XAT 2024 Exam Pattern

Xavier Aptitude Test
XAT   Online
Exam Dates: 7th Jan 2024

By: Kitiyala Jamir on Nov 27, 2023

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 now be conducted from 2 PM to 5.10 PM, instead of the previous timing of 9.30 AM to 12.40 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 2024 Exam Pattern would be the fourth computer-based test conducted by XLRI in its history of more than 60+ years.

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 2024 Exam Pattern

XAT Exam Mode

Online i.e. Computer Based Test

Total Number of Questions

101

Total Number of Sections

5

Sections

Verbal and Logical Ability, Decision Making, Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation, General Knowledge & Essay Writing

Type of Questions

Multiple Choice Questions type

Medium of Exam

English

Pattern of Questions

Each question gives 5 answer Options

Marking Scheme

+1 Mark for each correct question

0.25 Marks deducted for each incorrect answer

Questions without Negative Marking

Questions from General Knowledge Section

Duration of XAT Exam

3 Hours & 10 Minutes

Percentile Calculation of XAT 2024

Only 3 Sections of the exam are considered for marking system

Sectional Time Limit

There is no sectional time limit

Know more about XAT Syllabus

XAT Exam 2022

 

XAT 2024 Pattern: Key Changes in XAT Exam Pattern

XLRI has announced important changes in XAT Exam Pattern 2024. Now the XAT paper The XAT 2024 exam pattern will consist of five sections with 100 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and 1 descriptive essay question. This brings the total number of questions to 101 in the revised pattern. The key changes in the XAT 2024 exam pattern are as follows:

  • Timing Change: The exam will now be conducted from 2 PM to 5.10 PM, instead of the previous timing of 9.30 AM to 12.40 PM.
  • Single Slot Exam: XAT 2024 will be a single slot, single-day exam.
  • Re-Introduction of Essay Writing Test: The descriptive essay writing test, which was removed in 2019, is now included in XAT 2024.
  • MCQ and Descriptive Questions: The question paper will have four sections with MCQs and one section with the Essay Writing Test.
  • GK Section not Counted for Percentile Calculation: The General Knowledge (GK) section with 25 questions will not be counted for percentile calculation.
  • Additional Time for Visually Impaired Candidates: Visually impaired candidates with scribes are given an extra 25 minutes to solve Part 1 of the exam.
  • Marking Scheme: Each correct answer will be awarded +1 mark, while there will be a penalty of -0.25 mark for each wrong answer in the MCQ sections. There is no negative marking for the General Knowledge and Essay writing section in Part 2 of the question paper.
  • Countdown Timer: A countdown timer at the top right-hand side of the screen will display the remaining time and the time available for each part of the question paper.
  • Transition to Part 2: After 165 minutes, Part 1 will be locked, and candidates will move to Part 2, which includes the General Knowledge & Essay section.
  • No Early Exit: Candidates are not allowed to leave the test lab before completing the entire test.
  • PwD Candidate Time Flexibility: PwD candidates can submit their answers anytime between 165 and 220 minutes for Part 1 and between 15 to 20 minutes for Part 2. This allows them to leave the lab between 190 and 240 minutes, depending on their test completion time.
  • Introduction of NAT Questions: XLRI has introduced a new type of question in XAT called Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions. Candidates must use a virtual keypad on the computer screen to enter numerical answers.
  • Penalty for Unattempted Questions: If candidates leave more than 8 questions unattempted, there will be a penalty of 0.10 marks per unattempted question.

Analysis of Last Ten Years XAT Pattern

XAT Exam Year

Total Questions

Section wise no. of questions

Difficulty Level

XAT 2023

101

VA-26

DM-22

QA-28

GK-25

Essay Writing: 1

Moderate to Difficult

XAT 2022

101

VA-26

DM-21

QA-28

GK-25

Essay Writing: 1

Moderate to Difficult

XAT 2021

99

VARC – 26

DM – 21

QA – 27

GK – 25

Moderate to Difficult

XAT 2020

97

VARC – 24

DM – 21

QA – 27

GK – 25

Essay Topic – 1

Moderate to Difficult

XAT 2019

97

VARC – 24

DM – 21

QA – 27

GK – 25

Essay Topic – 1

Moderate to Difficult

XAT 2018

103

VARC – 26

DM – 23

QA – 29

GK – 25

Essay Topic – 1

Moderate to Difficult

XAT 2017

114

VARC – 28

DM – 23

QA – 33

GK – 30

Essay Topic – 1

Moderate to Difficult

XAT 2016

113

VARC – 28

DM – 24

QA – 31

GK – 30

Essay Topic – 1

Moderate to Difficult

XAT 2015

114

VARC: 28

DM: 23

QA & DI: 33

GK: 30

One essay topic

Moderate to difficult

XAT 2014

113

VARC: 28

DM: 24

QA & DI: 31

GK: 30

One essay topic

Moderate to difficult

 

XAT 2024 Exam Pattern: Sectional Composition & Scoring Pattern

As per the notification released on the official website of XAT, it can be seen that the exam pattern for XAT 2024 has been revised with a few changes introduced in it. Essay Writing Section has been reintroduced to which was removed in 2019, is now included in XAT 2024.Candidates appearing for XAT 2024 must note that there is no sectional time limit to attempt the question paper.

