XAT- Xavier Aptitude Test 2026
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XAT Exam Pattern 2026: Latest Paper Format, Question Types & Big Changes You Must Know
Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on Jul 17, 2025 05:05 PM IST | #XAT
Ongoing Event
XAT Application Date : 10 Jul' 2025 - 05 Dec' 2025
XAT Exam Pattern - The XAT exam pattern gives candidates a clear roadmap to plan their preparation strategy effectively and boost their performance. Conducted by XLRI, the XAT 2026 will have a total duration of 180 minutes (3 hours). XAT paper pattern 2026 is expected to feature 96 questions divided across four key sections — Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation, and General Knowledge. While GK is part of the XAT paper, its score will not contribute to the XAT percentile. The official XAT 2026 question paper pattern will be confirmed by XLRI with the release of the XAT 2026 notification, expected soon. The XAT 2026 exam will be held on January 4, 2026. Keep reading to find more information on XAT exam pattern, marking scheme and important topics.
This Story also Contains
- XAT Exam Pattern 2026: Highlights
- XAT 2026 Exam Pattern: Overview
- XAT 2026 Marking Scheme
- XAT Exam Pattern 2026: Detailed Overview
- XAT Exam Pattern 2026: Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VALR) Section
- XAT Paper Pattern 2026: Decision Making (DM) Section
- XAT Exam Pattern 2026: Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation (QADI)
- XAT Exam Pattern 2026 for General Knowledge (GK) Section
- Important Topics for XAT 2026
- XAT Exam Pattern Changes 2025
XAT Exam Pattern 2026: Highlights
The following table mentions the key highlights regarding the XAT exam pattern and what students should know about the XAT 2026 paper.
XAT Full Form | Xavier Aptitude Test |
XAT Conducting Body | |
XAT Exam Date | January 4, 2026 (2 PM to 5 PM) |
XAT 2026 Exam Mode | Computer-based test (CBT) |
XAT 2026 Total Questions | 95 (Tentative) |
Total Marks | 95 (Tentative) |
XAT 2026 Exam Duration | 180 minutes (3 Hours) |
Number of Sections | Verbal Ability, Decision Making, Quantitative Aptitude and General Knowledge |
XAT 2026 Marking Scheme |
|
XAT Negative Marking for Unattempted Questions | Only 8 questions can be left unattempted without any penalty; after that, a deduction of 0.1 marks per question will be applied. |
XAT Official Website | xatonline.in |
XAT 2026 Exam Pattern: Overview
XAT exam pattern is designed to test a candidate’s decision-making/analytical thinking, language skills, quantitative aptitude and general knowledge. Looking at previous years’ trends, the XAT 2025 paper consisted of 95 questions spread across four key sections — Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning, Decision Making and Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation.
Let us look at the following XAT 2025 exam pattern, which a candidate can expect for this year.
XAT 2026 Sections | About the sections | Number of questions (Tentative) |
Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VA & LR) | Include critical & analytical reasoning, reading comprehensions (including poems & passages), vocabulary, English grammar, and other related exercises. | 26 |
Decision Making (DM) | Will present scenarios drawn from both personal and professional lives. Candidates are required to make informed decisions by applying critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and prioritization | 21 |
Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation (QA & DI) | Candidates are required to have a foundational understanding of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, mensuration, modern maths, etc. The questions are about clear interpretation, summarization, and insightful analysis of the data. | 28 |
General Knowledge (GK) | Questions will focus on static GK, while the remaining twelve will emphasize on current affairs. | 20 |
Note that the above-mentioned XAT exam pattern for 2026 has been based on last year’s exam pattern.
XAT 2026 Marking Scheme
Having a clear understanding of the marks distribution for the XAT 2026 exam pattern can help candidates build a strategy to avoid the deduction of scores and increase the possibility of getting high scores. Let’s delve into the marking scheme of the XAT 2026 mentioned below:
Correct Answer | +1 |
Incorrect Answer | -0.25 |
Unattempted/Skipped Questions | -0.1 (will be applied after skipping more than 8 questions) |
Negative Marking | There is no negative marking in the GK section, but will be considered for the selection process |
Question: XAT exam is conducted how many times a year?
