What to expect in XAT has a different answer every year. XAT 2026 will be conducted next year. Candidates preparing for the next XAT exam can scroll down to find out the expected questions and difficulty level of the XAT exam.
Understanding what to expect in XAT is important as it enables candidates to plan their preparation efficiently and develop effective strategies. The exam pattern for XAT has remained consistent with the previous year's structure, comprising three parts: Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning, Decision Making, and Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation. The second part included mock keyboard testing, while the final part covered General Knowledge questions and Essay Writing.
In preparation for the XAT 2026 exam , it is important to practice using XAT previous year question papers and mock tests. Furthermore, in this article, we will be delving into an analysis to understand what to expect from the XAT exam, including the anticipated difficulty level and important strategies to help you succeed in the examination. Which in turn can help aspiring candidates select appropriate study materials and optimise their performance.
Also Read: How to Prepare for XAT 2026 Without Coaching?
What is the XAT?
XAT, short for Xavier Aptitude Test, is one of India's largest MBA entrance exams, attracting over 100,000 candidates from various academic backgrounds like Engineering, Commerce, Humanities, Science, and Law, who aspire to join programs at renowned B-schools. It is the primary entrance exam for getting into MBA/PGDM programs at XLRI and several other prestigious MBA colleges like XIMB, IMT Ghaziabad, IMI New Delhi, LBSIM Delhi, TAPMI Manipal, and more than 150 other top MBA colleges in India
While XAT has become more manageable over the years, achieving a high percentile (90+) requires dedicated preparation spanning around 4-5 months. For over 72 years, XLRI has conducted this important exam nationwide on behalf of XAMI, helping select the most suitable students for management education. Last year, XLRI held the exam in 72 cities across India.
Highlights of XAT Exam Pattern
The table provided below will help you know the sectional weightage and other aspects of the XAT 2026 exam pattern .
Part | Sections | No. of Questions | Total No. of Questions | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Part 1 | Verbal and Logical Ability | 26 | 75 | 175 minutes |
Decision Making | 22 | |||
Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation | 28 | |||
Part 2 | Mock Keyboard Testing | - | - | 5 minutes |
Part 3 | General Knowledge | 25 | 25 | 15 minutes |
Essay Writing | 1 | 1 | 15 minutes | |
Total | - | 102 | 210 minutes | |
What to Expect in XAT Question Paper
In XAT, candidates can expect a higher number of questions from Arithmetic and Geometry in the Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation Analysis section. The Decision-Making section will cover 4-5 sets of high difficulty. We have provided the expected number of questions from the major topics of the XAT exam in the table below. The table is prepared based on the past year's trends and difficulty level:
Section | Topics | No. Questions (Expected) | Expected Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|---|
Verbal and Logical Ability Section Analysis | Reading Comprehension | 12 | Moderate-Difficult |
Critical Reasoning | 5 | Moderate-Difficult | |
Para Jumbles | 2 | Easy-Moderate | |
Fill in the blanks | 2-3 | Easy-Moderate | |
Decision Making | Decision-Making Sets | 21 | Difficult |
Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation | Geometry | 5-6 | Moderate-Difficult |
Arithmetic | 7-8 | Moderate-Difficult | |
DI Sets | 4-5 | Easy-Moderate | |
Modern Maths | 1-2 | Moderate | |
Number System/ Arithmetic | 7-8 | Moderate-Difficult | |
General Knowledge | National Events/ Sports/ Geography/ Current Affairs | 25 | Moderate-Difficult |
| Essay | Ethical Practices and Sustainability: Do they co-exist? | 1 | Moderate |
Globalisation and Jingoism always coexist | |||
Technology and Nature are natural enemies | |||
Listening is a dying art. We hardly listen to understand. We only listen to refute or reply. |
What to Expect in XAT: Difficulty Level
The difficulty level of the XAT is expected to be moderate to difficult. Candidates can expect the difficulty level of the Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation section to be higher than the other two sections. The GK section will cover questions from National Events, Sports, Geography, and Current Affairs. Candidates are advised to answer the questions carefully since there will be a negative marking of 0.25. Besides this, if the total number of unattempted questions is higher than 8, then there will be a deduction of 0.10 marks for every unattempted question. The table below shows the expected difficulty level of all the sections of XAT:
Section | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|
Verbal and Logical Ability Section Analysis | Moderate-Difficult |
Decision Making | Moderate |
Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation | Moderate-Difficult |
General Knowledge | Moderate |
Essay Writing | Moderate |
Preparation Guidelines to Ace the XAT Question Paper
Since the difficulty level of the XAT is comparatively higher than other MBA entrance exams, good preparation is required to clear the exam. Some of the preparation strategies for XAT 2026 are listed below.
