XAT Sample Papers

You should ideally begin preparing XAT sample examinations several weeks before the actual exam date. Starting 2-3 months before the test is a decent starting point. This enables you to examine your strengths and weaknesses, become acquainted with the test format, and devise efficient time-management methods. Taking practice exams on a regular basis helps imitate actual testing situations, improves problem-solving abilities, and develops endurance for the lengthy exam. It also gives you insight into the sorts of questions offered on the XAT, allowing you to customize your preparation accordingly. Remember to evaluate your performance after each mock test to find areas for improvement and alter your study strategy as needed.

It is a fact that institutes want diversity in their batches. There is no restriction on educational background for appearing in the XAT. If the candidates meet the basic eligibility criteria, they can appear for XAT. While the XAT exam may be a little tough for candidates from non-engineering backgrounds but any candidate with good critical thinking skills and the ability to learn new things can prepare for the exam and qualify.

It is usually seen that engineering students have better knowledge of mathematics and non-engineering students have better communication skills which help them to solve RCs better, to qualify in the XAT exam, students should develop a strategic approach.

Yes, solving XAT question paper is of immense help in exam preparation as one can get an idea of the exam pattern, difficulty level of the questions, and learn time management. The XAT question papers of previous years also give you an idea of what type of questions (Reading Comprehension passages and poem) are asked in XAT. In fact, preparation of Decision Making section is totally dependent on XAT question papers. XAT question papers of previous years also act as practice test providing you with the opportunity to master speed and time management.

Candidates must solve previous years’ XAT questions paper of at least last five years, so that they are aware of the latest type of questions especially poem, RC passages and Decision Making passages.

XAT exam was held for 3 hours and 30 minutes. However, with the revision of exam pattern, it was held for 3 hours in 2025. There is sectional time-limit in the test. 170 minutes are allotted to Part 1 comprising Decision Making, Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation and Verbal Ability. Part 2 has General Knowledge section to be solved in 10 minutes. No bio-break is allowed during the exam. Candidates have to finish the test in the given time limit only. The test screen will move from part 1 to part 2 the moment 170 minutes get over and once the 10 minutes of part 2 will be over, the test window will be locked. Candidates must keep saving their entries after every attempt as there is no provision in XAT to go back and review your answers once the time limit for that part is over.

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.

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.