XAT- Xavier Aptitude Test 2026
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XAT 2026 QA & DI Sample Questions: The XAT exam is regarded as one of the most challenging MBA entrance exams in India. The Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation sections are crucial components of this exam. While preparing for the XAT 2026 Quant section, you should carefully study XAT Quantitative Aptitude practice questions 2026. Looking at XAT 2026 Data Interpretation 2026 mock papers will help you get ready for the Data Interpretation section. These study materials can be beneficial for your XAT 2026 exam preparation and will boost your confidence for the actual test.
In this article of careers36, you will find an Overview of the XAT 2026 Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation Section, Expert Tips for XAT 2026 Quantitative Aptitude Questions, Proven Tips and Tricks for XAT 2026 DI Preparation, XAT 2026 Quant and DI Solved Papers: Importance in Preparation, and XAT 2026 Quantitative Aptitude Sample Questions for Practice.
Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation Section is known for its moderate to high difficulty level. The time pressure in XAT makes these sections particularly challenging because you need to solve complex problems quickly and accurately. The questions are designed to test your speed, accuracy, and logical reasoning abilities. Success in these sections requires thorough preparation, regular practice, and good time management skills.
Essential topics in the Quantitative aptitude section are given below. The candidates are advised to thoroughly prepare for these topics to crack the XAT 2026 in their first attempt.
Arithmetic: Important topics are profit & loss, time & work, percentages, ratios, mixtures & alligations
Number system: Divisibility rules, factorisation, HCF & LCM
Geometry: Mensuration, circles, triangles, polygons
Algebra: Inequalities, algebraic identities, linear and quadratic equations, maxima-minima, progressions
Data sufficiency questions
Key concepts in the XAT 2026 Data Interpretation section are:
Pie charts
Graphs: Line graphs and scatter plots
Bar diagrams
Tabular Data
Data analysis and comparison
Data charts: Combination of charts like bar graphs and line graphs
Caselets
Year of the exam | Number of (QA + DI) questions |
2024 | 28 |
2023 | 28 |
2022 | 28 |
2021 | 28 |
2020 | 28 |
2019 | 27 |
QA and DI sections hold significant weightage in your overall percentage. Almost 1/3 of the questions come from these two sections. The QA section has 15-16 questions, and the DI section has 12-13 questions.
So these sections required our exceptional attention to secure good marks in the overall XAT 2026 exam.
Here are some essential tips to excel in the Quantitative Aptitude section.
Some of the common mistakes students make while answering the quantitative aptitude questions are:
Students often do not read the full questions and start calculating after reading one or two lines. This leads to a misinterpretation of the question, and incorrect answers result from the calculation.
After administering mock tests, some students overlook the negative points and fail to rectify them. One of the primary purposes of administering mock tests is to identify areas of weakness. If you neglect them, then weak points stay weak, and the same mistakes will happen in the main exam.
Some students overcomplicate a simple solution and get confused. This often leads to incorrect answers and a waste of valuable time.
Time management is a crucial aspect of the XAT exam. Students often do not strategise the time management part before the exam. During the exam, they invest too much time on one question and relatively more straightforward questions at the end remain unanswered.
During preparation, start by reviewing the previous year's XAT Quantitative Aptitude questions with Solutions from 2026. This will help you to understand better the types of questions and their difficulty levels.
Buy some of the XAT common books in the Quantitative aptitude section like “Book by R.S Aggarwal", “Book by Arun Sharma", and "Book by Sarvesh K. Verma". These books help to build the foundation.
Check online reviews and choose which XAT Quantitative Aptitude Mock Test 2026 will help you to prepare for the examination. Mock tests prepared by the Careers360 site are a good preparation tool.
Read some of the materials relevant to XAT 2026 online from well-known sites.