You should revise the maximum number of XAT 2025 mock test papers to get familiar with the exam structure and marking scheme
It would be best if you went through the XAT previous years’ question papers of XAT to get an idea about the difficulty level of the exam
You should check the XAT 2026 exam preparation strategies provided by the experts to know tips to score 99 percentile in the XAT exam
You should refer to the XAT 2026 best books suggested by the previous years. You can also download the notes provided by them
You should solve the maximum number of questions from some of the important topics of the exam, such as Critical Reasoning, Arithmetic, Geometry, and Modern Maths
To perform well in the Decision-Making section, you should try to solve the maximum number of XAT sample papers .
Colleges Accepting XAT Score and Expected Cutoff
The XAT 2026 Cutoff will be released after the release of the XAT result 2026 , which will be declared next year. The table provided below will help you know the expected cutoff of some of the XAT 2026 participating colleges .
College | XAT Cutoff Percentile(Expected) |
|---|---|
90+ | |
96+ | |
90+ | |
75+ | |
80+ | |
85+ | |
80+ | |
85+ | |
75+ | |
75+ |
Candidates should also check out the articles mentioned below to learn more about XAT! Success in XAT requires dedicated preparation, spanning several months. The article has also highlighted key strategies for preparation, emphasising the importance of mock tests, previous year's question papers, and expert guidance. The analysis above has provided valuable insights into what candidates can expect from the XAT examination, including its structure, expected question patterns, and the anticipated difficulty levels in each section. The XAT exam presents both challenges and opportunities for MBA aspirants, and with the right preparation and strategy, candidates can navigate this milestone with confidence and strive for success in their pursuit of management education.
Related Articles:
| How to Prepare for XAT Exam in 1 Month | |
|---|---|
If you have any queries related to the XAT exam, you can ask them on the Collegedekho QnA Zone . For admission-related assistance, fill out our Common Application Form .
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FAQs
It is possible to pass the XAT exam without using any coaching facilities. Following some preparation suggestions can make preparation successful at home. It is possible to prepare for the XAT 2026 exam without coaching if a candidate is consistent with their study routine and follows an effective examination strategy that works for them during XAT 2026.
The cutoff trends for XLRI will be similar to that of XAT 2024. For the PGDM BM program, the XAT cutoff for male candidates in 2024 was 93 percentile, compared to 90 percentile for female candidates. The XAT sectional cutoffs for each category ranged from 72 to 80 percentile. Those who fulfill the XAT 2025 cutoffs are eligible to participate in the PI round of XLRI admission.
The XAT exam paper analysis and good attempts are provided by many top coaching institutes and experts for the XAT exam. Here is the expected number of good attempts in XAT 2025:
- Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VALR) - 13-14
- Decision Making (DM) - 12-13
- Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation (QADI) - 16-18
The amount of preparation time needed for the XAT exam varies vastly from one aspirant to another. We all know that the Xavier Aptitude Test, or XAT, is one of the most difficult MBA entry examinations, and six months of preparation may not be sufficient. Having said that, even six months might be plenty with diligent labor and astute planning.
Most of the questions in the General Knowledge section of XAT are from Static GK. Questions in the XAT General Knowledge part are based on both static GK and contemporary current affairs, including questions on business, economics, organizations, and science and technology. The past XAT GK exams show that the XAT GK portion assesses both your static GK and your current affairs knowledge.
The different subjects and parts are one of the main distinctions between the CAT and XAT syllabuses. DM and GK are different components on the XAT exam, however, neither is present in the CAT exam. The XAT Vs CAT difficulty level is another significant distinction. XAT is thought to be a little more challenging than CAT.
In each part of the XAT 2026, there will be 22–27 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) with five possible answers. The General Knowledge (GK), Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VALR), Decision Making (DM), and Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation (QADI) sections of the XAT 2026 question paper must be finished in Part 1 within 175 minutes, and the GK questions and essay must be finished in Part 2 within 30 minutes. In the first phase, candidates may move between sections at any time during the allotted 175 minutes.
To thoroughly prepare for the XAT 2026 exam, it is necessary to go over the whole curriculum for each of the four exam sections—General Knowledge (GK), Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VALR), Decision Making (DM), and Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation (QADI). The following are some general preparation suggestions:
- To fully comprehend the exam format and degree of difficulty, solve the problem set.
- To correctly respond to the questions, fully assess your strengths and limitations.
- Divide the time allotted for each portion of the exam in your XAT preparation program.
- Know the XAT Exam Pattern well and out. To gain a general idea of how much time will be allotted for each section of this exam, look through the table below.
In comparison to XAT 2024, the level of XAT 2025 is anticipated to be a little more challenging. If the XAT's surprise aspect was discussed in relation to Bulls Eye's XAT analysis from the previous year, it would be that the essay writing portion had been reinstated. Data Interpretation (DI) and Quantitative Ability (QA) were both moderately challenging.
The General Knowledge section comprises of 25 MCQ-style questions. The questions are drawn from the most pertinent areas of business, economics, and current affairs, among others. Along with the other three categories, XAT GK questions will be a significant component of the XAT 2026 computer-based online test and the application procedure for XLRI.
XAT Previous Year Question Paper
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