Below are the key highlights of the XAT exam pattern for 2024, including the sectional composition with significant changes in the XAT paper and the revised division of questions in the test pattern:

Section in XAT 2024 Exam Pattern

Number of questions

Overall Time Duration

Part-1

75

165 Minutes

Verbal and Logical Ability

26

No Sectional Time Limit

Decision Making

21

Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation

28

Part-2

25 MCQs + 1 Essay Writing Question

25 Minutes

General Knowledge

25

Not Counted for Percentile Calculation

Will be evaluated if you are shortlisted for PI round

Essay Writing Test

  1

Total questions (Part 1 + Part 2)

101

 

Highlights of XAT 2024 Exam Pattern

  • The question paper will be divided in 5 sections namely Verbal and Logical Ability, Decision Making, Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation, Essay Writing and General Knowledge.
  • Total 101 Questions would be given to be solved in 3 hours & 10 mins 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 Essay Writing.
  • Extra 25 minutes would be allotted to the candidates visually impaired.

XAT 2024: Key Changes in Exam Pattern in Last 4 Years

Below are shared key changes in XAT Exam pattern & Scoring scheme in last 3 years

XAT exam year

XAT 2023

XAT 2022

XAT 2021

XAT 2020

Exam Duration

3 Hours 10 Minutes: 2PM to 5.10 PM

3 Hours 10 Minutes:

9.30AM to 12.40PM

3 Hours:9.30AM to 12.30PM

3 Hours:9.30AM to 12.30 PM

No of Sections

5

5

4

4

No of Questions

101

101

100

99

Type of Questions

MCQs-100; Descriptive-1

MCQs-100; Descriptive-1

MCQs

MCQs

Subjective Answer Questions

1 (Essay Writing Test)

1 (Essay Writing Test)

No

No

Max marks

 100 (Essay Evaluation after shortlisting by XLRI)

100 (Essay Evaluation after shortlisting by XLRI)

100

99

Key Changes

Essay Writing Test in 2nd Part

Essay Writing Test Restored

No Essay Writing Test

No Essay Writing Test

Penalty for Unanswered Questions

None

0.10 Negative marks penalty for every unattempted question after 8 unattempted questions

NA

0.10 Negative marks penalty for every unattempted question after 8 unattempted questions  

Marking Scheme

+1 Mark for each correct answer; - 0.25 mark for each wrong answer

+1 Mark for each correct answer; - 0.25 mark for each wrong answer

+1 Mark for each correct answer; -0.25 mark for each wrong answer

+1 Mark for each correct answer; -0.25 mark for each wrong answer

Detailed XAT 2024 Exam Pattern

As it is already mentioned above that the exam pattern and syllabus for XAT 2024 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 2024.

  • Candidates must understand what kind of strategy they must use to prepare for XAT 2024.
  • 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

Total Number of Questions

28

Type

MCQ

Difficulty Level

Moderate to Difficult

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.

Total Number of Questions

21

Type

MCQ

Difficulty Level

Moderate to Difficult

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

Total Number of Questions

26

Type

MCQ

Difficulty Level

Moderate to Difficult

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.

Total Number of Questions

25

Type

MCQ

Time Allotted

15 Minutes

Difficulty Level

Moderate to Difficult

Essay Writing

The XAT essay topics comprise past essay topics that appeared in previous Essay writing tests. These topics often revolve around abstract ideas. The Essay Writing Test, which was absent in the XAT exam for three years, has been reinstated. It was removed from the 2019 XAT exam. Additionally, many top MBA colleges also use XAT essay topics in their WAT (Writing Ability Test) process.

FAQs related to XAT

XAT

Are there any changes introduced in XAT Exam Pattern?

The changes were introduced during the last year itself. The examination pattern will remain the same in the next session.

XAT

Is it possible to choose the sequence of answering questions in XAT 2024?

Yes. Candidates can choose to answer any question from any section. They can switch between the sections anytime. They are not required to follow the official chronology of the question paper.

XAT

How much time is allotted to each section in XAT Question Paper?

Paper 1 of XAT Question Paper needs to be completed in 165 minutes and the other paper i.e. Paper 2 needs to be completed in 15 minutes.

XAT

Is it possible to preview my answers before submitting the test?

Yes. Candidates can preview their answers of all the questions before they submit the test. They can preview their answers by clicking on “Preview Submit” option in the XAT Question paper.

XAT

What happens if any question in XAT Exam is left blank and not attempted?

Nothing will happen. There will be no negative marking if any question is left unanswered or not attempted. But in case any candidate leaves more than 8 questions then 0.10 marks will be deducted.

XAT

Which section of XAT Question Paper will have the maximum number of questions?

There are four sections in XAT Question Paper. The Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation section consists of the maximum number of questions i.e. 28. Verbal Ability and Logical Ability section consists of 26 questions while GK and Decision-making sections have 25 and 21 questions respectively.

XAT

Is the XAT Exam conducted in offline mode as well?

No. It used to be conducted through offline mode only till 2018. Since then the exam is being conducted through online mode only.

XAT

What is the marking scheme of XAT Exam?

There are total 100 questions in the exam. Candidates appearing in it will be rewarded with +1 mark for every correct answer and 0.25 marks will be deducted as penalty for every incorrect answer.

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