Answer: The XAT entrance exam is conducted once a year, typically in the first week of January. A candidate will have no limits on the number of attempts; they can take it multiple times in different years if they wish to.
Question: Will there be a calculator in XAT 2026?
Answer: Yes, as per a few changes made in the XAT exam pattern for 2025, XLRI introduced an on-screen scientific calculator, which is typically useful in the Qualitative and Data Interpretation section. At the moment, there is no official confirmation if the calculator will be provided for the XAT 2026 exam.
XAT Exam Pattern 2026: Detailed Overview
Let us now look at the 2026 XAT exam pattern, which a candidate can expect, along with a detailed comparison from last year.
XAT Exam Pattern 2026: Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VALR) Section
VALR section as part of the XAT exam pattern 2026, it aims to test a candidate's language proficiency, critical thinking and reasoning ability.
The VALR section of the XAT exam pattern 2026 is broadly divided into three major parts- Verbal Ability, Reading Comprehension and Logical Reasoning.
Total Number of Questions in XAT Exam | 2026 (Expected) | 2025 |
Total Number of Reading Comprehensions in the XAT paper | 15-17 | 17 |
Verbal Ability/Reasoning Questions | 26 | 26 |
Aspirants preparing for XAT 2026 must focus on improving reading speed, comprehension accuracy, and verbal ability to excel in the VALR section. To score well in this section of the XAT exam, 13-14 questions must be attempted out of the total 26 questions with an approx 75-80% accuracy.
XAT Exam VALR Section: Question Types and Difficulty Level
The table given below contains details on the types of questions aspirants can expect in the VALR section of the XAT 2026 exam pattern.
Types of questions expected in XAT 2026 VALR | Complexity level | Total number of questions expected in XAT 2026 VALR |
RC Passages – 5 (300-450 words) | Difficult | 15 -17 |
Poem-based passage | 2 | |
Fill in the blanks (4 blanks) | Medium | 1 |
Jumbled Paragraphs (5 statements) | 2 | |
Grammatically correct sentence | 2 | |
Critical Reasoning | 3 |
*Note: The above difficulty level table has been taken from several sources available on the internet and is not fixed.
XAT Paper Pattern 2026: Decision Making (DM) Section
The Decision Making (DM) section in the XAT paper is designed to assess problem-solving and ethical reasoning skills. The XAT DM section will include both data and situation-based questions.
As for the number of questions in the XAT question paper, candidates can expect around 19-21 questions grouped into 7 sets, each containing 3 questions. With a moderate difficulty level, attempting around 11–12 questions with high accuracy can help in scoring well.
XAT 2026 DM SECTION: Types of questions and difficulty level
Refer to the table below for the XAT 2026 DM question type and difficulty breakdown
Questions expected in XAT 2026 DM section | Complexity level | Total number of questions expected |
Human Resources | Moderately Difficult | 3 |
ABC Business School | 3 | |
Household help | 3 | |
Human Resources at IT Firm Symbolis | 3 | |
Problem Based on Taxis | 3 | |
Problem Based on the Gas Extraction Company Deep Sea | 3 | |
Problem Based on Sales & Marketing | 3 |
XAT Exam Pattern 2026: Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation (QADI)
The Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation (QADI) section accounts for the highest weightage (28%) in the exam and is one of the most important sections. To score well in this section, aspirants should have a fundamental understanding of important concepts such as Arithmetic, Geometry, Percentage, Surds and Indices, Algebra, Bar Diagrams, Pie Charts, Tables, and Data Interpretation.
Details | Total Number of Questions |
Total number of questions expected in the XAT 2026 exam | 28 (Tentative) |
Quantitative Ability | 16 |
Data Interpretation | 12 |
Average Questions to be answered | 18-19 out 28 with an 80% accuracy level |
XAT 2026 QADI SECTION: Types of questions and difficulty level
Given below are the types of questions, aspirants can expect in the QADI section in the upcoming XAT 2026 exam.
