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XAT Exam Pattern 2026: Section-Wise Paper Structure, Marking Scheme, and Question Format
Edited By Sundararajan | Updated on Jul 10, 2025 04:17 PM IST | #XAT
Ongoing Event
XAT Application Date : 10 Jul' 2025 - 05 Dec' 2025
XAT exam pattern 2026 will be released by XLRI anytime soon. XAT 2026 exam notification has been released on the official website, xatonline.in. Those who are wondering about the XAT exam pattern 2026 can begin their XAT 2026 registration process from July 10, 2025. Since XLRI changed the XAT exam structure last year, no major changes are expected in the XAT 2026 exam pattern. However, if there are changes in the XAT 2026 question paper pattern, they will be updated on this page. Candidates interested in taking the XAT MBA entrance test this year must check the XAT paper pattern 2026 before beginning their preparation to understand how the XAT 2026 question paper can be. XAT 2026 exam pattern comprises exam duration, marking scheme, number of sections and questions, etc. Read this article for more details on the XLRI XAT test pattern that can amplify your test preparations.
This Story also Contains
- XAT Paper Pattern 2026
- XAT Exam Pattern 2026: Highlights
- XAT 2026 Test Pattern- Sectional Breakup of Questions
- XAT Marking Scheme 2026
- XAT Paper Pattern 2026: Sectional Break-Up of Questions (Expected)
- Last 8 Years' XAT Paper Format
- XAT Preparation 2026
- XAT Syllabus 2026 (Expected)
- XAT Sample Paper 2026
XAT Paper Pattern 2026
The XAT exam will be held in the English language only. Part I of the XAT 2026 question paper will comprise Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VA & LR), Decision-making (DM), and Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation (QA & DI). Part II will include the General Knowledge (GK) section.
As of now, there is no fixed number for the total number of questions that will be asked of the candidates. However, the candidate can expect the total number of questions to be between 95-100. In 2025, the XAT paper had a total of 95 MCQ questions.
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XAT Exam Pattern 2026: Highlights
Check out the following highlights on the XAT exam pattern 2026. However, it is expected that the below-mentioned information can be changed depending on the official notification that will be released.
| Exam Structure | XAT Exam Pattern and Syllabus (Tentative) |
|---|---|
Number of sections | 5 Sections along with Mock Keyboard Testing
|
XAT exam time duration | 180 minutes |
Number of questions | Around 95-100 |
XAT total marks | 95 |
Language of the paper | English |
Number of answer choices | Five |
Mode of examination | Online |
XAT marking scheme |
|
*Note that the above-mentioned data about the XAT exam is not final and can be changed depending on the changes made by the exam authority.
XAT 2026 Test Pattern- Sectional Breakup of Questions
The XAT exam pattern will have multiple-choice questions. The sections from which questions will be asked in the XAT exam for MBA are: Decision-making, Verbal & Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, and General Knowledge. The duration of the XAT 2026 exam is expected to be 180 minutes with no sectional time limit. Let us check the variable distribution of questions in the XAT exam paper.
Section-Wise XAT Question Pattern: XAT Pattern 2026 (Expected)
| XAT Exam Pattern for MBA | Number of Questions | Duration | Question Types |
|---|---|---|---|
XAT Part-I | |||
Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VA&LR) | 26 | 170 | The VA&LR section will encompass critical & analytical reasoning, reading comprehension (including poems & passages), vocabulary, English grammar, and other related exercises such as para jumbles, cloze tests, etc. |
Decision-making (DM) | 21 | The DM section will present scenarios drawn from both personal and professional lives. Candidates will be required to apply critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and prioritisation to make informed decisions. | |
Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation (QA & DI) | 28 | In this section, the questions are designed to assess the quantitative aptitude of candidates who possess a foundational understanding of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, mensuration, modern maths, etc. The questions on DI are about clear interpretation, summarisation, and insightful analysis of the data. | |
XAT Part-II | |||
General Knowledge (GK) | 20 | 10 | In the GK section, 10 questions will focus on static GK, while the remaining will delve into current affairs. |
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 Marking Scheme 2026
One of the key aspects of the XAT exam paper is the marking scheme. The XAT marking scheme pattern is different from other test papers. Based on last year's XAT exam paper, there is no XAT negative marking for questions asked in the General Knowledge sections. However, there might be a penalty of 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer. In addition to this, if the candidate leaves 8 questions unattempted, then the negative marking of 0.10 marks is done. Check out the marking scheme of XAT.
- One mark will be awarded for each right answer to XAT
- - 0.25 marks will be deducted for each wrong answer
- - 0.10 marks will be deducted for more than eight unanswered questions
- There will be no negative marking in XAT in the General Knowledge (GK) section
The scores of the General Knowledge section will not be considered for calculating the XAT score.
Keep in mind that the XAT marking scheme for 2026 can be changed. In case there are any changes, we will update the data.
