Xavier Aptitude Test is a national-level MBA entrance exam conducted by XLRI. The exam has four main sections: Verbal & Logical Ability, Decision Making, Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation, and General Knowledge. Each section tests different skills such as reading, reasoning, math, and awareness of current events. The exam is 180 minutes long and includes 95 questions. There’s negative marking for wrong answers in the first three sections, but no negative marking in the General Knowledge part.
The Decision Making section is unique to XAT and focuses on real-life and ethical situations. The Quantitative section is considered the toughest, while the Verbal section is moderately difficult. Past exam trends show that good performance requires a mix of accuracy, time management, and balanced attempts.
XAT 2026 Cutoffs for top XLRI programs like Business Management (BM) and Human Resource Management (HRM) vary by gender, academic background, and category. Reviewing previous year papers helps understand question patterns, difficulty levels, and the ideal number of attempts.
XAT 2026 Exam Pattern
XAT 2026 has four main sections. The Verbal and Logical Ability section tests skills in reading, reasoning, gramma,r and vocabulary. The Decision Making section is unique and checks how well candidates make judgments in real-life situations. The Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation section focuses on math problems like arithmetic and data analysis, and is considered the toughest. Finally, the General Knowledge section covers current events, business, history, and other general topics. Each section helps test different skills needed for management studies.
XAT 2026 Section Details
XAT 2026 comprises four main sections that assess various skills required for management studies. The Verbal and Logical Ability section focuses on reading comprehension, reasoning, grammar, and vocabulary, and is moderately difficult. The Decision Making section is unique to XAT and evaluates how well candidates handle real-life and ethical situations. The Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation section is the toughest, covering math topics like arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis. Lastly, the General Knowledge section tests awareness of current affairs, business, history, and more, with no negative marking and a short time limit.
Also Check: How to Build an Effective Study Timetable for XAT 2026
XAT 2025 Cut Off
The XAT 2025 cutoffs show the minimum percentile scores candidates need to qualify for XLRI’s two main programs: Business Management (BM) and Human Resource Management (HRM). These cutoffs vary based on the candidate’s stream (engineer/tech or non-engineer) and gender. The key sections evaluated for admission are Quantitative Ability (QA), Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VA-LR), Decision Making (DM), and the overall total percentile. Each program has different cutoff requirements to select candidates with the right skills for their field.
Also Check: MBA Colleges Accepting XAT 2026 Score For Admission
XAT Cutoffs For The Last 5 Years
XAT cutoffs show the minimum scores candidates need to qualify for different programs. These cutoffs vary by category, gender, and whether the candidate is an engineer or non-engineer. The main sections considered for cutoffs are Verbal Ability (VA), Decision Making (DM), Quantitative Ability (QA), and the total score. Cutoff trends over the last five years help candidates understand the score required to get admission into popular courses like PGDM – Business Management and PGDM – Human Resource Management.
XAT 2025 Exam Analysis
The XAT 2025 exam had four sections: Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation, and General Knowledge. Each section tested different skills. The first three sections were part of the main exam, while General Knowledge was in a separate part without negative marking.
Also Check: How To Prepare For XAT 2026 Exam In 3 Months
XAT 2024 Exam Analysis
XAT tests a range of skills through four main sections. The Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning (VA-LR) section checks reading and reasoning skills. The Decision Making (DM) section is unique and evaluates judgment in practical and ethical situations. The Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation (QA-DI) section measures math and data analysis skills, while the General Knowledge (GK) section tests awareness of current affairs and general topics.
Final Words
Preparing for XAT 2026 requires a smart strategy, not just hard work. Understanding the exam pattern, cutoffs, and section-wise difficulty from previous years can help you plan better. Focus on accuracy, time management, and practicing decision-making scenarios. Keep yourself updated with current affairs for the GK section. With consistent practice & the right approach, cracking XAT and getting into a top program like XLRI is possible.
