XAT Exam pattern 2025: Exam on Jan 5, 2025; Check XAT 2025 Exam Pattern and Section-Wise Marks Distribution, Types & Weightage of Questions
Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) is an important MBA entrance exam for admission to XLRI and 160 other top B-schools. XAT is a computer based test of three hours thirty minutes duration and is divided into five sections: Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning; Decision Making; Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation; General Knowledge; Essay Writing Test. XAT 2025 Exam date is January 5, 2025. XAT 2025 exam pattern is expected to remain same as last year comprising 101 questions. However, XLRI may revise the XAT Syllabus and Pattern for 2025 exam.
Latest Updates
- XAT 2025 Exam date is January 5, 2025
- XAT exam is held in a single slot of 3 Hrs 30 Minutes duration
- XAT Exam Consists of 5 sections – VALR, DM, QADI, GK, AEW
- XAT has No Individual Sectional time limit
MBAUniverse.com has provided past XAT papers and model papers as per exact XLRI Entrance Exam Pattern for XAT exam to help you assess your preparation. You can attempt each of these papers free of cost. Please note that XLRI pattern and XAT entrance exam pattern is one and the same thing for admission. Shared below are the key features of revised XAT exam pattern 2025, number of questions in each section, XAT Exam duration, XAT Exam marking scheme, weightage of each section in XAT exam and more
Table of Contents
- What is XAT Exam Pattern? XAT Pattern 2025: Key Highlights
- XAT Pattern 2025: Sections, Number & Type of Questions
- XAT Exam 2025 Pattern for VALR
- XAT 2025 Pattern for DM
- Pattern For XAT 2025 for QADI
- XAT 2025 Sectional Pattern for GK
- XAT 2025 Sectional Pattern for AEW
- XAT Vs CAT: Comparative Analysis
- XAT: Key Changes in Exam Pattern over the years
- FAQs on XAT Exam Pattern
1. What is XAT Exam Pattern? XAT Pattern 2025: Key Highlights
XAT 2025 is the mandatory exam for MBA admission in XLRI and many other top B-schools. XAT 2025 Question Paper has 5 sections and out of them 3 are core sections which are counted for percentile calculation– Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning; Decision Making; Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation. Score of other 2 sections - General Knowledge and Analytical Essay Writing Test is taken into account during the PI round. You need to ensure high score in each of the three core sections as there is also a sectional score cut off in XLRI for shortlisting. Below are shared the key highlights of XAT Exam Pattern and Syllabus.
XAT 2025 Exam Highlights
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XAT Exam Particulars
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Details
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XAT Exam 2025 Full Form
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Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) 2025
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XAT 2025 Conducted by
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Xavier School of Management (XLRI) Jamshedpur
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XAT 2025 Exam Date
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Sunday, January 5, 2025
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XAT Official Website
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xatonline.in
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XAT 2025 Registration Fee
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Rs.2100
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Number of Candidates who registered for last XAT exam
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1.35 lakhs
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Top MBA colleges accepting XAT Exam
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XLRI, XIMB, IMI, IMT, FORE, Great Lakes, GIM, IMT Nagpur
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Total Questions in the Exam
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100 + Essay Writing Test
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Number of Sections
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5; Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning; Decision Making; Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation; General Knowledge; Analytical Essay Writing (AEW)
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Number of Answer Options
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5
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Scoring Pattern in XAT exam
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+1 Mark for Each Correct Answer
-0.25 Mark for Each Wrong Answer
0 Mark for Un-attempted Question
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XAT Exam Duration
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3 hours 30 Minutes
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XAT Sectional Time Limit
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No Sectional Time Limit
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XAT Application Fee 2024
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Rs.2000/- (Under Revision)
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Facility to Choose Order of Sections
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Yes, Attempt any question from any section within overall time limit
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2. XAT Pattern 2025: Sections, Number & Type of Questions
XAT 2025 Sectional Pattern as given below is based on XAT Exam Pattern and Syllabus 2024. The table shares the XAT exam sectional order from Section-1 to Section-5, number and type of questions in each section, questions with and without negative marking
XAT 2024 Exam Pattern
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Exam Sections
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Number of questions
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Overall Time & Scoring Pattern
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Part-1
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75 Total MCQs
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175 Minutes. Max.75 Marks(+1 Mark for each Correct answer; -0.25 Negative Marking for each wrong answer)
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Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning
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26
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No Sectional Time Limit. +1 and -0.25 (Max 26 Marks)
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Decision Making
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21
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No Sectional Time Limit. +1 and – 0.25(Max 22 Marks)
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Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation
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28
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No Sectional Time Limit. +1 and – 0.25 (Max 28 Marks)
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Part-2
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25 Total MCQs + Essay Writing Test
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30 Minutes
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General Knowledge
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25
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Complete both parts in 30 Minutes. +1; No Negative Marking (Max 25 Marks)
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Analytical Essay Writing (AEW)
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1 Descriptive Topic
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Will be evaluated if you are shortlisted for PI round.
