XAT Exam Analysis 2025 (Available): Get detailed Analysis, Paper Review, Expected Cutoff Here

Xavier Aptitude Test 2026 ( XAT )

DeskCalelnderRegistration - 10 Jul '25 - 5 Dec '25

Vipra Shrivastava
Updated on Oct 2, 2025 12:23 IST

By Vipra Shrivastava, Senior Manager - Content

XAT 2025 analysis - As per the review of XAT 2025 question paper, the exam was of moderate difficulty level. Quants section was dominated by Arithmetic and Mensuration. Decision Making questions were lengthy but doable, VALR questions were easy to moderate.

The XAT exam analysis 2025 includes indepth discussion of sectional difficulty level, topic wise weightage, types of questions, number of good attempts and expected XAT cut offs for XLRI admission.  Exam analysis will help XAT 2026 aspirants in preparing for the exam. Check below analysis of XAT 2025 and previous years.

XAT 2026 exam will be held on January 4, 2026. Shiksha will provide detailed analysis of the XAT 2026 question paper here on the exam day. 

Table of content
  • XAT 2025 Analysis
  • XAT 2024 Analysis
  • XAT 2023 Analysis
  • XAT 2022 Analysis
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XAT 2025 Analysis

In XAT 2025, the VA and LR section was moderate, Decision Making was also moderate, but QA-DI was slightly tough. Check below, section wise difficulty level of XAT question paper 2025:

XAT section

Topics

Difficulty level

VA & LR

RC passages

Poem

Sentence Correction

Para Jumble

Fill in the blanks

Conclusion/Inference

Moderate

DM

Event Management Company

Law Firm

Newspaper: The Pluralist

Kindercare Hospital

MBA Postgraduate

Leadership Trade

Suburb

Moderate

QA & DI

Linear Equation

Coordinate Geometry

Mensuration

Ratio & Proportion

Simple Interest, Compound Interest

Probability

Surds

Averages

Circles

Grid

Numbers

Height & Distance

Log

Data Interpretation

Moderate to Difficult

GK

History

Geography

Economics and Business

Personality and awards Science and Tech

Sports

 Entertainment

Easy

Essay Topics

 

Moderate

Read Here: Detailed XAT 2025 Exam Analysis

Watch XAT 2025 Student Reactions and Reviews

Also Read:

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Which section of XAT question paper is lengthiest?
A: 

It depends upon each candidate which section of XAT exam paper they find lengthy. It also depends on the questions chosen for the exam in that particular year. However, it has been seen that Data Interpretation questions are usually lengthy. Overall, the Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation section has the maximum number of questions i.e. 28 and candidates have to solve at least 22-24 questions to meet the desired cut off. So, this section may appear lengthy to the candidate. 

To some candidates, the Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning section appears to be lengthy, because of dense reading comprehension passages and reasoning questions based on analogy, series, etc. The fact that both these sections are from the Part 1 of the XAT exam which is of 175 minutes makes it manageable as along with Decision Making, one can solve a decent number of QA-DI and VA-LR questions in 175 minutes.

Q:   Are XAT Decision Making questions tough?
A: 

XAT Decision Making questions can be tricky. The key is to understand the gist of the passages and what solution is being discussed in it. Some candidates may find XAT Decision Making questions difficult as they may be unfamiliar with business situations that require ethical decisions to be taken. To crack this section of XAT, practice a variety of Decision Making questions.

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XAT 2024 Analysis

The XAT 2024 exam was moderately difficult. The QA & DI section was tougher than DM and VA & LR sections check the table below for sectional break up and difficulty level:

XAT section

Topics

Difficulty level

VA & LR

RC, Poem, fill in the blanks, Critical Reasoning, Grammar (Correct-incorrect sentence), Para jumble

Moderate

DM

Raman & Flying Grocery Store, Shalini & Nalini Incentive Given for Loyalty, Prabhu Tax Service, Go Valve & Safe Valve, Vinita Lama & SUV Decision, Vimal & Sharda Stolen Ring, ABC Business School

