XAT 2026, conducted by XLRI, retains the revised structure introduced in 2025. The exam will likely be held in the first week of January 2026. Every year, over 90,000 candidates appear for XAT, aiming to get into top-ranked B-schools. XAT scores are utilised by 11 associate member institutes of XLRI and 150+ other B-schools across India.
XAT is considered one of the toughest MBA entrance exams in India, with its unique Decision Making section and challenging quantitative problems. After the exam, candidates are eager to assess their performance. Here we provide a detailed analysis of XAT 2026.
XAT 2026: Overall Analysis
XAT 2026 is divided into two main parts, with a total of 95 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) to be attempted in 180 minutes. The essay writing section has been removed from the main exam and will be conducted during the selection process or interviews.
Key features of XAT 2026:
- Number of Questions: 95
- Exam Duration: 180 minutes
- Sections: Verbal and Logical Ability, Decision Making, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, General Knowledge
- Marking Scheme: +1 for correct answer, -0.25 for incorrect in all except General Knowledge, which has no negative marking
- Additional penalty: 0.10 marks deducted for every question beyond 8 consecutive unanswered questions
- No individual sectional time limits, except General Knowledge have a dedicated 10-minute window.
- Essay writing is not part of the main exam, but is evaluated in GD/PI rounds
XAT 2026: Exam Pattern
|
Part
|
Section
|
No. of Questions
|
Time Duration
|
|
Paper I
|
Verbal & Logical Ability
|
26
|
170 minutes
|
| |
Decision Making
|
21
|
| |
Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation
|
28
|
|
Paper II
|
General Knowledge
|
20
|
10 minutes
|
Note: The first three sections share the total time, except the last 10 minutes reserved for GK.
Section-wise Analysis
Verbal and Logical Ability
This section has 26 questions and is moderately difficult. It includes Reading Comprehension passages (including poems), critical reasoning, sentence rearrangement, grammar, vocabulary, and error identification. Reading comprehension and critical reasoning questions are challenging and require focused preparation.
Good Attempts: 14+ questions with good accuracy can yield an excellent percentile.
Decision Making
With 21 questions, this section is unique to XAT and tests practical judgment. It presents real-life scenarios including ethical, managerial, or personal dilemmas. These caselets require logical and ethical reasoning without a formulaic approach. Familiarity with past caselets is essential.
Good Attempts: 12+ questions generally indicate a strong performance.
Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation
This section is considered the most mathematically intensive among major MBA exams, with 28 questions. Topics include arithmetic, algebra, geometry, modern math, and complex data interpretation sets. Difficulty is moderate to high, with calculation-heavy DI questions.
Good Attempts: 15+ questions with high accuracy can fetch a high score.
General Knowledge
Comprising 20 questions to be attempted in 10 minutes, this section covers current affairs, business, economics, history, geography, and static GK. It does not contribute to the shortlist but is factored into final admissions.
Good Attempts: 14+ questions fare well for this section.
Key Features and Difficulty Level
- XAT remains one of India’s toughest MBA entrance exams due to its unique Decision Making section and challenging Quantitative Ability.
- The penalty for excessive skipping (more than 8 consecutive unanswered questions) encourages strategic attempts.
- Time management and accuracy are critical, especially as the main part of the exam has no sectional time limits.
- The removal of essay writing from the main exam streamlines the process, but candidates should prepare for it in subsequent rounds.
Summary Table
|
Feature
|
XAT 2026
|
|
Total Questions
|
95
|
|
Exam Duration
|
180 minutes
|
|
Sections
|
4 (VA & LR, DM, QA & DI, GK)
|
|
Marking Scheme
|
+1/-0.25; no negative in GK
|
|
Special Penalty
|
-0.10 for >8 consecutive skips
|
|
Essay Writing
|
Not in main exam
|
|
Difficulty Level
|
High
|
Conclusion
XAT 2026 maintains its reputation for high difficulty and unique exam structure, especially with the Decision Making section and penalty for excessive skipping. The removal of the essay from the main test simplifies the exam day but increases the importance of subsequent selection rounds. Success in XAT requires strong analytical skills, ethical reasoning, and excellent time and attempt management.
NOTE: Complete and detailed expert analysis of XAT 2026 will be made available on the exam day to help candidates evaluate their performance and plan their next steps.
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