XAT Syllabus 2025: Download XAT Exam Syllabus PDF, Topic-wise Weightage, Questions, Books

XAT Syllabus 2025: Is There Any Changes?

 XAT Syllabus 2025 is same like previous year.The syllabus consists of 5 sections having questions from the major topics defined in the syllabus. Let’s check this out:

• XAT Syllabus will have only these 5 sections:
  • Verbal & Logical Ability
  • Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation
  • Decision Making
  • General Awareness
  • Essay
• As per the updated exam pattern, the maximum number of questions in exam has been fixed to 101.
• The Essay will be evaluated only for candidates shortlisted for the PI round.
• 76 Questions in Part 1 will have a negative marking of 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer.
• 25 GK questions in Part 3 will not have any negative marking.

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Check Section-wise Syllabus

• Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation (QA & DI): 28 Questions will be asked from this section from topics like mensuration, algebra, geometry, number system, etc. The difficulty level of this section is usually high, and for this reason, an accuracy of 70% is considered good.
• Verbal & Logical Ability (VA & LR): Questions in this section are mostly from topics like critical and analytical reasoning, vocabulary, reading comprehension, logical deductions, etc. 26 questions of moderate-high level of difficulty will be in Verbal & Logical Ability section.
• Decision Making (DM): 22 questions will be asked from this section. This section is an interesting feature of exam and consists of questions from topics such as caselet study, data arrangement, decision making in a given scenario, ethical dilemma, etc.
• GK: The section is usually of moderate difficulty and there is no negative marking for wrong answers. A total of 25 questions carrying 1 mark each will be asked in this section.
• Essay: 3 topics will be given out of which the candidates will be required to choose 1 and write a short essay of not more than 250 words.

Syllabus for each section has been mentioned in the table given below.

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Check Syllabus for Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation (QA & DI)

Syllabus for Quant & DI is vast and covers almost all the topics of maths. Candidates need to give more attention and extra effort while preparing for this section. Topics covered are from that of the 10^th standard syllabus.

• Quantitative Ability: XLRI brought significant changes in this section last year. Numbers, Arithmetic, Algebra, and Geometry questions have become more prominent and around 50% of the Quant questions are based on these areas. Mensuration, Venn diagrams, Numbers are other favorite topics on which questions are formed in the exam.
• Data Interpretation: Data tables, graphs, charts, bar diagrams, data analysis & comparison are the major topics for DI, and the questions are majorly asked in sets. 
• Quant & DI section is meant to test the student’s calculation and implementation power.
• 28 questions will be asked from this section and candidates are advised to spend not more than 2 minutes and 17 seconds to solve each question.
• QA and DI section is considered to be of the highest difficulty level among all sections.
• For DI, 4- 5 questions and for QA, 13-15 questions would ideally be considered a good attempt.

Check XAT Preparation Tips for Quant & DI

You Should not Miss Important topics from Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation (Quant & DI)

Here is the Syllabus for Verbal and Logical Ability 

Verbal & Logical Ability Syllabus for is divided into 3 parts viz. Verbal Ability, Reading Comprehension, and Logical Reasoning.

• Verbal Ability: You need to cover in this part includes questions based on English vocabulary like fill in the blanks, synonyms, antonyms, correction of sentences, use of right words, etc.
• Reading Comprehension: RC forms about 50% of the VALR paper. This part will take more time to attempt as it involves more concentration and good reading and analytical skills. The topics for RC could be politics, economics, social awareness, literature, or abstract.
• 4-5 questions will be based on critical reasoning and will involve analytical reasoning.
• 26 questions of the objective type will come from this section.
• Since there is no sectional time limit, candidates must on an average spend around 50 minutes on this section.
• The section can have moderate to high difficulty level questions.
• 18-20 questions would ideally be considered to be a good attempt from this section.

Check Preparation Tips for Verbal & Logical Ability

Important Topics from Verbal & Logical Ability 

Decision Making (DM) Syllabus

Decision Making section is unique to the exam because this section is not included in most of the MBA entrance exams. But there is no need to worry as this section is not going to be very difficult. 

Salient features of syllabus for Decision Making are mentioned below:

• The syllabus for this section is decision making in a situation, data arrangement tests, etc.
• There will be 22 questions in this section.
• The difficulty level of the DM section is moderate.
•  Decision Making section has negative marking. Answering 16 – 17 questions will be a good attempt.

Check Preparation Tips for XAT Decision Making 

Important Topics for Decision Making

General Knowledge (GK) Syllabus: Check the Key Feature

To score in this section, a candidate needs to remain in constant touch with GK on a daily basis. Important features of General Knowledge are mentioned below:

• Topics to be covered in this section are history, politics, author names, business, economy, current affairs (national and international), etc.
• 25 questions will be asked in total. You will be given 30 minutes to complete this section and the essay writing section. 
• The difficulty level is moderate. Most questions are on current affairs and some on GK.
• 60:40 breakup is expected for GK and Current Affairs.
• Candidates can go for guesswork as negative marking is not applicable in this section.
• 12 – 14 questions would ideally be considered to be a good attempt.

Check Preparation Tips for GK

Important Topics from General Knowledge

Previously asked questions from GK: Don’t Miss Important Topic

Although, questions in the general knowledge section hold no bounds to a particular topic. Still, we have mentioned some of the sample questions to have an understanding of the type of questions been asked in the GK section.  

• Who acquired Glaxo Smithkline Consumer Healthcare?
• Which of the following is not part of VIACOM 18
• Highest import to India
• Which Indian bank was the first to issue “Green Bonds” for financing renewable and clean energy projects?
• Giga fiber to be launched by which company
• Who is the SBI Chairman?
• What are the names of Parliament Budget Sessions
• Name of Liquid for dissolving Gold
• Name of Rajasthan Snake Dance