XAT Exam Pattern 2026: Check Latest Paper Format, Total Marks, Marking Scheme & Exam Duration

XAT Exam Pattern 2026 - Overview

Before attempting XAT 2026, it is important to have a comprehensive understanding of its exam pattern to know what the paper looks like, which will provide a better vision of the exam and help prepare effectively.

The table given below briefly explains the XAT exam structure to provide you with a fair idea of what can be expected from a candidate.

Don’t miss out on any of the latest updates on XAT 2026, and stay informed of all the changes, must check XAT notifications 2026.

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XAT Exam Pattern 2026: Section-Wise XAT Paper Pattern

The XAT Pattern consists of two parts with a total of 95 Questions (expected) overall. The anticipated distributions of questions are given below:

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Revised XAT Paper Pattern 2026

Some revisions have been made to the XAT 2026 exam pattern by XLRI Jamshedpur. Starting this year, the Analytical Essay Writing (AEW) section has been removed from the XAT exam and will be conducted during the Group Discussion and Personal Interview rounds. The detailed changes in the XAT paper exam are as follows:

• The duration of XAT 2025 has been reduced from 210 minutes to 180 minutes.
• The total number of questions in XAT 2025 has been reduced from 105 to 95.
• The time duration of the GK section in XAT 2025 has been reduced to 10 minutes, with the total number of questions being decreased to 20, which were earlier 25.
• XLRI will conduct the Essay Writing Test during the GD-PI Round, which was previously conducted along with the computer-based test.

These changes are expected to be same in the XAT 2026 paper; thus students aspiring for XAT 2026 must go through them thoroughly .

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XAT 2026 Paper Pattern: Section-Wise Break Up Of Questions

The XAT 2026 section, as explained before, is divided into three sections. Each section has a different number of questions, as stated below.

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XAT Marking Scheme 2026

• The total number of questions in the XAT 2026 are said to be 95 this year, which was earlier 100.
• The General Knowledge Section of XAT exam does not carry any negative markings.

This aspect of the XAT exam pattern makes the XAT exam quite difficult because of the restriction on the number of questions that can be left unattempted. Thus, the XAT Exam Strategy is extremely important to the candidates. This can only be formed after several mocks attempted by the candidate.

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XAT Test Pattern 2026: Overall & Sectional Time Limit of XAT Exam

The total duration of the XAT 2026 exam has been set as 180 minutes by XLRI Jamshedpur, which is a revision from the earlier duration of 210 minutes. Additionally, the essay writing section has been scrapped, and the score from the general knowledge section will be taken into consideration for further GD-PI rounds.

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XAT 2026 Exam Pattern: Key Changes In The Previous Years

The XAT Paper Pattern has undergone several changes over the past 3-4 years. The most significant change was the shift from the Paper Based Test to the Computer Based Test in 2018. Apart from this, other changes that have taken place over the years include:

1. XAT 2025
   • The number of questions has been reduced to 95 from 100 in XAT 2025, and the exam duration has decreased to 180 minutes, down from 210 minutes previously.
   • Notably, the essay writing section has been eliminated from the paper for this year.
2. XAT 2023
   • In XAT 2023, the total number of decision-making questions was 22, and the exam time was extended to 210 minutes.
3. XAT 2022
   • The essay writing section was reintroduced in XAT 2022.
4. XAT 2020
   • Subjective questions returned to the exam format in XAT 2020.
5. XAT 2019
   • Subjective questions were removed from the XAT exam in 2019.
6. XAT 2018
   • The essay-based question was eliminated after XAT 2018.

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XAT Paper Pattern: Section-Wise Analysis Of XAT 2026 Paper

As you can see, the XAT test pattern has been shifting slightly over the years. This makes preparing for the XAT Exam slightly tricky; however, the sections have remained the same, which is why the XAT 2026 Syllabus can be looked at in brief.

Often, the student focuses on mastering only a few sections and neglects others. However, all sections have a certain weightage, and not being able to score well can hinder the XAT selection or XAT cutoff procedure.

Section 1: Verbal & Logical Ability

This section is a combination of the VARC section and LR section from the CAT Exam. The topics which are generally tested in this section, apart from Reading Comprehension, include:

• Vocabulary, Analogy
• Paragraph Jumbles, Paragraph Completion
• Critical Reasoning
• Statements-Assumptions

Section 2: Decision Making

This is a section that is not tested at all in CAT or in any other MBA Entrance Exams. Last year, it consisted of 6 passages with 2-3 questions each.

