XAT Exam Analysis 2026: 'GK, decision making easy, quant difficult', say students

The Xavier School of Management (XLRI) has conducted the Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT 2026) today, January 4, from 2 pm to 5 pm across 109 cities in India. The paper was moderately difficult, and the general knowledge section was easier than the quantitative aptitude and logical reasoning sections, students said.

As per the XAT paper analysis, the paper was of moderate to high difficulty, with the decision-making and quantitative aptitude sections being the easiest, while the verbal and logical ability section was found to be tricky.

The XAT 2026 question paper consists of 95 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) across four sections: verbal ability and logical reasoning (26), decision-making (21), quantitative aptitude and data interpretation (28), and general knowledge (20).

Also read IIT Bombay opens registration for MBA admissions 2026; apply with CAT 2025 scores by January 31

According to the XAT marking scheme, each correct answer carries 1 mark, while 0.25 mark is deducted for each incorrect response. A penalty of 0.10 marks applies after eight consecutive unattempted questions, and there is no negative marking for the GK section.

XAT Analysis 2026: Section-wise difficulty level

Candidates can find the section-wise difficulty level for the XAT 2026 exam below.

The XAT 2026 answer key and response sheets are expected to be out this week. Candidates who appeared for the MBA entrance exam will be able to download the XAT answer key 2026 on the official website, xatonline.in.