Moderate

QA & DI

Linear Equation, Quadratic Equation, Logarithm, Time, speed, distance, Profit and loss, Arithmetic progression, Geometry, Number system, Data Sufficiency, PnC, Polynomials, data interpretation

Moderate to Difficult

GK

History, Geography, Economics and business , Personality and awards, Science and tech, Sports, Books and authors , Current affairs, Nobel Prize, Entertainment

Difficult

Essay Topics

Tech prediction,

Social media regulation and fake news,

Abstract topic

Moderate

Also Read:

Also Read:

Check XAT cut offs and predict calls from XLRI and other colleges accepting XAT score for admission. Check Fees, Placement Reviews, Admission, Shortlist Criteria and Eligibility of all XAT participating colleges by clicking the link below:

Predict XAT Admission Calls
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is the XAT section wise weightage?
A: 

XAT exam is more Quantitative Ability and Verbal and Logical Ability based. Which is why these two sections have more weightage than rest of the section. And between these two, Quantitative Ability has more weightage. In terms of marks too, the Quantitative Ability has maximum weightage, i.e. 28 marks, followed by Verbal and Logical Ability with 26 marks, General Knowledge carries 25 marks and Decision Making carries 22 marks.

XAT Sections

Number of Questions

Total Marks

Decision Making

22

22

Verbal and Logical Ability

26

26

Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation

28

28

General Knowledge

25

25

Essay Writing

1 (out of 3 options)

To be evaluated at the time of shortlisting

Q:   What is the difficulty level of the XAT exam?
A: 

XAT is one of the tougher MBA entrance exams. The difficulty level of the XAT question paper is usually moderate to high. The XAT 2024 question paper was of moderate difficulty level. The Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation section is usually tougher than other sections. Verbal and Logical Reasoning section is usually moderate. However, some candidates find the Verbal Ability section tough as it has questions based on Reading Comprehension passages and poem. Decision Making and General Knowledge sections are moderate to easy.

Out of 100 questions, about 70-75 attempts with 70 to 80 per cent accuracy is considered a good attempt in the XAT exam. The test takers must strive to attempt 2/3 rd of the total questions in each section for a decent overall score. If a candidate scores 95 percentile, they will be in a position to get a good college.

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XAT 2023 Analysis

  • QA-DI was tough and dominated by Arithmetic
  • Verbal and Logical Ability was easy to moderate
  • Decision Making was easy to moderate
  • GK was moderate with current affairs and static GK question
  • Essay topics were abstract in nature but doable
  • Verbal and Logical Ability section had four RC passages and one poems.

XAT Analysis 2023: VALR

The XAT Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning section was easy and had 26 questions. The section was dominated by RC questions. This year, there was only one poem which was easy. About 16-18 attempts will be good in XAT Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning. Check the sectional composition of XAT VALR section below:

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 questions were easy except for one set which was modelled on old DI type decision making questions. About 15-17 attempts will be good in this section:

Check the sectional composition of XAT Decision Making section below:

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 Analysis 2023: QA-DI

This year, the XAT Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation section was was dominated by Arithmetic and slightly tougher than last year. About 16-18 attempts will be considered good in this section. Check out the sectional composition of XAT Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation section below:

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

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 topics to choose one frm which were as follows:

  • Decarbonisation by India is hampering the Indian industries
  • People with less IQ are more successful
  • Taking risks in life

Also read:

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   When are XAT cut offs released?
A: 

XLRI Jamshedpur releases the XAT cut offs every year in the month of February after the result announcement. The XAT exam is held on the first Sunday of January and the result is announced in the last week of January. And within a week of result announcement, the XAT cut offs are released.

The XAT cut offs are released at the official website of XLRI Jamshedpur and are available for download without login. The XAT cut offs are released for PGDM-HRM and PGDM-BM gender and academic stream wise. The document contains sectional and overall cut off percentiles for male, female, male non engineering and female non-engineering categories. Selection of candidates for the Personal Interview and Group Discussion round of XLRI admission is done on the basis of these category wise cut offs.

