XAT Full Form- Xavier Aptitude Test

Updated on 06 March, 2024

upGrad Abroad Team

upGrad Abroad Team

upGrad abroad Editorial Team

What is XAT? The full form of XAT is the Xavier Aptitude Test. The XLRI, Jamshedpur administers the Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT), a national management entrance test, to candidates seeking admission to MBA and PGDM programs. More than 1,000 B-schools accept XAT scores for admission to their post-graduate management programs, with the exception of XLRI and ten other XAMI member institutes. One hundred multiple-choice questions (MCQs) covering decision-making, verbal and logical ability, quantitative ability and data interpretation, and general knowledge make up the XAT question paper. For candidates in the PGDM-BM program at XLRI, the XAT cutoffs are typically approximately 95 percentile for male candidates and 92 percentile for female candidates. For many years, aspirant students pursuing business studies have looked forward to attending XLRI, popularly known as the Xavier School of business. XLRI, one of India's top business schools, is known for its ability to continually adjust to the changing needs of the corporate world.

Purpose of XAT Examination

XLRI provides a wide range of executive and certificate programs in addition to its two flagship full-time residential programs, PGDM HRM and PGDM BM. These carefully crafted programs address the special needs of working professionals, allowing them to balance their professional obligations and remain at the forefront of their areas. Exec-FPM and BM are two noteworthy programs that enable executives to actively engage in their corporate lives while pursuing their academic goals. With a long history and a steadfast dedication to quality, XLRI is a leader in the development of managerial talent and leadership skills. The brightest minds in the nation want to be admitted to the programs that XLRI and affiliated institutions offer. Every year, around 90,000 candidates take the exam.

The Structure of XAT Exam

The level and nature of the questions on the XAT are relatively challenging, just like on other top competitive tests. XAT was conducted solely on paper till 2017. However, as of 2018, the XAT is a computer-based exam. The exam consists of five sections and lasts for 210 minutes.

  • Verbal Ability & Logical/Analytical Reasoning
  • Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation
  • Decision Making
  • General knowledge
  • Essay Writing

One essay topic and one hundred objective questions make up the XAT. The paper was previously split into two sections. The first three portions of Part I went toward determining the final score, while the GK section and essay writing were included in Part II. But there have been a few minor adjustments made to the XAT 2023 exam format. The exam now has more questions and takes longer to finish. The exam is now broken up into three sections, each having a time limit for that section. There is a time limit of 175 minutes for Part I, 5 minutes for Part II, and 30 minutes for Part III. In Part I, there is a penalty of 0.10 for every eight questions that are not attempted and a negative marking of 0.25 for each wrong response. But there are no deductions made for the GK portion. It is noteworthy that although your GK score is not taken into account for the final XAT percentile, it is a major factor in the B-school admission process. Additionally, the essay is assessed solely upon the candidate's interview shortlisting.

XAT Syllabus 2025

Candidates must prepare according to the exam format and question patterns of the previous year's papers because there is no set syllabus for the XAT. The XAT exam format and question types have changed over the past few years. The purpose of the test is to evaluate the candidate's aptitude in mathematics, reasoning, data processing, and interpretation.

upGrad Abroad Team

upGrad abroad Editorial Team

We are a dedicated team of study-abroad experts, ensuring intensive research and comprehensive information in each of our blogs. With every piece written, we aim at simplifying the overseas education process for all. Our diverse experience as journalists, content writers, editors, content strategists, and marketers helps create the most relevant and authentic blogs for our readers.

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