How is XAT different from CAT?
The verbal and quantitative sections cover similar ground, though XAT passages tend to be more abstract and its geometry harder. The real differences are structural: XAT adds the Decision Making section and a separate ten-minute general knowledge part, and it penalises excessive unattempted questions. XAT is also not sectionally timed in the way CAT is, which changes how you can move through the paper.
Should I prepare separately for XAT?
Not separately, but with additions. A CAT preparation covers the verbal and quantitative ground, and the efficient approach is one preparation plus two specific additions — Decision Making practice and daily general knowledge. The important point is starting those early: Decision Making needs weeks of practice with explanations to develop a consistent approach, and general knowledge is cumulative. Both are commonly deferred until after CAT, which leaves too little time for either.
When is XAT 2027?
Tuesday 5 January 2027 from 2 to 5:30 p.m., with admit cards from 26 December 2026. Registration on xatonline.in opened on 15 July 2026 and closes on 10 December 2026, with a final 48-hour edit window on 7–8 December; the result is due in the last week of January and XLRI’s PGDM results on 25 April 2027.
What is the XAT exam pattern?
Two parts. Part 1, 170 minutes with no sectional timing: Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (about 26 questions), Decision Making (about 21) and Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation (about 28), scored +1 for a correct answer, −0.25 for a wrong one and −0.10 for each unattempted question beyond eight. Part 2, 10 minutes: 20 General Knowledge questions with no deduction, used only by XLRI in final selection.
Does XAT penalise unattempted questions?
Yes — after the first eight unattempted questions in Part 1, each further blank costs 0.10 of a mark, against 0.25 for a wrong answer. The penalty makes it worth attempting any question where an option can be eliminated, and worth planning to leave about eight blank rather than twenty.
What is the XAT Decision Making section?
About 21 questions built on scenarios from personal and professional life — a manager’s dilemma, a family decision, an ethical conflict — asking for the best course of action from the options. It tests critical thinking, problem solving and prioritisation rather than knowledge, is unique to XAT among Indian tests, and is weighted by XLRI in its shortlists.
Who is eligible for XAT?
Anyone with a recognised bachelor’s degree of at least three years, or in the final year with the degree due by the institute’s deadline; there is no age limit and no cap on attempts. XLRI’s PGDM (GM) additionally needs five years of managerial experience; NRI and foreign applicants may use GMAT for XLRI instead.
What is the XAT fee?
₹2,200 in the XAT 2026 bulletin, plus ₹200 for each XLRI programme applied for, ₹2,500 for Indian applicants using GMAT or GRE for PGDM (GM) and ₹5,000 for NRI and foreign applicants through GMAT; the 2027 fee is reported at ₹2,300 and should be confirmed on the portal at payment.
Are there free XAT mock tests?
Yes. The free XAT mock tests here follow the two-part format — Part 1 with VA-LR, Decision Making and QA-DI in 170 minutes and the −0.25 and −0.10 rules, then 20 GK questions in 10 minutes — and report sectional scores with the unattempted penalty applied. The official XAT papers from 2018 to 2024 on xatonline.in are the best practice set.
