XAT : Full Exam Guide for Every MBA Aspirant
Get to Know Everything about XAT
What is the XAT ?
The Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) is one of India’s most prestigious MBA entrance exams, conducted annually by XLRI Jamshedpur on behalf of XAMI (Xavier Association of Management Institutes).
XAT scores are accepted by XLRI Jamshedpur and over 160+ top MBA colleges in India, making it one of the most important exams after CAT.
The exam tests a candidate’s decision-making ability, logical reasoning, verbal skills, data interpretation, quantitative aptitude, and general awareness—making it a unique test compared to CAT, SNAP, or NMAT.
Key Highlights
| Conducting Body | XLRI Jamshedpur (on behalf of XAMI) |
| Exam Level | National-level MBA entrance exam |
| Exam Date (Tentative) | First Sunday of January 2026 |
| Mode of Exam | Online (Computer-based) |
| Exam Duration | 3 hours 30 minutes |
| Sections | Verbal & Logical Ability, Decision Making, Quantitative Ability & DI, General Knowledge, Essay Writing |
| Question Type | MCQs + Descriptive Essay |
| Colleges Accepting XAT | 160+ MBA institutes including XLRI, XIMB, IMT, Great Lakes, TAPMI |
| Attempts Allowed | Once a year |
| Score Validity | 1 year |
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification: Graduation in any discipline from a recognized university.
Final Year Students: Eligible, provided they complete graduation by June 2026.
Minimum Marks: No minimum percentage required (unlike CAT).
Age Limit: No age restriction.
Work Experience: Not mandatory, but beneficial for XLRI admissions.
Exam Pattern
The XAT pattern is different from other MBA exams, as it includes decision-making and essay writing.
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal & Logical Ability | 26 | 26 |
| Decision Making | 22 | 22 |
| Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation | 28 | 28 |
| General Knowledge | 25 | Not counted in percentile |
| Essay Writing | 1 (descriptive) | Evaluated in GDPI stage |
| Total | 97 + 1 essay | 74 percentile-based |
Marking Scheme: +1 for correct, –0.25 for wrong answers.
Additional Penalty: –0.10 for more than 8 unattempted questions.
GK & Essay: Do not count in XAT percentile but are considered in final selection rounds.
Syllabus Overview
1. Verbal & Logical Ability (26 Qs)
Reading Comprehension (inference-based passages)
Critical Reasoning
Para Jumbles & Para Summary
Vocabulary (analogy, synonyms, antonyms)
Grammar & Sentence Correction
2. Decision Making (22 Qs)
Business Situations
Ethical Dilemmas
Analytical Scenarios
HR & Management Caselets
(This is a unique section only in XAT.)
3. Quantitative Ability & DI (28 Qs)
Arithmetic: TSD, Ratio, Percentage, Profit & Loss
Algebra: Equations, Progressions
Geometry & Mensuration
Probability & Statistics
Data Interpretation: Tables, Graphs, Caselets
4. General Knowledge (25 Qs)
Current Affairs (last 1 year)
Business & Economy
International Events
Awards, Sports, Science & Tech
5. Essay Writing
Abstract topics (e.g., “Data privacy is a myth”)
Current issues (e.g., “AI vs Human Intelligence”)
Exam Difficulty Level
Most Difficult Sections: Decision Making, Quantitative Ability.
Moderate Sections: Verbal & Logical Ability.
Tricky Section: GK (vast and unpredictable).
Overall, XAT is tougher than CAT in terms of time pressure and unique sections.
Cut-Off Trends
| College | Expected Cut-Off (Percentile) |
|---|---|
| XLRI Jamshedpur (BM) | 95–96 |
| XLRI Jamshedpur (HRM) | 92–94 |
| XIMB Bhubaneswar | 90–92 |
| IMT Ghaziabad | 85–90 |
| Great Lakes Chennai | 80+ |
| TAPMI Manipal | 80+ |
Application Process
Visit the official website: xatonline.in.
Register with name, email, and mobile number.
Fill in academic and work experience details.
Select XLRI programs (BM, HRM, GMP).
Upload photo & signature.
Pay application fees online.
Application Fees
XAT Exam Fee: ₹2,100 (approx).
XLRI Program Fee: ₹200 per program (if applying).
Important Dates (Tentative 2025)
Registration Start: July 2025
Registration End: November 2025
Admit Card Release: December 2025
Exam Date: First Sunday, January 2026
Result Declaration: January 2026
Preparation Strategy
Start Early: At least 6–8 months of prep is recommended.
Focus on Decision Making: Practice past XAT papers.
Quant Section: Prioritize Arithmetic & Geometry.
Verbal Ability: Improve RC accuracy & vocabulary.
GK Prep: Read newspapers + monthly compendiums.
Mocks: 20–25 XAT mocks + sectional practice.
Best Books for XAT
How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude – Arun Sharma
Analytical Reasoning – M.K. Pandey
Word Power Made Easy – Norman Lewis
Past XAT papers (official PDFs)
Career Scope After XAT
Top Colleges: XLRI Jamshedpur, XIMB, IMT, TAPMI, GIM Goa, Great Lakes.
Average Placements:
XLRI BM: ₹30+ LPA
XLRI HRM: ₹27+ LPA
XIMB: ₹18–20 LPA
Specializations: Business Management, Human Resource Management, General Management, International Business.
FAQs
First Sunday of January 2026 (tentative).
Yes, due to decision-making & longer duration.
Over 160 MBA colleges, including XLRI.
Yes, –0.25 for wrong answers and –0.10 for more than 8 unattempted questions.
Not mandatory, but coaching/mocks help in decision-making.
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