XAT 2026 Books: Check Booklist, Where to Find, Preparation Tips

To get a call from XLRI, candidates should aim for a percentile of 95 or above in the XAT exam. The cutoff percentile usually lies between 95 and 97, depending on the program and competition level each year. Scoring in this range increases the chances of receiving an interview call from XLRI. Along with a strong percentile, a balanced performance in all sections is also important for shortlisting.

Yes, the XAT 2026 exam includes negative marking. For every incorrect answer, 0.25 marks will be deducted. Additionally, if a candidate leaves more than eight questions unattempted, there will be a penalty of 0.1 marks for each question skipped after the eighth one. This rule encourages students to attempt questions carefully and maintain a balance between accuracy and risk-taking during the exam.

XAT 2026 Decision-Making section is mainly focused on real-life, situation-based questions. Topics include ethical dilemmas, workplace conflicts, employee and organisational safety, business challenges, and sales or marketing scenarios. These questions test the candidate’s ability to make fair and logical decisions under pressure. It is not based on formulas but on reasoning and judgment, making practice and comprehension crucial for this section.

XAT 2026 General Knowledge section includes a number of topics such as history, geography, sports, culture, current affairs, awards, personalities, and international events. Questions often focus on recent developments in business, politics, and global issues. Staying updated with both static and current GK helps improve accuracy in this section. Reading newspapers, magazines, and yearbooks regularly can be very helpful for preparation.

A very useful book for XAT 2026 Quantitative Aptitude preparation is Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by R.S. Aggarwal. This book covers all important topics such as arithmetic, algebra, geometry, data interpretation, and number systems in a simple and detailed way. It includes numerous solved examples and practice questions that help in building both speed and accuracy, which are important for performing well in the XAT exam.

Candidates should read reliable newspapers and journals such as The Economic Times, Financial Express, Business Today, and The Wall Street Journal to prepare well for XAT 2026 current affairs. These sources help build awareness of major business, economic, and global events. Along with daily reading, following monthly current affairs magazines or watching news summaries can help candidates stay updated and confident during the exam.

XAT decision-making questions can be a bit challenging because it doesn’t rely on formulas or direct theory. Instead, it tests a candidate’s judgment, reasoning, and ability to make balanced decisions in real-life business or ethical situations. These questions often involve complex scenarios related to workplace issues, moral choices, and strategic thinking. To do well, candidates need to read each case carefully, analyse different perspectives, and choose the most logical and fair solution.

XAT 2026 exam will consist of 95 questions, and candidates are advised to attempt as many as possible for a good score. However, leaving a few questions unanswered is acceptable if they seem too difficult. A maximum of eight questions can be left unattempted without any penalty. From the ninth unattempted question onward, a deduction of 0.10 marks per question will be applied. Therefore, candidates should aim for accuracy while maintaining speed and time management.

No, XAT 2026 GK section will not include negative marking. However, the other three sections: Decision Making, Verbal and Logical Ability, and Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation will follow a negative marking system. For every incorrect answer in these sections, 0.25 marks will be deducted. Since the GK section doesn’t affect the overall percentile, it’s a good opportunity for candidates to attempt all questions without worrying about losing marks.

No, XAT 2026 will not have separate time limits for each section. The exam is conducted for a total of 180 minutes, and candidates need to manage their time across all sections within this overall duration. It is important for the candidates to plan and pace themselves wisely, allocating enough time to each section based on their strengths and weaknesses, so that all questions can be attempted without rushing or leaving many unanswered.