The XAT Exam Pattern 2026 will include 95 MCQs, divided into 4 sections: Verbal & Logical Ability, Decision Making, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation and General Knowledge.
The XAT 2026 Exam will be conducted in a CBT Mode, in a duration of 180 minutes and divided into Part 1 of 170 minutes with 3 sections and Part 2 of 10 minutes for General Knowledge.
- As per the XAT Exam Pattern, the total marks, including both Part 1 and Part 2 sections, are 95 marks, with +1 mark for each correct answer and -0.25 for an incorrect answer and -0.10 marks if more than 8 questions are unattempted.
- The G.K. Section carries 20 marks; there will be no negative marking, and it will not affect the percentile score, and will be considered in the GD-PI Stage for the XLRI and other participating institutes.
In XAT 2026, the Analytical Essay writing(AEW) section has been removed and is integrated into XLRI's GD/PI process.
You should be updated with the official website xatonline.in, for the latest exam pattern, along with the syllabus, marking scheme, schedule and test cities.
Also Read
| Key Summary: In this article, we have discussed about XAT Exam Pattern 2026, including the Format, Marking Scheme, Total Sections, & Marks.
|
- What is the XAT Exam Pattern 2026?
- XAT Exam Pattern 2026: Section-Wise
- XAT Exam Pattern & Syllabus 2026
- XAT Exam Pattern: Marking Scheme
- XAT Previous Year Question Papers
- XAT Exam Pattern: Changes in the last 4 Years
6.1 XAT Exam Pattern Changes (2025–2022)
- XAT Exam Pattern: Time Duration & Number of Questions
- XAT 2026 Syllabus
8.1 XAT 2026 Syllabus Overview
- XAT Preparation Strategy 2026
- FAQs for XAT Exam Pattern 2026
What is the XAT Exam Pattern 2026?
XAT exam pattern is divided into two parts, including Part 1- Aptitude Test and Part 2- General Knowledge. Part 1 of the XAT exam pattern comprises sections such as Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VALR), Decision Making (DM), and Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation (QA & DI). XAT Exam Pattern Part 2 includes the General Knowledge section.
As per the XAT exam pattern, 75 questions will be asked from Part 1, with 26 questions from VALR, 21 questions from DM, and 28 from QA & DI. From the Part 2 or General Knowledge section, a total of 20 questions will be asked. Time allotted for Part 1 of the XAT exam pattern is 170 minutes, and for Part 2 is 10 minutes.
As per the XAT exam pattern and marking scheme, a total of 95 questions will be asked. For each question, 1 mark will be awarded, and for each incorrect answer in Part 1 of the XAT question paper, 0.25 mark will be deducted. For every question skipped after 8th skipped question 0.1 mark will be deducted.
There is no negative marking for the General Knowledge section of XAT exam. Students can score a total of 95 marks in XAT 2026.
XAT Exam Pattern: Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) 2026 |
| Conducting Body | XLRI Jamshedpur |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Total Questions | 95 + 20 (General Knowledge) |
| Total Marks | 115 (95 Part 1 + 20 GK Part 2) |
| Duration | 180 minutes (Part 1: 170 min, Part 2: 10 min) |
| Sections |
|
| Part 1 Time Limit | 170 minutes (No sectional time limits) |
| Part 2 Time Limit | 10 minutes (GK section) |
| Marking Scheme | +1 for correct, –0.25 for incorrect, –0.10 for >8 unattempted in Part 1 |
| Negative Marking in GK | No negative marking |
| AEW / Essay Writing | Removed from XAT 2025 onwards |
| GK Section Purpose | Scored but not included in percentile; considered during GD-PI stage |
| Key Focus Areas | Reasoning, Decision-Making, Quantitative Aptitude, Verbal Ability, Current Affairs |
Also Read
XAT Selection ProcessQues. How long is the XAT exam?
Ans. The XAT exam is 3 hours long divided into 2 parts. Part 1 Aptitude section has a time limit of 170 minutes and part 2 has General knowledge which is 10 minutes long.
Ques. What is the maximum mark of XAT 2026?
Ans. Maximum marks for XAT 2026 is 115 marks. Part 1 worth 95 marks and General Knowledge carries 20 marks.
