Detailed XAT Exam Analysis: Past Cutoffs & Topic- Wise Weightage

Vaishali Pandey
December 13, 2024

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The XAT exam is a well-known management entrance exam for students aspiring to get into Xavier's group of colleges. To excel in this competitive exam, a well-rounded and strategic approach to preparation is essential. From managing time effectively to staying updated on current affairs, every aspect of the XAT demands focused attention. 

While we will be discussing the XAT Exam Analysis 2025 after the exam, lets discuss the major areas of exam and previous year analysis. 

 In this blog based on XAT Exam Analysis, we’ll discuss the following points: 

1. What is the weightage in XAT for each section and XAT topic-wise weightage per section in each section based on XAT exam analysis for past years? 

2. What are the past year section-wise and overall cutoffs for reputed colleges in XAT? 

3. How can you prepare for XAT effectively? 

XAT Exam Analysis: Key Highlights

XAT Exam Analysis: Key Highlights

Particulars

Details

Mode of Examination

Computer-Based Test (CBT)

Total Duration

180 minutes

Sections

2 (with sectional time limits)

Subjects

- Verbal and Logical Reasoning: 26 questions

- Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation: 28 questions

- Decision Making: 21 questions

- General Knowledge: 20 questions

Question Format

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)

Difficulty Level

Moderate to High (Expected)

XAT Exam Analysis- Sections 

Here are the various sections on which students are tested in XAT Exam: 

Section

XAT Exam Analysis of Section

Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning (VA-LR)

Assesses the candidate’s skills in English comprehension, grammar, and logical reasoning.

Decision Making (DM)

Evaluates the candidate’s ability to make informed decisions in complex ethical and business situations.

Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation (QA-DI)

Tests the candidate’s mathematical abilities and competence in interpreting and analysing data.

General Knowledge (GK)

Covers various topics such as current events, business, politics, and history to assess the candidate’s general awareness of the world.

We will be covering the XAT quant topic-wise weightage and other details based on past year trends in the following sections. However, if you are interested in exploring the detailed XAT Syllabus, check out this blog that talks about the XAT Syllabus Section Wise, Important Dates, Topics, and Weightage

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XAT Exam Analysis of Cutoffs: Last 5 Years 

To ensure that you get a seat in your preferred college and course, you need to clear the cutoff based on the previous year's XAT Exam Analysis of cutoffs. Take a look at the previous year's cutoffs: 

Category

PGDM-HRM VA

PGDM-HRM DM

PGDM-HRM QA

PGDM-HRM Total

PGDM – BM VA

PGDM – BM DM

PGDM – BM QA

PGDM – BM Total

XAT 2024

General Engineers Males

90

85

80

95

83

85

86

96

General Engineers Females

85

78

73

90

80

80

81

92

General Non-Engineers Males

90

85

75

93

83

86

85

95

General Non-Engineers Females

85

78

68

88

80

81

80

90

XAT 2023

General Engineers Males

90

75

85

93

75

75

85

95

General Engineers Females

90

75

63

91

75

75

80

92

General Non-Engineers Males

90

75

60

90

75

75

85

95

General Non-Engineers Females

75

75

70

88

75

75

80

92

XAT 2022

General Engineers Males

80

70

75

92

75

72

80

93

General Engineers Females

80

70

64

90

72

72

75

90

General Non-Engineers Males

80

70

70

90

75

72

80

93

General Non-Engineers Females

80

70

60

87

72

72

75

90

XAT 2021

General Engineers Males

80

75

80

93

76

74

83

94

General Engineers Females

75

68

74

90

70

70

75

92

General Non-Engineers Males

80

75

73

90

76

74

83

94

General Non-Engineers Females

75

68

64

87

70

70

75

92

XAT 2020

General Engineers Males

79

73

75

93

74

78

85

95

General Engineers Females

74

68

70

91

72

74

75

93

General Non-Engineers Males

78

73

70

90

74

78

85

95

General Non-Engineers Females

73

68

65

88

72

74

75

93

Explore the XAT accepting colleges and search for your preferred specialisation so that you can prepare for XAT accordingly! If you want more information on XAT cutoffs, check out the XAT Cutoffs based on previous year trends here. 

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Previous Year Topic-Wise XAT Exam Analysis

In this section, we will be exploring the topic-wise weightage and difficulty level of each section to understand the XAT topic-wise weightage, difficulty level-wise question split, and other details better. 

XAT Exam Analysis: 2024

Here is the XAT 2024 exam analysis: 

XAT Section

Topics

Difficulty Level

Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning (VA & LR)

Reading Comprehension, Poetry, Sentence Correction, Critical Thinking, Grammar (Identifying errors), Paragraph Jumbles

Moderate

The VA-LR section included moderately challenging reading comprehension tasks and tricky logical reasoning questions. Candidates with strong skills in understanding texts and logical analysis had an edge.