There is no particular preparation or syllabus for this section as it is based on the candidate's clarity of thought. The set of questions also ensures that the candidate's answers do not contradict each other.

Section 3: Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation

This section, like section 1, is a combination of two sections from the CAT Exam. This section consists of the Quantitative Ability as well as Data Interpretation Questions. The Data Interpretation sets are usually followed by 3-4 questions.

The syllabus for the Quantitative Ability is the same as in CAT, with the most frequently asked topics being:

In XAT 2025 examination, this section comprised a total of 16 QA questions and 3 DI sets with 4 questions in each set, indicating the focus areas.

Section 4: General Knowledge

The General Knowledge section of the XAT 2026 is expected to have no syllabus and can range from current affairs as well as trivia. Based on previous trends, the questions are a balance between static GK and current affairs. The syllabus for this section can vary from literature and politics to technology.

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XAT Difficulty Level 2026 (Expected)

Based on the analysis of the previous year's XAT exam, the anticipated difficulty level of the XAT 2026 exam is expected to vary from moderately challenging. The following table outlines the specific level of difficulty for each section of the XAT 2026 exam:

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XAT Exam Pattern 2026: Sectional Weightage

The XAT 2026 question paper is expected to contain about 100 multiple-choice questions spread across four sections. The Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation section holds the most significant weightage. Below is a breakdown of the weightage for each section in the XAT exam:

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XAT Preparation Strategy 2026

The XAT exam is one of the most common entrances for those aspiring to pursue an MBA at a reputable B-school. It is considered to be the toughest entrance exam after the CAT, and it requires rigorous practice and hard work to ace the XAT exam. Therefore, it is important to have a thorough knowledge of the XAT exam pattern and an understanding of the syllabus. It is crucial to gear up your XAT preparation by starting to take the XAT mock test series at regular intervals to check your progress, analyze them, and improve your performance in the actual exam.

Preparation Tips For XAT 2026

You can refer to some of the best books for XAT and use study materials suggested by your mentor and industry experts. Here are some tips that you can incorporate into your study schedule to enhance your XAT preparation, as follows:

• Prepare a schedule: To begin your preparation, it is important that you have a schedule you can follow diligently. Break down the preparation into sections and further concepts. This will allow you to manage your syllabus against a deadline and leave time for revisions.
• Identify weak and strong areas: Identifying your weaknesses and strengths will allow you to spend time on the syllabus more appropriately. You will be able to focus on improving your weaknesses and utilizing your strengths correctly when attempting the paper.
• Practice with mock tests: Mock tests are the boon of every MBA entrance exam including XAT. They will help you understand your level of preparedness, evaluate the effectiveness of your exam strategy, give a comparison against your peers and determine the areas of improvement.
• Review previous years’ papers: Previous years’ papers will help you familiarise yourself with the exam pattern and types of questions to be expected and help you revise. Attempting previous papers will also help you in a manner similar to mock tests.
• Revise regularly: After you have covered the syllabus, it is essential that you revise the concepts regularly, be it by going over your notes, attempting questions or giving mock tests. The revision will help you solidify the concepts and help improve speed and accuracy.

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Key Changes In The XAT Paper Pattern In Previous Years

The table below provides a detailed summary of the XAT exam patterns over the years from 2015 to 2026, highlighting key changes and trends.

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Conclusion

XAT is considered the toughest MBA Entrance Exam because the level of questions in each section is generally considered tougher than CAT. Thus, the preparation for the same is quite difficult. However, with proper preparation and analysis of the XAT previous papers and XAT pattern, candidates can clear the XAT cutoffs and get admission to top B-schools in India.

The XAT Exam is also acknowledged to be one of the more transparent exams with the XAT exam paper as well as the XAT answer key released by XLRI Jamshedpur before the result is announced. In addition to this, after the XAT result is announced, there is a limited time window for the candidate to contest the result and demand a recount of his/her score.

While the XAT exam has a similar syllabus to CAT, the Decision Making, General Knowledge and Essay Writing sections are solely found in XAT and require separate preparation. As most candidates would also be attempting other MBA exams, special focus can be given to these three sections when planning for the XAT exam.

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