XAT 2026 Exam Analysis LIVE: Section-Wise Difficulty & Good Attempts

Overview: Check out the topics, number of questions asked, section wise difficulty level with XAT 2026 exam analysis. 

The Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) remains one of the most prestigious and challenging management entrance exams in India. 

As we look forward to the XAT 2026 exam analysis, candidates and experts alike are preparing for a paper that will test not just mathematical prowess but also ethical judgment and linguistic precision. 

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Conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur, XAT 2026 will be the gateway for over 1 lakh aspirants seeking admission into the flagship PGDM programs at XLRI (BM & HRM) and 250+ other top-tier B-schools like SPJIMR, IMT, and XIMB.

In this comprehensive blog, we will provide a detailed roadmap of what the XAT 2026 exam analysis will look like, covering everything from the expected difficulty level to section-wise breakdowns and cut-off predictions.

XAT 2026 Exam Analysis: Key Highlights

The XAT 2026 exam is scheduled to be held on January 4, 2026. Based on official notifications and historical trends, the exam will likely follow the Computer-Based Test (CBT) format.

The analysis of the upcoming exam will be crucial for students to estimate their percentiles and plan their further selection rounds (GD/PI).

Feature	Details (To be Updated Post-Exam)
Exam Date	January 4, 2026
Total Number of Questions	95 - 101 (Expected)
Overall Difficulty Level	To be updated
Total Duration	180 - 210 Minutes
Marking Scheme	+1 for correct; -0.25 for incorrect
Unattempted Penalty	-0.10 for >8 skipped questions

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XAT 2026 Exam Analysis: Difficulty Level & Good Attempts Table

The table below will be updated immediately after the conclusion of the exam on January 4, 2026.

Section	No. of Questions	Difficulty Level	Good Attempts
Verbal & Logical Ability	26	TBA	TBA
Decision Making	21	TBA	TBA
QA & Data Interpretation	28	TBA	TBA
Total (Part A)	75	TBA	TBA
General Knowledge	20-25	TBA	TBA

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Section-wise XAT 2026 Exam Analysis

The XAT exam is traditionally divided into two parts. Part 1 consists of core aptitude sections that contribute to the percentile, while Part 2 includes General Knowledge and, in some years, an Essay Writing task.

1. Verbal and Logical Ability (VALR)

The XAT 2026 exam analysis for the Verbal section will likely highlight a mix of Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, and Grammar. Unlike other MBA exams, XAT often includes abstract passages and even poems.

• Expected Difficulty: Easy/Moderate/Difficult (TBA)
• Key Focus Areas: Critical reasoning will be the backbone, requiring students to identify assumptions, strengthen arguments, and find logical conclusions.
• Good Attempts: 14-16 questions with high accuracy will be considered excellent.

Question Topics	Number of Questions	Difficulty Level
Error Correction	TBA	TBA
Grammatically Correct	TBA	TBA
Fill in the Blanks	TBA	TBA
Para Jumbles	TBA	TBA
Critical Reasoning	TBA	TBA
Poem based	TBA	TBA
Reading Comprehensions 1	TBA	TBA
Reading Comprehensions 2	TBA	TBA
Reading Comprehensions 3	TBA	TBA
Reading Comprehensions 4	TBA	TBA

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2. Decision Making (DM)

The Decision-Making section is the hallmark of the XAT exam. Our post-exam analysis will delve into the types of caselets provided—ranging from ethical dilemmas in business to workplace management scenarios.

• Expected Difficulty: Easy/Moderate/Difficult (TBA)
• Trend Prediction: We expect 21 questions divided into 7-8 caselets.
• Approach: Candidates will need to balance stakeholder interests and long-term sustainability to arrive at the correct answer.

Question Topics	Number of Questions	Level of Difficulty
ABC Business School policies	TBA	TBA
HR Caselet – ‘Symbolics’ IT firm	TBA	TBA
HR Caselet – Experience credentials	TBA	TBA
Deep Sea Natural Gas Extraction	TBA	TBA
Competition between taxi drivers	TBA	TBA
Car sales	TBA	TBA
Wrongful termination of domestic help	TBA	TBA

3. Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation (QA & DI)

Traditionally the toughest section in XAT, the XAT 2026 exam analysis for Quant will likely show a heavy emphasis on Arithmetic and Geometry. Data Interpretation sets in XAT are often calculation-heavy and embedded with logic.

• Expected Difficulty: Easy/Moderate/Difficult (TBA)
• Topics to Watch: Algebra, Functions, and Number Systems will likely see significant weightage.
• Good Attempts: 15-18 questions will likely place a candidate in the 95+ percentile bracket for this section.

