XAT 2023 Review and Exam Analysis (Available); Check Difficulty Level of Paper
Xavier Aptitude Test 2026 ( XAT )
Registration - 10 Jul '25 - 5 Dec '25
XAT 2023 review cum paper analysis is available now. This year, the XAT exam was of moderate difficulty level. Check out in-depth XAT 2023 analysis and expected cut offs.
XAT exam analysis 2023
XAT 2023 review cum analysis is now available. The XAT exam 2023 was held from 2:00 PM to 5:30 PM. The question paper of XAT 2023 was of moderate to high difficulty level. According to the XAT 2023 analysis, the exam was on the same lines as previous years with Quantitative section being more difficult than the rest of the sections. Data Interpretation had two sitters. The Decision Making and Verbal Ability sections were easy and the GK section was moderate. The essay topics were from diverse fields. They were -
- Taking risks in life
- People with lower IQ make more money
- Decarbonisation to reduce carbon emission is hampering Indian Industries
The detailed analysis of XAT 2023 exam has been shared below. It includes in-depth discussion of sectional difficulty level, topic wise weightage, types of questions, number of good attempts and expected XAT cut offs for XLRI admission. The XAT review and exam analysis 2023 will help XAT candidates in assessing their performance and evaluating chances of getting into XLRI Jamshedpur and other B-schools.
Explore popular MBA colleges for you
Based on ,MBA
Want better recommendations?
There is a 90% more chance of getting best college recommendations by sharing preferences.
- Chat with our counselor
- Get your personalised list of colleges & exams matching your preferences
- XAT 2023 Analysis: Highlights
- XAT 2023 Review: Marking Scheme
- XAT 2023 Analysis: Sectional Weightage
- XAT 2023 Analysis: Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning
- XAT 2023 Analysis: Decision Making
- XAT 2023 Analysis: Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation
- XAT 2023 Analysis: General Knowledge & Essay
- Expected XAT 2023 Cutoffs
XAT 2023 Analysis: Highlights
- XAT 2023 question paper had 105 questions in MCQ format.
- Sectional time limit for Part 1 (English, Quantitative Ability, Decision Making) of the paper is 175 minutes.
- Sectional time limit for Part 2 (Mock Keyboard Testing) of the paper is 5 minutes.
- Sectional time limit for Part 3 (GK and Essay Writing) of the paper is 30 minutes.
- Verbal and Logical Ability section had four RC passages and two poems.
- QA-DI had four DI sets. QA sub-section will be dominated by Arithmetic questions.
Also Read: XAT 2023 live updates - exam, review, sectional break up, cut offs
XAT 2023 Review: Marking Scheme
There us no change in the marking scheme of XAT this year. Check the details below:
- +1 mark for correct answer
- - 0.25 marks for incorrect answer
- - 0.10 marks for more than 8 un-attempted questions
- No negative marking in GK section
XAT 2023 Analysis: Sectional Weightage
In XAT 2023, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation section has the maximum weightage with 28 questions and 28 marks. Given below is the sectional break-up of the XAT 2023 question paper.
| XAT Sections |
No. of Questions |
Total Marks |
Level of Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decision Making |
22 |
22 |
Easy to Moderate |
| Verbal and Logical Ability |
26 |
26 |
Easy |
| Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation |
28 |
28 |
Tough |
| General Knowledge |
25 |
25 |
Moderate |
| Essay Writing (250 words) |
1 |
To be evaluated after PI shortlisting |
Moderate |
| Total |
105 |
105 |
Moderate |
XAT 2023 Analysis: Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning
The XAT Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning section was easy like last year. The section had 26 questions out of which 12 questions were Reading Comprehension based. The 12 questions were divide into 4 sets. This year, there was only 1 poem.
Explore more MBA exams with upcoming dates
6 Oct '25
4 Oct '25 - 7 Oct '25
1 Aug '25 - 10 Oct '25
1 Aug '25 - 12 Oct '25
4 Nov '25
30 Sep '25 - 12 Nov '25
1 Jul '25 - 23 Dec '25
31 Jul '25 - 31 Dec '25
Karnataka PGCET
31 Dec '25
Given below is the breakup of the XAT VALR section was as follows:
| Type of Questions |
No. of Questions |
Doable |
|---|---|---|
| RC |
4 sets with 3 questions |
8 |
| Poem |
1 set with 2 questions |
1 |
| Fill in the Blanks |
1 |
1 |
| Critical Reasoning |
7 |
3 |
| Grammar/ Punctuation |
3 |
2 |
| Para completion |
1 |
1 |
| Total |
26 |
16-18 |
XAT 2023 Analysis: Decision Making
The total number of Decision Making questions in XAT 2023 was 22, one more than last year. The section was divided into 6 sets of 3 questions, 2 sets of 2 questions and 1 set of 3 question.
1 set with 3 questions was tougher than the rest as it was modelled on old DI type decision making questions.