Ques. Is Essay writing part of XAT 2026?
Ans. No essay writing is no more part of XAT. Essay writing is now removed from the XAT 2025 onwards.
XAT Exam Pattern 2026: Section-Wise
The XAT Exam Pattern is divided into 4 sections: Verbal & Logical Ability, Decision Making, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, and General Knowledge.
- Part 1 is 170 minutes long and covers the first 3 sections without any sectional time limit, and Part 2 will be 10 minutes and will include the G.K. Section.
- Each section will test specific skills, and the General Knowledge section is scored but excluded from the percentile, being considered only at the GD-PI stage.
XAT Section-Wise Exam Pattern 2026
XAT Exam Pattern: Verbal & Logical Ability (VALR)
- It Includes Reading Comprehension, Para Jumbles, Analogies, Grammar and Critical Reasoning.
- It includes language skills, Comprehension and logical reasoning.
- It includes 26 marks and has 27% weightage in Paper 1.
XAT Exam Pattern: Decision Making (DM)
- It Includes Caselets, Data Arrangement, Ethical Dilemmas, and situational Judgements.
- It will test candidates' problem-solving skills, critical thinking and ethical reasoning.
- The decision-making section will include a total of 21 questions with a weightage of 22%.
XAT Exam Pattern: Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation (QA & DI)
- It Covers Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration, & Data Interpretation.
- The Major focus will be on numerical reasoning and data analysis skills.
- The Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation Section will include a total of 28 questions with a weightage of 29% in Part 1.
XAT Exam Pattern: General Knowledge (GK)
- It Includes Current Affairs, Economics, Awards, Books & Authors, and Science & Technology.
- The General Knowledge section in XAT will include 20 questions in 10 minutes and with no negative marking.
- It will not be included in the percentile and will only be considered in the GD-PI evaluation.
| Section | No. of Questions | Total Marks | Duration | Weightage Approx. | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal & Logical Ability (VALR) | 26 | 26 | Part 1: 170 min | 27% | –0.25 for wrong answers |
| Decision Making (DM) | 21 | 21 | Flexible | 22% | |
| Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation (QA & DI) | 28 | 28 | Flexible | 29% | |
| General Knowledge (GK) | 20 | 20 | Part 2: 10 min | 21% | No negative marking |
| Total | 95 | 95 | 180 minutes | 100% | –0.10 for more than 8 unattempted questions in Part 1 |
Ques. Does XAT 2026 have logical reasoning?
Ans. Yes, XAT 2026 includes logical reasoning within the verbal and logical ability section. Verbal and logical ability section (VALR) consists of 26 questions, each question carries 1 mark. In case of wrong answer -0.25 gets deducted.
Ques. Is GK score counted in XAT?
Ans. No, GK score is not counted in the final XAT percentile. But it will be considered in the selection process.
Ques. What kind of topics are covered in the VALR section?
Ans. The VALR section in XAT covers reading comprehension, para jumbles, analogies, grammar and critical reasoning. It also includes language skills, comprehension and logical reasoning.
Ques. What is the decision-making section in XAT?
Ans. The decision-making section tests the candidate's problem-solving skills, critical thinking and ethical reasoning. The decision-making section covers topics of caselets, data arrangement, ethical dilemmas, and situational judgements
Ques. Is there a sectional time limit in the XAT exam?
Ans. There is no sectional time limit for the 3 sections in Part 1 (VALR, decision making and quantitative ability). Part 1 totally has a 170 minutes time limit. For Part 2, there is a 10 minutes time limit.
XAT Exam Pattern & Syllabus 2026
The XAT Exam Pattern & Syllabus will include 95 questions in all 4 sections. The Exam will be of 180 minutes with no sectional time limit in part 1.
The G.K. is a scoring section, but is not counted in the percentile and will be considered at the GD-PI Stage.
