Xat exam pattern
The majority of MBA applicants take the XAT Exam together with the CAT, one of the most difficult MBA entrance exams. It gives doors to some of the top business schools in India, including the exam’s host institution, XLRI Jamshedpur.
Due to the inclusion of the General Knowledge component and the distinct XAT Exam Pattern, which maintains the scores for the XAT Exam extremely low, the XAT Exam is also regarded as one of the hardest MBA entry exams. Additionally, it is generally agreed upon that the verbal ability questions are of a higher calibre than those on the CAT. The sectional cutoffs in every section but the General Knowledge portion only make things more challenging.
In the first week of January 2024, the XAT will be conducted. Even though the GD/PI process takes place during the same February and March window as the other B-Schools, it is typically one of the last tests that all MBA aspirants take.
Up until 2017, the exam was paper and pen-based, but in 2018, XAT made the decision to switch to a computer-based test.
Request For A Call Back
XAT Exam Pattern 2024
Among all MBA entrance exams in India, the XAT Pattern is exclusive and attracts more than 75,000 applicants annually. The XAT Paper is divided into five sections, according to previous XAT exam patterns. In the XAT exam schedule for 2022, the Essay Writing Section that had been eliminated in previous years was reinstated.
- Verbal and Logical Ability
- Decision Making
- Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation
- General Knowledge
- Essay Writing
Candidates must therefore alter their XAT preparation in comparison to CAT. The total running time of the XAT paper pattern 2024 is three hours and thirty minutes.
XAT Exam Pattern 2024: Detailed Analysis
There are 101 questions (anticipated) in total across the two portions of the XAT pattern. Following are the expected question distributions:
XAT Division | Sections | Total Questions | Time Allotted |
Part 1 | Verbal and Logical Ability | 26 | 175 minutes |
Decision Making | 22 | ||
Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation | 28 | ||
Part 2 | Mock Keyboard Testing | – | 5 minutes |
Part 3 | General Knowledge | 25 | 30 minutes |
Essay Writing | 1 | ||
Total | 102 | 210 Minutes |
XAT Exam Pattern: Marking Scheme
- For every correct answer in the MCQs, a +1 mark will be awarded.
- An incorrect attempt carries a penalty of 0.25 marks.
- Apart from these marks, a candidate cannot leave over 8 questions unattempted. All questions (over 8) left unattempted carry a penalty (expected) of 0.10 marks.
- The General Knowledge Section does not carry any negative marking.
The XAT exam is made more challenging by this feature of the exam format because it limits the amount of questions that can be skipped. The XAT Exam Strategy thus becomes crucial for the candidates. Only after several mock attempts by the candidate can this be produced.
Past XAT Exam Pattern: Key Changes
Over the past three to four years, the XAT Paper Pattern has experienced a number of alterations. The switch from paper-based testing to computer-based testing in 2018 was the biggest modification. In addition to this, other modifications that have occurred over time include:
- Essay Based Question was scrapped after XAT 2018
- The number of Questions has fluctuated over the years
- The number of un-attempted questions allowed has been reduced from 12 to 8
- Subjective Questions were removed in XAT 2019 but have been reintroduced in XAT 2020
- Essay Writing has been included from XAT 2022
- The total Decision Making questions were 22 in XAT 2023 and the time of the exam increased to 210 minutes.
XAT Exam Pattern 2023
Online testing for the XAT 2023 was used. As opposed to XAT 2022, the XAT exam format 2023 had a number of modifications, which are detailed below:
- The exam had a 3 hours and 30 minute time limit.
- The XAT pattern had five sections: Essay Writing, Verbal & Logical Ability, Decision Making, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation.
- There are 102 total questions, 101 MCQs, and 1 essay question.
- MCQs for Verbal and Logical Ability total 26.
- 22 Multiple Choice Questions
- 28 multiple-choice questions covering quantitative ability and data interpretation
- General Knowledge 25 MCQs
- 1 Essay Writing Question
- The total scoring system was 1 mark for a successful attempt and 0.25 marks for a failed attempt.
- Additionally, candidates are allowed to skip up to 8 questions, but doing more beyond that will cost them 0.1 marks each.
