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XAT Previous Year Question Paper with Solutions: PDF (Available)

Nidhi Priya

Nidhi Priya

25 Jun 2026
xat previous year question paper

XAT previous year question papers with solutions are available in this blog. You can download the past question papers as PDFs and practice questions with ease. XAT question paper has two sections: Part 1 includes Verbal Reasoning and Logical Reasoning (VR & LR), Decision Making (DM), Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation (QA & DI), and Part 2 covers the General Knowledge section. The total number of questions in XAT is 95. The exam is held online in English medium only. 

Based on analysis of past question papers, the overall difficulty level of the XAT is moderate, with varying difficulty across sections. The Quantitative section is generally difficult, while Decision Making and General Knowledge are considered easy to tackle.

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XAT Previous Year Question Paper with Solutions

XAT Question Paper 2026

Number of Sections: Decision Making, Verbal & Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability & DI and GK

  • Maximum Marks: 95
  • Marks Per Question: +1 mark for a correct response
  • Negative Marking: - 0.25 marks for an incorrect answer, - 0.10 marks per question after 8 unanswered questions
  • Overall Difficulty Level: moderate

Download Paper with Solutions

XAT Question Paper 2025

Number of Sections: Decision Making, Verbal & Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability & DI and GK

  • Maximum Marks: 95
  • Marks Per Question: +1 mark for a correct response
  • Negative Marking: - 0.25 marks for an incorrect answer, - 0.10 marks per question after 8 unanswered questions
  • Overall Difficulty Level: Moderate

Download Paper with Solutions

XAT Question Paper 2024

Number of Sections: Decision Making, Verbal & Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability & DI, GK and Essay Writing.

  • Maximum Marks: 103
  • Marks Per Question: +1 mark for a correct response
  • Negative Marking: - 0.25 marks for an incorrect answer, - 0.10 marks per question after 8 unanswered questions
  • Overall Difficulty Level: Moderate

Download Paper with Solutions

XAT Question Paper 2023

Number of Sections: Decision Making, Verbal & Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability & DI, GK, and Essay Writing.

  • Maximum Marks: 104
  • Marks Per Question: +1 mark for a correct response
  • Negative Marking: - 0.25 marks for an incorrect answer, - 0.10 marks per question after 8 unanswered questions
  • Overall Difficulty Level: Moderate to difficult

Download Paper with Solutions

XAT Question Paper 2022

Number of Sections: Decision Making, Verbal & Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability & DI, and GK and Essay Writing

  • Maximum Marks: 101
  • Marks Per Question: +1 mark for a correct response
  • Negative Marking: - 0.25 marks for an incorrect answer, - 0.10 marks per question after 8 unanswered questions

Download Paper with Solutions

XAT Question Paper 2021

Number of Sections: Decision Making, Verbal & Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability & DI and GK

  • Maximum Marks: 100
  • Marks Per Question: +1 mark for a correct response
  • Negative Marking: - 0.25 marks for an incorrect answer, - 0.10 marks per question after 8 unanswered questions

Download Paper with Solutions

XAT Question Paper 2020

Number of Sections: Decision Making, Verbal & Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability & DI and GK

  • Maximum Marks: 99
  • Marks Per Question: +1 mark for a correct response
  • Negative Marking: - 0.25 marks for an incorrect answer, - 0.10 marks per question after 8 unanswered questions

Download Paper with Solutions

XAT Question Paper Pattern

As per the XLRI pattern, there are two sections in XAT. The section duration is 170 minutes, with 10 minutes allotted to complete it. The General Knowledge section does not have negative marking, whereas other sections have a negative mark of -0.25.

XAT Exam Pattern Details

Number of Sections

Sections in Part 1: 

- Verbal Reasoning and Logical Reasoning (VR & LR)

- Decision Making (DM)

- Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation (QA & DI)

Sections in Part 2: 

- General Knowledge

Duration of Part 1 ( Decision Making, Verbal & Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation Sections)

170 minutes

Duration of Part 2 (General Knowledge)

10 minutes
XAT Marking Scheme

No negative marks in the General Knowledge section

+1 for each correct answer

- 0.25 marks for an incorrect answer

- 0.10 marks per question after 8 unanswered questions

Total Marks

95

Total Questions

95

Mode of examination 

Online

Medium of question paper

English Medium

Know more about XAT Exam Pattern

XAT PYQs Previous Year Analysis

An analysis of the question paper helps in understanding the difficulty level of questions across sections. It provides insights into changing question patterns and topics you can expect in the upcoming exam. Overall, QA and DI have been moderate to difficult over the past 2 years. 

