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XAT Exam Pattern 2025

Last Updated on August 8, 2024 by Prof. SK Agarwal

XAT Exam pattern 2025: Major Changes Announced; Exam on Jan 5, 2025; Check Revised Pattern, Types & Weightage of Questions

Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) is an important MBA entrance exam for admission to XLRI and 160 other top B-schools. XAT 2025 is a computer based test and will be conducted in a single session of three hours duration on January 5, 2025. XAT 2025 is divided into four sections: Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning; Decision Making; Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation and General Knowledge. The Essay Writing Test which was conducted till last year has been remove from XAT 2025 exam. XAT 2025 exam pattern is substantially changed.

Latest Updates

XAT 2025 Exam Pattern: Key Changes

  • XAT 2025 Exam on January 5, 2025 in Single Slot
  • Number of Total MCQs Reduced to 95 from 101
  • GK Section Questions Reduced to 20 in XAT 2025 from Earlier 25
  • GK Section Time Reduced to 10 Minutes
  • Subjective Essay Writing Test Scrapped from XAT 2025 Exam
  • XLRI to Conduct Essay Writing Test during GD-PI Round
  • XAT 2025 Exam Time Duration reduced to 3 hours from 3 hours 30 minutes last year
  • Read XAT 2025 Preparation Strategy with Toppers’ Tips
  • 160+ B-Schools to Accept XAT Exam 2025 Score for MBA Admission 2025

XAT 2025 Registration Process: Key Changes

  • XAT Exam 2025 Registration Process is Open from July 15, 2024: Check Step by Step Process
  • XAT 2025 Registration Fee is slightly increased to Rs 2200 from Rs.2100 last year
  • No Change in XLRI Admission application Fees which is Rs.200 as was last year
  • Choice of Two XAT exam Cities available in XAT 2025 Application Form

MBAUniverse.com has provided past XAT papers and model papers as per exact XLRI Entrance Exam Pattern for XAT exam to help you assess your preparation. You can attempt each of these papers free of cost. Please note that XLRI pattern and XAT entrance exam pattern is one and the same thing for admission. Shared below are the key features of revised XAT exam pattern 2025, number of questions in each section, XAT Exam duration, XAT Exam marking scheme, weightage of each section in XAT exam and more 

Table of Content

  • 1. What is XAT Exam Pattern? XAT Pattern 2025: Key Highlights

  • 2. XAT Pattern 2025: Sections, Number & Type of Questions

  • 3. XAT Exam 2025 Pattern for VALR

  • 4. XAT 2025 Pattern for DM

  • 5. Pattern for XAT 2025 for QADI

  • 6. XAT 2025 Sectional Pattern for GK

  • 7. XAT 2025 Sectional Pattern for AEW: Dropped in XAT 2025

  • 8. XAT Vs CAT: Comparative Analysis

  • 9. XAT: Key Changes in Exam Pattern over the years

  • 10. FAQs on XAT Exam Pattern

1. What is XAT Exam Pattern? XAT Pattern 2025: Key Highlights

XAT 2025 is the mandatory exam for MBA admission in XLRI and many other top B-schools. XAT 2025 Question Paper has 5 sections and out of them 3 are core sections which are counted for percentile calculation– Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning; Decision Making; Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation. Score of other 2 sections - General Knowledge and Analytical Essay Writing Test is taken into account during the PI round. You need to ensure high score in each of the three core sections as there is also a sectional score cut off in XLRI for shortlisting. Below are shared the key highlights of XAT Exam Pattern and Syllabus.

XAT 2025 Exam Highlights

XAT Exam ParticularsDetails
XAT Exam Full Form 2025Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) 2025
Who conducts XAT Exam?Xavier School of Management (XLRI) Jamshedpur
XAT 2025 Notification ReleaseJuly 15, 2024
XAT 2025 Exam DateSunday, January 5, 2025
XAT Official Websitexatonline.in
XAT Exam FeesRs. 2200
Number of Candidates who registered for last XAT exam1.35 lakhs
Top MBA colleges accepting XAT ExamXLRI, XIMB, IMI, IMT, FORE, Great Lakes, GIM, IMT Nagpur
Total Questions in the Exam95 MCQs
Number of Sections4; Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning; Decision Making; Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation; General Knowledge
Number of Answer Options5
Scoring Pattern in XAT exam+1 Mark for Each Correct Answer -0.25 Mark for Each Wrong Answer 0 Mark for Un-attempted Question
XAT Exam Duration3 hours
XAT Sectional Time LimitNo Sectional Time Limit
XAT Application Fee 2025Rs. 2200
Facility to Choose Order of SectionsYes, Attempt any question from any section within overall time limit