Q:   How is XAT score calculated?
A: 

XAT score is calculated on the basis of raw scores obtained a candidate in each section. In the XAT exam, every correct answer carries 1 mark and every incorrect entry carries – 0.25 marks. There is no negative marking for skipping a question. But, in case of eight consecutive unanswered questions, 0.10 marks will be deducted. XAT has about 99 questions on which the score calculation is done. So, for example, if you have got 70 questions correct and 8 questions in correct, then your raw XAT score will be 70 – 1 = 69.

If you have not answered 8 questions consecutively, then your score will be 69- 0.10 =  68.90. This raw score will be further calculated to arrive at XAT percentile. Check here the XAT percentile calculation process: https://www.shiksha.com/mba/articles/xat-score-vs-percentile-how-much-xat-score-will-get-me-99-percentile-blogId-52337

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XAT 2022 Analysis

XAT 2022 analysis indicates that the exam was easier than CAT 2021. Re-introduction of Essay Writing did pose difficutly to some students but the exam was overall doable. The Decision Making and Verbal Ability sections were easy to attempt, whereas Quantitative Aptitude was slightly more difficult than other sections due to lengthiness of some questions. GK section was also moderate. 

XAT exam was conducted on January 2 in online mode at various exam centres from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM. The question paper as told by test takers and experts, was moderate to high difficulty level. 

XAT 2022 Analysis: Section wise

Section-wise, the highlight of XAT 2022 included easy Decision Making passages, two poems in VARC and DI oriented QADI section. Given below is the table indicating sectional-dificulty levels of XAT 2022:

XAT Sections

No. of Questions

Total Marks

Level of Difficulty

Decision Making

21

21

Moderate

Verbal and Logical Ability

26

26

Moderate

Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation

28

28

Tough

General Knowledge

25

25

Tough

Essay Writing

1

To be evaluated after shortlisting

Moderate

Also Read:

Watch XAT 2020 analysis by test takers

Read More:

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is the XAT section wise weightage?
A: 

XAT exam is more Quantitative Ability and Verbal and Logical Ability based. Which is why these two sections have more weightage than rest of the section. And between these two, Quantitative Ability has more weightage. In terms of marks too, the Quantitative Ability has maximum weightage, i.e. 28 marks, followed by Verbal and Logical Ability with 26 marks, General Knowledge carries 25 marks and Decision Making carries 22 marks.

XAT Sections

Number of Questions

Total Marks

Decision Making

22

22

Verbal and Logical Ability

26

26

Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation

28

28

General Knowledge

25

25

Essay Writing

1 (out of 3 options)

To be evaluated at the time of shortlisting

Q:   What is the difficulty level of the XAT exam?
A: 

XAT is one of the tougher MBA entrance exams. The difficulty level of the XAT question paper is usually moderate to high. The XAT 2024 question paper was of moderate difficulty level. The Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation section is usually tougher than other sections. Verbal and Logical Reasoning section is usually moderate. However, some candidates find the Verbal Ability section tough as it has questions based on Reading Comprehension passages and poem. Decision Making and General Knowledge sections are moderate to easy.

Out of 100 questions, about 70-75 attempts with 70 to 80 per cent accuracy is considered a good attempt in the XAT exam. The test takers must strive to attempt 2/3 rd of the total questions in each section for a decent overall score. If a candidate scores 95 percentile, they will be in a position to get a good college.

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XAT Exam

Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered a month 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

...Read more

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Nishtha Shukla

Guide-Level 15

Answered a month 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

Nishtha Shukla

Guide-Level 15

Answered a month 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

...Read more

N

Nishtha Shukla

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

...Read more

A

Aarushi Hazarika

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

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N

Nishtha Shukla

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

...Read more

A

Anya B

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

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S

Saurabh Khanduri

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

...Read more

E

Esha Singh

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

...Read more

M

Manisha Singh

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

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M

Ms Shruti Gupta

Contributor-Level 10

1125 Institutes accepting XAT

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