XAT Pattern

There is no set time limit to prepare for the XAT exam, but you need a minimum of six months for preparation. Ideally, candidates need to start XAT preparation by April, however, if they start by June or July too, they can complete the syllabus within time and have ample time for practice of sample papers and mock tests. Candidates aiming to clear XAT must dedicate nearly 6 months to effectively enhance their exam preparation and qualify with 95 percentile or higher. Ideally, XAT preparation takes six to nine months, but if candidates have prepared for CAT too, XAT preparation can be done in less time as one will have to only work on Decision Making and General Knowledge topics. Those who are weak in English Comprehension must start reading practice early on.

If you are planning to prepare for XAT 2025 exam by self study, you need to start early. At least six months before. The XAT exam is conducted on the first Sunday of January every year. So, if you start preparing for the XAT 2025 in June or July, you will have a good six months to prepare. Make a preparation plan that includes XAT syllabus coverage, problem solving sessions, mock tests and revision. Get hold of the best books for XAT. Consult mentors or previous year toppers for selecting the best books for preparation. Join online study groups where you can get the help of mentors and peers for problem-solving and clearing doubts in topics. Work on tough topics first and then move to easier topics. Solve a large number and variety of XAT mock tests to master the syllabus. You will need to do rigorous work on XAT mock tests as candidates who opt for self study, have to rely on practice.

The lengthiest section in the XAT question paper is Part 1, which includes Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VA & LR), Decision Making (DM), and Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation (QA & DI). Part 1 has a total duration of 175 minutes, making it the longest among the three parts. Within this duration, candidates need to navigate through about 26 questions in VA & LR, approximately 22 questions in DM, and around 28 questions in QA & DI. The extensive time allocation to Part 1 indicates the significance and complexity of these sections, emphasizing the need for candidates to manage their time efficiently to address the varied question types and topics in this segment.

The XAT 2024 Exam Pattern is designed to assess candidates across various domains, encompassing multiple sections. Here are the key highlights:Sections and Duration:Part 1: Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VA & LR) - About 26 questionsPart 2: Decision Making (DM) - About 22 questionsPart 3: Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation (QA & DI) - About 28 questionsMock Keyboard Testing - Not Applicable (NA)General Knowledge* (GK) - About 25 questionsAnalytical Essay Writing* (AEW) - 1 questionDuration: 175 Minutes (Part 1), 5 Minutes (Part 2), 30 Minutes (Part 3)Question Types:VA & LR: Critical reasoning, reading comprehensions, vocabulary, grammar, para jumbles, cloze tests, etc.DM: Scenarios testing critical thinking, problem-solving, and prioritization skills.QA & DI: Assessing quantitative aptitude covering arithmetic, algebra, geometry, mensuration, modern maths, etc.GK: 10 static GK and 15 current affairs questions.AEW: Choose one topic from three and write an essay of approximately 250 words, demonstrating coherence, logical consistency, and strong argumentation.XAT Testing Mode and Scoring:Computer-Based Test 101 MCQs and 1 Descriptive EssayScoring: +1 Mark for Each Correct, -0.25 Mark for Incorrect MCQs (Sl. 1 to 75)Time Duration and Percentile Calculation:Overall time duration: 3 hours and 10 minutes.Only 3 sections (excluding GK) are considered for percentile calculation.No sectional time limit; candidates can attempt any question within the overall time limit.Evaluation of Essay Writing:Essay evaluation for shortlisted candidates only.The XAT 2024 Exam Pattern ensures a comprehensive assessment of candidates' abilities, combining objective and subjective components. 

The XAT exam syllabus consists of Verbal & Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation and General Knowledge sections. The exam has one unique section - Decision Making. XAT sectionsNumber of questionsMarks allotted (Weightage)Decision Making2222Verbal and Logical Ability2626General Knowledge2525Quantitative Ability & Data  Interpretation2828Essay Writing3 topics (candidates can choose one)To be assessed at the time of PI shortlistingThe question paper will be divided into three parts:Part 1- Verbal and Logical Ability, Decision Making and Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation Part 2-  Mock Keyboard Testing Part 3-  General Knowledge + Essay Writing 

The XAT exam syllabus includes Verbal & Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation and General Knowledge. There is a lot of free content available online as well as offline.A variety of books avaiable for each section.Students are advised to start their study early as they want to cover syllabus by self-study and must go through the syllabus once so that they can get an idea of how to prepare and which topics are important and carry more marks. Best books for XAT: Quantitative Aptitude (QA) & Data Interpretation (DI)Best Books for XAT PreparationAuthor/PublisherHow to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CATArun SharmaQuantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT Common Admission Tests For Admission into IIMsSarvesh K VermaQuantitative Aptitude For Competitive ExaminationsGuha Abhijit Best books for XAT: Verbal AbilityBest Books for XAT PreparationAuthor/PublisherObjective General EnglishDr RS Agarwal and Vikas AgarwalHigh School English GrammarWren & MartinThe Students' Companion BookD Best 

XAT is an MCQ based test and all questions carry equal marks. The total marks of the exam is 100 and every question carries 1 mark. Decision Making carries 22 marks, Verbal and Logical Ability carries 26 marks, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation carries 28 marks and General Knowledge carries 25 marks.There is negative marking too in XAT, that you should be aware of. Check below the marking scheme of XAT.One mark is awarded for each right answer0.25 marks is deducted for each wrong answer0.10 marks is deducted for more than eight unanswered consecutive questionsThere is no negative marking in General Knowledge sectionScores of General Knowledge section will not be considered for calculating XAT score The score of Essay Writing will be taken into consideration at the time of PI shortlisting

XAT exam was held for 3 hours and 30 minutes. However, with the revision of exam pattern, it will be held for 180 minutes in 2025. There is sectional time-limit in the test. 170 minutes are allotted to Part 1 comprising Decision Making, Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation and Verbal Ability. Part 2 has General Knowledge section to be solved in 10 minutes. No bio-break is allowed during the exam. Candidates have to finish the test in the given time limit only. The test screen will move from part 1 to part 2 the moment 170 minutes get over and once the 10 minutes of part 2 will be over, the test window will be locked. Candidates must keep saving their entries after every attempt as there is no provision in XAT to go back and review your answers once the time limit for that part is over.