XAT Exam: How to score 80 to 90 for a good college

XAT 2027 Application form will start soon in July or August. The chances are high that it will open in July and continue till December first Week. XAT MBA exam is an important exam for pursuing MBA from leading colleges

You must aim to score between 80–90 percentile in XAT, which is achievable with a focused preparation strategy, especially because XAT rewards accuracy, decision-making ability, and smart time management more than just attempting many questions.

But before you go head in preparing the XAT exam you must first check the exam pattern and syllabus of XAT exam which will help you to prepare well.

Why aim for 80 to 90 per cent in XAT Exam?

Having a pass percentage would not help you much in getting a good college. Getting a good college needs you to score at least 80 to 90 percent in XAT exam. Once you get this figure you will have opportunity to apply for the good colleges that promises you career in the competitive world and good packages.

XAT Exam Pattern and Syllabus

The Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) is one of India’s top MBA entrance exams conducted by XLRI Xavier School of Management. The exam evaluates analytical ability, communication skills, quantitative aptitude, and real-world decision-making ability.

Highlights of the XAT 2026 Test Pattern

Particulars	Details
Mode of Exam	Online (CBT)
Duration	Part 1 – 170 minutes; Part 2 (GK) – 10 minutes
Total Questions	Around 95
Total Sections	3 in Part 1 + 1 in Part 2
Negative Marking	Yes (Part 1 only)
Official Website	XAT Official Website

XAT Exam Marking Scheme

Criteria	Marks
Correct Answer	+1 mark
Wrong Answer (Part 1)	-0.25 mark
Unattempted Questions beyond 8	-0.10 mark each
GK Wrong Answer	No negative marking

Check: CAT 2026 application form and eligibility

Important Rule

Candidates should avoid leaving too many questions unanswered because penalties apply after 8 unattempted questions.

XAT Exam Sections and Structure

Part 1

1. Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning (VALR)

Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning (VALR)
Details	Information
Approx. Questions	26
Focus Area	English comprehension & logical thinking

Important Topics

• Reading comprehension passages
• Poems & cartoon-based RCs
• Vocabulary
• Analogies
• Grammar
• Para jumbles
• Critical reasoning
• Cloze tests

2. Decision Making (DM)

Approx. Questions	21
Focus Area	Ethical and managerial judgment

Important Topics

• Business situations
• Workplace ethics
• Critical thinking
• Conflict resolution
• Prioritization
• Practical decision making

The DM section is unique to XAT and plays a major role in selection at XLRI Xavier School of Management.

3. Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation (QA-DI)

Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation (QA-DI)
Details	Information
Approx. Questions	28
Focus Area	Numerical and analytical ability

XAT Exam Important Topics

Arithmetic

• Percentages
• Ratio & Proportion
• Profit & Loss
• Time & Work
• Speed, Time & Distance

Algebra

• Equations
• Functions
• Progressions

Geometry & Mensuration

• Circles
• Lines
• Polygons
• 3D figures

Modern Math

• Probability
• Permutations & Combinations

Data Interpretation

• Graphs
• Charts
• Tables
• Caselets

Part 2 – General Knowledge (GK)

Details	Information
Approx. Questions	20
Static GK	Around 8
Current Affairs	Around 12

Important Topics

• Economy
• Politics
• Business
• Sports
• Awards
• Science
• International affairs
• Indian Constitution

Important Note

GK scores are used during final selection by XLRI Xavier School of Management but are not considered for percentile calculation.

Section-Wise Preparation Strategy

Verbal Ability

• Read newspapers daily
• Practice RCs regularly
• Improve vocabulary and grammar

Decision Making

• Solve previous year DM sets
• Focus on balanced and ethical choices
• Avoid emotional/extreme answers

QA-DI

• Strengthen arithmetic first
• Practice DI sets daily
• Improve calculation speed

GK

• Follow current affairs
• Read business and economy news
• Revise static GK weekly

Why Understanding the XAT Syllabus Matters

Understanding the syllabus helps candidates:

• Create a proper study plan
• Identify strong and weak areas
• Allocate time section-wise
• Avoid surprises in the exam

Important Tips for XAT 2026

• Attempt all GK questions because there is no negative marking
• Focus on accuracy due to negative marking
• Practice previous year papers
• Analyze mock tests carefully
• Manage time efficiently in Part 1

Conclusion

The XAT exam is known for its challenging Decision-Making section and analytical difficulty level. Consistent preparation, mock practice, and smart time management are key to scoring well.

Candidates aiming for top MBA colleges should start preparation early and follow a structured strategy throughout the year.

Target Score for 80–90 Percentile in XAT Exam

Based on recent trends:

Percentile	Approx Overall Score
80 Percentile	23–26 marks
85 Percentile	27–30 marks
90 Percentile	31–34 marks

The score varies slightly each year depending on difficulty level.

Section-Wise Strategy for XAT

1. Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)

Topics to Prepare

• Reading comprehension
• Critical reasoning
• Para jumbles
• Vocabulary
• Grammar basics

How to Improve

• Read editorials daily:
  • The Hindu
  • Indian Express
  • Aeon Essays
• Practice 3–4 RCs daily
• Focus on accuracy instead of speed

Safe Attempt

• 12–15 good attempts

2. Decision Making (DM) — The Most Important Section

This section is unique to XAT.

Topics

• Ethical dilemmas
• Business situations
• HR/management cases
• Logical decision making

Best Preparation Method

• Solve previous year XAT DM sets
• Analyze why options are right/wrong
• Avoid emotional/extreme choices

Safe Attempt

• 10–12 accurate attempts

3. Quantitative Ability & DI (QA-DI)

Important Topics

• Arithmetic
• Algebra
• Geometry
• Numbers
• Percentages
• Time & Work
• Probability
• DI sets

Strategy

• Master arithmetic first
• Learn shortcut calculations
• Practice sectional mocks regularly

Safe Attempt

• 9–11 accurate attempts

XAT Exam Best Preparation Plan

Daily Study Routine (4–6 Hours)

Activity	Time
Reading & RC	1 hour
Decision Making Practice	1 hour
QA Practice	2 hours
Mock Analysis	1–2 hours

Mock Test Strategy

Recommended Mock Frequency

Timeline	Mocks
First 2 Months	1 mock/week
Last 3 Months	2–3 mocks/week
Final Month	3–4 mocks/week

Important

Mock analysis is more important than giving mocks.

Analyze:

• Wrong answers
• Time wastage
• Guesswork mistakes
• Sectional weak areas

Best Resources for XAT

Books

• Arun Sharma QA
• Nishit Sinha LRDI
• Previous Year XAT Papers

YouTube Channels

• Rodha
• MBA Pathshala
• Unacademy CAT/XAT
• Elites Grid

Biggest Mistakes to Avoid

• Ignoring Decision Making
• Attempting too many questions
• Not analyzing mocks
• Leaving essay/GK preparation for last week
• Random guessing (negative marking hurts badly)

Smart Attempt Strategy in XAT Exam

VARC	12–15
DM	10–12
QA-DI	9–11

Focus on:

• High accuracy
• Easy-medium questions
• Time control

Colleges Possible at 80–90 Percentile

At this range, you can target:

• FORE School of Management
• Institute of Public Enterprise
• BIMTECH
• Welingkar Institute of Management
• XIME Bangalore
• LIBA

Official Website

XAT Official Website

FAQs