XAT Exam Pattern: Section-Wise XAT Paper Pattern, Marking Scheme, and Time Duration

The candidates thinking of appearing in the upcoming exam must comprehensively understand XAT Paper Pattern 2023. It is important to ensure a well-versed preparation for XAT 2023 Exam. As per the latest official updates, XAT Question Paper is divided into 2 parts. 

• In part A, the candidates get questions from Verbal & Logical Ability, Decision Making, and Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation. 
• In Part B, the questions are asked from GK and Essay Writing.

There will be a total of 101 questions, out of which the total number of MCQs will be 100. As per the official XAT Exam Pattern, the MCQ Questions will be asked in 4 sections: Decision making, Verbal & Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, and General Knowledge. The Essay Writing section will have 1 subjective question.

So, all the candidates aiming at XAT 2023 must begin their preparation as per the updated XAT Exam Pattern. Be focused on regular revisions and stay tuned with BYJU’S Exam Prep to get updated information regarding XAT 2023 Exam Pattern.

As per the latest updates of XLRI, The XAT Paper Pattern was modified last year by reintroducing the Essay Writing section in Part B. Have a look at the key highlights of XAT Exam Pattern 2023.

☛ Check XAT Eligibility before applying for the exam.

XAT Paper Pattern was updated last year. As per the new XAT Exam Pattern, there will be 5 sections that are further divided into 2 parts: Part A and Part B. In Part A, questions will be asked from 3 sections: Decision Making, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, Verbal & Logical Ability. However, in Part B, the candidates will face questions from GK and Essay Writing. Note the below points to know the important changes in XAT Exam Pattern 2023.

• All questions will be in the MCQ format. Only in Essay Writing Questions candidates have to write an essay of 250 words.
• The total number of questions is 101, divided into 75 questions in Part A and 26 questions in Part B.
• The GK section score will not be included in the final XAT Result calculation.
• The XAT Paper Time Duration 190 minutes.

It is important to note the changes in XAT Exam Pattern over the years to have a better understanding of the question pattern and prepare accordingly. 

Note the table below to get a sectional XAT Exam Pattern, including the number of questions and total time duration.

As per the expert analysis of the XAT Paper Pattern, there will be a total of 5 sections. The candidates will get MCQs questions from 4 sections, including Decision Making, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, Verbal & Logical Ability, and General Knowledge. In the Essay Writing Part, you have to write an essay of 250 words on a given topic. So, the candidates need to be well versed with the section-wise XAT Exam Pattern. 

Note the below section to get a detailed overview of the Subject wise XAT Exam Pattern for the upcoming exam in 2023.

XAT Paper Pattern for Verbal and Logical Ability

As per the previous year's XAT Analysis, this section will consist of 26 MCQ-type questions. The candidates will face questions about grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and critical reasoning with moderate difficulty level questions. Note the below points to know the important topics for this section.

• Para Jumbles
• Reading Comprehension
• Vocabulary
• Para Completion
• Critical Reasoning
• Analogy
• Para Completion
• Statements and Assumptions

XAT Paper Pattern 2023 for Decision Making

It is one of the most prominent sections as per the latest updates of XAT Exam Pattern 2023. The candidates can get good scores easily from this section. Check XAT Syllabus for a better understanding.

• A total number of questions: 21 questions
• Difficulty level: Moderate
• Important topics: Analytical Reasoning, Short Caselets, Data Arrangement Sets, Situational sets, and Business Decision Making

XAT Exam Pattern for Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation

As per the expert analysis, the difficulty level of this section is relatively high. As per the latest XAT Paper Pattern, there will be individual questions along with DI sets in each. 

• A total of 4 DI sets with 3 questions in each set will be asked in the form of Tables, Charts, graphs, and Caselets.
• QA questions will be from Algebra, Geometry, Arithmetic, Number System, and Mensuration.

XAT 2023 Exam Pattern for GK

XAT GK section is the most dynamic as there is no defined set of questions that can be asked. The syllabus is vast, and the candidates need rigorous preparation. The main criteria for XAT Exam Pattern for this section is that the number obtained will not be considered for the final score calculation.

XAT Exam Pattern for Decision Making

This section is reintroduced after 2019 in 2022. As per the latest trends in the XAT Test Paper Pattern, this section is clubbed with GK in Part B. The candidates have to write a short essay (note more than 250 words) in 10 minutes. Note the table below for an overview of the essay topics of the previous year’s XAT Exam.

The marking scheme is the most important factor in XAT Paper Pattern. As per the expert opinion, the XAT Marking Scheme is a little bit different from the other exams. In Part B GK Section, there will be no negative marking. Note the below points to know the marking scheme details in the XAT Exam Pattern.

• +1 will be awarded for every correct answer
• -0.25 marks will be deducted for every wrong answer in Part A.
• Additionally, -0.10 marks will be deducted for 8 or more unattempted answers.
• The marks in GK questions will not be included in the final XAT Merit List
• The mark in Essay Writing will be evaluated if you are shortlisted for the interview.

As per the official updates, the overall time duration is 190 minutes. It is further divided into 165 minutes in Part A and 25 minutes in Part B. Check the below table to get an overview of the time limit as per the official XAT Paper Pattern.

☛ Check the Colleges Accepting XAT Score.

The candidates wishing to appear in the upcoming XAT Exam must consider the below points.

• The candidates can only move to the Part B GK Section after completing Part A. 
• The total time duration for Part A is 165 Minutes
• There is no sectional limit for Part A. It means for the candidates can move any of the sections in Part A, as per their preference, within the initial 165 Minutes.
• To solve the GK Section, you will get 15 minutes.
• First 3 sections of the XAT paper. However, for the GK section, the candidates will get 15 minutes.
• The XAT Exam Pattern contains one descriptive part. In this part, the candidates have to write an essay of 250 words in 10 Minutes.
• An extra 20 minutes per hour will be given to the PwD candidates, i.e., 55 minutes for part 1 and 5 minutes for part 2.
• As per the official updates, the essay section will only be assessed if the candidates will qualify for the interview round.

CAT and XAT both are the most important MBA Entrance Exams in India. The difficulty level and competition for both are relatively higher than the other exams like CMAT, MAT, and SNAP. If you are preparing for both XAT and CAT, then be sure that you are well-versed with the exam pattern, as there are some basic differences between the exam pattern of these two exams. Note the table below to get an overview of the Exam Pattern of XAT vs CAT.