XAT Exam Pattern 2026: Paper Format, Sections, Marking Scheme And Duration

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XAT Exam Pattern 2026: Key Highlights

Before attempting XAT 2026, it is important to have a comprehensive understanding of its exam pattern to know what the paper looks like, which will provide a better vision of the exam and help prepare effectively.

The table given below briefly explains the XAT exam structure to provide you with a fair idea of what can be expected from a candidate.

Candidates are advised to refer to the official XAT 2026 notification for the latest updates.

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XAT Exam Pattern 2026: Section-Wise Overview

The XAT exam is conducted in two parts with a total of 95 questions, based on the recent exam pattern. The anticipated distributions of questions are given below:

After the completion of Part 1, candidates are provided a short Mock Keyboard Testing window (around 5 minutes) to familiarise themselves with the system before attempting the General Knowledge section. This time is not counted as part of the exam duration.

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XAT 2026 Exam Pattern: Marking Scheme

The XAT exam consists of 95 questions, based on the recent exam pattern, which was previously 100.

Due to the penalty on unattempted questions, candidates need to balance accuracy with the number of attempts. A well-planned XAT exam strategy can only be developed through consistent mock practice and detailed analysis.

XAT GK Section Marking Scheme:

• The GK section has no negative markings.
• It will not contribute to your overall percentile or cutoff score, but will be considered in the selection process.

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XAT 2026 Paper Pattern: Section-wise Question & Marks Distribution

The XAT 2026 exam consists of four sections with varying numbers of questions. Each correct answer carries one mark, and the section-wise question distribution is outlined below.

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XAT Difficulty Level 2026 (Expected)

Based on the analysis of the previous year's XAT exam, the anticipated difficulty level of the XAT 2026 exam is expected to vary from moderately challenging. The following table outlines the specific level of difficulty for each section of the XAT 2026 exam:

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Changes In XAT Paper Pattern In Previous Years: Section-wise Breakdown

The table below provides a detailed summary of the XAT exam patterns 2026 over the years from 2015 to 2026, highlighting key changes and trends.

Scores from the General Knowledge section are not considered for percentile calculation but are taken into account during the XLRI GD-PI process.

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XAT Paper Pattern 2026: Section-Wise Breakdown of XAT Exam Syllabus

As you can see, the XAT test pattern has been shifting slightly over the years. This makes preparing for the XAT Exam slightly tricky; however, the sections have remained the same, which is why the XAT 2026 Syllabus can be looked at in brief.

The General Knowledge syllabus is broad and unpredictable, and questions may be drawn from diverse domains.

Also, read How to approach decision making section in XAT to know more about the decision-making section and its preparation

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XAT Preparation Strategy 2026

The XAT exam is one of the most common entrances for those aspiring to pursue an MBA at a reputable B-school. It is considered one of the more challenging MBA entrance exams due to its Decision Making section, and it requires consistent practice and a well-planned strategy to perform well in the XAT exam.

It is crucial to gear up your XAT preparation by taking XAT mock test series at regular intervals to check your progress, analyse them, and improve your performance in the actual exam.

Preparation Tips For XAT 2026

You can refer to some of the best books for XAT and use the study materials suggested by your mentor and industry experts. Here are some tips that you can incorporate into your study schedule to enhance your XAT preparation, as follows:

• Prepare a schedule: To begin your preparation, it is important that you have a schedule you can follow diligently. Break down the preparation into sections and further concepts. This will allow you to manage your syllabus against a deadline and leave time for revisions.
• Identify weak and strong areas: Identifying your weaknesses and strengths will allow you to spend time on the syllabus more appropriately. You will be able to focus on improving your weaknesses and utilising your strengths correctly when attempting the paper.
• Practice with mock tests: Mock tests are the boon of every MBA entrance exam, including XAT. They will help you understand your level of preparedness, evaluate the effectiveness of your exam strategy, give a comparison against your peers and determine the areas of improvement.
• Review previous years’ papers: Previous years’ papers will help you familiarise yourself with the exam pattern and types of questions to be expected and help you revise. Attempting previous papers will also help you in a manner similar to mock tests.
• Revise regularly: After you have covered the syllabus, it is essential that you revise the concepts regularly, be it by going over your notes, attempting questions or giving mock tests. The revision will help you solidify the concepts and help improve speed and accuracy.

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Conclusion

XAT is often regarded as one of the more challenging MBA entrance exams due to its unique decision-making section and inference-based questions across sections. The exam demands not just syllabus coverage, but strong analytical ability, clarity of thought, and effective time management. However, with proper preparation and regular analysis of XAT previous years' question papers and the XAT exam pattern, candidates can improve their performance and increase their chances of clearing XAT cutoffs for leading B-schools in India.

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