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.
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
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 |
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 |
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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