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 month ago
Candidates who want to apply for Sharda University, Greater Noida MBA course must secure a CAT/ XAT percentile of 65% to skip SUAT. For MAT applicants, this score stands at 75% for MBA admissions at Sharda, Greater Noida.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
To get a seat at IFMR Chennai, students have to first appear for any one of the entrance exams accepted by the institute for the MBA/PGDM course admission. CAT, XAT, NMAT, CMAT, Andhra Pradesh ICET, IPAMT and SAT India are the entrance exams accepted by this institute for admission to the management
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
To get a seat in the FLAME University of the MBA/PGDM course, you have to appear for any one of the accepted exams, like CAT, XAT, CMAT, etc. After clearing the exam, you have to get shortlisted for further admission round, which involves PI or GD.
For more information, click here.
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
Candidates who will be shortlisted for MBA PI on the basis of XAT score, will receive the notification by XLRI in their registered email.
N
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months ago
The XLRI waitlist movement is usually high for Delhi campus between 350 to 600 spots. For Jamshedpur the movement is low between 100 to 180 for BM and 130 to 230 for HRM.
S
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months ago
Yes, XAT essay writing round can be considered tough, given that you have to present your point with clarity, examples and convincing arguments - all in limited word count. You need to have a lot of practice in writing short, clear and logically structured essays.
N
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months ago
XAT cut offs for all colleges are not fixed by XLRI. Every score accepting college fixed XAT cut offs individually and independently.
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months ago
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham accepts the CAT, MAT or the XAT exam for admission to the MBA course. Students can attempt any one of the aforementioned exams. After taking part in the exam, students have to attain a valid percentile.
Based on previous year trends, a percentile of at least 40 would be nee
N
Contributor-Level 10