Decision Making (DM)

Scenarios: Raman & Flying Grocery Store, Shalini & Nalini Loyalty Incentives, Prabhu Tax Service, Go Valve & Safe Valve, Vinita Lama & SUV Decision, Vimal & Sharda Stolen Ring, ABC Business School

Moderate

The DM section tested candidates on ethical challenges and real-world scenarios, demanding careful thought and critical evaluation. While the questions weren’t overly difficult, a deep understanding of business and management concepts was needed.

Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation (QA & DI)

Linear & Quadratic Equations, Logarithms, Speed, Time & Distance, Profit & Loss, Arithmetic Progressions, Geometry, Number System, Data Sufficiency, Permutation & Combination, Polynomials, Data Interpretation

Moderate to Difficult

QA-DI included a combination of arithmetic, algebra, and geometry questions, with data interpretation sets requiring more calculations. Managing time effectively was crucial, as candidates needed to focus on questions that could be solved within the allotted time.

General Knowledge (GK)

Topics: History, Geography, Business & Economics, Personalities & Awards, Science & Technology, Sports, Literature & Authors, Current Affairs, Nobel Prizes, Entertainment

Difficult

GK questions spanned a wide range of subjects, including current events and historical topics. Candidates who kept up with recent news and global developments found this section more manageable.

Essay Topics

Predictions on Technology, Regulation of Social Media & Fake News, Abstract Themes

Moderate

Now that you have the XAT 2024 review, let’s also get an idea of the previous year papers. 

XAT Exam Analysis: 2023

Here is the XAT Exam Analysis for the year 2023: 

XAT Section

Topic Breakdown

Total No. of Questions

Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning (VA-LR)

Dominated by Reading Comprehension (RC) with only one easy poem. Other question types included Fill in the Blanks, Critical Reasoning, Grammar, and Para Completion.

26

- RC: 4 sets with 3 questions each

- Poem: 1 set with 2 questions

- Fill in the Blanks: 1 question

- Critical Reasoning: 7 questions

- Grammar/Punctuation: 3 questions

- Para Completion: 1 question

Decision Making (DM)

The section featured a mix of easy questions, with one set modelled on older DI-type decision-making.

22

- 2 Question Sets: 4 questions

- 3 Question Sets: 15 questions

- 3 Question DI Type Set: 3 questions

Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation (QA-DI)

Dominated by Arithmetic, it is slightly tougher than last year. Other topics included Numbers, Algebra, Geometry, Data Interpretation, Trigonometry, and Probability.

28

- Arithmetic: 8 questions

- Numbers: 4 questions

- Algebra: 4 questions

- Geometry: 3 questions

- DI (Economic Activity & Subjective Well-Being): 3 questions

- Trigonometry: 1 question

- Data Sufficiency: 2 questions

- Investment: 2 questions

- Probability: 1 question

General Knowledge (GK)

Covered a mix of current affairs and static GK. A good score was considered 10+ correct answers.

25

Essay Topics

- Decarbonisation by India is hampering the Indian industries

- People with less IQ are more successful

- Taking risks in life

1

XAT Exam Analysis: 2022

Here is the XAT Exam Analysis for the year 2022: 

AT Section

Topic Breakdown

No. of Questions

Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning (VA-LR)

.The VA-LR section mirrored past patterns, with logical reasoning being somewhat more straightforward this year. The verbal part mainly tested grammar and vocabulary, making it easier for those with solid preparation to score well.

26

- RC: 4 sets with 3 questions each

- Poem:2 set 

- Fill in the Blanks: 2 question

- Critical Reasoning: 7 questions

- Grammar/Punctuation: 3 questions

- Para Jumble: 2 question

Decision Making (DM)

The Decision Making section in 2022 involved more predictable business-related scenarios. While logical reasoning remained important, the section was generally more accessible than in previous years.

21

7 sets, each set had 3 questions 

Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation (QA-DI)

QA-DI in 2022 was manageable, with most questions solvable within the allotted time. While data interpretation sets required careful attention, they were not overly difficult.

28

Clocks: 1 question (Difficult)

Data Sufficiency: 1 question (Moderate)

Functions: 1 question (Easy)

Geometry & Mensuration: 1 question (Moderate)

Heights & Distances: 1 question (Moderate)

Inequalities: 1 question (Difficult)

Numbers: 4 questions (Easy-Moderate)

Percentages, Profit & Loss: 1 question (Moderate)

Probability: 1 question (Moderate)

Progressions: 2 questions (Moderate-Difficult)

Quadratic Equations: 1 question (Easy)

Simple Equations: 1 question (Moderate)

General Knowledge (GK)

The General Knowledge section in XAT 2022 featured a diverse range of topics such as Science & Technology, history, geography, sports, business, and more. The overall difficulty of the questions was moderate, and students who kept up with regular reading were able to relate to and answer a substantial number of them easily. Notably, the representation of Science & Technology questions increased significantly compared to previous years.