XAT Paper Pattern 2026: Sectional Break-Up of Questions (Expected)
There is a variable distribution of questions in the XAT entrance exam, i.e. one section has more than another section. Apart from MCQs, one essay writing question will be asked too in this test. Check out the sectional break-up of the XAT 2026 question paper.
| XAT sections | Number of questions | Section-wise XAT total marks |
| Decision Making | 21 | 21 |
| Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning | 26 | 26 |
| Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation | 28 | 28 |
| General Knowledge | 20 | 20 |
XAT Exam Pattern 2026- Sectional Weightage (Expected)
| XAT 2026 Exam Pattern Sectional Weightage | |
| Section | Weightage |
| Decision Making | 21% |
| VARC | 26% |
| QA and DI | 27% |
| GK | 25% |
Last 8 Years' XAT Paper Format
More than 150 top B-schools accept XAT scores in India such as - XLRI Jamshedpur, MICA Ahmedabad, XIM Bhubaneshwar, IMT Ghaziabad, and S P Jain Mumbai. XAT is amongst the most transparent MBA entrance exams, as it releases question papers, answer keys and also allows candidates to ask for a recounting of the score.
Exam Year | Total Number of Questions | Section-wise number of questions | Marking Scheme |
|---|---|---|---|
| XAT 2025 | 95 | VARC: 26 DM: 21 QA & DI: 28 GK: 20 | +1 for each correct answer -0.25 for each wrong answer -0.10 for more than 8 unanswered questions |
| XAT 2024 | 101 | VARC: 26 DM: 21 QA & DI: 28 GK: 25 Essay: 1 |
|
| XAT 2023 | 100 | VARC: 26 | +1 for each right answer |
XAT 2022 | 100 | VARC: 26 | +1 for each right answer |
XAT 2021 | 100 | VARC: 26 | +1 for each right answer |
XAT 2020 | 100 | VARC: 26 | +1 for each right answer |
XAT 2019 | 99 | VARC: 26 | +1 for each right answer |
XAT 2018 | 97 | VARC: 24 | +1 for each right answer |
XAT Preparation 2026
The XAT preparation includes the understanding of the XAT exam syllabus and exam pattern, along with the XAT test structure. Candidates are advised to refer to the XAT books and study material suggested by the experts and previous year toppers. Apart from that, candidates should take XAT mock tests at regular intervals for better understanding.
XAT Syllabus 2026 (Expected)
The XAT 2026 syllabus is expected to include topics of each section from which questions will be asked in the XAT test. With the help of the XAT syllabus, candidates can make their XAT preparation strategy. All the XAT topics related to the XAT exam syllabus are listed below.
XAT Exam 2026 Syllabus
Sections | Topics |
Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation |
|
Verbal and Logical Ability |
|
Decision Making |
|
General Knowledge |
|
B-Schools Accepting XAT Score - Location-Wise
XAT Sample Paper 2026
Candidates preparing for XAT 2026 must go through the XAT 2025 sample papers along with the previous year's XAT question papers. This is important to get familiar with all the aspects of the XAT exam. One can get a fair idea about what they can expect from XAT 2026. It will also help the candidate to assess their overall and section-wise performance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the exam pattern of XAT exam 2026?
The XAT 2026 exam pattern features a 3-hour exam which is divided into two parts, with a total of 95 questions across four sections: Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretations and General Knowledge.
2. How many sections are there in the XAT exam paper?
There will be a total of 5 sections in XAT namely- Decision Making, Verbal & Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, and General Knowledge.
3. Does XAT has negative marking?
Yes, 0.25 marks will be deducted for every incorrect response.
4. What is the duration of the XAT 2026 exam?
The duration of the XAT exam is 180 minutes.
5. What type of questions are asked in XAT?
The questions asked are multiple-choice based questions and one subjective question.
6. When will the XAT 2026 to be held?
The XAT 2025 exam is expected to be held in January 2026. The official date has not been confirmed yet.
7. Does XAT have negative marking?
XAT have no negative marking for questions asked from General Knowledge. 0.25 marks are deducted for each incorrect answer for other sections. If more than 8 questions are left unattempted, then 0.10 marks are deducted.
8. Is there any change in XAT exam 2025?
Yes, XLRI Jamshedpur has revised the XAT exam pattern. The essay writing section has been removed from the XAT exam pattern and the total time direction reduced from 210 minutes to 180 minutes.
9. Hw many questions in XAT?
There will be a total of 95 questions in XAT paper.
10. What is the pattern of the XAT exam?
Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) is considered to be more difficult than CAT.
11. What is a good score in XAT 2025?
The XAT exam is scored on a scale of 0 to 100, with a higher score correlating to a better percentile. Generally, a score above 35-40 can lead to a percentile above 90, whereas as a score of 45-50 is likely to get a 95 percentile or more.
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Questions related to XAT
Have a question related to XAT ?
GIBS Business School in Bangalore accepts multiple national and state-level entrance exam scores for admission to its PGDM program. You can apply using scores from exams like CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT, GMAT, ATMA, or various state-level CETs.
The admission process typically considers your entrance exam score along with your academic record, performance in the group discussion and personal interview, and any work experience you may have. For the BBA program, admissions are generally based on your Class 12 marks and do not require entrance exam scores.
If you're planning to apply, it's a good idea to keep your exam score, academic documents, and personal statement ready for the selection rounds.
OISHEE BANERJEE 24 June,2025
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
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