2. XAT Pattern 2025: Sections, Number & Type of Questions

XAT 2025 Sectional Pattern is given below. XLRI has announced many changes in XAT 2025 exam pattern and Syllabus. The table below shares the XAT exam sectional order from Section-1 to Section-4, number and type of questions in each section 

XAT 2024 Exam Pattern

Exam SectionsNumber of questionsOverall Time & Scoring Pattern
Part-175 Total MCQs170 Minutes. Max.75 Marks(+1 Mark for each Correct answer; -0.25 Negative Marking for each wrong answer)
Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning26No Sectional Time Limit. +1 and -0.25 (Max 26 Marks)
Decision Making21No Sectional Time Limit. +1 and – 0.25(Max 22 Marks)
Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation28No Sectional Time Limit. +1 and – 0.25 (Max 28 Marks)
Part-220 Total MCQs10 Minutes
General Knowledge20Complete in 10 Minutes. +1; No Negative Marking (Max 20 Marks)
Analytical Essay Writing (AEW)1 Descriptive Topic (Dropped for XAT 2025)No Test in XAT 2025
Total questions (Part 1 + Part 2)95 MCQsMax 95 Marks
A: The exam will be conducted in a single day as a computer based test
A: Like previous years, this year also, the exam will be conducted in single slot of 3 hours 30 minutes duration
A: It is a computer based test and is conducted at test centres. Last year the exam was conducted in more than 70 test cities.
A: Yes, to some extent it is a difficult exam with a unique Decision Making section.
A: Yes, it does not have individual sectional time limit

3. XAT Exam 2025 Pattern for VALR

XAT Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning section carries overall 27% Weightage in XAT exam. Out of total 95 questions in XAT 2025, 26 questions will be based on VALR section. The VALR Section in XAT is divided into 3 parts. The 1st part covers topics on Verbal Ability, the 2nd Part covers Reading Comprehension passages and the 3rd part covers Reasoning section. Below is shared the topic wise VALR sectional pattern with number of questions in the exam and actual XAT questions that appeared recently in the exam to help you familiarise with the type of questions in XAT 

Exam Wise Section wise Topics & Types of Questions Table

Year: XAT 2024

Section: Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning (VALR)

Sub-section/ TopicType of QuestionsDescriptionNo of Questions
Verbal AbilitySentence CorrectionGrammatically Correct & Incorrect Sentences3
--Para SummaryMaking choice of Summary of small Paragraph1
--Jumbled ParagraphPlacing the 5 Jumbled sentences in coherent paragraphs2
--Fill in the BlanksFilling 2 Blanks in each sentence with correct words2
Reading Comprehension------
Questions on True False Statement, Argument, Inference, Main Idea, Interpretation of Phrase as used in RC; Passage TitleRC Passage 1Topic: Beauty has an aesthetic, but it is not the same as aesthetics2
--RC Passage 2Topic: The problem of unrecognized ignorance3
--RC Passage 3Topic: Simplified moral frames3
--RC Passage 4Topic: Reductive instinct and realist storytelling2
--RC Passage 5Topic: Mass vaccination and herd immunity3
--RC Passage 6Topic: Poem2
ReasoningCritical ReasoningTrue False, Correct Logica following the Statements, Best combination3
--Total Questions--26

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4. XAT 2025 Pattern for DM

Decision Making (DM) is a unique section in Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) and carries a weightage of 21% in the exam. It tests you not on your ability to learn concepts or remember formulas, but on your ability to holistically view a situation and propose a solution to a problem. DM also tests you on your ethical standing and asks you to take a decision in a conflicting situation. Three different types of questions asked in Decision Making section are on Data Based Problems, Situation Based Problems and a Mixture of both type of Problems. Below is shared the topic wise XAT entrance exam pattern for Decision Making  