Other XAT Exam Patterns
The table below provides a brief synopsis of the XAT Patterns for 2015–2023.
XAT | Â No. of Questions; Hours Allotted | Questions per Section | Marking Scheme |
XAT 2023 | 102; 3 hours 30 minutes | VA-26 DM-22 QA-28 GK-25 Essay Writing: 1 |
|
XAT 2022 | 101; 3 hours 10 minutes | VA-26 DM-21 QA-28 GK-25 Essay Writing: 1 |
|
XAT 2021 | 100; 3 hours | VA-26 DM-21 QA-28 GK-25 |
|
 XAT 2020 |   100; 3 hours | VA-26 DM-21 QA-28 GK-25 |
|
 XAT 2019 |   99; 3 hours | VA-26 DM-21 QA-27 GK-25 |
|
XAT 2018 | Â Â 98; 3.5 hours | VA-24 DM-21 QA-27 GK-25 Essay Type-1 |
|
XAT 2017 | Â Â 98; 3.5 hours | VA-24 DM-21 QA-27 GK-25 Essay Type-1 |
|
XAT 2016 | 104; 3.5 hours | VA-26 DM-23 QA-29 GK-25 Essay Type-1 |
|
XAT 2015 | 115; 3 hours | VA- 28 DM- 23 QA- 33 GK-30 Essay Type-1 | +1/-0.25 |
XAT Exam Pattern and Syllabus
As you can see, there has been a little change in the XAT Pattern over time. This makes getting ready for the XAT Exam a little challenging, but since the sections have not changed, it is possible to look at the XAT Syllabus in brief.
Section 1: Verbal and Logical Ability
The VARC section and the LR section from the CAT Exam are combined into this section. Other than Reading Comprehension, the subjects that are typically evaluated in this section are:
- Vocabulary, Analogy
- Paragraph Jumbles, Paragraph Completion
- Critical Reasoning
- Statements-Assumptions
Section 2: Decision Making
In the CAT or any other MBA entrance exam, this section is not at all tested. It had six paragraphs with two to three questions apiece the previous year.
This section does not require a specific preparation or curriculum because the candidate’s clarity of thought will be the determining factor. The questions also make sure that the candidate’s responses do not conflict with one another.
Section 3: Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation
This portion, like section 1, is a fusion of two CAT Exam components. The questions in this area that test quantitative aptitude and data interpretation. 3–4 questions often follow the Data Interpretation sets.
The same CAT syllabus applies to the Quantitative Ability test, with the following topics receiving the most questions:
- Time & Work
- Percentage
- Profit & Loss
- Equations
- Number Systems
- Clocks
- Geometry
- Algebra
- Mensuration
- Venn Diagrams
- Tables
- Bar Diagrams
Section 4: General Knowledge
The XAT 2024’s General Knowledge portion is anticipated to lack a syllabus and cover both current events and trivia. The questions strike a balance between static GK and current issues based on past tendencies. This course’s syllabus may cover anything from politics and literature to technology.
XAT Exam Pattern: Study Help
Prepare a schedule: You must develop a schedule that you can stick to before you can start your preparation. Partition the preparation into sections and additional ideas. By doing so, you’ll be able to manage your syllabus in light of a deadline and allow for adjustments.
Identify weak and strong areas: Knowing your talents and limitations can help you allocate your time on the curriculum more effectively. When tackling the paper, you will be able to concentrate on strengthening your areas of weakness and effectively use your areas of strength.
Practice with mock tests: Including the XAT, mock exams are a blessing for all MBA entrance exams. They will support you in determining your degree of preparedness, the efficiency of your exam strategy, how you compare to your colleagues, and where you may make improvements.
Review previous years’ papers: You can become more familiar with the exam format and the kinds of questions to anticipate by studying previous years’ exams and helping you with your revision. Similar to mock tests, attempting old papers will also be beneficial to you.
Revise regularly: After you have finished the course, it is crucial that you constantly review the ideas, whether by looking over your notes, answering questions, or taking practise exams. You’ll strengthen the concepts and increase your speed and accuracy with the revision.
