XLRI Jamshedpur has established and released an official XAT Syllabus for 2026 on July 10, 2026, along with the notification. The XAT subjects from which XAT 2026 questions will be drawn include Verbal and Logical Ability, Decision Making, Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation, and General Knowledge, as per the latest XAT MBA syllabus 2026.
The XAT 2026 syllabus was released with a few changes compared to 2025. As per the updated syllabus, the General Knowledge (GK) section of the XAT 2026 syllabus now comprises 20 questions instead of 25, and the Analytical Essay Writing section has been eliminated from the main test. The essay writing will now be assessed as part of the group discussion and personal interview (GD/PI) procedure.
The exam's overall duration is still 180 minutes, with a 10-minute window set aside for the GK section and 170 minutes assigned for the rest of the exam. The total number of questions reduced from 101 to 95. The total mark for the exam is 95. The questions will be MCQ-based with 5 options for each question.
Section-wise breakdown:
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Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning (VA & LR): 26 questions
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Decision Making (DM): 21 questions
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Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation (QA & DI): 28 questions
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General Knowledge (GK): 20 questions
XLRI Jamshedpur will hold the XAT 2026 exam in CBT mode on January 4, 2026. To learn more about the XAT exam syllabus 2026, topics covered, etc., read this article.
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XAT Syllabus 2026
By practicing with the CAT and other management exams' syllabuses, aspirants can become ready for the XAT Syllabus 2026. In each part of the XAT 2026 (except for Essay Writing), there will be 21–28 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) with five possible answers. If/when the applicant is chosen for the XLRI admissions personal interview phase, they will have to clear the analytical essay writing phase.
The XAT is a computer-based test (CBT), and it takes 180 minutes to complete. Applicants should plan appropriately because the XAT exam paper offers such a variety of sections. They should first evaluate the XAT Syllabus 2026 before organizing their studies as per their evaluation of the syllabus for each area.
The experts say that four to five months should be sufficient for XAT preparation. To learn more about the XAT subjects, exam format, section-by-section XAT subjects, and frequently asked questions about the XAT Syllabus 2026, read the entire article.
Important Changes to the XAT Syllabus 2026
According to the pattern from the previous year, there will be a total of 95 questions in the entrance exam instead of 101, and candidates will have a total of 180 minutes to complete the entire XAT question paper (170 minutes for the main exam and 10 minutes for the GK section). There will be no analytical essay writing section during the main exam. There will be a total of 4 sections in the XAT exam pattern in 2026.
Verbal and logical ability, decision-making and quantitative ability, data interpretation, and general knowledge are the major sections that will determine the XAT percentile, while essay writing will be taken into account during the GD/PI shortlisting phase.
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Sections in XAT Exam 2026 |
Number of Questions |
Total Marks |
|
Part -1 |
75 MCQs |
75 Marks |
|
Verbal and Logical Ability |
26 |
26 |
|
Decision Making |
21 |
21 |
|
Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation |
28 |
28 |
|
Part - 2 |
20 |
20 |
|
General Knowledge |
20 |
20 |
|
Total Questions (Part 1 + Part 2) |
95 |
95 |
What is the marking scheme for the XAT 2026 pattern?
XAT offers a special marking system that includes negative marking for both the quantity and quality of erroneous attempts. To maximize their performance, candidates must have a thorough understanding of the XAT marking scheme. The main features of the XAT 2026 marking scheme are listed below:
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One mark will be given for each right response.
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Every wrong response will result in a deduction of 0.25 points.
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If more than eight questions go unanswered in a row, 0.10 marks will be subtracted.
-
The General Knowledge portion will not be marked negatively.
-
The XAT percentile will not be determined using the General Knowledge section scores.
XAT Syllabus 2026, Section-by-Section
Look at the whole XAT syllabus PDF, which lists every subject from which questions will be drawn.3
XLRI XAT Syllabus: The Verbal and Logical Ability
There will be 26 questions in the XAT Verbal and Logical Ability section, as per the latest XAT 2026 syllabus. The majority of the questions will come from verbal abilities and reading comprehension. In this section, students may need to answer a few verbal reasoning and reading questions. Candidates can consult the themes listed below, which will serve as the basis for the questions in this section.
Topics on the XAT Syllabus 2026: Verbal and Logical Ability
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Analogy-Based on Vocabulary
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Fill in the blanks
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Critical Reasoning/ Inference
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Sentence Correction
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Reading Comprehension
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Para Jumble
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Vocabulary
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Para Completion
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Grammar
|
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Pronunciation
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Poem
|
Paragraph Formation Questions
|
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Cloze Test, etc.
|
-
|
-
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A list of books to read for the XAT Verbal and Logical Ability
To prepare for the Verbal and Logical Ability section of the XAT 2026, candidates might use these books. Experts have recommended these books.
