XAT Exam Analysis 2026: 'GK, decision making easy, quant difficult', say students
Sundararajan | January 4, 2026 | 05:45 PM IST | 1 min read
XAT 2026: Students found the paper to be moderate to difficult. The GK section was straightforward and easier compared to the quant and verbal ability sections.
Prepare for XAT with confidence! Download the FREE XAT Mock Test eBook featuring exam-pattern questions, practice tests, and expert insights to boost your score.
Download EbookThe 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.
| XAT sections | Difficulty level |
|---|---|
|
Verbal ability and logical reasoning |
Moderate to difficult |
|
Decision making |
Easy |
|
Quantitative aptitude and data interpretation |
Difficult |
|
General knowledge |
Easy |
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.
Follow us for the latest education news on colleges and universities, admission, courses, exams, research, education policies, study abroad and more..
To get in touch, write to us at news@careers360.com.
Quick Watch
]Next Story
]Featured News
]- Maharashtra hostels for SC, ST students run without wardens, overcrowded; some ‘bogus’: CAG report
- 'Diagnosed with SLD by accident’: Adults fighting ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia have neither measure nor relief
- Over 70% Indians in Germany find right job, fit into workforce, but language a major hurdle: Study
- AISHE Report: SC, ST faculty at just 10% and 3%, women drop from 44% at entry level to 27% at professor rank
- Has DST scrapped INSPIRE-SHE scholarship? No notice, list, budget or clarity leaves students wondering
- In National Pharmacy Commission Bill, exit test after B.Pharm, board for AYUSH and reduced state role
- UDISE+ 2025-26: SC, OBC enrolment hits 6-year low; over 8,000 govt schools shut in a year as 26 lakh drop out
- NIPER Hyderabad, Ahmedabad bet on COEs, revamping pharmacy syllabus with AI, med-tech courses: Director
- Visva Bharati Recruitment: Complaint to PM alleges DR selection records destroyed; varsity says ‘ridiculous’
- Sowa Rigpa: India’s Tibetan medicine students must know the language before they treat patients