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XAT exam pattern 2026 includes details regarding exam paper structure, time allotment, marking system, & section-wise weightage. Check here to get all the details about the XAT Exam Pattern 2026.
Subham Sahoo29 Aug, 2025
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XAT Exam Pattern 2026: XLRI Jamshedpur is the authority responsible for deciding the XAT exam pattern 2026. The XAT exam pattern typically includes a total of five sections grouped into three parts. The XAT exam includes both objective and subjective questions across three parts.
The first part of the XAT exam includes three sections, namely
Decision Making
Verbal & Logical Ability
QADI.
Following this, candidates have to take a 5-minute mock keyboard test. The third and final part of the XAT exam includes a GK section with a brief essay topic spanning 30 minutes. Each section, except for essay writing, contains 22-27 multiple-choice questions with five answer options. Candidates must adhere to the specified time limits for each section, with PwD candidates receiving an additional 20 minutes per part. Unlike other sections in the XAT exam, the GK section does not include negative markings for inaccurate responses.
XAT Exam Pattern 2026
The XAT 2026 Exam Pattern explains how the XAT entrance test will be structured for students looking to join top management colleges in India. The exam will consist of different sections, including verbal ability, decision making, quantitative aptitude, and general knowledge. Each part tests a specific skill needed for MBA programs, and all questions are multiple-choice. Knowing the pattern helps students prepare better and avoid surprises on the exam day. Understanding these details makes planning your study much easier and more effective.
XAT Exam Pattern 2026 Overview
Candidates aspiring to appear for the XAT Exam 2026 need to understand the Exam Pattern in the first place. The following table shows the overview of the XAT exam pattern 2026:
XAT Exam Pattern 2026 Overview
Mode of examination
Online
XAT exam time duration
210 minutes
Extra 20 minutes per hour for PwD candidates
Language of paper
English
Number of sections
5 sections
Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning (VA & LR)
Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation (QA & DI)
Decision-making (DM)
Analytical Essay Writing (AEW)
General Knowledge (GK)
Number of questions
101 + 1 AEW
XAT total marks
101
No. of answer choices
Five
XAT marking scheme
+1 mark for a correct answer
- 0.25 marks for incorrect answer
No negative marking for inaccurate answers in the GK section
- 0.10 marks for leaving questions Unattempted after 8 unanswered questions in a row
XAT Exam Pattern 2026 Sectional Weightage
The XAT 2026 question paper will include approximately 100 multiple-choice questions distributed across four sections. The Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation section carries the highest weightage. The table below presents the section-wise weightage for the XAT exam:
XAT Exam Pattern 2026 Sectional Weightage
Section
Weightage
Decision Making
21%
VARC
26%
QA and DI
27%
GK
25%
XAT Exam Pattern 2026 Section-Wise Break-Up
The section-wise questions vary in the XAT exam. Additionally, candidates get a specified time limit to complete the questions in different parts of the XAT exam. The table below presents the detailed section-wise XAT exam pattern 2025 along with question types
Section
Duration
Number of Questions
Question Types
XAT Part-1
Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning (VA & LR)
175 mins
26
Critical & analytical reasoning Reading comprehension Vocabulary English grammar Para jumbles Cloze tests
Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation (QA & DI)
28
Arithmetic Algebra Geometry Mensuration Modern maths
Decision-making (DM)
22
Scenarios from personal and professional contexts Problems on critical thinking, prioritization, and problem-solving
XAT Part-2
Mock Keyboard Testing
5 mins
NA
Testing Keyboard typing skills
XAT Part-3
General Knowledge (GK)
30 mins
25
Static GK Current affairs
Analytical Essay Writing (AEW)
1
250-word essay on any one of the three provided topics. Candidates are tested for demonstrating logical consistency, coherence, and strong argumentation
XAT Marking Scheme 2026
A significant aspect of the XAT examination paper is its unique marking scheme. Unlike other MBA entrance exams, the XAT exam includes negative markings for unattempted questions. However, there isn’t any negative marking for marking wrong answers in the GK section. Additionally, the GK section marks are not considered for calculating the XAT overall score. The table below presents the notable XAT marking scheme:
XAT Marking Scheme 2026
Marks are awarded for each correct answer
+1 mark
Negative marking for incorrect answers
- 0.25 marks
Marks deducted for leaving more than 8 questions unattempted
-0.10
XAT Exam Pattern Flexibility for PwD Candidates
XLRI Jamshedpur offers relaxation on time allotment to PwD and visually impaired candidates for completing their XAT exam papers. These are as follows:
Flexibility for PwD Candidates
PwD candidates are granted flexibility in the XAT exam timing. To complete Part 1 of XAT, candidates get 165 and 220 minutes, and for Part 2, they get 15 and 20 minutes. The extra time allotment permits candidates to complete the XAT exam within 190 and 240 minutes.
Visually Impaired Candidates
Candidates with visual impairments are allowed an additional 25 minutes to complete Part 1 questions. In total, these candidates get 200 minutes to complete Part 1 of the XAT exam.
Changes to XAT Exam Pattern
The XAT paper pattern has seen notable modifications in recent years. In 2018, XLRI introduced the most significant modification by transitioning the exam from Paper paper-based test (PBT) to a computer-based test (CBT). Other changes to the XAT exam pattern include the following:
Changes in the number of questions per section.
Removal of Essay-Based Questions after XAT 2018.
Inclusion of the descriptive question in 2020 after its removal in 2019.
Reduction in the allowed unattempted questions without negative marking from 12 to 8.
Inclusion of Essay Writing from XAT 2022.
Increase in the time allotment and total number of questions of the decision-making section in XAT 2023.
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