Important Instructions and Last Minute Tips
Xavier Aptitude Test 2027 ( XAT )
XAT 2027 Registration
15 Jul '26 - 6 Dec '26
By: Kandarp Patel
Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) is one of the important exams for MBA Aspirants. The countdown for XAT 2020 has begun already as it going to be conducted on 5th of January 2020.
In this article, we will discuss some important instructions and tips to score well in XAT 2020, which you might not be aware of.
XAT is the second most important exam in India after CAT for MBA aspirants. XAT is basically the second chance to do well, especially if your CAT did not go well. Around 150 institutes accept its score. Some of the well-known institutes which consider XAT score are XLRI, SP Jain, IMT, XIM, etc. A new campus of XLRI is coming up this year in Delhi NCR, which makes XAT a bit more interesting this year.
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Exam Pattern
Since 2018, XAT is conducted online. XAT consists of two parts (Part A & B):
Part A
It consists of 3 sections and a total of 74 questions. The time duration for this part is 165 minutes.
VA & LR: 26 Questions
DM: 21 Questions
QA & DI: 27 Questions
Part B
It consists of a total of 25 questions and the time duration for it is 15 minutes.
No negative marking is there in it, so try to answer all the questions.
GK score is not used for calculating percentiles. Only XLRI, during the PI round, will look at this score.
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Marking Scheme
+1 is there for every correct answer and -0.25 for every incorrect answer.
Apart from this, XAT has a different definition for different negative markings for unanswered questions in Part A.
The first 8 unanswered questions that you have to attempt will carry no negative marking. But, beyond that, each unanswered question will carry -0.1 marking. You will get a clear idea of this by an example:- let’s suppose you do not answer 18 questions in XAT Part A, hence 18 – 8 = 10. Therefore, 10*0.1 = 1 mark (Negative).
Basically, XAT aims at confusing students and hoping that the students will get into this trap and they will try attempting more and more questions.
Please do not fall into this trap. Just try to understand that the negative marking is only 0.1 per question.
About the Author:
Kandarp Patel is a student at Nirma University, Ahemdabad, pursuing Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering (final year). He is also a campus representative with Shiksha.com since 2016.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered a week ago
XAT syllabus is considered extensive and challenging. It is often viewed as more comprehensive than other management exams. Sections like Decision Making and an Essay is also included in the XAT exam syllabus.
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
Candidates can apply by selecting the course and campus option while filling out the XAT application form. There is no separate application form for XLRI courses.
E
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
No, the XAT application form cannot be filled offline. Candidates must submit their application and pay the required exam fees online through the official website.
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
Candidates holding a bachelor's degree in any stream from a recognised university can apply for XAT exam. Final year graduation students are also eligible to apply.
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
The last date to fill the XAT application form 2027 is December 6, 2027. Candidates must complete registration and fee payment before this deadline.
M
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
The time required for XAT Verbal Ability depends on candidate's current level. A daily combination of reading, vocabulary revision and question practice can help build consistency.
P
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
XAT VALR section has around 26 questions. Based on previous year trends, around 9 to 11 questions can be from Verbal Ability, although exact breakup can change in exam.
P
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Yes. RC is an important part of XAT VALR section. It has contributed a significant number of questions in previous years. Candidates should practise factual, analytical, philosophical and abstract passages.
P
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
The important topics for XAT Verbal Ability include Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, Vocabulary, Grammar, Para Jumbles, Para Completion, Fill in the Blanks and Sentence Correction.
P
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
XLRI Xavier school of managment XAT cutoff 2026 has been released. The cutoff for overall section was a score of 95 percentile that was minimum requirement for a candidate to be eligible for admissio.
R
Contributor-Level 6
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