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XAT 2026 Exam Analysis: Section-Wise Review, Difficulty Level & Expected Cutoffs
Updated on Jun 13, 2025 02:22 PM IST | #XAT
XAT Exam Analysis 2026: Check Section Wise XAT Paper Analysis, Expected Cutoff: The XAT 2026 exam analysis will be released after the completion of the XAT exam. The exam usually follows the same pattern each year, so you can learn a lot from how XAT 2025 went. XLRI Jamshedpur typically announces XAT 2026 around July-August, with the exam likely in early January 2026. Since XAT 2026 showed that moderate difficulty continues, your strategy should focus on accuracy first, then speed. Start your preparation now with a proper study plan, and you'll be well-prepared when XAT 2026 registration opens next year.
XAT Exam Analysis 2025 (Previous Year's)
1. Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
Overall Difficulty: Easy
Dominance of RCs: Reading Comprehension was the major component in this section. A good number of questions came from RCs, making them the scoring area for most students.
Critical Reasoning: Very few questions were asked from CR this year, making the section relatively less tricky.
2. Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation (QA/DI)
Overall Difficulty: High (compared to previous years)
Number System: Most of questions were from the number system, which increased the difficulty level for many students.
Arithmetic: Fewer questions were asked from arithmetic topics like percentages, averages, and time-speed-distance, unlike previous years.
Data Interpretation: Sets were calculation-heavy, adding to the challenge in time management.
3. Logical Reasoning (LR)
Overall Difficulty: Easy
Doability: Most sets were straightforward and could be solved with basic logic.
Student Experience: Aspirants found this section scoring and less time-consuming compared to QA/DI.
XAT 2026: Sample Paper, Section wise Questions
Download latest XAT sample papers with detailed solution for the XAT 2026 examination preparation based on latest exam pattern, Topics and their weightage, difficulty level.
Download EBookXAT Exam Analysis 2024(Previous Year)
As per the XAT exam analysis and candidates' XAT review, the overall difficulty level of the previous year's XAT exam was moderate. There were no major changes seen in the XAT exam pattern and there were no technical glitches as well. The XAT question paper pattern was mostly based on the previous year's pattern only. Many students found the QA section to be tricky but the overall paper was doable.
VARC: As per the XAT 2024 analysis and students' feedback, the VARC section of XAT 2024 was doable. The questions were asked from the same topics mentioned in the XAT syllabus and were based on the previous year XAT exam pattern only.
QA & DI: According to the XAT exam analysis, the QA section of XAT 2024 was a bit on the difficult side and lengthy as well. Many students found the DI section to be doable.
DM: The XAT Decision-making section was easy and doable as per the XAT exam analysis and XAT review by the candidates.
GK and XAT Essay Writing: Three topics were three topics asked in the XAT essay writing 2024 based on technology and social media. The pattern of GK potion was same as per previous year as well.
XAT exam pattern 2026 was divided into two parts with the first part consisting of three sections namely, Verbal and Logical Ability, Decision-Making and Quantitative Aptitude, and Data Interpretation. The second part of XAT consisted of GK questions and essay writing.
From last year onwards, the XAT exam duration has been increased by 10 minutes. So this year also, the XAT exam 2025 began at 2:00 PM and ended at 05:30 PM; hence the total duration of the exam was 210 minutes which was 180 minutes earlier.
XAT Cutoff 2026 (Expected)
The XAT accepting colleges will release the cutoff marks after the release of the XAT result 2026. Candidates can check the expected XAT 2026 cutoff given below to get and idea of their chances of getting into their desired college.
XAT Cut off Percentile
Institutes | XAT Cutoff Percentile |
90+ | |
96+ | |
90+ | |
90+ | |
85+ | |
85+ | |
80+ | |
XLRI Delhi Cutoff | 80+ |
85+ | |
80+ | |
80+ | |
80+ | |
80+ | |
75+ | |
75+ | |
75+ |
Previous Year XAT Paper Analysis
XAT exam analysis suggests the exam to be of moderate to high difficulty level. It was pointed to be of higher difficulty level by a few of the XAT aspirants who have appeared in the XAT exam. XAT Quantitative Ability was termed as of moderate to difficult level and the VA section was also moderate in nature with only 2-3 difficult questions.
As far as the Decision-Making section is concerned it was a little hard with many of the questions belonging to ethical dilemmas. The XAT exam timings were also increased by the authorities this year with the XAT exam conducted with a duration of 3 hours 30 minutes.