Source: xatonline.in
XAT Section-Wise Syllabus
XAT syllabus is divided into sections such as VALR, DM, QA & DI, and General Knowledge. The syllabus for each section of the XAT question paper is discussed below.
| Section | Key Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Verbal & Logical Ability (VALR) | Reading Comprehension, Para Jumbles, Critical Reasoning, Grammar, Vocabulary, Analogies |
| Decision Making (DM) | Caselets, Ethical Dilemmas, Business Scenarios, Data Arrangement, Situational Judgment |
| Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation (QA & DI) | Arithmetic (Percentages, Time-Speed-Distance, Profit & Loss), Algebra, Geometry & Mensuration, Number Systems, Data Interpretation (tables, graphs, charts) |
| General Knowledge (GK) | Current Affairs (National & International), Business & Economy, Awards, Books & Authors, Geography, History, Science & Technology |
XAT Syllabus for VALR
XAT syllabus for VALR includes the topics as listed below.
- Reading Comprehension: Understanding main ideas, inferences, vocabulary in context, tone, and purpose of passages.
- Verbal Ability
- Vocabulary (synonyms, antonyms, analogies)
- Para Jumbles
- Sentence Completion
- Fill in the Blanks
- Grammar (sentence correction, error spotting)
- Logical Reasoning
- Critical Reasoning
- Analogies
- Logical Sequences
- Assumptions and Conclusions
XAT Syllabus for DM
Topics included in XAT syllabus fr Decision Making (DM) are listed below.
- Analytical Reasoning (decision-making sets)
- Situational Decision Making
- Ethical Dilemmas
- Business Issues
- Social Dilemmas
- Caselets
- Assumptions
- Premises and Conclusions
XAT Syllabus for QA & DI
The XAT syllabus for QA and DI is discussed below.
-
Quantitative Aptitude
- Arithmetic: Percentages, Ratios and Proportions, Averages, Profit and Loss, Time-Speed-Distance, Time and Work
- Algebra: Linear and Quadratic Equations, Inequalities
- Geometry: Triangles, Circles, Mensuration, Coordinate Geometry
- Number System: HCF, LCM, Surds and Indices
- Modern Mathematics: Probability, Permutations and Combinations, Set Theory
-
Data Interpretation
- Bar Graphs
- Pie Charts
- Tables
- Line Graphs
- Data Sufficiency
- Mixed Graphs
Also Read
XAT Syllabus| Section | Syllabus PDF |
|---|---|
| Decision Making | Check Here |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Check Here |
| General Knowledge | Check Here |
Ques. What is the scope of the general knowledge syllabus?
Ans. General knowledge is broad, which covers both static and current affairs. Such as Current Affairs (National & International), Business & Economy, Awards, Books & Authors, Geography, History, Science & Technology.
Ques. What are the topics I should focus on for the VALR section?
Ans. The VALR section covers both verbal ability and logical reasoning. Important topics of VALR sections are,
- Reading comprehension: understanding main ideas, vocabulary in context, tone and purpose of passages.
- Verbal Ability: Vocabulary (synonyms, antonyms, analogies), Para Jumbles, Sentence Completion
- Fill in the blanks and grammar (sentence correction, error spotting).
- Logical Reasoning: Critical Reasoning, Analogies , Logical Sequences, Assumptions and Conclusions
XAT Syllabus- Important Books
Some of the important books that meet the standards of the XAT exam pattern and syllabus are listed in the table below.
| Book Name | Author/Publisher |
|---|---|
| How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT | Arun Sharma |
| Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT | Nitish K. Sinha |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Gautam Puri |
| Wiley's ExamXpert XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) | Wiley India (Author) |
| Verbal Ability Comprehension for CAT/ XAT/ IIFT/ CMAT/ MAT | Bharta Patodi and Aditya Choudhary |
| How to Prepare for VARC for CAT | Arun Sharma |
| Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning | R.S. Aggarwal |
| Target XAT | Disha Experts |
| Jabbing the XAT | RK Jha |
XAT Exam Pattern- Sectional Weightage
XAT question paper is divided into 2 parts, including Part 1 and Part 2. Part 1 includes sections like Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VALR), Decision Making (DM), and Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation (QA & DI). Part 2 of the XAT exam pattern includes General Knowledge.
As per the XAT exam Pattern, 26 questions will be from VALR, 21 questions from DM, 28 questions from QA & DI, and 20 questions from General Knowledge.
| XAT Section | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VALR) | 26 |
| Decision Making (DM) | 21 |
| Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation (QA & DI) | 28 |
| General Knowledge | 20 |
| Total | 95 |
XAT Exam Pattern: Marking Scheme
The XAT marking scheme is the same as it was last year. Candidates must make note of the following points:
- There will be a total of 95 MCQs in the paper, carrying 1 mark each.
