How to Crack XAT 2026 QA-DI Section? Check Important Topics and Questions
Xavier Aptitude Test 2025 ( XAT )
Exam On - 4 Jan '26
Quantitative Aptitude section of XAT is usually of higher difficulty level. Scoring in this section can be tough, if fundamentals are not clear. Find out how to crack Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation section of XAT 2026 exam. Read key tips and tricks to solve XAT QA-DI questions.
In XAT exam 2026, the Quantitative Ability (QA) & Data Interpretation (DI) topics will be clubbed together which makes it tricky to prepare as candidates need to cover the entire syllabus of both Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation but they don't know from which topic more questions will be asked. Although the QA-DI section is usually dominated by Quant questions, one can’t take the chance of preparing only QA topics. Data Interpretation needs equal amount of focus.
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There is a 90% more chance of getting best college recommendations by sharing preferences.The XAT Data Interpretation questions are in sets and usually lengthy, while the Quants questions are not. Due to this reason, the Quantitative Ability section of XAT exam is moderately difficult. It takes about 3-4 months to complete the XAT Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation syllabus from scratch. If you've appeared for XAT before, you might need less time.
Detailed guidelines will be mentioned in the XAT admit card. Here are a few general guidelines for you to know:
- Candidates are supposed to be at the centre at least an hour before the commencement of exam. Reach the XAT exam centre at the reporting time mentioned on the admit card.
- Affix your recent passport size photo in colour with preferable white background on the admit card.
- Do not carry electronic items, valuables and bags to the exam centre. These items are prohibited.
- Carry two copies of the XAT admit card and the original copy of a valid ID proof such as Aadhaar card, Voter ID card, Passport, PAN card, Driving License or University ID card.
- After entering the test lab, locate your seat and computer system. Do not start the computer system until the invigilator makes an announcement for the same.
XAT aspirants must follow the guideline as mentioned in the XAT admit card and the exam day instruction document
XAT Dos
- Carry a ballpoint pen, two copies of admit card, photo ID and a passport size photos.
- Be present at the XAT exam centre as per the reporting time mentioned on the admit card.
- Wear simple outfits like cardigans and sweaters without pockets.
- Submit a copy of XAT admit card and rough sheets to the invigilator before leaving the test lab.
XAT Don’ts
- Don’t carry paper, notebook, book or such items.
- Don’t carry electronic items such as mobile phones, pager, watch, ipad and calculator.
- Don’t carry eatables inside the exam venue (allowed for diabetic students with permission).
- Don’t reach the exam centre late. Gates will be closed 30 minutes before the commencement of exam.
- Don’t wear jewellery or any meta accessory on the exam day.
- Don’t carry leave the test lab before time or without permission.
- Don’t resist frisking or identification procedures at the exam centre.
As part of XAT 2026 exam preparation, candidates need to work on all the topics equally. Go through the XAT Quant syllabus and make a list of your strengths and weaknesses. Start with topics that are your weak areas. Gain proficiency in them through study material and problem solving sessions. Practice sample questions and practice papers to know where your stand and what more needs to be done. XAT mock test practice and analysis will further help you in identifying gaps and fissures. Apply the same approach for strength areas. In this article, we will discuss how to prepare for XAT Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation.
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XAT Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation Highlights
- This section of XAT 2026 will have about 28 questions in total.
- The distribution of questions between QA and DI is unequal.
- About 20 questions are asked from Quantitative Ability while only 8 questions are from Data Interpretation.
- Quantitative Ability is normally dominated by Geometry and Arithmetic.
- XAT Data Interpretation questions (based on 2 sets) are simple but calculation-intensive.
Latest XAT QA-DI sectional break-up
Presented below is the topic-wise break up of QA-DI section of XAT 2025 question paper. Candidates can expect the XAT 2026 question paper to have questions on the same pattern.
| Type of Question |
No. of Questions |
|---|---|
| Linear Equation |
2 |
| Quadratic Equation |
1 |
| Logarithm |
1 |
| Time, speed, distance |
1 |
| Profit and loss |
1 |
| Arithmetic progression |
1 |
| Geometry |
2 |
| Number system |
3 |
| Data Sufficiency |
1 |
| PnC |
1 |
| Polynomials |
1 |
| set theory |
2 |
| DI 1: T-20 Match |
3 |
| DI 2: Statistics - Hinge No. |
3 |
| DI 3: Discount Coupon |
3 |
| DI 4: Aman Buy Vegetables |
2 |
| Total |
28 |
Also Read:
- XAT exam syllabus 2026
- XAT exam pattern 2026
- XAT question papers of previous years PDFs
- XAT 2026 preparation tips and strategy
Tips to Crack XAT Quantitative Ability-Data Interpretation Section
There is no short cut for XAT exam preparation. Each section of the XAT requires quality time. QA and DI too require focus and dedication.
- Topics to study in Quantitative Ability section of XAT are Algebra and Functions, Geometry, Co-ordinate Geometry, Arithmetic Sequences, Number System, Probability, Mixtures, Tables Chart, Multiple Graph, Percentage, Profit and Loss, Interest, Average, Logarithm, etc.