To enhance speed and accuracy in the XAT Quant section, take constant time-based mock tests and practice. Strengthen mental calculations and avoid calculating simple calculations on paper. Approximation and estimation skills often help students excel in QA questions. Memorise all the formulae, especially for algebraic identities and geometry. Note down all the shortcuts and tricks. These methods will save you time, which you can invest in the other sections. Building a strategy before taking the exam involves deciding beforehand which questions to attempt first and how much time to allocate to each section.
Data interpretation is the most time-consuming part of the exam. Some XAT DI preparation tips for 2026 will help students approach this section more effectively. Practice the XAT DI practice sets 2026 to Excel in this section.
The data interpretation section often consumes the most time in the exam. So during the mock test, strategise which questions to attempt first. Do not rush through questions. Read the questions carefully and note the key points when they appear. If the data set is too long, divide it into halves and approach step by step.
Knowledge of basic mathematical operations, such as percentages, averages, and ratios, is very helpful in solving these questions.
Some of the key formulae are:
Topic | Formula |
The sum of n observations / n | |
Weighted average | The sum of the weighted terms / Total number of terms |
Profit percentage | [(Selling price - Cost price) / Cost price] × 100 |
Loss percentage | [(Cost price - Selling price) / Cost price] × 100 |
Discount percentage | (Discount amount / Marked price) × 100 |
Percentage change | [(New value - Old value) / Old value] × 100 |
(Principal × Time × Rate of interest) / 100 | |
The amount if interest is compounded | Principal (1 + rate/100)Time |
Value of A / Value of B | |
Proportion when comparing two ratios | A / B = C / D |
Speed = Distance / Time | |
Average speed | Total distance / Total time |
Rule of alligation | Required ratio = (Higher value – Mean value) : (Mean value – Lower value) |
The value appeared most frequently in the dataset. | |
Median | The middle value of the dataset is when arranged in ascending or descending order. |
Standard deviation | s=∑(X−X¯)2n−1 where s=sample standard deviation, X=return of the investment, X¯=sample mean, n=number of scores in the sample |
Constant practice plays a crucial role in mastering DI skills—Analyse previous years' solved papers to get an idea about the difficulties of the data sets. Take time-based mock tests and allocate a time limit for each section accordingly. Review the mock tests and work on the topics where frequent mistakes are happening. Become familiar with the charts and tables to effectively interpret the data they present. Identifying the trends, patterns, and key differences between the data sets is essential to give correct answers. Practising the previous year's XAT 2026 Data Interpretation practice questions is also necessary for the preparation.
The previous year's solved papers play a crucial role in preparing for the XAT 2026 exam.
Analysing XAT Quant and DI solved papers 2026 is one of the critical areas during preparation. You can get familiar with the XAT question paper settings and understand the types of questions, like algebra, arithmetic, geometry, and complex DI sets, that often appear in the exam. You can also analyse solutions and learn shortcut methods to solve questions. These solved papers give you a clear picture of how to prepare yourself.
Constant practice of the solved papers will also increase your speed and accuracy. You can also get the exam simulation environment. Seeing improvements in the results will also boost your confidence and make you more comfortable with the exam setting.
The official XAT site releases answer keys along with the question paper. Additionally, some of the top coaching institutes and ed-tech sites release solved XAT exam papers along with expert tips. These tips will also help you to learn new concepts and techniques. Some sites also provide PDFs, which can be downloaded. Additionally, you will find books such as "Previous 10 Years Solved XAT Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation papers" and those by Arun Sharma, which provide detailed solutions in the market.
During the analysis of the solved papers for XAT 2026, focus on the recurring topics, solving techniques, and shortcuts. You will gain insight into the types of questions most likely to appear in the XAT 2026 exam and prepare accordingly. Also, note down which questions will take more time and which can be solved relatively quickly. Try solving those papers, setting a time,r and reviewing your performance. Focus on the areas in which you are repeating mistakes and taking a long time to solve. Add them to your revision plan. Having a well-planned XAT timetable is also very beneficial.
Get a quick boost in your XAT 2026 preparation with these Quantitative Aptitude sample questions. Practice regularly to improve speed, accuracy, and problem-solving skills.
