XAT Exam Analysis 2025: Check Section Wise XAT Paper Analysis, Expected Cutoff

XAT Exam Analysis 2025: Check Section Wise XAT Paper Analysis, Expected Cutoff

Updated on Sep 19, 2024 11:07 AM IST | #XAT

XAT Exam Analysis 2025: The XAT exam analysis will be released after the completion of the XAT exam. XLRI Jamshedpur will conduct XAT 2025 on January 5 in online mode in 80+ exam centres across India. As per the reaction of students, the previous year's XAT paper was moderately difficult. Candidates who appear for the XAT 2025 exam can check the overall and sectional XAT exam analysis 2025 and the expected XAT cutoff on this page. The latest overall and sectional XAT 2025 exam analysis is based on the exam difficulty level and feedback of students and experts.
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XAT Exam Analysis 2025: Check Section Wise XAT Paper Analysis, Expected Cutoff
XAT Exam Analysis 2025: Check Section Wise XAT Paper Analysis, Expected Cutoff

XAT 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 2025 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.
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XAT exam pattern 2025 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. Candidates can check below the past year's XAT exam analysis and XAT expected cutoff.

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XAT Cutoff 2025 (Expected)

The XAT accepting colleges will release the cutoff marks after the release of the XAT result 2025. Candidates can check the expected XAT 2025 cutoff given below to get and idea of their chances of getting into their desired college.

XAT Cut off Percentile

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

  • QA- easy
  • DI sets- Moderate to difficult

Part-2

25 Total MCQs(15 Minutes)

General Knowledge

25

Easy

Total questions (Part 1 + Part 2)

101


XAT Exam Analysis: Sectional Exam Analysis

How Many Sections Are There As Per XAT Analysis? There 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.
  • Sectional Duration: Candidates got 165 minutes for part 1 of the XAT question paper and 25 minutes for part 2.
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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.

Good Attempts As Per XAT Analysis ( Expected)

XAT cutoff is the minimum mark required by candidates in order to get shortlisted for further selection rounds in XAT participating institutes. The official cutoff of XAT will be released on the website anytime soon. XAT cutoff depends on a number of factors like the total number of candidates appearing in the XAT exam, the difficulty level of the question paper, and the number of seats available for MBA admission.

  • XLRI XAT Cut off for flagship PGDM-BM is expected at 95%ile
  • XLRI XAT Cut off for PGDM-HRM is expected at 93%ile

B-Schools Accepting XAT Score - Location-Wise

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the exam date of XAT 2025?

 XAT 2024 exam will be conducted on January 5, 2024.

2. What is the expected XAT XLRI cutoff for PGDM-BM?

 XLRI XAT 2025 Cut off for flagship PGDM-BM is expected at 95%ile.

3. What is the expected XAT XLRI 2025 cutoff for PGDM-HRM?

XLRI XAT 2025 Cut off for PGDM-HRM is expected at 93%ile.

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. When is XAT cut off announced?

XAT cut off is announced within a day or two after the XAT result is announced.

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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.

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:

  • 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.

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

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