Read here detailed XAT exam analysis 2020 and expected cut offs for top institutes accepting XAT score for admission.
XAT 2020 exam was held on January 5 from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. Initial reactions to XAT exam paper suggest that the difficulty level of XAT 2020 was same as last year but decision making section was tricky as expected. The cut offs are expected to remain low this year at 33. The XAT 2020 analysis will explain section wise difficulty level, topic-wise distribution of questions, number of good attempts and expected sectional & overall cut offs.
Also Read: XAT 2020 - Student Reactions and Reviews
XAT question paper had the same number of questions as last year. Given below are key highlights of XAT 2020 exam pattern.
| XAT sections |
Number of Questions |
Marks Allotted |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal and Logical Ability |
26 |
26 |
| Decision Making |
21 |
21 |
| Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation |
27 |
27 |
| General Knowledge |
25 |
25 |
- XAT 2020 Analysis: Marking Scheme and Sectional Time-Limit
- Section-wise XAT 2020 Analysis
- WATCH VIDEO:
- Expected XAT 2020 Cutoffs (XLRI, Jamshedpur)
- Expected XAT Cut Offs 2020 (Other Institutes)
XAT 2020 Analysis: Marking Scheme and Sectional Time-Limit
- Each right question will carry 1 mark and each wrong question will carry -0.25 marks
- In case of 8 consecutive unanswered questions, 0.10 marks will be deducted
- Part 1 of the XAT question paper is to be solved in 165 minutes
- Part 2 of the XAT question paper is to be solved in 15 minutes
Section-wise XAT 2020 Analysis
Of all the sections, VALR turned out to be the toughest. DM and Quant-DI were of moderate difficulty, while GK was easy, as always. Take a look at section-wise XAT 2020 analysis below.
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XAT 2020 Analysis: Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning
- The section was time consuming and students could have taken about 50 minutes to solve it.
- This section of XAT exam 2020 was tougher than last year. The Reading Comprehension section had 12 questions with four passages of three questions each.
- Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning section also had a poem this year with 2 questions. The poem was of moderate difficulty level.
- There were two parajumble questions, which were of moderate difficulty level.
- Fill in the Blanks, Critical Reasoning and Vocabulary were on the tougher side.
- A good attempt of 15-17 questions with 70% accuracy can fetch decent marks in this section.
Topic-wise break-up of questions:
| Topic |
Number of questions |
Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension |
12 |
Moderate - Difficult |
| CR |
6 |
Moderate |
| Poem Comprehension |
2 |
Easy - Moderate |
| Grammar - Correct the sentence |
2 |
Easy - Moderate |
| Parajumble - 5 sentence |
2 |
Moderate |
| Fill in the blanks -3 |
2 |
Moderate - Difficult |
XAT 2020 Analysis: Decision Making and Analytical Reasoning
- The difficulty level of Decision Making section in XAT 2020 was moderate. The level of the Decision Making was similar to last year but was extremely boring.
- There were no questions from Mathematical or Analytical Reasoning. All the questions were situational.
- There were no singlets in this section which was a relief to students.
Topics-wise break up of Decision Making section:
| Section |
No. of questions |
Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
| Decision Making |
21 |
Moderate |
| Analytical |
0 |
Moderate |
XAT 2020 Exam Analysis: Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation
- The questions in Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation section of XAT 2020 was marginally easier than last year’s.
- There were 20 questions of QA and most of them were from Geometry and Arithmetic.
- DI had three sets of eight questions. In this section too, the questions were from Arithmetic and Geometry.
- The DI questions were based on tables and bar graphs. There were also two questions on Set Theory.
- An attempt of 4-5 DI questions and 13-15 Quant questions in about 65-70 minutes can fetch the candidates good marks.
Topic-wise break-up of questions in this section:
| Topic |
Number of questions |
Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
| Arithmetic |
8 |
Moderate |
| Algebra |
3 |
Easy-Moderate |
| Coordinate Geometry |
1 |
Moderate |
| Geometry |
5 |
Moderate-Difficult |
| Modern Maths |
1 |
Difficult |
| Number system |
2 |
Easy |
| DI (Set theory) |
2 |
Moderate |
| DI (Bar Graph) |
3 |
Moderate |
| DI (Table based) |
3 |
Easy-moderate |
| Total |
28 |
Easy-moderate |
XAT 2020 Exam Analysis: General Knowledge
- The overall difficulty level of General Knowledge section was same as last year – moderate
- This section comprised 25 questions asked from static GK (Economy, Geography, Science and Technology) and Current GK (Business economy, personalities, and awards).
- An attempt of 12-14 questions fetching a score of 7-8 can be considered good.
