XAT 2021 is all set to be conducted on 3^rd January 2021 and students appearing for the examination must understand what type of questions are asked and how the question paper is formed. XAT Exam Pattern would help students understand the above-mentioned questions and score well by preparing in the very right direction.

The exam will be conducted in one single session from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm and in Computer Based mode. XAT Exam used to be conducted through Paper and Pen based mode until 2017 and from the year 2018, it has been converted into Computer Based Test (CBT). XAT 2021 Exam Pattern would be the fourth computer-based test conducted by XLRI in its history of more than 60+ years.

Since the registration window of XAT 2021 was opened on 12th September 2020 and will remain open until 30th November 2020 and interested students can register themselves on the official website of XAT i.e. xatonline.in. 

Know more about XAT Application Procedure

Salient Features of XAT 2021 Exam Pattern:

Know more about XAT Syllabus

Key Changes in XAT 2021 Exam Pattern

Introducing changes in entrance examination pattern is not frequent and there have been no such changes made to XAT Exam Pattern over the past few years. As per the notification released by XLRI Jamshedpur, there are a few changes introduced in XAT 2021 Exam Pattern. The exam will be conducted in the month of January 2021 and students applying for it must understand the changes introduced in the exam pattern.

Following are the key changes introduced in XAT 2021 exam Pattern:

• Total number of questions has been increased to 100 from 99.
• The conducting authority removes Essay Writing section from XAT 2021 Exam Pattern.
• Exam Duration has been reduced to 3 hours i.e. 180 minutes.
• 25 minutes of time will be provided to the visually impaired candidates as extra time to complete the first three sections.
• No extra time for General Knowledge section.
• If a candidate refuses to attempt 8 questions, for each incorrect answer 0.05 marks would be deducted.

Analysis of Last Six Years XAT Pattern

XAT 2021 Exam Pattern

As per the notification released on the official website of XAT, it can be seen that the exam pattern for XAT 2021 has been revised with a few changes introduced in it. From now on, there will be four sections which used to be 5 in number earlier. There would be a total 0f 99 questions to be attempted in 3 hours i.e. 180 minutes of time.

Candidates appearing for XAT 2021 must note that there is no sectional time limit to attempt the question paper.

The following table depicts the number of questions in each section:

Highlights of XAT 2021 Exam Pattern:

• The question paper will be divided in 4 sections namely Verbal and Logical Ability, Decision Making, Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation, and General Knowledge.
• Total 100 Questions would be given to be solved in 3 hours of time.
• Initial 165 minutes are to attempt the first three sections.
• After completing the first three sections, the candidates can move to the General Knowledge Section and attempt the questions in given 15 minutes.
• Extra 25 minutes would be allotted to the candidates visually impaired.

Detailed XAT 2021 Exam Pattern

As it is already mentioned above that the exam pattern and syllabus for XAT 2021 has been changed and there have been a few changes introduced in the number of questions asked, total time allotted to complete the examination, and the number of sections the question paper is divided into. The changes have been brought by XLRI Jamshedpur, the conducting authority of XAT 2021.

• Candidates must understand what kind of strategy they must use to prepare for XAT 2021.
• They can also download XAT Exam Pattern PDF to get a thorough understanding of how the question paper is designed.

Following are the sections asked during the examination:

Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation

The total number of questions asked in this section is 28 and the questions are of Multiple Choice Question type. The problems are particularly based upon several topics from Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation section.

Following is the list of frequently asked topic:

• Time & Work
• Percentage
• Profit & Loss
• Equations
• Number System
• Clocks
• Geometry
• Algebra
• Mensuration
• Venn Diagram
• Tables
• Bar Graphs
• Line Graphs

Decision Making

The section is designed to check students' ability to make decisions. The questions are primarily based upon Short caselets and problems where they are required to make decisions based on the information given to them.

The section consists of 21 questions that are of multiple choice type. There is no sectional limit to complete a section.

Verbal Ability, Reading Comprehension, and Logical Reasoning

The section analyzes students' knowledge of English Language and their ability to derive logic from the information given to them. The section generally consists of a total of 26 questions where in 4 Reading Comprehension are given to read and there are total 14-16 questions based on the passages. Besides, there could be 14-16 questions based on the verbal ability. There is no sectional time limit to complete the section.

Following are the frequently asked topics:

• Vocabulary
• Analogy
• Para Jumbles
• Para Completion
• Critical Reasoning
• Statements- Assumptions

General Knowledge

The General Knowledge section has no such pattern or frequently asked topics. The section generally consists of questions from current affairs, business, economics, social issues, sports, constitution of India, and international and domestic affairs.