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Total questions (Part 1 + Part 2)
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100+ 1 Essay
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Max 101 Marks; Essay Evaluation after shortlisting is over based on score obtained in Part-1 sections
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FAQs
Q. In how many days XAT exam will be conducted
A. The exam will be conducted in a single day as a computer based test
Q. In how many sessions will XAT 2025 exam be conducted?
A. Like previous years, this year also, the exam will be conducted in single slot of 3 hours 30 minutes duration
Q. What is the Mode of XAT 2025 exam?
A. It is a computer based test and is conducted at test centres. Last year the exam was conducted in more than 70 test cities.
Q. Is XAT a difficult exam?
A. Yes, to some extent it is a difficult exam with a unique Decision Making section.
Q. Can I attempt any section in XAT within over all time limit?
A. Yes, it does not have individual sectional time limit
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3. XAT Exam 2025 Pattern for VALR
XAT Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning section carries overall 26% Weightage in XAT exam. Out of total 100 questions in XAT, 26 questions are based on VALR section.
The VALR Section in XAT is divided into 3 parts. The 1st part covers topics on Verbal Ability, the 2nd Part covers Reading Comprehension passages and the 3rd part covers Reasoning section. Below is shared the topic wise VALR sectional pattern with number of questions in the exam and actual XAT questions that appeared recently in the exam to help you familiarise with the type of questions in XAT
Exam Wise Section wise Topics & Types of Questions Table
Year: XAT 2024
Section: Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning (VALR)
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Sub-section/ Topic
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Type of Questions
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Description
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No of Questions
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Verbal Ability
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Sentence Correction
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Grammatically Correct & Incorrect Sentences
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3
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Para Summary
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Making choice of Summary of small Paragraph
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1
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Jumbled Paragraph
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Placing the 5 Jumbled sentences in coherent paragraphs
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2
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Fill in the Blanks
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Filling 2 Blanks in each sentence with correct words
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2
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Reading Comprehension
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|||
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Questions on True False Statement, Argument, Inference, Main Idea, Interpretation of Phrase as used in RC; Passage Title
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RC Passage 1
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Topic: Beauty has an aesthetic, but it is not the same as aesthetics
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2
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RC Passage 2
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Topic: The problem of unrecognized ignorance
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3
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RC Passage 3
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Topic: Simplified moral frames
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3
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RC Passage 4
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Topic: Reductive instinct and realist storytelling
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2
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RC Passage 5
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Topic: Mass vaccination and herd immunity
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3
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RC Passage 6
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Topic: Poem
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2
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Reasoning
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Critical Reasoning
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True False, Correct Logica following the Statements, Best combination
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3
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Total Questions
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26
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Toppers’ Tips
“My main source for preparation of the VA section was the daily newspapers (mainly The Hindu or Indian Express). Apart from that, one of the main things anyone should focus on is to read the RCs and poems in the exam extremely carefully before attempting”
Nipun Garg, XAT Topper 99.95%; XLRI PGDM-BM 2023-25
“For verbal, I was mainly studying from online available sources. My major focus in verbal was to ensure that I can understand the meaning of the passages and poems and don’t make silly mistakes during examination. So, I was regularly reading short passages on diverse topics and I had set a fixed timing of 1.5-2 hrs every day to spend on verbal section solving RCs and critical reasoning questions.”