- The GK section will not have negative marking for incorrect answers
- The scores obtained in the GK section will not be counted for calculating the final score.
| Number of Questions | 95 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Marks awarded for every correct answer | +1 | ||
| Marks are deducted for every wrong answer | -0.25 | ||
| Marks deducted for unattempted questions | -0.10 per question for 8 unattempted questions |
Ques. Should I attempt all questions in XAT?
Ans. answering in XAT should be balanced. It has negative marking for wrong answers as well as negative marking for unanswered questions as well. Wrong answer gets you -0.25 marks for each question, but for each unattempted question after 8 unattended questions will cost you -0.1 mark. So make sure you keep these in mind before answering.
Ques. Is there a negative marking in GK?
Ans. No, there is no negative marking for general knowledge. The score in the GK section does not add to the XAT percentile calculation, but it is used in the selection process.
XAT Previous Year Question Papers
To have an analysis of the XAT Exam pattern, you should also practice the XAT Previous Year question paper.
| XAT Question Paper | Question Paper PDF | Solution PDF |
|---|---|---|
| XAT 2025 Question Paper with Solutions PDF | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| XAT 2024 Question Paper with Solutions PDF | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| XAT 2023 Question Paper with Solutions PDF | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| XAT 2022 Question Paper with Solutions PDF | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| XAT 2021 Question Paper with Solutions PDF | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| XAT 2020 Question Paper with Solutions PDF | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| XAT 2019 Question Paper with Solutions PDF | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| XAT 2018 Question Paper with Solutions PDF | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| XAT 2017 Question Paper with Solutions PDF | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| XAT 2016 Question Paper with Solutions PDF | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
Ques. Does XAT repeat questions from previous years' questions?
Ans. XAT does not repeat the same questions, but rather the concepts and structure of the questions get repeated.
Also Read
XAT Previous Year Question PaperXAT Exam Pattern: Changes in the last 4 Years
In the last few years, the XAT Exam pattern has undergone certain changes. Such as removal of the essay writing components and changes in the total number of questions.
As the main topics remain the same, XLRI has changed the exam structure to balance the fairness and time distribution.
XAT Exam Pattern Changes (2025–2022)
- The Essay writing section has been introduced again in the last few years, and has started again from 2024 and then removed in 2025 again.
- The Total question count has changed between 75 and 101, which makes changes in the difficulty and balance sections.
- It includes 25 to 21 questions, and is not included in the percentile, and makes an impact in the GD-PI Round.
| Year | Total Questions | Sections | Exam Duration | Major Changes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 95 | VALR, DM, QA & DI, GK | 180 min (170+10) | Essay Writing removed; GK remains scored but not in percentile |
| 2024 | 100 | VALR, DM, QA & DI, GK, Essay | 210 min (190+20) | Essay Writing reintroduced (evaluated only in PI shortlisting) |
| 2023 | 100 | VALR, DM, QA & DI, GK, Essay | 205 min (195+10) | Slight reduction in QA & DI; Essay Writing included |
| 2022 | 100 | VALR, DM, QA & DI, GK, Essay | 205 min (195+10) | Essay Writing brought back after years; GK continued without negative marking |
XAT Preparation Strategy 2026
The XAT is considered one of the toughest MBA exams because of its decision-making section, along with high-level QA-DI Difficulty and GK Section.
With a total of 95 questions, candidates have to follow a balanced preparation plan including accuracy, time management and decision-making skills.
| Section | Question Range | Preparation Focus | Time Allocation (Daily Avg.) | Key Resources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal & Logical Ability | 26 Questions | RCs, Critical Reasoning, Grammar | 1.5–2 hrs | Editorials, GMAT RC practice, Arun Sharma VARC |
| Decision Making | 21 Questions | Caselets, Ethical Dilemmas, Logical Scenarios | 1 hr | Previous XAT papers, JRS Sir material, XAT DM books |
| Quantitative Ability & DI | 28 Questions | Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, DI Sets | 2–2.5 hrs | Arun Sharma QA, Nishit Sinha DI-LR, mock drills |
| General Knowledge | 20 Questions | Current Affairs, Business Awareness, Static GK | 30–40 mins | Manorama Yearbook, GK Today, Business Standard |
| Mock Tests & Analysis | – | Full-length timed mocks + sectional tests | 3–4 hrs (weekly) | Official XAT mocks, IMS/SIMS, past year papers |
Ques. Can I clear XAT with CAT preparation?