Topic-wise break-up of questions in GK section
| Section |
No. of questions |
Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
| Current Affairs |
3 |
Moderate |
| History |
4 |
Moderate |
| Economy & Business |
4 |
Moderate |
| Geography |
5 |
Moderate |
| Personality & Awards |
2 |
Moderate |
| Science & Tech |
5 |
Moderate |
| Polity |
1 |
Moderate |
| Books & Authors |
1 |
Moderate |
| Sports |
0 |
Moderate |
| Total |
25 |
Moderate |
WATCH VIDEO:
XAT 2020 Student Reactions and Reviews
Expected XAT 2020 Cutoffs (XLRI, Jamshedpur)
Given below are section-wise expected XLRI cut offs for admission to 2020 batch of its Business Management (BM) and Human Resource Management (HRM) programmes.
| Sections |
2020 Cut Offs (Expected) |
|
|---|---|---|
| BM |
HRM |
|
| Verbal & Logical Ability |
7.5 |
8.25 |
| Decision Making |
8.75 |
8.25 |
| Quantitative Ability |
11 |
6.25 |
| Total Aptitude |
33 |
31 |
Expected XAT Cut Offs 2020 (Other Institutes)
Take a look at institute-wise expected XAT cut off percentiles for admissions this year.
| XAT colleges |
XAT score |
XAT percentile |
|---|---|---|
| 30.5-32.5 |
90-93 |
|
| 32.5-34.5 |
93.50-95 |
|
| 30.5-32 |
90-92 |
|
| 27.5-30.5 |
85-90 |
|
| 26-27.5 |
80-85 |
|
| 26-27.5 |
80-85 |
|
| 26-27.5 |
80-85 |
|
| 26-27.5 |
80-85 |
|
| 26-27.5 |
80-85 |
|
| 27.5-30.5 |
85-90 |

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Student Forum
Answered 3 days ago
The OP Jindal University XAT Cutoff 2025 is not available yet, as the exam is scheduled to be held on 4 Jan, 2026. In the meantime, students can refer to the table below to know the XAT cutoff for previous years for the General AI candidates.
| XAT Cutoff 2024 | XAT Cutoff 2023 | XAT Cutoff 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 60 | 60 |
N
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 6 days ago
The XAT Cutoff 2025 has not been released yet. However, according to the VGIM Cutoff 2024, the XAT Cutoff was 60 for admission to PGDM programme for the General AI candidates. In 2023, as well as in 2022, the XAT Cutoff was also the same. For more details, click here.
N
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 6 days ago
IMI Bhubaneswar XAT Cutoff 2025 is not out yet. However, according to the XAT Cutoff 2024 for admission to MBA courses, the overall cutoff was 70 for students belonging to the General AI category. Please note that different categories will have different cutoffs entirely. To know more, click here.
N
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a week ago
GIBS Business School, therefore, accepts 'all national-level entrance examination' scores that include the major management exams like CAT, XAT, MAT, CMAT, ATMA, GMAT, and in some cases State CET exams for admissions to PGDM and MBA programs. These scores will determine a candidate's eligibility for
M
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
GIBS Business School accepts scores from CAT, XAT, MAT, CMAT, GMAT, ATMA, and various State CETs for admission to its PGDM program.
These entrance exams serve as the primary eligibility criteria for candidates applying to GIBS. The institute evaluates applicants based on their test scores along with
M
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months ago
XLRI Jamshedpur considers XAT scores for admission to PGDM programmes. Those who are seeking admission in PGDM BM, PGDM HRM and Double Masters Degree in Supply Chain Management and logistics (PGDM & MS) requires XAT scores. Aspirants can also apply for admission to General Management programme (PGDM
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered 2 months ago
Candidates who are applying for XAT have to pay an application fee. Aspirants have to pay INR 2,200 to apply for XAT. Candidates can pay the fee via any of the online payment modes. Aspirants have to pay INR 200 each for every additional programme of XLRI.
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered 2 months ago
XLRI Delhi accepts XAT scores for admission to PGDM programme. Aspirants seeking admission in PGDM Business Management are offered seat only via their XAT scores. For PGDM IEV, candidates can also take admission without XAT based on their scores in CAT, MAT, GMAT, etc. Candidates have to register on
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered 2 months ago
No, you cannot use the score of XAT 2025 for admission to 2026 batch at XLRI as the validity of exam score is one year only. Thus, you will have to appear for XAT 2026 exam if you plan to pursue MBA from XLRI in 2026. The registration process for XAT 2026 is open and the last date to apply is Decemb
A
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 months ago
The total course fee of full time MBA at XLRI is INR 28 Lacs according to Shiksha. The fee is to be paid semester wise. The first installment is to be paid at the time of admission. The XLRI course fee includes tuition fees, hostel and mess charges, caution money, library chargers and other miscella
N
Contributor-Level 6
Registration - 10 Jul '25 - 5 Dec '25