Harsh Gupta, XAT Topper 99.99%; XLRI PGDM-BM 2023-25
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4. XAT 2025 Pattern for DM
Decision Making (DM) is a unique section in Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) and carries a weightage of 21% in the exam. It tests you not on your ability to learn concepts or remember formulas, but on your ability to holistically view a situation and propose a solution to a problem. DM also tests you on your ethical standing and asks you to take a decision in a conflicting situation. Three different types of questions asked in Decision Making section are on Data Based Problems, Situation Based Problems and a Mixture of both type of Problems. Below is shared the topic wise XAT entrance exam pattern for Decision Making
Exam Wise Section wise Topics & Types of Questions
Year: XAT 2024
Section: Decision Making
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Sub-section/ Topic
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Type of Questions
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Description
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No of Questions
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Caselet-1
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Problem Based on Human Resources
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Experience Credentials of Employees
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3
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Caselet-2
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Problem Based on ABC Business School
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Disciplined School with High Placements but less learning
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3
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Caselet-3
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Problem Based on Taxis
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Competition among Taxi Drivers
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3
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Caselet-3
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Problem Based on Sales & Marketing
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SUV Sales Target Met but recovery of loss a concern due to extended warranty
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3
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Caselet-4
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Problem Based on Household help
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Wrongful Termination of Domestic Help
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3
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Caselet-5
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Problem Based on Human Resources at IT Firm Symbolis
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Distribution of Performance Bonus to the Best Employees
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3
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Caselet-6
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Problem Based on Gas Extraction Company Deep Sea c
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Releasing the Natural Gas Pressure and Safety Arrangements
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3
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Toppers’ Tips on DM Preparation
“To prepare for DM, my recommendation would be to practise previous year papers, as many times as you want, specifically the DM section. Each of us has a unique perspective that might give us different yet valid answers for the questions in DM. Unless this perspective matches with the examiner’s, there is no point in our justifications”
Nandagopal V, XAT Topper 99.99%; XLRI PGDM-BM 2023-25
“The past year papers were the best source for preparation for the exam. I tried to deduce a logically why the given answer was correct. I also relied on few of my friends to discuss the given case studies to gain a different perspective”
Nipun Garg, XAT Topper 99.95%; XLRI PGDM-BM 2023-25
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5. Pattern for XAT 2025 for QADI
Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation (QADI) section in XAT commands 28% weight in XAT exam. QADI questions in XAT are designed to assess the quantitative aptitude of candidates. The students are expected to possess a foundational understanding of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, mensuration, modern maths. The questions on DI are about clear interpretation, summarization, and insightful analysis of the data. Below is shared the topic wise XAT entrance exam pattern for QADI with question types
Exam Wise Section wise Topics & Types of Questions
Year: XAT 2024
Section: Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation
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Sub-section/ Topic
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Type of Questions
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Description
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No of Questions
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Arithmetic
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Time Speed Distance
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Pilot increasing speed of Aircraft to reach Destination
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1
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Arithmetic
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Profit & Loss
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Cost of Running Movie Theatre and required capacity to ear profit; Selling Price at Food Stall
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2
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Arithmetic
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Arithmetic Progression
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Number of students in a class
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1
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Number System
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Increasing, Decreasing
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Real Numbers, Value
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3
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Permutation & Combination; Set Theory
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Combination of Items in Restaurant; Vegetable Market
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Making a combination of Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian items from Menu; Aman buying vegetables
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3
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Geometry
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Triangles and Rectangles
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Farmer’s Tringalular land; Rectangle Football ground; Right Angle
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3
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Algebra- Polynomials
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Roots of Polynomial
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Ratio of area from largest to smallest
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1
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Linear Equation, Log, Quadratic Equation
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Real Numbers, Logs
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Coinciding Lines represented by the two equations; Equation Log
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3
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Data Interpretation
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DI Set-1
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T-20 Match
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3
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Data Interpretation
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DI Set-2
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Statistics – Hinge number
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3
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Data Interpretation
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DI Set-3
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Discount Coupon
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3
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Data Interpretation
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DI Set-4
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Shortlisting for Interview
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2
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Total Questions
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28
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Toppers’ Tips
“I prepared for the QA section in CAT by practising questions from the Arun Sharma book. What most of the engineers are weak at, and generally ignore, are concepts in geometry and mensuration. The competitive advantage of putting in the extra hours in them are two-pronged. Primarily, you won’t shy away from answering them since you have prepared. Additionally, now that you are prepared, you might know some theorems and lemmas that can help you solve these questions really fast, thus saving time.”
