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 occassionally is not considered for percentile calculations and GDPI shortlists and has no negative marking.
Some points clarified in the FAQs released so far are:
1) No Sectional time limits
2) Yes, a scientific on-screen calculator is now available for use during the XAT exam for the first time in 2025, just like CAT.
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 |