XAT
Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT)
XAT is conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur on behalf of the Xavier Association of Management Institutions, usually in the first week of January.
It is the only major MBA entrance exam with a full Decision Making section, built on short business and ethical scenarios.
XAT at a glance
- CONDUCTED BY
- XLRI Jamshedpur
- WHEN
- Usually first week of January
- MODE
- Computer-based test
- DURATION
- About 180 minutes in total
- QUESTIONS
- About 95, including GK
- NEGATIVE MARKING
- −0.25 per wrong answer
Sections and marking
- +1 for every correct answer
- −0.25 for a wrong answer (not in General Knowledge)
- A small penalty for leaving many questions unanswered (−0.10 each after the first 8 in recent years)
- General Knowledge is not part of the XAT percentile; XLRI may use it later in its own selection
| Section | Questions |
|---|---|
| Verbal & Logical Ability | ≈26 |
| Decision Making | ≈21 |
| Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation | ≈28 |
| General KnowledgeSeparately timed; no negative marking | ≈20 |
Counts are approximate and change slightly from year to year. Check the XAT notice for the current split.
What the exam rewards
Scenarios about business, people and ethics where you choose the most reasonable course of action.
Dense reading passages, critical reasoning and vocabulary-in-context questions.
A wide syllabus with some lengthy calculations; selection of questions matters.
Current affairs and static GK, taken in a separate short window.
A simple preparation plan
- 01
Practise Decision Making early
It has no fixed syllabus, so regular practice with past questions builds judgement.
- 02
Read widely
Editorials and long-form articles help with XAT's dense verbal passages.
- 03
Plan for the unattempted penalty
Decide in mocks how many questions you will attempt so that you avoid both guesses and blanks.
- 04
Keep a GK routine
A few minutes a day on current affairs from July onwards is usually enough.
Colleges that accept XAT
In Maharashtra, scores from CAT, CMAT, MAT, XAT, ATMA and GMAT can be used for All India seats in the MBA/MMS Centralised Admission Process (CAP) alongside MAH-CET, subject to that year's admission rules.
Get an exam and college strategy
Advanced India MBA Consulting helps you decide which exams matter for your goals, including XAT, and which colleges to target.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes XAT different from CAT?
XAT has a Decision Making section and a General Knowledge section, and it penalises a large number of unanswered questions.
Is there negative marking in XAT?
Yes. A wrong answer costs 0.25 marks, except in General Knowledge.
Is General Knowledge counted in the XAT percentile?
No. It is not part of the percentile, but XLRI may consider it in its own selection process.
When is XAT held?
Usually in the first week of January. Registration typically opens in July.
Patterns, dates and accepted colleges can change each year. Always confirm the latest details on the official website: xatonline.in.