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The XAT 2026 Question Paper PDF is a useful source for students preparing for the Xavier Aptitude Test. The exam was conducted on January 4, 2026. The question paper tests aspirants' decision-making abilities, analytical thinking, verbal skills, and time management. The question paper followed the regular XAT pattern, with a focus on conceptual clarity rather than speed-based problem-solving.
Solving the XAT 2026 question paper helps students to better understand the latest exam pattern, question types, section-by-section difficulty level, and major topics, as well as improve accuracy, speed, and overall exam strategy.
XAT 2026 Question Paper PDF
The XAT 2026 Question Paper PDF is important material for students preparing for the Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT). It helps aspirants in understanding the most recent exam pattern, section-by-section difficulty level, question trends, and key topics asked in the exam. Practising the XAT 2026 question paper increases speed, accuracy, and time management while giving practical exam experience. Students can use XAT 2026 Question Paper PDF as a mock test to check their preparation and find areas for improvement. Regular practice with XAT question papers helps in setting up a solid exam plan and improving confidence for the final exam.
XAT 2026 Question Paper with Answer Key & Solutions
Candidates who participated in the XAT 2026 exam can download the XAT 2026 Question Paper with Answer Key & Solutions to check their performance and understand the proper approach for each topic. The question paper, combined with detailed section-by-section solutions, helps applicants in calculating their expected score, analysing mistakes, and successfully preparing for future MBA entrance exams.
The XAT 2026 exam was conducted in a single shift on January 4, 2026, and asked 95 multiple-choice questions, split into Part 1 (Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation) and Part 2 (General Knowledge). There was no essay-writing section — it was discontinued from XAT 2025 onward and is now assessed separately during the GD-PI round.
Read Also, XAT Previous Year Papers With Solutions, Download PDF's
XAT 2026 Difficulty Level and Section-Wise Analysis
The table below provides an analysis of the XAT 2026 difficulty level of questions and the difficulty level section-wise.
XAT 2026 Difficulty Level and Section-Wise Analysis | ||
|---|---|---|
Section | No. of Questions | Difficulty Level |
Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning (VALR) | 26 | Moderate to Difficult |
Decision Making (DM) | 21 | Moderate |
Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation (QA & DI) | 28 | Moderate to Difficult |
General Knowledge (GK) | 20 | Easy to Moderate |
Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning (VALR)
- The questions were mainly comprehension based and reasoning-based, rather than direct vocabulary testing. Managing time properly while remaining accurate was important during the exam.
Decision Making (DM)
- Decision Making remains one of the most important section of XAT 2026. The questions largely focused on moral dilemmas and business situations in which candidates were required to apply rational judgement rather than relying on rigid rules.
Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation (QA & DI)
- The Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation section of XAT 2026 included both conceptual and calculation-based questions. Some questions were simple, while others required in-depth analysis and careful selection. Data Sufficiency questions, where doable.
General Knowledge (GK)
- The General Knowledge section of XAT 2026 covered a balanced mix of static GK and current affairs. Although this section does not contribute to the overall percentile, it remains an important part of the exam due to its relevance in the final selection stages
XAT 2026 Marking Scheme
| Section | Correct Answer | Wrong Answer | Unattempted (Skip) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part 1 – VALR, DM, QA & DI | +1 mark | −0.25 marks | First 8 skips: no penalty. Each skip after that: −0.10 marks |
| Part 2 – General Knowledge (GK) | +1 mark | No negative marking | No negative marking |
Read Also, XAT Questions, Topic-wise Questions With Solutions
How to Download XAT 2026 Question Paper PDF?
Check the points below for the process to download the XAT answer key 2026:
Go to xatonline.in website
Click on XAT and objection option
Enter application number and password
Click on the text indicating answer key
The question paper will open in a new tab in PDF format.
Download it and check details
Read Also, India's #1 XAT Online Coaching 2027 By Sayali Mam(99.998%iler)
How to Use XAT 2026 Question Paper for Preparation?
Using the XAT 2026 Question Paper PDF during the preparation stage can bring multiple benefits that standard study materials cannot:
- Understand the Difficulty Level: Solving the XAT 2026 question paper provides applicants with a real exam assessment of the exam's difficulty level, allowing them to prepare for difficult questions.
- Improve Time Management: As the XAT exam has no sectional time limits, practising with actual questions shows students how to divide their 170 minutes effectively throughout different sections.
- Learn to Manage the Skip Penalty: The XAT exam penalises candidates for leaving too many questions unanswered, and practising before exams helps candidates know when to strategically attempt, skip, or guess a question.
- Create an effective exam strategy: Regular preparation with XAT question papers improves speed, accuracy, and confidence while developing a unique exam strategy and giving a sense of types of questions that were asked previously.
XAT 2026 Question Paper PDF: Conclusion
The XAT 2026 Question Paper PDF is one of the most valuable preparation resources for MBA aspirants aiming to perform well in the upcoming XAT exam. It provides a clear understanding of the latest exam pattern, section-wise difficulty level, question distribution, and marking scheme. Practising the actual paper helps candidates strengthen conceptual understanding while improving speed, accuracy, and decision-making skills.
Regular practice with the XAT 2026 Question Paper PDF, along with detailed answer keys and solutions, enables candidates to identify weak areas and develop an effective exam strategy. By analysing previous year papers consistently, aspirants can gain confidence, refine their preparation, and significantly improve their chances of achieving a high percentile in XAT.