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Books for XAT Preparation
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Author/Publisher
|
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Word Power Made Easy
|
Norman Lewis
|
|
Objective General English
|
Dr RS Agarwal and Vikas Agarwal
|
|
High School English Grammar
|
Wren & Martin
|
|
The Students' Companion Book
|
D Best
|
XLRI XAT Syllabus for Decision-Making
There will be 21 questions in the XAT's Decision-Making section. Decision-making questions will require candidates to read certain texts. Candidates are tested in this section on how they make judgments, how they would respond to various situations, etc. To ace the XAT Decision-Making section, candidates should practice the following topics.
Decision-Making Syllabus
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XAT syllabus for Decision Making
|
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Analytical Reasoning
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Logical Reasoning
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Complex Arrangement
|
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Data Arrangement
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Caselets
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Conditions and Grouping
|
|
Situations
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Assumptions
|
Decision Making
|
XLRI XAT Syllabus: Top Books for the Decision-Making section
The following books are available for candidates to practice from as they get ready for the XAT Decision-Making section. These books are highly recommended by last year's XAT top scorers.
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Books for XAT Preparation
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Author Name/Publisher
|
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Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning
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Gautam Puri
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Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT
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Nishit K. Sinha
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Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency
|
Ananta Ashisha
|
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How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT
|
Arun Sharma
|
XLRI XAT Syllabus: Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation
Quantitative Ability will comprise the majority of the questions, with the Data Interpretation segment providing the remaining ones. There will be a total of 28 questions, as per the updated XAT 2026 syllabus. Several of the questions will rely on reasoning. Candidates will be proficient in doing mathematical and numerical calculations. The following can be incorporated into candidates' XAT preparation plans. The XAT Quant and DI syllabi are listed below.
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XAT syllabus for Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation
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Percentage
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Tables and Caselets
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Linear and Quadratic Equations
|
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Profit and Loss
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Probability
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Surds and Indices
|
|
Ratio and Proportion
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Critical Path
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Inequalities
|
|
Variation
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Averages and Partnerships
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Logarithms
|
|
Time and Work
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Alligations and Mixtures
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Numbers
|
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Time, Speed, and Distance
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Algebra
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Mensuration
|
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LCM and HCF
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Simple and Compound Interest
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Geometry
|
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Pure Maths
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Venn Diagram
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Trigonometry
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Data Tables
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Data Charts
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Bar Diagrams
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Graphs
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Pie Charts
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Data Analysis
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Recommended books for the XAT Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation section
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Books |
Author |
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Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examination |
Abhijit Guha |
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Data Interpretation for the CAT |
Nishit K Sinha |
|
How to prepare for Data Interpretation |
Arun Sharma |
XAT Syllabus: General Knowledge Topics
The XAT syllabus for GK consists of a variety of topics with a total of 20 questions. All of the XAT GK questions will be split into two categories: questions about current events and questions about static GK. Science, history, geography, business, books and authors, the economy, and other topics are among the most often asked questions. Examine every XAT subject related to the General Knowledge segment.
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General Knowledge
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Current Affairs
|
|
History
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Film & Television
|
|
National Capital
|
Politics
|
|
Business
|
Economics
|
|
Science
|
National Issues
|
|
Personality
|
Sports
|
|
Important dates
|
Ecosystem and Diversity
|
|
Currency
|
|
Films
|
|
Books & Authors
|
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Culture
|
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Geography
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While preparing for the XAT 2026, candidates should additionally read the following newspapers or periodicals in addition to the general knowledge themes stated above.
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Economic Times
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Newspapers and Magazines
|
|
The Financial Times
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Competition Success Review
|
|
Business Today
|
Business World
|
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Hindu Business Line
|
The Hindu
|
|
Wall Street Journal
|
Financial Express
|
XAT Syllabus PDF
According to the most recent changes made by the authorities, students can download the free PDF format of the XAT Syllabus from their official website. According to the current XAT exam pattern, the XAT Syllabus PDF will aid in improving XAT 2026 preparation. Online resources include a PDF download of the XAT Syllabus 2026.