Nandagopal V, XAT Topper 99.99%; XLRI PGDM-BM 2023-25
“My major preparation strategy for this section was to solve a set of diverse questions covering all major domains every day to retain concepts in my mind. Though one thing I did was that in final exam I attempted the questions of topics I was most comfortable in and rest I attempted only after I had solved everything else”
Harsh Gupta, XAT Topper 99.99%; XLRI PGDM-BM 2023-25
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6. XAT 2025 Sectional Pattern for GK
General Knowledge section has 25% questions in XAT exam. The score in this section is not taken into account for percentile calculation in XAT exam. However, during XLRI PI Round GK plays an important role in final selection. In-depth and regular reading of GK helps more as sometimes a few GK questions in XAT appear more tricky and need intensive reading. Below is shared the topic wise XAT entrance exam GK section pattern with type of questions
Exam Wise Section wise Topics & Types of Questions
Year: XAT 2024
Section: General Knowledge
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Sub-section/ Topic
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Type of Questions
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Description
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No of Questions
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Static GK
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History
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Historical capital cities of India; Famous battles; Doctrine of lapse
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3
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Static GK & Changes
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Geography
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National capitals of countries; Flow of River Ganges
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2
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Static & Current
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Economics & Business
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Brics
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1
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Current Affairs
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Personality & Awards
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Dr Akshata Krishnamurthy, Matthew Perry,
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2
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Current Affairs
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Science & Technology
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Aditya L-1; X 37B
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2
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Current Affairs
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Sports
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Women’s Premier League, Asian Games
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2
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Static & Current
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Books & Authors
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Match the authors of the books
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1
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Current Affairs
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Latest National & International
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Country pulling out of “Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe”; Air India’s AI; “Ghol” as the state fish; City illuminating 22.23 lakh earthen lamps; Earthquake in Japan;
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5
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Miscellaneous
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Companies, people, work, action
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Leap Year calculation; Dedicated air cargo service in India; ChatGPT, Google Bard, Chatsonic
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3
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Current Affairs
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Nobel Prize
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Nobel Peace Prize, Nobel Prize in Economics
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2
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Static & Current
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Culture & Entertainment
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Movie Oppenheimer, Nabanno harvest festival of Bengal and Bangladesh
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2
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Total
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25
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7. XAT 2025 Sectional Pattern for AEW
Analytical Essay Writing is the descriptive online computer based test in XAT. This test was scrapped in 2019 but was restored in 2022. Essay writing in XAT is the test of writing skill of an aspirant. The test requires that the test taker should write a coherent and logical essay on the given topic. The Essay Writing test is not limited to any particular type of topic. Past trends in XAT reveal that it needs a well worded essay on the contemporary or abstract topic. Test taker has to write essay on one topic out of the three given topics. Essay in XAT plays important role in the Personal Interview round as questions are based on what you have written in your XAT Essay.