Types of questions expected in XAT 2026 QADI section | Complexity level | Total number of questions expected in XAT 2026 QADI |
Data Interpretation | Difficult | 11 |
Arithmatic | 4 | |
Number System | 3 | |
Permutation and Combination | 3 | |
Geometry | 3 | |
Algebra (Polynomials) | 1 | |
Linear equation, Quadratic Equation, Log | 3 |
XAT Exam Pattern 2026 for General Knowledge (GK) Section
The General Knowledge section of the XAT 2026 paper pattern is expected to have around 20 questions, as per the revision made in the previous year’s exam. Take a look at the table below to get a rough understanding of what to expect in the XAT 2026 GK section.
Number of questions expected in the Current Affairs section (Economic and Business) | 10-12 |
Static GK (history) | 8 |
Current Affairs (Sports) | 2 |
Complexity level | Easy to moderate |
*Please note this is not the complete syllabus for the GK section. We will update this page with more information when it is available.
Candidates must keep in mind that the scores obtained in this section will not be included in the percentile calculation. However, XLRI, Jamshedpur, will use the GK marks in the further rounds of the selection process.
Must Read: XAT 2025 Exam Analysis OUT: Section-Wise Insights, Difficulty Level & Key Highlights
Important Topics for XAT 2026
Here’s a quick breakdown of some important concepts across all sections for the preparation of the XAT exam 2026.
Sections | Topics |
Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning | Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, Analogy, Parajumble, Grammar, Critical Reasoning, Fill in the Blanks, etc. |
Decision Making | Data Arrangement, Conditioning, Grouping, Complex Arrangement, Caselets, Assumptions, Premises, Conclusions, etc. |
Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation | Arithmetic, Geometry, Mensuration, Percentage, Surds and Indices, Algebra, Bar Diagrams, Pie Charts, Tables, Data Interpretation, etc. |
General Knowledge | Current Affairs and Static GK (Science, Economy, Business, Politics, Static GK, Sports, Prize and Award, World, Government, Constitution of India, etc.) |
XAT Exam Pattern Changes 2025
The XAT 2025 paper pattern was revised, and several changes were incorporated in the exam. The XAT 2026 exam pattern is expected to follow the same pattern. The following alterations were made in XAT 2025:
The XAT 2025 exam time limit has been reduced from 210 to 180 minutes (3 hours).
There are a total of 95 questions now post-revision.
The Analytical Essay Writing section was removed and will be conducted in the GD/PI round.
The total number of GK questions has been reduced from 25 questions to 20 questions.
The score of the GK section will not be included in the percentile calculation; instead, it will be used by XLRI, Jamshedpur, in the further selection procedure.
There will be no sectional time limit in Part 1, giving candidates flexibility in managing their time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the pattern of the XAT exam 2026?
The XAT 2026 exam pattern will include a similar structure to previous years, with sections on Decision Making, Verbal & Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, and General Knowledge. The total duration for the exam will be 180 minutes, and there are a total of 95 questions, each carrying one mark for every correct answer and -0.25 marks for every incorrect answer.
2. Is the XAT exam easy or tough?
Judging from the previous year's exam pattern and results, the XAT exam can be moderately difficult. However, with a consistent strategy and good preparation, aspirants can score well.
3. Who is eligible for XAT 2026?
To be eligible for XAT 2026, candidates must have a bachelor's degree of a minimum of three years from any UGC recognised college; final year students can also apply for XAT 2026.
4. Do XLRI accept CAT scores?
No, candidates need to appear and pass the XAT exam to get into XLRI, Jamshedpur.
5. Is there negative marking for XAT?
Yes, 0.25 marks are deducted for every incorrect answer, but the GK section does not have any negative marking.
6. What is the rule for 8 questions in XAT?
This rule suggests that a total of 8 questions can be left unattempted without causing any deduction of marks, but if the candidates decide to skip more than 8 questions in the exam, a penalty of 0.1 will be applied for each question skipped.
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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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