- The XAT QA-DI questions are moderately difficult. Since, the questions are calculation based, one needs to be thorough with all the Mathematical formulae and theorem.
- In the last one and a half months before the exam, aspirants should start solving full length and sectional XAT mock tests to assess their preparation level. If they are still unable to solve questions from certain topics, that’s the area they need to focus on.
- To gain stronghold on the QA topics, they should start solving sample question sets in the order of easy to difficult sets. Practice easy questions first, then move to moderately tough questions and then to the toughest ones. This will not only help you in understanding the topics and discover tricks to solve questions, it will also build confidence in you.
- Spend one to two hours every alternate days to revise important Quantitative Ability formulae until the exam day.
- There are no formulae or theorems to be memorized in Data Interpretation, so all you can do is practice sample questions of different variety.
- For XAT Data Interpretation, practice adequate number of sample questions on Set Theory, Tables and Bar Graphs.
- Apply the same method as in QA preparation – start solving easy DI questions, then move to moderately difficult ones and then tackle tough DI problems.
- In the XAT 2026 exam, keep in mind the negative marking factor. Solve only those questions which you are confident of answering correctly. Don't do guess work.
- The key to crack XAT Quantitative Ability questions is mental calculation. So during your XAT preparation phase develop the ability of mental calculation. Memorise tables up to 20 and square roots of up to 100. It will save a lot of time in the exam.
| VARC preparation tips for MBA | DILR preparation tips for MBA | Quantitative Ability preparation tips for MBA |
Also Read:
- XAT Preparation 2026: All About Decision Making – Tips and Tricks
- XAT Preparation 2026: Tips to Crack Verbal Ability
Best Books for XAT Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation
Check the table below for the best books recommended for preparation of Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation of XAT.
| Best Books for XAT QA-DI |
Author/Publisher |
|---|---|
| How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT |
Arun Sharma |
| Quantitative Aptitude - Quantum CAT |
Sarvesh K Verma |
| Quantitative Aptitude For Competitive Examinations |
Guha Abhijit |
| Data Interpretation and Data Sufficiency |
Ananta Ashisha/Arihant |
Also Read:
- Best books for XAT preparation 2026
- How to prepare for XAT in 1 month
- How to prepare for XAT in 3 months
XAT exam is conducted in online mode so you don’t have to carry any stationary item apart from a blue/black ball point pen which is to be used for signing the attendance sheet.
Candidates should not carry to the examination centre, electronic items such as phone, watch, IPad, calculator, pager, etc. They should also not carry any metal items. Clothes and accessories having metal and metal jewellery are also prohibited inside the examination centres. Caps, headgears, sunglasses, clothes with pocket and hoodies are not allowed at the XAT exam centre. Candidates must also not carry bags and any other valuable item as candidates will not be allowed to carry anything inside the exam centre apart from a pen and documents. There will be no arrangement for depositing the bag at the exam centre.
XAT is conducted on the first Sunday of every January so it can be XAT 2026 exam date is likely to be January 4, 2026 (if the trend doesn't change). Official announcement will be made by XLRI Jamshedpur in the second week of July 2025. The exam will be held in a single shift and the duration will be 3 hours.
XAT exam fee is not refundable. Candidates cannot request refund of XAT fee under any circumstances. They should be sure that they wish to appear for XAT before filling the exam form. Also, they should fill the XAT application fee with correct details and with no errors. If they make a mistake in entering details, they will have to fill the form again with a new ID and pay the fee again.
There is no specific dress code for XAT exam, but candidates must keep the following in mind:
· Should not wear jackets and hoodies
· Should not wear caps and headgears
· Should not have metal in their clothing
· Should not were accessories having metal
· Should not wear high boots
· Candidates with implants should seek special permission
No candidates will be allowed to carry a calculator or any electronic item inside the XAT exam hall. However, they can use the on-screen calculator available on the computer system. The on scree calculator can be used during the exam for all types of calculation. Candidates who are more comfortable using pen and paper for calculations can opt for that too.
XAT Sample Questions for Practice
We have mentioned below some XAT questions to provide you an idea of what type of Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation questions are asked in the exam.
Q: Find the value of the expression: 10 + 103 + 106 + 109
- 1010101010
- 1001000010
- 1001000110
- 1001001010
- 100010001010
Q: Abdul, Bimal, Charlie and Dilbar can finish a task in 10, 12, 15 and 18 days respectively. They can either choose to work or remain absent on a particular day. If 50 percent of the total work gets completed after 3 days, then, which of the following options is possible?
(A) Each of them worked for exactly 2 days.
(B) Bimal and Dilbar worked for 1 day each, Charlie worked for 2 days and Abdul worked for all 3 days.
(C) Abdul and Charlie worked for 2 days each, Dilbar worked for 1 day and Bimal worked for all 3 days.
(D) Abdul and Dilbar worked for 2 days each, Charlie worked for 1 day and Bimal worked for all 3 days.
