The XAT test pattern keeps changing every year. However, XAT was 180 minutes (3 hours) test with four sections:
Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VA-LR)
Decision Making (DM)
Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation (QADI)
General Knowledge (GK)
Some salient features of the regular XAT pattern are:
1) It is the only test to include a full-fledged section on decision making. This does not require specific technical knowledge and involves finding the most suitable response to business and HR decision making problems.
2) XAT is the only test that penalizes students for unattempted questions. This year there was – 0.10 marks for more than 8 consecutive un-attempted questions.
3) XAT has a GK section which is generally not included in the main percentile calculation used for the initial shortlist but is reviewed by XLRI during the final selection/interview stage. There is no negative marking in this section.
Some points clarified in the FAQs released so far are:
1) No Sectional time limits
2) Yes there was a standard on-screen calculator, primarily for the QADI section.
3) Section switching is allowed.
The pattern of the last conducted XAT test was:
| Section |
Number of Questions |
| Part I |
75 |
| Verbal and Logical Ability |
26 |
| Decision Making Ability |
21 |
| Data Interpretation and Quantitative Ability |
28 |
| Part II |
20 |
| General Knowledge |
20 |