XAT Previous Year Question Papers PDF Download (2024-2020)

Overview:  The XAT exam date 2026 is January 4, and it will be conducted at various centres across India. Practicing with the XAT previous year papers can be really helpful to grab good marks. Read on to get the last year's XAT exam paper PDF!

• The Xavier Aptitude Test exam will be conducted on Sunday, January 4th, 2026. XAT registration commenced on 10th July 2025.
• The last date to apply for the XAT entrance exam is 5th December 2025.

Download Free Study Material for XAT Exam 2026 by Supergrads

What's New for XAT 2026?

• There is no sectional time limit in the XAT 2026 exam. You can now move freely between sections during the exam.
• The number of XAT test cities has increased to 109 this year.
• You can choose two preferred test cities when you fill out your application.
• The application fee for XAT remains the same.

What You’ll Find in This Blog:

Step-by-Step Guide to Download XAT Previous Year Question Papers

Access official XAT question papers from previous years quickly and easily. Follow our simple guide to download them without any hassle and begin your focused preparation right away.

One-Click Download: XAT Question Paper PDFs (2024–2020)

Download XAT previous year papers from 2018 to 2024 instantly all in one place! With just a single click, you can start practicing and building the confidence you need for exam day.

Why Solve XAT Previous Year Papers?

Practicing with XAT past year papers helps you grasp the exam pattern, enhance accuracy, and sharpen your time-management skills. Smart preparation today can make a big difference in your final score!

Learn About |  XAT Exam Date for 2026

XAT Previous Year Papers PDF Download Links [2024 - 2022]

Want to boost your XAT score? Download the XAT previous year question papers PDF below and start practicing now!

XAT Previous Year Papers	Download Links
XAT 2024 Question Paper	Download Now
XAT 2023 Question Paper	Download Now
XAT 2022 Question Paper	Download Now
XAT 2021 Question Paper	Download Now
XAT 2020 Question Paper	Download Now

Importance for XAT Previous Year Papers

Going through XAT previous year question papers is one of the smartest ways to prepare for the exam. They give you a real feel of what the test is like the kind of questions that show up, how tricky some sections can be, and how much time you might need for each part. It’s a great way to figure out which topics come up often so you can focus your efforts there. Plus, the more you practice, the more confident and less anxious you’ll feel on exam day.

You’ll also get a better idea of where you’re strong and where you need to improve. Think of these XAT Previous year question papers as a mock test with real benefits. They help you sharpen your strategy and boost your chances of scoring well.

Sample Questions from XAT Previous Year Question Papers

1. A company wants to reduce its electricity consumption. They have two options: install energy-efficient lighting or upgrade the air conditioning system. Installing energy-efficient lighting would reduce electricity costs by 10%, while upgrading the air conditioning system would reduce costs by 15%. However, the lighting upgrade costs $50,000, while the AC upgrade costs $80,000. Which option should the company choose if they want the quickest return on investment?

(a) Only lighting upgrade
(b) Only AC upgrade
(c) Both together
(d) Neither
(e) Cannot determine without knowing total electricity cost
Answer: e

2. A manager has to assign 3 employees—A, B, and C—to 3 different projects—X, Y, and Z. Employee A cannot work on project X, Employee B cannot work on project Y, and Employee C prefers project Z. Which of the following is a possible assignment?

(a) A→Y, B→Z, C→X
(b) A→Z, B→X, C→Y
(c) A→X, B→Z, C→Y
(d) A→Y, B→X, C→Z
(e) None of the above
Answer: d

3. Urban gardening is becoming increasingly popular in cities worldwide. While it offers fresh produce and improves air quality, it can also pose risks if plants are grown in contaminated soil." Which of the following statements is best supported by the passage?

(a) Urban gardening has no disadvantages.
(b) Soil quality is irrelevant for urban gardening.
(c) Urban gardening has both benefits and risks.
(d) Urban gardening should be banned in cities.
(e) Cities cannot support urban gardening.
Answer: c

4. Select the grammatically correct version of the sentence:

(a) Despite of heavy rain, the match continued.
(b) In spite of heavy rain, the match continued.
(c) Because of heavy rain, the match continued, although.
(d) The match continued although heavy rain despite.
(e) Heavy rain, notwithstanding, the match was continued.
Answer: b

5. A shop sells pens at $12 each and notebooks at $20 each. If a customer buys a total of 10 items for $160, how many pens did the customer buy?

(a) 4
(b) 5
(c) 6
(d) 7
(e) 8
Solution: Let pens = x, notebooks = 10 − x. Then 12x + 20(10 − x) = 160 → 12x + 200 − 20x = 160 → −8x = −40 → x = 5
Answer: b

6. A company’s quarterly profits (in million dollars) over 4 quarters are: Q1: 12, Q2: 15, Q3: 18, Q4: 21. What is the percentage increase in profit from Q1 to Q4?

