Negative Marking in XAT Exam 2025: Check the Marking Scheme and Exam Pattern (Updated)

Overview: Is there any negative marking in XAT 2025 exam? The exam consists of 101 MCQs and one essay writing question. If you want to score well keep reading to learn about the XAT marking scheme and exam pattern!

The Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) is a national-level MBA entrance exam conducted by the Xavier School of Management (XLRI), formerly known as Xavier Labour Relations Institute.

The XAT is a computer-based exam consisting of 101 questions divided into three parts. It lasts 3 hours and 30 minutes. For each incorrect answer, there is a penalty of 0.25 marks. Additionally, there is a deduction of 0.10 marks for not answering 8 consecutive questions.

If you are an MBA aspirant, continue reading for complete information about negative markings in XAT!

Download Free Study Material for XAT Exam 2025 by SuperGrads

Also Read: XAT Admission Details

What is a Negative Marking in XAT Exam?

Negative marking penalizes you for incorrect attempts in an exam. Each wrong answer deducts a specific amount from your total score. When you attempt many questions in doubt, you are likely to get most of them wrong and receive a high negative mark. 

This high XAT negative marking exam affects your overall XAT score and percentile. Thus, it is best to understand the XAT syllabus and exam pattern to minimise the risk of answering incorrectly.

Also Read: Top Colleges Accepting XAT Score

Negative Marking in XAT Exam 2025

To ace the XAT exam 2025 in the first attempt, it is very important to have a deep understanding of the XAT marking scheme. 

Here are the key facts about the XAT marking scheme 2025: 

• There is 1 mark for every correct answer.
• There is a negative marking of 0.25 for every incorrect answer.
• If you unanswered more than 8 consecutive questions, then 0.10 marks will be deducted.

XAT Marking Scheme 2025
Marks are given to each correct answer	+1 mark
Negative marking in XAT (marks deducted for each wrong answer)	– 0.25 marks
Marks were deducted for more than 8 consecutive and unanswered question	-0.1

Important Points to Remember about Negative marking in XAT exam 2025

Although there is a negative marking policy in XAT exam 2025, there are some points to keep in mind: 

• The general Knowledge section does not have negative markings.
• General Knowledge scores are not considered when calculating the XAT percentile.
• Essays are not marked during the exam but will be evaluated during PI shortlisting.

Also Read: Is CAT preparation enough for XAT?

XAT Exam Pattern 2025 Sectional Weightage

After understanding the negative marking in XAT entrance exam for an MBA, let us look at the XAT exam pattern. 

The XAT question paper will consist of approximately 100 multiple-choice questions divided into four sections. The total duration of the exam will be 210 minutes (Part I - 175 minutes; Part II - 5 minutes; Part III - 30 minutes). 

The XAT exam 2025 pattern includes the following: 

Section	No. of Questions	Total marks	Good Attempts
PART – A (175 minutes) No Sectional Timing within Part – A
Verbal and Logical Ability	26	26	14-15
Decision Making	21	21	12-13
Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation	28	28	19-20
Total	75
PART – B (5 minutes) Keyboard check
PART – C (30 minutes) No Negative Marks
General Awareness	25	25
Essay	The essay will be counted only when the candidate is shortlisted for the interview.

Also Read: Every thing to know about XAT Cut Off 

Tips to Tackle Negative Marking in XAT Exam 2025

Remember, high negative marking in XAT MBA exam can greatly impact your overall XAT percentile and score, affecting your XAT ranking. To prevent this, consider following these tips:

• Selective Attempting: Try to prioritize accuracy and attempt only the questions you're confident about. You can also practice XAT the previous year’s paper with a time limit.
• Time Management: It is best to plan your time effectively. Allocate more time to your stronger sections. Practising mock tests while maintaining the time limit also helps to prevent negative markings in XAT.
• Practice Mock Tests: Keep on practising questions with mock tests that simulate the XAT format, including negative marking.

Conclusion 

As we wrap up, understanding the concept of negative marking in XAT and its impact on the overall score is crucial for XAT aspirants. 

By familiarising themselves with the marking scheme, practising time management, and adopting selective attempting strategies, candidates can effectively navigate the challenges posed by negative marking in the XAT exam.