XAT Exam Analysis: Overall Exam Analysis
Sections | Number of questions | Difficulty level |
Part-1 | 75 Total MCQs(165 minutes with no sectional time limit) | |
Verbal and Logical Ability | 26 | Easy to moderate |
Decision Making | 21 | Moderate |
Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation | 28 |
|
Part-2 | 25 Total MCQs(15 Minutes) | |
General Knowledge | 25 | Easy |
Total questions (Part 1 + Part 2) | 101 | |
XAT Exam Analysis: Sectional Exam Analysis
HThere are a total of 5 sections in the XAT exam - Verbal and Logical Ability, Decision making, Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation, General Knowledge and Analytical Essay Writing. With the conclusion of the XAT exam, we provide the XAT exam section-wise analysis here soon. With relevance to the XAT exam analysis provided by the students who appeared for the last year's XAT, candidates can check the expected XAT sectional analysis as mentioned below.
Verbal and Logical Ability
Question Topics | Number of questions | Difficulty Level |
Error correction in sentences | 2 | Moderate |
Fill in the blanks (4 blanks) | 2 | Moderate to difficult |
Para Jumbles | 2 | Moderate to Difficult |
Questions on Critical Reasoning | 6 | Easy to Moderate |
RC Passage on Pleasure in today’s world | 2 | Moderate to Difficult |
RC Passage on Knowledge as Product | 3 | Moderate to Difficult |
RC Passage on Capitalism | 3 | Medium to Difficult |
RC Passage on Culture | 3 | Moderate to Difficult |
Poem on Fire and Ice | 3 | Moderate to Difficult |
Decision making
Question Topics | No. of Qs. | Level of Difficulty |
4 Problem sets on Ethics & Dilemma | 12 | Moderate to Difficult |
3 Problem Sets on Business Decision | 9 | Moderate to Difficult |
Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation
Quant DI Topics | Total Questions | Difficulty Level |
Arithmetic | 7 | Moderate to Difficult |
Geometry | 6 | Moderate to difficult |
Modern Math | 5 | Moderate |
Algebra | 2 | Moderate to difficult |
Number System | 2 | Moderate |
Table | 3 | Moderate |
Multiple graphs | 3 | Moderate |
Part 2: General Knowledge
Question Topics | Number of Questions |
National Events | 18 |
International Events | 5 |
General GK | 2 |
Last year's XAT analysis: Highlights
XAT exam was conducted in online mode and the essay section was included this year with the exam duration increased to three hours and ten minutes. In keeping with the view of the XAT analysis, the important changes that were there in XAT are given below. Also, it must be noted that some of these changes were already introduced in the last year's XAT exam. Here are the changes made to the XAT question paper last year.
Essay writing test restored: There was one descriptive question on the Essay Writing test in the revised XAT exam pattern.
NAT questions introduced: In accordance with XAT analysis, a new type of Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions has been introduced by XLRI. To answer the NAT questions candidates have to use the virtual keypad appearing on the computer screen and enter the numerical answer.
Penalty for Unattempted Questions: Candidates will have to bear the negative marking of 0.10 marks per unattempted question in case the number of unattempted questions exceeds 8.
Time duration: Visually impaired candidates were given extra 25 minutes for part 1 of the XAT entrance exam. There was no concession in time for part 2, that is, the GK section. Moreover, the XAT exam total duration is also increased by 10 minutes.
Quick Links -
Past Year's XAT Exam Analysis by Career Launcher
In terms of difficulty level, XAT 2021 was along similar lines to XAT 2019 & XAT 2018. When it comes to the different sections, DM was of a similar level to XAT 2019/2018 with the XAT 2021 cut-off expected to be around 8.5-9 marks (8-8.5 for XLRI HRM). VALR was also of a similar level to XAT 2019 but slightly easier to read and comprehend.
The sectional cut-off for the section was expected to be around 8-8.5 marks (for both programs). QA was easy but there were a couple of DI sets that were quite tricky with the cut-offs expected to be around 10.5-11 marks for XLRI BM and 9-9.5 marks for XLRI HRM.
Overall, the XAT cut-off for the XLRI BM Program is expected to be 32.5-33.5 marks while the same for the HRM program is expected to be 30-31.
Read more-
Is It Important to Check XAT Analysis?
Yes, it's important to review the XAT analysis. This helps you understand how well you did in the XAT exam and which areas you need to improve on. The analysis provides insights into the overall difficulty of the test, the types of questions asked, and the distribution of scores. This information can guide your preparation for future exams and help you focus on your weak points.
B-Schools Accepting XAT Score - Location-Wise
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What was the overall difficulty level of the XAT 2025 exam?
XAT 2025 maintained a moderate difficulty level similar to previous years, with the Quantitative Ability section being relatively high in difficulty compared to other sections. The VARC section was easy, Logical Reasoning was straightforward, while QA/DI posed the maximum challenge for test-takers.
2. Which section was the most difficult in XAT 2025?
The Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation section was considered the most challenging in XAT 2025, particularly due to its heavy emphasis on Number System questions and calculation-intensive Data Interpretation sets. Many students found this section challenging for time management and accuracy.
