XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) is not just another MBA entrance exam after CAT. One of the most common mistakes aspirants make is preparing for XAT exactly the way they prepare for CAT. The XAT 2026 exam is designed to test decision-making ability, clarity of thought, ethical reasoning, and sectional balance, not just speed or formula application.
This article explains the XAT 2026 exam structure, section-wise syllabus, cut-off expectations, and mock strategies, along with how aspirants should approach preparation using structured practice platforms like mockat.com.
For a complete, practical explanation of how to apply these strategies during mocks and on exam day, watch
Why XAT Is Important for MBA Aspirants
XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) is conducted by XLRI – Xavier School of Management and is accepted by several top MBA colleges across India. What sets XAT apart is its focus on managerial thinking rather than pure aptitude.
Key reasons XAT stands out:
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The Decision Making section tests real-life judgement and ethics
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No sectional timer → strategy matters more than speed
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Sectional cut-offs are strictly applied
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Penalty for excessive unattempted questions
Students who perform well in XAT are those who respect the paper’s structure and prepare with a clear plan instead of aggressive attempts.
XAT 2026 Exam Date and Format
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Date | 4 January 2026 |
| Mode | Online (Computer-based) |
| Conducting Body | XLRI (XSM) |
| Total Duration | 170 minutes + 10 minutes (GK) |
| Sectional Timer | No |
| Question Type | MCQs |
XAT Exam Sections and Number of Questions
| Section | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning (VA&LR) | 26 |
| Decision Making (DM) | 21 |
| Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation (Q-DI) | 28 |
| General Knowledge (GK) | 20 |
Important: GK has a separate 10-minute timer. While it does not affect the percentile, it plays a role during the final selection process at XLRI and some other institutes.
XAT Marking Scheme and Penalties
| Response Type | Marks |
|---|---|
| Correct Answer | +1 |
| Incorrect Answer | −0.25 |
| Unattempted (beyond 8) | −0.10 per question |
Many students lose marks due to the unattempted penalty. This makes mock practice and attempt planning critical, which is why structured mock analysis on mockat.com becomes extremely useful.
XLRI XAT Interview Cut-offs—What Aspirants Must Know
XAT is one of the few MBA entrance exams where sectional cut-offs are extremely important, especially for XLRI programs. Even if your overall percentile is high, failing to clear any one sectional cut-off can lead to direct rejection.
To give students greater clarity, below are the official XLRI interview cut-offs for 2025, broken down by program, academic background, and gender. These cut-offs help aspirants understand the realistic benchmarks they must target in XAT.
XLRI HRM Program Interview Cut-offs (2025 – Percentiles)
| Stream | Gender | Overall | QA | VALR | DM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engineer/Tech | Male | ≥95 | ≥83 | ≥90 | ≥87 |
| Engineer/Tech | Female | ≥90 | ≥73 | ≥85 | ≥80 |
| Non-Engineer | Male | ≥93 | ≥76 | ≥90 | ≥87 |
| Non-Engineer | Female | ≥87 | ≥68 | ≥85 | ≥80 |
What this means for aspirants:
For the HRM program, decision-making and VALR cutoffs are consistently high, showing XLRI’s emphasis on people management, ethical reasoning, and communication skills. Candidates targeting HRM should avoid neglecting DM, even if Quant is their strength.
XLRI BM Program Interview Cut-offs (2025 – Percentiles)
| Stream | Gender | Overall | QA | VALR | DM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engineer/Tech | Male | ≥96 | ≥88 | ≥84 | ≥84 |
| Engineer/Tech | Female | ≥91 | ≥82 | ≥80 | ≥80 |
| Non-Engineer | Male | ≥96 | ≥88 | ≥84 | ≥84 |
| Non-Engineer | Female | ≥91 | ≥82 | ≥80 | ≥80 |
What this means for aspirants:
The BM program demands strong balance across all sections, especially Quant and Decision Making. Unlike HRM, BM cut-offs are almost identical for engineers and non-engineers, indicating a heavy focus on overall managerial aptitude.
“The official XLRI cut-offs are published every year. Aspirants are advised to refer to the official XLRI cut-off document for programme-wise details.”
XAT 2026 Syllabus – Section-Wise Focus
Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning (VA&LR)
Topics Covered:
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Reading Comprehension (including unconventional passages)
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Critical & Analytical Reasoning
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Para jumbles
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Cloze tests
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Grammar & Vocabulary
Guidance:
XAT Verbal rewards depth of understanding. Careful reading and eliminating extreme options matter more than speed.
Decision Making (DM)
Areas Tested:
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Ethical dilemmas
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Business caselets
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Managerial conflicts
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People vs process decisions
Recommended approach:
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Identify the most relevant stakeholder
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Think long-term, not emotionally
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Choose balanced and ethical solutions
The decision-making approach is explained step-by-step in the embedded XAT preparation video.
Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation (Q-DI)
Topics Covered:
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Arithmetic
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Algebra
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Geometry
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Modern Math
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Data Interpretation
Advice:
XAT Quant punishes random attempts. Selective solving and avoiding time sinks is essential.
General Knowledge (GK)
Coverage:
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Static GK
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Current affairs (business-oriented)
Daily short revision is sufficient. GK should not be ignored, but it does not contribute to the overall XAT percentile.
How Many Questions Should You Target in XAT?
| Metric | Recommended Range |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 38–42 marks |
| Attempts | ~60–70 questions |
| Accuracy | 80% or higher |
Students can use mockat.com to attempt XAT-style mocks and track both accuracy and attempt behaviour.
XAT Mock Strategy 1 – Balanced Approach (Recommended)
| Section | Time Allocation |
|---|---|
| VA&LR | 40 minutes |
| Decision Making | 40 minutes |
| Quant + DI | 40 minutes |
| Review (MFR) | ~20 minutes |
Best for:
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Balanced aspirants
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First-time XAT takers
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Students unsure about their strongest section
XAT Mock Strategy 2 – For Quant-Strong Aspirants
| Section | Time Allocation |
|---|---|
| Decision-Making | ~40 minutes |
| Quant + DI | ~50 minutes |
| VA&LR | ~40–50 minutes |
Best for:
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Students consistently strong in Quant
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Aspirants aiming to push overall score higher
Both strategies are explained in detail in the XAT strategy video.
XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) Accepting Colleges
| Institute | Location |
|---|---|
| XLRI – Xavier School of Management | Jamshedpur |
| XIMB – Xavier Institute of Management | Bhubaneswar |
| IMT | Ghaziabad |
| MICA | Ahmedabad |
| Great Lakes Institute of Management | Chennai / Gurgaon |
| TAPMI | Manipal |
| LIBA | Chennai |
| GIM | Goa |
Weekly Preparation Framework
| Activity | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Sectional practice | Daily |
| Decision-making caselets | 3–5 per week |
| GK revision | Daily (15 minutes) |
| Full-length mock | 1–2 per week |
| Mock analysis | Mandatory |
Using mockat.com for mocks and analysis helps maintain discipline and clarity during preparation.
Final Note
XAT rewards strategy, preparation, and reasoning ability. It is not about aggressive attempts but about making the right decisions under pressure. Practice consistently, analyze honestly, and plan strategically using mockat.com.
For real exam-day execution and mock planning, refer to the XAT preparation video above.
