Format & Duration
XAT 2027 Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
XAT is a computer-based test (CBT) of 180 minutes conducted in English. Part 1 (170 min) includes VALR, DM, QA & DI; Part 2 (10 min) includes GK.
📊 Section-Wise Distribution
| Section | Important Topics | Questions (≈) | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| VALR | Critical reasoning, RC (incl. poems/cartoons), vocabulary, grammar, para-jumbles | 26 | Within Part 1 (170 min) |
| Decision Making | Real-life scenarios, business ethics, judgement, prioritization | 21 | Within Part 1 (170 min) |
| QA & DI | Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, mensuration, modern math, DI caselets | 28 | Within Part 1 (170 min) |
| GK | Static GK (≈8) + Current Affairs (≈12) | 20 | 10 min (Part 2) |
| Total | — | ≈95 | 180 min |
📐 Marking Scheme
• Part 1 MCQs: +1 mark for correct answers, -0.25 for incorrect.
• Part 2 (GK): No negative marking (not evaluated for overall percentile).
🚫 Skipping Penalty
• Skip up to 8 questions: no penalty.
• Beyond 8 skipped questions: -0.1 mark per unattempted question.