Various types of questions from the Quant section come in the XAT exam.
Some of the most important quant topics are:
Profit & loss
Averages
Ratio and proportion
Time, Speed, & Distance
Percentages
Simple and compound interest
Permutations & Combinations
Inequalities
Linear and Quadratic equations
Trigonometry
Geometry
Mensuration
Number system
Logarithm
Binomial theorem
Surds and indices
Q1. Direction: Solve the following question and mark the best possible option.
When a number is divided by 36, it leaves a remainder of 19. What will be the remainder when the number is divided by 12?
10
7
19
11
None of these
Answer:
We know that Dividend = Divisor × Quotient + Remainder
Let the quotient be x.
So the dividend becomes 36x + 19.
When the dividend is divided by 12, we get,
(36x + 19) / 12
= 36x / 12 + 19 / 12
As 36 is perfectly divisible by 12, 36x will also be perfectly divisible by 12.
When we divide 19 by 12, we get the remainder 7.
Hence, the correct answer is 7.
Q2. Mr. Jose buys some eggs. After bringing the eggs home, he finds two to be rotten and throws them away. Of the remaining eggs, he puts five-ninth in his fridge and brings the rest to his mother’s house. She cooks two eggs and puts the rest in her fridge. If her fridge cannot hold more than five eggs, what is the maximum possible number of eggs bought by Mr. Jose? [XAT 2021]
9
11
20
17
29
Answer:
Let the total number of eggs bought be (9x + 2).
So after throwing away 2 eggs, the remaining eggs = 9x
He kept 5/9th of the remaining in the fridge.
So, the number of eggs kept in the fridge = 5x
The rest of the eggs, he took to his mother's house.
Number of eggs brought to his mother's house = 4x
After cooking 2 eggs, the eggs kept in the fridge of his mother’s house = 4x - 2
According to the question,
4x - 2 ≤ 5
⇒ x ≤ 7/4
So the maximum value of x can be 1.
∴ Maximum number of eggs can be brought = 9 × 1 + 2 = 11
Hence, the correct answer is 11.
Here are some points on how to approach quantitative aptitude questions in the XAT 2026 exam.
Start building the basics of the chapters like algebra, arithmetic, geometry and number system.
Break down a complex problem into smaller problems and solve part by part.
Memorize all the important formulae like algebraic identities, geometric properties, and progression formulae.
Use approximation and estimation methods for questions where lengthy calculations are required. In multiple choice questions, sometimes exact precision of the number is not required.
Try to work in smarter ways and eliminate extreme options. Sometimes you can also option test to answer a question quickly.
Sharpen the mental math-solving techniques and use shortcut methods to save time.
Take the XAT 2026 Quant sample test to get familiar with the difficulty level of the questions.
Regular practice of mock tests will increase your speed and accuracy.
Common DI question types that appear in the exam are:
Tabular
Bargraphs
Line graphs
Pie charts
Statements and conclusions
Caselets
Q1. Analyse the graph/s given below and answer the question that follows.
Sodium carbonate, also called soda ash, is an essential ingredient for glass, soaps, detergents, and many other products. There were two ways of producing soda ash. The first is producing soda ash from naturally occurring trona. The second method was producing soda ash from common salt through the Solvent process. The soda ash produced in this manner was called synthetic soda ash. Tata Chemicals was one of the largest producers of soda ash. The following two charts are provided. The first chart shows the production of two varieties of soda ash at Tata Chemicals. The second chart illustrates the global production of various soda ash varieties.
Suppose the total global production increased (year on year) from 2005 to 2008 by the amount Tata Chemicals' synthetic production (year on year) increased in the same period. By what percentage did the global production increase from 2007 to 2008?
It cannot be calculated at all from the tables above
Increased by 10.16%
Increased by 9.48%
Did not increase at all
Increased by 8.64%
Answer:
As synthetic soda ash production for Tata Chemicals remained unchanged from 2007 to 2008, global production also did not show any increase.
Hence, the correct answer is option D.