Exam Wise Section wise Topics & Types of Questions

Year: XAT 2024

Section: Decision Making

Sub-section/ TopicType of QuestionsDescriptionNo of Questions
Caselet-1Problem Based on Human ResourcesExperience Credentials of Employees3
Caselet-2Problem Based on ABC Business SchoolDisciplined School with High Placements but less learning3
Caselet-3Problem Based on TaxisCompetition among Taxi Drivers3
Caselet-3Problem Based on Sales & MarketingSUV Sales Target Met but recovery of loss a concern due to extended warranty3
Caselet-4Problem Based on Household helpWrongful Termination of Domestic Help3
Caselet-5Problem Based on Human Resources at IT Firm SymbolisDistribution of Performance Bonus to the Best Employees3
Caselet-6Problem Based on Gas Extraction Company Deep Sea cReleasing the Natural Gas Pressure and Safety Arrangements3

5. Pattern for XAT 2025 for QADI

Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation (QADI) section in XAT commands 28% weight in XAT exam. QADI questions in XAT are designed to assess the quantitative aptitude of candidates. The students are expected to possess a foundational understanding of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, mensuration, modern maths. The questions on DI are about clear interpretation, summarization, and insightful analysis of the data. Below is shared the topic wise XAT entrance exam pattern for QADI with question types

Exam Wise Section wise Topics & Types of Questions

Year: XAT 2024

Section: Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation

Sub-section/ TopicType of QuestionsDescriptionNo of Questions
ArithmeticTime Speed DistancePilot increasing speed of Aircraft to reach Destination1
ArithmeticProfit & LossCost of Running Movie Theatre and required capacity to ear profit; Selling Price at Food Stall2
ArithmeticArithmetic ProgressionNumber of students in a class1
Number SystemIncreasing, DecreasingReal Numbers, Value3
Permutation & Combination; Set TheoryCombination of Items in Restaurant; Vegetable MarketMaking a combination of Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian items from Menu; Aman buying vegetables3
GeometryTriangles and RectanglesFarmer’s Tringalular land; Rectangle Football ground; Right Angle3
Algebra- PolynomialsRoots of PolynomialRatio of area from largest to smallest1
Linear Equation, Log, Quadratic EquationReal Numbers, LogsCoinciding Lines represented by the two equations; Equation Log3
Data InterpretationDI Set-1T-20 Match3
Data InterpretationDI Set-2Statistics – Hinge number3
Data InterpretationDI Set-3Discount Coupon3
Data InterpretationDI Set-4Shortlisting for Interview2
Total Questions----28

6. XAT 2025 Sectional Pattern for GK

General Knowledge section in XAT 2025 will have 20 questions instead of 25 earlier. The score in this section is not taken into account for percentile calculation in XAT exam. However, during XLRI PI Round GK plays an important role in final selection. In-depth and regular reading of GK helps more as sometimes a few GK questions in XAT appear more tricky and need intensive reading. Below is shared the topic wise last year XAT entrance exam GK section pattern with type of questions

Exam Wise Section wise Topics & Types of Questions

Year: XAT 2024

Section: General Knowledge

Sub-section/ TopicType of QuestionsDescriptionNo of Questions
Static GKHistoryHistorical capital cities of India; Famous battles; Doctrine of lapse3
Static GK & ChangesGeographyNational capitals of countries; Flow of River Ganges2
Static & CurrentEconomics & BusinessBrics1
Current AffairsPersonality & AwardsDr Akshata Krishnamurthy, Matthew Perry,2
Current AffairsScience & TechnologyAditya L-1; X 37B2
Current AffairsSportsWomen’s Premier League, Asian Games2
Static & CurrentBooks & AuthorsMatch the authors of the books1
Current AffairsLatest National & InternationalCountry pulling out of “Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe”; Air India’s AI; “Ghol” as the state fish; City illuminating 22.23 lakh earthen lamps; Earthquake in Japan;5
MiscellaneousCompanies, people, work, actionLeap Year calculation; Dedicated air cargo service in India; ChatGPT, Google Bard, Chatsonic3
Current AffairsNobel PrizeNobel Peace Prize, Nobel Prize in Economics2
Static & CurrentCulture & EntertainmentMovie Oppenheimer, Nabanno harvest festival of Bengal and Bangladesh2
Total----25

