SLOT WISE DETAILED ANALYSIS : XAT 2026

CL Team June 04 2026

32 min read

XAT 2026 Exam Analysis

The XAT 2026 exam successfully concluded on January 4, 2026 . If we dive deep into the XAT 2026 analysis, the overall difficulty level of the exam was moderate to difficult.

The difficulty level of all the sections is given below:

Verbal and Logical Ability: Moderate to difficult
Decision Making: Moderate
Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation: Moderate to difficult

XAT Exam Pattern 2026

Section	Questions	Maximum Marks
Part 1: Decision Making, Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation	75	75
Part 2: General Knowledge	20	20
Total	95	95

XAT 2026 Marking Scheme

The XAT 2025 marking scheme was on similar lines this year compared to XAT 2025. The overall paper comprises multiple choice questions (MCQs) with 5 alternatives to choose from. The following is the brief XAT 2026 marking scheme, as follows:

• For every correct attempt, 1 mark will be awarded.

• For every incorrect attempt, 0.25 marks will be deducted.

• If there are more than 8 unattempted questions, 0.10 marks will be deducted for each unanswered question.

• The scores of the General Knowledge section are only for final selection and not for shortlisting candidates for GD/Interview.

XAT 2026 Score vs Percentile

You can estimate your percentile by comparing your expected score with the table below.

XAT Percentile	VALR	DM	QADI	Overall
99 %ile	15.4	14.7	16.8	38.4
95 %ile	12.2	12.2	11.7	31.3
90 %ile	10.3	11.0	9.7	27.5
85 %ile	9.1	10.0	8.5	24.9
80 %ile	8.2	9.4	7.3	22.9

XAT 2026 Exam Analysis

Verbal Ability And Logical Reasoning

S. No.	Topic/Area	No. of Questions	Difficulty Level	Description / Doable
1	Grammatically Correct Sentences	2	Easy–Moderate	2
2	Parajumble	2	Moderate–Difficult	1
3	Fill in the Blanks	1	Easy–Moderate	1
4	Conclusion/Inference	2	Moderate	1
5	Poem (Newspaper)	2	Moderate–Difficult	1
6	Contradiction	1	Moderate	0–1
7	Picture Description	1	Moderate–Difficult	1
8	Science and Nuclear Physics (450 Words)	3	Moderate	2
9	Language, Diversity, Communication (450 Words)	3	Moderate	2
10	Liberal Democracy (400 Words)	3	Moderate	2
11	Self Esteem (450 Words)	3	Moderate	2
12	Trolling (400 Words)	3	Moderate	2
Total		26	Moderate	16–18

Decision Making

S. No.	Topic/Area	No. of Questions	Difficulty Level	Description / Doable
1	Selvam Tutorial’s Expanding Aggressively, Introducing Modern HR Practices	3	Moderate	2
2	Placement in Fintech, Exploring Opportunities within the Companies	3	Moderate	2
3	B-School Curriculum, Case Study Competitions & Internships	3	Moderate	2
4	Interviewing Candidates, Animisha Best Among All but Not Satisfying the Necessary Conditions	3	Moderate	2
5	Vidhya Joins the Nest B-School but a Fresher, Not Selected in Any B-School Committee	3	Moderate	2
6	FMCG Company, Malhotra's, Gen-Z Management Trainee Joins	3	Moderate	2
7	Investment Banker, Publish a Book on His Life	3	Moderate	2
Total		21	Moderate	12–14

Quantitative Ability And Data Interpretation

S. No.	Topic/Area	No. of Questions	Difficulty Level	Description / Doable
1	Heights & Distances	1	Easy–Moderate	1
2	TSD	2	Moderate	1
3	Set Theory	1	Moderate–Difficult	0–1
4	Circles	2	Moderate–Difficult	1
5	Mensuration	2	Moderate	1
6	Polynomials	2	Easy–Moderate	1–2
7	Function	1	Moderate	0–1
8	Surds & Indices	1	Easy–Moderate	1
9	Data Sufficiency	1	Easy–Moderate	1
10	Numbers	2	Moderate	1–2
11	Triangles	2	Moderate–Difficult	0–1
12	PLD	1	Moderate	1
13	Probability	1	Difficult	0
Total		28	Moderate–Difficult	18–20

Data Interpretation

S. No.	Topic/Area	No. of Questions	Difficulty Level	Description / Doable
1	Micro Finances – Money Lending	3	Moderate	2
2	Starbust Chart	3	Moderate	2
3	Interest Charged on Area	3	Moderate	2

XAT 2026 is considered a moderate to difficult exam with a strong focus on analytical thinking, patience, and decision-making ability rather than speed. Most experts and students agreed that the paper stayed true to the traditional XAT pattern, but the exam felt lengthy and mentally exhausting, especially because of close options and calculation-intensive questions.

Overall, an attempt with proper strategy, sectional balance, and accuracy can help aspirants secure admission opportunities in top B-schools accepting XAT scores, including XLRI Xavier School of Management and other leading MBA institutes.

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