Q2. Direction: Solve the following question and mark the best possible option.
Company BELIANCE hosted a party for 8 members of Company AXIAL. In the party, no member of AXIAL interacted with more than three members of BELIANCE. Out of all the members of BELIANCE, three members – each interacted with four members of AXIAL and the remaining members – each interacted with two members of AXIAL. The greatest possible number of members of company BELIANCE in the party is: [XAT 2009]
9
10
11
12
None of the above
Answer:
Let the maximum number of members in the company BELIANCE be n.
Of all the member of members of BELIANCE, 3 members each interacted with 4 members of AXIAL.
Whereas the remaining (n − 3) members each interacted with 2 members of AXIAL.
Total number of interactions = 3 × 4 + (n – 3) × 2
Since n members of AXIAL interacted with not more than 3 members of BELIANCE, the maximum number of interactions for AXIAL members will be: 8 × 3 = 24
According to the question,
3 × 4 + (n – 3) × 2 = 24
⇒ (n – 3) × 2 = 12
⇒ (n – 3) = 6
∴ n = 9
Hence, the correct answer is 9.
DI section can be very time-consuming sometimes. Here are some tips to tackle complex datasets. These tips will increase your speed and accuracy.
Understanding the data is very important in the DI section. So, do not rush through the data; instead, take the time to understand it and make notes along the way. This is one of the most essential XAT topper strategies.
If the dataset is large, break it into smaller halves. Focus on each half and build a relationship between the halves step by step.
Sharpen your mental calculations and practice mathematical operations, such as ratios, averages, and percentages.
Do not jump to conclusions without understanding all the options. In this type of exam, some of the options look very similar. So, understand all the options and then attempt if you are confident about the answer.
Eliminate the extreme or ambiguous option first. This will reduce your work during the analysis of options.
Do not lose focus if the data sets look complicated. Try to analyse the dataset and then approach the questions. If a question seems confusing or complex, do not hesitate to skip it and return to it at the end, if time permits.
The candidate can also refer to the XAT strategies from last month to enhance their XAT preparation.
Mock tests are one of the most effective ways to practice and get ready for the exam. Practice the XAT Quantitative Aptitude Mock Test 2026 and analyze your performance after every test.
Time-bound mock tests create an exam-simulating environment where you can get real exam feelings and feel the stress, anxiety, and time pressure beforehand. Consistent improvement of numbers in the mock tests will boost your confidence and also make you familiar with the type of questions.
In the QA section, different types of math problems require varying amounts of time to solve. Some are lengthy, while others can be solved quickly with the aid of certain tricks or formulas. Giving frequent mock tests will provide you with an idea about these types of maths, and you can choose which to attempt first. You can solve the lengthy ones later.
Arithmetic: Questions involving profit-loss, time-work, ratios, and percentages can be solved quickly using mental maths or quick calculation techniques. This will save time for other questions.
Algebra: Memorise all the identity formulae, and practice inequalities and functions.
Geometry: Study properties of triangles, circles and polygons and write down all the relevant formulae, like calculating their area, surface areas or circumference.
Number system: Build strong basics in factorisation, reminders and practice the divisibility rules.
Analysing Your Mock Test Performance to Improve
After giving the mock tests, spend the next day reviewing the areas where mistakes occur frequently. Analyse whether the errors are conceptual, calculation-based, or due to time pressure. For conceptual gaps, revise and practice those topics in depth. If the issue is calculation, work on speed and accuracy. For time-related mistakes, identify time-consuming questions and decide whether to skip or solve them faster. For more structured guidance, refer to expert-backed resources like How to Prepare for XAT in One Month along with XAT Essay Writing Tips and Strategy, and XAT Last Minute Tips and Exam Day Guidelines.