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7. XAT 2025 Sectional Pattern for AEW: Dropped in XAT 2025

Analytical Essay Writing is the descriptive online computer based test in XAT. This test has been scrapped in XAT 2025 and will be conducted by XLRI in its final selection GD-PI round. Essay writing in XAT is the test of writing skill of an aspirant. The test requires that the test taker should write a coherent and logical essay on the given topic. The Essay Writing test is not limited to any particular type of topic. Past trends in XAT reveal that it needs a well worded essay on the contemporary or abstract topic. Test taker had to write essay on one topic out of the three given topics. Essay in XAT plays important role in the Personal Interview round as questions are based on what you have written in your XAT Essay.

Exam Wise Section wise Topics & Types of Questions

Year: XAT 2024

Section: Analytical Essay Writing

Previous Topics for XAT Essay Writing Test

Below are some of the past XAT essay topics

  • Ethical Practices and Sustainability: Do they co-exist?
  • Globalization and Jingoism always coexist
  • Listening is a dying art. We hardly listen to understand. We only listen to refute or reply.
  • The most beautiful thing can neither be seen nor be touched but can only be felt
  • Corruption is the root cause of economic slowdown in India
  • Earth provides enough to satisfy everybody's need but not everybody's greed
  • Gender Imbalance would lead to Third World War
  • Economic growth without environmental damage – a mirage or a reality
  • India has one of the largest pools of talented manpower, but few innovations and patented products
  • More than one billion Indians: A gigantic problem or a sea of opportunities
  • National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 a good step
  • Establishing Bad Bank to improve Economy
  • Building Central Vista will improve India’s Global image
  • Covid Pandemic derailed Economic growth
  • Unity in Diversity is more relevant now in India
  • Blues of Demonetization still haunt the economic growth
  • Unless Agriculture is practiced as business, it will not improve the face of Rural India
  • Sensitivity of Sensex has nothing to do with economic growth
  • Society bears the burn of terrorism which has no religion
  • Democracy will lose meaning without social activism
  • GST is no magic band to push faster economic growth
  • Home buyers remain homeless, no teeth given to RERA
  • Making business lobbying legal can reduce corruption
  • Political interests and Uniform civil code cannot go hand in hand  
Sub-section/ TopicType of QuestionsDescriptionNo of Questions
EssayEssay-1Tech prediction often fail not because of wrong models or a lack of imagination but due to lack of humility in admitting our uncertainties about the future.1
EssayEssay-2Implementing more stringent regulations for Social Media Platforms is crucial to effectively combat the proliferation of fake news.1
EssayEssay-3Things which matters the most must never be at the mercy of things that matters the least.1
TotalChoice to choose one Topic out of 3--3

8. XAT Vs CAT: Comparative Analysis

XAT exam pattern 2025 Vs CAT exam pattern has many similarities as well as differences. A brief comparison between XAT & CAT is shared below:

8.1 XAT 2025 Vs CAT 2024 

IIM CAT 2024 and XAT 2025 have many similarities which give the opportunity to the candidates to synchronise their sectional and overall exam preparation. A comparative analysis between both the exams is shared below:

ComponentXLRI – XAT 2025IIM CAT 2024
Total questions9566
Overall time limit to attempt the exam3 hours2 hours
Type of questionsMCQsMCQs, and Non-MCQs
Answer options for each MCQ54
Marks awarded for each correct answer13
Negative marking75 MCQs with 1/4 negative marking; No negative marking for 20 MCQs on GKMCQs with 1/3 negative marking; No negative marking for Non-MCQs
Exam difficulty levelHighHigh
Number of sectionsTotal 4 Sections 3 (Main sections) 1 (GK score not counted)3
Name of section-1 with number of questionsEnglish Language & Logical Reasoning- 26Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension -24
Name of Section-2 with number of questionsQuantitative Ability & Data Interpretation- 28Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning-20
Name of Section-3 with number of questionsDecision Making-21Quantitative Ability-22
Facility to choose order of sectionsAny question from any section within overall time limitNo, has to follow pre defined sectional order
Individual Sectional time limitNoEach section with 40 Minute time limit
Top MBA colleges accepting exam scoreXLRI, SPJIMR, IMT, TAPMI, XIMB21 IIMs, FMS, MDI, SPJIMR, IMI, IITs, XIMB

