Updated on Jan 10, 2020 11:23 IST
Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT), is the second-largest MBA entrance test to pursue MBA/PGDM in India only after CAT. Question types slightly differ from each other.

By: Abhinaba Parui

Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT), is the second-largest MBA entrance test to pursue MBA/PGDM in India only after CAT. Question types slightly differ from each other.

Well, at first let’s see the sectional composition of the question set in XAT. There are four sections in the exam, namely Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VALR), Decision Making (DM), Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation (QDI), and General Knowledge (GK). There is no negative marking in GK.

Here are top last-minute preparation tips you must follow:

  • There is only one thing I would like to say and that is to revise the syllabus again and again. Don’t try to complete those chapters which are completely new or which you have completed partially at this time.
  • To crack this exam, I think smart work and smart effort both are required rather than doing hard work. For VALR section, don’t try to recall the newly learnt words. There is a possibility to forget these words after a few days if you don’t get in touch with it on a regular basis. So, the smartest way to recall these words is to use these words when writing sentences. This thing will help you to recall the word in your mind for a longer time.
  • For DM and QDI sections, you should learn how to manage time. Take your watch when you are practicing. Make sure you do not spend more than a minute solving each question.
  • Another thing that is important is accuracy along with efficiency. To enhance these two skills, give mock tests as much as you can. There are few mock question papers which are available online along with its solved paper. Don’t rush to solved papers at first. First, try to collect the question papers, give the mock test and keep a watch along with you to time yourself. Those questions which you are unable to solve can be solved by getting help from the answer papers when your mock test is over.

About the Author:

Abhinaba Parui

Kolkata-based Abhinaba Parui is a final year student of FOSTIIMA Business School pursuing his 'Post-graduation Diploma in Management (PGDM)'. At present, he is working as a campus ambassador of Oysterconnect.com.

Staying updated about the latest educational events is just a click away
Enter Mobile Number

Explore popular MBA colleges for you

Based on ,MBA
Change

Ahmedabad
#1 NIRF
₹20.10 L
Bangalore
#2 NIRF
₹26.00 L
Delhi
₹66.00 K
Pune
₹11.84 L

Want better recommendations?

There is a 90% more chance of getting best college recommendations by sharing preferences.
Your preferences-MBAEdit
Indore
₹12.50 L
Kozhikode
#3 NIRF
₹14.00 L
Delhi
#4 NIRF
₹12.00 L
Mysore
₹59.40 K
Delhi
#28 NIRF
₹53.75 K
Lucknow
#5 NIRF
₹12.60 L
Confused about which college or exam to opt for?assitentRcpRhsImage
  • Chat with our counselor
  • Get your personalised list of colleges & exams matching your preferences
View allCollections

Explore more MBA exams with upcoming dates

CAT

LIVE
CAT 2026...

3 Aug '26 - 22 Sep '26

Check live updates

SNAP 2026 Mock Test 1

24 Sep '26

IBSAT 2026 Mock Test

26 Sep '26

NMAT 2026 Registration Window

20 Aug '26 - 10 Oct '26

MICAT (I) Registrations

15 Sep '26 - 22 Nov '26

CMAT 2027 registration and app...

24 Oct '26 - 28 Nov '26

BET 2027 Round 1 Submission De...

30 Nov '26

SRCC GBO Registration 2027

12 Dec '26

XGMT registration

30 Sep '26 - 31 Dec '26

KIITEE MBA 2027 Registrations

10 Oct '26 - 11 Jan '27

Videos you may like
About the Author
This account contains a repository of informative articles by external authors with domain expertise in various aspects of guiding students on how to go about pursuing their undergraduate and postgraduate studies in Read Full Bio
Download Important Dates for MBA/PGDM Exams

News & Updates

Latest NewsPopular News

Explore Other Exams

21 Aug '26 -

25 Nov '26

SNAP 2026 Registration Process

24 Sep '26

SNAP 2026 Mock Test 1

4 Sep '26 -

7 Sep '26

MAH MBA CAP 2026 Round IV acce...

3 Sep '26

MAH MBA CAP 2026 Round IV disp...

20 Aug '26 -

10 Oct '26

NMAT 2026 Registration Window

20 Aug '26 -

22 Oct '26

NMAT 2026 Scheduling Window

Oct '26

CMAT 2027 registration and app...

7 Feb '27

CMAT 2027 exam

20 Sep '26

MAT September 2026 CBT

17 Sep '26 -

20 Sep '26

MAT September 2026 CBT Admit C...

22 Sep '26

CAT 2026 registration last dat...

3 Aug '26 -

22 Sep '26

CAT 2026 application submissio...

The list of exams are recommended based on what other exams do the students in your area show interest in
qna

Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered Yesterday

No. XAT score is the marks obtained by a candidate in the exam. XAT percentile shows the candidate's relative performance compared with other test takers.

P

Porishmita Paul

Contributor-Level 10

Answered Yesterday

Yes. XAT has negative marking. Candidates lose 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer. A penalty also applies to unattempted questions beyond the first eight.

P

Porishmita Paul

Contributor-Level 10

Answered Yesterday

The XAT score calculator formula is Correct Answers - (Incorrect Answers * 0.25) - Unattempted Question Penalty.

P

Porishmita Paul

Contributor-Level 10

Answered Yesterday

XAT score is calculated by adding one mark for every correct answer and deducting 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer.  

P

Porishmita Paul

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 days ago

Yes. XLRI specifies sectional cutoffs along with overall XAT cutoff. Candidates need to meet required percentile in QADI, VALR and DM for respective programme and category.

P

Porishmita Paul

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 days ago

For XAT 2026, overall HRM cutoff was 92 percentile for Engineering Male candidates and 90 percentile for Non-Engineering Male candidates. Cutoff was 87 percentile for Engineering Female and Engineering Transgender candidates and 84 percentile for Non-Engineering Female and Non-Engineering Transgende

...Read more

P

Porishmita Paul

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 days ago

For XAT 2026, overall XLRI BM cutoff was 94 percentile for Engineering Male and Non-Engineering Male candidates. It was 88 percentile for Engineering Female, Engineering Transgender, Non-Engineering Female and Non-Engineering Transgender candidates.

P

Porishmita Paul

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 days ago

Required XAT score varies every year because the percentile depends on difficulty level of exam and candidate performance. In XAT 2026, overall cutoff for XLRI BM was 94 percentile for Engineering Male and Non-Engineering Male candidates.

P

Porishmita Paul

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 5 days ago

The first eight XAT unattempted questions do not attract any penalty. After eight unattempted questions, 0.10 mark is deducted for every additional unattempted question.

P

Porishmita Paul

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 5 days ago

Candidates get 1 mark for every correct answer in XAT.

P

Porishmita Paul

Contributor-Level 10