Negative Marking in XAT 2026: Check the Marking Scheme and Exam Pattern (Updated)

Q: How much negative marking is in XAT?

There is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for an incorrect answer and 0.10 marks for 8 consecutive unanswered questions.

Q: Does XAT include GK marks?

No, the general knowledge section of the XAT exam is not calculated in the overall score calculation.

Q: Does XLRI accept CAT scores?

No, XLRI does not accept CAT scores. It provides admission only on the basis of your XAT score.

Q: What is the marking scheme for the XAT exam?

For every correct answer, you will receive 1 mark, and 0.25 marks will be deducted for every incorrect answer. Additionally, 0.10 marks will be deducted for more than 8 consecutive unanswered questions.

Q: What is 0.25 negative marking?

0.25 negative marking means that for every incorrect answer, 0.25 points will be deducted from your total score.

Q: How to calculate 0.25 negative marking?

To calculate 0.25 negative marking, multiply the number of incorrect answers by 0.25 and subtract the result from your total score.

Q: How doesXAT negative marking work?

Negative marking reduces your score by a fixed amount for each incorrect answer, discouraging random guessing in exams.

Q: What is 1/3 negative marking means?

A 1/3 negative marking implies that for every wrong answer, one-third of the marks allotted for that question will be deducted.

Q: Does gk in XAT have negative marking

No, the General Knowledge (GK) section in the XAT exam does not have negative marking. However, GK scores are not considered for the initial percentile calculation and are used only during the final selection process by some institutes.

Syllabus Pattern Books PYQs Cut Off Exam Date Registration Eligibility Study Plan Total Marks Admission Analysis Fees

Author : Lalita Vishwakarma

December 30, 2025

Overview: Is there any negative marking in XAT 2026 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 whether there is negative marking in XAT 2026

Also Read: XAT Admission Details

What Does Negative Marking in XAT 2026 Mean?

Negative marking in XAT penalises 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 bad 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

Key Highlights of Negative Marking in XAT 2026

To ace the XAT exam 2025 on 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 2026:

There is 1 mark for every correct answer.
There is a negative marking of 0.25 per incorrect answer in XAT.
If you answer more than eight consecutive questions incorrectly, then 0.10 marks will be deducted.

Updated XAT Marking Scheme 2026
Marks are given for 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 unanswered questions	-0.1

Important Points to Remember about Negative marking in XAT exam 2026

Although there is a negative marking policy in the XAT exam 2026, there are some points to keep in mind:

The General Knowledge section does not have negative marking in XAT
General Knowledge scores are not included in the calculation of 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?

Detailed XAT Exam Pattern 2026 with 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 2026 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: Everything to know about X AT Cut Off

Expert Tips to Tackle Negative Marking in XAT 2026

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

Selective Attempting: Try to prioritise accuracy and attempt only the questions you're confident about. You can also practice XAT on 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 prevent negative marking in the XAT.
Practice Mock Tests: Keep on practising questions with mock tests that simulate the XAT format, including negative marking.

Read: XAT Selection Process and Eligibility

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.

Explore: XAT GK Syllabus

Smart Prep for CAT: Join Our Free Demo Class

Fill your details

Recently Published

XAT Selection Criteria 2026: Step by Step Admission Process