XAT 2026 Exam Pattern, Important Topics & Weightage
Xavier Aptitude Test 2026 ( XAT )
Exam On - 3 Jan '27
XAT 2026 exam pattern is same as previous year. There will be 95 question in MCQ format and candidates will get 180 minutes to solve them. Check below all about XAT exam pattern, section wise weightage and important topics to study.
XAT 2026 important topics
In the final few days before the XAT 2026 exam, be thorough with the exam pattern, sectional weightage and important topics so that you can make the best use of your knowledge. Since, XAT is a speed based test, it is more important to know what to attempt than the whole syllabus. The XAT question paper pattern is usually the same as previous years, with certain topics having more questions than the rest.
- XAT 2026 Exam Pattern
- XAT 2026 Important Topics
- XAT 2026 Weightage: Section Wise
XAT 2026 Exam Pattern
Check the table below for key highlights of XAT 2026 exam pattern:
| XAT Exam Structure |
XAT Exam Details |
|---|---|
| XAT sections |
Decision Making Verbal & Logical Ability Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation General Knowledge |
| XAT time limit |
3 hours (180 minutes) |
| Number of questions |
95 |
| Total marks |
95 |
| Number of answer choices |
Five |
| Mode of examination |
Online |
| XAT marking scheme |
+1 mark for correct answer - 0.25 marks for incorrect answer - 0.10 marks for more than 8 consecutive un-attempted questions No negative marking in GK section |
Commonly asked questions
As per the latest XAT exam pattern, there will be 95 questions in XAT 2025 in MCQ format.
- Verbal Ability section of XAT will have 26 questions
- Decision Making section of XAT will have 21 questions
- Quantitative Ability section will have 28 questions
- GK section will have 20 questions
There will be no essay writing this year. It will be conducted during the selection process.
It is not mandatory to solve all the questions. Candidates should solve only those questions which they can solve correctly as there is negative marking in XAT. During the exam preparation, focus on the chapters from which majority of the questions are added. This will help them in achieving the sectional and overall cut offs are required.
Yes, the XAT exam has negative marking of -0.25 marks for wrong attempt. Unanswered questions have no negative marking but if there are 8 consecutive unanswered questions, 0.10 marks will be deducted.
Thus, the candidates must select questions to solve very carefully in the XAT exam. They should solve only those questions which they know they can solve accurately. The XAT exam has sectional time limit too, so you may not want to waste time on a question that you cannot solve accurately.
You stand to lose both time and marks. So be careful in selecting questions in the XAT exam. The sectional cut off for XAT is usually 80 percent accuracy. Practice a lot of mock tests to develop this skill.
There are no non-MCQs in XAT. All the questions are in MCQ format with four options to choose the correct answer from. There are neither Type in the Answer and nor subjective answer type questions. Earlier, there used to be essay writing which required candidates to type a short essay on screen.
XAT 2026 Important Topics
Check below, section wise important topics of XAT from which questions can be asked in XAT 2026:
- Verbal Ability: Most commonly asked questions are from RC passages, Poem, Sentence Correction, Para Jumble, Fill in the blanks, Conclusion/Inference.
- Quantitative Aptitude: Based on last year’s XAT question papers, the questions can be expected from - Linear Equation, Coordinate Geometry, Mensuration, Ratio & Proportion, Simple Interest, Compound Interest, Probability, Surds, Averages, Circles, Grid, Numbers, Height & Distance, Log, Data Interpretation
- General Knowledge: Current affairs and static GK from History, Geography, Economics and Business, Personality and awards Science and Tech, Sports, Entertainment
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XAT 2026 Weightage: Section Wise
XAT 2026 question paper will be divided into two parts. First part will be of 170 minutes which will include VA-LR, QA-DI and DM. Part 2 will be of 10 minutes having GK questions only. Check below sectional weightage:
| XAT Sections |
Number of Questions |
Total Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Decision Making |
21 |
21 |
| Verbal and Logical Ability |
26 |
26 |
| Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation |
28 |
28 |
| General Knowledge |
20 |
20 |
| Total |
95 |
95 |
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 8 hours ago
Final selection will be based on performance in BAAT, PI, and CAT/XAT/GMAT. BITS will also consider prior work experience, and academic history.
J
Contributor-Level 7
Answered Yesterday
Yes, Global Institute of Business Studies does accept scores from exams like CAT, MAT, XAT, and CMAT. They take these exams into consideration for admissions, so you don't have to worry about only one exam. It gives you flexibility to apply with the scores you already have and increases your chances
P
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 5 days ago
Apart from NMAT scores, UPES Dehradun offers admission to the MBA course based on XAT scores. As per the XAT 2023 cutoff, candidates having a minimum of 50 Percentile for the General category All India Quota were eligible for UPES Dehradun admissions.
UPES Dehradun offers MBA in International Busines
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 weeks ago
Yes, CAT/MAT/XAT/CMAT/GMAT scores are valid for KIITEE MBA. Candidates applying online will be required to submit copies of their mark sheets and other supporting documents.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Standard books useful across these exams include Quantitative Aptitude by Arun Sharma or R.S. Aggarwal, Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation by Nishit Sinha, and Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis for building a strong vocabulary.
L
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
It might be difficult to get admission at XIME Kohchi with 88% in XAT. The institute accepts a 99.99% in XAT. However, these rules may change in the future; students are recommended to visit the Shiksha official page for the latest updates.
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month 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.
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
XLRI Jamshedpur officially releases the XAT registration and application form. It is made available online on their official exam website, xatonline.in. Candidates must register on this portal to apply for the exam and for XLRI admission
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
The XAT application process is facilitated online. Candidates must visit the official website to register, fill the form, upload scanned documents, and pay the exam fee.
R
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month 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.
J
Contributor-Level 7
Vipra Shrivastava is MA in English Literature from Delhi University with extensive experience in content writing of over 14 years. She has been handling content for Management, Accounting and Commerce streams for 8
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