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SupportXAT Marking Scheme 2027: Check Total Marks & Duration
XAT exam includes a total of 95 questions. According to the official XAT marking scheme released by XLRI, each question carries 1 mark. The question paper is categorised in two parts: Part 1 consists of Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation, and Decision Making; Part 2 includes General Knowledge. The number of questions varies by section; the maximum is in the QA & DI section (28 questions).
In XAT, unlike other MBA exams, there is negative marking for unattempted questions as well. If 8 questions remain unattempted, 0.10 marks are deducted for each unanswered question. The XAT marking scheme is slightly different from that of other MBA exams, such as the CAT.
This blog will help you understand negative marking, sectional marks, and the weightage of each section.
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XAT Marking Scheme 2027: Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Total Questions | 95 (approx) |
| Marks for Correct Answer | 1 |
| Negative Marking | -0.25 |
| Penalty for Unattempted Questions | 0.10 marks deducted for each question after 8 unanswered questions |
| Score Validity | 1 Year |
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Section-Wise XAT Exam Marking Scheme 2027
Section-wise marking scheme would help you better understand the exam. XAT includes negative marking for incorrect attempts and unanswered questions. Before you begin preparing, check the detailed pattern for each section and prepare accordingly.
Verbal Ability and Logical Ability (VA & LA)
The number of questions in the Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning section is 26. Questions are asked from Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, Vocabulary, Sentence Completion, etc. Each question is worth 1 mark, with a penalty of 0.25 marks for each incorrect answer. Check the marking scheme in VR and LR; negative marks and weightage are mentioned below.
| Pattern | Details |
| Number of Questions | 26 questions |
| Total Marks | 26 marks |
| Marks Per Question | 1 mark |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 marks |
| Weightage | - Verbal Ability: 15 to 17 questions, RC being the focus area - Logical Reasoning: 9 to 11 questions, focus on Statement and Conclusion. |
Decision Making (DM)
Decision Making is included in Part 1 of the XAT question paper. The total number of questions is 21, which are based on real-life situations, basic ethics, situation-based questions, analytical reasoning, business scenarios, etc.
| Pattern | Details |
| Number of Questions | 21 questions |
| Total Marks | 21 marks |
| Marks Per Question | 1 mark |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 marks |
| Overall Difficulty Level | Moderate |
Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation
The Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation contains the highest number of questions. This section covers 28 questions from topics such as Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration, and Modern Math. The QA and DI section is considered time-consuming and challenging due to the complexity of the questions. Questions should be answered carefully, as there is a deduction of 0.25 marks for each incorrect answer.
| Pattern | Details |
| Number of Questions | 28 questions |
| Total Marks | 28 marks |
| Marks Per Question | 1 mark |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 marks |
| Overall Difficulty Level | Difficult |
General Knowledge
The fewest questions are asked in the General Knowledge section. This section contains 20 questions covering multiple areas, including static GK and current affairs. You will get 8 questions from static GK, which includes Polity, History, and more. The remaining 8 questions will be based on current affairs.
| Pattern | Details |
| Number of Questions | 20 questions: - 8 questions on Static GK - 12 questions on Current Affairs |
| Total Marks | 20 marks |
| Marks Per Question | 1 mark |
| Negative Marking | No negative marking |
| Overall Difficulty Level | Easy to Moderate |
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XAT Exam Duration
The total time allotted to the XAT exam is 180 minutes. However, Part 1 lasts 170 minutes, and Part 2 has 10 minutes to answer the General Knowledge questions. Students can switch between sections in Part 1, but they can only attempt Part 2 after completing the Part 1 sections.
| XAT Sections | Duration | Topics |
|
Part 1 |
170 Minutes |
Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning |
| Decision Mmaking (DM) | ||
| Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation (QA & DI) | ||
| Part 2 | 10 Minutes | General Knowledge |
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XAT Negative Marking Criteria
The Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) marking criteria are as follows. The exam has two parts - Part 1 and Part 2. In both sections, 1 mark is awarded to each correct answer; however, there is a deduction of 1 mark for every incorrect response in Part 1. Part 2, the General Knowledge section, has no negative-marking criteria.
| Marking Criteria | Marking Scheme Part 1 | Marking Scheme Part 2 |
| Mark per question | +1 marks | +1 marks |
| Negative mark per question | 0.25 marks | No negative mark |
| Mark for unattempted question | 0.10 marks (applicable per question after 8 unattempted questions) | No negative mark |
Common Mistakes to Avoid Negative Marking in XAT
XAT exam includes negative marking for incorrect answers and unattempted questions as well. To avoid negative marking, you should follow the given instructions, which will surely maximise your overall score in the actual exam.
- Since there is a deduction of 0.25 marks for each incorrect attempt, do not answer questions blindly.
- Do not leave more than 8 questions. Try to attempt questions by using the elimination method to get the most accurate answer.
- Do not spend too much time on a single question. Move to another question and mark it for review. If you get time, attempt this question.
XAT Marks for Top MBA Colleges
XLRI is one of the most popular institutes that accept the XAT score. The institute accepts a 95+ percentile rank in XAT for admission to various MBA programs. Other institutes such as XIM University, Bhubaneswar; MICA, Ahmedabad; IMI, New Delhi; and IMT Ghaziabad accept scores in the 90th percentile or higher in the Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT).
| College Name | Expected Percentile | Program Offered |
| XLRI Jamshedpur | 95+ | PGDM BM/HRM |
| XIM University Bhubaneswar | 91+ | MBA BM/HRM |
| IMT Ghaziabad | 90-91 | PGDM |
| IMI New Delhi | 90+ | PGDM |
| MICA Ahmedabad | 90+ | PGDM |
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XAT vs CAT Marking Scheme
The XAT marking scheme differs from other MBA exams; here is a comparison of the CAT and XAT marking criteria to inform you about negative marking and difficulty level, so you can strategise your preparation effectively. The most important difference between the two is the penalty for unattempted questions. In the CAT exam, marks are not deducted for unattempted questions, whereas in XAT, there is a penalty of 0.10 marks per question if more than 8 questions are left untouched.
| Aspect | CAT | XAT |
| Number of Sections | 3 (VARC, DILR, QA) | 4 (VALR, DM, QA-DI, GK) |
| Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Exam Duration | 2 hours (120 minutes) | 3 hours (180 minutes) |
| Sectional Flexibility | Strict sectional time limit | Students can switch only between Part 1 sections. They can move to Part 2 after completing Part 1. |
| Difficulty Level | Moderate to Tough | Moderate to Tough |
| Negative Marking | - 3 marks for a correct answer - 1 mark deducted for each incorrect answer - No deduction for unattempted questions |
- 1 mark for correct answers - Penalty of 0.25 marks - Deduction of 0.10 marks if more than 8 questions are unanswered |
Important Resources for MBA Aspirants
| CAT 2026 Details | FMS Delhi Cut Off |
| CAT Cut Off | ISB Hyderabad Eligibility |
| MAH MBA CET Colleges | MAH MBA CET Result |
FAQs On Marking Scheme
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