22

Arts & Culture: 3 questions

Business: 3 questions

Current Affairs: 3 questions

Geography: 1 question

History: 3 questions

Politics: 2 questions

Science & Technology: 8 questions

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XAT Score vs Percentile 

Targeting a safe score based on the college you want to target will help you ensure that you get your desired interview call and increase the chances of converting it. Check the required score for each percentile based on the previous year's XAT Exam analysis:

XAT Score (Out of 100)

XAT Percentile

47 and above

99

42 and above

96

40 and above

94

36 and above

85

32 and above

80

34 and above

75

Note: This estimation is based on previous year cutoffs and is expected to change based on a lot of factors such as difficulty of exam, number of test takers, etc. 

XAT Exam Preparation Tips 

Now that you have a detailed XAT exam analysis based on past year trends, all you need are some tips to begin your XAT preparation. We have a few tips for you: 

1. Comprehensive Preparation is Key: Every section plays an important role in the total score, so a balanced approach to preparation is crucial.

2. Effective Time Management is Crucial: With time constraints in every section, candidates who manage their time well while staying accurate tend to perform the best.

3. Decision Making is a Key Focus: Decision Making continues to be a vital section, presenting a mix of ethical dilemmas and real-world situations.

4. Keep Up with Current Affairs: Staying informed about current events, global affairs, and general knowledge is vital for success in the GK section.

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FAQs on XAT Exam Analysis

What is the difficulty level of the XAT exam, based on a recent XAT Exam Analysis?

According to the latest XAT Exam Analysis, the exam is generally moderate to difficult, with a balanced distribution across its sections.

How many sections are there in the XAT exam, and how are they analysed in the XAT Exam Analysis?

The XAT exam consists of five sections: Decision Making, Verbal and Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, General Knowledge, and Essay Writing. A detailed XAT Exam Analysis helps in understanding the focus areas and weightage of each section.

Which section is considered the most difficult in the XAT exam, according to the XAT Exam Analysis?

The XAT Exam Analysis indicates that the Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation section is typically regarded as the most challenging due to the complexity of questions and the time constraints.

What are the key areas to focus on for the Decision Making section based on XAT Exam Analysis?

The Decision-Making section tests ethical and logical reasoning through business-related scenarios. XAT Exam Analysis suggests that practising with case studies and real-world business examples can improve performance in this section.

How can I improve my performance in the General Knowledge section, according to XAT Exam Analysis trends?

To do well in the General Knowledge section, XAT Exam Analysis recommends staying updated with current affairs, global events, and developments in various fields like business, politics, sports, and science & technology.

How important is time management for the XAT exam, as per the XAT Exam Analysis?

Time management is critical, as indicated in the XAT Exam Analysis. Each section has a time limit, and managing time effectively while maintaining accuracy is key to scoring well.

What kind of questions are asked in the Quantitative Ability section, according to XAT Exam Analysis?

The XAT Exam Analysis reveals that the Quantitative Ability section includes questions on arithmetic, algebra, geometry, measurement, and data interpretation, with a mix of easy, moderate, and difficult problems.

How can I prepare for the Verbal and Logical Ability section based on XAT Exam Analysis?

Based on XAT Exam Analysis, it’s recommended to focus on grammar, reading comprehension, and logical reasoning skills. Regular practice of verbal puzzles and logical reasoning questions will help improve performance.

What is the format of the Essay Writing section in XAT, and how is it evaluated in XAT Exam Analysis?

The Essay Writing section tests your ability to express thoughts clearly and logically. XAT Exam Analysis suggests that writing a well-structured essay on a given topic is critical for scoring well.

Are there any changes in the XAT exam pattern every year, according to XAT Exam Analysis?

While the overall pattern of the XAT exam remains stable, XAT Exam Analysis shows slight variations in the number of questions or focus areas in each section each year.

How is the General Knowledge section different from other sections in the XAT exam, according to XAT Exam Analysis?

The General Knowledge section stands out due to its focus on a wide range of topics, including current affairs, business, politics, history, and geography. XAT Exam Analysis highlights the importance of staying updated on various domains for this section.

What is the weightage of the Decision Making section in XAT, based on XAT Exam Analysis?

XAT Exam Analysis indicates that the Decision Making section holds significant weight, as it assesses candidates' ability to make sound decisions in real-life business scenarios.

What are the common challenges faced by students in the XAT exam, according to XAT Exam Analysis?

XAT Exam Analysis suggests that students often struggle with time management, especially in the Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation section. Additionally, the decision-making section can be tricky for those who are unprepared for business case studies.

How can I tackle the difficult questions in the Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation section, as per XAT Exam Analysis?

Based on the XAT Exam Analysis, it’s advised that you practise solving a variety of problems, prioritising easier questions, and using time-saving techniques to manage the challenging questions in this section effectively.

How can I stay focused and calm during the XAT exam, according to XAT Exam Analysis tips?

XAT Exam Analysis emphasises the importance of regular mock tests and consistent preparation to manage stress. Familiarity with the exam pattern will help you remain calm and focused during the test.

What are the key strategies to perform well in the XAT exam, based on XAT Exam Analysis insights?

The XAT Exam Analysis highlights that success in the XAT exam comes from regular practice across all sections, staying updated on current affairs, managing time efficiently, and refining decision-making and logical reasoning skills.

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