3. What was the sectional difficulty analysis for XAT 2025?
XAT 2025 sectional difficulty was Easy for VARC and Logical Reasoning, Moderate for Decision Making and General Knowledge, and High for Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation. Students found LR the most scoring and time-efficient, while QA/DI required the maximum time investment and strategic question selection.
4. Is XAT cut off by XLRI applicable to all XAT accepting MBA colleges?
No, the colleges which accept XAT scores for admission fixed their own cut offs. XLRI cut offs are for admission to that institute only.
5. Which topics should be prioritised for XAT 2026 preparation based on the analysis of 2025 results?
Based on XAT 2025 analysis, prioritize Reading Comprehension and Critical Reasoning for VARC, Number System and Arithmetic for QA, basic logic sets for LR, and ethics-based scenarios for Decision Making. Regular practice of DI sets and current affairs for GK should also be emphasized.
6. What is the XAT 2026 expected exam date and registration timeline?
XAT 2026 is expected to be conducted in early January 2026, with registration likely to open in July or August 2025 by XLRI Jamshedpur. Candidates should start preparing immediately, as the exam follows a consistent pattern and has a moderate to high difficulty level annually.
7. Is the XAT exam difficult?
No, the XAT exam is not a difficult MBA entrance exam conducted for MBA admission. The difficulty level of the XAT exam can vary from year to year based on the exam pattern.
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Questions related to XAT
Have a question related to XAT ?
Hii,
No, not all MBA programs require these tests. These are merely entrance exams that are accepted by a lot of universities. Depending on the college you wish to attend, you can take any of them (such as MAH CET, MAT, XAT, GMAT, CMAT, or ATMA).
Additionally, some universities have entrance exams of their own. Therefore, for the majority of MBA admissions, you only need to take one appropriate exam. To find out which tests the college accepts, always visit their website.
Saurabh Yadav 27 May,2025
Yes, it is definitely possible for you to get an interview call from Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai for their PGDM program, even with a 73 percentile in XAT 2025. While the typical cutoff for XAT may be higher, around 85 percentile, Great Lakes considers a variety of factors in their selection process, including academic performance, work experience, and diversity in the class.
Since you are a non-engineer female candidate, that diversity is seen as a positive aspect. Even with your XAT score, if you have a strong academic record, relevant work experience, and a clear passion for management, you can still stand out in the application process.
To increase your chances:
Prepare thoroughly for the interview by focusing on your experiences, what drives you, and how you align with the program’s values.
Highlight your unique background and any leadership roles you’ve had.
Show how Great Lakes fits with your career goals.
While the competition can be tough, if you present a well-rounded application and give your best in the interview, you can definitely convert the call into an offer.
Poral Siddartha (siddu) 05 February,2025
With a 74 percentile in the XAT 2025 exam, you are eligible to apply to several reputable MBA colleges in India. Some of the top institutions that typically accept candidates within the 70-80 percentile range include KIIT School of Management (KSOM), Bhubaneswar; Jaipuria Institute of Management (multiple campuses); Welingkar Institute of Management (WeSchool), Bangalore; Woxsen University, Hyderabad; IFMR Graduate School of Business at KREA University, Sri City; BIM Trichy (Bharathidasan Institute of Management), Tiruchirappalli; and XIME Bangalore (Xavier Institute of Management and Entrepreneurship).
To proceed, research each institution's application deadlines and procedures and ensure you submit all required documents promptly. Be prepared for further selection stages such as group discussions, personal interviews, and written ability tests. Evaluate each program's curriculum, faculty, placement records, and campus culture to determine the best fit for your career goals. While your XAT percentile is significant, remember that your overall profile, including academic records, work experience, and extracurricular activities, also plays a crucial role in the selection process.
Nikhil Anjikhane 24 January,2025
Admission to MICA's PGDM and PGDM-C programs involves a multi-stage selection process. The final composite score is calculated with the following weightage:
- CAT/ XAT/ GMAT - 35%
- MICAT - 25%
- GE (Group Exercise) - 10%
- PI - 20%
- Academic performance (10th, 12th, Graduation) - 5%
- Extra- curricular - 5%
Your XAT score is 73, performing exceptionally well in MICAT can enhance your chances of being shortlisted for the GE and PI rounds. Specific score requirements for MICAT are not publicly disclosed, focusing on thorough preparation and aiming for high performance in each section will strengthen your application.
vinayak kansal 18 January,2025
Hi,
Based on the previous year analysis, According to your XAT percentile some of the colleges in which there is chances to get a seat are the following
- NSB Academy, Bangalore
- Presidency college, Bangalore
- Myra School of Business, Mysore
- International School of Management Science, Bangalore
- Amrita School of Business, Coimbatore
- Dhruva college of Management, Hyderabad
There are many other colleges and Institute thay offer admission with 43 percentile in XAT. You can predict the colleges using the XAT college predictor tool.
Hope this information will help you
Devraj 18 January,2025
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