Quant DI Topics	Total Questions	Difficulty Level
Arithmetic	TBA	TBA
Geometry	TBA	TBA
Modern Math	TBA	TBA
Algebra	TBA	TBA
Number System	TBA	TBA
TSD Based set	TBA	TBA
Coordinate geometry	TBA	TBA
Average based set	TBA	TBA
Log	TBA	TBA

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4. General Knowledge (GK)

Part 2 of the exam will feature the GK section. While this does not impact the initial shortlisting percentile, it is vital for the final selection process at XLRI.

• Format: 20-25 MCQs with no negative marking.
• Content: A balanced mix of Static GK (History, Geography, Constitution) and Current Affairs (Business news, Awards, Government schemes).

Prefer Year-wise Pages?

You can also access individual year pages here:

• XAT 2025 Question Paper PDF
• XAT 2024 Question Paper PDF
• XAT 2023 Question Paper PDF
• XAT 2022 Question Paper PDF

Important Dates for XAT 2026

Aspirants must keep track of the following timeline to ensure they don't miss any critical updates following the XAT 2026 exam analysis.

XAT 2026 Exam Events	XAT 2026 Exam Dates
Official Registration Opens	July 10, 2025
Last Date to Apply	December 11, 2025 (Tentative)
Admit Card Release	December 20, 2025
XAT 2026 Exam Date	January 4, 2026
XAT Answer Key & Response Sheet	Mid-January 2026
XAT 2026 Result Declaration	Late January 2026

For the latest updates, candidates will be able to visit the official website: xatonline.in.

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XAT 2026 Marking Scheme & Unique Features

When the XAT 2026 exam analysis is released, one of the most discussed topics will be the "unattempted question penalty." XAT is one of the few exams that penalizes excessive skipping.

Aspect	Details
Positive Marking	+1 mark for every correct answer
Negative Marking (Part 1)	–0.25 marks for every incorrect answer
Unattempted Question Rule	Up to 8 questions can be left unattempted without any penalty
Penalty Beyond 8 Unattempted Questions	–0.10 marks for each question skipped after the 8th
Sectional Time Limit	No sectional time limit in Part 1
Total Time for Part 1	170 minutes for VALR, Decision Making, and QA-DI

Expected Cutoffs for XAT 2026

Following the live XAT 2026 exam analysis, experts will predict the cutoffs for top colleges. XLRI Jamshedpur typically maintains different cutoffs for its Business Management (BM) and Human Resource Management (HRM) programs, often varying for male and female candidates to promote diversity.

Program	Male (Expected %)	Female (Expected %)
XLRI - BM	95 - 96	92 - 93
XLRI - HRM	93 - 94	90 - 91
SPJIMR Mumbai	93+	93+
XIMB Bhubaneswar	90+	88+

Note: These are projected cutoffs based on the anticipated difficulty of XAT 2026.

How to use the XAT 2026 Exam Analysis?

Once the exam concludes, the XAT 2026 exam analysis will serve several purposes for aspirants:

1. Percentile Calculation: By comparing your "good attempts" with the expert analysis, you will be able to estimate your raw score and corresponding percentile.
2. College Shortlisting: Based on the expected cutoffs, you can decide which other B-school applications (like MICA, IMT, or TAPMI) you should prioritize.
3. Preparation for GD/PI: If the analysis suggests you will cross the XLRI threshold, you can immediately begin preparing for the Decision Making and Essay Writing components which are crucial in the interview stage.

Tips for XAT 2026 Aspirants

As we approach the 2026 cycle, keep these strategies in mind to ensure your own performance matches the "Toppers' Analysis":

• Master the Decision Making Section: Practice previous years' papers extensively. Decision making is more about a mindset than a formula.
• Improve Reading Speed: With abstract RCs and lengthy poems, the VALR section will be a test of endurance.
• Focus on Accuracy: Because of the negative marking for both wrong and unattempted questions, a balanced "selective attempt" strategy will be vital.

The detailed and live XAT 2026 exam analysis will be updated on this page on the evening of January 4, 2026. Stay tuned and keep checking the Toprankers XAT Analysis page for real-time updates, student reactions, and expert reviews.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, the XAT 2026 exam continues to be a pivotal gateway for MBA aspirants. Its evolving structure and challenging content reflect the dynamic needs of top business schools.

Candidates must adapt to these changes, focusing on comprehensive preparation across all sections.

Understanding the exam's complexity by doing proper XAT 2025 exam analysis, strategic preparation, and awareness of expected XAT cutoffs will be key to success.

As XAT question paper analysis maintains its reputation as a rigorous test, it offers a unique opportunity for aspirants to demonstrate their aptitude and readiness for the demanding world of management. 

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