Exam Wise Section wise Topics & Types of Questions
Year: XAT 2024
Section: Analytical Essay Writing
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Sub-section/ Topic
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Type of Questions
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Description
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No of Questions
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Essay
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Essay-1
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Tech prediction often fail not because of wrong models or a lack of imagination but due to lack of humility in admitting our uncertainties about the future.
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1
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Essay
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Essay-2
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Implementing more stringent regulations for Social Media Platforms is crucial to effectively combat the proliferation of fake news.
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1
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Essay
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Essay-3
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Things which matters the most must never be at the mercy of things that matters the least.
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1
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Total
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Choice to choose one Topic out of 3
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3
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Previous Topics for XAT Essay Writing Test
Below are some of the past XAT essay topics
- Ethical Practices and Sustainability: Do they co-exist?
- Globalization and Jingoism always coexist
- Listening is a dying art. We hardly listen to understand. We only listen to refute or reply.
- The most beautiful thing can neither be seen nor be touched but can only be felt
- Corruption is the root cause of economic slowdown in India
- Earth provides enough to satisfy everybody's need but not everybody's greed
- Gender Imbalance would lead to Third World War
- Economic growth without environmental damage – a mirage or a reality
- India has one of the largest pools of talented manpower, but few innovations and patented products
- More than one billion Indians: A gigantic problem or a sea of opportunities
- National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 a good step
- Establishing Bad Bank to improve Economy
- Building Central Vista will improve India’s Global image
- Covid Pandemic derailed Economic growth
- Unity in Diversity is more relevant now in India
- Blues of Demonetization still haunt the economic growth
- Unless Agriculture is practiced as business, it will not improve the face of Rural India
- Sensitivity of Sensex has nothing to do with economic growth
- Society bears the burn of terrorism which has no religion
- Democracy will lose meaning without social activism
- GST is no magic band to push faster economic growth
- Home buyers remain homeless, no teeth given to RERA
- Making business lobbying legal can reduce corruption
- Political interests and Uniform civil code cannot go hand in hand
8. XAT Vs CAT: Comparative Analysis
XAT exam pattern 2025 Vs CAT exam pattern has many similarities as well as differences. A brief comparison between XAT & CAT is shared below:
8.1 XAT 2025 Vs CAT 2024
IIM CAT 2024 and XAT 2025 have many similarities which give the opportunity to the candidates to synchronise their sectional and overall exam preparation. A comparative analysis between both the exams is shared below:
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Component
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XLRI – XAT 2025
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IIM CAT 2024
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|
Total questions
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101
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66
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Overall time limit to attempt the exam
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3 hours 30 Minutes
|
2 hours
|
|
Type of questions
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MCQs & Essay
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MCQs, and Non-MCQs
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|
Answer options for each MCQ
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5
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4
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Marks awarded for each correct answer
|
1
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3
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Negative marking
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75 MCQs with 1/4 negative marking; No negative marking for 25 MCQs on GK & Essay Writing Test
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MCQs with 1/3 negative marking; No negative marking for Non-MCQs
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|
Exam difficulty level
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High
|
High
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|
Number of sections
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3 (Main sections)
1 (GK score not counted)
1 Analytical Essay Writing Test
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3
|
|
Name of section-1 with number of questions
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English Language & Logical Reasoning- 26