Changes in the XAT Exam Pattern throughout Time
Except for Analytical Essay Writing, which was eliminated in 2018, reinstated in 2022, and then eliminated once more in 2025, the XAT question paper has not seen many modifications over the past eight years. The XAT exam structure and question difficulty level from prior years are contrasted in the table below:
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XAT Exam Year
|
Total Number of Questions
|
Section-wise number of questions
|
Marking Scheme
|
Level of Difficulty
|
|
XAT 2026
|
95
|
VARC: 26
DM: 21
QA & DI: 28
GK: 20
|
+1 for each right answer
-0.25 for each wrong answer
-0.10 for more than 8 unanswered questions
|
Expected to be moderate
|
|
XAT 2025
|
95
|
VARC: 26
DM: 21
QA & DI: 28
GK: 20
|
+1 for each right answer
-0.25 for each wrong answer
-0.10 for more than 8 unanswered questions
|
Expected to be moderate
|
|
XAT 2024
|
100
|
VARC: 26
DM: 22
QA & DI: 28
GK: 25
Essay: 1 (to be evaluated upon shortlisting)
|
+1 for each right answer
-0.25 for each wrong answer
-0.10 for more than 8 unanswered questions
|
Moderate to difficult
|
|
XAT 2023
|
100
|
VARC: 26
DM: 22
QA & DI: 28
GK: 25
Essay: 1 (to be evaluated upon shortlisting)
|
+1 for each right answer
-0.25 for each wrong answer
-0.10 for more than 8 unanswered questions
|
Moderate to difficult
|
|
XAT 2022
|
100
|
VARC: 26
DM: 21
QA & DI: 28
GK: 25
Essay: 1 (to be evaluated upon shortlisting)
|
+1 for each right answer
-0.25 for each wrong answer
-0.10 for more than 8 unanswered questions
|
Moderate to difficult
|
|
XAT 2021
|
100
|
VARC: 26
DM: 21
QA & DI: 28
GK: 25
|
+1 for each right answer
-0.25 for each wrong answer
-0.10 for more than 8 unanswered questions
|
Moderate to difficult
|
|
XAT 2020
|
100
|
VARC: 26
DM: 21
QA & DI: 28
GK: 25
|
+1 for each right answer
-0.25 for each wrong answer
-0.10 for more than 8 unanswered questions
|
Moderate to difficult
|
|
XAT 2019
|
99
|
VARC: 26
DM: 21
QA & DI: 27
GK: 25
|
+1 for each right answer
-0.25 for each wrong answer
-0.5 for more than 8 unanswered questions
|
Moderate to difficult
|
|
XAT 2018
|
97
|
VARC: 24
DM: 21
QA & DI: 27
GK: 25
One essay topic
|
+1 for each right answer
-0.25 for each wrong answer;
-0.5 for more than 12 unanswered questions
|
Moderate to difficult
|
|
XAT 2017
|
97
|
VARC: 24
DM: 21
QA & DI: 27
GK: 25
One essay topic
|
+1 for each right answer
-0.25 for each wrong answer;
-0.5 for more than 12 unanswered questions
|
Moderate to difficult
|
|
XAT 2016
|
103
|
VARC: 26
DM: 23
QA & DI: 29
GK: 25
One essay topic
|
+1 for each right answer
-0.25 for each wrong answer;
-0.5 for more than 13 unanswered questions
|
Moderate to difficult
|
|
XAT 2015
|
114
|
VARC: 28
DM: 23
QA & DI: 33
GK: 30
One essay topic
|
+1 for each right answer
-0.25 for each wrong answer
|
Moderate to difficult
|
|
XAT 2014
|
113
|
VARC: 28
DM: 24
QA & DI: 31
GK: 30
One essay topic
|
+1 for each right answer
-0.25 for each wrong answer
|
Moderate to difficult
|
FAQs for XAT Syllabus
Q1. The XAT 2026 will have how many questions?
Every year, the total number of questions varies, however, based on the updated XAT 2026 syllabus, there will be 95 MCQs and 1 Essay Writing.
Q2. Does the XAT have a negative marking?
Yes, every incorrect response will result in a 0.25-point deduction.
Q3. How long does the XAT exam last?
In total, candidates will have 180 minutes (3 hours) to complete the XAT 2026 question paper (170 minutes for the main exam and 10 minutes for the GK section).
Q4. Is the XAT harder than the CAT?
Both the XAT and the CAT are harder than other MBA entry tests in terms of exam difficulty.
Q5. What topics are covered by the XAT?
The Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Decision Making, Quantitative Aptitude, General Awareness, and Essay Writing components of the Xavier Aptitude Test - XAT Syllabus 2026 are broken down into 4 separate subsections. All three of the other core sections, except General Knowledge, are used to calculate the XAT percentile score and XLRI shortlisting criterion.
Q6. What type of GK is tested on the XAT?
The main topics were current GK (business economy, personalities, awards, sports, and other topics) and static GK (Economy, Geography, Science, and Technology).
Q7. What percentage of the XAT's GK section is weighted?
There will be 20 questions in the General Knowledge (GK) section, each worth one mark.
Q8. Does the XAT exam have negative marking?
Yes, in the XAT 2026 exam, 0.25 points will be subtracted for each wrong answer.
Q9. Describe the XAT Syllabus.
The XAT Syllabus has been established by XLRI Jamshedpur and covers themes in decision-making, General Knowledge, Verbal and Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability, and Data Interpretation.