XAT 2026 Syllabus (Latest): Download Section-wise Topics and Syllabus PDFs

3 min read

Somdatta Roy

Senior Content Writer | Updated on - Sep 16, 2025

Get the latest version of XAT 2026 syllabus for exam scheduled on January 4, 2025. Download syllabus PDFs here and get suggested books list for each section.

Defined by the conducting body XLRI Jamshedpur, XAT 2026 syllabus is designed to test a candidate's readiness for business management studies.It is divided into four main sections: Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning (VA & LR), Decision Making (DM), Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation (QA & DI), and General Knowledge (GK).

While the topics in most sections are like other MBA entrance exams, the Decision Making section is unique to XAT exam, focusing on ethical and real-life business scenarios.

The exam consists of 95 questions with a structured marking scheme that includes a +1 mark for each correct answer and a -0.25 mark penalty for incorrect responses. There is no negative marking for the GK section, but there is a -0.10 mark penalty for every unattempted question after the first eight.

In the XAT updated syllabus the Analytical Essay Writing section has been removed from the main exam and is now part of the GD/PI stage for final selection.

Download the Syllabus here: XAT 2026 Syllabus PDF

xat-2026-syllabus-important-topics

Image Credit: Official PDF released on xatonline.in

XAT 2026 Syllabus: Important Topics

The XAT 2026 syllabus is divided into four main sections. The key topics for each are outlined below with the syllabus PDF:

XAT Section	Key Topics	Download Syllabus PDF
Verbal and Logical Ability	Reading Comprehension (including a poem), Vocabulary, Analogy, Parajumble, Grammar, Critical Reasoning, Fill in the Blanks, etc.	XAT VA & LR Syllabus 2026
Decision Making	Data Arrangement, Conditioning, Grouping, Complex Arrangement, Caselets, Assumptions, Premises, Conclusions, etc.	XAT DM Syllabus 2026
Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation	Arithmetic, Geometry, Mensuration, Percentage, Surds and Indices, Algebra, Mensuration, Bar Diagrams, Pie Charts, Tables, Data Interpretation, etc.	XAT QA & DI Syllabus 2026
General Knowledge	Current Affairs and Static GK (Science, Economy, Business, Politics, Static GK, Sports, Prize and Award, World, Government, Constitution of India, etc.)	XAT GK Syllabus 2026

XAT 2026 Application Online, Register Now

Recommended Books and Study Material for XAT 2026 Preparation

Here is a list of the best books and study materials categorized by the different sections of the XAT syllabus:

XAT Section	Recommended Books / Study Material
QA & DI	How to Prepare for QA for CAT (Arun Sharma) QA Quantum CAT (Sarvesh K Verma) QA For Competitive Exams (Guha Abhijit) DI and Data Sufficiency (Ananta Ashisha/Arihant)
VA	Word Power Made Easy (Norman Lewis) Objective General English (Dr RS Agarwal and Vikas Agarwal) High School English Grammar (Wren & Martin) The Students' Companion Book (D Best)
DM	DI & Logical Reasoning (Gautam Puri) Logical Reasoning and DI for the CAT (Nishit K. Sinha) DI & Data Sufficiency (Ananta Ashisha) How to Prepare for DI for CAT (Arun Sharma)
GK	Newspapers: The Hindu, Economic Times, Financial Express Journals: Business Today, Business World, Competition Success Review

Read More:

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