(E) Abdul and Charlie worked for 1 day each, Bimal worked for 2 days and Dilbar worked for all 3 days.
Q: If the diagonals of a rhombus of side 15 cm are in the ratio 3:4, find the area of the rhombus.
(A) 54 sq. cm.
(B) 108 sq. cm.
(C) 144 sq. cm.
(D) 200 sq. cm.
(E) None of the above
Q: A courier service has offices at three locations: Jamshedpur, Kharagpur and Howrah. Its employees travel by trains from one location to another for pick-up and delivery. It takes 40 minutes for an employee to travel from any railway station to the nearest office (and another 40 minutes for coming back); the paperwork to deliver the parcel at the respective office takes additional 10 minutes. Assume employees do not waste any time.
Employees have the option to choose from any of the trains, whose time-table is given in the table below. Assume all trains travel on time and there is no time gap between arrival and departure of a train. Further, assume that the employee boards the train as soon as it arrives at the station.
An employee, starting from Kharagpur station, has to deliver one parcel at Howrah office and another parcel at Jamshedpur office. His task starts the moment he boards the train at Kharagpur station, and gets completed immediately after delivering the second parcel. Which of the following trains should he board at Kharagpur station to minimize the time required to complete the task?
(A) T102
(B) T103
(C) T202
(D) T203
(E) Both Option B and Option D
Download:
XAT 2024 Question Paper: Download Free PDF
XAT 2021 Question Paper: Download Free PDF
XAT 2020 Question Paper: Download Free PDF
XAT 2019 Question Paper: Download Free PDF
XAT 2018 Question Paper: Download Free PDF
Free XAT Mock Test by Shiksha
You can take Shiksha's free XAT mock test below to know the types of questions asked, difficulty level of the questions and your exam preparation level.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 5 days ago
It is not recommended to attempt a XAT mock test a day before the exam. That time should be best left for revision of important formulas and concepts, revisiting the exam day strategy and relaxing. Attempting a full-day mock test can be mentally tiring and may shake up your confidence in case you do
N
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 5 days ago
One should attempt only one XAT mock test in a day. A full length XAT mock test is of three hours. After which you will have to spend some time analyzing your performance and revisiting problem areas. About 4-5 hours will be spent in this and you mind will already be exhausted. Thus, best is to do s
S
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 5 days ago
If a candidate has appeared for the XAT exam before and is only attempting again for score improvement, then they can prepare for it with mock tests only. But if a candidate is appearing for the XAT exam for the first time and is not familiar with the syllabus, they cannot prepare with XAT mock test
N
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 5 days ago
The ideal time to start XAT mock test practice is after you've covered the exam syllabus. When you're thorough with all the concepts and formulae, you will be able to solve all types of questions in the XAT mock test. XAT exam is conducted in January first week, so one should start mock test practic
J
Beginner-Level 5
Answered a week ago
What makes it so tough isn't complex formulas or obscure vocabulary; it's the ambiguity. The DM section doesn't test what you know, it tests who you are as a leader and a person. It throws you into a minefield of ethical dilemmas, business conflicts, and personnel issues where every option seems par
G
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Digital copy of the XAT admit card is not accepted for identification so candidates must ensure they carry print out of their hall ticket. The print out of the XAT admit card should have a recent passport sized photo affixed on it (preferably the same as uploaded in the XAT application form). It is
A
Beginner-Level 5
Answered a week ago
No questions are technically 'mandatory' in XAT, but there's a crucial catch. You get penalized with negative marking if you leave more than 8 questions unattempted across the main sections (Verbal, DM, and Quant).
So, the real strategy isn't just about accuracy; it's about making smart attempts to a
G
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Absolutely! In the final week, it's less about learning new topics and all about perfecting your strategy.
Solving past XAT papers is the best way to get into the "exam zone." It helps you master time management, build stamina for the full duration, and get comfortable with the unique Decision Making
G
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Here's the good news: the GK section score is usually not included in the calculation of your main XAT percentile. This means there's less pressure, and you can attempt the questions without the fear of it tanking your overall score. This is the part that makes it feel "easier" than the high-stakes
G
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
The XAT response sheet is the document which has answers marked by the candidates against every question and the answer key is a document carrying correct answers of those questions. XLRI sometimes releases the XAT response sheet and XAT answer key separately and sometimes is released together. Both
A
Beginner-Level 5
Every candidate is informed by XLRI Jamshedpur about their selection via email. The interview round is held in February-March and the offer letter are sent to selected candidates in April-May. Those who would not receive the confirmation letter, may consider that they are not selected for admission. Candidates must keep a check on their emails. They must keep checking spam folders too. It is also very important use the correct and fully functional email ID for XAT registration as that is the main contact point for communication from the institute.
The admission authorities will consider both sectional and overall XAT score while shortlisting candidates for group discussion and personal interview round of XLRI admission. Candidates must perform well in all the sections of XAT exam as well as in the for group discussion and personal interview to be selected for admission.