(a) 50%
(b) 55%
(c) 60%
(d) 65%
(e) 75%
Solution: Percentage increase = ((21 − 12)/12) × 100 = (9/12) × 100 = 75%
Answer: e

7. Which of the following countries is NOT a member of the G7?

(a) Germany
(b) Italy
(c) Canada
(d) China
(e) Japan
Answer: d

XAT Previous Year Papers Highlights

Following is the trend analysis of the XAT previous year question papers of the past four years:

XAT Previous Year Papers- Past Year's Trend Analysis
Year wise XAT past year papers trends	Questions per Section	Time Duration	Marking Scheme
2025	VA-26 DM-21 QA-28 GK-20 Essay  Writing: (Scrapped from the exam; was conducted during the XLRI selection process)	180 minutes (3 hours)	+1 mark for correct answer and -0.25 negative marking for wrong answer -0.1 mark for every un-attempted question beyond the first 8 un-attempted questions.
2024	VA-26 DM-21 QA-28 GK-25	180 minutes (3 hours)	+1 mark for correct answer and -0.25 negative marking for wrong answer -0.1 mark for every un-attempted question beyond the first 8 un-attempted questions.
2023	VA-26 DM-21 QA-28 GK-25 Essay Writing: 1	190 minutes (3 hours 10 minutes)	+1 mark for correct answer and -0.25 negative marking for wrong answer -0.1 mark for every un-attempted question beyond the first 8 un-attempted questions.
2022	VA-26 DM-22 QA-28 GK-25 Essay Writing: 1	210 minutes (3 hours 30 minutes)	+1 mark for correct answer and -0.25 negative marking for wrong answer -0.1 mark for every un-attempted question beyond the first 8 un-attempted questions.
2021	VA-26 DM-22 QA-28 GK-25 Essay Writing: 1	210 minutes (3 hours 30 minutes)	+1 mark for correct answer and -0.25 negative marking for wrong answer -0.1 mark for every un-attempted question beyond the first 8 un-attempted questions.

Read More| XAT 2026 Exam Registration

Learn | How to Start XAT Exam Preparation?

Why Solving XAT Previous Year Papers Matters?

XAT previous year papers are essential for smart preparation. They help aspirants understand the actual exam pattern, question types, and difficulty level across all sections, especially the unique Decision Making and Essay Writing parts.

• Solving XAT question papers regularly improves time management, boosts confidence, and highlights strengths and weaknesses.
• They also reveal recurring themes, logical patterns, and topic weightage, allowing focused revision.
• Most importantly, they provide real-time exam simulation, helping reduce anxiety and develop a strategy.
• For anyone serious about cracking XAT, XAT past year papers are not just practice; they are a vital roadmap to success.

How to Download XAT previous year question papers

• Visit the official XAT website or trusted educational portals.
• Navigate to the “XAT Previous Year Question Papers” section and select the year you want.
• Download the PDF and save it for practice.

XAT Exam Preparation Tips Using XAT Previous Year Papers

The following are some expert tips, besides analyzing the XAT previous year paper, that could help you if you are preparing for the XAT exam 2026:

• Understand the XAT exam pattern for effective time management in your prep.
• Review the XAT syllabus to identify your strengths and weaknesses by topic.
• Create a daily study plan for 6-8 hours. 
• Prioritize high-yield topics as you prepare for XAT 2026.
• Engage in online study groups, seek a mentor, or join an MBA coaching program for guidance.
• Utilize XAT question papers, online resources, apps, and videos for flexible study opportunities, valuing every minute.
• Allocate specific time frames for each section, adhering strictly to these limits.
• In the final month, focus on practising XAT mock tests to measure progress and enhance your performance.
• Practice extensively with mock tests to succeed in competitive exams.

Check | XAT Exam Cut Off

Why You Should Solve XAT Previous Year Papers?

Practicing with past XAT question papers offers significant advantages:

1. Understanding the Exam: The XAT past year papers help you learn the exam's format, question types, and structure. This knowledge allows you to manage your time better on test day.

2. Finding Your Strengths and Weaknesses: By solving the XAT past year papers, you can see which topics you're good at and which ones need more work. This helps you focus your study efforts where they are most needed.

3. Improving Speed and Accuracy: XAT is a timed exam. Solving XAT past year papers under timed conditions helps you improve your speed and accuracy.

4. Getting Familiar with Unique Sections: XAT has a distinct Decision Making section and often includes poems in the Verbal and Logical Ability section. Previous papers are the best resource for preparing for these unique question types.

How to Use XAT Previous Year Papers Effectively

To get the most benefit from your XAT question papers practice, follow these steps:

1. Start Early: Don't wait until the last minute. Begin solving papers as part of your regular study schedule.

2. Take Them Like a Real Exam: Find a quiet spot, set a timer for the full exam duration, and avoid distractions. This simulates the actual test environment and builds your stamina.

3. Analyze Your Performance: After you finish a paper, go back and review your answers. Understand why you got certain questions right and, more importantly, why you got others wrong. This is the key to improving.

4. Identify Trends: Look for patterns in the types of questions that appear often. This helps you prioritize your study time on high-scoring topics.

Expert Tips for Solving XAT Previous Year Papers

Here are some professional tips to help you succeed while practising XAT question papers

1. Go Beyond Just Solving: The real value is in the analysis. Don't just solve a paper and forget it. Spend time reviewing every single question.

2. Time Management is Key: Learn to allocate a specific amount of time for each section and stick to it. Don't get stuck on one difficult question.

3. Focus on Decision Making: For the Decision Making section, focus on understanding the logic behind the cases. Consider all the different perspectives and outcomes.

4. Maintain Confidence: Trust in your preparation. Staying calm and confident can significantly improve your performance on exam day.

Conclusion

XAT previous year question papers are an indispensable resource for anyone serious about cracking the XAT exam. They comprehensively understand the exam pattern, question types, and difficulty levels, helping candidates develop effective strategies for the test day.

Regular practice with these  XAT previous year papers enhances time management skills, boosts confidence, and helps identify and improve weak areas.

For those preparing for the upcoming XAT exam, integrating previous year's question papers into your study routine is a step in the right direction.

To get started, check out these XAT Previous Year Papers. Happy studying, and best of luck with your preparation!