XAT Total Marks 2025: XAT Pattern, Marking Scheme and Trends Over the Years

Q: Is CAT preparation enough for XAT, or do I need separate study materials and strategies for both exams?

While CAT preparation forms a strong foundation, XAT has unique components like Decision Making and Essay Writing. It's advisable to adapt your strategy to include specific XAT preparation materials and strategies.

Q: How similar are the CAT and XAT syllabus?

Both exams share some common topics, including Quantitative Ability, Reading Comprehension, and Logical Reasoning. However, XAT has distinctive sections like Decision Making and Essay Writing, which require additional attention.

Q: Should I prioritize CAT preparation and then focus on XAT, or can I prepare for both simultaneously?

Simultaneous preparation is possible, but prioritize CAT basics initially, then transition to XAT-specific areas post-CAT exam.

Q: Can I use CAT study materials for XAT preparation?

Yes, CAT study materials can be a valuable resource for XAT preparation, especially for common topics. However, for Decision Making and Essay Writing, consider using XAT-specific materials.

Q: Is General Knowledge important for XAT, and can I use CAT GK preparation for XAT?

General Knowledge holds importance in XAT but isn't considered for the first round. Focus on XAT-specific GK topics like recent events, awards, and famous personalities.

Q: How many mock tests should I take for CAT and XAT preparation, and what's their significance?

Take as many mocks as possible. Mock tests help you understand the exam structure, assess your strengths and weaknesses, and refine your time management skills.

Q: How has the XAT exam format changed in 2024?

<ol></ol>In 2024, XAT continued its online format with increased duration to 210 minutes. It includes Verbal and Logical Ability, Decision Making, Quantitative Ability &amp; Data Interpretation, General Knowledge, and essay writing.

Q: What are the expected difficulty levels of different sections in XAT 2024?

<ol></ol>The difficulty levels vary: Verbal and Logical Ability ranges from easy to moderate, Decision Making is moderate, Quantitative Ability is easy to moderate, and Data Interpretation sets are moderate to difficult.

Q: How is the essay section evaluated in XAT 2024?

<ol></ol>The essay section is evaluated after shortlisting by XLRI, focusing on candidates' ability to articulate thoughts coherently and critically.

Q: What strategies should I adopt for XAT based on the exam analysis?

Focus on strengthening fundamentals, enhance reading and comprehension, practice decision-making, stay updated with current affairs, and work on essay writing skills.

Author : Pratik Dubey

November 13, 2024

Overview: What are the XAT total marks? The XAT 2025 notification is out, and the XAT exam will be conducted on January 5, 2024. Read on to get insights into the XAT exam pattern and marking scheme!

Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT 2025) is a national-level MBA entrance exam conducted by XLRI in January every year on behalf of XLRI Associate Member Institutes (XAMI).
The XAT entrance exam has three parts: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3. It consists of 101 MCQs and 1 essay writing question.
Each question carries 1 mark, and each MCQ has 5 options. The total mark of the XAT exam is 101.

Scroll down to know more about the XAT total marks, XAT exam pattern, total marks in XAT and XAT marking scheme!

Also Read | XAT Exam Analysis 2024: Check Difficulty Level

XAT Total Marks 2025

The XAT exam 2025 will be conducted on January 5, 2025. The XAT question paper has three parts that must be solved quickly. The total mark in XAT exam is 101.

The first part of XAT exam includes verbal and logical ability, decision-making, Quantitative ability and data interpretation.

The second part of the XAT exam is a 5-minute mock keyboard test, while the third part asks questions based on general knowledge.

Each section of XAT entrance exam 2025 will have 22-27 questions in MCQ format and 5 options for choosing the right answer.

Also Read | XAT Application Form 2025: Registration Process

XAT Exam Pattern 2025: Major Highlights

Here is the XAT total marks, exam pattern and a number of XAT total questions asked in each section of XAT exam 2025:

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

Enroll: Ready to Practice? Access a Free XAT Mock Test Today!

