XAT Marking Scheme 2027: Marks Per Question & Negative Marking
Xavier Aptitude Test 2027 ( XAT )
XAT 2027 Registration
15 Jul '26 - 6 Dec '26
XAT marking scheme 2027 helps candidates understand how marks are awarded for correct and incorrect answers in the exam. Candidates should know the marking scheme of XAT before starting their preparation. Check here XAT marks per question, negative marking, unattempted question penalty and score calculation.
XAT Marking Scheme
XAT Marking Scheme 2027: XAT marking scheme is used to calculate the marks obtained by candidates in the exam. Candidates get marks for every correct answer and lose marks for every incorrect answer. A penalty is also applicable for unattempted questions beyond the specified limit.
The XAT exam marking scheme applies to the main sections of the exam. The XAT score is then used to calculate candidate's percentile.
- XAT 2027 Marking Scheme
- XAT Marks Per Question
- XAT Negative Marking Scheme
- XAT Unattempted Questions Negative Marking
- XAT Score Calculation
- XAT Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme
- XAT Marking Scheme for GK
- Is There Negative Marking in XAT?
- How to Calculate XAT Score?
- XAT Marking Scheme for GK
XAT 2027 Marking Scheme
Check the marking scheme of XAT exam below.
| Response Type |
Marks |
|---|---|
| Correct answer |
+1 mark |
| Incorrect answer |
-0.25 mark |
| First 8 unattempted questions |
No negative marking |
| Each unattempted question after 8 |
-0.10 mark |
XAT Marks Per Question
As per the XAT marking pattern, candidates get 1 mark for every correct answer. There is no partial marking for an answer. If the answer is incorrect, 0.25 marks are deducted from the total score.
Candidates should therefore attempt XAT questions carefully. Guessing too many answers can reduce the overall XAT score because of negative marking.
XAT Syllabus PDF
Shiksha's XAT syllabus PDF is free. Download it to plan your preparation strategy topic wise.
Download HereXAT Negative Marking Scheme
The XAT negative marking scheme includes a penalty of 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer. In addition, candidates lose 0.10 mark for every unattempted question after the first eight unattempted questions.
For example, if a candidate gets 10 questions incorrect, the negative marks will be:
10 × 0.25 = 2.5 marks
Therefore, 2.5 marks will be deducted from candidate's score for 10 incorrect answers.
XAT Unattempted Questions Negative Marking
There is no penalty for the first eight unattempted questions. However, if a candidate leaves more than eight questions unattempted, 0.10 mark is deducted for each additional unattempted question.
Commonly asked questions
Marking scheme for XAT gives 1 mark for every correct answer and deducts 0.25 mark for every incorrect answer.
Yes. XAT negative marking scheme includes a deduction of 0.25 mark for every incorrect answer. There is also a penalty of 0.10 mark for unattempted questions beyond first eight.
Candidates get 1 mark for every correct answer in XAT.
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.
For example, if a candidate leaves 12 questions unattempted, the first eight questions will not attract any penalty. The remaining four questions will attract a penalty.
Unattempted question penalty = 4 × 0.10 = 0.40 mark
Also Read: Download XAT Exam Syllabus & Important Topics PDF
XAT Score Calculation
The marking scheme in XAT can be used to calculate the overall score by considering correct answers, incorrect answers and applicable unattempted question penalties.
The XAT score calculation formula is:
XAT Score = Correct Answers - (Incorrect Answers × 0.25) - (Unattempted Questions beyond 8 × 0.10)
For example, suppose a candidate gets 50 answers correct and 10 answers incorrect. The score will be:
50 - (10 × 0.25) = 47.5 marks
If the candidate also has more than eight unattempted questions, the applicable penalty will be deducted from this score.
Benchmark Prep Against the Real XAT Exam
Over 1 Lakh candidates compete annually. The most direct way to pinpoint your performance gaps and prevent surprise pattern shifts is by practising real slot-wise papers.
⬇️ Download XAT Exam Previous Year PapersXAT Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme
The XAT 2027 exam pattern and marking scheme includes questions from Verbal and Logical Ability, Decision Making, Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation, and General Knowledge.
| Section |
Questions |
Marks per Question |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal & Logical Ability |
26 |
1 |
| Decision Making |
21 |
1 |
| Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation |
28 |
1 |
| General Knowledge |
20 |
1 |
The three sections of VALR, DM and QADI together have 75 questions. GK has 20 questions and is scored separately.
To perform well in the XAT 2027, read the articles listed below containing XAT exam strategy and tips suggested by experts. Click on the links below to read:
XAT Marking Scheme for GK
General Knowledge has a separate section in XAT. The GK score is not included in the overall percentile calculation. However, the score can be considered separately during the XLRI selection process.
Candidates should therefore prepare for GK even though it is not included in the overall XAT percentile.
Is There Negative Marking in XAT?
Yes, there is negative marking in XAT. A candidate loses 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer. A penalty of 0.10 mark is also applicable for every unattempted question beyond the first eight.
Candidates should keep the negative marking in mind while deciding which questions to attempt and which questions to leave.
Also Read: XAT Section Wise Marking Scheme & Negative Marks for 2027
How to Calculate XAT Score?
To calculate the XAT score, candidates first need to count the number of correct and incorrect answers. One mark is added for every correct answer and 0.25 mark is deducted for every incorrect answer.
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After this, candidates need to check the number of unattempted questions. If more than eight questions are unattempted, 0.10 mark is deducted for every question beyond the first eight.
The final score can then be compared with the XAT score vs percentile data to estimate the expected percentile.
XAT Marking Scheme for GK
General Knowledge has a separate section in XAT. The GK score is not included in the overall percentile calculation. However, the score can be considered separately during the XLRI selection process.
Candidates should therefore prepare for GK even though it is not included in the overall XAT percentile.
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