XAT 2026 Exam Pattern; Sections, Total Marks, Marking Scheme and Duration
Xavier Labour Relations Institute (XLRI), Jamshedpur conducts Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) for admission to management programmes at XLRI and associate institutes. XAT 2026 was a computer-based test held on 4 January 2026. Part 1 had 75 questions on Verbal and Logical Ability, Decision Making, and Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation. Part 2 had 20 General Knowledge questions. The paper carried 95 marks and lasted 180 minutes. XLRI has revised the unanswered question limit for XAT 2027.
XAT Exam Pattern 2026 Overview
Both parts formed a single paper of 180 minutes. Exam details are published on the official website, xatonline.in.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) 2026 |
| Conducting Body | XLRI, Jamshedpur |
| Exam Date | 4 January 2026 |
| Exam Mode | Computer-based test (online) |
| Medium | English |
| Question Type | Multiple choice questions with five options and one correct answer |
| Parts | 2 |
| Total Questions | 95 |
| Marks per Question | 1 |
| Total Marks | 95 |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 marks for each wrong answer in Part 1; none in Part 2 |
| Unanswered Question Penalty | 0.10 marks for each unanswered question beyond 8 in Part 1 |
| Duration | 180 minutes (Part 1: 170 minutes; Part 2: 10 minutes) |
| Sectional Time Limit | None in Part 1 |
XAT 2026 Section-Wise Question and Marks Distribution
Part 1 holds the three sections used for percentile calculation, and Part 2 is a separate General Knowledge section.
| Part | Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part 1 | Verbal and Logical Ability | 26 | 26 | No sectional limit |
| Part 1 | Decision Making | 21 | 21 | No sectional limit |
| Part 1 | Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation | 28 | 28 | No sectional limit |
| Part 1 Total | 3 Sections | 75 | 75 | 170 minutes |
| Part 2 | General Knowledge | 20 | 20 | 10 minutes |
| Total | 4 Sections | 95 | 95 | 180 minutes |
- XAT percentile is calculated from the three Part 1 sections, which carry 75 marks in total.
- General Knowledge scores are not counted in the percentile. They are considered in the selection process of XLRI programmes.
- Part 1 has one overall time limit of 170 minutes, so candidates can divide time among the three sections as needed.
XAT 2026 Marking Scheme and Negative Marking
Negative marking and the unanswered question penalty apply only to Part 1, while General Knowledge has no deduction.
| Response | Part 1 (75 Questions) | Part 2 (General Knowledge) |
|---|---|---|
| Correct answer | +1 | +1 |
| Wrong answer | −0.25 | No negative marking |
| Unanswered question (up to 8) | 0 | 0 |
| Unanswered question (beyond 8) | −0.10 for each such question | 0 |
XAT Marking Scheme Revised for XAT 2027
XLRI announced the revision in November 2026 for XAT 2027, which is scheduled for 3 January 2027. It does not change XAT 2026 marking scheme.
| Particulars | XAT 2026 | XAT 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Unanswered questions without penalty in Part 1 | Up to 8 | Up to 12 |
| Penalty for each unanswered question beyond the limit | 0.10 marks | 0.10 marks |
| Penalty for each wrong answer in Part 1 | 0.25 marks | 0.25 marks |
| Exam Date | 4 January 2026 | 3 January 2027 |
- The unanswered question limit in Part 1 has been increased from 8 to 12 questions.
- Questions, marks and duration listed on the official website for XAT 2027 remain 95 questions and 180 minutes.
- Registration for XAT 2027 closes on 6 December 2026.
XAT 2026 had 95 questions for 95 marks in 180 minutes, with 75 questions in Part 1 and 20 General Knowledge questions in Part 2. Correct answers carried 1 mark, wrong answers in Part 1 carried a penalty of 0.25 marks, and unanswered questions beyond 8 in Part 1 cost 0.10 marks each. For XAT 2027, XLRI has raised the penalty-free limit of unanswered questions in Part 1 from 8 to 12.
| Relevant Links | ||
|---|---|---|
| XAT Syllabus | XAT Eligibility Criteria | XAT Application Process |
| XAT Cutoff | XAT Result | XAT Preparation Tips |
XAT 2026 Exam Pattern FAQs
Ques: How many marks are deducted if 11 questions are left unanswered in Part 1 of XAT 2026?
Ans: Only the 3 questions beyond the first 8 are penalised, so the deduction is 3 × 0.10 = 0.30 marks. Under XAT 2027 limit of 12, the same 11 unanswered questions carry no penalty.
Ques: What is the maximum score in Part 1 of XAT 2026?
Ans: The maximum score is 75 marks, from 75 questions of 1 mark each. Percentile is calculated from this score.
Ques: How much time is available per question in Part 1 of XAT 2026?
Ans: Part 1 has 75 questions in 170 minutes, which gives about 136 seconds per question on average.
Ques: Does XAT 2026 have an essay writing section?
Ans: No. The 180 minutes are fully divided between Part 1 (170 minutes) and Part 2 General Knowledge (10 minutes).
Ques: Does the unanswered question limit of 12 apply to XAT 2026?
Ans: No. The limit of 12 is for XAT 2027, which is scheduled for 3 January 2027. XAT 2026 had a limit of 8 unanswered questions in Part 1.
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