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XAT Latest Updates
- XAT 2026 Registration is Ongoing till December 5, 2025. Read More
- XAT 2026 Admit Card Download Starts on December 20, 2025. Check Here
- XAT 2026 Exam Scheduled on January 4, 2026
XAT exam pattern 2026 remains the same as the previous year's format, with one notable change. The sectional time limits have been removed. As per the official XAT website, candidates will now face a single overall time limit for the entire paper. Previously, each section had its own time restriction.
XAT exam will be divided into two parts: the first part will last for 170 minutes, will include Decision Making, Verbal Ability, Quantitative Ability, and Data Interpretation. The second part will consist of a 10-minute General Knowledge section. In total, the exam duration will be 180 minutes. All questions will follow a multiple-choice question (MCQ) format. XAT exam 2026 is scheduled to take place on January 4, 2026.
XAT Exam Pattern 2026 Highlights
Below are the key highlights of the XAT exam pattern 2026:
| Particulars | Details |
| Mode of Exam | Online (Computer-Based Test) |
| Duration | 3 hours (180 minutes) |
| Total Questions | 95 |
| Scoring System | +1 mark for correct answers -0.25 for incorrect (except GK), -0.10 for more than 8 unattempted questions |
| Language | English |
| Question Type | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Sections | Decision Making Verbal & Logical Ability Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation General Knowledge |
XAT Exam Pattern 2026 Section-wise
XAT exam paper is divided into two parts. The first part consists of Decision Making, Verbal & Logical Ability, quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation. The General Knowledge paper makes the second part of the paper. You will have 170 minutes to complete the first three sections and 10 minutes for the General Knowledge section.
Check the section-wise division of the XAT exam pattern 2026 as presented in the table below:
| Parts | Sections | Number of Questions | Total Marks | Time Duration |
| Part 1 | Decision Making | 21 | 21 | 170 minutes |
| Verbal & Logical Ability | 26 | 26 | ||
| Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation | 28 | 28 | ||
| Part 2 | General Knowledge | 20 | 20 | 10 minutes |
| - | Total | 95 | 95 | 180 minutes |
You may also have a look on our XAT Syllabus 2026 page to get the details.
XAT Exam Pattern 2026 Trends Over the Years
Below is a comparison of XAT exam pattern 2026 with previous years:
| Year | Mode of Exam | Total Duration | Sections | Total Questions | Negative Marking | Essay Writing | GK Questions |
| 2025 | Online (CBT) | 180 minutes | 4 | 95 | -0.25 for incorrect answers (except GK) | Included in PI | 20 |
| 2024 | Online (CBT) | 210 minutes | 5 | 100 + 1 Essay | -0.25 for incorrect answers (except GK) | Yes (10 minutes) | 25 |
| 2023 | Online (CBT) | 190 minutes | 5 | 100 + 1 Essay | -0.25 for incorrect answers (except GK) | Yes (10 minutes) | 25 |
| 2022 | Online (CBT) | 190 minutes | 5 | 100 + 1 Essay | -0.25 for incorrect answers (except GK) | Yes (10 minutes) | 25 |
| 2021 | Online (CBT) | 180 minutes | 4 | 99 | -0.25 for incorrect answers (except GK) | N/A | 25 |
XAT Marking Scheme 2026
The XAT marking scheme 2026 remains consistent with the previous year. Below are the marking details:
- Correct Answer: +1 mark
- Incorrect Answer: -0.25 marks (except GK)
- No penalty for the first 8 unanswered questions.
- After the first 8 skipped questions, a penalty of -0.10 marks applies to each additional unattempted question.
Note: The marks obtained in the General Knowledge section will not be counted towards the overall XAT score.
XAT Time Duration 2026
The total duration of the XAT 2026 exam is 180 minutes. Here's the section-wise time distribution:
| Section | Time Duration |
| Decision Making, Verbal & Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation | 170 minutes |
| General Knowledge | 10 minutes |
| Total Duration | 180 minutes |
XAT Exam Process 2026
To take the XAT 2026 exam, follow these steps:
- Registration: XAT 2026 registration has started from July 10, 2025 on the official website xatonline.in.
- Admit Card Download: Candidates can download their XAT admit card by December 20, 2025 (tentative).
- Mock Test: XAT 2026 mock test will be conducted in October 2025 to help candidates familiarize themselves with the exam pattern.
- Exam Day: The XAT 2026 exam will be conducted in January 2026in an online (CBT) mode.
- Result Announcement: The XAT 2026 result will be announced by January 20, 2026.
- Shortlisting & PI: Shortlisted candidates will be invited for the Personal Interview (PI), where the essay writing round will take place.
How to Mark Answers in the XAT 2026 Examination?
To mark answers in the XAT 2026 exam, follow these steps:
- Read Carefully: Read the question carefully and evaluate all the options before selecting the correct one.
- Select the Option: Click on the correct option and ensure that it is highlighted.
- Save & Next: Click on "Save & Next" to move to the next question.
- Review and Change: If needed, revisit and change answers before the final submission.
- Avoid Excessive Unanswered Questions: To avoid penalties, ensure that you do not leave more than 8 questions unattempted.
XAT 2026 vs Other MBA Entrance Exams
Here's a comparison of XAT 2026 with other major MBA entrance exams like CAT and MAT:
| Feature | XAT 2026 | CAT 2025 | MAT 2025 |
| Conducting Body | XLRI Jamshedpur | IIMs | AIMA |
| Mode of Exam | Online (CBT) | Online (CBT) | Online & Offline |
| Exam Duration | 180 minutes | 120 minutes | 150 minutes |
| Number of Questions | 95 | 66 | 200 |
| Marking Scheme | +1, -0.25 (except GK) | +3, -1 | +1, No negative marking |
| Language | English | English | English |
| Essay Writing | In PI stage | No | No |
| Accepted By | XLRI and other top B-schools | IIMs and top B-schools | Multiple B-schools |
Key Takeaways for XAT Aspirants
- Essay Writing Removed: The essay writing section is no longer part of the main exam and will be conducted during the Personal Interview (PI) round.
- Prioritise Decision Making: This section is unique to XAT. Practice case-based questions to improve your judgement and reasoning.
- Don't Ignore GK: GK is not part of the overall score but may be considered during final selection by some institutes.
- Practice with Mock Tests: Simulate the actual exam environment to build pacing, accuracy, and switching strategy.
- Stay Updated: Follow the official XAT notifications for any changes in exam pattern, instruction or dates. You can also check out portal for latest updates.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Ans: Yes, the sectional time limit has been removed in the XAT 2026 exam. You can now freely switch between sections and manage your time across the entire paper as you prefer.
- Part 1 (170 minutes): This part includes Decision Making, Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation, will be allotted 170 minutes.
- Part 2 (10 minutes): The General Knowledge section will be conducted separately for 10 minutes.
This change gives you more flexibility to prioritise questions based on your strengths.
Ans. In certain aspects, XAT is considered tougher than CAT. Such factors include exam patterns and decision-making skills. The exam pattern is more varied when compared to the CAT. The decision-making too requires a different set of skills.
No, the General Knowledge (GK) scores will not be counted towards the overall XAT score used for shortlisting candidates. While the GK section carries its own weightage, typically around 20–25% of the paper. It is evaluated separately and may be considered during the final selection rounds by specific institutes like XLRI.
Without sectional time limits in XAT 2026, you can manage your time based on your strengths. For example, if you are confident in Verbal Ability but need extra time for Quantitative Aptitude, you're free to adjust your pacing and switch between sections as needed.
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