In the XAT exam, the most important Quantitative Aptitude topics are:
Arithmetic: Important topics are profit & loss, time & work, percentages, ratios
Number system: Divisibility rules, factorization, HCF & LCM
Geometry: Mensuration, circles, triangles, polygons
Algebra: Inequalities, algebraic identities, linear and quadratic equations, maxima-minima, progressions
Probability and permutations & combinations
Data sufficiency questions
Common DI question types that appear in the exam are:
Tabular
Bargraphs
Line graphs
Pie charts
Statements and conclusions
Caselets
After analyzing the trend, we can see that the difficulty level of the Quantitative Aptitude (QA) and Data Interpretation (DI) sections is moderate to hard. While some of the questions are straightforward, most of the questions are given to test the conceptual understanding and problem-solving skills of students.
Practice at least 20-25 Quant questions and 5-6 DI questions daily. This helps you build speed and accuracy for the actual exam.
Yes, good sample questions are designed to match the difficulty level and pattern of actual XAT questions. Always use reliable sources for sample questions.
Yes, always use a timer. Give yourself 2-3 minutes per Quant question and 6-8 minutes per DI set. This helps you manage time in the actual exam.
Practice at least 20-25 Quant questions and 5-6 DI questions daily. This helps you build speed and accuracy for the actual exam.
Yes, good sample questions are designed to match the difficulty level and pattern of actual XAT questions. Always use reliable sources for sample questions.
Yes, always use a timer. Give yourself 2-3 minutes per Quant question and 6-8 minutes per DI set. This helps you manage time in the actual exam.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
A career as Marketing Director is also known as a marketing expert who is responsible for the overall marketing aspect of the company. He or she oversees plans and develops the company's budget. The marketing Director collaborates with the business team to plan and develop the marketing and branding strategies for the company's products or services.
A Business Development Executive identifies and pursues new business opportunities to drive company growth. They generate leads, build client relationships, develop sales strategies, and analyse market trends. Collaborating with internal teams, they aim to meet sales targets. With experience, they can advance to managerial roles, playing a key role in expanding the company’s market presence and revenue.
Content Marketing Specialists are also known as Content Specialists. They are responsible for crafting content, editing and developing it to meet the requirements of digital marketing campaigns. To ensure that the material created is consistent with the overall aims of a digital marketing campaign, content marketing specialists work closely with SEO and digital marketing professionals.
A Sales Manager leads a sales team to meet targets, formulates strategies, analyses performance, and monitors market trends. They typically hold a degree in management or related fields, with an MBA offering added value. The role often demands over 40 hours a week. Strong leadership, planning, and analytical skills are essential for success in this career.
A marketing manager is a person who oversees a company or product marketing. He or she can be in charge of multiple programmes or goods or can be in charge of one product. He or she is enthusiastic, organised, and very diligent in meeting financial constraints. He or she works with other team members to produce advertising campaigns and decides if a new product or service is marketable.
A Marketing manager plans and executes marketing initiatives to create demand for goods and services and increase consumer awareness of them. A marketing manager prevents unauthorised statements and informs the public that the business is doing everything to investigate and fix the line of products. Students can pursue an MBA in Marketing Management courses to become marketing managers.
An SEO Analyst is a web professional who is proficient in the implementation of SEO strategies to target more keywords to improve the reach of the content on search engines. He or she provides support to acquire the goals and success of the client’s campaigns.
Digital marketing is growing, diverse, and is covering a wide variety of career paths. Each job function aids in the development of effective digital marketing strategies and techniques. The aims and objectives of the individuals who opt for a career as a digital marketing executive are similar to those of a marketing professional: to build brand awareness, promote company services or products, and increase conversions. Individuals who opt for a career as Digital Marketing Executives, unlike traditional marketing companies, communicate effectively through suitable technology platforms.
Individuals who opt for a career as a business analyst look at how a company operates. He or she conducts research and analyses data to improve his or her knowledge about the company. This is required so that an individual can suggest the company strategies for improving their operations and processes.
In a business analyst job role a lot of analysis is done, things are learned from past mistakes and the successful strategies are enhanced further. A business analyst goes through real-world data in order to provide the most feasible solutions to an organisation. Students can pursue Business Analytics to become Business Analysts.
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