XAT 2026 Selection Process: Check XLRI Admission Procedure, Selection Criteria, Participating Colleges

XAT 2026 Selection Process

The XAT 2026 selection process will begin with the release of XLRI calls in February 2026. However, each XAT participating institute has its own unique selection process, and there is no centralised procedure for the same. The criteria for final selection include the XAT score, the candidate's academic record, the overall profile of the candidate, full-time work experience, etc. The selection process involves a Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI). The XAT result 2026 will be made available in the third week of January 2026. 

The final merit list will be prepared based on the cumulative performance of the candidates in all stages of the XAT selection process 2026. Candidates must remember that they must apply to each desired B-school to get a call for the XAT selection process. To get an idea of the colleges that may offer your admission based on the XAT score, use our XAT College Predictor 2026. Test-takers can find complete details about the XAT 2026 selection process provided on this page.

Must Read: XAT Score vs Percentile 2026

XAT 2026 Selection Process Dates

Check out all the important dates related to the XAT 2026 selection process mentioned in the table below:

Steps of XAT 2026 Selection Process

XAT 2026 selection process generally includes Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI), leading to the Final Selection round. However, some management include the Writing Aptitude Test (WAT) in their selection procedure to judge the candidates in a better way with a new perspective. Candidates need to understand these steps of the selection procedure in detail, so that the preparation for these may become easy and simple.

Step 1: Group Discussion (GD)

• The GD round is the first round of the selection process that the candidates will have to face after clearing the cut-off list of the desired management institution.

• Candidates can apply for more than one college considering the dates of the selection process. GD for more than one college can also be applied by the candidates.

• A good number of candidates face the GD rounds every year in the different management colleges. But only a few are selected for the next round.

• The main aim of conducting this round is to judge the candidates on their expression of thoughts and understanding related to the topic given.

• A group of 7-8 candidates is selected for every GD round. The candidates are then provided with a topic along with a time limit to prepare for it.

• The Group Discussion then starts, where each participating candidate needs to put their views and statements and counter-questions the opposing candidates.

• Candidates are advised to cite valid and meaningful statements related to the topic as these points will help them clear the GD round.

• As the name of the round signifies, it is all about discussing a particular topic or issue. Therefore, remember to discuss the points instead of just mentioning them.

• Different areas and sectors are covered under the GD round. Candidates can be given topics related to politics, economics, sports, social, media and communication, aspiring leaders and their achievements, law, amendments, etc.

• Candidates who will successfully clear this round will be forwarded to the next round of the selection process.

Step 2: Writing Aptitude Test (WAT) / Essay Writing

• The Writing Aptitude Test may and may not be conducted by the management schools.

• As the name suggests the round is about writing skills and the analytical approach of the candidates toward a topic or subject matter.

• They are judged on their writing skills, command over language and grammar, and approach toward the given topic.

• Each candidate will have to write on any of the given topics within a time limit and word count as prescribed by the concerned authorities.

• Now the trick to pass this round is to write the article with critical analysis, citing suitable examples and logical statements.

• The topics for the round can emerge from any of the prominent subjects mostly including Economics, Management, Business, Politics, Science and Technology, Media and Mass Communication, Law, Sports, Literature, etc.

• Candidates clearing this round will be eligible for the next round of the selection process, the Personal Interview.

Step 3: Personal Interview (PI)

• The last stage of the selection process is the Personal Interview round.

• Candidates here will be judged on their knowledge about the course that they are about to take, understanding and use of management, IQ level, and personal behavior and approach towards particular issues.

• The area of questions can be anything and everything depending upon the experts and the candidate's previous track record and the score of the cleared rounds.

• The round includes a panel of judges and experts to question each candidate separately.

• There is no fixed time for this round, it may take the experts to interview a candidate in 10 minutes and another in 30 minutes. The amount of time completely depends upon the panel of experts, their questions, and the candidate’s answers.

• Candidates who will clear this stage of the selection process will then be recommended for the final process before finalizing the admission of the candidates.

Step 4: Final Selection

• This is the round that will finalize the candidates’ position and status regarding the admission process in the respective course and colleges.

• In the final selection round, the scores of the XAT 2026, Group Discussion, Writing Aptitude Test, and Personal Interview, of the candidates who have cleared the Selection Process round, will be calculated to make a final list of the candidates eligible to take admission in the respective institution.

• Past academic and professional records of the candidates are also scanned in this round of selection.

• Selected candidates will then be called for admission into their desired course.

Also Read:

XAT 2026 Selection Criteria Weightage

The weightage of the most important components for all programs offered by XLRI for the final selection process under XAT 2026 is provided below:

Documents Required for XAT 2026 Selection Process

Candidates must submit the following documents during the XAT 2026 selection process:

• Original XAT counselling letter along with a photocopy of counselling letter

• Original and Xerox of XAT 2026 Admit Card

• Caste Certificate

• Medical documents

• XAT 2026 Score Card or Rank Card

• Academic Certificates of Class 10, Class 12, and Bachelor’s Degree

• 4-6 Passport size photographs (both colour and black & white)

• Bank draft adhering to the guidelines mentioned in XAT Brochure

Things to Remember During XAT 2026 Selection Process

XAT selection procedure 2026 will be conducted in six main stages:

• Candidates must have submitted the XAT 2026 registration and application form by the first week of December 2026. 

• XAT 2026 aspirants should have applied to eminent institutes in the XAT like XLRI, IMT, XIMB, GIM, IMI, TAPMI, etc. 

• It is mandatory for the candidates to take the XAT exam in January 2026.

• Shortlisting for the final admission round by XLRI will be based on XAT 2026 exam scores. 

• The final admission process will be conducted and the final admission offer will be generated after the selection procedure of XAT 2026.

Also Read:

Colleges Participating in XAT 2026 Selection Process

Given below is the list of popular colleges that will be participating in the XAT Selection Process 2026:

Also Read:

XAT 2026 Sectional Score VS Sectional Percentile

Check the expected sectional score vs sectional percentile of XAT 2026 below.

Section-1: Verbal & Logical Ability

Section-2: Decision Making

Section-3: Quant & DI

Candidates can estimate their percentile based on their XAT score using our XAT 2026 Percentile Predictor.

XAT 2026 Percentile vs Marks

XAT 2026 Good Score