Also Read | XAT Exam Eligibility 2025: Registration & Many more

XAT Total Marks 2025:Sectional Weightage

The XAT exam total marks are distributed majorly in 4 sections viz

Decision-Making Section
Verbal Ability and Reading comprehension
Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation
General Knowledge

Check: XAT Exam Colleges Accepting XAT Score

Here is the section-wise weightage for the XAT exam total marks 2025

XAT Exam Total Marks Sections 2025	Weightage
Decision Making	21%
VARC	26%
QA and DI	27%
GK	25%

KINDLY NOTE

*The scores from the General Knowledge (GK) and Analytical Essay Writing (AEW) sections will be EXCLUSIVELY utilised by XLRI for its final selection process.
PwD candidates will be granted an additional 20 minutes for every hour.

Also Read | Best Tips to Prepare XAT Exam

XAT Total Marks 2025: XAT Marking Scheme 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

Also Read | XAT Exam Question Paper 2024: Q&A's (Available)

XAT Total Marks 2025: Trends Over the Years

The XAT Exam Pattern, XAT Total Marks and Marking Scheme has undergone several changes over the past decade. Some of the most significant changes include:

Shifted from Paper Based Test to a Computer Based Test in 2018
Essay Based Question scrapped after XAT 2018 and reinstated in XAT 2022
The number of Questions has fluctuated over the years
The number of un-attempted questions allowed has been reduced from 13 to 8
Non-MCQ questions/Fill in the blanks were removed in XAT 2019 but were reintroduced in XAT 2020
The time of the exam has changed many times.

Check: List of XAT Exam Centres

Also Read | XAT Exam Cut Off Marks

XAT Total Marks 2025: Previous Year Patterns

A summary of the XAT Exam Total Marks Distribution for 2015- 2024 is given in the table below:

XAT Exam	No. of Questions; Hours Allotted	Questions/Total marks of XAT exam Distribution per Section	Marking Scheme
XAT Exam 2024	100; 3 hours 30 minutes	QA-28 VA-26 DM-22 GK-25 Essay Writing-1	Correct Answer: +1 marks Negative Marking: -0.25 marks A penalty of 0.10 for every un-attempted question over 8
XAT Exam 2023	102; 3 hours 30 minutes	QA-28 VA-26 DM-22 GK-25 Essay Writing-1	Correct Answer: +1 marks Negative Marking: -0.25 marks A penalty of 0.10 for every un-attempted question over 8
XAT Exam 2022	101; 3 hours 10 minutes	QA-28 VA-26 DM-21 GK-25 Essay Writing-1	Correct Answer: +1 marks Negative Marking: -0.25 marks A penalty of 0.10 for every un-attempted question over 8
XAT Exam 2021	100; 3 hours	QA-28 VA-26 DM-21 GK-25	Correct Answer: +1 marks Negative Marking: -0.25 marks A penalty of 0.10 for every un-attempted question over 8
XAT Exam 2020	100; 3 hours	QA-28 VA-26 DM-21 GK-25	Correct Answer: +1 marks Negative Marking: -0.25 marks A penalty of 0.10 for every un-attempted question over 8
XAT Exam 2019	99; 3 hours	QA-27 VA-26 DM-21 GK-25	Correct Answer: +1 marks Negative Marking: -0.25 marks A penalty of 0.05 for every un-attempted question over 8
XAT Exam 2018	98; 3.5 hours	QA-27 VA-24 DM-21 GK-25 Essay Type-1	Correct Answer: +1 marks Negative Marking: -0.25 marks A penalty of 0.05 for every un-attempted question over 12
XAT Exam 2017	98; 3.5 hours	QA-27 VA-24 DM-21 GK-25 Essay Type-1	Correct Answer: +1 marks Negative Marking: -0.25 marks A penalty of 0.05 for every un-attempted question over 12
XAT Exam 2016	104; 3.5 hours	QA-29 VA-26 DM-23 GK-25 Essay Type-1	Correct Answer: +1 marks Negative Marking: -0.25 marks A penalty of 0.05 for every un-attempted question over 13
XAT Exam 2015	115; 3 hours	QA-33 VA-28 DM-23 GK-30 Essay Type-1	Correct Answer: +1 marks Negative Marking: -0.25 marks

Check: XAT Exam Answer Key Year wise

Conclusion

The XAT exam, a gateway to prestigious management institutes, undergoes dynamic changes annually. Understanding the XAT Total Marks Distribution, total questions in XAT exam asked and the XAT Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme is crucial for the effective preparation of strategies for these changes for aspirants' success.

Check: Best Books for XAT preparation

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