XAT Paper Analysis 2026

The General Knowledge was the easiest of all four sections. RC passages, Arithmetic, Economics, and History are a few topics covered in the exam.

Section Difficulty Level Total Marks Suggested Time

Verbal & Logical Ability

Moderate

26

50 minutes

Decision Making

Moderate

21

45–50 minutes

Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation

Moderate to difficult

28

70–75 minutes

General Knowledge

Easy

20

10 minutes

XAT Paper Analysis 2025

XAT 2025 was slightly more difficult than the 2024 question paper. The total number of questions was 95, whereas in 2024 it exceeded 100. 

Section Difficulty Level Total marks Suggested time allocation Good Attempts

Verbal and Logical Ability

Moderate

26

50 (Minutes)

20–22

Decision Making

Moderate

21

45–50 (Minutes)

17–18

Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation

Difficult

28

70–75 (Minutes)

20–22

General Knowledge

Easy

20

10 (Minutes)

12–14

XAT Paper Analysis 2024

The Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning section was the most difficult of all. The total number of questions was 36 in VA & LR, and the good attempt was 18-19.

XAT section Difficulty level Total Number of Questions Good Attempt

VA & LR

Difficult

36

18 to 19

DM

Moderate

21

17 to 18

QA & DI

Moderate to Difficult

28

15 to 16

GK

Difficult

25

25

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Benefits of Solving XAT PYQs

XAT Previous Year Papers are one of the powerful study tools for your preparation. It helps you evaluate your progress level. Here are a few benefits of practising XAT PYQs shared below:

  • XAT Previous Year Papers can help you understand the real exam format.
  • It reveals question type, difficulty level, and recurring questions over the years.
  • The next benefit is that you can determine which topic carries more weightage in the exam and adjust your strategy accordingly.
  • Regular practice with XAT papers can improve your question selection strategies and accuracy.

Important Resources for MBA Aspirants

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Best Time to Start Solving XAT Previous Year Papers

You should start solving XAT previous year papers after completing at least 50% of the syllabus. The ideal time to solve XAT PYQs is at least 4-5 months before the exam. This helps you recognise your weak areas early and fix them without any rush. It is advised to solve previous papers only after understanding the concepts. The XAT exam is usually conducted in January, so you can start solving past papers from August or September. Check the complete details below:

Phase Month

Chapter-Wise PYQ Practice

August to September

Full Length PYQs Practice (At least Last 7 Years)

October to December

Revising Covered PYQs

December to 1-2 days before exam date

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FAQs on XAT Previous Year Question Paper

The XAT question paper consists of sections such as Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, and General Knowledge. The exam is conducted online and includes multiple-choice as well as a few non-MCQ questions.

Previous Years’ Question Papers are essential for understanding the exam pattern and difficulty level, but they are not enough on their own. Candidates should also study the syllabus thoroughly and take mock tests regularly.

A score of around 35–40 marks is generally considered good and can help candidates secure a high percentile. However, the required score varies each year depending on the exam difficulty and competition.

If you are a fresher, it would be difficult to qualify the exam. But candidates who have prepared rigorously for the XAT and have developed a strong foundation in aptitude and reasoning can achieve a competitive score in 20 days with focused preparation. Solving mock exams and analysing previous papers are crucial during this period.

The XAT exam carries a total of 95 marks for the aptitude sections. The General Knowledge section is evaluated separately and is not considered while calculating the overall percentile.

No, XAT does not have sectional time limits. Candidates can move freely between sections and allocate time according to their strengths and exam strategy.

XAT is generally considered a moderately difficult to difficult management entrance exam. The Decision Making section and higher-level Quantitative Aptitude questions often make it more challenging.
Nidhi Priya

Nidhi Priya

Nidhi Priya has over 6 years of experience in EdTech content and SEO. She specializes in content strategy, organic growth, and mentoring editorial teams, with previous experience at iQuanta, CollegeDekho, and Careers360.

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