9. XAT: Key Changes in Exam Pattern over the years

XLRI is conducting XAT for the more than 70 years. Earlier it used to be a paper based test. Later on it was changed to a computer based test. XLRI had scrapped the descriptive question on Essay Writing test, restored it and has again scrapped it for XAT 2025. XAT exam time duration has also been reduced to 3 hours from earlier 3 hour 30 minutes.  Key changes in XAT over the years are as below:

XAT exam yearXAT 2024XAT 2023XAT 2022XAT 2021XAT 2020
Test Duration3 Hours 30 Minutes: 2PM to 5.30 PM3 Hours 30 Minutes: 2PM to 5.30 PM3 Hours 10 Minutes: 9.30AM to 12.40PM3 Hours:9.30AM to 12.30PM3 Hours:9.30AM to 12.30 PM
Number of Sections55544
Number of Questions10110110110099
Type of QuestionsMCQs-100; Descriptive-1MCQs-100 Descriptive-1MCQs-100; Descriptive-1MCQsMCQs
Subjective Answer Questions1 (Essay Writing Test)1 (Essay Writing Test)1 (Essay Writing Test)NoNo
Maximum marks100 (Essay Evaluation after shortlisting by XLRI)100 (Essay Evaluation after shortlisting by XLRI)100 (Essay Evaluation after shortlisting by XLRI)10099
Key ChangeNo ChangeEssay Writing Test in 2nd PartEssay Writing Test RestoredNo Essay Writing TestNo Essay Writing Test
Penalty for Leaving Questions UnattemptedNoneNone0.10 Negative marks penalty for every unattempted question after 8 unattempted questionsNot Announced0.10 Negative marks penalty for every unattempted question after 8 unattempted questions
Scoring Pattern+1 Mark for each correct answer; - 0.25 mark for each wrong answer+1 Mark for each correct answer; - 0.25 mark for each wrong answer+1 Mark for each correct answer; - 0.25 mark for each wrong answer+1 Mark for each correct answer; -0.25 mark for each wrong answer+1 Mark for each correct answer; -0.25 mark for each wrong answer

10. FAQs on XAT Exam Pattern

Q. What is XAT 2025 Exam Pattern
A.
 XAT 2025 is a computer based test. It is likely to have 95 MCQs this year and No Descriptive Essay Writing Test. The exam will be divided into 4 sections with 95 questions on VALR, DM, QADI, GK

Q. What is the XAT 2025 exam date?
A.
 XAT 2025 exam date is January 5, 2025. The exam will be conducted in single slot.

Q. Will XLRI allow to take the examination from any computer?
A. 
No, the candidates will appear in XAT exam on a workstation assigned at the test centre, based on the test cities selected while registering for XAT. The test centre details are printed on the Admit Card.

Q. Will XLRI provide some model test to understand XAT exam pattern?
A
. Yes, XLRI conducts official Mock Tests and also provides previous test papers on the XAT website: xatonline.in. You can familiarize yourself with the functionality and navigation of the actual exam.

Q. How many sections are there in XAT 2025?
A.
 XAT 2025 will have two parts. Part-1 has three core sections which are counted for percentile calculation and part-2 has two sections which are not counted for percentile calculation:

Part-1

  • Section I: Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning
  • Section II: Decision Making
  • Section III: Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation

Part-2

  • General Knowledge

Q. Can I bring a calculator to the XAT exam centre?
A. 
No, Candidates are prohibited from bringing calculators to the testing centre. You may use the onscreen calculator that will be available throughout the exam.

Q. Is there a specific order for answering sections in XAT? Can I attempt sections the way I want?
A
. There is no specific order to answer the questions in XAT exam. You may attempt any question from any section within the overall time limit of exam.

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