(GM)
Post Graduate Diploma in Management (General Management)
18-month General Management Programme
Eligibility For PGDM (GM) Through XAT
For PGDM (GM), where GM means General Management
Applying students must hold at least 3 years of bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university in India or abroad.
+
Be employed in a full-time job
+
Must have at least 5 years of relevant managerial experience
4. XLRI-Rutgers Double Masters Programme
PGDM (Logistics & Supply Chain Management) from XLRI, Jamshedpur & MS in Supply Chain
Analytics from Rutgers Business School, US
Eligibility For PGDM (Logistics & Supply Chain Management) Through XAT
For this programme, applying candidates should have a 3-year bachelor’s degree in any discipline by a recognised or deemed university. This university should be NAAC-accredited with a rating of at least “A “.
NAAC accreditation is not required for students who have completed their engineering programme from a recognised university or reputed institution such as IIT, NIT, etc.
The XAT 2025 exam pattern differs slightly from other MBA entrance exams in India. It has a total of 5 sections, namely:
Verbal and Logical Ability
Decision Making
Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation
General Knowledge
Essay Writing (introduced in 2022)
The total duration of the XAT 2025 paper is 3 hours and 30 minutes.
| XAT 2025 Exam Structure | Exam Details |
| Number of Sections | 5 |
| XAT Time Duration | 3 hours 30 minutes |
| Number of Questions | 101 |
| Total Marks | 101 |
| Number of Answer Choices | 5 |
| Mode of Exam | Online |
| Marking Scheme | Allotted +1 mark for every correct answer |
| Deducted – 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer | |
| Deducted – 0.10 marks for more than 8 consecutive un-attempted questions | |
| There is no negative marking in the GK section |
If you are wondering how to apply for XAT 2025, here’s the step-by-step registration process, including XAT registration fees and tentative date updates.
Step-By-Step Method To Apply For XAT 2025
Step 1: Register yourself
Step 2: Verify Email ID
Step 3: Fill XAT online application form
Step 4: Upload the required documents
Step 5: Pay application fees
Step 6: Submit your application form
Registration Process
To successfully apply for XAT 2025, one needs to complete the XAT registration process. The details of XAT exam registration and fee submission are shared below:
The XAT 2025 Application Fee is INR 2100/-.
Candidates interested in XLRI programmes must pay an additional INR 200/-fee.
Indian candidates can apply through the GRE/GMAT for PGDM (GM), whereas NRI foreign nationals can apply through GMAT for all XLRI programmes
The fee for Indian candidates applying for PGDM (GM) through the GRE/GMAT is INR 2500/-
The fee for NRI/foreign candidates applying for one or more programmes through the GMAT is INR 5000/-.
Remember:
The mode of payment for XAT Registration can be Debit Cards (RuPay / Visa / Master Card / Maestro), Credit Cards, Internet Banking, IMPS, Cash Cards/ Mobile Wallets.
| Top XAT Colleges | Programme Fees | Highest CTC Offered |
| XLRI Jamshedpur | INR 23,15,000 | INR 80.35 LPA |
| XIM University | INR 20,90,000 | INR 32.21 LPA |
| MICA Ahmedabad | INR 23,00,000 (approx.) | INR 36 LPA |
| IMT Ghaziabad | INR 21,53,000 | INR 31.40 LPA |
| IMI New Delhi | INR 20,95,230 | INR 32 LPA |
XAT 2025 cut-offs will be released by XLRI, Jamshedpur, once the results are announced. The XAT 2024 cut-off is shared below:
| XLRI BM PROGRAMME INTERVIEW CUT-OFFS 2024 (PERCENTILES) | |||||
| STREAM | GENDER | TOTAL | QA | VALR | DM |
| ENGINEER | MALE | >=96 | >=86 | >=83 | >=85 |
| ENGINEER | FEMALE | >=91 | >=81 | >=80 | >=80 |
| NON-ENGINEER | MALE | >=95 | >=85 | >=83 | >=86 |
| NON-ENGINEER | FEMALE | >=90 | >=80 | >=80 | >=81 |
| XLRI HRM PROGRAMMES INTERVIEW CUT-OFFS 2024 (PERCENTILES) | |||||
| STREAM | GENDER | TOTAL | QA | VALR | DM |
| ENGINEER | MALE | >=95 | >=80 | >=90 | >=85 |
| ENGINEER | FEMALE | >=90 | >=73 | >=85 | >=78 |
| NON-ENGINEER | MALE | >=93 | >=75 | >=90 | >=85 |
| NON-ENGINEER | FEMALE | >=88 | >=68 | >=85 | >=78 |
| Top Recruiters For Full-Time PGDM Programmes | |
| Accenture | Ericcson |
| Amazon | Deutsche Bank |
| Infosys Consulting | Microsoft |
| Goldman Sachs | Deloitte |
| Mahindra & Mahindra | Wipro |
| Deloitte | HSBC |
| FITJEE | JPMorgan Chase |
Nowadays, business management skills have become indispensable for a successful, growing career. If you plan to join a reputed business management programme, take the XAT 2025. Prepare according to the exam syllabus and pattern, and practice diligently so that you don’t miss out on the opportunity to get admission to a renowned B-school in India.
No, work experience before graduation is not counted. Only experience post-graduation is counted.
It depends upon an individual what he or she finds the lengthiest. Also, it depends upon the questions set for that particular year. However, the Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation section generally has the most questions, making it lengthy.
No, there will be no sectional time limits, only overall time limits.
Yes, candidates can switch between the sections anytime they wish.
