“The XAT centers were far off” – is the most popular feedback received till late night. The paper otherwise followed the trend of XAT with no sectional time limits. No change in scoring pattern.
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For Part 1
- For each correct answer: +1 mark
- For each incorrect answer: -0.25 marks
- Negative marks awarded for each un-attempted question after 8 un-attempted questions: -0.10 marks
- No negative marks for GK.
Also Check: Compare MBA Colleges: XLRI vs MDI Gurgaon vs SPJIMR vs IIFT || MICA vs XIMB vs IMT Ghaziabad vs IMI Delhi
The VA+LR section retained the uniqueness XAT is known for. Apart from regular RC, Critical Reasoning and Vocab/Grammar and Parajumble based questions, there was one question based on a cartoon and two questions based on a poem. Most questions were moderate, no lengthy questions or passages. Anyone with good reading habits will be very comfortable with the paper. About 16 attempts with a 75% accuracy rate should be good.
The DM section was almost at a similar difficulty level as last year. No quantitative DM questions were there this year. As usual, some questions had very close options and were difficult to reach to one option. Personal value system and ethical standpoints may play a major role in this section. About 12-13 attempts with 75% accuracy rate should be good.
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The QA+DI section seemed a tad more difficult than last year. Geometry questions were 
tough and better be left out. The DI questions were also lengthy and tricky. The Sunburst chart question was multi-layered and one would have required about 5-7 mins just to decipher the data. Rest of the questions were quite diversified and touched almost every chapter of maths like percentages, numbers, probability, algebra etc. About 15 attempts with a 75% accuracy rate should be good.
XLRI (ESP) has very detailed sectional and total cutoff for Engineering and Non-Engineering background as well as Male/Female for their courses. But overall the above attempts should clear 85%tile+ safety net in each section and 96%tile overall which generally is the cut off for their flagship BM course. The HR course will have about 5-6 marks lower than that.
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Key Facts of XAT Exam by Editor Campusutra
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- Structure: The paper consisted of 95 questions with no sectional time limits, allowing for flexible time management.
- Official answer key: The official answer key is expected to be out in the next few days.
- Top Colleges: The premier B-schools, including XLRI (Application Closed), IMT All Campuses, MICA, IMI Delhi, XIMB, FORE School of Management . GIM Goa (Application Closed) and MDI Gurgaon PGDM BM, Amrita School of Business and Others.
- XAT Results: As per trends XAT Results to be out in 3rd/ 4th week of Jan 2026
XAT Accepting B Schools Opens Application ~ XIMB, IMT, IMI, LBSIM, LIBA
List of Management Institute Accepting XAT Score
* Expected cut off & ** Fees ^ PGDM 80 & PGDM IB/FM 70.