Ans. CAT preparation clears a strong foundation for the XAT, however, this might not be enough since XAT has unique sections like decision making and general knowledge. After preparing for XAT, you should focus on these unique sections, analyse previous years' papers and take XAT mock tests to improve.
Ques. How should I prepare for the general knowledge section?
Ans. The GK section in XAT tests general awareness about national and international affairs. Preparation for the GK should be broad.
- For current affairs, focus on national and international events. grasp information from Newspaper, TV channels and from social media platforms. Focus on the events from the past 6 - 12 months. Cover business and economy, recent developments and innovations and major tournaments.
- For Static GK, study history and geography, Indian politics and famous books and its authors.
- Note that even though GK is not considered for the percentile calculation, it is used by B-schools during the final selection process.
Also Read
XAT Preparation StrategyFAQs for XAT Exam Pattern 2026
XAT Exam Pattern FAQs
Ques. What is the pattern of XAT 2026?
Ans. The XAT Exam Pattern 2026 is expected to be the same as last year. It will be conducted in a CBT Mode and will include 2 parts.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Duration | 180 minutes (Part 1: 170 min, Part 2: 10 min) |
| Total Questions | 95 |
| Sections | VALR, Decision Making, QA & DI, GK |
| Marking Scheme | +1 for correct, –0.25 for wrong, –0.10 for >8 unattempted |
| Essay Writing | Removed from 2025 onwards |
Ques. Was XAT 2025 harder than 2024?
Ans. XAT 2025 was comparatively easier than XAT 2024, mainly because of the decision-making and VALR Section.
| Year | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|
| XAT 2024 | More lengthy, higher difficulty in QA & DI |
| XAT 2025 | Reduced number of questions, shorter duration, QA still challenging but overall balanced |
Ques. Is 27 a good score in XAT?
Ans. In XAT, a raw score of 27 on Part 1, excluding G.K., is considered moderate to good as per the difficulty level.
| Score | Percentile | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| 27 | 93–94 percentile | Good for tier-2 B-schools |
| 32–35+ | 95+ percentile | Usually required for XLRI BM/HRM |
Ques. Is XAT harder than CAT?
Ans. Yes, XAT is tougher as compared to CAT because of the following reasons:
| Aspect | XAT | CAT |
|---|---|---|
| Decision Making | Unique section requiring practice | Not present |
| Quantitative Ability | More advanced, higher-level Geometry & Algebra | Moderate level |
| Reading Comprehension | Lengthy RCs, adds time pressure | Comparatively shorter |
| Competition | Lower number of test-takers | Higher number of test-takers, percentile competition tougher |
Ques. What is a 99th percentile score in XAT?
Ans. The Score of the 99th percentile in XAT falls between 40 to 42 marks out of 95.
| Percentile | Approx. Score (out of 95) |
|---|---|
| 99th | 40–42 |
| 95th | 32–34 |
| 90th | 28–30 |
| 80th | 23–25 |
Ques. Is the GK score counted in XAT?
Ans. No, the GK section is not counted in the XAT percentile.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of Questions | 20 (to be answered in last 10 minutes) |
| Consideration | Used only for GD-PI stage by XLRI and some institutions |
| Negative Marking | No negative marking |
Ques. What is the pattern of the XAT exam?
Ans. XAT exam pattern includes a total of 95 questions asked from 4 sections. From VALR section, 26 questions will be asked, from DM, a total of 21 questions will be asked. 28 questions will be asked from the QA & DI section of the XAT paper and 20 questions will be asked from General Knowledge section.
1 mark will be awarded for each correct answer.
-0.25 mark will be deducted for each incorrect answer.
-0.1 mark will be deducted for each unanswered question after 8th skipped question.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
Comments
Found 1 Comment
For every wrong answer in XAT exam, 0.25 mark will be deducted. However, the negative marking system is not applied for the General Knowledge section.