Given below is the breakup of the XAT Decision Making section was as follows:
| Type of Questions |
No. of Questions |
Doable |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Question Sets |
4 |
2 |
| 3 Question Sets |
15 |
2 |
| 3 Question DI Type Set |
3 |
3 |
| Total |
22 |
15 - 17 |
XAT 2023 Analysis: Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation
This year, the XAT Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation section was slightly tougher than last year. However, there were lesser DI questions this year (only 1 as compared to 3 in XAT 2022). Quantitative Ability was dominated by Arithmetic, Algebra and Numbers
Given below is the breakup of the XAT Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation section was as follows:
| Type of Questions |
No. of Questions |
Doable |
|---|---|---|
| Arithmetic |
8 |
5 |
| Numbers |
4 |
3 |
| Algebra |
4 |
3 |
| Geometry |
3 |
1 |
| DI 1 -Economic activity & subjective well being |
3 |
2 |
| Trigonometry |
1 |
2 |
| Data Sufficiency |
2 |
2 |
| investment |
2 |
1 |
| Probability |
1 |
0 |
| Total |
28 |
16 - 18 |
XAT 2023 Analysis: General Knowledge & Essay
The XAT General Knowledge section as usual comprised 25 questions with a fine between current affairs and static GK. A good score in this section would be 10+.
In the Essay section, the candidates had three options to choose which were as follows:
- Decarbonisation by India is hampering the Indian industries
- People with less IQ are more successful
- Taking risks in life
Expected XAT 2023 Cutoffs
Given below is the estimation of XAT cut offs 2023 for admission to XLRI’s Business Management and Human Resource Management programmes.
| XAT sections |
XAT cut offs ( raw scores) |
|---|---|
| VALR |
9+ |
| DM |
6.5+ |
| QADI |
9+ |
| Overall |
BMD - 31- 32 HRM - 29 - 30 |
Read More:
News & Updates
Explore Other Exams
1 Aug '25 - 20 Nov '25 | SNAP 2025 Registration Process |
6 Oct '25 | SNAP 2025 Mock Test 2 |
Dec '25 | MAH MBA CET 2026 registration ... |
2 Sep '25 - 4 Sep '25 | MAH MBA CAP 2025: Reporting to... |
1 Aug '25 - 10 Oct '25 | NMAT 2025 Registration Window |
1 Aug '25 - 14 Oct '25 | NMAT 2025 Scheduling Window |
13 Feb '25 | CMAT 2025 Result |
31 Jan '25 - 2 Feb '25 | CMAT 2025 Answer Key Release a... |
28 Sep '25 | MAT CBT Exam 2025 (Sept ) |
25 Sep '25 - 28 Sep '25 | MAT CBT Admit Card 2025 (Sept ... |
Oct '25 | CAT 2025 form correction |
5 Nov '25 - 30 Nov '25 | CAT 2025 admit card download |
17 Oct '24 - 5 Dec '24 | IIFT 2025 registration and app... |
6 Aug '25 - 7 Aug '25 | In-person supplementary counse... |
5 Aug '25 | In-person supplementary counse... |
1 Jul '25 - 23 Dec '25 | IBSAT 2025 Registration |
27 Dec '25 - 28 Dec '25 | IBSAT 2025 Exam Date |
Mar '25 | IRMASAT 2025 Final Result Anno... |
Feb '25 | IRMASAT Personal Interviews |
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 3 weeks 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 4 weeks 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 4 weeks 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 a month 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 a month 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
Answered a month ago
There is no process of applying for multiple XAT accepting colleges through one form because there is no common counselling for XAT. Candidates have to apply to the colleges of their choice individually. They must keep in mind the application last date so they don't miss out on it. Also, they must c
A
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
No, the XAT entrance exam 2025 has already been concluded for PGDM admissions at SOIM. However, the registration dates for the XAT 2026 entrance exam are soon getting announced. Candidateswho are interested in appearing for XAT to gain admissions in the PGDM course at SOIM are advised to visit the o
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
XAT cut off different for male and female candidates to promote diversity in the candidate pool. However, the difference in cut offs is not too big. There's usually a difference of 1 or 2 percentile between XAT cut offs for male candidate and female candidate. Infact, the difference is not limited t
E
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 months ago
XAT score is the only examination score accepted for domestic candidates for admission to full-time MBA programmes offered by XLRI Jamshedpur. Check below the stages of XLRI MBA admission through XAT.
1. Apply for XAT exam
2. Appear for XAT exam
3. Participate in AEW/PI round
3. Final selection list rel
M
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 months ago
Yes, you can apply for Jagannath University, Haryana MBA 2025 using XAT scores. Students first need to ensure that they qualify for the eligibility criteria for MBA programme and XAT exam. Secondly, register yourself for the XAT exam. Generally, the registration window starts in July and is availabl
M
Contributor-Level 10