XAT 2025 Exam Pattern: Sections, Marking Scheme & Question Format

Understand the detailed XAT 2025 exam pattern, including sections, marking scheme, and question format. Prepare effectively for success!

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XAVIER APTITUDE TEST EXPECTED EXAMINATION PATTERN 2025

Typically, the XAT question paper consists of two-time time-bound parts. The details are as follows:

XAT Exam Part I 2025

  • Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning (VA & LR)
  • Decision Making (DM)
  • Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation (QA & DI)

XAT Exam Part II 2025

  • General Knowledge (GK)

XAT Exam Pattern (Expected) -

  • Mode of Examination – Computer-Based Exam (CBT)
  • Types of Questions – Multiple Choice Question type (MCQ) and Descriptive Questions
  • Number of Answer choices - 5
  • Total number of questions – Range between 100 to 105
  • Total Marks –
  • XAT Exam Timing – 2 PM to 5.10 PM from 9.30 AM to 12.40 PM
  • XAT Exam Duration - 3 hours and 10 minutes
  • Language of Question Paper - English

Marking Scheme

  • Marks for Correct Answer– 1 mark
  • Marks for unattempted questions - Zero
  • Negative Marking: -0.25 for each incorrect MCQ answer in Part 1
  • No negative marking for the General Knowledge section in part-2 of the question paper

XAT Exam Part

XAT Exam Section 2025

No. of Questions

Part I
  • Verbal and Logical Ability

26 MCQs with negative marking

(The VA&LR section will encompass critical & analytical reasoning, reading comprehension (including poems & passages), vocabulary, basic English grammar, and other related exercises such as para jumbles and cloze tests.)

  • Decision Making

21 MCQs with negative marking

(The DM section will present scenarios drawn from bothpersonal and professional lives. Candidates will be required to apply critical thinking,problem-solving skills, and prioritization to make informed decisions)

  • Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation

28 MCQs with negative marking

(The questions in the QA section are primarily formulated around 10th standard Mathematics. Notably, the emphasis is on application-
oriented problems. The questions on DI are about clear interpretation, summarization and insightful analysis of the data.)

Part II
  • General Knowledge

20 MCQs but No Negative marking

(In the GK section, 08 questions will focus on static GK, while the remaining 12 will delve into current affairs.)

Total Questions

95

  • A question paper has four sections of MCQs.
  • Each section will usually have 22 to 30 questions.
  • The GK Section, which contains 20 questions, is not included in the percentage calculations.
  • General Knowledge (GK) Score: The score from the General Knowledge (GK) section will be exclusively utilized by XLRI Jamshedpur for its final selection process.
  • Analytical Essay Writing (AEW): This year, the Analytical Essay Writing (AEW) will be administered during the Group Discussion &Personal Interview (GD / PI) processes.

FAQs about the XAT Exam Pattern

1. What is the exam pattern for the XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test)?

The XAT exam pattern typically includes sections like Verbal and Logical Ability, Decision Making, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, General Knowledge, and an Essay Writing section.

2. How many sections are there in the XAT exam?

The XAT exam usually consists of five sections: Verbal and Logical Ability, Decision Making, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, General Knowledge, and an Essay Writing section.

3. Is the XAT exam conducted in online or offline mode?

The XAT exam is generally conducted in online mode where candidates take the test on a computer system at designated exam centers.

4. What is the duration of the XAT exam?

The duration of the XAT exam is typically 3 hours. The Essay Writing section might add an extra 15-20 minutes depending on the specific year's format.

5. Is there negative marking in the XAT exam?

Yes, there is negative marking in the XAT exam. Usually, for every incorrect answer, 0.25 marks are deducted. However, there might be differential marking schemes for unattempted questions beyond a certain limit.

6. Are all sections timed separately in the XAT exam?

Yes, each section in the XAT exam might have individual time limits. However, the overall duration for the entire exam remains around 3 hours.

7. Can I switch between sections during the XAT exam?

Usually, candidates can navigate between sections within the overall exam duration. However, once the time for a specific section is over, you might not be able to revisit that section.

8. Are calculators allowed during the XAT exam?

No, candidates are not allowed to use calculators or any electronic gadgets during the XAT exam.

9. What weightage do different sections hold in the XAT exam?

The weightage for each section might vary from year to year. Typically, the Verbal and Logical Ability, Decision Making, and Quantitative Ability sections hold higher weightage compared to General Knowledge and Essay Writing.

10. How should I manage time effectively during the XAT exam?

To manage time effectively, allocate a certain amount of time to each section based on your proficiency, attempt easier questions first, practice time-bound mock tests, and avoid spending too much time on any single question.