• Written By Pritam G
  • Last Modified 24-05-2023

XAT Exam Pattern 2023 [Updated]: Check Marking Scheme Here

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XAT Exam Pattern 2023: The Xavier School of Management (XLRI) prescribes the exam pattern for Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) in its notification. The exam format is designed to assess candidates’ accuracy and speed in answering mathematical and reasoning problems. Candidates preparing for this exam can check the latest pattern from the official website – xatonline.in, or directly from this page. According to the latest exam pattern, the question paper is divided into three sections, each with its time limitation.

Practice XAT Unlimited Questions
XAT Verbal and Logical Ability Practice Questions XAT General Knowledge Practice Questions
XAT Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation Practice Questions XAT Decision-Making Practice Questions

**Steps to practice unlimited XAT questions are mentioned below in this article.

The first part of the question paper includes Decision Making, Verbal & Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability, and Data Interpretation, while the second part includes a mock keyboard testing session and the third part consists of a GK section as well as a short essay topic. Each section will have 22-27 MCQ questions with five options to choose the correct response. The duration of the exam has been increased to 210 minutes, or 3 hours and 30 minutes. Scroll down to get the detailed exam pattern.

XAT Exam Pattern 2023: Highlights

XLRI, Jamshedpur, conducts the Xavier Aptitude Test for admission to MBA/PGDM programmes. This is a national-level management entrance examination. Apart from XLRI and 10 other XAMI members, over 700 B-schools accept XAT scores for admission to their postgraduate management programmes.

Candidates planning to appear for the upcoming exam must be well aware of the exam pattern before starting their preparation. Check out the highlights of the exam pattern below:

XAT Exam StructureXAT Exam Details
Number of Sections5 (Decision Making, Verbal & Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation and General Knowledge and Essay Writing)
Duration of Exam3 hours and 30 minutes
Number of Questions105
Total Marks105
Language of PaperEnglish
Number of Answer ChoicesFive
Mode of ExaminationOnline

Section Wise XAT Exam Pattern

The XAT exam pattern helps candidates know about the question paper structure. They can get an idea about the number of questions, exam duration, sections, marking scheme, and so on. Knowing these details will help the candidates to make a good preparation strategy for the exam. The total duration required to attempt Part 1 is 175 minutes, Part 2 is 5 minutes and Part 3 is 30 minutes.

The section-wise question and marks distribution is tabulated below:

Section

Subjects

Number of Questions

Total Marks

Part-1

Decision Making

22

22

Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation

28

28

Verbal and Logical Ability

26

26

Part-2

Mock Keyboard Testing (new section)

Part-3

General Knowledge

25

25

Essay

1 (To be answered out of 3 topics)

To be evaluated upon shortlisting

Total

105 questions

105 marks

How To Practice Unlimited XAT Exam Questions?

Follow the below-mentioned steps to take the XAT practice test:

  • 1st Step: Visit Embibe’s official website, i.e., embibe.com.
  • 2nd Step: Use the mobile number/email to log in.
  • 3rd Step: Click on the “Getting a Government Job” menu bar.
  • 4th Step: Select the Goal “Management” from the Dropdown and click on “Next”.
  • 5th Step: Select “XAT” and click on “Next”.
  • 6th Step: Select the preferred language and click on “Done”.
  • 7th Step: Click “Practice” from the header section.
  • 8th Step: Scroll down to the “Subjects” section.
  • 9th Step: Click on any XAT subjects.
  • 10th Step: Scroll down to click on the chapters from the selected subject to begin the practice.

XAT Marking Scheme

The most essential aspect of the XAT Exam Pattern is the marking scheme. Take note of the following points to learn more about the latest marking scheme in the exam pattern:

  • Each correct response will award one mark.
  • For each incorrect response in Part 1, 0.25 marks will be deducted.
  • For eight or more unanswered consecutive questions, 0.10 marks will be deducted.
  • There will be no negative marking in the General Knowledge section.
  • General Knowledge section scores will not be taken into account while calculating the XAT final score.
  • If candidates are selected for the interview, their essay writing section will be evaluated and considered.

The XAT exam patterns of previous years from 2014 to 2020 are tabulated below:

YearTotal Number of Questions & Time DurationMaximum Number of Unattempted Questions Allowed
2020100 (MCQ – 75, GK – 25)
Total Time: 180 minutes
8+ questions for which a negative marking of 0.05 mark per question
201999 (MCQ – 74, GK – 25)
Total Time: 180 minutes
8+ questions for which a negative marking of 0.05 mark per question
2018100 (MCQ – 74, GK – 25, Essay – 1)

Total Time: 210 minutes

8 beyond with a negative marking of 0.05 mark per question
201798 (MCQ – 72, GK – 25, Essay – 1)

Total Time: 210 minutes

12 beyond for which a negative marking of 0.05 mark per question
2016104 (MCQ – 78, GK – 25, Essay – 1)

Total Time: 210 minutes

Beyond 13 for which a negative marking of 0.05 mark per question
201584 (MCQ)

Total Time: 140 minutes

No such rule
2014104 (MCQ – 83, GK – 20, Essay – 1)

Total Time: 150 minutes

No such rule

Note that, every year, each question carried 1 mark, and there were negative markings of 0.25 marks for every wrong answer.

XAT Syllabus 2023

Besides the exam pattern, candidates should also check the syllabus to help them prepare for the exam. The important topics for XAT 2023 are provided below:

SectionsImportant Topics
Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VARC & LR)Jumbled Paragraph, Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, Para Jumble, Critical Reasoning, etc
Decision Making Conditions and Grouping Test, Data Arrangement Test, Decision Making, Caselets, etc
Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation (QA & DI) Percentage, Profit & Loss, Time & Work, Equations, Number system, Clocks, Geometry, Algebra, Mensuration, Tables, Graphs, etc
General Knowledge Current Affairs, India and World, Economics, Latest Events, Indian Constitution, Sports, Social Issues, etc

Quick Links –

XAT Preparation TipsXAT Answer Key
XAT Important DatesXAT Admit Card
XAT Eligibility CriteriaXAT Counselling
XAT ResultXAT Cut-off

FAQs on XAT Exam Pattern 2023

Candidates can check the commonly asked questions regarding the XAT 2023 exam pattern below:

Q: What are the sections for XAT CBT?

A: XAT CBT has three sections: Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation (QA & DI), Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning and Decision Making.

Q: Is XAT conducted online or paper-based?

A: The Xavier School of Management will conduct the XAT exam in online mode across various centres in India.

Q: Is there a negative marking in XAT exam?

A: Yes. Only Part 1 of XAT has a negative marking of 0.25 per wrong answer.

Q: Is there an essay section in the XAT exam?

A: Yes. As per the latest format, there is an essay section in the XAT exam.

Q: What will happen if I leave any question blank in XAT?

A: In the XAT, there is no penalty for questions that are left unanswered, but if an applicant leaves consecutive eight questions or more unanswered, 0.10 marks will be deducted.

We hope this detailed article on the XAT Exam Pattern 2023 has provided you with all the information. Stay tuned to Embibe for the latest news and updates on the XAT exam.

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