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Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension -24
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Name of Section-2 with number of questions
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Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation- 28
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Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning-20
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Name of Section-3 with number of questions
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Decision Making-21
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Quantitative Ability-22
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Facility to choose order of sections
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Any question from any section within overall time limit
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No, has to follow pre defined sectional order
|
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Individual Sectional time limit
|
No
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Each section with 40 Minute time limit
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|
Top MBA colleges accepting exam score
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XLRI, SPJIMR, IMT, TAPMI, XIMB
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21 IIMs, FMS, MDI, SPJIMR, IMI, IITs, XIMB
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9. XAT: Key Changes in Exam Pattern over the years
XLRI is conducting XAT for the more than 70 years. Earlier it used to be a paper based test. Later on it was changed to a computer based test. XLRI Had scrapped the descriptive question on Essay Writing test but has restored it now. XAT exam time duration has also been increased to 3 hours 30 minutes from earlier 3 hours 10 minutes. Key changes in XAT over the years are as below:
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XAT exam year
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XAT 2024
|
XAT 2023
|
XAT 2022
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XAT 2021
|
XAT 2020
|
|
Test Duration
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3 Hours 30 Minutes: 2PM to 5.30 PM
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3 Hours 30 Minutes: 2PM to 5.30 PM
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3 Hours 10 Minutes:
9.30AM to 12.40PM
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3 Hours:9.30AM to 12.30PM
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3 Hours:9.30AM to 12.30 PM
|
|
Number of Sections
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
4
|
4
|
|
Number of Questions
|
101
|
101
|
101
|
100
|
99
|
|
Type of Questions
|
MCQs-100; Descriptive-1
|
MCQs-100 Descriptive-1
|
MCQs-100; Descriptive-1
|
MCQs
|
MCQs
|
|
Subjective Answer Questions
|
1 (Essay Writing Test)
|
1 (Essay Writing Test)
|
1 (Essay Writing Test)
|
No
|
No
|
|
Maximum marks
|
100 (Essay Evaluation after shortlisting by XLRI)
|
100 (Essay Evaluation after shortlisting by XLRI)
|
100 (Essay Evaluation after shortlisting by XLRI)
|
100
|
99
|
|
Key Change
|
No Change
|
Essay Writing Test in 2nd Part
|
Essay Writing Test Restored
|
No Essay Writing Test
|
No Essay Writing Test
|
|
Penalty for Leaving Questions Unattempted
|
None
|
None
|
0.10 Negative marks penalty for every unattempted question after 8 unattempted questions
|
Not Announced
|
0.10 Negative marks penalty for every unattempted question after 8 unattempted questions
|
|
Scoring Pattern
|
+1 Mark for each correct answer; - 0.25 mark for each wrong answer
|
+1 Mark for each correct answer; - 0.25 mark for each wrong answer
|
+1 Mark for each correct answer; - 0.25 mark for each wrong answer
|
+1 Mark for each correct answer; -0.25 mark for each wrong answer
|
+1 Mark for each correct answer; -0.25 mark for each wrong answer
|
10. FAQs on XAT Exam Pattern
Q. What is XAT 2025 Exam Pattern
A. XAT 2025 is a computer based test. It is likely to have 100 MCQs and 1 Descriptive Essay Writing Test. The exam is divided into 5 sections with 101 questions on VALR, DM, QADI, GK, AEW
Q. What is the XAT 2025 exam date?
A. XAT 2025 exam date is January 5, 2025. The exam will be conducted in single slot.
Q. Will XLRI allow to take the examination from any computer?
A. No, the candidates will appear in XAT exam on a workstation assigned at the test centre, based on the test cities selected while registering for XAT. The test centre details are printed on the Admit Card.
Q. Will XLRI provide some model test to understand XAT exam pattern?
A. Yes, XLRI conducts official Mock Tests and also provides previous test papers on the XAT website: xatonline.in. You can familiarize yourself with the functionality and navigation of the actual exam.
Q. How many sections are there in XAT 2025?
A. XAT 2025 will have two parts. Part-1 has three core sections which are counted for percentile calculation and part-2 has two sections which are not counted for percentile calculation:
Part-1
- Section I: Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning
- Section II: Decision Making
- Section III: Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation
Part-2
- General Knowledge
- Analytical Essay Writing Test
Q. Can I bring a calculator to the XAT exam centre?
A. No, Candidates are prohibited from bringing calculators to the testing centre. You may use the onscreen calculator that will be available throughout the exam.
Q. Is there a specific order for answering sections in XAT? Can I attempt sections the way I want?
A. There is no specific order to answer the questions in XAT exam. You may attempt any question from any section within the overall time limit of exam.
